“You’re so dramatic.”
“I think the word you’re looking for is truthful.”
“Fine. You’re so truthful and dramatic.”
“See? You’re already coming over to my side.”
“Eh, I was pretty much halfway there. Do you want something to drink?”
Madison smiled and nodded, “A soda, please.”
“I’ll be right back.”
After grabbing them both their drinks and handing Madison her own, Nate heard a loud “Keaton!” before noticing Johnny making his way towards him.
Johnny immediately pulled him in for a bro hug.
“How are you doing, man? This is quite a crowd, huh?” Johnny shouted, his body slightly tilting. Nate would probably end up being the only one sober by the end of the night.
“It sure is,” he nodded his head towards his friend and teammate.
“Hey, who’s your girl?” Johnny asked, just then noticing Madison on Nate’s right.
“This is my friend, Madison.” He didn’t offer more information.
“Hi, Madison, I’m Johnny!” he said, extending his hand towards her while giving Madison a very obvious once-over. “Do you go to the same school?”
“Ah, yes, I do actually. It’s nice to meet you,” she answered politely.
“Huh, that’s weird. I thought I would have noticed you.” Johnny attempted a lopsided grin that failed completely.
Nate, however, was decidedly not amused. “Yes, that’s a pity,” he murmured.
“What?” Johnny shouted close to Nate’s ear.
“Someone is calling you over there,” Nate shouted back, showing the general area of the kitchen.
“Oh, right! I’ll catch you later, man. Got to be a good host!” Johnny said, before he was basically swallowed by the crowd.
Nate sighed and shook his head. If this was how the night was going to go, he could already feel the exhaustion setting in. The tiredness after the earlier match was enough. Batting guys away from Madison was not what he’d signed up for. And a glance at her confirmed that she was happily oblivious.
With Johnny’s departure, Nate spotted a corner of the living room near a window that seemed to be less crowded and nudged Madison towards it.
“I’d forgotten what the 2000s were about, but this party sure brought everything screaming back to me,” Madison said while sipping her soda. She had to lean every time she talked in order to be heard, her side always brushing against his, her long hair tickling his arm where he had folded the sleeves of his shirt up to his elbows. Her scent drifted over to him, something floral he found himself wanting to chase to its source.
“I’m scared to ask,” he said finally.
“You should be, really. God, I’d forgotten how aggressively we girls used to try to flat-iron our hair. I’m surprised I had any hair left going into adulthood.” She shook her head in horror. “And the emo phase, sweet Jesus, I’d blocked that out. All that smudged eye-liner. Everybody looked permanently like raccoons.”
“Didyougo through an emo phase, Madison?” Nate asked, barely stopping himself from cracking up.
“Thank God, no. But that was mainly due to my inability and general disinterest to follow any sort of trend.” She paused, seemingly in deep thought. “I did fall victim to the low-rise jeans catastrophe though. Not my finest moment.”
Nate could feel his lips twitching like mad.
Madison’s gaze landed on his face, her hazel eyes narrowing at him.
“I don’t suppose you have any embarrassing fashion confessions to share with the class.”
