The Mask Effect (EDITING)

Chapter 9- At Least Make It Rhyme

Dedicated to @freyascribbles for the support she's been!

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Noah's POV

Bailey and I flew back to my house, where Brian- the Force- was swaddled like a big baby in the middle of the darkened room, cuddling the pillow between both arms and legs.

"Aww," Bailey said. "I need a photo of this."

"Don't," I advised, remembering Maddy's own shenanigans that may or may not have involved me. "The mental scars shall never fade."

As the door closed behind us, Bailey crossed her arms. "When do I get my payment? Without it, Athena can't make your suit, and then we can't carry out the rest of our brilliant plan."

My cheeks turned a vibrant shade of pink. "Why don't you ask for any other form of payment?"

"Because then I wouldn't get what I want." She skipped beside me to match my strides- and I realized that while Bailey was a pushover, Athena was a hard negotiator.

I groaned. "You do realize that if I don't do this properly, I'll be in eternal shame, right?"

"Hey, it could be worse. You could have to do my shopping." She pulled out her phone when it began buzzing. Something made her cringe. "Oh, that's going to take a lot of work. Later, Noah." Athena's sharp, accented voice faded down the hallway.

Finally alone, I settled myself onto my bed, attacking the invading army of unfinished work. I didn't notice Madeline standing behind me until she coughed softly. Madeline was in my little sister's Magic Pony themed pajamas, which transformed her into someone so much younger. Even her messy black crop looked like it was given a bad case of helmet head for the occasion.

There was no way to tell how long it'd been- judging from the light, it was early evening.

"Madeline?" Try not to sound like you're scared out of your wits. Stand straighter. Also, wipe that ridiculous grin off your face. No, don't look like you're at someone's funeral. Smile! You can do this! You're probably not doomed!

Thanks for the vote of confidence, voice inside my head.

I not-so-discreetly pushed aside a ring of books. "Well, nice to meet you again."

"Thanks," she said. "Your mother is pretty cool. She let me have this one instead of your Marvel Man pajama from fifth grade."

She still has that? "Not sure Marvel Man's iconic red would've looked good on you." I reconsidered. "Actually, anything would look good on you."

Madeline blushed, and I wanted to smack myself. "We were going to go somewhere tomorrow afternoon. Where... like a park, or a garden-" Suddenly, her hands burst into flame. "Sorry, sorry!"

I leaped about three feet off the bed, then tried to save the move by stumbling into the hallway. She followed amusedly. "Forewarning next time, okay?"

Madeline stared down at her palms, and the flames flickered away. "I'd forgotten, too. It just happens sometimes, when... It just happens."

An idea occurred to me. It was probably the dumbest idea I'd ever had- no, there was dumber. If I couldn't pull it off, I'd be the Worst Creep ever. Oh, and both of us would be exposed- at once.

But it's possible, my brain argued. Why don't you try?

Madeline watched my internal argument, a grin resting at a corner of her lips. "Everything okay?"