Chapter 6

"Yeah. Uh-huh . Greaaat," Cody said uncomfortably, as he slowly made his way into his room, but even before he got to the door, a knock on the door stopped him.

"Go get it," Zack mostly ordered—not asked. Cody didn't hesitate. He did want to have company, even if it was Muriel, the old maid. Cody instantly drew back his wish to have some company when Maddie appeared on the hallway, holding out Cody's wallet.

"Hey, Cody! You left your wallet at my house. I saw it on the sofa, so I thought it must've fallen out of your pocket or something. Yeah, and I know how your credit card and money are all in here, so I came over to bring it," Maddie was practically babbling. Cody didn't know why. Cody smiled and said thank you, almost mouthing it only. They stared at each other for awhile, until they heard a clatter in the kitchen.

"Holy shhhhow!" Cody heard Zack shout. Cody turned around and saw Zack, kneeled over, wiping soup on the floor and picking pieces of plates, which caused the clatter.

"Huh!" London gasped. "It's on my shoes! These shoes cost more than your allowance for five years!" Cody turned back to Maddie, who was also watching from behind Cody.

" London? In a kitchen? What gives? Oh… and Zack's here. Maybe we could have a party! Whoo!" Maddie said, trying to sound cheerful, but instead she sounded forced and fake.

"Maddie," Zack looked up, "I didn't know you were here! Come, let's have some soup. You'll like it! London and I cooked it." He quickly glanced at London, who was still wiping her shoes, even though nothing was there.

"Ooh, maybe we can watch the movie we rented together? What do you say, Cody? Maddie? London?" As Zack said their names, he looked at them with an uneasy smile.

"Yeah. Sure. Okay. Why not?" They all muttered.

As soon as they were all settled down on the couch—Zack at the right end of the couch, then London, then Cody, then Maddie at the other end of the couch—Zack started the movie. They were watching Saw IV. Cody got comfortable next to Maddie, set the few times, and hung on to Cody's sleeve, her hand linked to Cody's. Cody was cups on the table, and held on to the popcorn as the movie started. The movie was getting more intense, as the people started to die one-by-one. Maddie sort of screamed a scared too, but he didn't want to show it, since Maddie was there. Blankie! Where are you when I need you the most? Cody was reminiscing of the times when he watched Zack play gory video games and watch horror movies with Zack at times when their mom weren't home.

A guy in the movie named Detective Riggs heard a sound in the hallway, and he went to follow it… He slapped the plastic things hanging on the ceiling and whoosh! A movement made sound, making everyone in the room scream, including Zack and Cody. The popcorn slipped from Cody's hand onto the air, spilling it on everyone everywhere.

"Oh! Cody!" London said shrilly.

"Oh shit! Sorry, guys. I got… uh, scared," Cody stammered.

"Haha. It's okay. I'll help you clean up," Maddie said.

"Yeah, but let's do it after the movie. I'd like to eat popcorn off of your hair," Cody giggled. Twenty-minutes passed and they were still watching the horror movie. Cody was bothered by movements made by London. She was tilting her head back and forth.

" London, wha—"Cody started to whisper, but realized what was going on. Zack and London were making out!? Cody blinked a couple of times to see if he was just dreaming it, but the TV's light was enough to reveal their actions. They were making out! What the fuck? Cody thought. How could Zack and London be together? Zack... and London… Zack… and London…

"Ew…." Cody said, not realizing he was speaking out loud. Finally, London and Zack stopped to look at Cody.

"I, uh, you—the… thing. Umm…. Oh wow… 'Kay. Go on," Cody babbled nervously. Maddie! Cody thought. He instantly turned, and saw Maddie, leaned on the arm rest on the sofa, quietly breathing, her eyes closed. Maddie had fallen asleep. Thank god she didn't see that. Cody thought.

Cody realized he was in a garden full of flowers and butterflies. He looked around to see if there was anybody else, and there was! There was a girl under a tree, holding love-me-nots and picking each petal off. When Cody went over to see who it was, he realized it was Maddie—Maddie in a white dress, her hair curled and her cheeks blushed in red. "Hey Maddie," Cody said. "Hey Cody…" she said in a very gently voice. She put her hand on Cody's cheeks and pulled him closer. Cody didn't do anything but kiss her. He closed his eyes as he did, and when he opened them, Maddie was gone. He saw she was walking away into a very bright light…. "Good-bye Cody…" she said as she waved slowly. "Maddie…Maddie…Maddie! Maddie…!" Cody's words didn't seem to stop Maddie from leaving.

"Maddie!" Cody said.

"Cody. Cody! Wake up! Movie's over! Why are you saying my name? Hehe. It's time to clean the popcorn. Come on," she said. Oh… It was just a dream. Cody thought.