"So every five seconds one of us pops in?" Cody asked. He was in dance rehearsal with Max, Zack, and Cody.
"Yeah, but only at the beginning at the song. I'll be first. Then, Max will pop across the stage in front of me. Then, Cody crosses the stage until he's standing by me. Last, but certainly not least, Zack will pop in front of Cody. The music will then become upbeat and we start our routine. Got it?" Travis said. The kids nodded. "OK. Let's try it." Travis was about to start the music when there was a knock at the door.
"Please tell me it's not your mom again." Max said. Travis laughed. He opened the door to find…
"Maddie!" his happy face had gone to a very serious one. "What- What are you-"
"I just need someone to talk to." She was crying and Travis was feeling sympathetic.
"Um, OK. Guys, why don't you go get something to eat. Mom said dinner would be ready by now. I'll meet you there."
"OK." Cody said. Zack and Max followed him out, but Zack still got a word in to Maddie.
"I'm here for you, Sweet Thang."
"Come on, Desperate Thang." Cody said dragging Zack away, leaving Travis and Maddie alone. Travis grabbed Maddie's hand and led her to the couch.
"So, what's wrong?" Travis asked.
"Michael died." Maddie said.
"Your youngest brother? That's terrible. How?" Travis was surprised. The boy was only seven. He and his twin were both very smart for their age though. Maddie told him the story and he felt her pain. Maddie felt happy to get her feelings off her chest but she still felt melancholy over her brother's death.
"Thanks for listening." Maddie said.
"No problem. Sometimes you need someone to tell these things to. You know I'm always-" Travis was cut off. Maddie was kissing him. Something he'd wanted for so long, but now it felt weird. He had to pull away.
"Maddie. We need- We can't do this. I have a girlfriend. And you have Trevor."
"I'm not with Trevor anymore."
"What?"
"You were right. He wasn't the one for me."
"I can't believe you listened to me." Travis chuckled.
"Look. You're the one who said you loved me." Maddie said.
"Yeah, but I love Angie now."
"But do you love her as much as me?" Travis was surprised at this question.
"I don't know." Travis said, after some thought.
"Think about it. Like I said, thanks for listening." Maddie then got up and left. Travis sat there alone. This was too much information. How would he be able to face Angie after this? He felt so guilty. The thing was, he'd liked the kiss.
After some thought, he decided not to tell Angie and live with the guilt. He then got up and headed to his mom's for dinner.