Chapter Six

“Something’s bothering you” was Annika’s way of starting their conversation.

“No, I’m fine,” Madeline replied, unconcernedly brushing leaves out of her hair. “What makes you say that?”

“You’re brushing your hair, for one, and you only do that when you’re nervous, and two, you’re literally yanking out your hair,” she pointed out.

Madeline set down the brush. “Okay, fine. I’m worried about Leandra,” she admitted.

“Why?” Annika asked.

“Something seems… off… about her.”

Annika leaned in. “Is it because she likes Varian, and you like him too?”

“I never said that!” she claimed.

Annika cocked her head. “Madeline, I can assure you, he doesn't feel that way about her, and he likes you. A lot.”

“How do you know?”

“I can just tell. Trust me on this, Madeline.”

“Prove it,” she challenged.

“One, he calls you ‘Maddie’, two, he tries really hard to impress you even if it involves stuff blowing up in your face, three, he spends a lot of time with you, even when he’s not supposed to.”

“Yeah, but he likes her more, not me.”

“You don’t know that. Why don’t you ask him?”

Madeline snorted. “Yeah, that’ll be a great conversation. ‘Hey Varian, are you in love with me as much as I am with you?’ Not a chance.”

“Hah! I got you to say you liiiike him!” she teased.

Madeline just rolled her eyes in response.