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Maddison wondered back then if these two were together, but when he asked Tan, the latter just laughed at him like a maniac and said that was impossible because Tan only saw Richard as a little brother he liked to tease endlessly, even though they were the same age. That was also the time Maddison heard from Tan that Richard had a crush on a sophomore named Miller Jones, that talented impressionist painter from their art club.

(“He has a crush?!” Maddison had asked, incredulous.

Tan’s eyes gleamed with mirth when he said, “Our boy Richard has been throwing heart eyes at that kid ever since he entered the club last year. He just didn’t know how to properly ask him out because that pretty kid is so aloof, you know? Plus, Miracle Boy is shy.”

Maddison did not know which was funnier then: Richard having a heart eyes or Tan calling him Miracle Boy. To this day, he still didn’t know where he got the nickname from.)

Richard scowled at his rice. “I guess.”

“I heard the sunsets can get so colorful in Maldives. I’ll send one to you guys on the group chat. Every day while I’m there.”

“Thank you, Tan,” Richard said sincerely. Turning to Maddison then, “What about you, Flynn?”

“What about me?”

Tan asked, “Are you going back home or are you staying here?”

Maddison wrinkled his nose. “I haven’t decided yet.”

“Well, if you stay here it wouldn’t be so bad. There’s a Christmas party on the 24th at the common area, and everyone who doesn’t go home celebrates their Christmas there. It runs until the wee hours of the 25th and the school provides budget for food and drinks. But the real fun starts when the clock strikes 1 o’clock. Unlimited booze and lots of parties while the guardians go to bed!”

“Booze?” Maddison asked rather loudly.

“Shh!” Tan hushed him, looking around to make sure there were no faculty members around. “Underage, remember?”

“Yeah,” Maddison whispered, “Exactly why...Booze?”

“The seniors manage to sneak them in every year!”

Maddison rolled his eyes. He still had not decided what he was going to do for the holidays but the choice was getting easier as the dates approached. He wanted nothing to do with his hometown if he was going to see Sam, even if it meant not seeing his parents for Christmas. Selfish. Selfish. How selfish.

When he was finally back to his room, napping was the first best thing he thought of and he did just that, and when he woke up it was dark outside. Seven o’clock. He had a few texts from his mother. Squinting against the sudden brightness of his phone screen, he read the messages and got a head rush from abruptly sitting up. The messages said his dad had another business trip in Minnesota on the 22nd extending until the 5th of January next year and his mom was asking if he was going home for the break so that his father could arrange to include him on his trip. His sister would be spending the holidays with her boyfriend’s family. Maddison typed a reply. It was perfect.

A minute after sending his text, his phone rang and his mother’s voice colored with worry over the receiver.

“Honey, are you sure? You know I can stay at home with you if you’re coming back.”

“No!” Maddison exclaimed, and then, calmer, “No, mom. I will be fine. You and dad enjoy the vacation, okay? It’s been a while since you last went to one.”

He could almost hear his mother blushing on the other line. “Well, it’s not much of a vacation because your dad will be working on most of it. But are you really sure?”

“One hundred percent.”

“Alright,” his mother sighed. “I will tell the Baileys about our plan so they can take you in if ever you decide to go home.”

“Mom. You’ll just bother them.” Maddison hadn’t considered that.

“Nonsense. You know they are always happy to see you, Maddison. Besides, it will ease me to know you’re with them while we’re away. Sam loves taking care of you.”

Goddammit. Maddison grumbled his assent.

“Your dad and I are going to be sad you won’t be there with us this Christmas, honey. But I guess we should start practicing, no? Soon, you will be in university and we will see you even less and — ”

“Okay, mom. I will miss you guys too. Don’t start crying on me please.”

His mom laughed and Maddison felt himself smile. They said their goodbyes and his mother made him promise to check in as often as possible.

Maddison sighed when the call was finally done. He genuinely hoped his parents would enjoy their holidays and while he was relieved that he found the perfect excuse not to go home, he was quite sad that he would not be seeing them until next year.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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