Ivan walked to his locker after school to find Madeline leaning on it. "Have you gotten into trouble yet?" She questioned. Ivan chuckled in return and smiled at her. Well, he couldn't blame her, she knew how exactly Ivan was. It had only been a month but hey, she could tell everything. She could tell what he was going to do and when.

"No, Maddie, I have not." He responded as he opened his locker and dropped his things off.

"Thank you God!" She looked at the ceiling as she gripped her books. "For the first time ever, Ivan Braginski- or should I say- The New champion of World Academy, Ivan Braginski, has avoided detention. We shall present him with such award!" Madeline spoke as if she were a sports spokesman. She then gave him a small treat; a chocolate bar. "For your enjoyment, Mr. Braginski!"

"Good job Ivan!" She cheered as he took it. "All we need now is one of those beautiful ladies in tight clothes to give you a kiss!"

"We have one already." Ivan stated in the most serious of faces.

"Oh, we do? Who?" Madeline raised an eyebrow.

"You, Maddie."

"Ivan! Don't tease."

"I'm not! Why do you always think that I'm teasing you?"

"Ivan! Before you get into trouble, let's get moving!"

"Don't change the subject, Maddie!"

"Ivan, you know exactly why, now let's get out of this school."

Ivan then refused to say any further words. He knew that Madeline didn't like to talk about why she didn't think she was pretty; Ivan, himself, didn't even know why. It always made him wonder why she was so insecure about herself. It never made sense in his mind though; she was perfect in his eyes. She was lovely.

As they arrived at the park Madeline had placed on her rollerblades and so did Ivan.

"Are you ready?" Madeline called once they had made makeshift nets from the bags and sweaters in the parking lot. They had placed a ball in- what seemed to be- the middle of the 'court'. They had readied the hockey sticks and gathered around the ball.

"Ready!" Ivan called and they began.

Once they had started Madeline scored a goal, soon after Ivan scored and Madeline once more. It had become intense.

As Ivan fought Madeline for the ball he accidently pushed her. Madeline's front made hard contact with the concrete beneath her.

Ivan shut his eyes tightly as he felt a stimulation of the same pain she endured. Had he just hit a girl? In addition, had it been the girl he liked?

Madeline grunted in pain as Ivan felt a wave of guiltiness wash over him. Finally, he rushed to her rescue.

"Oh my gosh! I am so sorry Madeline. I'm sorry!" He apologized as he helped her to her feet carefully.

"No worries, it was my fault." She mumbled.

"How was it your fault when I shoved you?"

"I was in the way..."

"Are you serious? Madeline! So if a boy cheats on you you're going to say sorry?"

"Well I'd be sorry that I wasn't good enough for them."

"Madeline, grow some balls."

"I-Ivan! I am not a man!"

"You know exactly what I mean."

"Ugh. I know. I should but...I just can't."

"Just please stand up for yourself. Now let's get these skates off of you." Ivan noticed her knee had begun to bleed.

"Yes, I'll try. Thank you." She looked up at his as he led her to a bench where he removed her skates.

After putting her shoes back on, Ivan slipped into his. He led her to the car and after letting her in went to pick up their stuff.

"You know, I could have helped you." She whispered as he entered the driver's seat.

"Yes, but you're hurt." Ivan stated.

"You know, people just misunderstand you. You're very kind and sweet."

"That's when I want to be."

"Then why do you want to be kind and sweet to me?"

"Madeline, I'm kind to you because I like you."

"Am I actually that of a good friend?"

"No Maddie, I mean I like like you. As in, I really like you."

Madeline blushed deeply and looked away. Oh come on, Ivan had to be lying. There was nothing she found pretty about herself. She didn't think she had perfect hair, nor the right body, she didn't have a good laugh or a beautiful smile. She just believed she wasn't pretty at all.

"Ivan, I-"

"You don't need to like me back; I understand you only see me as a friend. I just wanted to tell you."

"Ivan, can you let me finish?"

"Yes I'm sorry."

"I just don't think I'm ready for this whole dating thing. I mean, I just don't think that we would be..."

"A good couple?"

"No, I just don't think..."

"We'll work out?"

"Ivan!"

"Sorry."

"Thank you. As I was saying, I just don't think that we would continue our friendship if we ever date and break up."

"Why is that?"

"Ivan, I love the friendship we have and I don't want to ruin it, I'm sorry."

"That's another way of saying you don't like me back."

"Ivan! It does not mean that! Stop saying that I don't like you!"

"Why? Why should I if it's true?"

"Because it's not! I like you back!" Madeline yelled in anger.

Ivan was a bit shocked but focused back on the road.

"I just don't want to ruin our friendship..." She then mumbled.

There was no more exchange of words. The conversation was over and the ride to her house was completely silent.

"Good bye Ivan, see you tomorrow." She whispered ghostly making her words blend with the soft wind.

"Good bye." He replied faintly as she left the car.

Ivan had thought to himself for a while before leaving towards his house. Maybe now it was going to be awkward and they weren't going to talk anymore... maybe so...

Does this mean it was over?