"Hey Rhydian." Maddy greets, as she walks past the boy who is putting the finishing touches to his art work for the 21st century family art exhibition.
Maddy's board is a few places back because of the alphabetical order, but because of Maddy's wolfblood senses she can she every fine line and detail of anyone's and everyone's work. Maddy hangs her plan picture up, satisfied to the core of her bone.
"Mads, are they a pack of wolves?" Rhydian questions, startled but yet blown away by the precision of how life like it looks.
"Er yeah, it represents family bonds and ties, nothings stronger than a pack bond Rhydian." Maddy explains oddly, shrugging remaining rather casual.
"I prefer werewolves to be honest with you."
"Werewolves don't exist."
"I know, I'm not that stupid." Rhydian snorts, kind of insulting all the Shannon's out there.
"So why do you love them so much?" Maddy questions, she tucks her hair behind her sensitive ears subconsciously, fully aware that she is jumping on VERY slender ice.
"I am fascinated by the folklore, neither wolf or human, they have emotions because they can love and have anger, yet everyone sees werewolves as some kind of beasts or monsters."
"Never saw it like that..."
"Because no one is interested in werewolves, that's the thing." Rhydian says, he shakes his head in annoyance, his thoughts blinding the truth that is scratching the back her of neck right in front of him.
"Well theses are natural timber wolves Rhydian, it took me ages to do."
"Well it is a nice picture, never knew you could draw nearly as excellent as me." He compliments, thumping Maddy on the back in a mocking style.
"You're so kind." Maddy sarcastically replies, smiling in a fake manner -like Rhydian's grin he is pulling of too.
"I know I am."
Just then, Rhydian's shoulders are tapped harshly, and gingerly he swivels round to see the 3K's simpering away. The tug him over to his board, and feverishly, Rhydian stands in front blocking any view of the picture, his hands start to tingles and twitch -the heat rising in the room. Maddy trails behind warily, hearing their heavy heartbeats hammer in the 3K's puny rib cage.
"Lets see your drawing, Rhydian!" Katrina exclaims, twirling a long soft strand of blonde her in er hands, giggling heavily as she gawps at Rhydian's bulk body.
"Yeah, I bet its brilliant." Kara adds, clapping her hands. Rhydian gazes at Maddy for help and Maddy nods her head timidly, smiling lightly. Rhydian gulps in some balmy air and and steps to the side, closer to Maddy, who is meters away from the male human. His grew picture of a shaded boy lurks in the corner of the page as two adult stands in the door way, looking down on the boy. The K's beaming faces drop immediately and twist into frightened looking ones. Rhydian frowns, deeply hurt.
"What's that got to do with family?" Kay questions, pointing at Rhydian's immaculate art work.
"That's just spooky." Katrina mutters, a small shiver scuttles down her straight spinal cord, Rhydian clenches his back, anger nestling in the pit of his stomach.
"And weird." Kara adds. Rhydian shakes his head, and fishes out a pen from his fluffy old coat pocket, before turning his picture over and drawling a simple house, with simple stick men of two adults and a child.
"Rhydian stop it." Maddy pleads, before grappling the pen off of him and stuffing it into her pocket.
"Is that normal enough for you?" Rhydian blusters before marching off, Maddy kicks the floor and dashes through the squirming humans as the gazes at their children's art work.
"Rhydian!" Maddy beckons, so loud that it turns early into a bellow.
"What do you want Maddy." Rhydian shouts, discontinuing, although Maddy doesn't stop running in time, and she bumps into him, both of them crashing to the ground. Everyone glances at them and begins to laugh, even the parents begin to chortle with their stealthy children.
"OW" Rhydian yells, Shannon and Tom race to the side, and haul Maddy and Rhydian off smirking. Rhydian just glowers at the floor, heaving. Shannon and Tom discretely leave, knowing what Jimi is like -a twinge fear cuts into his stomach -Jimi could be planning or doing anything right now.
"You aren't actually going to let them get to you are you?" Maddy asks.
"Why not? You do."
"Actually, I don't." Maddy snaps aggressively.
"Pretending to be something you're not, like a pack of wolves. We're humans not feral animals Maddy." Rhydian remarks.
Maddy looks at around her, looking at every other children's artwork - they all have unique yet normal drawings, none that stick out, none that are too perfect, some resembling broken but hopeful families, other presenting optimistic families, everyone has a story to tell through heir work. All of them whether it is paintings, or sketches or collages or photography, all of them but Maddy and Rhydian's artwork. That HAS to mean something, they are definitely on the same boat -although Maddy is a wolfblood -and a feral animal.
"Well this isn't about me, don't listen to them because they don't understand and if it means something to you then it deserves to be there, but don't let fake girls boss you around." Maddy mutters, being a completely hypocrite.
"I don't."
"Good."
"Look, I'm sorry OK? I can't help the way I feel sometimes." Rhydian proclaims, feeling guilty for being so harsh on Maddy, she's trying to help and Rhydian can do is push her away. Some friend he is.
"I know."
"Maddy, hey!" Shannon shouts, waving her hand in the air to greet them, Maddy and Rhydian plod back to where Rhydian's drawing is, and where Shannon and Tom is too. Maddy flips Rhydian's work over, and he flinches badly, turning away from his own hard hitting work.
"Hi Shan, Tom!" Maddy cries, grinning, but of course scanning the room to see any signs of Jimi and her 'friends'.
"Lovely picture of trees, full moon and hungry snarling wolves. you did Mads." Tom endorses; his blustering blood rising to the surface of his face.
"Thanks Tom, I liked what you did the the Man -U stuff, very inventive." Maddy replies, the tension escalating, the memories still lingering in the air.
"You should put a human in there Mads, so the wolves can eat her." Rydian teases causing Maddy to scowl.
"Her?" Maddy shoots, though Rhydian doesn't take it personally, his life is MUCH more interesting when they have a 'friendly' debate. Rhydian can never resist...
"Yeah they wouldn't eat strong males would they now." Rhydian replies, Maddy whacks him on the arm making Rhydian's smiles even wider.
"Er yeah actually."
"Well, Dads coming because Mums on her shift. And we're going to the Man U game." Tom butts it, Rhydian and Maddy's head shift to the direction of Shannon and Tom in an unison. Shannon's eyes start to perceive and then she realizes it...
"Not on call or anything then?" Shannon asks, not really believing it -Tom's father NEVER comes, and always lets him down. ALWAYS.
"No, he promised to make it this time, no emergencies, no distractions. Just me and my dad."
"Have a lovely time Tom." Rhydian says, grinning. Rhydian nods his head attentively, still cagey with most people though.
"Yeah see you two around, if you aren't hanging about with Jimi." Shannon mutters, pulling a face and Maddy silently laughs as the two humans walk away, having the urge to look at Kara's work for some strange reason Maddy and Rhydian will ever know.
"Who said my name?" Jimi asks, jeering at Rhydian as he strides up to them.
"Hey Jimi." Maddy says, although her voice is dampened and bleak as she says it, Jimi smiles and nods his head 'coolly', staring at the interloper in front of him -Rhydian Morris.
"M -dog, what are you doing with that looser?"
"Who? Oh Rhydian, he was showing us his art work."
"It looks like a mess to me." Jimi leers, Rhydian growls (even though he is rubbish at growling).
"Your face will look like a mess in the moment if you don't shut up." Rhydian fires.
"Ooh, is that a threat? I'm terrified." Jimi teases, narrowing his eyes in repulsion.
"You should be." Rhydian threatens.
"Well if you can go, I need to talk to my best friend alone. You can go and play with your bears and make daisy chains somewhere else." Jimi mutters, sneering at Rhydian.
"Whatever." Rhydian marches off, grumbling to himself, as betrayal hits him hard. Very very very very hard.
Rhydian dashes outside the school, and leans on one of the decrepit walls sighing. The eternal silence soothes his jagged thoughts and a vague familiarity of loneliness hits him again, but this time even harder. Chatting and cheering echo from inside the warm building, as Rhydian hears the faint noises from inside. Bitterness swells up inside, and he clenches his clammy fists. Resentment clawing at the boys heart. Suddenly, footsteps clatter near Rhydian, and Rhydian freezes in fear. The thudding noise gets closer and closer until the murky shadows can't conceal the veiled human anymore.
"Tom? Is that you?" Rhydian asks, anxiety ringing i his voice.
"Rhydian! What are you doing here?" Tom exclaims gruffly, as he lunges out of the shadows; clearly astonished.
"Could ask the same thing for you! Is your dad still not here?
"He's stuck in traffic, he'll be here soon, it's cool." Tom hesitatingly mutters, his voice as soft as the summer buds of may. Silence strikes them like a clock hitting 12.
"You know Maddy wants to be your friend right?" Rhdyian breaks the awkward mold, stuffing his hands inside his fluff encrusted pocket, Tom shrugs and yawns a bit.
"She does? Well Maddy has a weird way of showing it."
"How do you mean?"
"Well deserting us for Jimi, Sam and Liam -that is really being a friend." Tom sarcastically but yet so bitterly articulates it, it stuns Rhydian completely. Rhydian's anger wells in his stomach, Maddy has reason -everyone has a reason for doing something, even if it is downright rude or clever.
"Come on Tom, give her a chance. Maddy really regrets it."
"So where is she now? And why isn't she with you or me and Shan -answer me that one."
"That doesn't matter." Rhydian tuts, trying to make excuses for his best friend -but that is the thing, there is noe whats so ever.
"Doesn't it? Friends are meant to be loyal, understanding like a, like a-"
"Like a pack!" Rhydian cries, smiling as he thinks of Maddys terminology, Rhydian heaves -it's always Maddy.
"Yeah, but instead she hurts us in many ways possible, maybe you should join the football club mate, because Maddy Smith will desert you."
"she won't, I feel it. Anyway I hate football, I can't play as I am rubbish at sports." Rhydian criticizes his face darkening.
"Well you can improve, you may have been here for nearly a month mate but it is a good way of making friends yeah?"
"I guess. So why do you hate Maddy so much then?" Inquires Rhydian, his curiosity getting the better of him, and so he listens intently for what Tom has to say.
"I don't hate her Rhydian, she is the sort of girl that can make you feel special, top dog, and once you're friends with Maddy Smith, you'll never forget it." Tom mutters in a honey syrup sweetness undertone, Rhydian's jealousy perks up and increases, his muscles tighten and hot beads of dew trickle down his neck -did TOM just SAY that?!
"What her or the experience?"
"Both -I guess that's why I hurt so much every time I think of Mads, because she connected with me in so many ways."
"What? Like dating?!" Rhydian nearly screams, making Tom jump in shock.
"NO, No, no! I mean I would have wanted to -she isn't vain with any make up, she listens, loves artistic skills, but I guess she would never like me."
"Not true -you have a - good-sense-of hu-mour..." Rhydian lies, gritting his teeth so much, his gums ware starting ache.
"Thanks. Do you actually think me and Mads have a chance?"
"Well first you need to forgive her, then get rid of all the other guys because Maddy is a bit of a heartthrob." Rhydian says, grinning as he thinks of all those ''moments''.
"How do you know!"
"Have you seen her with Jimi and c.o -you don't get busier than that."
"What is she like baking the potatoes so to speak?" Tom jokes, but Rhydian takes it personally.
"What?"
"You know, mingling with the pineapples, crushing the strawberries, having a barbecue, putting the pie in the oven, rattling the pens, getting it on.. No?"
"Nah, sorry mate." Rhydian spits, making the poor guy blush with embarrassment,
"Forget it, if you see Mads, tell her I said hi yeah?"
" Course. Well, have a great weekend." Rhydian blunt whispers, looking away and acting like a spoilt brat.
"Yeah, see ya."
"Bye."
Tom walks off back into the Bradlington High exhibition, and Rhydian rolls his eyes in boredom and exhaustion of hearing Tom drone on and on about him and Maddy. Rhydian's head is taking his own advice - forgive her then get rid of all the other potential guys. Lost in his thoughts, he doesn't notice Maddy come up to him, or notice the fact that she has been tearing the flesh off her nails in anticipation and anxiety.
"Rhydian?" Maddy weakly says, jogging lightly on the spot.
"Mads!"
"What have you done?" Maddy's accusation sends shivers down the boy's back, how did she even know this stuff -she knows everything in that head of his!
"I have just spoken to Tom, he said hi!"
"Oh, that's -nice!" Maddy pauses at the end, just like what Rhydian did when he was trying to compliment Tom, they SO DO have MUCH in common -eek factor 50.
"Yeah, so how's Jimi?" Rhydian forlornly questions digging deeper int his pockets.
"There's Kay's birthday party in two weeks." Mads replies, secretly hoping that Rhydian will do the asking, do what Shannon said -'act normal', well normal for Maddy anyway.
"What -are you going?"
"I don't know, we may be energetic in two weeks time, I can get really cocky and energetic sometime -not good." Maddy responds rapidly. Although she kicks her innards, damn she was not meant to say that, can alter her normality here.
"Phew, because I am not going."
"Actually they told me to tell you that you are invited, sorry." Maddy's voice is deflated, and then something occurs to him that he should have done/ said straight away.
"Oh, well you know we could go together, show those idiots that we are cool!"
"Yeah, maybe."
"Yeah.."
"You'll freeze Rhydian, let's go." Maddy diverts the question, sensing the heat radiating off his body.
"Go? Where?"
"To Bernie's, where there's food -come on." Maddy says, half dragging half running along with Rhydian Morris, who is cherishing every single waking (and sleeping) moment with Maddy.
But, a loud shatter breaks loose from the school. Maddy and Rhydian abruptly discontinue, and hear a loud thud. Maddy sniffs the air -human, not just any human it is Jimi's scent. They both sharply turn around, hearing swear words all around them.
"Jimi." Maddy growls.
"How did you work that one out?"
"Who else says such bad swear words, come on."
Maddy and Rhydian march back into school with Maddy secretively smelling Jimi's humans stench. Soon Maddy's acute senses lead them to the dark hall where all the art pieces are. Maddy flicks on the light, seeing perfectly fine as neither of them make a sound. The light beams in Jimi's face, as he is just about to raise his fist. Jimi freezes in horror, and nearly trips over Kara's green paint that only works for ultraviolet, causing Rhydian to laugh. Maddy hits Rhydian lightly indicating him to stop, only to make him laugh even louder.
"What's so funny leek boy!" Jimi shouts, positioning himself of both feet.
"Nothing Jimi, but why are you here?" Rhydian asks.
"I don't have to explain myself to you."
"But to me you have to." Maddy confirms.
"What's this then, the truth brigade."
"We're just trying to help you." Maddy explains.
"Help? I don't need help, you do going off with HIM." Jimi shouts, pointing at Rhydian.
"Charming." Rhydian mutters, as his steps forwards, finding it all rather entertaining.
"Jimi!"
"No Maddy, you've been acting really weird since Rhydian came and you know it."
"Don't know what you're talking about."
"Come off it Mads, I'm not stupid and either is Rhydian."
"Fine, but can you just tell me what you're doing!" Maddy yells, shoving her black veins hands into her pockets, the wolf pulsing through her body, even if she can't transform just yet.
"Ruining this place because all of it is lies."
"No you're not." Maddy sternly says, stepping closer to Jimi.
"Yeah, two against one -no leave or we will have to tell Sir on Monday." Rhydian threatens, standing by Maddy's side. Jimi tries to push forwards, but it doesn't work, after some failed attempts of dodging past one wolfblood and a bulk human -Jimi gives up and puffs his cheeks out in frustration, making Rhydian laugh again.
"Whatever leek boy, thanks a lot Maddy." Jimi shoots before sprinting out, leaving a perfect sort of room.
"Well that was easy." Rhydian evaluates happily, although Maddy just stares into the oblivion blotting everything out.
"Mads?"
"Come on, let's just go." Maddy absentmindedly mutters, Rhydian grins and loops his arms with Maddy and the walk of of the school.
Very, very, very slowly.
Can I just say thanks a lot for all the reviews -you guys are SERIOUSLY epic, and there will be Maddian next, but can I asks -when did you start to ship Maddian in wolfblood? Thanks:D