Chapter 59 – Dancing Flame

Madelyn grabbed Sarah’s arm and pulled her aside, her amber eyes wide with panic. Her voice came out in an urgent whisper, almost tripping over her words. “She knows!”

Sarah blinked, completely confused. “Who knows what?”

Madelyn glanced around nervously to make sure no one was listening. “Kim!” she hissed. “She asked me how long I’ve known you and why we act like we’ve been friends forever. Then she asked me what my favorite animal is, and I said cats—because what else was I supposed to say?—and she just goes, ‘I pictured you more as a fox person.’ Like, who says that? Nobody says that!”

Sarah stared at Madelyn for a moment, processing her rapid-fire explanation. Then, a smirk spread across her face. “Oh my gosh, Maddy, you’re spiraling. Take a breath.”

“I’m not spiraling!” Madelyn shot back. “It was weird, Sarah. It felt like she was digging for something. What if she figures it out? What if she already knows?”

Sarah reached out, placing her hands firmly on Madelyn’s shoulders. “Okay, listen. First of all, Kim doesn’t know anything. She’s probably just observant and curious. Second, even if she somehow suspects something, it’s not like she has proof. You’re fine.”

Madelyn looked down, her panic starting to waver. “But what if she starts asking more questions? What if she tells someone? I don’t want people to think I’m some kind of… freak.”

“Hey!” Sarah’s voice was firm but kind. “You are not a freak. You’re Madelyn. You’re amazing, okay? No one’s going to think otherwise—especially not me, or James, or Lillian, or David.”

Madelyn let out a shaky sigh, as Sarah’s words slowly began to calm her down. “I just… I don’t know how to deal with this. It feels like everything’s piling up, and now I’m worried even more about school on top of everything else.”

Sarah gave her a reassuring squeeze. “Look, if Kim says anything weird again, just play it cool. She’s probably just trying to be friendly in her own awkward and weird way.

Madelyn glanced up at her best friend, a flicker of hope returning to her expression. “You really think it’s nothing?”

“I know it’s nothing,” Sarah said with a grin. “Besides, if she were some kind of undercover agent or whatever, she wouldn’t be so obvious. She’d be way sneakier about it.”

Madelyn couldn’t help but let out a small laugh, her shoulders relaxing a bit more. “You’ve been watching too many spy shows, Sarah.”

“Maybe,” Sarah said, her grin widening. “But I’m also right.”

Madelyn sighed, the tension easing from her chest. “Okay, okay. I’ll try not to overthink it.”

"That’s the spirit!" Sarah said with a playful grin, bumping her shoulder lightly against Madelyn’s. "Now let’s get to history class with Mrs. Abernathy before she gives us another lecture besides the boring history one."

Madelyn let out a small laugh, Sarah’s teasing already helping her panic subside a little bit. “You’re terrible, you know that?” she said, though the smile on her face betrayed her amusement.

Sarah shrugged dramatically, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “Terribly charming, maybe.”

As they walked through the crowded hallway, Madelyn couldn’t help but notice how close Sarah was walking next to her, and how much it helped her calm down. Their shoulders brushed occasionally, making Madelyn’s cheeks flush. She liked how natural it felt, how Sarah’s energy seemed to ground her even when her nerves tried to take over.

But even as her heart fluttered, Madelyn didn’t dare reach for Sarah’s hand. The thought crossed her mind, fleeting and tantalizing, but she quickly shoved it aside. Instead, she focused on the rhythm of their steps and the sound of Sarah chatting away about Mrs. Abernathy’s last lecture.

“I swear,” Sarah was saying, “if she spends another hour talking about the politics of early settlements like it’s life or death, I’m going to lose it. History is cool, but she’s got a way of making it sound like a bedtime story—without the good parts.”

Madelyn giggled softly. “Maybe she’ll surprise us and talk about something exciting today.”

Sarah raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. “I’ll believe it when I hear it.”

They arrived at the classroom and slipped inside, the room already filling with students. Mrs. Abernathy, a tall woman with a strict demeanor and a penchant for droning lectures, was writing something on the board. Her sharp features softened only slightly when she noticed the girls entering.

“Madelyn, as our new student, welcome to my class,” she greeted curtly, her voice carrying just enough warmth to show she wasn’t entirely made of stone. “Take your seat.”

They settled into a pair of desks near the middle of the room. Madelyn pulled out her notebook and textbook, glancing at Sarah, who was already doodling in the margins of her notes.

As Mrs. Abernathy began her lecture, diving into the intricacies of ancient treaties and power struggles, Madelyn tried to focus, her pen hovering over her notebook. But her mind kept drifting, the edges of her notes blurring as thoughts of Kim crept in. The way Kim had looked at her in chemistry class, her pointed questions—it made Madelyn’s stomach twist. She glanced sideways at Sarah, seated beside her, and felt a bit of the tension ease. The memory of their earlier conversation replayed in her head, Sarah’s teasing words grounding her just enough to keep her from spiraling completely. Still, the unease lingered, gnawing at the edges of her thoughts like a persistent shadow.

Sarah, as usual, was less than subtle about her lack of enthusiasm. Every so often, she’d slide her notebook toward Madelyn, revealing a silly sketch or a whispered comment that left her stifling laughter.

“Did she just compare a treaty to a shopping list?” Sarah scribbled in bold letters.

Madelyn bit her lip, fighting back a giggle, and nodded slightly.

The lecture passed slowly, but with Sarah at her side, Madelyn found herself surprisingly at ease.

As the bell rang, signaling the end of history class, Madelyn let out a small breath of relief. She packed her things, still smiling at the memory of Sarah’s doodles. Sarah stood up and stretched dramatically, her notebook tucked under one arm.

“Alright, lunchtime! Let’s see what culinary atrocities the cafeteria’s serving today,” Sarah said dramatically, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

Madelyn chuckled, feeling lighter after Sarah’s antics during class. “It can’t be that bad… right?”

“Always the optimist, Maddy. Let’s go,” Sarah said, motioning for her to follow.

They made their way to the cafeteria, the bustling crowd creating a hum of conversation and the smell of food wafting through the air. Spotting their usual table, they headed over, where Lillian, David, and James were already seated. James was halfway through a sandwich, while David seemed engrossed in his notes. Lillian waved enthusiastically as they approached.

“Hey, you two!” Lillian greeted, her warm smile as welcoming as ever. “How’s the day going?”

Madelyn slid into the seat next to Lillian, her nerves creeping back as she glanced at her friends. “It’s been... interesting,” she began, fiddling with her lunchbox. “I... I think Kim might know something about my transformation.”

James raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. “Kim? The quiet, nerdy one? What makes you think that?”

Madelyn bit her lip. “She asked me these weird questions—like how long I’ve known Sarah and what my favorite animal is. And when I said cat, she gave me this look and said, ‘I thought you’d be more of a fox person.’”

David looked up from his notes, his brows furrowing. “That’s... oddly specific. Did she say anything else?”

“No,” Madelyn admitted, glancing at Sarah for reassurance. “But it felt like she was fishing for something. I don’t know if I’m just being paranoid.”

Lillian leaned forward, her expression sympathetic. “It’s not paranoia if it feels off, Maddy.”

“Maybe she’s just curious,” Sarah said before standing up and grabbing her wallet. “Anyway, you guys keep Maddy company—I’m starving, and your mom didn’t have enough to pack for me today.” She gave Madelyn a wink. “I’ll be back in a sec.”

Lillian placed a comforting hand on Madelyn’s shoulder, while David and James exchanged quick nods of agreement, their expressions calm but reassuring. Their quiet support spoke volumes, helping to anchor her swirling thoughts. Madelyn let out a soft breath, her nerves easing a little more. She glanced over to Sarah, who was now gesturing animatedly at something in the line, and couldn’t help but smile. No matter what came her way, she had a group of people she could rely on, and that made all the difference.

By the time Sarah returned, balancing a tray piled high with food, the group had shifted the conversation to lighter topics. “Alright, crisis averted,” Sarah declared dramatically as she sat back down, placing a slice of pizza on her plate. “Now, what did I miss?”

“Just your typical ‘we’ve got Maddy’s back’ conversation,” James said with a grin. “You know, the usual.”

Sarah grinned, bumping her shoulder against Madelyn’s. “Well, good. Because I’m not going anywhere either.” She dug into her pizza, her lightheartedness contagious.

The conversation shifted back to the usual lighthearted banter, and Madelyn began to relax. Lillian and James were joking about the cafeteria’s mystery meat, while David shared an amusing story about an awkward encounter with one of their teachers. It felt normal, like the kind of lunch they’d had countless times before.

Then Sarah nudged Madelyn’s shoulder, leaning closer with a teasing grin. “Your new best friend is coming over.”

Madelyn’s head shot up, her heart skipping a beat. Sure enough, Kim was making her way across the cafeteria, her tray balanced neatly in her hands. Her gaze was focused, and she was heading directly for their table.

“Oh no,” Madelyn murmured, her voice barely audible.

“She’s probably just being friendly,” Sarah whispered, her grin unfazed. “Relax. Breathe.”

Before Madelyn could respond, Kim stopped at the edge of their table. “Hey,” she greeted, her tone casual but polite. “Mind if I sit with you guys?”

James was the first to speak, gesturing toward an open seat. “Sure, why not? The more, the merrier.”

Kim sat down next to James, setting her tray down neatly. Her presence was calm and unassuming, but to Madelyn, it felt like the spotlight was suddenly on her. She kept her gaze down, focusing on the half-eaten sandwich in front of her.

“So, Madelyn,” Kim started, her voice cutting through the chatter. “I just realized we haven’t had much time to talk outside of chemistry class. How’s your second day going?”

Madelyn’s mind raced as she struggled to keep her tone steady. “It’s... going okay,” she said, forcing a small smile. “Still getting used to things.”

Kim nodded, her expression friendly but curious. “That makes sense. Changing schools can be a lot. But it seems like you’ve got a good group here.”

Sarah jumped in quickly, her tone bright and playful. “Oh, we’re the best group in school, obviously. Maddy hit the jackpot with us.”

James snorted. “Yeah, we’re real A-list material,” he said, gesturing dramatically to the group.

Kim leaned forward slightly, her soft smile turning curious. “Yeah, it really seems like you guys have known each other for years already. It’s kind of awesome to click that fast with someone,” she said, her tone casual but with a subtle edge. “Especially you and Sarah.”

Sarah’s eyes sparkled mischievously, and without missing a beat, she leaned back and grinned. “Well, what can I say? Love at first sight.”

Madelyn froze, her face heating up instantly. She tried to take a sip of her drink, but it only made things worse as she coughed, nearly choking on it. She waved a hand in front of her mouth, desperately trying to recover as the table erupted into laughter.

“Sarah!” she managed to sputter, her voice an octave higher than usual. “Don’t say things like that!”

Sarah leaned on her elbow, her grin widening. “Why not? It’s true, isn’t it?” she teased, her tone light but her eyes unreadable.

Madelyn’s face was practically glowing red now. She glanced at the others, unsure how they would react, her heart pounding in her chest. Were they going to tease her? Make a big deal out of it?

James was the first to chime in, shaking his head with an exaggerated sigh. “Man, Sarah, you just can’t help yourself, can you? Poor Maddy’s never gonna catch a break.”

Lillian giggled, her warm smile helping to ease Madelyn’s nerves. “You’re such a troublemaker, Sarah. Look at how flustered you’ve made her!”

David chuckled quietly. “It’s okay, Maddy,” he said with a small smirk. “We’re just messing with you.”

Kim, however, was watching the interaction with a strange look in her eyes. She tilted her head slightly, a soft smile on her lips. “Well, I guess some people just have that kind of connection,” she said lightly. “Lucky, honestly.”

Madelyn glanced at Kim, feeling even more embarrassed but slightly reassured by her calm demeanor. “It’s… it’s not like that,” she mumbled, fiddling with her fork. “We’re just friends.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Sure, sure,” James said with a knowing wink, earning another laugh from the table.

Sarah, of course, leaned even closer to Madelyn, her grin as playful as ever. “Don’t worry, Maddy,” she said softly, her tone just teasing enough to make Madelyn’s blush deepen. “Your secret’s safe with me.”

Madelyn buried her face in her hands, groaning softly. Despite her embarrassment, she couldn’t help but feel a warmth in her chest at the way her friends had reacted.

Kim’s gaze flicked around the table, her curiosity evident. “Speaking of connections,” she began, leaning forward slightly, “do you guys like online games? You know, like MMORPGs?”

Sarah’s face lit up immediately. “Oh, absolutely! I’m a total nerd for those.”

David nodded. “I dabble, yeah. They’re fun to get lost in after a long day.”

Lillian smiled softly. “I’ve tried a few. They’re pretty cool if you’ve got the right group. I always stick to the support roles, though.”

James smirked. “Count me in. Gotta love getting into epic battles and saving kingdoms.”

Kim’s eyes sparkled with interest. “What about you, Madelyn?” she asked, her tone casual but pointed. “You ever play a game called Astralyth Online?”

Madelyn’s heart skipped a beat. Her fork froze midway to her mouth, and she felt her palms grow clammy. “Uh… yeah,” she stammered, her voice unsteady. “I… I’ve played it a little.”

Kim tilted her head, her expression turning curious but nonchalant. “A little? You sure about that? Because I think there’s a video of you online.”

Madelyn’s eyes widened, her stomach dropping. “What? A video?”

“Yeah, hang on,” Kim said, pulling out her phone. “Let me show you.”

Sarah leaned closer to Madelyn, her expression equal parts intrigued and concerned. “A video? Like, of you in the game?”

Madelyn could only nod faintly, her heart pounding in her chest. Kim scrolled through her phone quickly and then held it up for everyone to see. The video started playing, showing a fiery-haired foxkin fighting slimes with her weaponring. Her movements flowed like liquid fire, every step and strike radiating an entrancing blend of grace and intensity, as if she were a living, dancing flame brought to life.

The caption beneath the video read: “Who is this Dancing Flame?!”

As the video played, the reactions at the table varied. Sarah’s jaw dropped. “Maddy, that’s you!” she exclaimed. “You look amazing!”

David leaned in, eyebrows raised. “Wow, nice moves,” he said, his usual calm tone tinged with genuine admiration.

Lillian clapped her hands together softly. “That’s so cool, Madelyn! You look like a pro.”

James let out a low whistle. “No wonder you’re being called a ‘Dancing Flame. Your moved look even better than when we did the goblin quest.’ That’s some serious skill.”

Madelyn felt her face heat up. “It’s not that impressive,” she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kim looked at her, a soft grin on her face. “You’re kidding, right? Look at the comments.”

She scrolled down to show the reactions under the video.

“Who is she? She’s incredible!”

“This is the coolest thing I’ve seen in the game since launch.”

“Dancing Flame is the perfect nickname. Does anyone know her username?”

“She makes it look like an art form.”

“Wow, she looks awesome! Cute and fierce."

Madelyn’s head spun as the words blurred together. Sarah nudged her gently. “See, people think you’re awesome. They’re not wrong, you know.”

Madelyn’s ears—thankfully hidden—would have drooped in embarrassment. “I didn’t even know someone recorded that…”

Kim chuckled softly. “Well, whoever did, they caught something pretty amazing.”