Ah, finally the answer on the cliffhanger you all have been waiting for. Hope you won't hate me after this! LOL. It was pretty funny to read the reviews and your thoughts. Some of you were right, some of you were wrong and some of you...well...were close! Enjoy reading!

Chapter 8: REALIZATIONS

At the park, Madison was still in shock after she saw her biggest crush kissing another girl. She was thinking and thought it was the best to be honest with Nick. At that moment, a familiar face approached her.

"Maddie? Is that you?"

"Oh, hey Ben." Madison responded as she quickly dried her tears away.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Were you crying?" Ben asked as he took a seat next to her.

"No." Madison tried to look the other way, hoping Ben wouldn't see.

"So, why are your eyes all red?"

"It's nothing. Really."

"Look, I know we both have a history together, but that doesn't mean that I can't be a friend to you. Please, tell me what's wrong with you. Did someone hurt you?"

"You can say something like that. But not physically."

"I don't understand it."

"It's about a guy..." Madison could see by Ben's look that he's still hurt about their break-up. "I'm so sorry Ben. You know what, forget it."

"No, tell me. I can handle it."

"It's about this guy...He's actually a good friend of mine. After we broke up, he was there for me and we hung out together a lot. Then I started to have feelings for him and I thought he felt the same way about me. I was wrong about that."

"So...this guy...could his name be a certain Nick Russell?"

Madison was stunned when she heard that. She didn't know what to say. "How...How did you know that?"

"Well, when we were dating, I saw the way you were looking at him, everytime we bumped up to him. It was the kind of look I always wanted, but I never got from you."

"I'm so sorry Ben. I don't know what to say right now."

"It's alright Maddie. These things happen and there's nothing you can do about it. So, did Nick tell you that he doesn't like you back?"

"I wish."

"What do you mean?"

"I had to see it with my own eyes that it's not me he's interested in." Ben looked confused. "I saw him kissing LeeLee at school."

"Oh wow. I thought he wasn't interested in her."

"So did I. I guess I was wrong."

"Hey. I'm sorry you had to see that."

"It's not your fault Ben. Popular guys like Nick Russell are guys who will never fall for a shy girl, like me."

"That's ridiculous. You are one of the prettiest girls at our school. And if Nick doesn't see that, then he's a fool. Forget about him. There are loads of other guys who do notice you. Trust me Madison Rocca, somewhere out there, there's a guy who will respect you, cherish you and love you...as I did.

Madison smiled and blushed when Ben said those words. She felt better after the things he said. "That's very sweet of you Ben."

"I mean it. Don't just sit around, wasting your tears while there's like a line of guys who'd love to fill Nick's spot. It would be a real shame if you're only concentrating on one guy who doesn't feel the same way about you."

"I guess you're right. Thanks."

"No problem." A silence felt between the 2 teens. Then Ben had an idea and knew he could take his opportunity of this moment. " I saw your sister at the Rock Porium today. Did you know she's organizing a dance at our school?"

"My sister? Organizing a dance? Madison started to laugh. This was something new to her. Her sister usually doesn't like to organize events and hates school dances. "That's something new."

"I know. I was surprised myself. And it's called A Magical Dance."

"She sure thought long enough about that title." Madison joked. They both laughed.

"Vida said that you could bring a date and I was wondering something."

"What's that?"

"That's only if you want to, I'm not forcing you, it's just a proposal. I mean, I completely understand if you say no."

"What are you trying to ask me Ben?"

"Will you go to the dance with me Madison?"

Madison stood there speechless. "Oh my god. He asked me? He really asked me? Even after I broke up with him he still asked me. What should I say? Ben has been so sweet to me and he cheered her up, but still Nick is on my mind. And it wouldn't be fair to go with him while I have no feelings for Ben. But on the other hand, Nick is probably going with LeeLee anyway. What should I do now?

Madison didn't know what to say to Ben. It wouldn't harm to put her worries aside and have some fun. And Ben is being all nice to her. How could she say no to him? But deep inside she still hopes that the prince of her dreams would ask her. A prince called Nick Russell.

Meanwhile in the forest, Nick is looking for Madison. Hoping she would be alright.

"Maddie! Maddie, where are you!" Nick was getting a little tired. He took a seat on a rock to rest. He grabs his morpher trying to contact Madison. "Maddie, can you hear me? Maddie?" He put his morpher back in his pocket after he receives no respond from Madison and looked in the air. "Where are you?"

"Where's who?"

Nick jumped up in shock after he heard a voice behind him. "Phineas! Don't ever scare me like that again."

"Looks like someone is jumpy today. Did you lose something?"

"I'm actually looking for Madison. Did you see her today?"

"Well, you won't find her here."

"Thanks a lot. That really helped."

"Anytime. You wanna know how my day looked like?"

"Do I wanna know?" Nick looked worried. He knows that Phineas tells stories no one likes to hear.

"Good. This morning, when it was time for breakfast, I was chasing this big and tasty cockroach. The biggest I've ever seen and those big and hard to get insects are always the tastiest. You should taste it. Maybe I have some left over if you want."

"No thanks. I…already ate."

"Alright. I'll save it for you for another time. Anyway, later that day, I was hungry again. I decided to look for some ground worms. Haven't eaten those things for a long time. You should try those one as well, it feels so good to taste those slimy and slippery things in your mouth. And the struggle in your throat when you swallow them…"

Nick was getting discussed when he listens to Phineas's story: "I really need to go now. It's getting late. I'll see you around."

Nick was about to leave when Phineas said something that might be useful to his ears. "Wait! I thought you might also want to know this."

"I'm not interested."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

"Also if it involves a blue little mermaid I saw earlier this day?"

Nick turned around and finally he got to hear what he wanted to hear. "You saw Madison? I thought you said you didn't see her."

"Correction. I said you couldn't find her in the forest."

"Phineas, where is she?"

"Last time I saw her she was at the park."

"Thanks Phineas." Nick run off to find her, but then Phineas cam after him.

"But I don't think she wants to see anyone right now."

Nick stopped running when he heard that and faced Phineas. "Why?"

"She seemed a little upset. That poor girl was crying her tears out."

"What happened? Is she alright? Is she safe?"

"Beats me." Then a smile appeared on Phineas face when he saw Nick all worried and stressed. "Aw. That's so cute. I like that."

"Like what?"

"The worried look on your face. Makes me almost think that something's going on between the 2 of you."

Nick started to laugh when Phineas made that comment. "Me and Madison? We are just friends Phineas."

"You are? So, when the 2 of you went to the mountains on your bike, watching the city's view, or the time when you went playing Frisbee at the park with her, or the time when you're both training together at Rootcore…it all didn't mean anything to you?

"How do you know all this stuff?" Nick asked surprised.

"Well, what do you think? I gotta find my own entertaining. These woods sometimes get bored."

"So you thought, heck why not spy on Nick and Madison?"

"Well, I could spy on the others as well, but couples are more interested."

"Madison and I are not a couple. And we never will be."

"I see. So, you're telling me that you're not attracted to a smart, sweet and beautiful girl like Madison?"

Phineas's question made it hard for Nick to deny that he is indeed falling for his teammate. He sighs. "You're right. You're absolutely right. I am falling for her. All these times we were together, I was actually starting to like her more and more and I didn't even notice it. I was too busy to find out where I came from and now it's too late. I missed my chance and now she's in love with someone else."

Nick then took a seat on the nearest rock and sighs. Phineas took a seat next to him. He felt sorry for him. "Sorry to hear that. Did she tell you that she's in love with someone else?"

"No, she didn't."

"Then how come you're sure that she likes someone else?"

"Someone told me that she does."

"Someone else than Madison? And you believe this person?"

"Well, why shouldn't I believe him?

"Well, why should you believe this person in the first place? It's pretty obvious you're doubting about this."

"I just don't understand it."

"Well, neither do I. My suggestion will be, talk to her. Tell her how you feel about her. Be honest to her."

"But what if it is true? What if she is in love with this person?"

"There's only one way to find out, don't you think?"

"I don't know about this."

Phineas smiled at him. "You know, someone once told me this: you'll never get the right answer, if you don't ask the right question to the right person."

Nick sighs. He knew Phineas was right. If he wanted to know for sure if Madison does feel the same way about him then he needs to tell her everything.

Back in the Rock Porium, Xander and Chip already left to train at Rootcore and only Vida and Toby were left in the store. Toby was standing behind the counter and Vida was behind her DJ table as usual, playing some music.

"Hey Vida!"

Vida put off her headphones when she saw her boss waving at her, knowing he wants something from her. "What's up?"

"I need to make a phone call in my office. Can you watch you the store for a minute?"

"No problem Tobes!"

Toby disappeared in his office and Vida walked to the counter. At that moment, her eyes were fixed to the person who enters the store. "Maddie!" Vida quickly ran to her sister and embraced her. "Thank god you're safe."

"I'm fine Vida."

"Fine? Do you know how worried we were? We almost started to think that Koragg and Necrolai were after you."

"I'm alright V. Don't worry about it." Madison responded in sad and distracted. Vida could see that something's bothering her sister.

"Is everything alright sis?"

"It's nothing."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure."

"Well...where's Nick?"

"Nick?"

"Yeah, he's looking for you out there."

"To be honest, I don't care. I don't wanna see him right now." Madison tried to control her tears, but it was too hard and her tears were scrolling over her face. Vida saw that something has upset her sister. She embraced her sister.

"Hey, I'm here sis. Calm down. Just tell me what happened?"

"I'm so confused V. I don't know what to do now."

"What's going on?"

Madison wasn't exactly the most open person, but she knew she could trust her sister more than anyone. "There's something I need to tell you."

Vida brought Madison to the couch of the store, where she listens carefully to her sister and couldn't believe what she heard. Will the real truth ever come out? Will Vida be able to hold her temper after she heard Madison's story. But most important is...what's Madison's answer on Ben's question?

End Chapter 8.

Ben was indeed the one who found her and the one behind the tree was none other than...Phineas! He is so funny, I just couldn't leave him out of the story! Besides, he is one of Nick's closest friends!

AH! Another cliffhanger! I just had to put another cliffhanger there! Don't hate me! LOL. What do you think Madison's answer will be? You know what ya gotta do if you wanna know what will happen in the next chappie! Muwhahahahaha!