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17:51 please
17:52 Maddison
——
School was ending soon. Finals were coming up and Maddison was cramming his Math and Science lessons, making sure he knew all the topics that were possibly included in the tests which was every single topic. He hated exams but he wasn't bad at it, he just preferred painting over reading textbooks.
The volleyball team lost to another school in the State. Maddison couldn't be bothered to go to the match but he knew from his classmates.
It was the first time he didn't watch Sam play.
Sam who wasn't talking to him anymore. Maddison knew it was entirely his fault and Sam tried several times to talk to him in person but Maddison was good at avoiding him, even going as far as pretending he was sick to his mother so that she would tell Sam he couldn't see him when his friend went to his house after practice.
Sometimes he saw Sam at school with Ayako and they still looked happy so he guessed he wasn't really needed. But then again, he wondered, when did Sam need him? Wasn't it always Maddison who needed Sam? So it wasn't like Sam lost something when he stopped talking to him.
“Maddison, dear, can you come in here for a minute?” Maddison's mom called from the kitchen and Maddison dropped the remote on the coffee table.
His parents were looking at him expectantly when he reached the kitchen table, smiling.
“What's up?”
“Maddison, you received a letter of invitation this morning. From Wellspring Academy,” his mother began.
“We thought you should consider it, buddy,” his dad said. “It looks like they saw your potential from the last competition and want you under their art program.”
“I didn't even win...”
“No, but they know you are talented enough so they offered you a spot for the next school year.”
His mom took a sip of her tea. “I know it's a boarding school, sweetheart. But I think it will be good for you. Lodging is provided and they offered you a scholarship so it's basically free schooling for your junior and senior year. And you know they are affiliated with major art universities, Maddison. Didn't you want to go to one?”
“Yes, mom, but it's Wellspring.” Maddison would die first before he set foot on that preppy school with their stupid uniform. He would never want to spend twenty-four hours and seven days with his classmates in one boarding school.
“Honey, you should consider it. It's a huge opportunity.”
“I know that but no, mom, dad, I don't want to go. I want to finish high school in Hillwood.”
“Fine,” his mom sighed. “We still have a month but after that they expect to hear from us. Whatever your decision is, your dad and I will support you.”
“Thanks.”
Maddison went up to his room after that. He couldn't think of leaving his current school, his friends, his art club. He couldn't leave his parents. He couldn't even dare think of leaving Sam. Not in a million years.
One week before school closed, Sam approached Maddison. The bell just rang, indicating the end of the day and students filed out of the room. Sam was able to catch Maddison by his arm, preventing the other from running away.
“We need to talk,” he said gruffly.
“What? No Ayako this time?” Maddison replied icily.
Sam let go of his arm, scowling at the floor. “We broke up.”
Maddison was startled. “Why?”
“It wasn't working anymore.”
“I thought you liked her?”
Sam shrugged. “Walk home with me?”
