The Breadwinners Cafe

Two Heads Are Better Than One (Chapter 5)

"So how did Thomas respond to your confrontation?" asked Andrea, tearing the crust from her slice of pepperoni pizza that she bought in the cafeteria.
"He was so nervous," responded Madeline.
"But he wasn't very apologetic," Lizzie added.
"Yeah, he was still being chill at the same time."
"He probably thought he was going to 'get lucky'," said Skye.
"Well, he was wrong," said Madeline.
"So what happened after he was caught?" Andrea asked.
"We taught him a lesson," Madeline answered.
"And as in, 'we taught him a lesson', we mean, 'we beat him black and blue.'"
Debra and Skye giggled.
"Ooh, did he cry?" Andrea asked.
"Girl, he cried so much," said Madeline, "his boogers had boogers."
"Well, that's what he gets for dating two girls at the same time," Debra said.
"Do you think he learned his lesson?" asked Skye.
"He should," answered Madeline. "Two-timing isn't funny."
"Yeah," Lizzie said. "If he does that to another girl, I wouldn't be more happy but to beat him up again."
"Good thing he didn't tell us where he lived," Madeline mentioned.
Lizzie giggled.
"I just can't imagine getting cheated on," said Andrea.
"I can," Lizzie responded. "You'd tear your guy up like a bloodhound."
"That's true," Andrea grinned.
"But I wouldn't consider it cheating," said Madeline. "We were just dating him. We weren't in a relationship."
"But you described him like you were in a relationship with him," Andrea noted.
"Either way, I don't think what he did was officially cheating. But it was still bad."
"Yeah, what he did was still bad," Lizzie agreed.
"Well, I think cheating is cheating," said Debra. "Whether or not two is in a relationship."
"So you're saying that Dan Helman, the cute guy from the softball team, is cheating on me with his long-time girlfriend, Hannah Hope?" Andrea joked.
All of the girls laughed.
"That's not what I meant, but sure," Debra chuckled.
"It is good that you girls stuck together," Skye said. "It is weird to learn that you're dating a guy with some 'excess'."
"Well, as long as it's over," Madeline shrugged. She then patted on Lizzie's shoulder. "Sorry that you were excess, Dolly."
Lizzie squinted her eyes at Madeline. "Excess? I found him first. You were the excess."
"No, you were the excess because I found him after you, leaving you behind."
"Finding someone second is not as good as finding someone first. I found him first, making you a certain type of a 'third wheel', making you excess."
"No, since you found him first and I found him second, you were stuck in the past. That being said, you were the excess, being left behind."
"Girls, does it really matter?" questioned Andrea. "He probably dated other girls before and after you two anyway."
Madeline paused. "Yeah, you're probably right. I'm sorry, you're not excess, Lizzie. You're a portion."
"I don't know what that means," said Lizzie, "but thanks. Right back at you."
"You girls are great to talk you," Debra smiled.
"Thanks, Debra," Madeline giggled. "Can you guys promise to not spread the whole beat-up situation with Thomas to other people? I don't want to get suspended."

Two Heads Are Better Than One (Chapter 4)

A brunet, teenage boy approached the door of a big, pearly-white house known as Madeline's house. Once he was inches away from the door, he combed his hair with his fingers and flipped it around. Afterwards, he pulled a tiny bottle from one of the front pockets of his jeans and spritz it into his mouth. He cleared his throat and put the bottle back into his pocket. After muttering to himself about how charismatic he was, he rung the doorbell. He fixed his army-looking jacket and cleared his throat once more. Seconds later, Madeline opened the door.
"Hey, Madeline," the boy said in a rich voice.
"Hey, Thomas," Madeline greeted back.
Thomas smiled but soon lost that smile when Lizzie walked out from behind Madeline and stood beside her.
"Hey, Thomas," Lizzie greeted with confidence.
Thomas' eyes widened. "Lizzie! I mean-- I don't-- Uh-- What is going on?"
"Oh, Thomas," Madeline chuckled quickly, "don't play dumb."
"Even though what you have done was quite dumb," Lizzie commented.
Thomas stuttered his nervous moans.
"Come on, Thomas, say something," said Madeline.
"Yeah, tell us what you're thinking," Lizzie added.
Thomas froze. "I'm sorry?" he could only say.
"Oh, he's sorry," chuckled Lizzie.
"That is so cute that he's sorry," Madeline said, sarcastically. "But tell us, Tom. Why are you sorry?"
Thomas stared at Madeline. Then he switched his eyes to Lizzie. Then back to Madeline.
"Look, girls, you know how boys are," he said, nervously. "I hope we can still be friends."
"Friends," scoffed Madeline. "He wants to be friends."
"Friends?" Lizzie added whim to her voice. "He wants to be friends, he said?"
"Of course, we can still be friends, Tom. If pigs grew butterfly wings and flew off to fairyland."
"Ooh, that would look so pretty," whispered Lizzie.
Madeline scrunched her eyebrows, but then started to relax her face.
"What you did, Tom, was very uncalled for," she continued. "Plus, it was rude and humiliating. You got to understand that."
"Okay," Thomas answered, with less feeling.
Madeline stared at him, thinking how she can't believe him.
"Okay?" she inquired.
Thomas nodded.
"Okay," she said.
"Okay," Lizzie repeated.
"Okay," Thomas hesitated.
"Okay," the girls said in the same breath.
Thomas stared at the girls, not knowing what to do next. "So... what are you going to do?" he spilled.
"Well, we can be mature and let you go with no harm done," said Madeline. "Or we can be immature and beat you until you cry blood."
Thomas widened his eyes. "And your choice is--?" he asked, quietly.
Madeline inhaled through her teeth. "Well, I'm not a very mature person. And neither is Lizzie."
Thomas gulped.
"Let's break his butt!" yelled Lizzie.
The girls grabbed Thomas by his arms and shirt and pulled him into the house. He let out a girl-like shriek before the girls closed the door to privately do their worst to him.

Two Heads Are Better Than One (Chapter 3)

Andrea slowly drove her jeep into the parking space next to a public café called the Breadwinners.
"I love a sunny day," she said to Madeline, sitting in the passenger seat.
"It's always sunny," Madeline commented.
Andrea pushed her car's lever into "Park" and unlocked the doors with her keys as she took them out of the ignition. The girls opened their doors together and hopped out of the car, closing the doors behind them.
Madeline walked toward the café, spotting the other girls sitting in the same table by the café.
"Hey, Maddie," Debra waved.
The other girls greeted Andrea and Madeline as soon as they saw them. They both sat down between Lizzie and Skye, putting down their tote bags on the table.
"Geez, what's in your purse?" asked Skye to Madeline. "Your dog?"
"No," Madeline answered. "Crystal doesn't like that. She threw up once. It was probably because of the heat."
Andrea looked at Lizzie, giving her a look of "Have something to say?" Lizzie was confused at first but then started to read it. She sighed, feeling pressured.
"Girls, I have an announcement," she declared.
All of the girls paid their attention to Lizzie.
She continued: "I should have told you less than a week ago but... I met a guy."
"You met a guy, too?" Skye asked.
Lizzie nodded.
"Wow, that's interesting," Madeline commented.
"Oh, my goodness," Debra smiled. "What's his name?"
"Since Madeline won't tell us her man's name," Andrea added.
Madeline rolled her eyes, but not in an angry way.
"His name is Thomas," Lizzie grinned. "But I don't know his last name."
"That's okay," said Andrea. "That's not important."
"Where did you meet him?" asked Debra.
"At a bakery. I was buying a cake for my grandmother and he just went up to me."
"Aw, it sounds romantic already," Debra said.
Madeline placed her elbow on the table and rested her cheek in her hand. "Guys, can I tell you all something just to discuss?" she inquired.
"Sure," Skye shrugged.
"My guy's name is Thomas," she spilled.
Lizzie scrunched her forehead to herself.
"Whoa, you guys are both dating Thomas's?" Debra asked. "You guys might be really sisters."
"Tom is such a simple name," Andrea noted. "You couldn't tell us that his name was Tom?"
"Don't get upset, Andrea," said Lizzie. "At least she told. It's just weird that our guys' name is Thomas."
"It's not that weird," said Skye. "Tom is a common name. What does your Tom look like, Lizzie?"
Lizzie paused to think. "Well, my Tom has brown hair, brown eyes and smooth skin."
"Huh, my Tom has the same characteristics," Madeline pointed.
Andrea widened her eyes.
"Well, describe him more," Skye suggested.
"Thomas was Caucasian," Madeline added. "About five foot nine."
"Thomas told me he was five foot nine," Lizzie jumped in.
The girls inhaled through their teeth, not wanting to know what would happen next.
Lizzie continued: "He was Caucasian, also."
"Was his hair full and a bit shaggy?" Madeline asked.
"Yes, like he just got out of bed."
"That's how my Thomas' hair looked like."
"Did he smell Axel body spray?"
"Oh, my God. Yes!"
Lizzie slammed her hand on the table.
"Girls, you don't think that you are both dating the same Thomas, do you?" inquired Debra.
"No, we can't," Madeline shook her head. "It's not possible."
"We are not dating the same Thomas," Lizzie agreed. "He told me I was as special as a rose."
"That's what he said to me!" yelled Madeline.
Lizzie gasped loudly.
"Oh, my God!" Andrea put the palms of her hands on her face. "What are you guys going to do?"
Lizzie and Madeline looked at each other in sadness.
"You can choose who gets him," suggested Skye. "Rock, paper, scissors?"
Andrea glared at Skye. "Skye--"
"I'm kidding. Trying to light up the mood."
"I don't know what I'm going to do," admitted Madeline. "I really liked him but... but I guess it was all a lie."
"Well, whatever you guys do," Debra started, "I bet it will be the right decision."
Lizzie and Madeline both smiled faintly to themselves.
"You're so calm all the time," Andrea commented. "I can't do that."
The girls giggled, especially Lizzie and Madeline.  

Two Heads Are Better Than One (Chapter 2)

The next day, in the beginning of the morning, Lizzie put away her sparkly red backpack in her locker. She closed the locker door and sighed dreamily; her face became red. Soon she turned around, hearing her name being called in a Latina accent.
"Hey, Doll," greeted Andrea, who walked up to her in a quick manner.
"Hey, Andy," Lizzie greeted back.
"I just heard that Miss Adams is not here. That means no test today."
"Ooh, good."
"So what's new? Like why are you red?"
"Red?"
"Yeah, your face looks like a tomato. Or an apple. Or a pepper."
Lizzie sighed as she held onto her books tightly. "Okay, if I tell you what I am about to tell you, can you keep it as a secret for a while?"
"Depends on the secret."
"Andrea--"
"I'm sorry. I promise not to tell. But what is it?"
Lizzie looked around to make sure that any of the girls are coming their way. "Remember when Maddie told us that she met a guy?"
"Yeah..."
"Well... I met a guy, too."
"¿Qué dijo? "
"Really, I met a guy."
"So why are you keeping that as a secret?"
"I don't want to draw the attention away from Madeline. She found a good guy and I don't want to seem like I'm fibbing for desperation."
"Oh, come on. If you tell the rest of the girls, they wouldn't care. I mean they would care. I meant that we wouldn't think you were lying. We trust you."
"Good. Then maybe you can tell the girls."
"I was going to tell them anyway."
Lizzie scrunched her eyebrows.
"So who is the lucky guy's name?" Andrea playfully slapped Lizzie's arm.
"His name is Thomas."
"Thomas. Sounds smart."
"He is. He was real corny but he was smart so it's good."
"Where and when did you meet him?"
"At the Samuel bakery on Sunshine street last Saturday. He told me I was as sweet as a cupcake."
"That's cheesy."
"But he was sweet. Like he said I was."
"Aw! So are you two just dating or are you two in a relationship?"
"We're just dating. But I feel that he would ask me to be his girlfriend after the third date or so."
"Oh, so he's that hung up on you?"
"As it seems to me, yeah. But I really like him and I can't wait for you guys to meet him."
"I can't wait either. Madeline doesn't want his guy to meet us until they are official which could take weeks."
"Yeah, but let her take her time. She is a smart girl."
"Yeah, I agree. So when are you going to see Thomas?"
"Today! We're meeting up at the park."
"Sounds romantic already. I hope he is the right guy for you."
"Thanks, Andy."
"And if he ever tries to hurt your feelings, just call me. I'll break his face."
"Andrea..." Lizzie giggled.
"Sorry... I'll break his butt."
Lizzie started to walk away. "You can't break a person's butt. That's kind of impossible."
"Not the way I break butts." Andrea followed her.

Two Heads Are Better Than One (Chapter 1)

"Hello, sisters!" Madeline greeted, walking toward the lunch table.
The girls waved and greeted together at Madeline. She sat down quickly between Lizzie and Debra who left a space on the bench for her. She laid down her pink lunch bag on the table and un-clipped it open. She sighed merrily as she took out her food.
The girls stared at Madeline, all wondering what was up with her excessive grinning.
"So... what's up, Maddie?" Andrea asked, awkwardly.
"Nothing," Madeline answered. "Why? Do I look sad?"
"No, you look happy," Skye jumped in.
Madeline scrunched her forehead but still kept her smile. "Okay. I'm happy every day."
"But not this happy," commented Lizzie.
"What's wrong with being happy?"
"Nothing," answered Andrea. "It's just that you look too happy."
"Why are you happy?" asked Skye, laying her elbow on the table and resting her chin on her hand.
Madeline giggled a bit. "Well, I met this person--"
"And they gave you money?" Andrea interrupted.
"No," Madeline squinted her eyes. "I met this person who is really nice and cool and they gave me a feeling of happiness, obviously. So that's why I'm happy today."
"Wait a minute," Lizzie stuck her index fingers up in front of her. "Does this person have the gender of male?"
"In other words," Debra jumped in, "is it a boy?"
"Maybe," Madeline rolled her eyes. "Maybe not."
"Maybe yes!" said Andrea.
"Are you in a relationship?" asked Lizzie.
"No, no," answered Madeline. "If I was in a relationship, I would tell you guys right away."
"But you won't tell us right away if you just met a guy?" Andrea asked.
"It's complicated. We just started dating. Actually, we haven't gone on our first date yet unless yesterday counted as a first date."
"What happened yesterday?" asked Debra.
"Well, I went to a coffee shop and ordered a non-fat latte. After I got my latte and sat down, he came up to me and said, 'You like that a 'latte'?'"
The girls looked at Madeline in a blank, awkward expression.
"What?" Andrea squinted her eyes.
"It was a joke," Madeline threw her hand out.
"And you thought it was funny?" Skye asked.
Madeline paused. "No. But it was cute and he was obviously shy. So I asked him to join me and we started talking. Afterwards, we exchanged numbers."
"That is so sweet," said Debra. "Nothing like love to calm a person down."
"She barely went on a date with him," said Andrea. "I wouldn't call it love yet."
"Well, is there anything else you want to tell us about this guy other than he's nice, cool, cute and shy?" asked Skye.
"Well...," Madeline started thinking. "His last name is Jepsen."
The girls paused to think.
"You want to tell us his first name?" Andrea inquired after taking a pause.
"I will tell you his first name after we settle into a relationship," Madeline replied.
"Is that what you're going to do from now on when you meet a boy?" asked Skye. "Tell us their names after you two get serious?"
"Yeah, that's crazy," Lizzie commented. "That's your decision?"
"Yeah, but I really like him and I just want to keep him on the 'down low' for a bit so I don't seem, you know, crazy," Madeline replied.
"But it's not like I'm going to go for a walk," said Andrea, "and look at every teenage guy walking down the sidewalk and go, 'Hey, are you Jepsen?'"
"Yeah, we're your friends, Maddie," said Lizzie. "You should tell us every detail."
"I know," Madeline sighed. "I'm sorry. But if he got me smiling all day like this, there is a possible chance that he could be the one. Even though I just met him. And I want to wait to express him until I feel comfortable."
"Well, I hope he is the right one for you," Debra commented. "And may you feel happiness every day."
"Thank you, Debbie," Madeline smiled.
"Yeah, same here," Andrea agreed.
Skye and Lizzie nodded in agreement.
"You guys are the best," Madeline said.
"Don't mention it," Lizzie smiled.
Andrea crossed her arms and laid them on the table. "But can you at least answer this one thing: before you and Jepsen went on your separate ways, did you say, 'I like you a 'latte''?"
All of the girls laughed to Andrea's little joke.