xp_logs | Artie and Maddie: Makeup (Backdated)

Artie stumbles upon Maddie for the first time since he blew up at her over the kiss.

Homework doing had not been nearly as fun ever since Artie's freak out after she tried to kiss her, but Maddie had made do. With no one to bug, she thought maybe it would take less time to finish her assignments; it ended up taking longer. Now her distraction of choice was the internet, and that was a black hole of time suck and articles from Seventeen Magazine that shed no light whatsoever on the minds of boys. Those teen magazines were so useless.

At least the Military Channel had a show on about Navy Seals. This would do nicely as a distraction from science homework.

Artie had his finals. All the finals. He was holding on to the knowledge that these were the last ones he'd probably have to do, since college? Ahahaha, no. But he still wanted to do decently and that meant studying and frequently not in his suite because hell, Korvus was still weird (if an innofensive roommate) and Matt wasn't so big on you know, noise. He'd moved from one study area to another since his fight with Maddie only maybe intentionally avoiding her. He'd honestly thought that the rec room was safe.

"Uh. Hey." He said, hitting one of the pre-saved options on his synthesiser.

There was only one person in the mansion who sounded like a Darth Vader wannabe, so Maddie didn't feel the need to look to see who it was. Instead she just raised her hand and gave a halfhearted wave at the boy. It wasn't like she could completely ignore his presence, well she could but that would just be rude, and her mom would be very disappointed if she learned that her baby girl was being rude.

"Hey."

Artie dumped his books and phone on the other couch and signed, So, homework?

She eyed the books in confusion as she nodded "yes" with her fist. It looked like he was staying, but that made no sense; Maddie was pretty sure the avoidance was mutual. And it wasn't like she was going to move. She had arrived there first and was already settled in. If Artie wanted to avoid her, he'd have to go somewhere else.

What are you doing here?

Studying. Korvus is weird and listening to crappy music again and then Meggan came over...

Maddie wrinkled her nose. She totally got the whole wanting to leave when the couple was together; not that Layla and Sarah were super annoying or anything, but she did feel like an intruder sometimes. But that still didn't fully answer her question.

What are you doing here, she signed. You hate me.

I don't hate you. Fuck.

Eyeroll. Whatever. Maddie crossed her arms over her chest and turned her attention back to the television. He had freaked out something fierce when she kissed him, and she wasn't stupid, she knew what that meant. Instead of arguing, she was just going to sit there and seethe. And watch the SEALs be awesome.

So, okay, maybe he had kind of fucked up a little. (There had to be a nicer way to explain next time and but hopefully Maddie wouldn't try it again.) Look, do you want to get some burgers? As friends?

She thought for a moment, sighed and turned to face him. Seriously. Why don't you like me? You acted like you did. We went out a lot, and we always hung out, and you'd tease me. Are you gay? Which is fine if you are, but you didn't have to freak out like that.

I don't know, okay? I'm not gay. I'm just not interested in you. Artie held up a hand, forestalling Maddie's next comment.

And it's not because I'm interested in one of the other girls instead, either. I just...

You just what?

Not really interested. Artie bit his lip and shrugged. It's not you, okay?

She paused and studied the boy before her for a minute, then shook her head. Do you think I'm pretty, she asked. You never answered.

Arite shrugged again. I guess, yeah. You're okay. This was so far out of his comfort zone that it wasn't even funny.

Maddie pulled her legs up, and let her chin rest upon her knees for a few moments as she thought things over. She wasn't so mad really that Artie had rejected her advances. That she could deal with. It was actually pretty stupid, she had to admit, trying to go for someone that she lived with and saw every, single, day, so it hadn't taken too long to get over it. Especially after she put the rooster in his suite. Revenge was hilariously fulfilling.

Okay, she finally signed as she jumped up from the sofa. Burgers. And curly fries?

Yeah.

And Artie? Next time someone kisses you, don't freak out like they are a soul-sucking alien sent to destroy the world.