Maddie huffed an annoyed breath. While there were a lot of advantages to being an adult (and, honestly, it was strange thinking of herself as an adult), there were just as many disadvantages as well. Not being able to hit a kid (who deserved it) without serious backlash was one of those things. “You could probably get away with it,” was her response. “Come on,it's not like I'm suggesting we beat them or anything. I just don't think simply telling them to cut it out will sink in as well as a little bit of force.”
“Right back atcha.” Nick wasn't the only one who could be cocky. Words alone were generally never enough to get Maddie to learn an important lesson. Case in point being the dare she'd given Nick. Caitie had asked her to lay off, but Maddie hadn't listened and she had to learn that lesson the hard way, and at Nick's expensive. The lesson was learned, though. That was the important part.
“So let's find out who's method is gonna work, instead of standing around here arguing about it.” If they waited too long, the kids might get bored and move on to some other game. Whether that happened or not didn't matter; Maddie would confront them either way. With another glance at Nick – it was weird as hell to be on the same side in something – Maddie began marching in the direction of the boys who were putting on a disturbing show for the smaller kids.
“Hey! That crap isn't funny, you know,” Maddie said, before she'd even reached the boys.