“Sing Sing Olympics?” Maddie arched an eyebrow, swishing her head to one side to get her bangs out of her eyes. “I’m offended that you’d lump me in with that boring stuff. I may be a showoff but I’m not a performing monkey.” Her tone was less annoyed, at least. Slightly. There was amusement there now. Because someone was actually paying attention to her.
While she bounced, she pretended to think about her answer to his next question. Keep bouncing or go talk about whatever. Tough choice. “No one said you had to watch me jump around on here. Besides, it’s not my fault you’re bored and need to be entertained.” Irony was a funny thing. Maddie jumped again, propelling herself horizontally so that she landed in a reclining position. “Lay on the ground if you don’t want to watch me. Stare up at the blindingly bright sun instead.”
Feelings were bitches. Age shouldn’t have been one of the issues, but it apparently was. For whatever reason, when her group of friends was referred to by others, it was known as the Teen Squad. Maddie was a few years past being a teenager, and yet people still thought of her as one. It was annoying… and also a little embarrassing at times, since all of her usual friends were teenagers.
The elastic still bounced her lightly as she lay on it. She rolled over onto her stomach, propping her head up with one hand as she considered Brandon’s next offer. She was barely able to stop herself from making a comment about that sounding like a bizarre date. She wasn’t bold enough to say anything like that. Things would probably get weird if she even hinted at the idea that she liked him. She had too few friends already. It would hurt to have one less.
“Tempting, tempting. I guess it’s something to do. Pass the time until it’s dark out.” Things were boring when she was alone. She wondered if Caitie would be back when Maddie finally went to their cell for the night. Sitting up, she scooted to the edge of the trampoline and hopped down, pausing long enough to slip her shoes back on. “Let’s go.”