Death of a Dog (Chapter 1)

*Viewer discretion is advised.

"Do you want anything to drink?" asked Madeline, opening the large refrigerator in her kitchen.
"Sure," answered Lizzie. "What do you got?"
"Oh, I got a little something-something." Madeline smirked at Lizzie while taking out a glass pitcher filled with an orange smoothie.
"What is that?"
Madeline set the pitcher on the marble table in the center of the kitchen. "My new concoction. I'm thinking about going on a juice cleanse. So I made myself a smoothie that will last two weeks." She opened the top cabinets behind her and took two glasses with intricate designs. She set them down on the table and said, "I mixed ice, plain yogurt, strawberries, oranges, mandarin oranges, cantaloupe, pineapples, peaches, lemon juice and mint. Lemon juice helps you lose weight, oranges improve your eyesight, and peaches prevent cancer. Pineapples also do something to you but I don't want to tell you."
"Interesting. I didn't know you could put mint in a smoothie."
"You can put a lot in a smoothie, Lizzie." Madeline began to pour the pitcher in the glasses.
"Can you put ham in a smoothie?"
"No, Lizzie." Madeline pushed one of the glasses across the table towards Lizzie. "Try it."
Lizzie picked up the glass and took a sip of the cold, thick drink. Shortly, she hiccuped and covered her mouth after swallowing it. "Uh, I think it needs sugar," she suggested, putting her glass down.
"Ha. Add sugar and destroy the purposes of all this fruit? I don't think so."
"Then it doesn't need sugar. What time is it?"
Madeline slipped her cell phone out of the front pocket of her straight-leg light-washed jeans. She turned it on and read the time. "Four nineteen."
"Oh, I gotta go. I told mom I would help give Dallas a bath."
Lizzie hoisted her red, polka-dotted backpack up and threw the straps over her shoulders. She began to walk out of the kitchen with Madeline following her.
"Don't you want to finish your smoothie?" asked Madeline.
"Oh, no, no."
"It will give you a nice glow."
"I don't glow?"
"I mean you do glow. I'm just saying you can have a glowier glow."
Lizzie opened the front door then turned around to face her friend. "I do love to glow. But no thanks."
"So are you gonna take your nails off to wash Dallas?"
"What's wrong with my nails?" Lizzie looked down at her hands which were manicured into talons with tiny plastic flowers and leaves glued on them.
"They're pointy. You can stab your brother in the eye."
Lizzie gasped. "I don't want to do that. Dallas needs both of his eyes. I need to find the fingernail clipper."
"No, you need scissors, my sister."
"Will safety scissors work?"
"I'm kidding, Liz'."
"Oh, okay. Well, see ya."
"Bye, girl."
Madeline closed the door as Lizzie began to leave and get to her car. Madeline turned around and began whistling while walking through the small hall.
"Crystal!" she called. "Crystal, where are you? You want a biscuit? Listen, you're gonna be hungry if you don't eat your food. I know they make you gain weight but guess what? That's life." She quickly checked the living room then walked towards the kitchen. "Crystal! You're not gonna make me eat a biscuit so you can eat a biscuit. I'm on a juice cleanse."
Madeline stopped and got startled after hearing a distant shriek. The shriek sounded familiar so she ran towards the door and opened it. She sprinted towards Lizzie who was beside her car. Lizzie almost seemed suspicious when Madeline approached her.
"Lizzie, did you scream?" she asked.
"What? No," Lizzie replied, leaning against her car.
"Then what was that?"
"Uh, nothing."
Madeline tried to walk around Lizzie but she blocked her.
"What are you doing?" Lizzie asked frantically.
"I'm checking out your car."
"Oh, my car's fine."
"Then let me see."
Madeline tried to walk towards the back of Lizzie's car while Lizzie resumed to block her. Every step Madeline made, Lizzie made steps back, looking at Madeline straight in the face. When they reached the back, Madeline noticed something unusual on the ground by the back right tire of the car.
"What is that?" questioned Madeline, trying to look.
"A purse," Lizzie responded. "Someone's furry purse. I was afraid that I ran over someone's loose change. Maybe they have pictures of their children in there."
Madeline gripped Lizzie by the arms and pushed her out of the way. Madeline got a better look at the unusual thing. She screamed when she realized that it was her shih tzu, Crystal, laying on the ground all stiff. Her eyes were wide open, a tire track went across her whole belly and her white fur was covered in blood. Madeline dropped to her knees and hovered over her dog.
"Crystal!" she burst into tears.
"Oh, man..." muttered Lizzie.
"How could you do this?"
"It was an accident."
"My poor baby!" Madeline picked the dog up and cradled it in her arms.
"Don't hug the-- Okay."
"Crystal, speak to me!"
"Maybe she's playing dead."
"She doesn't know how to play dead."
"Maybe someone else taught her."
"Oh, Crystal!" Madeline held Crystal close to her and pressed her cheek on the dog's head.
"I'm sorry."
"Why?! Why?"
"Maybe I need more of that smoothie, huh? You know, because the oranges improve eyesight? No? Okay."

The Princesses of Laguna Beach (Chapter 5)

After figuring out how to bring Madeline back to life, the princesses left the Witch Belles' home and made their long journey to find a royal prince. Princess Elizabeth had one in mind so the girls followed her as she made her way to his castle through the large forest. It became a bright and shining morning by the time the girls made it to the prince's home. Princess Skylar knocked on the door and waited a few seconds for someone to open it. A man stepped out, wearing red attire. His golden crown was shining over his short, straight, ash-blond hair pointing skyward. His eyes were as blue as the sky and he had the clearest peachy skin anyone has ever seen.
He uttered in a slightly deep, slightly nasal voice, "Hi, can I help you?"
"Hi there," grinned Lizzie. "Are you a real prince?"
He pointed at his crown. "Duh."
"What's your name?" asked Skye.
"Prince Homer Andrew Peterson."
"Ha, Homer. Listen, I know this may seem weird, but that girl over there is dead."
"Oh, my God!"
"Bear with me, Homer! Okay, she's dead but she will come back to life if a prince kisses her. Will you do this favor for us?"
"I don't know. I'm not really into kissing dead people."
"Come on," said Princess Andrea. "Don't you think she's pretty?"
"Yeah."
"Alright. And if you do this, you get to have a pretty princess on your side."
"If she's a princess, then where's your crown?"
"It fell off on the way here," answered Princess Debra. "So will you do this because rigor mortis kicked in and now she's kinda hard to hold."
"Hmm... alright."
Debra used all her strength to lift Madeline so she can be as high as Homer. He walked over to her and lifted her head up by the chin with the tips of his fingers. He closed his eyes and pecked Madeline on her soft lips. Quickly, she started to open her eyes, blinking them. The girls were about to freak out. Madeline started to regain her balance and stand on her own, encouraging Debra to release her. Madeline loosened up, stretching her arms, and produced a big yawn.
"What's up, guys?" she said, looking at her friends who were about to burst with happiness. "What happened? Did I take a nap when you guys were talking? That's so weird because I only do that when I'm bored. Maybe you guys were boring me. I don't know."
"Madeline, you're alive!" Elizabeth squealed, tightly squeezing her friend.
"Of course I'm alive. I'm young and I eat healthy."
"No, Madeline," said Skylar, "you ate a poison apple and kicked the bucket. We were looking for ways to bring you back to life."
"O.M.G. Are you serious? I was dead?"
"Yeah, but you're alive now," said Debra, "all thanks to Homer."
Madeline looked at Homer and it was immediately love at first sight.
"Hello," she said seductively. "I'm Princess Madeline King if you didn't know."
"Oh, I know," Homer smiled, trying to be seductive as well.
"Did you now? Well, since you saved me, how about you come over my place and I'll make you some dinner?"
"It's seven in the morning."
"Do you wanna come over my castle or not?"
"Oh, yeah, baby."
Madeline grinned. She clasped Homer by the hands and led him into the forest in front of his castle so they can go to her house.
"She didn't say thank you, you know," noted Andrea.
"We bring her back to life and she doesn't even hang out with us," said Skylar.
"At least she's alive," said Lizzie.
"Out of what cause, Lizzie? Out of what cause?"
        Although the princesses weren't happy, they eventually found happiness again and continued to spend time with their breathing friend, Princess Madeline. Besides her friends, Madeline found joy with Prince Homer and lived happily ever after with him. So one could say that everyone had a happy ending... except for the Witch Belles. They got beat up pretty bad. Not to mention Phil; his 'pill and potion' still hurt.

The Princesses of Laguna Beach (Chapter 4)

"I don't want Madeline to be dead," admitted Princess Elizabeth, about to burst into tears. "She was the first friend I ever made. I want her in my life."
"So do we, Lizzie," agreed Princess Debra, lugging Princess Madeline in every step.
"Yeah, although I owe her money, I still want her to be alive," Princess Skylar admitted.
        "I thought you said she owes you money."
        "Yeah, it's a little bit of both. Man, it's cold out here."
"I know; it's colder than a Pamela's teat out here," commented Princess Andrea. "What are we going to do?"
"Wait," Debra stopped, making the princesses stop as well. "Madeline said earlier that the Witch Belles stopped by her house and she stole something from them before kicking them out. You guys, the poison apple came from the Witch Belles."
"Those putas! I'm gonna kill them with my princess hands! Where do they live?"
"Not too far from here," replied Skylar. "Follow me."
Princess Skylar led her friends throughout the village, making a destination to where Pamela and Mauricia resided. They traveled through fog which got thicker the farther one would go. Then as the fog cleared, the girls found themselves in front of an isolated hut made of stones. They walked closer and knocked on the wooden door. The door opened and released a bunch of smoke which made the girls gag and cough. Pamela and Mauricia, in tight, black robes with pointy hats, revealed themselves at the door.
"Oh, well, isn't it Danity Kane?" said Pamela.
"Who's Danity Kane?" asked Mauricia.
"Nobody knows anymore."
"Oh, yeah, that's right."
"Did you do this to our poor Madeline?" asked Debra, shaking Madeline's cold body.
Pamela responded, "Maybe we did..."
"Maybe we didn't," finished Mauricia.
"Do you know how to make her not like this?" queried Skylar.
Pamela replied, "Maybe we do..."
"Maybe we don't," Mauricia finished.
"Listen, I know you don't like us but you are going to bring Madeline back to life," Andrea demanded.
"Ha, sure we are," smirked Pamela. "We would do such a thing since we're so nice. But if you really want us to do so, you guys can give up your crowns to us."
"Witch, please! I ain't giving nothing up to you."
"Well, then, I guess we're gonna do nothing about your friend," said Mauricia. "Sorry."
"Mauricia, Pamela," started Elizabeth, "now I know we're not on good terms. But it would be really nice if you revive Madeline. Like princesses do good things and doing a good thing would be a step closer to becoming a princess. So what do ya think?"
"Hmm," uttered Pamela. "I think we'll stick to being bad. We're witches; we'll find a way to get our crowns."
"Well, we're not going anywhere until you give us what we want," said Skye.
"Then I guess we'll have to go somewhere," smiled Mauricia.
The witches turned their heads to look at the brooms at the back of their home. They both raised their arms and opened their palms to the brooms. The brooms began to shake before flying over to the witches. They caught the brooms in their hands by the stick and stuck them under themselves. Soon, the brooms began to levitate and the witches were on their brooms like motorcycles.
        Pamela was the first to fly out the door past the princesses. Her menacing cackle faded away as her distance grew farther. Mauricia tried to fly past the girls out the door. Luckily, Andrea was fast enough to grab Mauricia's broom by the top of the bristles. Using her ape strength, Andrea pulled Mauricia back into the house and flipped the broom so she could fall off. With Mauricia on the ground, Andrea began to beat her quickly and repeatedly. Her hands were on the stick so Mauricia was getting pelted with the bristles. Pamela later ran back in the house with her broom in her hand when she noticed Mauricia wasn't with her. She knelt in front of Mauricia and put her hands up to protect her fellow witch.
"Hey, hey, hey!" she shouted. "Stop, you monster!"
Andrea held the broom over her shoulder like a baseball bat and swung at Pamela like she was a ball. She flew over Mauricia and rolled on the ground until settling in pain.
"Bring my friend back to life or I'll make stew out of you both!" Andrea commanded.
Mauricia weakly put her hands up. "Alright! Look, we don't know how to bring her back to life. That spell is not in our spell book. However, we know how to bring her back to life."
"Then tell me."
"Okay! A way to wake her up is to get a real prince to kiss her on the lips. That or a life-returning potion but that has some defects."
"Take back your broom." Andrea threw the broom at Mauricia's chest. "I bet you don't even use it to sweep your floor."

The Princesses of Laguna Beach (Chapter 3)

The princesses left Madeline's castle with Madeline's inanimate body in Andrea's arms, walking far and far into the heart of Orange County. They entered a flee market area, passing by huts selling products of all kinds. But they ignored those stores when they set their eyes on Phil's Pills and Potions. After letting themselves in, they met a half-man, half-gremlin. He wore a raggedy red robe and had a hunchback. When he saw five pretty princesses come in his store, the man was almost elated to approach them.
"Hello, new customers," he said in a raspy voice. "And Lizzie! How are you? Did you come to buy another one of my potions?"
"No, Mister Phil," answered Princess Elizabeth. "You know those potions don't work."
"Alright." Phil walked behind his counter and reached under. He then revealed a pink bottle with a blue label. "Then would you like the better version of that potion? There's a guarantee that it will surely get rid of your headaches. Also, it's fifty-five cents less."
"Well, if it's fifty-five cents less..." Elizabeth took the bottle out of Phil's hands.
"So may I ask who is Sleeping Beauty over there?"
Princess Andrea looked down at Madeline, who still wasn't moving. "Oh, this is Princess Madeline King. She's dead."
"I hope you don't mind but how did she die?"
"Oh, she ate a poison apple."
"Are you sure she didn't choke?"
"Yes, I'm sure. She ate the apple and then died."
"So she choked?"
"No, man! She was poisoned."
"How do you know?"
"Because if she was choking, she would have been alive a few minutes after eating the apple. But when she ate it, she dropped like a fly."
"So she was poisoned?"
"That was what I was trying to say!"
"Listen, do you sell any potions that bring people to life?" questioned Princess Skye.
"Yeah, but I only sell one bottle," responded Phil. "I used to own a lot of them because people would buy them to revive a dead pet or a grandparent. And they come back to life, it's just that they don't come back to life correctly. So I make people share that one bottle. Once it's gone, it's gone."
"May we see it?" asked Princess Debra.
"Sure."
Phil walked around his counter and headed to the back of the store. He picked up the lonely lavender-colored bottle from the middle shelf. He walked back towards the girls and handed Debra the bottle.
She opened it and looked inside. "There's only a drop left," she noticed.
"Maybe it's all we need," said Skye. "Just put it in her mouth."
Andrea held up Madeline so she could be the same height as most of the girls. Debra grabbed Madeline by the chin and lifted her head slightly up. Then she flipped the bottle upside down over Madeline's open mouth. After the drop landed on her tongue, Debra closed Madeline's mouth and let go of her head.
"Is it working?" asked Elizabeth.
"Shhh!" commanded Skylar.
"I don't think she's breathing, guys," said Princess Debra.
"But the potion is working," noticed Princess Andrea. "It gave her an extra finger." She lifted up Madeline's blanche left hand, showing her friends that it had six fingers on it. The sixth finger was practically another middle finger.
"Oh, yeah," said Phil. "That's what happens when someone would revive somebody. They would have an extra body part like another finger, an extra lip, or another private part."
"Are you sure you have nothing else we could do?" asked Princess Skylar.
"I have some breast enhancement pills."
"That is not what I was talking about."
"Listen, that was the last of the life-returning potion. So you might as well pay me fifteen thousand gold coins before you go."
"Fifteen thousand gold coins?" repeated Elizabeth. "We only used a drop."
"Ain't no way, man," said Skylar.
"Okay, you don't have to pay the coins," said Phil. "I think we can make an arrangement. You see, my wife left a few months ago and a gremlin is feeling lonely, if you know what I'm saying."
Skye stuck her finger in Phil's face. "You have a lazy eye."
"Listen, it's either pay up or put out. There's no other choice."
Andrea quickly handed Madeline to Debra. As Debra tried to hold Madeline up, Andrea stepped closer to Phil. With barely any hesitation, Andrea struck her leg under the middle of Phil's legs and kicked him hard right in the crotch. Phil knocked his knees together and covered his crotch, hunching over and groaning for two seconds straight. He looked up at the girls and said with pain:
"You girls can leave if you really want to."
Andrea smiled before turning around, twirling her sparkly golden dress, and opening the door so she could leave. The rest of the girls followed her out with Elizabeth behind them, closing the door on her way out.

The Princesses of Laguna Beach (Chapter 2)

As the afternoon came in the pleasant kingdom of Orange County, Madeline heard the doorbell ring from upstairs. She stopped playing with her cute little dog, Crystal and headed downstairs. She opened the door, revealing her four best friends who were also princesses.
First came in Princess Elizabeth Duvall who goes by Lizzie for short. She was gorgeous; men had a hard time not looking at her. Probably because she was the only princess in the kingdom to wear the shortest dresses. Plus, she had the body of a goddess. She had a brain of a bluebird though. However, she had morals like consummation after marriage which was one of the smartest aspects of her.
Then came in Princess Andrea Gonzalez. She liked to be called Candy Andy because even though she was tough on the outside, she was sweet on the inside. She was practically the only princess who had poor etiquette. But she was a sight for sore eyes. She was also self-assured and full of Latina fire.
After her entered Princess Debra Lincoln, the calmest of all of the girls. She was so tranquil and inspired and kindhearted. Her castle was always filled with soothing music as she performed yoga and lit pleasant-smelling candles. But push the wrong buttons on her, she would push the wrong button on you.
  Last came in Princess Skylar Carter. Her friends knew her as Skye. She had to be more nonchalant than her gal, Debra. She wasn't the most girly princess in the kingdom either. Eyebrows would raise when people would see Skye with the friends she had. But other than that, she has a secret soft side. And she won the hearts of others with her sarcastic and dry sense of humor. Even though she could be brutally honest, it was hard not to love her.
Princess Madeline greeted her girlfriends with hugs as they walked inside her hedonistic house.
"How is my royal sister?" asked Princess Elizabeth.
"More royal than ever," answered Madeline while closing her door.
"Do you got some grub?" asked Princess Andrea. "A princess hungrier than a mug."
"Oh, I just prepared some lunch in the dining hall. It's been chilling for a few minutes."
"Then let's get at it!" said Princess Skylar.
The princesses swaggered into the dining hall of the castle which was right by the kitchen. On the table in the center was five plates full of their midday meal. They sat down in the chairs while Madeline sat in the single chair at the end of the table. Next to her plate was the red apple she received earlier.
"Madeline, why is your food different from ours?" asked Princess Debra.
"Oh, I'm on a no-horse-meat diet," answered Madeline. "I want to be able to fit in all of my dresses."
"Mm-hmm," hummed Andrea. "Classic Madeline."
"So how has everyone been?"
"Oh, I know I've been glad," responded Elizabeth. "DeMarcus got me two horses. Both white! It was so nice of him. Now my unicorn has friends."
"You better pray that those horses don't do anything to your unicorn," said Princess Skylar.
"What do you mean?"
"Don't answer that, Skye," Madeline demanded. "Alright, so guess who was here?"
"Who?" asked Andrea.
"Pamela and Mauricia."
"The Witch Belles?" asked Lizzie.
"Yep. They were here, trying to convince me that they were old ladies."
"Did you fall for it?" asked Andrea.
"No! I called them out on it and stole from them before I kicked them out."
"Good for you," said Debra. "Fight the power. Peacefully, of course."
"Thanks, Debs. Someone really needs to kick those girls where it hurts."
"Yeah, right in the nuts," said Skye.
The girls shared a hearty laugh. Madeline smiled and picked up her shiny red apple. She took a big bite out of it and consumed the juicy goodness. After ingested it, instantly, she fell over, head first on the table. The girls stopped laughing and stared at Madeline who was completely still. They were silent for a while.
"What just happened?" Lizzie asked.
Debra jumped out of her chair and lifted Madeline's hand. She held her wrist to see if she could feel anything. "Oh, my goodness. She has no pulse." She dropped Madeline's limp wrist on the table.
"There's no way," said Princess Skye, getting out of her seat and walking towards Debra. "Let me try something."
Skye lifted Madeline's breathless face from the table and smacked her across the cheek. Madeline's head dropped back down onto the table as she did not feel a thing.
"Yeah, something's wrong," Skye said.
"Oh, my God!" Lizzie pulled on her own hair. "How could she have died? She's so young."
"I think she was poisoned," supposed Debra.
"How do you know?"
"Because she ate that apple and then died. So either that apple has poison in it or she was allergic."
"How can someone be allergic to apples?" questioned Princess Skylar.
"That's why she had to be poisoned."
"Oh, my goodness," said Andrea. "We need to do something. There has to be a way. This cannot be the end of Madeline."
        "I know," Princess Skye agreed. "Madeline owes me, like, five dollars."
"Ooh!" Lizzie got an idea. "We should take her to the pharmacy in the village. It's called, 'Pills and Potions'. I went there once but I don't know. I bought this potion that was supposed to cure my headaches but all it did was grow another boob on my chest."
"Listen, we have to go to see if there's a solution. Because I don't want the cops coming here. We all know that they will arrest Debra."
"Why would they only arrest me?" asked Princess Debra.
"Because you're black."
Debra nodded. "You're right. We need to get Madeline to that pharmacy fast."
Andrea and Lizzie pushed their chairs back and got up. Andrea hoisted Madeline by the arms and lifted her out of the chair, using her strength to carry Madeline out of the dining hall. The girls followed Andrea out of the room with Skye as the last one out.
"Shouldn't we finish our lunch first?" she asked.

The Princesses of Laguna Beach (Chapter 1)

Once upon a time, there was a princess living in a wonderful castle located in Orange County. Her name was Madeline Louise King; she goes by Maddie for short.  She was smart, driven, beautiful, charming and confident. Every prince wanted to be with her. Every princess wanted to be her. She lived a luxurious life which she would never trade for the world.
On a beautiful, shining day, Madeline was brushing her wavy, golden locks while looking into the mirror in her glorious bedroom. She caught a glimpse of her gorgeous face and said to herself:
"You go, girl!"
After flipping her hair behind her shoulders, she heard the doorbell ring from downstairs. She put her brush on her dresser and left the room. She entered the hallway then down the endless case of stairs. She opened the door and gazed upon two women. They were of the same height, looking about the same age. One of them had skin of burnt sienna and curly raven hair. And the other one had peachy skin and curly, caramel-colored hair. Both were in black cloaks, hunching over and rarely revealing their faces.
"Greetings, young lady," said the dark-skinned girl in a feeble voice.
"Yes, greetings," said the peachy-skinned girl with the same tone in her voice.
"Um, we're new in the neighborhood and we're going door-to-door to hopefully make new friends."
"Yes, friends."
"We have also come with goodies."
The light-skinned lady lifted up the basket full of apples from the ground and showed it to Princess Madeline. "Fresh goodies from the freshest trees."
"Fresh. Will you kindly accept our offer and take this apple?" The dark-skinned one picked up a red apple from the basket.
"Uh, I don't know," Madeline crossed her arms. "How old are you two?"
"Uh, very old," answered the light-skinned girl.
"Yes, very," the dark-skinned one agreed.
"You guys don't look very old to me," said Madeline, shaking her head.
"We're, like, totes old!" said the light-skinned girl in what seemed to be her normal voice. She stood up straight, making the hood of her cloak fall down, revealing her youthful face.
Princess Madeline gasped. "Pamela! And Mauricia."
Mauricia took off her hood as well since she has been caught.
"What are you doing at my expensive castle?" Madeline asked. "I told you many times that your tomfoolery would never work."
"Eh, it was worth a try," said Pamela.
"Do you guys really have nothing going on in your lives that you have to come around and mess with me?"
"Listen, we deserve to be princesses as much as you do," said Mauricia, glaring at the princess.
"Well, too bad, Mauricia. Wicked witches can't be princesses. It's against the fairy tale law."
"Those laws are dumb," Pamela commented.
"And you don't think I'm not? Please, I totally knew who you were when you came here. And what's with the apple?"
"We thought it would get you to let us into your house," admitted Mauricia.
"Well, guess what?" Madeline snatched the apple out of Mauricia's hands. "I got your apple and you still ain't in. Come up with a better plan next time but no matter what, I'm butter and butter is always slippery. Write that in your diaries."
Madeline slapped the door in the witches' faces and walked back upstairs. The witches turned around and crept away. As they did, they glanced at each other then snickered, informed that their scheme was not over.

The Ex Games (Chapter 5)

After talking to Terry, Madeline approached Homer, who stood by the railing with Gary. When Gary saw Madeline coming, he walked away towards his friend, Terry. Madeline smiled while Homer was just not happy.
"Hi," she said.
"Hi," he responded.
"Homer--"
"Look, Madeline, if you want to be with Terry, that's fine."
"I don't want to be with--"
"No, it's totally fine. And I'm sorry. I'm sorry for being so jealous. But I was being so jealous because I like you and I thought you liked me, too. And I don't know, I just feel dumb and confused like Helen Keller or something. But maybe I should stop being so selfish."
"Why should you stop being so selfish?"
"Because I thought you were my girlfriend or something but I honestly have no idea."
"Well, you do have an idea because I am your girlfriend."
"You are?"
"Yeah."
"Since when?"
Madeline looked up quickly and quietly giggled. "Since the third date so you've been my boyfriend for, like, less than three weeks."
"Oh. Oh! Oh, my goodness. What a relief!"
"Now can you relax?"
"Look, I was only behaving the way I did so you could see I was a potential boyfriend. That was an obvious waste of time."
"Not really. I love it when a man vies for attention from me." Madeline put her hands on Homer's chest and began to play with the collar of his light blue button-up.
"Do you really?"
"Mm-hmm." She nodded.
"You're such a woman."
"Tell me something I don't know."
"So I didn't embarrass myself?"
"Uh, you kinda did. But it's alright. It was cute."
"Madeline, I never thought I would say this but let's take a selfie."
"Okay!"
Madeline started to grab her cell phone from her pocket but Homer stopped her.
"Let's take one with my phone," he said.
"Oh, that's fine, too." Madeline slid the phone back in her pocket.
Homer took out his black cell phone from his jeans' pocket and swiped the screen after turning it on. He set his phone to the camera and held his phone up in front of him and Madeline so they could see themselves in the screen.
"I can't believe I'm gonna be on your phone," said Madeline. "This is so exciting."
The two smiled as Homer snapped a picture. Madeline seized his phone and began to get a closer look at the picture.
"I look so good," she complimented herself.

The Ex Games (Chapter 4)

For at least an hour and a half, Terry and Homer competed against each other in a series of carnival games. They played games like Skeeball, Whac-A-Mole, and Basketball. Homer was trying to prove that he was better than Madeline's "ex", Terry, while Terry just wanted to partake in some games.  No matter what game they played, Terry won every single one, causing frustration in Homer. Madeline and Gary followed the boys to wherever they went; Madeline started to feel bad for Homer and at the same time, irritated. Feeling like she needed some type of closure, Madeline decided to have a talk with Terry. She let Homer know and he distanced himself away from the two, standing by Gary.
"Thank you for the teddy bear," said Madeline. "I already have some at home but I'm still thankful."
"I'm glad you like it," nodded Terry. "A bear for a 'bear-y' special girl."
Madeline giggled. "Terry... you know I'm with someone, right?"
"Oh, yeah. His name is Homer, right?"
"Yeah."
"He seems a bit uptight."
"Trust me, I just found this out."
"Why is he so competitive?"
"I don't know. He doesn't Tebow when his lacrosse team loses a point."
"You shouldn't be with someone like that."
"Because you want me to be with you?"
"I mean, yeah. Madeline, I like you."
"And I like you, too. Well, I used to like you."
"Oh."
"I didn't mean it like that. I like you, just not in that way."
"No, I get it."
"I'm sorry. But I really did like you. I really did."
"Enough with the past tense."
"I hope we can still be friends."
"I guess I would like that. No matter what we are, Madeline, you'll always be a pretty lady."
"I know." Madeline grinned.
Terry chuckled. "But if Homer does anything to hurt you, call me, okay?"
"Okay. Well, I'm actually gonna call my girlfriends first. But when I do that, I'll call you."
"I'll take it."

        "I can still keep the teddy bear, right?"

        "Oh, definitely. Besides, why would a grown boy like me want to keep a teddy bear?"

        "I got a reason."

        "Well, whatever that reason is, it doesn't exist to me so keep that reason to yourself."

The Ex Games (Chapter 3)

Madeline and Homer walked through the boardwalk, passing people playing games while they looked for a game to play together. They almost passed by Terry, who was his big-armed friend, Gary, someone Madeline also met at Fake Cabo, who happened to be competing in a game of Water Gun. The two, with their own guns, shot at their small targets which were right next to each other. Both of the balloons behind the targets filled up but Terry's balloon was bigger than Gary's. Madeline stopped, making Homer stop, when she saw Terry beating his friend. Eventually, Terry's balloon popped, making him the winner.
Terry pumped his arm in the air. "Yeah! You owe me a soda, man!"
Madeline applauded Terry, causing a perplexed look to appear on Homer's face.
Terry and Gary turned around and gazed upon the smiling blonde.
"Oh, hey, Madeline," greeted Gary, flashing a smile that could win any prize. "I haven't seen you in a year."
"Hey, Gary," responded Madeline. "I can't believe you still remember me."
"Yeah, since Terry never stops talking about you."
Terry nudged his friend in the arm. "I do not talk about you, Madeline," he chuckled.
"Yeah, I'm exaggerating a little bit. He only talks about you, like, once a week."
"Who's Gary, Madeline?" asked Homer.
"Why are you asking so many questions?" Madeline made a face.
"I'm just asking. You didn't happen to make out with him, too, right?"
        Madeline looked at Homer and scrunched her eyebrows.
"No way, man," said Gary. "When I met Madeline, I was with Keeley. I'm still with Keeley."
"Aw," uttered Madeline. "How is Keeley?"
"Oh, she's great. We're great. I never get tired of her. We even gone past second base."
"I didn't need to know all that, Gary."
"What shall be your prize, sir?" the older man behind the counter asked Terry while leaning against it.
Terry scanned the various prizes hung beside the counter. "Hmm... I'll take the teddy bear so I can give it to a special lady named Madeline."
The man walked over to the prizes and unhooked one of the big, white teddy bears. He handed it to Terry who handed it to Madeline. Homer was not pleased.
"Aw, thank you, Terry," Madeline smiled, embracing her new toy.
"Uh-uh," uttered Homer. "You are not giving Madeline that big, freakin' teddy bear."
"But I just did," said Terry. "Besides, she's my friend and it's my prize. I'm just being nice."
"I could give her a prize, too. You don't think I can't? That's it. You, me, Water Gun, right now."
Gary got up and stepped back, thinking about how crazy Homer looks. Homer sat in the seat where Gary sat and put his hands on the gun. The man replaced the balloons from the gentlemen's targets which took a minute.
"Homer, what are you doing?" asked Madeline.
"Relax, Madeline," he commanded. "I'm trying to get you a stuffed monkey."
"On your mark, get set, go," instructed the man after moving out of the way.
Terry and Homer squirted their water guns at the targets, slowly filling up the balloons. Gary cheered his friend on while Madeline just stared. It took a few minutes until Terry's balloon popped, defeating Homer. Homer almost cursed while Terry pumped in his arm in the chair, spinning his seat around.
"Alright," said Homer, standing up. "Ring toss, right now!"
He ran through the boardwalk to the Ring Toss game which was only yards away. Terry followed him while Madeline and Gary just stood there watching them.
"What is that dude's name?" asked Gary.
"Homer," answered Madeline.
"Like Homer Simpson?"
"Shut it, Gary."

The Ex Games (Chapter 2)

Over the weekend, Madeline went on the date she planned with her boyfriend, Homer. He drove her in his gray Chrysler several minutes to a beach where a fair took place. After parking the car, they entered the area and passed by the young ones filling up the boardwalk. Madeline put her arm around Homer's arm and put her head on his shoulder, enjoying the breeze of the early afternoon and the warmth coming from her friend's neck.
"What should we do first?" she asked.
"Whatever you want to do, Madeline," Homer replied.
"Aw, I like it when you put me in charge. How about the 'Ring the Bell' game? I want to see how strong you are."
"I'm pretty strong."
"I'll believe it when I see it. But you got big arms so I believe it."
Homer chuckled. "You know, Madeline, I've been having a really good time ever since we met. It's so weird for me to say something like this but I really like you--"
"Wait a sec," Madeline demanded, stopping Homer. "Stay right there."
"Why? What's up?"
Madeline faced her handsome friend. "You look so fine in this light. I got to take a selfie of us." She began to take out her pink cell phone.
"Okay, when are you going to stop taking so many selfies?"
"'Til the day I die."
Madeline opened the camera application on her phone and switched the view. She held up the phone so the two could see their faces on the screen. She wrapped her arm around Homer and the two smiled into the camera. After she took the picture, she heard a voice call her name. It was a familiar voice. A voice of a young male. She put down her arm and looked to the right. She looked over Homer and found her old friend, Terry, from Fake Cabo, standing a yard away. He walked towards her with a nostalgic smile, formed by his thin yet soft lips.
"Oh, my goodness. Hey!" he said.
"Oh, hi, Terry," Madeline politely smiled. "I haven't seen you in a while."
"I know. It feels like forever although I've last seen you during the spring."
"Yeah." Madeline nodded.
"Who's Terry?" Homer asked, slowly filling with suspicion.
"This is Terry."
"I know; I see him. What I'm asking is who he is?"
"Oh, he was-- Or he is my-- What do you call it?"
"Ex-boyfriend?" Terry replied.
"Ex-boyfriend?" Homer repeated.
Madeline quickly chuckled. "No, he's not my ex. We were never in a relationship."
"Oh, yeah," agreed Terry, nodding his head.
"No, I've known him for a while."
"Were you guys a thing?" asked Homer.
"Uhhh, sorta."
"Yeah, sorta," said Terry.
"We used to talk. Maybe text each other."
"We made out once."
"Yeah, we made out. No, we didn't!"
"We didn't."
"Don't tell Homer that, Terry."
"I'm sorry."
"Wait, now I'm confused," said Homer. "Did you make out or not?"
"Why do you want to know?" asked Madeline.
"Because I-- I just-- I just want to know these things. He obviously meant something to you if you were making out with him."
"Yeah but I don't make out with him anymore. I barely talked to him at all since last summer."
"Yeah, we haven't talked that much," said Terry. "But we should really catch up."
"Yeah, we should."
"No, don't start talking to each other!" said Homer. "Just because you haven't spoke in a while doesn't mean you got to talk to each other again."
"What is the big deal?" Madeline asked almost loudly. "We're friends."
"Yeah, we're friends," Terry agreed.
"We're friends now, Homer."
"Alright," Homer almost mumbled. "I'm sorry for raising my voice."
"Listen, Madeline, I'll catch you later," said Terry.
"Alright," Madeline softly smiled.
As Terry walked off, Homer pointed at him. "No!" he disapproved. "No catching. No catching anyone later!"
"Homer, chill. He's just a friend. There's no need to be upset. Like really."
"Okay, I'm sorry. I apologize again. Just no catching."

The Ex Games (Chapter 1)

It was an easy, breezy afternoon and the girls were already settled in the cafeteria in time for lunch. Everyone was in a good mood, especially Madeline. While the girls were eating, Madeline decided to show them pictures from her cell phone. She went through every picture by swiping the screen and told her friends what was each picture of.
"That's me and Homer at Starbucks. That's me and Homer at Cool Beans. That's me and Homer at Subway. I'm going on the Subway diet of course. That's me and Homer at the movies. We sat in the back so it was okay. That's me and Homer at his house. That's me and Homer at my house. That's me and Homer making funny faces. That's me and Homer wearing funky sunglasses."
"Man, you and Homer took a lot of corny pics together," noticed Skye.
"Yeah, I can't resist. He's so cute. And I'm so cute. We're cute together."
"Is Homer your boyfriend?" asked Lizzie.
"Yep but he doesn't know. So, shh, don't tell him."
"Ooh, you're sneaky."
"'Sneaky' is my middle name."
"I thought your middle name was Louise."
"Figure of speech, Liz'."
"When will he know that he's your boyfriend?" questioned Debra.
"When he introduces me to his friends. But if he doesn't call me his girlfriend in front of them, I'll tell them myself. Think I won't? Because I will."
"You like him so much, you wanna ruin his life?" Andrea queried.
"Uh, I'm too bomb to ruin his life. Wait, let me rephrase that. A girl like me can't ruin his life; I make it better."
"I assume you're busy with Homer Simpson this weekend," shared Skye.
"Why are you calling him that?"
"Because that's his name. I'll say it to his face, too."
"Well, you're right. I am going to be busy with Homer this weekend. He's taking me to the boardwalk which I think is so romantic because we met at a fair."
"Another location to take pictures in," said Andrea.
"I know, right? I think I should make a scrapbook."
"You known him for weeks."
"But I got a bunch of pictures! It's gonna happen."
"Ooh, we should have a scrapbook," Lizzie suggested.
"Yeah," Debra smiled.
"We may have a bunch of pictures but it ain't gonna happen," said Skye.
        "Come on," said Lizzie. "We can use stickers."
        "That doesn't convince me."

Grandma Got Ran Over By a Hyundai (Chapter 5)

It had been almost hour since Esth was in the emergency room. Finally, a fully dressed doctor came out and approached Lizzie and her family.
"Are you guys waiting for Esth Giannini?" he asked in a deep voice.
"Yes, we are," answered Lizzie's father. "Is she okay?"
"Oh, she's awful. No, I'm kidding; she's fine. She's awake but she broke a few bones. She also asked to see a young Elizabeth."
"I'm a young Elizabeth," Lizzie raised her hand.
"Only her?" asked her mom.
"Yep, for a few minutes," the doctor replied.
"Okay," Lizzie said, unsure.
The doctor gestured to follow him. Lizzie glanced at her friends before walking towards the doctor's way. He entered this long hall filled with doors. After a minute, he showed Lizzie an open door. He entered the room and saw her grandmother lying on a hospital bed, hooked up to monitors with a cast on her leg and arm.
"Uh, hey, Grandma Esth," Lizzie said with a weak smile, walking closer to the bed. "Did you lose weight?"
"No but I almost lost my arm," Esth answered.
"That's... good?"
"Elizabeth--"
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, okay? I wasn't trying to kill you. I was just trying to get to the car wash. They let you sit in the car while they wash it, you know?"
"Elizabeth--"
"You're not gonna seek revenge on me and kick me with your broken leg, are you?"
"Quiet! Elizabeth, I'm not mad."
"Why not? I almost killed you."
"I know. But you're my granddaughter and I love you and I know you wouldn't do anything to hurt me."
Lizzie genuinely smiled. "Aw, thanks, grandma."
"Besides, maybe this is a sign that I should slow down."
"No, you shouldn't."
"I'm getting old."
"Yeah but Kris Jenner is getting old and she does... stuff."
"I don't know who that is."
"Good. Grandma, don't slow down. You love to love and that's okay."
"You don't like it when I pinch your cheeks."
"You can still pinch them. I'm a big girl; it's not going to kill me. Your hands are not a car."
"Thank you, Elizabeth. But there's a sign for something."
"Grandma Esth, if I looked at my mirrors, I would have never hit you with the car. If God is trying to kill you, then he is a bad man."
"You're right. I'm going crazy."
"Yeah, but it's good to be crazy sometimes. Look at Miley Cyrus."
"I don't know who that is."
"Good." Lizzie began to groom Esth's short, dark hair.
"Young Elizabeth, maybe you're not a naughty, naughty girl after all. I won't tell your mom that you wear honeymoon shoes."
"That is not what those shoes are for. But thank you. Can you convince her not to hate me?"
"She doesn't hate you. She loves you to death. I taught her well."
"You did. You taught me well, too."
"I did?"
Lizzie looked into the air. "I don't know."
"You need to get an education."
"And you need to get gloves."
The two laughed as they began to hold hands, healing what could have been broken.

Grandma Got Ran Over By a Hyundai (Chapter 4)

After a while, the girls arrived at the hospital, separately but quickly after one another, in support of Lizzie just like the time when Lizzie's mother was having a baby. The girls were crowding her when she stood up to greet them.
"Oh, Lizzie, how are you feeling?" asked Madeline.
"Are you alright?" Andrea asked after.
"I'm fine," responded Lizzie. "I'm just... freaking out."
"You weren't clear on what happened," mentioned Skye. "Like, what exactly happened?"
"Well, I got into my parents' car so I could take it to the wash. I was excited because I wanted to be inside the car while it's getting washed. And when I backed up, I felt a bump! So when I got out of the car, I saw my grandma lying on the floor."
The girls glanced at each other for a moment.
"So wait," said Skye. "So you're telling us that you ran over your grandmother?"
"Yes," answered Lizzie. "Well, no. But yes."
"Liz', this doesn't have anything to do with... you know, right?" said Madeline.
"What? No! I would never run over my grandmother on purpose."
"Are you sure?" asked Andrea. "I heard you were hating."
"I'm positive. I would never do such a thing."
"Lizzie, you can't run over your grandmother," said Debra. "That's like shooting your dog when it's not even that old yet."
"Why are you guys making me seem like some killer?"
"Because you are!" barked Lizzie's mom.
Lizzie's dad held onto his wife, trying to simmer her down.
"Thanks, mom," Lizzie said sarcastically. "Appreciate it."
"I can't believe you ran over your grandma," said Andrea. "That's so petty."
"I didn't do it on purpose."
"It doesn't matter. It's still trifling."
"You guys are making me feel bad. I thought you were here to support me."
"Yeah, you guys," started Madeline. She walked over to Lizzie and put her arm around her. "We're supposed to make her feel better. Lizzie didn't mean to hurt her grandma and possibly kill her. Lizzie is just a bad driver."
"Now that I can believe," said Skye.
"I believe that," Debra nodded.
"You guys, I am not a bad driver," said Lizzie.
"So you're just a grandma killer?" questioned Andrea.
Lizzie paused. "I mean I am a bad driver."

Grandma Got Ran Over By a Hyundai (Chapter 3)

After finding Lizzie's grandmother, Esth, unresponsive in the garage, Lizzie's father called 911 so someone could pick up Esth. A few minutes later, an ambulance came to the house and the doctors put Esth's body on a gurney before pushing her into the truck. After the ambulance drove away, Lizzie's parents put her baby son in a carriage and everyone got in their car and drove to the hospital where Esth would be treated. The family were told to stay put in the waiting room until they hear some news. Lizzie's parents sat together with angry looks on their face. Next to them was Lizzie's brother, Dallas, and Lizzie so the baby separated the parents from their daughter.
Lizzie leaned forward. "Are you guys mad at me?"
"You ran over your grandmother!" Her mom spat.
"It was an accident!"
"How was it an accident?"
"I didn't look in my mirrors."
"Why?"
"I really wanted to go to the car wash."
"You would think that if a person gets their driver's license, it means that they can drive."
"I'm sorry."
"Sorry doesn't wake up my mom."
"I'm sorry with a cherry on top?"
"Just stop."
"Now, honey, don't be so hard on Lizzie," said the father. "She was nice enough to buy you those honeymoon shoes."
"That's not what those shoes are for," Lizzie reminded. "Can I invite my friends here so I can have someone to talk to?"
"Whatever, Lizzie," responded her mom.
Lizzie took out her cell phone. "Don't frowny-face at me. It was Grandma Esth who decided to walk in front of the back of your car."
As Lizzie dialed a number into her phone, her mom slowly put out her hands to simulate that she was going to choke her. Her husband clasped onto her wrists and pushed her arms down.

Grandma Got Ran Over By a Hyundai (Chapter 2)

The next day, after the family arrived from church, Lizzie head up to her room and hopped on the bed. She took her cell phone out of her little satchel and began to call Madeline. She held the phone up to her ear and listening to the ringing until her friend picked up.
"Hello?" Madeline's voice protruded out the phone.
"Hey, Maddie."
"What's up, Doll?"
"I just came back from church." Lizzie held her phone to her ear using her shoulder.
"Did you go with your grandma?"
"Yeah, I sat next to her."
"Aw, that's nice."
"Nice? She was basically assaulting me the whole time. That woman is mega religious."
"Oh, sorry to hear. She's not getting on your nerves, is she?"
"Totally but my words would be different inside Jesus' safe house." Lizzie took off her lavender cardigan.
"Safe house?"
She got up, walked over to her closet then opened it. "I mean, my grandma has been bothering me ever since she stayed here and it's been, like, one and a half days. Which is how long it took Jesus to become a zombie."
"Uh-huh."
"She slaps me, she pinches me, she hits me." Lizzie took an unused hanger from the rack inside the closet and entered the ends into the inside of the sleeves of the cardigan. "She almost got me in trouble yesterday. I'm telling you, Grandma Esth is trouble herself. I think she's Cena."
"You mean 'senile'?"
"Oh, that makes sense." Lizzie pushed one half of the clothes and hung the cardigan in the space. "What's 'Cena'?"
"I don't know. Perhaps John Cena?"
"Oh, right. He's cute." She closed her closet.
"I know, right?"
"I want him to bounce me on his muscles." Lizzie turned around so she could sit on the bed. But when she turned, she froze when she saw her grandmother standing by the door. Lizzie, with wide eyes, held her phone with her hand. "Mads, I got to call you back."
"Okay. Later."
Lizzie hung up and held her phone near her stomach. "Hey, Grandma Esth. Did you lose some weight?"
"Quiet!" Esth demanded before walking closer to Lizzie. "What is this I hear about you saying I'm trouble?"
"Oh, see, what had happened was that I was... uh... it's a nickname. You know how us kids are. 'Trouble' is a nickname for someone cool and it means that... you are cool."
"I don't believe you."
"Oh, shoot."
"Why are you such a naughty, naughty girl?"
"I am not a naughty, naughty girl, okay? I love you but you hurt me."
"I 'hurt' you because I love you."
"I love you, too, but I don't pinch your cheeks like I'm playing with Play-Doh which I wish I still had."
"You're eighteen and you want toys. I don't understand you. But I understand that the shoe in the hall was yours so you're lying to your parents."
"You don't got any proof. Not enough to testify, of course. I'm innocent. I overrule you. Yeah, I tell nothing but the truth."
"You are like a child. You should get an education."
"And you should get gloves."
"Hey, what's going on here?" asked Lizzie's dad, just arriving at the door.
Esth turned around and faced her son-in-law. Lizzie put her arm around her.
"Oh, nothing," she smiled. "I was just telling Grandma Esth that I love her."
Esth scoffed. "If you loved me so much, I'd die."
"Okay," said Lizzie's father. "Uh, Esth, I got to go change Dallas and I left my cornstarch in the garage. Do you mind getting it for me?"
"Of course, not at all. I'll do anything for my grandson who loves me."
She stared at Lizzie crazily before walking off past Lizzie's dad, disappearing into the hallway.
"And you," started Lizzie's father, looking at his daughter, "can you go to the garage as well and drive the car to the wash?"
"Ooh, can I stay in the car while they're washing it?" she asked. "It looks like I'm getting washed except I stay dry."
"You can do whatever you want, sweetie. Just get it washed."
Lizzie ran past her dad and walked into the hall. She went downstairs into the lounge and snatched the car keys from the little table. Then she went into the kitchen where the door to the basement was. She opened it and went downstairs then headed to the door across. She opened it and entered the garage.
        She pointed the keys towards the Hyundai in the center of the carport and unlocked it. She opened the front door to the driver's seat and hopped in. She closed the door and stuck one of the keys in the ignition, twisting it until the car turned on. When it did, the radio turned on, playing gospel music. She switched the channels until she found a pop station, playing, "Heaven is a Place on Earth" by Belinda Carlisle. She pulled the gear shift into reverse before she gripped the wheel with both hands. She stepped on the gas pedal softly, backing the car up. As the car went into reverse for a few seconds, Lizzie felt something hard hit the back, which shook the car a bit, then heard a thud. Feeling confused, she took her foot off the gas and parked the car. She opened the door and got out of the car. She sprinted to the back of it and gasped when she saw her grandmother laying unconsciously on the ground. She shrieked into her hands and knelt before Esth.
"Grandma, are you okay!" she asked. "Nod your head if yes."
There was no response. Esth was out like a light.
"Okay, you're not nodding. I assume that's a no?"
Lizzie automatically felt screwed when her parents opened the door to the garage just a few seconds after.
Her father began to say, "Esth, did you find the corn-- Oh, my goodness!" He laid eyes on his mother-in-law's body.
Lizzie's parents ran over to Esth and crouched down.
"Oh, mommy!" Lizzie's mom began to cry. "Speak to me! What did you do, Lizzie?"
"It was an accident," Lizzie frantically answered, standing up. "I swear!"
"Oh, my goodness. Mom!"
"Esth, can you hear me?" asked Lizzie's father, pushing her chest.
"I'm not gonna get grounded, am I?" asked Lizzie.

Grandma Got Ran Over By a Hyundai (Chapter 1)

During the weekend, the girls chilled in each of their homes during a pleasant afternoon. Lizzie was spending time in her living room, reading a book that one would read in preschool. Her parents were in the kitchen, helping each other cook food for later, so she was dressed in the rags she usually wears around her folks. At one moment, the doorbell rang.
Lizzie put her book down beside herself on the couch. She stood up and shouted, "I'll get it!"
She left the living room and walked toward the door. She looked through the peephole and saw an elderly brunette standing around. Lizzie recognized the old woman and made a weird face. She opened the door and greeted the woman with sudden cheerfulness.
"Young Elizabeth!" the old woman said in an Italian accent.
"Hi, Grandma Esth," Lizzie grinned.
Esth stepped forward and squeezed Lizzie like a teddy bear. "Oh, il mio bambino. I haven't seen you so long. You're tall as a tree."
Lizzie struggled in her grandmother's grip, slowly losing air. "Grandma, I can't breathe," she gasped.
Esth let go of her granddaughter, letting her catch her breath. Esth cooed and grabbed Lizzie's rosy face, taking a better look at her. "My young Elizabeth, you've grown." She slapped Lizzie on the cheeks then pinched them.
Lizzie winced as a reaction to the constant pulling of her face. "Well, I'm eighteen now so that qualifies as grown," she tried to smile.
Lizzie's parents soon left the kitchen into the little lounge.
"Mommy!" exclaimed her mom.
She ran towards her mother and gave her a big hug which Esth reciprocated. They soon pulled away, smiling at each other. Esth smacked her daughter on the cheeks then pinched them.
"You get more beautiful every day," she said. "How's my sweet little bubby?"
Lizzie's mother pulled Esth's hands off her face. "Bubby is fine," she smiled. "How have you been?"
"Wonderful, wonderful. The gout on my toes is going away so one day, I might be able to dance again."
"Nice to see you, Esther," greeted Lizzie's father.
"Joseph, you still got that mouse living under your nose?"
"Yep and I'm not getting rid of it."
Esth groaned. "So where is my little grandson? I've only seen pictures and I want to meet him in person."
"Oh, he's upstairs in his room, sleeping," responded Lizzie's mom. "I can't let you bother him but you can look at him if you want and wait until he wakes up."
"Oh, of course. But first, what is that shoe over there?" She pointed at the door to the living room.
Lizzie and her parents turned their heads and spotted a red peep-toe heel sitting by the edge of the door. Lizzie's eyes widened, internally freaking out; her parents did not recognize that shoe.
"I don't know," said Lizzie's mother. "It's not mine."
"Then it must be Elizabeth's," concluded Esth.
"No, it's not," Lizzie said quickly, looking at her grandma.
"Joseph, do you know whose shoe that is?" asked Lizzie's mom, looking at her husband all suspicious.
Lizzie's father leaned back, feeling like he was getting poked by his wife's cold stare. "Why do you gotta look at me like that? Just because there are shoes lying around the house doesn't mean you can't trust me."
"There are shoes lying around the house?"
"No, I didn't mean it like that."
"Guys," Lizzie caught their attention, "uh, when I said that that wasn't my shoe, I meant it actually is my shoe. I bought it... so I can give it to you, mom. Yeah because you go to church wearing the same shoes. But if you go wearing some pumps, you'd be poppin'. Your calves will be poppin', mom."
Lizzie's mother just stared at her. "Um, thank you, Lizzie. But I'm not into wearing pumps so I'm sorry. Thank you for getting me them though. Maybe I'll wear them for something special like our wedding anniversary." She smiled at her husband.
Lizzie's father walked up behind his wife and grasped her shoulders. "I don't have a problem with that," he said.
He purred into his wife's ear, making her titter.
"Ew," uttered Lizzie, "that is not what those shoes are for."
Lizzie's mother took her husband's hands off her shoulders. "So did you bring your stuff, mommy?"
"Oh, yes," responded Esth. "My sweet Alberto is outside with the van, trying to gather everything for me."
"Oh, Joseph and I can help him with that."
"Wait, what is going on?" questioned Lizzie.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you but it shouldn't matter. Grandma Esth is staying with us for a week."
"Yes, I want to spend time with my beloved children and grandchildren," added Esth.
"Come on, mamma. Let's get your things before Alberto turns into a pretzel."
Lizzie's parents and grandmother went out the open door into the driveway. Lizzie just stood there, staring at the door.
"Ain't this about a... hmm, man?" she muttered to herself, kicking the air.