Maddie hummed her laughter. Because Caitie's mom was dead, Maddie didn't say aloud how much she was missing her own mom again. Ever since Micah brought news that they were still alive, Maddie had been missing her parents more and more. Wanting to go search for them in the city, but at the same time afraid of what she'd find when she got there. “Exactly. And new chores and homework, too.” Because Maddie's mom had essentially been her teacher, what with being homeschooled and all.
“I'm so confused and grossed out right now that it's really funny,” Maddie said, laughing. It wasn't the first time a joke had pulled a u-turn. They both went along with it, though. Neither of them making the other feel dumb about the misstep and just laughing it off.
“True, but swimming pools.” As far as Maddie was concerned, that was all the explanation required. Swimming pools. Icy, refreshing water to cool you down when it was blisteringly hot outside. She nodded. “Yeah, I was used to the heat. The cold, not so much. Weather is just weird in general, though. Think of how we'd all be if we lived in Alaska. Not just with the snow, but the six months of darkness.” Or however long it was.
Maddie's lips curved into a smile at that. Not a sardonic smile, not one meant to take the place of laughter, but a genuine smile. Whatever her confused feelings were, that made her feel good. “Same here. It was kind of a lonely place for a while, especially when I had to share a room with Charlie. I'm glad I decided to be nice and take you under my wing,” she said, teasingly referring to the first time she'd spoken to Caitie on the forums, when the girl had been outted for hiding out in the compound.
“But an awesomely sassy poodle, I bet. But at least the mystery is solved now. Brown is such a boring color. The red suits you. I might go red one of these days. Just not during February when people will wonder if I'm just going red to celebrate the stupid lovey-dovey holiday.” She made a face.