Chapter 21
When Nick had kissed Jessica, he felt nothing for her. He just didn't know how to tell her that. He had seen Maddie watching them and his thoughts lingered on when they had kissed. When he had kissed Maddie, he had to admit he had felt something… and it had been very strong. Did he have feelings for Maddie? He shook his head. He didn't… or did he? He felt so confused.
He felt someone sit down next to him. It was Vida. "Where's Maddie?" she asked. "I don't know. The last time I saw her, she was walking around with a book," he said. Vida sighed. "She's by the creek," Vida murmured. "Well, I guess she's alright. I was just wondering where she was," said Vida, standing up and walking away. Jessica then came and sat next to him and kissed him briefly. Again, he felt nothing. Jessica began talking to him about Maddie. "She was always so quiet, but she was always loving and caring. She loves adventures, but is always cautious," said Jessica. "I can see why you guys are friends," she said to Nick. Nick smiled. "Yeah, she's a really good friend. She's just… Maddie," he said. "I don't think there's anyone in the world like her. She's valued a lot, even though she may not know it," he said, but then he realized what he had just said. He wasn't even thinking about what he had said. It just slipped out, but it was the truth at least. Jessica tensed. Nick felt uneasy too.
"Well, I'm going to go and talk to my friends," said Jessica. Nick wondered if he had made her feel uncomfortable, talking about Maddie like that. He winced. If he had, he hadn't meant to. Feeling a bit awkward, he stood and just walked down a dirt path. He heard something and wondered what it was…
Maddie just sat there. She suddenly just began singing a song…
You are fine, you are sweet
But I'm still a bit naïve…
With my heart…
When you're close, I don't breathe
I can't find the words to speak
I feel sparks…
But I don't want to be into you
If you're not looking for true love… oh oh
No I don't want to start seeing you
If I can't be your only one,
So tell me…
When it's not alright
When it's not okay,
Will you try to make me feel better?
Will you say alright?
Will you say okay?
Will you stick with me through whatever?
Or run away…
When you call,
I don't know
If I should pick up the phone
Every time…
I'm not like
All my friends,
Who keep calling up the boys
I'm so shy…
But I don't want to be into you
If you don't treat me the right way… oh oh
See I can only start seeing you
If you can make my heart feel safe… feel safe
When it's not alright
When it's not okay
Will you try to make me feel better?
Will you say alright?
Will you say okay?
Will you stick with me through whatever?
Or run away…
Let me know if it's gonna be you
Boy you've got some things to prove
Let me know that you'll keep me safe
I don't want you to run away so…
Let me know that you'll call on time
Let me know that you'll help me shine
Will you wipe my tears away?
Will you hold me close and say… alright
When it's not alright
When it's not okay
Will you try to make me feel better?
Will you say alright?
Will you say okay?
Will you stick with me through whatever?
Or run away…
Say that it's gonna be alright
That it's gonna be okay
Don't run away…
Will you say okay…
Nick followed the sound. It was a beautiful sound and he wondered what it was. He followed the sound and heard that it belonged to a girl… who sang beautifully. The song ended and he peered through the bushes to see Maddie sitting down by the creek, a book in her arms and her brown eyes staring into nothingness. He began to back up slowly when she said, "I can hear you, you know." He stepped out of the bushes. "How did you hear me?" he asked. She turned around and looked at him. "Never underestimate a girl," she said. "I wasn't… I was just-" he broke off when she punched him in the arm playfully. "Why were you spying on me?" she asked. "I wasn't spying. I hear someone singing and I followed the sound," he said. She looked down, obviously embarrassed. "No one was supposed to hear me," she murmured. He made a small smile. "If it helps, I think you have a beautiful voice," he stammered, blushing slightly. She smiled and blushed too. "Thanks," she said. They found themselves just standing there, looking into one another's eyes. Maddie remembered the last time they had been standing in the middle of the forest, looking at each other. That was the time they had kissed.
She quickly looked away, even though she knew she could have stayed like that forever. He looked away too and they began their journey back to the campsite. When they got there, Jessica came up to Nick and kissed him. The kiss was long, and Maddie looked away and walked away, wondering why Jessica would do that right in front of her.
She walked over to Vida and sat down, wondering if she should be happy that she had been complimented by Nick, or sad because she had just seen her best friend kiss the guy she had a major crush on. Her expression was unreadable. She went back to her tent and changed into her night clothes. She then crawled into the blankets and fell asleep for the night.
The sunlight woke Maddie. She felt the warmth on her skin and she yawned and rose. She pulled a brush through her hair and dressed quickly. She came out of her tent and saw that not many people were up. Two of the teachers were awake and about seven out of the thirty kids were awake. She walked through the forest alone, but froze when she heard something.
Suddenly, a boy about thirteen with light brown hair appeared. "Oh, uh, hi," said the boy. "Hello," greeted Maddie. "Have you seen two girls? They're both twelve," queried the boy. "No, sorry. What's your name?" asked Maddie. "I'm Adam, what's your name?" asked the boy. "I'm Madison, but everyone calls me Maddie," said Maddie. "Nice to meet you. You must be here on a two week camping trip," Adam said. "Yeah, how did you know?" asked Maddie. "Because we are too, except we're here with the middle-school groups. I'm looking for these two girl named Amber and Alyssa. They keep sneaking off and getting into trouble, especially Amber," muttered Adam.
"Well, I'll look out for them," said Maddie. "Thanks," said Adam. They waved goodbye and left. Maddie took two steps and then heard something again. "Adam! You still here?" called Maddie. "No, but is he gone?" asked a whispering voice. "Who's there?" asked Maddie. "Down here," said another voice. Maddie looked down to see two girls kneeling in the bushes. They stepped out. One girl had long brown hair while the other girl looked a bit older and taller. "So, Maddie, he's gone, right?" said the taller girl. "Yeah," said Maddie. "You two must be Amber and Alyssa," said Maddie. "Yeah, I'm Amber," said the girl with long brown hair. "And this is Alyssa," said Amber.
"Why are you guys running away from Adam?" asked Maddie. "Because he's the worst group leader ever, and not to mention he's mean and is such a rude jerk!" muttered Amber, crossing her arms over her chest. Maddie raised an eyebrow. That sounded familiar. "He seemed pretty nice to me. I'm pretty sure he's nice once you get to know him," she said, remembering when she had told everyone she had hated Nick, and now she had a huge crush on him. "Adam's just fun to mess with," Alyssa said with mischief.
"If you see him, please don't tell him that you saw us," pleaded Amber. Maddie nodded. "Okay," she said with a laugh. Amber smiled. "Thanks. Well, see you around," said Amber and Alyssa. The two girls then walked away. Maddie remembered when she was twelve. Vida would get both of them in so much trouble all the time, but she had admit that it had been somewhat fun.