Page 18

Chapter

Seventeen

A HOLIDAY FRIENDSHIP

Willow

Past

“Do you feel what I feel?” — W

I sneak down the hallway, clutching a stack of my mommy’s magazines close to my chest. My cochlear implant buzzes softly in my ear as I move, and I’m excited to share the pretty pictures with my new friend.

The magazines are filled with pictures of cute dolphins, colorful coral reefs, and far-off places—places I dream of visiting once I grow big and strong like my parents.

Mommy told me that I will have many magical adventures once I grow up and explore the world.

I can’t wait.

Madden’s door is slightly ajar, and I push it open just a little not wanting to wake him up if he is sleeping. But he’s not sleeping. Instead, he’s lying on his bed, grumbling as he flips pages of a book I’ve seen in my mommy’s library but from her I can't tell which one it is.

With the magazines spilling from my arms, I hold my breath, trying to stay as quiet as possible, and tiptoe inside his room.

I like his room.

Mommy and aunt Maeve decorated it with things he might like to make him feel extra special and super welcome.

I hope he likes it and feels happy here.

I always want him to be happy.

“Madden.” I whisper, dropping the magazines on the floor with a soft thud. The pages flutter open, displaying vibrant pictures of sea creatures and beautiful beaches. I plop down cross-legged beside them, looking up at him with eager eyes.

Madden doesn’t look up right away. He keeps grumbling, but then he sees the pile of magazines and sighs. Slowly, he sets the big book aside and drags himself over to the floor, sitting beside me.

As always, he doesn’t say much but that never stops me. With him, I feel like I can talk for hours and he won’t judge or get tired of me.

He’s… different.

I like him. A lot.

I point excitedly at a photo of a shark swimming happily among his friends. “Look. I want to go here and see these baby sharks. Aren’t they so pretty?”

“I wouldn’t call those fish pretty, fairy. Look at those soulless eyes.”

I smile at that.

I don’t think Madden likes sharks all that much. Whenever I share facts about them he changes the topic and asks me about mushrooms instead.

“They are pretty. Just like you!” I whisper while signing.

Madden’s grumpiness starts to fade and then his eyes soften, and he starts to sign. I watch his hands with wide, captivated eyes. “I don’t think anyone would call me pretty.” My heart swells with happiness as I follow his gestures realizing that he has learned sign language but then my heart squeezes painfully in my chest at his words.

“You are far more than pretty, Madden. You’re green!”

“Green?” He signs, frowning.

I nod. “My favorite color and the best color of all the colors!”

I think he blushes but I’m not sure since he turns his head away so I can’t see.

Then I notice the book he left on his bed, sticking out from under the pillow case.

It’s a sign language book, and my eyes light up knowing that he took it upon himself to learn what he believes is my language.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

My heart flips inside my chest.

A long moment passes before Madden turns to me again.

“Do you believe in magic?” I ask, my eyes searching his face now.

Madden shakes his head, a small smile playing at his lips. “No, I don’t.”

I gaze at him, feeling the warmth of this moment. “I do.”

He chuckles softly, the sound like an arrow to my heart. He reaches out and gently ruffles my hair. I didn’t realize it then but I was slowly falling for the man who would one day fill all my days with magic. With him.

My favorite color.

My green.

Him.