School's Out (Chapter 4)

The next day, in a bright and sunny afternoon, Madeline was at home alone, hanging around in her kitchen with her white, furry dog, Crystal. She took a red apple from the bowl of fruit on the central counter. She polished it with a paper towel before taking a bite. While she ate her apple, she read an article from the newspaper. After finishing the article, she heard the doorbell ring. The sound made Crystal bark two times. Madeline laid her half-eaten apple on the paper towel and walked out of the kitchen into the hall towards the lobby where the door was. She looked out the peephole then opened the door. Facing her was a Caucasian girl about Madeline's height with straight, blonde hair and green eyes.
"Hi, Samantha," Madeline greeted.
"Hello, Madeline," the girl greeted back.
"What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to invite you to a pool party next week."
"Oh, cool."
"Yes, it is."
"Not to sound rude but why couldn't you have invited me over the internet or something?"
"I wanted an excuse to look in your house." Samantha tilted her body to get a better view of the lobby behind Madeline. The inside of Madeline's home was white and silver with auburn-colored tables to contrast. It was the nicest looking house Samantha has ever seen and she has never been inside Madeline's house. "Yep. Looks good. And clean."
Madeline scrunched her eyebrows. "You can come in if you want."
Samantha straightened. "No, that's okay. A peek is good."
Madeline chuckled. "Where is the party?"
"At my house. I have a pool." Samantha unclipped her small handbag and pulled out a white card. She handed it to Madeline. "There's more information on that card."
"Thanks."
"You smell like apple juice."
"Thank you."
"And you can invite anyone you like."
"Like four people?"
"Yes, Madeline, you can invite the only four girls you hang out with."
"There are not the only girls I hang out with."
"Can you spell, 'liar'?"
"L-I-A-R."
"Yep, that did it."
Like lightning, Madeline's dog, Crystal, crawled up to her and petted itself on her ankle.
Samantha cooed. "Is that a pomegranate?"
Madeline picked up Crystal and held her like a baby. "Pomeranian. And no, she's a shih tzu."
"Bless you."
"Excuse me?"
"Madeline, I got to go. See you at my party?"
"Most def'."
"I love that guy."
"Okay, Sam."
Samantha turned to leave as Madeline closed the brown, wooden door. She walked back into the kitchen while carrying her dog. She held her with one hand and used the other hand to reach into her pants' pocket. She pulled out her cell phone and turned it on to start dialing Lizzie's number. She held the phone to her ear and listened to the ringing until Lizzie answered.
"Hello?" Lizzie responded.
"Hey, Lizzie. I know what we can all do first."
"Hello? Maddie, are you there?"
"Lizzie, don't do this to me right now."