No One Knows You Like I Do

Madison had successfully moved her most important belongings over to Nick’s place. She didn’t plan on telling her parents that she was officially moving out until she was eighteen, that way they couldn’t say no. Not that they would really notice her being gone anyway, so there was no point in her even staying at home. Her parents were never home and when they were, it was like they still weren’t there. So, they wouldn’t even notice her absence. Even after she officially moved out, they probably wouldn’t even care to miss her.
“I have some friends coming this weekend. If that’s okay with you.” Nick asked as he finished putting Madison’s clothes in one of his drawers.
“Uhm, why are you asking me if that’s okay? It’s your place.” Nick stood up and wrapped his arms around her torso from behind.
“Nope. It’s our place now. So, I have to ask if it’s okay with you.”
“You really don’t. But if it makes you feel better, I don’t mind.” She laughed.
“Don’t you even want to know who these friends are?”
“Sure, why not.” She rolled her yes playfully.
“Well, Halvo and Loren will be here.”
“Sweet. I miss those boys.”
“Also, some of my other really good friends will be in town all weekend, so they’ll be here, too.”
“Are they all gonna stay here? Will there be room for them to sleep?”
“I doubt any of us will sleep.” Nick chuckled. “When we’re all together, it’s like a party that doesn’t stop til they leave. But if anyone does end up sleeping, they’ll be fine.”
“Am I allowed to party with all you grown ups? Last time, you said you weren’t gonna let me drink.” She frowned.
“You know I was just kidding when I said that.”
“Also, my very strict English teacher said we’re having a test on Monday. How will I ever be able to study with the place filled with people?” She smirked.
“Hey, that is not something you can get out of. But, I guess, if you don’t do well the first time, I can get your teacher to let you take it again.”
“Oh, my hero.” She pressed her lips to his and turned her body around to face him.

******

It was Friday and school was out for the weekend. Madison pulled up to the apartment with Mackenzie while Nick was off getting some last minute things for his friends. Madison walked up to the door and unlocked it with her key. She wouldn’t get tired of that. Upon entering, she noticed two heads that weren’t there when she had left that morning. She dropped her purse to the floor next to the door and ran up to Halvo and Loren. She pulled them both into hugs quickly.
“I’m so glad you guys are here!” They both chuckled as they hugged her back.
“What are you doing here? If Nick isn’t even here, yet.” Halvo asked as Madison let him and Loren go.
“He didn’t tell you?”
“Tell us what?” Loren asked.
“I moved in with him.” She smiled.
“Seriously?” Halvo grinned widely. “Saweeeet!” Him and Loren high fived.
“Oh, guys, this is my best friend, Mackenzie!” Mackenzie was still standing in the doorway, watching the events unfold before her. Madison grabbed her hand and pulled her over to meet the two guys. “Mackenzie, this is Halvo and Loren.”
“Madison, I know who they are.” She chuckled. “Hi, guys.” She gave a slight wave with a smile.
“Well, it’s nice to meet you. I’m glad there’s another girl in the group who won’t be constantly sucking face with Nick.” Halvo chuckled.
“Hey!”
“Shh.”
“Group?” Mackenzie questioned.
“Of course you’re in the group. You’re Madison’s girl best friend. Don’t think we’re gonna leave you out. We’re not dicks!” Loren said.
“I think I like them, Madison.” She smiled.
“I knew you would.”

Nick arrived a little while later, followed by five guys Madison hadn’t ever met before. Mackenzie looked each boy up and down and quickly rushed to Madison’s side.
“Who are they?” She whispered.
“I….I don’t know.”
“Man, they’re all so cute. Too bad you already have a boyfriend.” She smirked. “Now I get dibs on any one I want.”
“Shut up. I love Nick.”
“Good. Keep that in mind while I go introduce myself.” She looked the boys up and down again as she walked back across the room.
“Guys, this is Madison.” Nick said, gesturing toward her. “Madison, this is John,” He pointed to a very tall, lanky brown-haired boy with a crooked smile. “Kennedy,” a shorter, dark brown-haired boy, “Jared,” a tall, reddish-blond-haired boy, “Pat,” a short boy with long brown hair, “and Garrett.” an average sized boy with brownish-reddish hair. Madison gave them a light wave.
“Hi.” She smiled.
“She’s cute, Nick.” John spoke, causing her to blush.
“John, please turn the filter between your mouth and your brain on.” Nick sighed, walking over to Madison’s side.
“I was complimenting her. Sorry, I won’t do that, then.” He shrugged, walking away.
“Madison, don’t be rude. Introduce me.” Mackenzie said, from behind the guys. Madison rolled her eyes with a slight chuckled.
“This is my best friend, Mackenzie.”
“But you guys can call me whenever you want.” She winked, making her way past the guys and outside to get something to drink from one of the coolers. The guys erupted in laughter.
“I like her.” Kennedy said, following her outside, as did the rest of the guys.
“Hmm, looks like Mackenzie’s a hit with them.” Nick smirked.
“And she’ll enjoy every single second of it.” She pecked his lips before making her way outside as well.

It was midnight and everyone was either drunk or severely buzzed. Madison was sitting on Nick’s lap, laughing at the banter between Halvo and John. She had found out that they were best friends since they were really young and that’s how Nick had met and became friends with all them. Madison also found out that these guys were in a band of their own, The Maine. And thinking back on it, she knew a few songs by them. Mackenzie, who had been hanging out with Justin, Loren, and a few guys from The Maine came up to Madison and whispered, as best she could through her buzz, into her ear. “Come here.”
“What’s up?”
“Just come here.”
“Fine.” She sighed as she got off Nick.
“Where are you going?” Nick whined.
“MC needs me. I’ll be right back.” She pecked his lips before following Mackenzie into the empty apartment.
“Okay, so you totally have to hook me up with one of the guys.”
“Oh my gosh. You can do it yourself! You know them as well as I do.”
“But you’re dating Nick, so it’ll be easier for you.”
“No, it won’t.”
“Oh please! You owe me!”
“Really, Kenz?”
“Yes, really! And I want you to help me with Garrett. He’s so cute!”
“Which one’s Garrett again?”
“The one with the reddish-brown hair and the nose ring!”
“Oh. I figured you’d like….Kennedy, I think that was his name?”
“Yeah, he’s cute. But Garrett is so funny. And, like, we have so much in common, okay. You don’t understand!”
“Ask Halvo to help you!”
“Will you do it for me?”
“Fine, whatever. I’ll talk to him. Can I go back to my boyfriend, now?”
“Fine.” She sighed. “Just leave your best friend to fend for herself.”
“Oh, stop being so dramatic! Go back to your lover and enjoy the night.”
“Well, if you insist.” She smirked and skipped back to Garrett and the rest of the guys.

Mackenzie sat down on the grass next to Garrett.
“Ah, where were you?! You missed Pat go all Ratboy on Loren. It was the best!” Garrett laughed, holding his stomach.
“I missed that?! Nooo! You have to do it again!”
“He comes unannounced. I can’t just ‘do it again.’” Pat sat down.
“It’s alright. I’m sure he’ll do it again this weekend.” Garrett shrugged. “You’re staying this weekend, too, right?” He asked.
“Uhm, yeah.”
“Good!” He smiled. Mackenzie looked in Madison’s direction. Maybe she didn’t need hers or Halvo’s help at all.

Madison sat back on Nick’s lap and rejoined the conversation.
“Halvo, Mackenzie wants you to hook her up with Garrett.” She said with a slight chuckle.
“Oh really?” He smirked. He looked at the group, just far enough out of earshot. “I think I can do that.”
“Is that what she needed you for?” Nick asked. “She could’ve just said that in front of all of us.”
“Well, I don’t think I was supposed to say that in front of all of you. Then again, she had to expect I’d tell you. You’re my boyfriend. And obviously I’d have to tell Halvo. Then John…well, yeah I probably shouldn’t have told you.”
“Hey, I could help her out, too.” John said, after taking a sip of the beer in his hand. “I spend almost everyday with the kid. I know him better than his mom does.”
“Well, don’t tell her I told you. Just keep it to yourself, okay?”
“Sure.” He nodded.

*******

Mackenzie turned her body and rested her head on Garrett’s lap. “I’ll just close my eyes for a minute. I promise I won’t fall asleep.” Everyone moved inside once they started getting tired. Pat, Kennedy, and Halvo were all passed out in various spots on the floor. Justin was sprawled out on the couch, asleep as well. John, Garrett, Mackenzie, and Loren had been talking on the floor in the kitchen.
“Eh, if you fall asleep, it’s not a big deal.” Garrett responded. John looked over at him and moved his eyebrows up and down suggestively with a smirk on his lips. Garrett mouthed ‘Stop.’ which only cause Loren and John to laugh. Mackenzie opened her eyes and peeked at the two laughing.
“Did I miss the joke?” She asked.
“John thinks he’s funny, but he’s not. Just ignore them. Come on.” He helped her up and led them out of the kitchen to a place by the table. “You can sleep over here where there aren’t annoying giraffes laughing, trying to wake you.” They both sat down and Mackenzie quickly returned to lying on Garrett’s lap.
“Giraffes?” She chuckled with her eyes closed.
“John, he’s a giraffe.”
“What?” She sat up and was at eye level with Garrett. They looked at each other silently for minute.
“Goodnight, MC.” Madison said, standing above the two. Mackenzie quickly looked away from Garrett and up at Madison.
“Yeah, goodnight, Madison.”
Madison smirked as her and Nick made their way to their room, leaving everyone else to fend for themselves.