She goes through my old DVDs and finds Tangled. The kid may be six, but she sure knows her way around a DVD player.
“Who cares what they think? I think Tangled rules. It only has bangers, and Flynn Rider was probably my first crush.” And yes, that cartoon is also a banger… And that’s all I’ll say.
Paige and I sing along to the songs, and I can’t help but notice that having dinner with the Wests and watching the movie with Paige seem like they happened on two different days. My mood is lifted, and I’m back to ignoring my feelings of betrayal towards Emily.
Look at you, Madelaine, being all mature about it… Your therapist would be proud.
Flynn Rider is currently singing at Rapunzel, and I’m one of those annoying people who have to make little commentaries when watching a movie.
“What a man…” I sigh while eating Ben and Jerry’s.
“Do you like Jake more than Flynn Rider?” Paige’s chocolate brown eyes look up at me, face all messy, full ofchocolate.
“I-” Why are kids so random? How am I supposed to answer that? “O-Of course, he’s my boyfriend…” I frown because if you had asked me five years ago this same question, I would have chosen the cartoon no questions asked, and I would also laugh in your face for at least five solid minutes, but now, as I said it, I’m starting to panic a bit becausewhy was I honest about my answer?! Since whenis Jake more attractive than my childhood crush? Is this my real psychotic episode, and nothing compared to burning all of my mom’s photos? Am I going crazy?Do I need to call my therapist?No, I- I just have eyes, and it’s normal to get over a silly cartoon crush, and West is a real person and not bad looking perse, so it’s nothing,I have eyes. In my face. That’s it.
“Mads, what the hell? Are you okay? You’rehyperventilating…” Allison shakes me, and my head snaps in her direction.
“Paige, I’m sorry, I just have to take Allison for a minute.” Except Paige couldn’t care less because she’s six and she’s hyperfixated on Tangled.
I drag Allison outside just so I can catch a breath of fresh air.
“Is West hot?” I join my hands together and look at the ground, as if that’ll help me. “Because I only ever found him annoying and he was pretty,I guess, but is he hot? I think so…Oh my god,does this mean that idiot actually made it? He actually made me one of hisfangirls… What ishappening to me?!” I bury my eyes in hers and OW!
She just slapped me!
“Get yourself together, Madelaine, for fuck’s sake… Who are you?” She exhales and then focuses on me again. “Look, as much as I like you two together, this right here is calledanxiety. You’re not in love with Jake, you’ve just been touch-deprived all your life, and suddenly this objectively cute guy is all invested in you and- Oh mygod,am I a cynic like you now?” She has her own epiphany, and I curse him out at the sky. It’s in these moments that I wish my mom were actually dead instead of a deadbeatwho chose to leave me, and I could feel her spiritual presence or something and ask her for advice.Damn you, Sky.
“You know what, whatever, you need a break. Take a step back and just enjoy your summer, Westless.”
“You’re right.” And the pit in my stomach can go to hell right now, because you can’t trick me. Of course, when you spend that much time together, you end up feeling some type of weird attachment, and worst case scenario, we’ve become…Friends.
“Shoot! Tomorrow I have a shift at the library with him.”
“Cancel it. Tomorrow it’s Madelaine’s day. Only about you and what you want to do.”
“Okay.” I breathe out. I’m so glad none of us freaked out. “We’re a great duo, Alls.”
“Ain’t that the truth, sister?”
We high-five sideways, feeling triumph.
I pick up my phone and open my texts with Lucifer.
Me: We’re acquaintances now.
Me: Don’t question it and don’t annoy me, or privileges will be revoked
Me: Also I’m taking a day off from all this madness
Soon enough, a text comes in.
Evil Spawn: you’re freaking out because you opened up to me aren’t you?
Me: What part of don’t annoy me flew over your head?
Evil Spawn: I knew it, but Brown, don’t worry, we may joke around but I’m not heartless
Evil Spawn: I’m glad you got it off your chest
