No One Knows You Like I Do

“Are you excited?” Mackenzie asked as she sat down next to Madison at their usual lunch table.
“For what?”
“Your birthday! DUH!” She chuckled. “It’s tomorrow!”
“I know when my birthday is. I just…don’t know if I’m all that excited.”
“Why wouldn’t you be?! You’re going to be eighteen! You’re relationship with Nick will be totally legal!”
“He’s still my teacher for a few more months, MC.”
“But, legal-wise, you’ll be in the clear.”
“We still can’t be seen together.”
“Geeze, Madison, think of all the positives!”
Madison sighed, “Let’s just talk about something else?”

******

Madison pulled into her spot in the parking lot of her apartment. Nick usually got home before her and he wasn’t there. She walked into the apartment and saw a note taped to the table.

Be back ASAP.
- Love Nick

His scribbled words were almost illegible, which is weird for an English teacher. Madison rolled her eyes with a smiled and set her bag in the floor. She slid her shoes off and made her way down to her room. She figured since Nick wasn’t home, she would just nap. She had had a long week and she was glad it was finally the weekend.

Nick returned to the apartment around five o’clock. He saw Madison’s stuff at the table, but saw no Madison. He went down the stairs, quickly and quietly. He saw her asleep, so he lay next to her. He leaned over and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek. She stirred and rolled over onto her side so she was facing Nick. She slowly opened her eyes and smiled at Nick’s presence.
“Hey.” She said groggily.
“Hi.” He smiled. “Did you have a nice nap?”
“It was, until someone woke me up.” She smirked.
“Oh, I’m sorry. You go back to sleep and I’ll show you your surprise later.” He started to get off the bed when Madison grabbed his arm.
“Surprise?” She grinned.
“Yeah, but I’ll just show you later.” He shrugged.
“I’m wide awake! Let’s see it!” She sat up, pulling her hair into a ponytail before hopping off the bed. Nick chuckled.
“Alright. If you insist.” He picked up her hand, lacing their fingers and took her up the stairs. Madison looked around the room and didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.
“Where is it?”
“Put on your shoes. It’s outside.”
Nick took her out to the parking lot and led her to the white touring van.
“Wait, what does the van have to do with my surprise?”
“Just get in.” He chuckled, unlocking the passenger door before going around to the driver’s side.
“Bu-but…where are we going?”
“You’ll see!” He laughed. “Don’t you want it to be a surprise? If I told you now, it would hardly be a surprise when we get there.”
“Fine.” She buckled her seatbelt before crossing her arms over her chest like a child.

They were halfway to Madison’s surprise when Nick pulled a bandana out of his pocket and handed it to Madison.
“What’s this for?” She took it and looked at it strangely.
“Just put in on or you’ll ruin the surprise!” Madison sighed as she wrapped it around her head, over her eyes, and tied it around the back.
“Can you see anything?”
“No.” She huffed.
“Good.” He smiled before turning down the familiar street that would have caused Madison to realize where they were headed.

Nick brought the car to a stop and turned off the engine.
“Can I take off the blindfold now?”
“Nope. Wait there. I’ll be around to get you.” He hopped out of the van and picked her up bridal style. He placed her on the ground and closed the door before picking up her hand and lacing their fingers together. He led her up the steps of the house and knocked on the door. They knew that Nick and Madison were coming, the knock was just a warning that they were coming inside. After a minute, Nick gripped the handle and pulled open the door. He pressed a finger to his lips to make sure everyone stayed quiet.
“I’m gonna take the blindfold off now.”
“Whatever.” Her arms were still crossed over her chest as Nick slowly untied the bandana. When it dropped to the floor, Madison opened her eyes.
“SURPRISE!” erupted from the group. Madison looked around the room, which was Mackenzie’s living room, to see John, Pat, Kennedy, Jared, Garrett, Halvo, Loren, and Justin.
“Oh my gosh.” Madison managed to say. She was grinning from ear to ear as everyone came over to hug her.
“You all flew in to see me?”
“It’s your birthday tomorrow; of course we did!” Justin said, squeezing her tightly.
“I love you guys.”
“More than you love Nick, right?” John smirked.
“Hey now! Let’s not forget who arranged everything.” Nick said.
“Stop, you know I love you more.” She rolled her eyes playfully as she pulled him to her so she could kiss him.
“Gross! Stop that!” Pat shouted before the entire room erupted in comments of the same nature.
“Okay now, not in my living room!” Mackenzie said. The couple pulled away laughing and Madison hugged Mackenzie.
“You knew, didn’t you?”
“Of course! We’ve been discussing this for weeks!”
She chuckled.
“Ah, I love you.” She hugged her again.
“You know I love you, too, girl.”
“Okay, enough love. Let’s go back to the apartment for the party.” Nick said, grabbing Madison’s shoulders.
“Party?”
“Of course! You didn’t think they flew here just to sit in Mackenzie’s living room, did you?”
“No.” She giggled. Everyone filed out of the house with their belongings and piled into the white van. Once again, with one seat short, Mackenzie sat on Garrett’s lap. However, with them dating now, it wasn’t quite as awkward as the first time.

******

Three hours into the party, Madison was already drunk. She was the most drunk of them all, which is weird when JohnO’s around. Nick decided to stay practically sober, he’d had two drinks, so Madison could party and he could take care of her later. He wanted her to have fun for her birthday, because, well, it was her birthday.
Nick looked outside and saw Pat and Madison running around like children. He couldn’t help but laugh at them. Pat was buzzed, causing him to go Ratboy, and Madison was so drunk she was playing along as if it was normal.

“Why don’t you drink beer?” Mackenzie asked Garret, her head on his lap.
“It tastes disgusting!” He shouted, causing Mackenzie to laugh at him.
“So passionate.”
“Yes, I am.”
“Awh, the lovebirds.” Loren sat across from the two, followed by Justin.
“You’re one to talk, you and Lex are the exact same way.” Justin chuckled.
“Ha-ha!” Garrett laughed like Nelson from The Simpson’s.
“Guys, can’t you just leave us alone?” Mackenzie sighed.
“Yeah, Loren, leave ‘em alone!” Justin mocked as he stood and went into the house for another drink. Loren rolled his eyes and followed Justin. Mackenzie sat up and was about to kiss Garrett, when Halvo popped in out of nowhere.
“Hi guys!”
Mackenzie groaned. “Come on, Gare.” She picked up his hand and led him to the couch on the patio.
“Why do you want to be alone so bad?” Garrett chuckled.
“Because I like it when it’s just me and you. Plus, it’s almost never just us.”
“Well, here we are, alone now. And who knows how long it will last…” He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into his body before pressing his lips to hers.
“MACKENZIE!” Madison yelled. Mackenzie pulled away and chuckled lightly
“Yes, Madison?”
“Come hereeeeeee!”
Mackenzie rolled her eyes and went over to her. Madison wrapped her arms around her tightly. “You’re my best friend….and I love you.” She whispered the last part.
“I love you, too.” She laughed.

“I also love Garrett. You and Garrett, I mean.” She continued to whisper. “Will you two do me favor?”
“What is it?” Mackenzie asked.
“Get married!” She shouted and ran back to Pat laughing. Mackenzie laughed as she went back to Garrett.
“I’ve never seen her this drunk before!”
“What did she want?”
“Nothing.”
“What was that…‘Get married’ thing about?” He smirked.
“She’s drunk, Garrett.”
“Mhm.” He chuckled, pulling her into his body, so he could hug her tightly.

Nick was on his way out to fin Madison when there was a knock on the door. It was almost midnight. His face contorted in confusion. Who would be here at midnight? He pulled open the door and his jaw dropped.
“Chelsea?”