Lacrosse. Apparently, in Beacon Hills, it is a very big deal. But to Madison?
To Madison, she honestly cannot see what makes it that much more appealing than any other sport she can name.
Football. Soccer. Hockey. All of them centering around a group of sweaty boys, shuffling some small object back and forth with the goal of getting it past the other group's people as often as they can. Bash had attempted to explain the specific details to her before practice got really interesting, but she had quickly shrugged his instruction away…
With her head currently buried in her Biology textbook, the sounds on the field are background noise only, which is exactly how she likes it, her mind so engrossed in the teacher's assigned reading that she does not notice when someone takes a seat on the bench beside her. Someone that is not Bash, given that her cousin has already moved to a spot farther down from her to get a closer look at the action out on the field.
"That book looks—hauntingly familiar."
Jumping, and nearly allowing the book to slide from her lap in the process, Madison snaps to attention quickly, turning to face the newcomer with what must be almost comically widened eyes. During her apparent span of inattentiveness, the position that formerly housed her cousin now holds someone else, altogether. A boy with sandy brown hair, blue eyes, and a smile that has her cheeks warming in little to no time at all as she attempts to stammer out a reply.
"I—I'm sorry?"
"The book," The boy repeats, nodding towards the aforementioned tome that Madison still holds in her lap, "Sorry, it's just I'm—I'm in your Biology class."
"Oh!" Madison exclaims, comprehension dawning, albeit belatedly, the realization of the boy's intended meaning causing her cheeks to flush while her fingers tighten a bit on the book still held firmly in her lap, "Right. Figured I'd get a head start on the reading."
"While watching practice."
"Well, I'm not exactly watching all that much."
"Brutal honesty. I like that," The boy admits, glancing out to the field for just a moment, and wincing as soon as he realizes one of the players has just taken a rather substantial hit, "Ouch."
"Ouch to the honesty, or to what just happened out there?"
"Maybe a little bit of both?"
Smiling, even in spite of her surprise over doing so, Madison cannot help but notice as the boy sends her a grin of his own in response. She cannot help but bite down on her lower lip as her cheeks warm further still beneath his gaze.
If the boy takes notice, he mercifully remains silent, his attention once again drifting back out towards the field. And that gives Maddie the time she needs to gather herself from her momentary bout of nerves, her shoulders straightening just a bit before she speaks.
"So. Did you come out here to study like I did? Or were you actually planning to watch?"
"What do you think?"
"You're asking me to guess?"
"Yeah. Yeah, I guess I am," The boy confirms, the laugh he gives sounding somewhat nervous, as though Maddie is not the only one feeling slightly unsure, "So?"
Considering the question for a moment, Madison ponders over whether or not she can afford to answer honestly. She wonders if she attempts to react to it as she might with her cousin, if she will end up causing offense.
Strangely enough, she feels at least somewhat at ease with this stranger. As though she might actually be able to say the first thing that happens across her mind without any undue risk, just as she had with Allison earlier in the day. A part of her does not dare believe it, fearing that the moment she gives in to such a ridiculous thought, she will fall flat on her face. But the other part?
The other part that takes such joy in tormenting her cousin in the name of good fun is only too eager to give this a try.
"Are you really sure you want an honest answer?" She hedges, cocking her head to the side in genuine curiosity while she waits for her companion to reply. Something he manages to do rather quickly, even with the way his eyes widen just a bit as a result.
"Absolutely. Give me your worst."
"You're only out here to watch. No homework in sight."
"And we have a winner."
In response to the quip, Madison completely fails to stifle a giggle, her cheeks once again warming as she peers up at her companion from beneath her eyelashes. The Biology homework momentarily forgotten, she now turns her full attention to the boy sitting at her side.
She does not know his name. She doesn't know a thing about him. But all of that seems to pale in comparison to the small thrill that races up and down her spine beneath the weight of his gaze.
It's foolish. Madison knows it is, and a part of her hates the idea of becoming so drawn in so soon. But a still greater part of her almost revels in it, caught up in the realization that her first day at school has hardly gone as awfully as she initially thought. And that is something that gives her the courage to proceed, even if she can still feel her heart trembling inside of her chest as a result.
"Planning on trying out for the team?"
"How'd you guess?" The boy muses, grinning broadly as he glances out at the field yet again, "Damn, you're good."
"Or I'm just—familiar with the look someone has when they're about to do that."
"You know someone else trying out?"
"My cousin," Maddie informs, casting her eyes around to see if she can actually locate Bash, and finally finding him seated next to a boy with angular cheekbones and curly, sandy-brown hair, "He's right over there."
"Huh."
"Huh?"
"Well, he just—I guess he just doesn't really look like the type to be into something like lacrosse," The boy states, almost immediately seeming to sense Madison's skeptically raised brow, if the way in which he hurries to explain his logic is any sort of indication at all, "Not that he can't make the team. He just doesn't—"
"He's not a wall of solid muscle?"
"No! I mean, neither am I. I just—"
"You just what?"
"I'm really putting my foot in it right now, aren't I?"
"Maybe just a little," Madison agrees, unable to resist the small twitch at one corner of her mouth, given the low groan that her companion gives as a result of her confession, "But I think I might be able to find some way of forgiving you."
"Oh yeah?"
"Only if you're willing to meet the terms—"
"Name them," The boy says, eagerness shining through to replace any potential embarrassment he might have been feeling mere moments before, the end-result causing Madison to bite down on her lower lip for a moment before deigning to reply. Before hoping her impromptu and unexpected surge of confidence over having the upper hand will not be too short-lived…
"Your name. I think I need to know your name."
"That's it?"
"Did you really want me to make it any more complicated than that?" Madison quips, her barely restrained smile now coming out in full force, seeing as she can be reasonably sure she is not causing any offense, "Because I can always try for something with a little more oomph."
"No, this—just my name is fine! And it's—it's Matt, by the way."
"Matt."
"Matt Daehler," Her companion elaborates, clearly taking her repetition of his first name as an indicator that the answer she actually wants is something just a little more conclusive, "I don't suppose you could give me your name? Or have I not earned that, yet?"
"I don't know," Madison teases, placing her elbows on top of her long-forgotten Biology textbook, and moving to rest her chin upon her hands not long after, "Do you think you've earned it?"
"A guy can dream, I guess—"
"It's Madison."
"Madison?"
"Madison Duvall."
"Well, Madison Duvall," Matt begins, an almost sly smile stealing across his own features as he regards Madison with a look that seems to show intrigue, and maybe a little bit of satisfaction as well, "Wish me luck out there?"
"Good luck, Matt. Even if you probably don't really need it."
The smile she receives in response sets Madison's cheeks to burning yet again, though by some miracle, she manages to continue looking Matt in the eye, rather than averting her gaze to where her fingers are clenching around the book held tightly in her lap. Again, she acknowledges her own surprise over such behavior, given that she had expected nothing more from this day outside of keeping to herself.
It would be a lie for her to pretend she is not somewhat grateful for the change in plans. That she is not more than a little relieved the day was not as tortuous as she initially thought. And as Matt prepares to jog off toward the field, she cannot help but offer him a tenuous attempt at a smile in response to his parting words.
"Guess we'll find out soon enough."
…
"So—who's your new friend?"
"Bash—" Madison warns, shaking her head in hopes of persuading her cousin to opt for silence, and darting a surreptitious glance toward the hall leading from the kitchen into the den as a means of reassuring herself that their conversation is not about to be overheard, "Don't."
"Don't what? Ask a simple question?"
"Yes."
"Why not? I've already given you the details on Lydia," Bash persists, smirking as soon as he takes note of Madison's resigned sigh and almost immediate roll of the eyes, "Something tells me whoever he is, he is your Lydia."
"I will seriously pay you to shut up right now."
"You don't have enough money to buy my silence, and you know it."
Groaning in exasperation, Madison drops her head into her hands, her fingers carding through her hair while her cousin's laughter echoes through the room. And even if she is more than a little embarrassed at his insistence over knowing exactly who she had been talking to during lacrosse practice earlier that day, a part of her had honestly known there would never be a chance of escape.
"Fine. You want details?"
"I do."
"You're sure you want them all?"
"Mads, I have never been more sure of anything in my entire life."
"Fine. We talked about Biology homework. I guessed he was there to watch the team. And he tried out not long after," Madison explains, already sensing that her cousin is not about to accept the words at face-value, even without the look he sends her that practically begs her to be just a little more forthcoming, "What? That's literally all that it was."
"Uh-huh."
"It is!"
"Then tell me why I don't believe you," Sebastian scoffs, moving to flop down on the sofa beside her, and leaning over to elbow her in the side repeatedly until she finally replies.
"You have trust issues?"
"More like I just know you."
Groaning, Madison allows herself to slump back against the cushions resting behind her, trying and failing to ignore her cousin's almost immediate laughter along the way. In truth, she hadn't really expected anything less. Sebastian has always been one for getting to the bottom of a secret if his determination to do so is truly that strong.
And it seems as though this particular instance is just one of those times.
"He made the team."
"I saw."
"And that was seriously all that happened!" Maddie exclaims, risking a peek at her cousin from out of the corner of her eye, and frowning as soon as she recognizes the familiar glint of determination in his gaze, "I'm not really sure what it is you're looking for, here."
"Details, Mads. Details!"
"Fine. He proposed before trying out for the team, and I said yes. Happy?"
"Thrilled. When's the wedding?"
"Next June."
"Which one of you is getting married next June?"
"No one—"
"Madison and some guy she met on the lacrosse field."
"And does this gentleman have a name?" The newcomer asks, curiosity apparent in his tone, though the notion sounds wary, as opposed to merely amused. Sharing a look with her cousin, Madison can do nothing but frown as Bash offers her what amounts to a noncommittal shrug. It would be a lie for her to pretend she is not somewhat hesitant to provide the requested information, if for no other reason than that she knows Sebastian's eagerness to ply her for details will only serve to increase their grandfather's suspicion…
And when the man is suspicious, avoiding his questions will surely be no simple task.
"Matt," Madison confesses, noticing her grandfather's carefully raised brow, and forcing herself to take a steadying breath before going on, "Bash is making more of it than he should, trust me."
"The guy seemed pretty interested to me."
"He was just—we were just talking. I'm sure there are plenty of other girls he'll be interested in, now that he's made the team."
"And what sorts of girls might those be?"
"Oh I don't know. Maybe girls like Lydia Martin?"
The remark does exactly what Madison intends, if the way Bash's face seems to blanch is any sort of indication at all, her amusement only growing as soon as she notes the mock glare he is sending her way. It is clear that he already suspects her intentions. That he recognizes her attempt at turning the tables on him, and is now poignantly aware that he is now the one in the hot seat, as a result.
A part of her knows it is likely wrong of her to take pleasure from such a thing, but in light of Bash's relentless teasing, Madison cannot exactly bring herself to care. And so, rather than backtracking, she turns to face their grandfather head-on, her lips curving into a saccharine smile as he seizes on her words just as she had expected him to all along.
"Lydia Martin, hmm? It would seem the two of you have been busy."
The words are light-hearted enough, but even so, Madison does not miss the significant look that passes between her cousin and grandfather not long after they are spoken. The tension in the older man's jaw does not escape her notice.
She wants to question it, but before she has the chance, her grandfather changes the subject entirely, the event prompting a small furrow between her brows whether she wishes to conceal an outward reaction or not.
"Perhaps it would be wiser to busy yourself with your homework?"
Madison hardly wants to give in to the request, at least not without some form of protest, knowing on some level that there is something the two of her companions are deliberately keeping to themselves. She does not want to linger in the dark, whether or not she can still recall her own dream from earlier that day that she is pointedly keeping to herself.
It may make her a hypocrite. It may make her the worst sort of person imaginable. But even so, that does not mean she is any less determined to know what is going on behind a few metaphorical closed doors…
"Is—is everything okay?"
"Of course."
"Are you sure?"
This time, in response to the inquiry, her grandfather's face remains curiously impassive. A fact that only serves to enhance Maddie's suspicion that something truly is going on. But before she can fully decide whether or not she wishes to press the matter, given what small advantage she may or may not have, Sebastian is rising from his position seated beside her on the sofa. He is extending a hand her way to help her up, as well.
Knowing she will only be wasting her time if she does attempt to delve any deeper, Madison forces herself to simply manage a smile and a faint nod. She takes her cousin's hand, and allows him to tug her off down the hall.
She remains aware of her grandfather's gaze watching as she allows Sebastian to lead her from the room, and even then she says nothing…
But just because she remains silent does not mean she is not forming a plan to find the answers she seeks.
…
The following morning, when Madison arrives at her locker before first period, she is startled to realize that someone is already standing there, waiting for her. A few someones, in fact, with a very frazzled looking Allison Argent situated at their center. Brow furrowing in confusion, she continues to head towards them, the two figures standing at Allison's side watching her all the while.
The closer she gets, the more Madison realizes that the arrival of the other two students—a girl with outrageously perfect red hair, and a boy with a jawline that looks as though it has been chiseled from stone—is hardly a part of Allison's intent, given the wide-eyed look of panic she is sending her way. And it is for that very reason that Maddie is able to manage a smile, her expression still curious—still somewhat confused—as she closes the distance between them, and leans against her locker door.
"Madison, hey. This is um—this is Lydia Martin, and—"
"Jackson Whittemore," The boy with the chiseled jaw cuts in, sending Madison what is clearly meant to be a charming smile before tightening his hold on the waist of the redheaded girl at his side, "We heard you were New Girl 2.0—"
"Oh please, Jackson, you make her sound like some sort of robot," The redhead deadpans, rolling her eyes at him along with a well-timed swat to the chest, before her attention shifts over to Maddie, instead, "And she doesn't look like a robot to me. Unless she's into those science-fiction flicks."
"Would it really be that bad if she was?"
A grateful smile tugs at Maddie's lips in response to Allison's inquiry, even if she can already see the absolutely horrified expression making itself known upon the redhead's face. In the midst of the unexpected newcomers, it almost serves to steady her resolve.
It would be a lie to pretend she is not nervous about the two newest faces watching her as though they are trying to test her mettle. To gauge her worthiness to be a part of their crowd. It isn't even something Madison is sure she wants, but for Allison's sake, she is suddenly possessed with a steady determination to at least give it a try…
Something that has her straightening her spine and squaring her shoulders before she decides to reply.
"Definitely no science-fiction flicks. Not in the recent past, anyway, though I can't say the same for my cousin."
"Cousin?" Lydia repeats, curiosity sparking in her tone as she lifts the hand that is not placed flat upon Jackson's chest to twirl a stray curl around her finger, "Allison never said anything about a cousin—"
"Oh, I—well, that's because I didn't actually know—"
"They haven't met yet," Madison interjects, risking a glance at Allison, and noticing that the firm look of apologetic regret is still very much present in her expression, "But I'm sure we can fix that, soon."
"As long as he's not too into sci-fi—"
"And as long as he's not entirely fictional," Lydia adds, turning what is clearly meant to be a skeptical look on Madison, though to her credit, the brunette does not even flinch, "Where is he?"
"Well, he was supposed to be trying out for lacrosse this morning. My guess is, he's in the locker room, getting ready."
Whatever doubts Lydia and Jackson might have had regarding Madison's worthiness, or lack thereof, just the simple mention of lacrosse seems to absolve them in seconds flat. Yet again, she is brought to the realization of exactly how big of a deal the sport is, whether she could ever possibly comprehend the exact reasons why.
Another glance at Allison shows that perhaps mentioning her cousin's intentions to join the team earned her more favors than simply being herself ever would. And even if she still questions why such a thing could possibly be so important, she would be a fool to pretend that it is not a relief to have at least some of the pressure to perform removed from her shoulders altogether.
"If he makes the team, you'll have to come to the party this friday after scrimmage," Jackson suggests, the words coming out as more of an order than anything else, no matter how they might initially have been meant, "Assuming you don't have some lame ass family night thing going on then, too."
"I'm sorry, family night?"
"It's why Allison, here, can't come. Isn't that right?"
"Oh, well—actually, I think there might've been a change in plans."
"Perfect!" Lydia enthuses, flouncing just enough in her eagerness that it sends her curls swaying about her shoulders while she favors Allison with a nearly blinding smile, "The two of you are welcome to come over early to help us set up."
"We—we are?"
"Of course! And bring your cousin. As the girl dating the winning team's captain, I need to make sure all of our players are up to par."
"And if Bash doesn't—if he doesn't make the team?" Madison questions, the words stemming more from simple curiosity over Lydia and Jackson's fixation on the sport than any true reason to believe that Sebastian will fail, "Are we still invited, or is that an automatic disqualification?"
Much to Madison's chagrin, Lydia only seems to double her efforts to observe her in response to the quip. A fact that has her questioning whether or not such a thing was truly wise. But before she can make any attempt at backtracking, she finds the effort waylaid by the suddenly elated smile that pulls at both corners of Lydia's mouth, indicating that, for whatever reason, the potentially snappish retort had only earned her the redhead's respect.
A reality that is only made abundantly clear in the wake of her ensuing reply.
"I think you might just be enough to get him in the door, either way."
Stunned by the response, to say the least, Madison once again looks to Allison, only to find that her friend appears every bit as confused as she is, herself. And left with little else to do aside from offer Lydia an attempt at a receptive smile, Maddie is forced to realize one thing above all else. Whatever her own personal feelings on the girl, and the boy standing beside her, apparently Allison hadn't exactly wanted to endure the two of them on her own.
And that is something that she can completely understand, even if it means she is allowing herself to be pulled into the fray alongside her.
…