Playing With Fire

Introduction
14-year-old Madison Parker is just starting high school. But she has one problem:  she has always been jealous of her gorgeous older sister, Brittany.  She gets excellent grades, has all the guys falling all over her, and is super-popular at school.  Then Madison sets her sights on the most handsome and richest guy at school, senior Noah Roberts.  The problem is, he only has eyes for her sister.  Heartbroken and jealous over Noah’s interest in her sister, Maddie makes a pact to ruin her Brittany’s relationship with Noah so she can have him all to herself.  But someone else ruins Madison’s plan to win Noah’s affections:  another boy, Micah Jenkins, whom Madison sees only as a nerd.  Will Madison land Noah ’s heart, or see true love in Micah before it’s too late?

Chapter 1

“Why do you always get the bathroom first!” Madison screamed angrily at her older sister Brittany.

“Because I’m the older sister.” Brittany told her younger sister calmly.

“Because you think you’re prettier.” Madison  muttered under her breath.

“What did you say?” Brittany demanded.

“Nothing, Brit.” Madison replied back.

“What’s all the fighting?!” Mrs. Parker yelled upstairs from the kitchen.

“Nothing mom!” Brittany yelled back to let their mother know all was fine.

“Let me know when you’re through with the bathroom!” Madison yelled at her sister before heading to her bedroom and slamming her door.

It wasn’t fair, Madison thought to herself.  Brittany always got everything.  She was prettier and popular with all the guys.  She got the biggest room and always got the bathroom first in the mornings.  The teachers fawned all over Brittany, and the worst thing is she got all the same teachers Brittany had and they expected Chelsea to be like Brittany.  Just once, Madison wanted a boyfriend just like Brittany.

“Hey, Mad-!  You can have the bathroom now.” Brittany yelled through Madison’s door.

“Thanks Brit!” Madison said sarcastically.

Madison headed into the bathroom to take a shower.  She hung her new outfit her mother had bought for the school year:  her favorite blue pleated skirt and white satin blouse with baby blue sweater vest over the hook behind the bathroom door. 

Madison turned on the water and took off her bathrobe and hopped into the shower.  She screamed loudly as she felt the cold water on her body.  “Damn you, Brittany!  Always hogging the hot water!” Madison said loudly.  “Always taking too long so I have to shower in cold water!” 

Madison  hurried up her cold shower, put on her skirt, blouse and pulled her long brunette tresses into a clip and headed downstairs to join her parents and sister for breakfast.

When Madison got downstairs, it was just her mother washing dishes.

“Where did everyone go?” Madison asked her mother.

“Your father had an early meeting and Brittany said she couldn’t wait for you and headed off to school.” Mrs. Parker told her youngest daughter.

“That figures!”

“Well, honey, if you weren’t so slow in the mornings. . .” Mrs. Parker chastised her.

“Really, mom!”

“Sit down and eat honey.”

“I’m not hungry!” Madison said as she grabbed her bag and headed off for the bus stop.

Madison waited for the bus to pick her up for her first day of school at Ridgemont High where she was a sophomore and Brittany was a junior.  When the bus dropped Madison off in front of her high school, the new guy at school caught Madison’s eye. 

Chapter 2

Madison didn't see the new guy looking at her as she got off the bus. Angry at her sister, Madison headed for her locker to get her books, notebook and pencil bag that she would need for her next two classes—she didn't come to her locker after every class to beat the crowd that was always maddening.

Noah Roberts, who had seen Madison get off the bus, arrived at his locker, which was right next to Madison.

"Wow! Imagine my locker right next to yours!" Noah said. "I tried to get your attention when I saw you earlier, but you stormed off."

"Sorry. I didn't see you." Madison apologized, noticing his gorgeous blue eyes.

"Yes. I wanted to know how to get a hold of a Brittany Parker?"

"Brittany?" Madison looked sick.

"Yes. We met in the library yesterday." Noah explained. "I didn't get her phone number to ask her out."

"You think I can give you her phone number?" Madison said sarcastically. "Do I have her number tattooed to my forehead?"

"Sorry I asked." Noah said, as he closed his locker and left Madison standing there bewildered as she thought to herself, "Why do all the gorgeous guys always go for her sister? What does Brittany have that she doesn't?

Brittany's study hall was on the way to Madison's English class and when she peaked inside the classroom, she noticed that Noah had the same class and was sitting next to Brittany holding hands.

Madison wondered if she should make a play for Noah and enter a rivalry for his affections against Brittany. She just knew she would make Noah happier than Brittany ever could.

Brittany knew that Noah liked hanging out in the library. So she decided she would wait for him in there in hopes he might be alone and without Brittany.

Excited by her plan, Madison walked onto her English class and waited for lunch break to head to the library to put her plan in motion. She would make Noah see how much better for him she was than Brittany.

Chapter 3

Madison entered the library after school with hopes of meeting Noah alone for study.  But her hopes were dashed when she spotted Noah holding Brittany’s hand as they studied together.  She couldn’t believe that Brittany had beat her to the library?  Since when did Brittany ever study?  She was way to popular to study and always got some nerd to do her schoolwork for her?  So what was up with the sudden interest in studying?

Madison left the school library and decided to walk the 2-mile walk home.  She needed time to think about her next plot to break up her sister and Noah.  There was no way she would let Brittany land the new hunk in school.  No way in hell!  Madison vowed.

Madison’s thoughts were interrupted by the loud muffler of a car going by.  Then it stopped just ahead of her, as a hand waved in Madison’s direction to get in.  Madison thought to herself, “Just my luck.  Some pervert wanting to kidnap and rape her!”

But as Madison cautiously approached the car, she breathed a sigh of relief when she realized it was just Micah and his buddies.

“Madison, get in.  We will give you a lift home.” Micah said, offering her a ride.

“Thank you, Micah!” Madison said as she hopped into the backseat with Micah.

“So do you want to go to the club with us?” Micah asked her.

“I’d really like to go, but I have to study.” Madison told him.

“C’mon, Maddie.  Just for for a few hours.” Micah encouraged her.  “Just to get your mind off your troubles.”

Micah could see that something was weighing heavily on Madison.  That’s how much he cared about her.  He knew her well. 

“Thanks.  Maybe I will.  But just for a couple hours.” Madison told him and his buddies, Richie Clemmons and Sandy Buchanan.

“You won’t regret it.” Richie promised her.

“So where did you get the wheels?” Madison asked Micah.

“It’s my older brother’s, Jimmy.” Micah told her.

“He let you use his car?” Madison quizzed.

“You could say that.” Micah said as he winked at Richie and Sandy.

“So where is this club we are going to?” Madison asked, breaking the ice.

“It’s a new club that just opened up.” Micah told her.  “It’s hip and everyone’s going.”

“Yeah, I heard about it.  I wanted to check it out but my friend couldn’t go and I didn’t want to go alone.” Madison confessed.

“Well, you have us.” Micah said as he laid a hand on Madison’s shoulder.

“Thanks Micah for being a friend.” Madison said gratefully.

“Just want you to know how much I care.” Micah replied back.

Micah and Madison just looked at each other when Sandy pulled into The Jamestown Club’s parking lot and turned off the ignition.  The four teens got out and headed into the club.  As they blended in with the crowd, Madison spotted Noah and Brittany.

“How did they get here so fast?” Madison asked herself.

Chapter 4

Madison danced with Micah, despite how much she wished she were dancing with Noah.  Damn you Brittany!  Madison thought.  Why do you get all the hot guys!  She smiled at Micah letting him think she was enjoying herself, but deep down, she was  miserable.  Brittany was not going to win this war.  She would have Noah, no matter the cost!

Madison saw her chance when Brittany went off with her bestie, Claire, to the little girls’ room to freshen up their make-up.  Brittany was so plastic, she wouldn’t be caught dead without her make-up.

“Uh, Micah, could you be a dear and get me something to drink?” Madison asked Micah.  She hoped she would have a little time alone with Noah before Brittany came back and claimed Noah as hers.

“Sure, babe.” Micah said, as if he were her personal butler.

“Thanks.” Madison said.  And then she quickly headed over to Noah, who looked bummed ever since Brittany left his side.

“This seat taken?” Madison asked, as she pulled out the chair.

“Not at the moment.” Noah said.

“Brittany not chained to your hip?” Madison said sarcastically.

“No.  I can’t do that to her.” Noah said.  “I have too much respect for her.”

“Hmmmm, someone who actually has respect for my older sister?” Madison thought.

“That’s my sister!” Madison said.  “So, Noah, are you going to the harvest ball this weekend with Brittany?”

“Sadly, no!” Noah said.

“Really?” Madison thought.  “Now’s her chance to ask him before Brittany comes back!”

“But you’re not going alone?” Madison asked him.

“I have no date lined up, if that’s what you’re asking.” Noah replied.

“Noah, I was. wondering . . .” but she didn’t get the chance to ask him because Brittany showed up looking fresh and as beautiful as ever.

“Damn you, Brittany!” Madison thought to herself.

“Maddie, I see you were keeping Noah company while I was gone.” Brittany said.

“Well, I didn’t want Noah to feel lonely out of your presence.”

“Well, thank you little sister.” Brittany said.  “Now run along and do your own thing.”

“Yes.  I see Micah has the drink I asked him to get for me.” Madison said, giving an excuse to leave.

“Ta-ta!” Brittany said as Madison made her way over to Micah.

“Just wait, Brittany!  Noah won’t be yours for long!  Soon, he will be all mine!” Madison thought.

And she went over to Micah and pretended to enjoy herself as if she were having the time of her life, while despising the very being of her older sister.

Chapter  5

Madison got the idea to romance Micah to make Noah jealous.  Noah was amazing!  Madison just had to have him.  He was so dreamy.  The thought of those luscious lips on hers—it made her blood boil to think Brittany had them on hers!  She just had to get Noah!  Nothing else mattered.

So, the plan was to “date” Micah to make Noah jealous.  And once she “hooked” Noah, then she could just dump Micah.  But unbeknownst to Madison, Micah had feelings for her. 

“Micah, would you like to go the Sadie Hawkins’ Dance with me this Saturday?” Madison said when Micah answered his parents landline.

“Ah, yeah!  That would, like, be so rad!” Micah said, in his hippie-80s tone.  Micah had been in love with Madison since, like, kindergarten.  But Madison always ignored him like the plague, taunting him in front of the other classmates. 

Madison didn’t know it,  but she would be playing with fire in her plot to use Micah to make Noah jealous.

“Great!” Madison said.  “You won’t regret going!”

Madison hung up and went to bed dreaming of Noah, “soon, Brittany, Noah will be all mine.”

……….

The next day, Madison arrived at school upset to see Brittany walking hand-in-hand with Noah at school.  Madison thought she would vomit, but her bestie, Kirstie, saved her by pulling her into the little girl’s room.

“Madison, you won’t believe it!” Kirstie exclaimed, unable to keep it a secret.

“What won’t I believe?” Madison asked.

Noah and your sister broke up!”

“No, they didn’t.  I just saw them I the hallway?”

“Well, I heard them fighting just a few minutes ago, and heard your sister say it was over.”

Smiling on the inside to hide her enthusiasm, “That’s too bad!” Madison said.

“That’s great, because now I can go after Dreamy Noah.” Kirstie revealed.

“Yeah.  You do that.” Madison said, as Kirstie walked away happily.

“Cuz you won’t land Noah.” Madison said to herself.

She couldn’t believe Kirstie thought she even had a chance with Noah.  Boy would she be sad when Noah became hers.

Madison went home to pick out her dress for the dance on Saturday, but all the dresses she had were so drab.  So she went to her sister, Brittany’s room to look in her closet.  It just wasn’t fair.  Brittany had all the pretty dresses. 

And she got the hand-me-downs from Brittany.  So what if they were pretty.  By the time she got them, they were out of fashion. 

She had to persuade her mother to buy her a new dress for the dance.

“Mom, can we go shopping?” Madison said in her sweet, sing-song voice.

“Sure, honey, what do you want to shop for?” her mother asked, thinking it was for some fab CD or some latest fad.

“For a new dress for the dance?” Madison asked.

“Honey, you have so many?”

“Yeah, but they’re Brittany’s hand-me-downs!” she pointed out.

“Honey, there isn’t money in the budget for a dress.” Her mother pointed out.  “That’s why you get your sister’s dresses.”

“Yeah, and I look like a dweeb too.” Madison said saddened.  “Brittany always gets the best of everything.”

Madison went up to her room and pouted.  She just had to get a new dress.  She had to look fabulous.  She had to catch Noah’s eye!  And she couldn’t with the dresses she had. 

Then it hit her!  Chelsea!  She had the most amazing wardrobe.  Better than her sister. 

“Chelsea, I have a favor to ask you?” she said when Chelsea picked up her iPhone 8.

“Yeah.”

“Can I borrow one of your dresses for Saturday?”

“You don’t have any?”

“Yeah, but they’re so dull.”

“Yeah, come on over and pick one out.” Chelsea said.  She didn’t care.  She got a new outfit every day.

“Great.  You’re an awesome friend.” Madison said before hanging up and heading over to Chelsea’s house.  Things were looking up.  She might have a shot landing Noah.

Chapter 6

Madison arrived at Chelsea’s home and the two girls went up to Chelsea’s room to look at dresses. 

Madison was in awe, or you  might say…jealous…whenever she was in Chelsea’s home.  Her family was wealthy…the old kind of wealth, handed down from Chelsea’s great-grandfather as each son—that is, Chelsea’s grandfather and her father taking over the family business, a successful coffee importing store.  Madison often heard people speculate whether it was really coffee Chelsea’s family business was in, or something illegal, but no one could prove it.  Chelsea had the finest fads and fashions in her bedroom and wardrobe. 

“Oh, Chelsea, may I wear this one?” Madison asked holding up a blue sequin dress to her body and looking into the full-length mirror.

“Sure, in fact, you can have it!” Chelsea said.  “I have so many dresses.”

“Really!  Thanks!” Madison said appreciatively.  “How does it look?”

“How do you think Noah will like me in it?”

“You’re smashing, a true princess.”

Madison’s cell rang.  As she picked it up she saw it was her mother, “Hello, mother?”

“Madison, where are you?  You were supposed to be home a half hour ago?”

“I’m sorry mother.  I’m on my way home now.” Madison said hanging up.  “Sorry, Chelsea, but I gotta go.”

“Any time, girl.” Chelsea said as she walked Madison and the dress out the front door.

Madison arrived home to find her mother upset that she was going to miss the ladies meeting because Madison was late to watch her baby brother, Jonathon.

“I’m home mother.”

“It’s about time!  You know I wanted you home at 5 p.m.!” her mother grilled her.

“Yeah, to babysit Jonathon!” Madison sulked. 

“Everyone’s busy, Madison.  You’re the only who can do it.” Her mother reasoned.

“Yeah.  Dad has his job and Brittany has her boyfriends.” Madison said under her breath.

“Take care Madison.” Her mother said kissing her cheek as she headed out for her meeting.

“She was always stuck watching Jonathon.  Never Brittany.” Madison sulked in the mirror.  “Damn you, Brittany!  You won’t know what hit you and I land Noah!”

Madison went up to find Jonathon sleeping in his crib, so she went to try on the dress that Chelsea gave her to see how it fit.

Chapter 7

Madison was bored watching her brother.  She picked up the tv remote and began channel surfing.  She really hated watching tv but there was nothing to do.  Having gone through the channels and not finding anything good on to watch, Madison hit the power button that turned the tv off and picked up the magazine and thumbed through it. 

It was Brittany’s Cosmopolitan magazine that their mother had advised her to keep from Madison, seeing how the articles didn’t seem appropriate for a girl Madison’s age.  It was good thing she was home alone.  After looking through the magazine, a few articles were of interest to her, like, articles on dating tips and the like. 

Madison began reading the magazine since Jonathon was asleep in his crib.  Madison was absorb in her reading she didn’t hear her mother come home to find Jonathon crying upstairs.

“Madison!”

“Mom?!” Madison said surprised to find her mother home so early as she hid the magazine in the couch so her mother wouldn’t know she was reading it.

“You can’t hear your brother crying?!”

“Sorry mom.” Madison apologized as she headed upstairs to see what was wrong with Jonathon.

As soon as Madison came into Jonathon’s nursery, he stopped crying and smiled when he saw his sister.

“What’s wrong, Jonny?” Madison asked as she picked him up and carried him downstairs.  “Are you hungry?”

But as she picked him up, she felt his diaper wet and went to the changing table to change his diaper, “Oh my you have a surprise inside!” Madison laughed as Jonathon smiled.

After she put on a clean diaper and finished dressing Jonathon, Madison picked up her brother and headed downstairs where her mother had dinner ready.

“Dinner?  So soon?” Madison quipped.

“It’s only going to be the three of us tonight.  So I picked up some deli subs.”

Madison knew why.  Brittany had another date—probably with Noah, and her father was working late again.

As Madison began eating her sub, she noticed a missed text from Chelsea.  As she tried to read it, her mother took the phone away, “Just it’s only the three of us, doesn’t mean the ‘no phone rule’ doesn’t apply!”

“Yes, mom.” Madison reluctantly agreed.  The message would have to wait until after dinner.

After dinner, Madison went upstairs to her room so she could have some alone time.  She opened up her phone to read what Chelsea had sent her:  “Girl, UR missing a rad party!”

Madison:  “Sorry.  Mom wouldn’t let me use phone while eating.”

Chelsea:  “No prob.  Your sister and Noah are the hit of the party!”

Madison felt jealous she couldn’t go to the party due to babysitting her brother.

Madison:  “Wish I could’ve gone?”

Chelsea:  “Next time girl.”

Madison:  “Yeah.  Hope so.”

Chelsea:  “C ya n school in the morning.”

Madison:  “Yeah.  Good night.”

As Madison shut off her phone for the night, she laid back in her bed and thought of the articles she read on how to get boys, mainly Noah in particular, to like her.