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Chapter 21: Surprise!
Maddie's P.O.V.
I woke up with my phone still in face time with Ethan, who is currently sleeping. His face looked so calm when he's asleep. I took a screenshot of his sleeping face. I was staring at his face for I don't know how long. I faced my phone down when I saw him stir in his sleep.
After a few seconds, I peeked to check if he was awake or not. It was a relief that he was still asleep. I ended the call and got ready for the day. I put my hair in a ponytail and went straight to the kitchen. I grabbed a glass and poured orange juice while making toast. I ate my toast by the kitchen counter and finished my OJ. After my breakfast, I went straight to the laundry room to wash my clothes. I placed my shirts in the washing machine. I placed my undergarments in a small tub and took them to the sink nearby to wash them there. My grandma taught me not to wash my undergarments by the machine, so I wash them with my hands.
I threw my clothes in the dryer before heading back upstairs to my room. I checked my phone and saw a bunch of missed calls from Chloe. I was about to call her when I heard her calling my name from downstairs.
"There you are! I have been calling your phone for the past hour!" she said exaggerated.
"I was washing my clothes. I was about to call you, actually." I said, waving my phone in front of her face.
"Anyway, hurry and get changed we are leaving." she said, pushing me up the stairs.
"Uhm. Where are we going?" I was confused.
"We are going on a picnic. Now hurry because I am starving." she said, still pushing me to go up the stairs.
"What?! I am going to help Mom cook for their pot luck tomorrow. I can't go." I replied.
"I already asked your Mom for permission. She said yes now go take a shower and I will pick your outfit." she said, pushing me to the bathroom.
One thing about Chloe is she loves to push people around. Not in the bad way!
I got in the bathroom and took a quick bath before she actually pushes me in the shower and gives me a bath herself. After my quick bath, I got out in my bathrobe. When she saw me, she instantly smile and gave me a dress to wear. It was actually an old dress that I wore to my Grandma's birthday last year. It's a blue floral dress that is knee-length.
I wore it, and Chloe looked happy that I am in a dress. That is because I barely wear a dress. She told me to sit down, and she blow dried my hair. I was confused with her sudden actions, so I asked her.
"Chloe, it's just a picnic. Why do I even have to wear a dress and have makeup on?" I asked her.
"It has been a long time since we had a picnic and you always wear jeans. It's not bad to have a little change." she explained.
We argued for a good 10 minutes about the makeup and of course I won. I just put a light powder on my face and lip gloss. When she was pleased with how I look, she demanded a selfie.
"Ok. We should leave now." she said checking her phone.
I grabbed my bag and made sure my phone, keys and wallet were in there. We saw Mom and Dad in the living room on the way out.
"I'm leaving!" I said.
"You look gorgeous, sweetheart." Dad said.
"Thanks Dad." I replied.
"Don't be home late. You got school tomorrow." Mom said.
We got in Chloe's car and drove to I do not know where. She played her favorite playlist on the way.
"Where are we having the picnic and who will be there?" I asked.
"It's a surprise." she replied with a wink.
"Which is a surprise? The place or the people?" I asked with suspicion.
"Hhhmmm... Secret!" she teased.
I decided not to ask anymore, knowing she would not give me any hint at all. We were driving for a good 30 minutes before she parked the car. When I looked around, I realized we are in the lake that my parents and I used to go to when I was a kid. I was about to wander around when Chloe pulled me to the other direction.
We stopped by the entrance of a garden. I was left in awe by the beautiful sight in front of me. There were lots of topiaries. They formed a pathway, and on each side there were different shapes and designs that lead up to a garden igloo. There were fairy lights on the topiaries, and I noticed that some of them have papers attached to it. I was about to look at one of the papers when Chloe gave me a piece of paper.
'Follow the trail of papers to reach your destination.'
I was confused, but then took the first paper from the tree near me. ' 2005
The year I first laid my eyes on you.'
I scrunch my nose in confusion. Who laid eyes on me way back 2005? I was counting to see how old I was. I was only 2 years old. Who could I have met when I was 2? I went to the next topiary that is shaped like a diamond and took the paper attached to it.
'2006
We were practically inseparable.'
I went on to the next one.
'2007
We went to the same daycare,and I was overprotective of you.'
Could this be Haniel? If it was him, how did he even meet Chloe?! I read the next paper to see if my guess was correct.
'Summer of 2008
It was the year that broke both of our hearts,but I made a promise that I will come back.'
OH MY GOSH!!!! IT IS HANIEL!!! I was having mixed emotions. I grabbed the next paper, trying to hold
excitement and nervousness inside.
'June 2018
The year I thought I first saw you.Technically, it's the first time I saw you after 10 years.'
What?! He saw me 2 years ago but then he did not even say hi?!?! How dare he?! I was frantically mad at this point but went on.
'Please don't be mad sunshine. I am sorry it took me 10 long years to come back.'
'August 2018
You won your first trophy at the Science Fair.You were amazing!'
'October 2018
Your team won the debate in the Regionals.You made amazing arguments!'
I stopped for a while to think. How the hell does Haniel know all about this without me even noticing him in the audience or in town? After thinking for about 5 minutes, I quit and just continued reading.
'September 2019
You had your first school play.You looked so mesmerizing in that dress you were wearing. Your performance was broadway worthy.'
'October 2019
You were dressed up as Harley Quinn at the Halloween Party.You were the good version of Harley Quinn with a badass attitude.'
'June 2020
I bumped into you on the way to the Biology class.'
'June 2020
We were partnered for the Biology project,Chemistry partners, P.E. team mates and Literature partner.'
Wait a second... Ethan is my Biology, Chemistry, P.E. and Literature partner. I am officially confused. Is Haniel pranking me right now?
I arrived at the entrance of the Garden Igloo and was surprised with what I saw. More like WHO I saw.
"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Sunshine. It took me 10 years to come back and 2 more years to come to you. I have missed you so much." he said.
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Quick definition
Topiaries are those plants that can be shaped into any designs
Garden Igloo = is a small structure made from rust and rot-free. They are like the typical igloos minus the ice structure. If you know what I mean.