Party with Maddie

"You better not flake on me, Renee. I'm serious!"

"Okay, okay, relax. Of course I'm coming." Renee responded with a tender smile as she squished Maddie's face into a pout. "If my buddy needs me, I'll be there," she added. Maddie maintained intense eye contact as Renee played with her cheeks. Renee was a bit perturbed by her sullen expression. She seemed unconvinced. "Aw, don't look at me like that. You know I never break a promise."

"It's not that, girl. I'm just worried I'll make a fool of myself again." Maddie explained. She gently removed Renee's hands from her face and looked away.

"Again? When have you ever-"

"I always **** up when I'm talking to someone I like. I'm a little chatterbox the rest of the time but the second I catch some feelings, my brain turns to mush." Maddie explained. She almost looked ready to cry.

"Oh, don't say that. Come here." Renee pressed her friend's head against her chest and gave her headpats. "My little mush baby." Renee teased with a little giggle. Maddie smiled and hugged her back. "So I'm not just morale support?"

"Nope. Alex specifically said I could come to the party, no questions asked, if I brought my redhead friend." Maddie explained. Renee paused with a peeved expression.

"How do you know they meant me?"

"Oh, come on Renee."

"I'm just sayin'. Jeez."

"There's only gonna be like 8 people there, including us. I can't go without you anyway but at least I'll know someone there. Ya know, if Alex finds out I'm a loser."

"Maddie, you're gonna be fine. I'm sure it'll go well. Just be yourself!" Renee tried to reassure her but Maddie's negativity was too strong. She was staring up at the starry night sky listlessly. "Ah! Stop being so sad, you little-!" Renee grabbed Maddie by her sides and tried tickling her. Maddie instinctively protected her armpits, knowing Renee was privy to her weak spot. She even started giggling before Renee could manage to break her defense.

"H-hey! Quit it! I told you not to do tha-ha-ha-ha! Kyahhh! Stoppp!" Maddie broke into fits of laughter as Renee tickled her mercilessly with an evil grin.

"Say 'I'm the cutest girl in the world' and I'll stop." Renee bargained.

"Okay, fine! I'm the cutest girl in the world! I'm the cutest girl in the world! I'm the--gyahh! Why aren't you stopping!?"

"A little extra for good measure." Renee said with a cheeky smile. Maddie sat up and stuck her tongue out at her mischievous friend.

"I'm coming for you at seven tomorrow. You'll be ready by then, right?"

"Totally," Renee replied instantly.

"Good. I'll be in my brother's car so look out for a red Toyota. I wonder what fresh hell he'll cook up for me for this favor..."

"Don't think about that. Just think about all the fun we're gonna have by the pool." Renee said as she pulled Maddie in by the shoulder.

"Oh yeah. One more thing."

"Mhmm?"

"You can wear whatever you want but can you pick a bikini that's not too skimpy? And make sure it stays on." Maddie pleaded. Renee just stared back at her with an annoyed pout and squinted eyes. "I'm serious!"

"Okay, okay, I will, mush baby."