A Royal Wedding
For Aaron and Elizabeth
Chapter 1
Madeline was bored, yeah, you could say that.
“Izzy! I don’t want to learn Russian!” Madeline yelled. She grabbed her cell phone and hung off the side of the bed making everything look like it was walking on the ceiling.
Izzy, Madeline’s au pair, came in spread her legs apart and put her hands on her hips. Her toothpaste commercial smile wasn’t on. “Madeline Nykolavena! Put your phone away and get right back onto your bed and do your work! Now!” Her Western accent always got stronger when she was angry.
“But I don’t understand it!” Madeline whined.
Izzy came over and plucked the cell phone out of the very annoyed Madeline’s hands and leaned down so she was almost touching Madeline’s face. “Now.”
Madeline groaned and pulled herself up and spread out onto her bed and started doing her Russian again.
“I don’t understand why I have to do this.” She mumbled.
“A Grand Duchess needs to know her people’s language.” Izzy replied, pocketing Madeline’s cell phone.
Madeline turned her head towards her guardian. “But I don’t live in Russia,” she snapped.
Izzy opened her mouth to say something back but the door bell rang.
Madeline jumped off her bed and sprinted to the door.
With her neon green short skirt, jean leggings bright blue peace sign shirt, day glow blue flats and those half glove things you put on your hands. Madeline Nykolavena didn’t look like a Grand Duchess. Ever since Chief told Madeline that she was a daughter of a Grand Duchess, Madeline has gotten to get used to blending in and acting nothing like royalty. It wasn’t hard, because she had been dressing like she wanted for awhile. Living with the cruel Jeremiah and Jade Coplyn and their parents, Madeline had to fake a British accent and dress the way they told her to dress. Now she was constantly watched by Izzy, and Sophie and Andrew Jackson. Izzy was her guardian and body guard and Sophie and Andrew were two of her best friends and body guards. With the Coplyns still out there, they couldn’t be too careful.
Madeline’s once seriously blonde curly hair had been straighten and tied back tight into a pony tail. Her hair was super long, and it bounced off her back when she walked.
She threw open the door. Sophie and Andrew were standing in the door.
Andrew’s dark almost black hair totally needed a hair cut. He always pushed it out of his eyes when he was talking.
Sophie’s light brown hair was tied back into a bandana. And she wore a tie dye colored shirt to match.
“Hey, Blondie.” Andrew said as he came into the door.
“Hey, Andrew, Sophie.” Madeline said.
“Hi, Madeline.” Sophie said. She came inside.
“What do you guys want?” Madeline asked. She closed the door. “Not that I’m not happy to see you.—“
“We’re here to take you to see Chief. He has something to discuss with you.” Andrew said. He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I thought Izzy told you.”
Madeline shook her head. “Nope.”
“Well we are and I don’t think…” Sophie looked down at Madeline’s outfit.
“Don’t be like Jade, Sophie!” Madeline cried. “I was in a funky mood!”
“Sorry, but you better change.”
“Sorry Sophie, Madeline isn’t going anywhere without finishing her Russian lesson for the day.” Izzy walked into the room.
Madeline crossed her arms. “What ever.”
“Chief said it was urgent. Which means now.” Sophie said. She could always be so serious. Madeline thought maybe it was the body guard training or maybe living with Andrew. He could lie sometimes.
Izzy sighed. “Fine, but when you get back.—“
“You too, Izzy.” Sophie said.
Now things are getting serious. Madeline thought.
“Oh,” Izzy said. “Alright then,” and she took Madeline to change.
They rode in a helicopter to Head Quarters. Madeline put her hair back in a headband and a jean jacket, jeans and a light blue t-shirt.
“I just saw Chief!” Madeline whined. “I don’t want to go back again! What does he want?”
Sophie turned to her. “This is something more important than just checking up on you, Your Imperial Highness.”
Uh-oh. They said it. They must be nervous. They never say your Imperial Highness unless they were scared, mad or freaking out. And I think there doing all three, Madeline thought.
Madeline thought hard. She had to keep her cool. “What does he want?” she wondered.
Sophie turned back to the window. “You’ll see.”
This must be bad, Madeline thought.
When we got to Head Quarters, Madeline walked inside, flanked by Andrew and Sophie. Izzy was behind them staring down at the ground.
What is up? Madeline thought.
She found out.
Once she was seated in the chair in the dark room where Chief always talked to her everyone but Madeline seemed to stiffen. She couldn’t figure out what was wrong.
The projector screen flashed on and there was a picture of a boy with blonde curly hair going almost to his shoulders and brown eyes.
“This,” Chief said.
“What can’t you just say ‘hello?’” Madeline asked.
“This is,” he just continued without even answering Madeline. “Prince Orlando, of France.—“
Madeline put up here hand. “Just please, get to the point!”
Chief sighed. “Since the Royal’s like to keep the blue, or royal blood in the family, we need ties to keep it going. And ties are.—“
“I’m with he Imperial Highness.” Izzy said. “Just get to the point.”
“We need you do m—m—Marry. Prince Orlando.”
There was a long silence.
“W-w-what?” stammerred Madeline. “No! No! I can’t marry him! He’s like, related to me! And, and, I can’t marry now!”
“You wouldn’t marry now you would marry at a…decent age. And you have to, like I said. We need to keep the Royal blood in the family!”
“No! I won’t do it! You can’t make me” Madeline yelled. “If this is what a Grand Duchess has to do, I don’t think I want to be one.”
Gasps went around the room.
Izzy came over to Madeline and started to rub her shoulders. “Don’t talk about such things, honey,” she said.
Madeline pushed her hands away. “This is wrong! What is he? My second cousin, third?”
“Umm.” Chief looked at his clip board. “Sixth cousin, twice removed. You’re safe. It’s legal.”
“But it’s still wrong!” Madeline argued.
“It’s not wrong. It’s right. We can’t let the Royals to die out. If you don’t marry him, they will. You know that, don’t you? Do you understand?” Chief said.
Madeline rubbed her face and looked away. This is so wrong. She thought.
“Since we are the protectors of the Royal but lost Russian Royal families. We have talked to the Royal but lost French family protectors and they have agreed to the idea. I don’t believe Prince Orlando is very happy about the idea either.” Chief said.
“How old is he?” Madeline finally said.
Chief looked at his clip board again. “He’s fourteen.”
Madeline sighed and sank in her chair. “No.”
“Then we’ll have to use force. We have every right to.” Chief said.
“No, no!” Izzy cried. “Sir, can’t we just let them meet before we decide on marriage plans?”
Chief folded his arms. “Fine. But unless they both have a good reason not to, then they are going to marry. It’ll just be four years from now.”
After that, Madeline was extra guarded.
“Katy, this is so wrong.” Madeline said to her friend Katy McIntire, on the phone a couple days before flying to France to meet the prince.
“It is! I mean, if you love someone else it’s not fair.” Katy said.
“Katy, it’s not fair in general. My summer was supposed to be fun. I wasn’t supposed to have my life suddenly switched to adult hood and get married. It’s wrong.”
“Oh yeah, it is.”
“You don’t understand!” Madeline cried. No one did. No one got it.
“Madeline, it’ll be fine. You said he was cute, didn’t you?”
Madeline rolled her eyes. “I guess. But he’s related to me. That’s what’s wrong with it. And second, I don’t even want to date now! So marrying is, is. Way over rated at the moment.”
There was a pause. Madeline thought that Katy hung up. Then she said, “Just try to be friends. Try to get a relationship like the ones you have with Andrew and Tyler.”
Madeline sighed. “I’ll try.”
“Bye, Madeline.” Madeline could hear the laughter in her voice.
“Bye, Katy.” And Madeline hung up.
She lay face up on her bed. “This is so wrong.”
Chapter 2
Madeline was on a plane to France. And she was not happy.
“I want get off.” she said to Izzy.
“You can’t Your Highness. So just sit tight.” Izzy answered. She had been getting annoyed with Madeline’s complaints.
They had ‘bought’ a plane and Andrew was flying it.
“You stole a plane?!” Madeline yelled, when she had heard about it. They had to cover her mouth and push her on board the plane before anyone could catch them.
“I demand to be let off!” she screamed.
Sophie came and stood over her. “You cannot your Imperial Highness. So shut up, and sit still!”
Madeline’s mouth opened in shock. “You dare you.—“
“Blondie, just keep quiet.” Andrew said over the intercom.
“Do you really just want to keep the Royal Blood in the family?” Madeline asked, Sophie.
Sophie opened her mouth several times and then walked away.
“Didn’t think so.” Madeline said. She crossed her arms and leaned back. Something is wrong, she thought. And it’s not just this marriage.
The instant the plane touched down, Madeline put up a fight.
“I’m not getting out!” she screamed for the tenth time.
“Your Highness!” Andrew cried.
“I’M NOT GETTING OUT!”
“Get out!” Sophie said.
“No!”
“Honey, this isn’t going to change anything. Get out.” Izzy said.
“NO!”
From there, everyone was just fed up with Madeline complaining. So an agent picked her up and carried her out, kicking and screaming.
“Put me down!” she yelled, she was on the verge of tears.
“This was a bad idea, Soph.” Andrew whispered to Sophie.
Sophie didn’t answer.
“We should have never accepted this. If the French.—“
“Shut up!” Sophie hissed.
Andrew closed his mouth,
“We just need to get them to like each other. The French tell Prince Orlando what to do. And we tell Madeline what to do. And hopefully, they’ll start to like each other.” Sophie whispered.
“This is still a bad idea.” Andrew said. He walked further up away from Sophie.
“Please! Put me down!” Madeline cried. She was crying now.
Andrew sighed. “Put her down.”
The agent put her down. Madeline wiped the tears away from her face. And then she didn’t move.
“Well, keep walking, Blondie.” Andrew urged.
Madeline shook her head and crossed her arms and looked sideways. “No.”
Andrew groaned. “Walk, Madeline.” He demanded.
“I said no!”
“And we say yes.” someone said in a really heavy French accent.
Madeline turned around and saw a man with piecing blue eyes and blonde hair. He was wearing a black coat and tie. His hands were folded behind his back. Two other men had the same outfit, expect they had dark black sunglasses and ear things in their ears. “You must be Madeline.” The main guy said. He put out his hand.
Madeline grunted. “It’s Her Imperial Highness to you.” She said.
Everyone groaned. Andrew did a face palm.
The man smiled. “Her Imperial Highness then. It’s lovely to meet you. Now if you would just step into my car.—“
“Car? You call that a car? That’s a limo!” Madeline cried, as a sleek black limo pulled up.
She took a step back remembering how she had to ride in limos every day and how she had to tolerate Jeremiah and Jade, all crammed together in such a small space.
She froze.
“Excuse me, Mr. Leroy. But M—Her Imperial Highness doesn’t like to ride in limos. Ever since...” Izzy started.
The man put up his hand. “I completely understand. Orlando hates to ride in helicopters. Come, we can walk. We will get to know each other better.”
And with that, everyone walked.
Chapter 3
Madeline walked from then on. As long as she didn’t have to ride in a limo, she’d be alright. She rubbed her sweaty palms together.
“You alright, darlin’?” Izzy asked.
Madeline nodded. “S-Sure.”
Izzy smiled and put her arm around Madeline’s shoulders. “Everything will be fine,” she smiled.
Madeline pushed away and fixed her with an icy glare. “Really? Because I highly doubt it.”
They came to a large castle.
Mr. Leroy put out his hand towards the castle. “The Chateau de Vincennes,” he proclaimed. “A castle on.—“
“We know where we are!” Madeline snapped. “The Île-de-France or Isle of France.” She tapped her foot.
Mr. Leroy put his hands behind his back and bowed. “Of course, Your Highness.”
Madeline brushed past him with the others. They opened the large doors and went inside.
Madeline didn’t have time to see the castle. She was immediately herded into a large room, with a colorful marble floor and two green comfy-looking chairs facing each other but from a distance. Beside each chair was a wooden table with a vase brimming with chrysanthemums.
“Cozy.” Madeline said. She smiled, she always liked saying things that Robin in Batman the cartoon series said.
Then her smile faded, but she was pushed into the green chair that was the closest to her.
“I won’t talk!” Madeline yelled.
“Don’t have to,” Andrew said. “Because, with Prince Orlando gets here, we’re going to leave the both of you to yourselves.”
Madeline put her hands on the arm rests of the chair and pushed herself up, with wide eyes and said. “You’re not!”
“We are.” He gently guided Madeline back down.
When Prince Orlando, came into the room, he looked just as unhappy as Madeline.
He kept saying things in French which Madeline was sure that were bad words.
Then one of the agents leaned down and whispered into his ear. He still didn’t look happy. Then he started to talk in French.
“I am not going to sit here and talk to her!” he yelled.
“My lord.—“
“No! I refuse!”
They pushed him into the chair and then both teams of agents left them alone.
A very uncomfortable silence followed. It seemed to last forever.
Madeline kept pushing back into the chair, staring at the prince.
“Who are you staring at?” Orlando snapped.
“You. Who else? There’s no one else in the room!” Madeline snapped back.
“You dare talk to me that way?”
“I do!”
The prince stood up and walked towards her. Madeline really wanted to disappear completely into her chair then.
“I don’t know who you think you are, he blurted, pointing his finger right at her.
Madeline pointed to herself. “I am Madeline Nikolavena Grand Duchess of Russia!”
“And I am Prince Orlando of France!”
“You don’t have a long title do you?” Madeline smiled a smug smile.
The prince’s dark brown eyes flared. “Excuse me?” he said.
“Look, I know you and I both don’t think the idea of…this ‘arrangement’ but we might as well pretend we like each other so that they leave us alone, then we can sneak off and go our separate ways. And all of this will be over!” Madeline said. She took a deep breath after saying all that.
Prince Orlando leaned back and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “It is a good plan.” He said.
“Uh-huh. Now.—“ Madeline started.
BOOM!
The right wall of the Chateau de Vincennes exploded. Marble and rocks flew everywhere.
Madeline screamed as her chair was thrown across the room taking her with it.
Orlando was thrown against the wall too.
“What in the world?” he said in French.
“What?” Madeline screamed.
“Oh, sorry.” He said. “I must remember to speak in English.”
“What? Stop speaking French and do something!” Madeline screamed. She chocked back tears. If the Bolshiviks were after her again, and Jeremiah and Jade showed up…
BAM BAM
“Your Royal Highness! Is everything alright?” someone called through the huge oak doors.
“No! Of course not you idiots!” Orlando yelled. He got up and brushed the dust off of his suit and dress pants. “I just got these!” he whined.
“Shut up. We have to find out who just tried to kill us.” Madeline said. She pushed back the chair and brushed her blonde curls, pink blouse, white tights and black skirt off.
Then her phone rang. The sound of “Now or Never” echoed across the almost whole room.
Madeline dug her purse out of the rocks and pulled out her phone.
JEREMIAH
It said.
Chapter 4
She screamed and dropped the phone. It clicked and answered.
“Hello, Love. Why don’t you just come on out and we can talk. Sibling to sibling.” came Jeremiah Coplyn’s silky voice.
“N-n-not on your life, Jeremiah!” Madeline said shaking.
“Well, darling, it’s going to be your life you’re going to have to worry about if you don’t come out.”
BAM BAM
“What is going on in there?” Mr. Leory’s voice yelled.
“I’m not coming out!” Madeline screamed at the phone.
“Madeline, just come on out. It’s fine.” Andrew said, through the door.
“No! Not you, Andrew! J—“
“Come on Love, just a small chat. I promise that no harm will come to you.” Jeremiah said.
“No!”
“It’s your life then. We’ll come and get you. You can count on it.” The phone clicked off.
“Who was that?” Orlando asked.
“Someone who’s trying to kill me,” Madeline said.
“Ah, good, because I didn’t want it to be the people who are trying to kill me,” Prince Orlando said matter-of-factly.
Madeline turned to him stuck her finger at him and walked towards him. He walked backwards. “All you care about it yourself!” she screamed.
“I do not!”
“Do too! You know what? This isn’t going to work.”
“It isn’t, you little.—“
“Your Highnesses! What in the name of goats happened?” Mr. Leroy exclaimed.
“Goat? He’s the goat!” Madeline pointed at Orlando.
Orlando put his hands on himself. “Me? A goat? No, no, mammouselle. You are the goat!”
“You dare call me a goat?” Madeline cried.
“I do.” Orlando folded his arms.
Madeline lunged at him but Andrew and Sophie grabbed her by her arms and pulled her back. “We are going to have to try this another time.” Izzy said. She looked at the shattered and crumbling wall. “When someone isn’t trying to kill them.”
Mr. Leroy nodded. “Of course. I have a hotel reserved for you.”
“A whole hotel? Really, Mr. Leroy, that goat needs a barn.” Orlando said. He smiled a smug smile.
Madeline let out a scream of irritation as she was dragged threw the doors and out to the waiting car.
“What were you thinking?” Izzy exclaimed, in the largest hotel you had ever seen.
Madeline was on her bed with her hands folded in her lap, looking at the ground.
“You called him a goat?” Izzy yelled.
Madeline looked up . ”Yes! Because he is one!”
“Madeline, a young lady does not call a prince a goat.—“
“I am a Grand Duchess! I can do what I please!”
Izzy sighed and sat down next to Madeline. “Honey, a Grand Duchess must respect people.”
“I-I know but, he’s so annoying.” She threw her hands in the air and brought her fists down onto her lap. “I highly dislike him!”
Izzy stood up. “I can see that. You just need to get along, that’s all.”
Madeline stood up. “I have read about all the poor princess and duchesses that were forced to marry their cousins. And guess what happened to them?” She didn’t give Izzy a chance to answer. “They either got depressed or their husbands threw them in jail or had them executed.”
Izzy went to put her arm around Madeline, but Madeline pushed it away. Tears started to fill her eyes. “I-I-I don’t want to end up like them!” she put her hands over her face and cried.
Later that night, Izzy was talking on the phone with Chief.
“This isn’t going to work. We should never had made her go through with this.” Izzy said.
“She has to. If she ever wants to get back on the throne of Russia, she needs someone to.—“
“I know that! Madeline won’t have any say in what she wants. Orlando is a spoiled and arrogant child. He will take over France and Russia, and Madeline will probably die of sadness.” Izzy snapped.
Chief sighed. “If we have any chance in, you know what. Then this marriage must take place.
“But Madeline won’t do it. Even when their both old enough, she won’t say her vows at the wedding, I’m sure of it.”
“Talk to her. She has to.” And the line went dead.
Chapter 5
Jeremiah and Jade were in so much trouble.
“I said, make her come outside! And what did you do? You called her on her phone and tried to get her to come outside! You’re so stupid!” Mr. Coplyn yelled at his sons.
“Sorry, father. She used to be so scared of me that she would do what ever I said.—“ Jeremiah stated.
“But obviously she’s not anymore? Hmmmm? You need to make her come out! Use force!” Mr. Coplyn turned to his daughter. “And you, that bomb was supposed to go off inside the building.”
“But father, if it went off inside the building, then wouldn’t that of killed the prince and Madeline? So why would Jeremiah talk her in to coming outside?”
Mr. Coplyn’s eyes became annoyed. “You stupid little girl! Don’t ever question me!”
She’s right! How could I have been reduced to this? He thought.
“Now! Both of you! Go to your rooms! Now!”
Jeremiah and Jade didn’t hesitate.
*
Madeline was on her hotel bed, looking at Times magazine when the door flew open, and four brown haired, brown eyed girls came running in and surrounded Madeline on her bed.
Madeline did the any normal thing, try to jump off her bed and go out the window, but the girls didn’t’ let her.
“Ooh! Is this the Grand Duchess?” an eight-year old said.
“I thought she’d be taller.” The twelve-year old said.
“Where’s her crown?” whined the six-year old.
“I thought she had blue hair!” yelled the ten- year old.
“Girls, girls! Her Imperial Highness needs space to breath!” Izzy said. She pushed the girls back.
Madeline was breathing alright. “W-w-who are they?” she asked.
“These are Prince Orlando’s sisters. Aren’t they sweet?” Izzy patted the little six-year old on the head.
“Izzy! I don’t want them in my room! Get them out!” Madeline yelled. She scrambled off the bed and pushed herself against the window.
“Madeline, these will be your future sister-in-laws. You should start getting to know them now.” Izzy smiled and closed the door behind her.
The eight-year old picked up Madeline’s magazine and started flipping threw the pages. The ten-year old looked all around the room and the six-year old just copied off the twelve-year old, who was staring daggers at Madeline with her arms crossed and tapping her foot.
Madeline held back a laugh.
“Well,” Madeline said. She stuffed her hands in her jean pockets. “What are your names?” She forced a smile.
“I’m Andrere.” the eight-year old said. Still flipping threw the magaizine.
“I’m Adele.” The ten-year old said.
“I’m Aimee.” the six-year old said. She leaned in and Madeline bent down. “That’s Alice. And she does not like you.”
Madeline looked up at the twelve-year old looking at her watch and tapping her foot.
Well, she’s going to be a great politician, when she grows up, Madeline thought as she gulped. If she lives that long.
After the ‘intros’, a very uncomfortable silence followed. Madeline looked out the window when Alice’s voice cut threw the air like swords,
“You can’t have him.”
Madeline looked back at her. “Pardon?”
“You can’t have my brother.”
“Well guess what? I don’t want him, so you can have him.” Madeline crossed her arms.
“But, you have to marry him. Don’t you?” little Aimee said.
Madeline shrugged. “Whatever.”
“It’s not a ‘whatever’.” Alice snapped. “It’s your duty.”
“You’re not making any sense, Alice.” Adele said.
“Shut up, Adele.” Alice snapped. She looked back at Madeline. “Just, when you do marry him, just stay as far away of him as possible. He’s my brother, and I don’t want him to get stuck with a girl like you.”
From there, everything went down hill.
“You dare call me a, pig?” Alice screeched.
“I do!” Madeline screeched back.
“Girls! Girls!” Izzy cried. She was running out of patience. Madeline was so going to get it.
Mr. Leroy had to pull Alice away from Madeline and Izzy had to pull Madeline back.
“This is not working!” Izzy yelled over the screaming girls.
Mr. Leroy nodded and pulled Alice out the door.
Once everyone was gone except, Izzy and Madeline. Izzy started to rant.
“Why would you do that?” she yelled.
“She started it!” Madeline yelled back.
Izzy put her hand on her head. “Madeline, what am I going to do with you?”
“Take me home! That’s what!” Madeline ran out the door tearing blurring her sight.
“Madeline!” Izzy cried after her.
But Madeline didn’t stop, she just kept running.
Until her phone rang.
She accidently hit the answer button and this time, Jade’s silky voice came on the line.
“Hello, Madeline. What are you wearing these days?”
“Jade! Go away! I’m having a crisis…” Madeline yelled. She wiped the tears away from her eyes.
“What kind of crisis, dear?”
“Shut up.”
“Oh come now, we’re your family, and we care.”
Jade was putting on a pretty good show, but Madeline wasn’t buying it.
“Just leave me alone.”
“Fine, but we will come for you. You can count on it.” And the phone hung up.
If they keep saying they’ll come for me, why don’t they just do it? Madeline thought. Well, that’s the Coplyns for you, always trying to take the easier way.
Madeline sat down in one of the lobby chairs and sighed. Her summer wasn’t going great at all. She had people trying to kill her and someday she would have to marry someone she loathed.
“Would you like me to get you something, Your Highness?” Andrew asked. He sat down next to her.
Madeline shook her head. “No thanks.” She looked down at the floor. “The floor has a better life than I do.”
Andrew laughed. “You have a perfectly fine life, Blondie.” He said.
Madeline shook her head. “I don’t think you’re here, Andrew, because I’m having a horrible life at the moment.”
“You’re not.”
Madeline looked sharply at him. “I am.” She stood up and wrapped her arms around herself and went to the elevator.
“Madeline wait!”
Madeline went into the elevator and the doors closed without letting Andrew in.
She leaned against the wall and sighed. Then, the elevator lurched.
Madeline stuck out her arms as her knees buckled. She heard a creaking noise, and then the elevator fell.
Chapter 6
Madeline screamed as she fell against the floor.
“They didn’t wait!” she screamed. “They’re coming now!”
She tried to stand up but she fell right back down.
“Stupid gravity,” she said.
She crawled up against the side of the elevator and started to pray.
Then the hatch of the elevator broke open and Andrew and Sophie jumped in.
“I believe this is your stop, Blondie.” Andrew said, he smiled as he helped Madeline up.
“Th-th-thanks,” she stammered.
Sophie plugged something into the elevator where all the buttons were.
“Sophie!” Madeleine cried. The elevator lurched and Madeline grabbed hold of Andrew.
“Yeah, Soph. We can find out who tried to kill her after we save her,” Andrew said.
“Fine!” Sophie said she unplugged the cord and she climbed to the top hatch, helped Madeline up first and then Andrew.
The floors were going by fast.
“We have to jump into one of these.” Sophie said.
“What?” Madeline cried.
“You heard me!”
Andrew got a hold of Madeline.
“One….Two…Three…JUMP!” Sophie screamed and they jumped just as the elevator hit the button and shattered into a million pieces.
“Ok, now you can find out who tried to kill her.” Andrew said.
Madeline was breathing hard, her eyes were as big as saucers. She gripped her stomach.
“Are you alright, Mads?” Sophie asked.
“S-sure.” Madeline said. Then she put her hand to her mouth and ran to the nearest bathroom.
“She’s not alright.” Andrew said.
“Ya think?” Sophie snapped. And they hurried after her.
*
“I don’t care if this is the grandest hotel in all of France!” Izzy screamed to Mr. Leroy on the phone. “Someone almost killed the Grand Duchess of Russia! And it’s your fault!”
Izzy kept pacing back and forth across the hotel room. Madeline was in her pj’s with a blanket wrapped around her. She hadn’t touched her food or water ever since the elevator.
“No, I think we should cancel the art museum trip tomorrow.” Izzy said. She stopped pacing. “No, she won’t eat anything. No, I don’t’ think that’s a good idea.—Mr. Leroy…”
Izzy turned to Madeline and gave the loco sign.
Madeline didn’t smile.
“If the prince feels strongly about it, I guess.—No, she won’t like it. You saw what happened when they were together! I don’t.—“
Madeline laid back on her bed. Her pink silk pj’s felt nice, but she still nauseous and felt like she could vomit at any moment.
“Fine, but if they get into a fight, and Madeline ends up in intensive care, this is off.” Izzy slammed her phone shut. “Such nerve! That man cannot take no for an answer!”
“Tell me about it.” Madeline told the ceiling.
“And sleeping beauty speaks.” Izzy said. She sat down at the end of the bed.
“What did he want?”
“He said, that Prince Orlando felt sorry for you, and that we should still go to the art museum tomorrow and.—“
Madeline sat up in a flash. “Wait, did you say that Orlando felt sorry for me?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“Must be sick or something. Ok, back to what you were saying about the art thing.”
“You and I, Mr. Leroy, Orlando and his four sisters are all going to the art museum tomorrow. Fun huh?” Izzy smiled her tooth-paste commercial smile.
“You know what, I’m too sick to do anything.” Madeline laid back down.
“It’ll be fine. The museum has the best security. No one will try to get to you and I’ll be there.”
“No, I’m fine about that, I just don’t want to see Orlando or Alice.” She spat Alice’s name out like something gross.
“You don’t like the other sisters?”
“I do, but Alice is such a pig and Orlando is such a goat.”
Izzy leaned in above Madeline. “Hey, honey. Just act like a snake and give them what they deserve.”
Madeline laughed. “You believe me than that I had the right to get mad at them?”
“You had your reasoning, but try to be like a snake and sneak and do friendly things back. Just some pranks.”
“That sounds like flirting to me.” Madeline said.
Izzy shrugged. “You have to do this, Madeline.”
It was Madeline’s turn to sigh. “I know.”
Izzy stood back up and walked to the door. “Orlando will be here in the morning to pick you up, and.—“
“What?” Madeline cried.
Izzy laughed and closed the door.
Chapter 7
In the morning, Madeline wouldn’t get up.
“Madeline, just get up. He’s not that bad. He actually felt sorry about what happened last night.” Izzy said.
“He’s putting on a show! I know it!” Madeline cried. She put her pillow over her head.
“Madeline!”
Madeline didn’t move.
Then Izzy smiled. “Get up, if you don’t. Orlando will be here and it’ll be the most
embarrassing thing in the world.”
That got Madeline up.
An hour later, Madeline came out of the bathroom dressed, teeth brushed and brushing her hair. She put down her brush on her night stand, picked up her purse, and walked towards the door.
“This isn’t going to be fun.” She mumbled.
She went to open the door when a male’s voice sounded. “Hello, Madeline.”
Madeline stopped, hand on the door knob. She gripped her purse with the other hand. And then she spun and went to whack the person in the head. When Orlando’s voice sounded and he put up his hands to shield his face.
“Stop! It’s me!” he cried.
Madeline groaned and put her purse down. “You idiot!” she yelled. “Don’t ever use a British accent again!”
Orlando put down his hands. “Why not?” he said in a British accent. He put his hands in her khaki pants and put on a smug smile.
“STOP!” she yelled.
Orlando’s put up his hands as Madeline raised her purse again. “I’m sorry!” he cried.
Madeline walked to the door and Orlando went to walk with her, when she suddenly twisted, scaring Orlando. He took a step back and tripped and fell.
“You little.—“ he murmured.
“Sorry!” she said in a mocking French accent. And she giggled and walked out the door.
When they were almost to the door, Madeline felt something climbing up her back.
She screamed and knocked a rat off.
She dropped her purse in horror. And stared at the creature. Orlando was gripped his sides and laughing.
“How dare you!” Madeline screamed. She lunged for him and knocked him over. Orlando wasn’t laughing then.
“GET OFF!” He screamed.
“SAY YOUR SORRY!”
“NO!”
“Your so…IMMATURE!” Madeline screamed.
“No, I’m sorry but I’m not but you are.” Orlando said. He smiled.
“Who carries around a rat?”
Orlando pushed her off. “This is Justin.” He said. He clicked his tongue and bent down and the rat scurried up Orlando’s arm.
“Sick. Totally sick.” Madeline said.
The rat made it up to his shoulder. “It’s not. I mean, it’s better than playing with my sisters.”
Madeline let a laugh come out. But she stopped and put a hand to her mouth. No! She told herself. I don’t like him! I don’t! No laughing!
They walked out the door and Madeline walked at least a foot away from Orlando. She didn’t want that creature to touch her.
I know I still have Jade in me, and it stinks. But a rat, I have to act like her when that comes in. she thought.
Madeline stopped when she saw a black limo.
“We’re not riding in that, are we?” she asked.
“Of course not! We wouldn’t want her Imperial Royal Highness to freak out!” Orlando handed Justin the Rat a peanut.
“And you say I’m immature.” She said.
Orlando gave her a death glare.
But when the limo did pull away, the window went down and Jeremiah’s coffee with cream face came into view. He smiled that I-know-more-than-you-do smile at Madeline and closed the window.
Madeline froze in fear. “O-o-orlando.” She stammered.
“We’re not riding in that car. Chill!.—“
“No!” Madeline whirled around, knocking Orlando in the arm with her purse, Justin squeaked and climbed into Orlando’s thick, brown, curly hair. “The Bolsheviks were in that car! They probably put a tacking device on the car!” she gripped her purse, determined not to cry.
“Oh.” Orlando said. “Um…how about we not go in that car then.” He looked scared for a second to Madeline.
“Yeah, good idea. Wow, I didn’t know you could think!” Madeline said, rolling her eyes.
Orlando walked to the street and waved to a passing person in a car. He said something to the driver in French. And driver got out and Orlando handed him a huge wad of cash. Orlando waved to Madeline.
Madeline went to get in. “What did you do?” she whispered to Orlando.
“Solved our problem.” He whispered back. He smiled that smug smile of his.
He got in after her and the driver got back in the car and asked something in French.
Orlando looked at Madeline. “Where do you want to go?” he asked.
Madeline was startled for a second. “Um…to the art museum?”
“Really? Art’s boring, we should just cruise. I never get to do that.”
Madeline shrugged. “What ever.”
Orlando said something to the driver. The driver laughed and pulled away from the curb.
“What did you say to him?” Madeline hissed.
“Oh, nothing.” Orlando said. And he crossed one leg over his other knee and put his hands behind his head.
Ok, this will be interesting. Madeline thought.
Chapter 8
The tracker device wasn’t working or did Madeline get away? Jeremiah thought.
“Hello, Jeremiah! We don’t have all day.” Jade said, waving her hand in front of his face.
Jeremiah grabbed his sister’s wrist. “Stop that.” He snapped. He let go.
Jade rubbed his wrist. “Sorry.” She said meekly.
Ever since Madeline was gone, Jeremiah didn’t have anyone else to pick and be mean on. So Jade was the next in line.
“Did you get a signal?” Jade asked.
Jeremiah shook his head. He had to stay calm. “Her car hasn’t moved. Either the tracker is broken or she took another…”
“Car.” Jade sighed. “Father is going to kill us.”
Jeremiah snapped his cell phone shut. “He is. So, we have to get out and track her down by ourselves.” He sigaled the driver to stop.
“No!” Jade whined. “I just got these!” she rubbed her newly polished black boots.
“Shut up, Jade. We are going to go get her by ourselves.” The car stopped and Jeremiah pushed Jade out. He grabbed her by her arm and pulled her down the street.
*
“Orlando!” Madeline cried. “They’re going to start getting worried. We have to go back.”
“They will be fine.” Orlando said. “Mr. Leory said that it might take me hours to get you out of the hotel. They won’t come looking for awhile.”
Madeline crossed her arms. They were sitting at a café, a cute little place. Madeline would have enjoyed it if weren’t for all of the Royal but lost Russian Royal Family protectors who she knew were freaking out.
“Besides, it looks like we’re dating.” She said to herself. Orlando had said ‘just a couple more minutes’ at least a hundred times.
Madeline looked behind her and then looked back at Orlando and then looked back again. Two people were walking towards the café.
Jeremiah and Jade.
“Orlando!” Madeline hissed.
“Hush, just a couple more.—“
“Orlando!” she kicked him in the leg.
“ow!” he gave her the death glare.
The swung her head behind her and her eyes. He looked behind her and then his eyes got wide. “What do we do?” he had that scared look again.
“We can’t run, because.—“ Just then Orlando grabbed her by the wrist and starting running.
“What.—“ Madeline hissed.
“He has a gun!” Orlando hissed.
“Orlando! Flats aren’t made to be running in!”
“Just shut up and run!”
Madeline looked behind her and saw Jeremiah and Jade running after them. “I said, ‘don’t run, because they’ll notice us’.” She snapped.
“All you said was ‘we can’t run, because’.” Orlando snapped back. Picking up speed.
“That’s because she grabbed me and we started running!” she yanked her wrist away from his hand and ran on her own. “This is kind of fun, really.”
“Fun?” Orlando said. He got a frantic ‘what in the world?’ kind of look.
“yeah, I’ve always wanted to beat Jeremiah and Jade in a race.” Then she picked up speed and was a good foot in front of Orlando. Then, she tripped.
*
“Where are they?” Sophie said. She checked her watch again.
“Checking the time for the hundredth time won’t get them here, sis.” Andrew said.
Sophie didn’t bother to answer. Her ear bud started to static when Izzy’s frantic voice came. “Are they there? I’m freaking out Sophie, if Madeline is not back soon this whole thing in off!”
“I’m sure they’re fine, Ms. Longacre.” Mr. Leory’s voice came next.
“You just want this whole thing to go down!” Izzy snapped.
“Chill you guys. They’re fine.” Andrew said.
Izzy and Mr. Leory sighed. “I hope.” They said.
*
Madeline wasn’t ok. She had landed on her hands, so they were bleeding and her black dress pants were ripped and her knees were bleeding too. She tried to get up, but she cried out from the pain.
“I can’t walk!” she had to keep her cool, but it was hard.
Orlando knelt down beside her and put his hands on her shoulders, carefully, of course, but Madeline shoved them off.
“Are you sure? I mean, you just fell.—“
“I fell Orlando. And it was painful.” Madeline rolled her eyes.
“Everything will be f.—“
Then the sound of a gun clicked. Madeline and Orlando both looked behind them.
Jeremiah had a gun out and was pointing it at them and Jade was semi behind him arms crossed and looking as smug as ever.
“I wouldn’t move if I were you.” Jeremiah said.
Madeline and Orlando were too scared to move at all.
Madeline turned to sit more comfortably. Not that it would of matter if they take her away. Or fire that gun.
“What do we do?” Madeline whispered to Orlando is Russian.
He looked at her blankly. “What?” He whispered back in French.
“Trying to trick us with your many dialects? It’s not working.” Jeremiah said.
“Then what did I just say, Jeremiah?” Madeline said, in Russian. She smiled a smug smile.
Jeremiah and Jade both looked confused. “You said my name…” Jeremiah said.
“Uh-huh, real smart.” She said in Russian.
Jeremiah knew what she said there. “Don’t say that to me, Madeline.” He said.
“I don’t ‘belong’ to you anymore, Jeremiah.” Madeline said, switching back to English. “And I never did, I was just too scared to tell you that.”
“Can we just go?” Jade whined. “Just make her stand up!”
“I told you to shut up Jade.” Jeremiah snapped.
So he has moved on to someone else. I sort of pity her. Madeline thought.
While the two siblings argued, Orlando leaned in and whispered:
“I have some pepper spray in my pocket, but with…them…holding a gun on us, I need a distraction to get it.”
“Do anything!” Madeline hissed. “I’m freaking out here.”
But what Orlando did freaked her out more.
He started to talk a bit louder, so that Jeremiah and Jade stopped arguing and looked back at him and then he went forward and kissed Madeline.
And that did distract Jeremiah and Jade, they watched in utter, freaked out and shocked expressions.
Orlando reached with his free hand (the other was holding Madeline in place) and got the pepper spray out of his pocket and then sprayed it on Jeremiah and Jade.
“AHHH!” they screamed, swatting at nothing, but air.
“My hair!” Jade screamed.
Orlando stopped kissing Madeline and helped her up.
Madeline was shocked. “You idiot!” She screamed.
“Shh!” he hissed. He picked her up and started running.
“I didn’t mean kiss me!” she screamed.
“I said: SHHH!”
“I don’t want to ‘shhhh’!”
Orlando let go of her for a split second and then caught her.
“O-o-ok. I’ll ‘shhhh’” Madeline said.
“There you go.” Orlando winked and smiled that smug smile of his.
When they were at least a half a mile from where Jeremiah and Jade had almost kidnapped Madeline, Orlando put Madeline down. She instantly fell.
“You still can’t walk?” Orlando sighed. He had his hands on his knees and was breathing hard.
Madeline stood up. “I can walk. I just thought I’d tease you, but you look tired.” She brushed herself off.
“It’s not funny. You’re heavy.”
Madeline gave him a sharp look. “Thanks.”
“Your welcome.”
“I was being sarcastic.”
“So was I.” he smiled.
Madeline looked back at the road. Now he’s flirting. Great. She thought.
“Sooo,” she said after awhile. “How about we go to the art museum now?”
Chapter 9
“WHERE ARE THEY?” Izzy cried.
“We have a report that Jeremiah and Jade Coplyn were in the eastern part of Paris.” Mr. Leroy said.
“WHAT?” Then, Izzy fainted.
“Izzy!” Andrew and Sophie cried.
They helped her on the couch in the hotel room. They had just given up and gone back to the hotel along with Orlando’s four sisters and Mr. Leroy.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
“I’ll get it!” Aimee cried. She threw open the door and screamed: “ORLANDO!” And jumped up on him.
“Whoa, sweets. Calm down.” He gently put her pushed her down.
“Orlando! Where have you been?” Mr. Leroy demanded.
Orlando smiled that smile of his. “Why, having fun, of course.”
Mr. Leroy sighed. “Maybe her Imperial Highness knows what you were doing.”
Everyone stared at Madeline.
Wait, what? She thought. What was I supposed to say? ‘Yeah, we almost got caught and to avoid it and run away Orlando kissed me.”
Mr. Leroy sighed again. “Alright, if you two don’t have any explanation for me, maybe Ms. Longacre will get one out of you.”
When Izzy woke up so was happy and angry all at once. Orlando and Madeline so got it.
“Orlando! What were you thinking?” she yelled. “If you thought the car was bugged, you should have called us! Never again bribe someone. They could be trying to kidnap or even kill one of you.”
Madeline kept looking at the floor. She didn’t want to say what Orlando did. It would get him into trouble.—Oh no, she thought I’m having feelings this is not good.
“Madeline? Do you have something to say?” Izzy asked.
Madeline’s head shot up. “Um…”
Izzy’s thoughtful green eyes told her to continue.
“We just went to a coffee shop. Nothing huge.” Madeline said. She held her breath. Would they believe her?
Izzy leaned back and nodded. “Alright. If you two don’t want to say what you did. I say that we all have a nice good night’s sleep.”
Mr. Leroy rounded all of Orlando’s sisters up and hustled them out of the door.
“That was smooth, Madeline.” Orlando whispered to her.
Madeline nodded. “Sure.” And then opened the door for him. “Good bye, Orlando.”
Orlando put on his smile and walked out the door.
She closed the door after him and rested against it.
I am not having feelings. She thought. More like stirrings. Then she shook her head. I am! This is horrible. We are kids still. Unless it’s that hundred old thing again. I don’t know.
She walked to her bed and threw herself onto it.
Love stinks, she thought.
Chapter 10
The next day, Madeline woke up to a text message. She rolled over and knocked her phone on the nightstand. She sighed and got up and stretched and yawned. She rubbed her eyes with one hand and picked up her phone with the other.
The message was already opened it said:
Hey, Madeline. Mr. Leroy said that we were going to the Untied States today like with you or something. Isn’t that going to be fun?
Orlando
Madeline blinked several times before jumping up and screaming into Izzy’s room.
“What does this mean!” she screamed.
Izzy rolled over.
Madeline jumped on her. “Izzy! What does this mean?”
“I arranged for Orlando and his sisters to come back with us to the states.” Izzy answered.
“That’s not fair! I don’t like him, Izzy. No!”
Izzy rolled over. “I thought you wanted to be in that summer musical at your school?”
“I do but.—“
Izzy sat up. “Madeline, you’re not making any sense!”
“Izzy, if I spend anymore time with Orlando, I might.—“ she stopped herself. “I might…explode!”
Izzy patted her on the leg. “It’ll be alright, Madeline.” She smiled.
Madeline forced a smile and then went back to her room.
“It’s not going to be ok!” She screamed. And she pulled on her robe and opened the hotel room door and ran out.
“I hate this!” she screamed.
She ran down the hall and stopped when she got to Sophie’s room. She knocked on the door. “Sophie, I need to talk…” she said. Tears were coming down her cheeks.
No reply.
“Sophie! Please! I need a best friend pep talk, or something.”
Madeline heard someone walk across the floor she heard the deadbolt being removed and the other lock clicked and the door opened.
“What’s up, Mads?” Sophie asked. Then she looked at Madeline and gave her a hug. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
“I can’t…take it anymore, Soph!” Madeline cried.
Sophie helped Madeline into the room. And they sat on the couch.
“What’s bugging you?” Sophie asked.
Madeline gave Sophie a helpless look. “What do you mean? You know ‘what’.”
“I know it’s been hard. But it’s going to turn out great! Who knows, maybe you’ll actually like him?”
Madeline groaned and laid back against on the couch. “This isn’t helping. I’m already starting to ‘like’ him and it’s bugging me!”
Sophie laid down too. “See, you already started to ‘like’ him.”
Madeline sat up again. “But I don’t want to! I shouldn’t be ‘liking’ someone at this age!”
“It’s the hundred year old commitment stirring, Mads.” Sophie said.
Madeline sighed. “I know, but I don’t to have a ‘commitment’. I just want to be normal.”
Sophie wrapped her arm around her best friend. “You’re normal in your own special way.” She smiled.
Madeline didn’t force her smile this time. “I love you.” She said.
“I love ya too, Mads.”
They hugged.
“Now, about Orlando…” Sophie said.
“Oh! Don’t get me started! He was so flirting with me, Soph! You should have seen him!”
Sophie laughed.
“If he starts calling me, ‘sweetheart’ or ‘darling’ or something gross, I’ll kill him.”
Sophie laughed. “He’s French. So it’s probably going to be a natural thing. You saw him talk to his sisters? He calls them ‘sweets’ and ‘darling’.” She laughed some more.
Madeline laughed. “Jeremiah used to do that with Jade. I thought it was the grossest thing ever.”
They laughed some more.
Then there was a knock on the door. “Madeline, you can’t hide in there. We need to talk about this.” Izzy’s voice came threw the door.
Madeline’s smile melted.
“What?” Sophie asked.
“I just remembered.”
Sophie gave her a hug. “It’s going to be fine.” She let go and leaned back to look at her friend. “Just don’t let him get to close.”
Madeline nodded. “I won’t.”
But he already has. She thought.
*
“I can’t believe you!” Mr. Coplyn screamed.
“We’re sorry, Father. Honest.” Jade said.
“Sorry?” he marched right up to Jade. “If you were sorry, then you would be out there right now and getting that little brat for me!”
RING RING
Mr. Coplyn looked up at his huge computer screen.
INCOMING CALL: JUILIA
He hit the answer button. “What is it, Julia?” he snapped.
Julia was the top bounty hunter and assassin for the Bolsheviks.
“I came to make a proposal.” Julia said.
“Which is?”
“Your children are failing, Coplyn. Why don’t you let someone else try?”
Mr. Coplyn rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “You are my sister Juilia, but I say no.”
“My children can do a better job than yours, you can count on that.”
Mr. Coplyn looked up sharply at the picture of Julia. “My children fail yes, but they are working on it.”
Julia laughed a cold laugh. “Working on it? Ha!” then she gathered herself up. “Fine, if you don’t like my proposal, I guess I’ll just have to do something drastic. So long brother.” And the computer screen went black.
*
“No, Orlando, I don’t want you to sit by me.” Madeline said.
“Why not?” Orlando asked. He had his smile on again.
“Because, I don’t’ like you.”
Sophie and Izzy did a face palm.
“Fine.” Orlando said he shrugged and he went over to another seat.
They were on a plane back to the United States. A stolen plane like before. And Madeline wasn’t any happier about it this time.
“Madeline…you shouldn’t be so rude.” Izzy whispered.
Madeline shrugged. “It’s true though.”
“I don’t care if it’s ‘true’. You have to be nice.”
Madeline crossed her arms. “Whatever.”
When they got off the plane, Orlando got right in step with Madeline. He leaned in.
“You hate me, don’t you?”
Madeline shrugged. “You could say that.”
Orlando laughed. “You’re very strange. I’ll give you that.”
“Thank you?”
“You’re welcome?”
Madeline rolled her eyes. “You are very annoying.”
“You’re annoying.”
“Stop that!”
“Stop that!”
“SHUT UP!”
Orlando put his hands up. “I surrender. Sorry.” And he walked on ahead.
“You’re not sorry.” Madeline said under her breath.
Orlando threw his hands up in the air. “Ha! You’re right! You’re always right!!”
“Stop acting like Johnny Storm, Orlando. It’s getting on my nerves.”
Orlando shrugged. “Sure.” Madeline went to hit him he ran on ahead even more.
Madeline started running after him.
“At least there getting to Stage One. Finally.” Sophie whispered to Izzy.
Izzy nodded. “Stage One: Become Friends. Stage Two: Start Dating. Stage Three: Get Engaged. Stage Four:.—“
“Get married.” Sophie finished. She sighed. “I still don’t think this was a good idea.”
“I don’t like it either. They’re so…young.”
“When is he going to purpose?”
“The Chiefs wants it done soon. No matter how old they are. They want it done.”
“There not going to force them to get married at this age!” Sophie cried.
Izzy sighed. “If they don’t start getting along. It looks that way.”
“And when he does propose, she’s not going to say yes,” Sophie said, matter of factly.
“If they start Stage Two, then there is defiantly some chemistry going on.” Izzy winked.
“But dating at this age is stupid.” Sophie said. “Believe me, I’ve done it.”
Izzy sighed. “I know. But.—“
“The Chiefs. I know.”
“Just pray, Sophie. Really, really, hard.”
Sophie nodded. “I will.”
Everyone was so busy talking, they hadn’t noticed that Madeline and Orlando had run very far away.
“Orlando!” Madeline screamed.
Orlando just laughed and kept running.
“Your so…AHHH!” Madeline fell and rolled down into any alley.
“Madeline!” Orlando cried. He skidded to a stop and turned around.
Madeline was no where in sight.
Chapter 11
Madeline had blacked out. She groaned and rolled over and ransmack into four furry legs.
She screamed and sat up scooting backwards.
The dog was a black cocker spaniel It’s tongue was sticking out, pants. It barked a greeting bark and trotted over to Madeline.
Madeline wasn’t a dog person. But she held out her hand for the dog to smell.
The dog sniffed her hand and barked again and jumped into her lap.
Madeline yelped and held her hands in the air. But the dog didn’t bite. It just panted and looked at Madeline.
She slowly put her hand on the dog and started to pet it. It barked again and panted some more.
She petted it some more. It licked her face.
She laughed. “You’re so sweet.”
“Madeline!” Orlando’s voice startled her. He sounded…worried.
She heard him coming over, he looked over the fence.
“Goodness! Are you alright?” he asked. He climbed over it and helped her up. The dog barked a warning bark and growled.
“Who’s this?” Orlando asked.
Madeline leaned down and picked up the growling dog. “I found him.” She said. She petted his head. The dog kept growling. “I think he smells Justin.”
Orlando looked confused.
“Your rat, stupid.”
“Oh! Yes, yes!”
“It’s ok, Fluffy.” Madeline said. She started to walk down the ally.
“Madeline! You can’t keep the thing!” Orlando cried, rushing after her.
“Why not? And Fluffy isn’t a thing . He’s a dog.” Madeline said, petting the dog affectionately. Fluffy rubbed against her with his head.
“Madeline…”
“Don’t ‘Madeline’ me. Johnny.” She winked. And continued to walk.
Orlando ran to catch up and stopped in front of her. “I’ll buy you your own dog.”
“You can’t be serious? Madeline thought. “No. I want Fluffy.”
Orlando sighed. “Just please, don’t name him Fluffy.”
“Why?”
“Because, it disturbs me. That’s why.” He gave her a sharp look.
Madeline shrugged. “Fine. But don’t give me looks like that, it ‘disturbs’ me.” She smiled a sly smile and pushed past him.
“And…and, the…dog will disturb Justin.”
“Rats aren’t as important as dogs, Orlando.”
“Rats are definitely more important.” Orlando said.
Orlando is so daft. Then she pushed her lips together. She had just said that out loud.
Orlando stopped. “Excuse me?” he didn’t mind name calling, but when someone said something, like what Madeline just said. It offended him. Especially when the person meant it. And did I mention this made him angry?
“What?” Madeline said. She was trying to cover up her mistake. But Orlando wasn’t buying it.
“You know very well what.” Orlando said. He stopped in front of her again.
Fluffy barked a warning bark.
This is so not good. Madeline thought. But she didn’t want to say she was sorry. She was right, he was daft.
“Say you’re sorry.”
“No!”
“For goodness sake, Madeline!” Orlando cried. He pressed his lips together and looked away, shoving his hands in his pockets.
Was he trying to tell me something? Madeline thought.
“Madeline, can we just get along?” Orlando asked. He turned back toward her.
Fluffy gave another warning bark.
“No, because I don’t like YOU!”
“I know you don’t. But we have to get along if we’re going to live the rest of our lives together.”
Omigosh! Madeline thought. “Who says we are?”
He sighed. “Madeline, we are.—“
“No! We’re not!” she screamed.
Fluffy barked and jumped on Orlando. Fluffy knew that Madeline was upset with Orlando.
Orlando yelped, swatting at the dog.
Madeline started running fast, her eyes were blurred with tears. She could hear Orlando yelling at Fluffy. But Fluffy just kept on barking.
“Madeline!” Orlando yelled after her.
“Shut up!” she screamed.
“Madeline! Sweetness!”
Madeline stopped. Did he really just say that? Then she regained her composure and kept running.
“Darling!”
“Stop!” she heard him running after her, with Fluffy at his heels.
I think I might have to name the dog Flurry. Madeline thought.
She couldn’t see anything, so when she bumped into something, her reaction was to back up and keep running.
“Hey, hey.” Orlando said. He grabbed her arms, trying to steady her. “Calm down.”
“Leave…me…alone!” she sobbed.
“I’m not going to hurt you, just calm down.”
Madeline just kept crying. She didn’t want to spend the rest of her life with someone. Why couldn’t she just wait and think about these things?
Orlando pulled her in and hugged her, as she sobbed. “Shh.” He whispered.
She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him back.
He’s just acting like a brother. Madeline said to herself. That’s all.
When Sophie and Izzy found the couple, everyone nearly jumped up and cheered. But, Sophie and Izzy weren’t excited as everyone else.
“Sophie…” Izzy whispered.
“Yes?”
“I don’t like this.”
Sophie shook her head. “Me either.”
When Madeline stopped crying and saw the crowd of people, she wanted to die. But she gathered herself up.
“Why did you just do that?” she snapped at Orlando, giving him a wink.
He nodded. “Sorry!” he threw his hands in there air, returning a wink.
Sophie and Izzy let out relived sighs. They didn’t see there winks.
When they stopped for lunch, Madeline let Orlando sit by her, which made Izzy and Sophie worried all over again.
“That was some crying you did, back there.” Orlando said.
Madeline shrugged. “I was stressed.”
“I could tell.” He smiled a nice smile.
Madeline blushed. She shrugged again. “That was nice of you to…you know…”
“It was nothing.” He smiled a nice smile again.
Madeline blushed again.
A couple tables back. (they were eating at a small shack place outside) Andrew rolled his eyes.
“What?” Sophie asked.
He pointed towards Madeline and Orlando. (his mouth was full of cheese burger) Madeline was laughing at something Orlando had just said. He looked…comfortable , with one knee crossed over the other and his elbow resting on the table, watching Madeline.
A little too comfortable. Sophie thought. Then she turned back to her bother and shrugged.
Andrew swallowed his food. “Oh please, sis.”
“What?”
“You have that look. Like you don’t like what’s going on.”
“No I don’t!” Sophie protested.
Andrew nodded mockingly. “Uh-huh.”
Sophie hit him on the arm. “Shut up.”
Andrew threw his hands in the air. “Ok, ok.” He got up. “But I know you, Soph. Something’s wrong.” He went to toss his food.
Sophie looked back at Madeline and Orlando. Orlando had scooted approximately three inches closer to Madeline, and was intently looking at her as her talked. (training to be a agent pays off)
This is so wrong. She thought. As she watched, Orlando was attempting to scoot even closer. And Madeline hadn’t even noticed! She just kept on talking, holding her untouched hamburger in the air with one hand, and either shrugging or waving with the other, as she talked.
Sophie decided that she needed to do something. She got up and went and sat down right in the middle of Orlando and Madeline.
Orlando retreated and scooted back. Madeline looked a little surprised herself.
“Hey guys.” Sophie said., getting comfy.
“Hey, Soph.” Madeline said, turning back to her untouched food.
Why hasn’t she eaten? Sophie wondered.
“What were you talking about?” she gave Orlando a sideways glance. “You seemed to really be getting into it.”
Orlando showed no signs of worry or confusion.
Hmmm, that’s strange…usually when someone is guilty, they look like there worried or confused. Sophie said to herself.
Instead, Orlando shrugged. “She was telling me about the States.” He shrugged again. “They sound…intriguing.” He looked at Madeline and put on his smile.
Madeline blushed.
Sophie’s eyes widened. Did they already have inside jokes?
“I was asking, Orlando, where he was going to stay.” Madeline said. Nibbling on a french-fry.
“He’s staying in a hotel.” Sophie answered, “where he belongs.
Sophie saw a flicker of disappointment come over Madeline’s face. Then it went away. Madeline bit into her fry. But it looked to Sophie like it was hard to eat it.
“Do you know what hotel it might be, Sophie?” Madeline asked. Forcing herself to swallow the fry.
Sophie pulled out her Droid from her pocket and hit some buttons. “Um…It’s close to your apartment Mads…”
Madeline perked up. “Great!” she said and took a bite of her hamburger.
When all seven agents, (seven for Orlando and seven for Madeline) plus, Andrew, Sophie, Izzy, Madeline, Orlando Mr. Leroy and all four of Orlando’s sisters were done. They got up. Madeline picked up her tray to throw it away.
Orlando grabbed onto it. “Allow me.” He smiled.
Again, Madeline blushed.
Sophie rolled her eyes.
Alice saw this and walked up to her. “I know right?” she said.
Sophie gathered herself up. “What, Your Highness?”
Alice nodded towards Orlando and Madeline. Orlando had thrown away Madeline’s food and was now talking to her.
“Look at them. They’ve gone from haters to lovers. It’s ridiculous.” Alice commented.
“They’re supposed to.” She turned to Alice. “One day, it’ll happen to you.” And she walked away.
Alice turned back to the Royal Couple. She sighed.
I don’t want to lose you this way, Orlando. She turned around and followed the others out.
Chapter 12
“I think I’m going to call you Flurry.” Madeline said to the panting dog.
Madeline had been home, for an hour now, and she still couldn’t get over that excited feeling she had. She shook herself.
“Snap out of it, Madeline!” she scolded.
Flurry titled his head to the side and perked up his ears.
She petted the dog. “It’s hard to explain, Flurry. When you meet a pretty girl dog, you’ll understand.” She rolled over. She dialed her phone.
“Madeline! How are you? Is he cute? Is he nice? Is he.—“ Katy’s excited voice jolted Madeline’s excited feeling right out of her.
“Katy!”
Katy stopped spitting questions out. “Sorry. So…what is he like?”
“He’s…” she breathed in. “Wonderful!” she sighed, letting the air out.
Katy giggled. “Really? I can’t wait to meet him. You are going to come to the Summer Drama Kingdom, right?”
The reason they called it the Drama Kingdom is because, the day Madeline came to the Drama Club, she gave an idea that it should be called the Kings and Queens of Drama. But they changed it to the Drama Kingdom, and all who was in the Kingdom, was a Drama King or Queen.
“Yes, I am Katy.” Madeline replied. “I wouldn’t miss it. But I’m nervous.”
“Why?”
“This is my first drama! What drama are we doing?”
Katy laughed. “You’re funny. We wouldn’t decide without you, Andrew and Sophie! The meeting’s tonight. I think…let me check…” sounds of paper came up to the line. “Ha! Here it is! Yeah, tonight at six. You are coming right?”
Madeline looked at her watch. “I think I can make it.”
“Think? We couldn’t make a decision without you, let alone do the drama! You have an important part!”
“But I don’t know what my part is yet.”
“You’re either, Sharpay or Tess. And those are both important charcters. So you have to be there.”
BEEP.
“One second, Katy. Orlando’s on the other line.”
“Sure. And invite him tonight! Eeeek!”
Madeline laughed as she hit the button to switch calls.
“Hello?”
“Madeline, sweets. I was wondering, would you like to do something with me tonight?” Orlando’s French accent made Madeline get that excited feeling again.
“I have a meeting tonight, Orlando. But you’re invited to come.”
“A meeting? What kind of meeting?”
“I’m in a drama club. You know, like a play. We’re going to decide on who’s going to be who in the play we pick. And which play we’re going to do.”
Orlando laughed. “You never cease to amaze me, darling. Yes, I’ll come. Can I pick you up?”
“Yes! That would be great!” Now I’m sounding like Katy. Madeline thought. “But no limos.”
Orlando laughed again. “Of course not. What time is the meeting?”
“Six tonight, so be here at five forty-five.”
“I’ll be there. Good bye.”
“Bye!”
Madeline switched calls.
“Is he coming? Oh! I hope he’s coming!” Katy squealed.
“He’s coming. And he’s picking me up!”
Katy screamed with excitement.
Madeline heard a ‘shut up, I’m working!’ from Katy’s brother Tyler.
“What’s got him?” Madeline asked.
“He really wants the part of Troy if we do High School Musical. And he wants the part of Shane Grey, if we do Camp Rock.”
“I don’t know about the Shane Grey part, Kate. But Troy is a definite.”
“Why not Shane?” Katy asked. Madeline heard the challenge in her voice.
“Because, not that he’s bad or anything, but he’d fit being Troy a lot better. And Nick, you know Nick right? Well, he’s been pretty sad ever since the last Drama Kingdom meeting. So I think he deserves Shane’s part. You know, he has black hair too, and that same attitude.” She laughed.
Katy laughed too. “I see your point. So who would Ty be if we did Camp Rock?”
“Someone special I promise.” Madeline said.
“Alright, I have to go, it’s dinner. See you with your new BF! Bye!” Katy giggles as she hung up.
“Yeah…Wait! Boyfriend?”
Madeline jumped out of bed and went to tell Izzy about the night’s plans.
“That’s fine just as long as Sophie and Andrew go with you.” Izzy said into the sink of suds and dirty dishes.
“Fine.” Madeline grabbed for her phone.
“Hey, Soph. Andrew and you are going to the meeting tonight, right?”
“Yeah, we are. You?”
“Yeah. Orlando’s picking me up, and can you guys come with us? Izzy said I can’t go unless you come, too.”
Sophie had gotten lost at ‘Orlando’.
“Soph? Sophie?” Madeline said.
“Sorry, what were you saying?”
“Just come to my house now! Ok? Uh-huh. Bye.”
Madeline hung up and sighed. Sophie’s never lost track of a conversation. That’s what makes her a great agent.”
Sophie and Andrew arrived a couple minutes later.
“Are you urgent or what, Blondie?” Andrew said, stepping through the doorway.
Madeline looked at her watch. “He should be here soon.” She looked up. “So, have any ideas about what the other Kings and Queens will vote for? We have it down to two choices so it shouldn’t be hard.”
Andrew crossed her arms. “It will be easy until Nick starts complaining.”
“Yeah, he didn’t’ like the idea of High School Musical and Camp Rock.” Sophie said, thoughtfully.
Madeline shrugged. “Ever since the first meeting, he’s been annoying. I think he’s just…lonely.”
“Lonely? I think he just wants attention.” Andrew scoffed.
“Which would mean he’s lonely.” Madeline scoffed back.
“Whatever.” Andrew scoffed.
Sophie rolled her eyes.
KNOCK KNOCK
Madeline rushed to open the door.
“That was quick.” Orlando said. He looked around. “Cozy.”
Madeline blushed. She grabbed his hand and pulled him outside. “A SUV? Sweet!”
“Is that what it’s called?” Orlando asked. He winked.
Madeline blushed again. “Yeah, duh.” She pulled him out with Sophie and Andrew behind him.
They got into the car.
Madeline immediately started telling Orlando about the Kingdom.
“Sophie’s the director.” Madeline said.
Orlando just kept nodding as she talked while looking at her intently.
Sophie rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.
So immature. Sophie thought.
“You could help Sophie, direct.” Madeline said. She turned to Sophie and smiled.
“Really?” Orlando said. He turned to Sophie too with that smug smile on his face.
Sophie’s eyes grew wide.
What? No! And what did she say again? What? No!
“Maybe, I better not. I like to watch. It’s fine, darling.” Orlando put his hand on Madeline’s.
“Alright.” Madeline gave Sophie a sideways glare and continued to tell Orlando all about the drama club.
When they arrived at the school, May and June Summers greeted them at the door.
June’s jet black hair and green eyes, made Sophie think of a vampire. She had only met her once a couple weeks ago at the last meeting. May’s blonde hair and blue eyes made Sophie think of, Spring. She had met May later in the year.
The two sisters took an immediate interest in Orlando.
“Who are you?” they flirted, coming behind him.
They were always flirting with Tyler and Andrew and sometimes Nick. He was essentially quiet though because the Summer girls liked to talk.
Orlando ducked away from one of May’s hand reaching for his hair and grabbed Madeline’s hand. “Sorry, ladies,” he said and he pulled Madeline away.
“Who are they?” he hissed into Madeline’s ear.
“Annoying people,” Madeline hissed back. She rolled her eyes. Then she covered her mouth. Had she just said that? Was she turning into Jade? No! I’m not!
And she continued walking holding tightly to Orlando’s hand.
April Summers, May’s and June’s older sister said hi to them when they entered the Drama Kingdom’s room.
“Hey! We haven’t seen you in awhile, Mads. And you brought a friend…”
“This is Orlando.” Madeline said, smiling.
“Hello, April is it? How charming.” He smiled a smile, Madeline knew was fake. Cheap and fake. He took April’s hand a kissed it.
Madeline glared.
Then Orlando let go and took Madeline’s hand again and walked into the room.
Everyone who was in the Drama Kingdom was there.
Nick, the Summer Sisters, Katy and Tyler Mackentire, Joyce Lol and Fred and Joe Vondoom. (No one knew if those were their real names)
Once everyone was seated, they began roll call. When they got to Orlando, May and Spring started to whisper to themselves. Madeline got a sudden jealous feeling.
“Hello, I am Orlando. I am fourteen and I’m from France.”
That got almost all the girls hyped up. “Really?” June and May squealed. The only girls that didn’t care were Sophie and April.
“What’s so exciting?” April whispered to Sophie.
Sophie shrugged. “They’re just being girls.”
“Madeline seems to like him though, which is odd. ”
Sophie didn’t know what to say to that.
“And he kissed my hand!” April hissed.
Sophie nodded. “He’s just…different. Like Maddie.”
April nodded. “I understand.” She put an arm on her friend’s. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Sophie moved her arm.
April looked at her a moment longer and then turned her attention back to the meeting.
Madeline stood up with the clip board with all the people’s characters in the play.
Later that day, Andrew, Sophie and Madeline got together to discuss who got what. Everyone agreed that no one should try out, but to pick the character that best fit them, or they could do a good job on.
“Alright, we have discussed who will be who. I know you are all excited to find out who got what.”
Cheers filled the room.
“Ok, we will be doing the drama: Camp Rock.”
Louder cheers.
“Alright, settle down!” Madeline shouted over the noise. “Now, Mitchie Torres will be…April Summers!”
Everyone cheered.
April covered her mouth in surprise and ran up to get the script that had all of her lines highlighted.
“Caitlyn Gellar will be…Katy Mackentire!”
Katy ran to get hers.
After all the parts except Tess, Shane’s and Brown Cessario’s, everyone started to talk about who got what.
“I cannot believe I got Lola Scott!” Joyce Switchal said. The African American girl was so happy.
June had ended up with Peggy Dupree, May got Ella Pador, Nate Grey was Joe and Jason Grey was Fred. Mitchie’s mom would be one of the teachers.
“Alright! A hush fell over the crowd!” Madeline called.
Everyone quieted down.
“Brown Cessario will be…Tyler!”
Tyler looked at her in surprise; Katy pushed her older brother to get up. “Go get it silly!”
“Wow, wow, wow, wow.” Tyler just kept repeating.
Madeline smiled. “You deserved it.” Tyler smiled back.
“Tess Tyler will be…Me!” Madeline said.
Everyone started to laugh.
“And, for the Shane Grey part…Nick!”
Everyone started to cheer the loudest.
Nick’s eyes were so wide, you could see them under his black Beiber-Styled hair. “Really?” he said.
Madeline nodded. “Uh-huh.” She smiled.
Nick went up and grabbed the script from Madeline’s hand and smiled.
When the meeting was over, everyone stood around talking and having cookies and punch. May and June came up to Madeline.
“Are you and Orlando boyfriend and girl friend?” the two twins said at once.
Madeline was startled by there words. Boyfriend and girlfriend? We never really got to that part. But we do act that way don’t we? I felt a jealous pang when we kissed April’s hand. But that could happen to any girl. But, he held my hand. But boys do that sometimes to tag girls along. But still…No. It’s just the hundred year old commitment again. And just plain liking.
“So?” May and June said.
Madeline shook her head to clear here thoughts. “No, we’re not.”
“You sure act like it though.” May said swinging her arms.
Madeline couldn’t believe that they twelve. They acted sometimes like four year olds and other times like teens. But never like their real age.
“We’re just friends.”
“You held his hand, though.” May said, still swinging her arms.
Madeline rolled her eyes. “SO?”
“So?” May stopped swinging her arms. “That’s like the next big step after coming boyfriend and girlfriend! Everyone knows that!”
Apparently I didn’t, Madeline thought. Her grip on the desk she was sitting on tightened. Why wouldn’t they just leave her alone? She wished she could tell them why he was here in the first place.
Yeah, he’s the prince of France and I’m the Grand Duchess of Russia and we have to get married someday. Ok? Now bye, bye.
Madeline sighed. “Um…I have to go. Congrats on your parts!” Madeline jumped off the desk and ran to Orlando who was sitting on a desk talking to Tyler.
“Hey, Ty.” Madeline said.
“Hey, Mads. Thanks for the part by the way.” Tyler said.
Madeline waved her hand down. “No problem. Like I said before, you deserved it.” She smiled.
“Tyler was telling me about polo. It sounds exciting.” Orlando said, standing up.
Madeline loved how he was so much taller than she was and how his chocolate eyes glowed when he looked at her.
“Sweets?” Orlando asked.
Madeline jolted back to the real world. “Sorry. Polo, yes. Jeremiah used to play that…”
“Oh yes, that evil boy. If I ever saw him, I’d knock him a few.” Orlando said, demonstrating on Tyler.
Madeline laughed and then she went sober again.
You probably will see him, Orlando. Madeline shivered. And she didn’t want to. Ever again. As long as she lived.
Chapter 13
“What did you say?” Jade yelled at her older brother.
Jeremiah put up his hands. “Calm down. I’m sure it’s just some rumor going around…”
“Rumor? No, our cousins don’t spread rumors. When they say they’re going to do something, they do it. And now they’re going after what father wants us to get! This is terrible!” Jade cried. She wanted to cry, but Jeremiah wouldn’t like that.
“I said, calm down. Ned and Sharlean won’t get Madeline.”
“They will though! You’ve seen Ned with his robots! And Sharlean with her makeup… that turns into weapons! They were raised by an assassin slash bounty hunter, Jeremiah. They will get her.”
“Aunt Julia just likes to bluff about those things. She doesn’t like her children out of the house unless it’s for a family reunion! I’m sure that Ned and Sharlean don’t know who Madeline is and where she is at the moment, like we do.” Jeremiah put his hands in his pockets and smiled a smug smile.
“Um…Jeremiah?” Jade said meekly.
Jeremiah’s smile faded. “What?” he snapped.
“We don’t even know where she is.”
Jeremiah hit her. “Why do you have to be so stupid, Jade!” he yelled.
Jade gripped her cheek. “I’m sorry! It’s just…we don’t! That’s all!” she started to cry.
Jeremiah grabbed her by the arm and pulled her across the room.
Why are little sisters so dumb? Jeremiah thought.
Why are big brothers so mean? Jade thought.
*
Why are dogs so messy? Madeline thought.
“FLURRY!” Madeline yelled at the meek little dog. “Don’t poop on the floor! That’s what Izzy was for!”
“Hey!” Izzy called from the kitchen.
“I meant.—“
“I knew what you meant, silly.”
Madeline smiled. At least someone got her. But then…there was Orlando…
RUFF RUFF
Flurry jumped onto her and started to wag his tail. Madeline picked up the dog and scratched behind its ears.
“Do you like, Orlando, Flurry?”
Flurry stopped wagging his tail and let out a low growl.
“Really? I think he’s quite sweet.” Madeline swung the dog around and put him on the bed. “But don’t tell anyone I said that,” shaking her finger at him.
Flurry barked happily and jumped off the bed and ran out the door.
Madeline fell back onto her bed and sighed. She grabbed her script and started to read out loud:
Mitchee: “I’m sorry! I didn’t see you…”
“Apparently not!” Madeline said. Then she tried to read the other lines but her mind kept going somewhere else.
She threw the script onto her lap and looked up at the ceiling.
I hate this feeling. She thought, excited and nervous all at once. It’s annoying.
After several attempts and failures at reading her lines, she texted Orlando.
Madeline: Hey L
Orlando: What’s wrong, sweetheart?
Madeline: I can’t work on my lines!
Orlando: How come?
Madeline: I feel funny.
Orlando: What do you feel like?
Madeline: Just…funny…
Orlando: Maybe you’re sick.
Madeline: No, it’s not a sick feeling…
Orlando: Then what feeling is it, sweets?
Madeline put down her phone for a second and then wrote:
Madeline: I MISS YOU!
Orlando: I miss you too, darling. But I’ll see you tomorrow. And I’ll fix that funny feeling you have. ;)
Madeline: Oaky Doky. Bye. J
Orlando: Good bye. J
Madeline went to sleep that night, happy and content. But she was unaware of the enemy’s eyes watching her.
*
“Mother says that Jeremiah and Jade can’t catch her, how odd,” said Sharlean to her older brother. Her long glossy pitch black curly hair shone in the moonlight. She put down her binoculars.
“Hmm, yes. You’re quite right, Sharlean. She’s fair game. I don’t understand there dilemma.” Ned said. His short pitch black curly hair shone in the moonlight like his sister’s.
Sharlean looked at her nails. “There just not…oh…how should I put it?”
“Not good enough?” her brother suggested.
Sharlean clapped her hands. “Yes! That’s it. They’re not good enough. A pity really. You would think that since they are related to us, they would be good enough.” She shrugged. “A shame.”
“A shame indeed,” Ned smiled evilly.
Sharlean and Ned looked just like Jeremiah and Jade. Same skin color, same hair and same personality. These accents were the same: British. And there goals were the same: Get Madeline.
*
“Hey Orlando, we don’t have practice until two today. Do you want to go out for lunch?” Madeline said into her phone.
“That would be great! Where do you want to eat, darling?” Orlando asked.
“I don’t know…you pick.” Madeline read her lines to herself as she spoke to Orlando. She hadn’t gotten much sleep that night. She had a feeling someone was watching her…She had spent most of her night trying to read her lines.
“How about we have a picnic?” suggested Orlando.
Madeline threw down her script. “Yes! That would be great! I’ll have Izzy pack us some sandwiches and chips. What kind?”
“Surprise me.”
Madeline giggled to herself. He’s so cute. She thought. “Alright, I’ll surprise you. Pick me up, say? Twelveish?”
“Perfect. Just like you. I’ll be there.”
Madeline put down her phone and jumped up and down a screamed.
“What’s wrong?” Izzy yelled over Madeline and the yelping Flurry, from the kitchen.
“Nothing!” Madeline called.
Izzy rolled her eyes. That girl and her ‘boyfriend’ I will never understand what she’s so happy about. Never. I never dated and I don’t plan on it. I have too much to do handling Madeline already.
RING RING
Izzy picked up the phone and put it on her shoulder while she washed the dishes. “Hello, this is the.—“
“Hello, Izzy, I was uh…wondering…since their highnesses are going out today…would you like to go with me somewhere?” Mr. Leroy’s voice came from the other side of the phone.
Izzy stopped moving. Her heart skipped a beat. “Pardon?” she said.
“Would you like to go out with me?” He repeated.
Izzy didn’t know what to do. “Hold on a sec.”
“Sure.—“
Izzy threw down the phone on the counter and ran to Madeline’s room. “Madeline!” she cried.
Madeline turned around with wide eyes as Izzy grabbed her shoulders. “Mr. Leroy just asked me out. What do I do?”
Madeline looked at her for a moment, then pushed Izzy’s hands off her. “For one thing” she declared, “Don’t call him: ‘Mr. Leroy’. Call him, Harold.”
“What?”
“That’s his name, Izzy.”
“How do you know?”
“Orlando told me.”
Izzy nodded. “Oh. And this has to do with my problem how…?”
“Because, when you go on a date, don’t call him ‘Mr.’ call him his real name.”
“But I don’t know if I’m going out or not yet!” Izzy cried.
“Say yes! He likes you and you like him.”
“Do not!”
“You so do. It’s obvious.” Madeline rolled her eyes and put a hand on her hip.
Izzy threw her hands in the air. “Fine! I’ll say yes. What are you and Orlando doing today?” she put on a smug smile.
Madeline opened her mouth a couple times before answering. “We’re having a picnic. You want to come with?”
“Yes! Thank you!” Izzy ran back to the kitchen and picked up the phone. “Sure, Harold. I’ll go. How about a picnic in the park?”
“S-s-sounds great.” Harold stammered.
Izzy hung up and let out a groan. What am I thinking? She thought.
Madeline threw on a loose fitting blue top with rolled up sleeves and a white top with long sleeves underneath, with jeans and a straw hat with a blue sash around it and black sunglasses, and blue covers.
She sighed. “I don’t look that great.”
“You look fine, honey. I’m the one that doesn’t look great.” Izzy came in wearing a pink top with a white shirt under it and jeans and pink covers. She had curled her straight blonde hair and had put on lip stick and pearl earrings.
“Oh my gosh! You look…fabulous!” Madeline exclaimed. Then she sobered. “We’re going on a picnic. Not to a fancy restaurant.”
“What? Can’t I look nice?”
“You’re over doing it.”
“Am not.”
“Are too!”
“Ladies, ladies. Your both pretty. Can we go now?” Orlando stood in the doorway leaned against the side. He smiled his smile at Madeline.
Madeline blushed. “Yeah.” She giggled as she took his arm.
Orlando leaned down and whispered into Madeline’s ear. “You look awfully pretty today, darling.”
Madeline blushed. “Aww, thank you.”
“It’s true.”
That made Madeline want to faint.
*
“Look how she blushes. It’s annoying.” Ned said, fiddling with one of his robots.
Sharlean put down the binoculars. “It is. I don’t know what she sees in him…” she was only fourteen, but she knew a lot about dating and love. Not that her parents love had been successful.
Ned rolled his eyes. “You keep saying that, Sharlean.”
“I know.” Sharlean said. She looked into the binoculars again. She sighed.
“What now?” snapped her sixteen year old brother.
She put them down. “Nothing.”
“Hey guys, I got those parts you wanted.” A blonde haired boy with brown eyes came in threw the roof stairs, carrying some parts. He looked about thirteen.
Ned looked up from his robot and smiled a sticky smile at the boy. “Thank you,” he said. He took the parts from the boy.
The boy went over to look at whatever Sharlean was looking at. He leaned over the ledge. “What’s so exciting down there?” he asked.
Sharlean sighed. Hadn’t he learned what they were doing yet? “I’m spying on the Grand Duchess and Prince of France.”
“Oh.” He tucked his arms under him and kept staring. “I can’t help but wonder where I saw her before.”
Ned and Sharlean shared nervous looks. “I showed you pictures that one time, remember?” Sharlean said hastily.
“I remember.”
The brother and sister let out a sigh of relief.
“But I think I know her from somewhere else.”
They groaned. “You don’t know her. Now stop staring and help me!” Ned snapped.
The boy looked hurt. “O-ok.” He stammered.
Sharlean gave her older brother a glare. He just glared right back.
The boy had been living with them since he was five and Ned or Sharlean hadn’t snapped at him at all. The boy was hurt now, and deep down inside, he learned a lesson: I’m different.
Chapter 14
Madeline laughed. “That’s too funny!”
Orlando looked hurt. “But it hurt! It’s not funny!” he protested.
“It is funny!”
“Is not!”
Madeline pushed him over. “It is.”
“It’s not funny, darling.”
“It is!”
They just sat there, looking at each other, and then they started to inch there heads closer together. They sat up and there lips were almost touching when a voice interrupted them.
“Excuse, may I ask you a few questions?” a African-American women in a blue business jacket with a blue skirt and a pinkish shirt underneath stood over top of them holding out a microphone.
A news guy with a baseball cap and camera stood next to her.
“Um…” Madeline said. These people looked familiar. Something to saw once…
“What kind of questions?” Orlando asked. He stood up. But Madeline stayed down.
Something wasn’t right.
“First, what are your names?” the lady asked.
The blue sky and green grass in the park started not to look so great anymore.
As the lady asked Orlando questions, Madeline shuddered. That voice wasn’t human.
She had a flash back.
It was the last Coplyn Family Reunion. Three years ago. Madeline was only ten.
They were in front of there mansion in London, England and Madeline had gone inside to find someone or something to play with. But she wasn’t allowed to.
She went into a dark room and said: “Hello? Anyone in here?” she British accent bounced off the walls.
The door suddenly closed. And a laugh echoed across the room. “Well, it’s Madeline! My cousin. How are you, darling?”
Madeline knew that voice. It was Ned’s. The cousin she was scared of the most.
She felt something wrap around her waist. It lifted her into the air. It was a giant robot. She screamed. “Put me down!”
New came out of the shadows, holding a remote controller and leaned against a wall. “Why? You weren’t allowed in here anyway. Might as well discipline you for it.”
“You’re not my mum!” Madeline screamed. Tears spilled silently down her cheeks.
“Your mum isn’t here now, is she, Madeline?” Ned put on an evil smile.
“Yes, but.—“
“But, who’s going to do it?”
“I am.” Jeremiah’s voice echoed threw the room.
“Jeremiah!” Madeline cried. Her tears stopped.
You see, this was before Jeremiah and Jade started being mean to her. She was thankful her eleven year-old brother was here to save her.
Ned was thirteen. But that didn’t scare Jeremiah.
“What are you going to?” Ned asked. He moved the remote control stick in a circle. Sending Madeline in a circle.
“STOP!” she screamed.
“Ned! I don’t have time for this. I’ll take care of Madeline, put her down.” Her family always acted older than they were.
A voice echoed across the room. “Master doesn’t want to put her down, Jeremiah.”
Madeline snapped back to reality. “ORLANDO!” she screamed. She shot to her feet and pulled him back.
“What is it?” Orlando looked worried.
“Those aren’t news people. They aren’t even human.”
“Come now, Madeline…” then he looked at Madeline’s ghost stricken face. He wrapped a protective arm around her. She leaned against his chest. He whispered into her ear. “What are they?”
“I told you about my cousin, Ned right? Well, these are his robots.”
Orlando nodded and started to back up taking Madeline him with him. “Sorry, we have to go.”
Madeline looked behind her. Mr. Leroy and Izzy were too far away to see what was happening. Izzy was laughing at something Harold had said.
“Wait! We have more questions for you!” the news lady said.
“Sorry, we have someplace to go.” Orlando said. Madeline was too scared to speak.
Then, the robots looked back up at a building and nodded and then turned back around. Their eyes turned red and they started towards them. “Get, Madeline.” They said over and over.
Madeline let out a yelp. She couldn’t move. She was too scared.
Orlando picked her up and started to run.
“Izzy! Mr. Leroy!” Orlando yelled.
Izzy and Harold looked over at them and immediately jumped up and took out guns and activated their head pieces.
As Mr. Leroy ran towards the robots, Izzy called in for back-up.
When Orlando couldn’t run anymore, he put down Madeline. Madeline was still too scared to move. “I-i-i-izzy!” she stammered. “N-n-n-ned!”
Izzy understood at once, she started to run towards her.
Then, Madeline felt something wrap around her waist. She screamed as the news lady robot’s microphone pulled Madeline back. The lady had grown to twenty stories, and Madeline was dangling in the air. She kept on screaming.
Orlando didn’t know what to do. Izzy and Mr. Leroy were in a fluster. The news lady robot started to walk towards the city, with Madeline screaming. The news guy let out a cloud a dust out of his camera leaving Izzy, Mr. Leroy and Orlando coughing.
The last thing they heard was Madeline’s screaming.
Chapter 15
Madeline felt air-sick.
“Put me DOWN!” She screamed.
The robot didn’t respond.
Another flash back started:
“I said put her down, Ned!” Jeremiah yelled.
“Fine.” Ned said with a sinister smile. He started to slowly put Madeline down then he let go when she was still a good five feet in the air. She screamed as she fell. She landed hard.
“O-o-o-ow.” She moaned. Jeremiah rushed to help her up. He put a firm hand on her shoulder and then a firm hand on the same side arm and started to walk out. Before they went out. Jeremiah turned and said to Ned:
“I know you know who she is. I don’t care even if you’re part of the other group. Stay away from what’s ours.” Then he kept walking with Madeline.
Madeline asked with what he meant, but he told her to shut up.
And Madeline learned there, despite how much she wanted to fit it, that she was different.
Then she flashed back to the present. And then was falling threw the air and she landed in someone’s arms.
“You ok, Blondie?”
Madeline opened her eyes. “Oh thank you! Thank you thank you!” she cried. She hugged him. And then he put her down. “How did you get me down?”
“I shot at the cink in the robots arm.” He pointed the gun at the robot who hadn’t noticed that it didn’t have Madeline anymore.
“Madeline!” Orlando called running towards them.
Madeline ran to greet him and wrapped her arms around his neck. He wrapped his hands around her waist. “Are you alright?” he asked rocking back and forth. Madeline was shaking. “Y-y-y-yeah. Just bad memories.”
“We need to get you two out of here, your going to be late for drama practice. Hope to read your lines.” Andrew smiled and ran after the robot. He was followed by Sophie and a couple other agents.
Mr. Leroy and Izzy came up behind them. “Let’s get you two to practice.”
Madeline let go of Orlando to hug Izzy. “You ok, kiddo?”
Madeline nodded and smiled.
She looked up at the building and saw a flash of silver and it was gone.
Ned and Sharlean are up there. Madeline thought. And let’s hope they don’t try to get me again.
Madeline knew that they wouldn’t stop, but she had to tell herself something happy.
When they got to the school, everyone was there and ready.
“Where’s Sophie?” June and May asked.
“She had some family matters to take care of.” Madeline smiled a fake smile and than walked on and an annoyed look came on her face.
Those annoying little girls were so…so…bratty.
I least I’m in character. Madeline thought. Then she put on a smile and went up to Tyler. “Hey, Ty. Did you practice your lines?”
“Yeah,” Tyler said. “I don’t have a lot.”
“Sorry about that! I just thought you wanting a good part and all.—“
Tyler put up his hand. “I was joking, Mads.” He smiled.
Madeline let out a sigh of relief and pretended to wipe off her forehead.
Tyler leaned down. “Where’s Andrew and Sophie? Soph’s the director. How are we supposed to do this?”
“There was a giant robot trying to get me. So they had to go take care of the ‘master’ of the robot and then come here. They said to stall as long as possible.” Madeline replied.
Tyler leaned back and gave her a ‘seriously’ look.
“My ‘cousin’ Ned makes giant robots. He tried to kidnap me he’s part of the Bolsheviks.”
“Uh-huh.” Tyler said teasingly.
“It’s true!”
“I know, but if you said that to anyone else they wouldn’t believe you.”
Madeline waved her hand. “Pssst. I know that.” She winked.
“Madeline, I don’t know how many more stories I can make up about what Sophie and Andrew are.” Orlando ran up. June and May were close behind him.
“Where’s April?” Madeline asked Tyler.
“Dressing room.—“
Madeline ran up the stage steps and into the dressing room.
“Hey April, your sisters are how should I put this? Hmmm…” What was Madeline supposed to say to June and May’s older sister? Yeah, there really annoying.
“Annoying? Yeah, I know. Who are they annoying now?”
“Orlando. They won’t step pestering him with questions. I mean, he’s my boyfriend.” Madeline just couldn’t help herself.
April turned around and put a hand Madeline’s shoulder. “I know, they’re total flirters. I’ll go talk to them.” April walked down the steps.
Boyfriend? Yeah, it fits. Madeline put a hand on her hip and put on a “Sharpay” smile, and walked down the stage steps. How she liked being like a Sharpay sometimes.
Chapter 15
“And…Action!” Sophie blurred into her megaphone.
“Oops, I’m sorry.” Katy playing Caitlyn Gellar said. “Oh wait, I’m not.”
Madeline playing Tess Tyler dropped some of the play food on Katy\Caitlyn’s shirt. “Anything makes that outfit look better.” Madeline\Tess said.
Katy started to laugh.
“What?” Madeline asked.
“It’s just…” Katy kept laughing.
“Come on people, work with me here!” Sophie said into the megaphone.
By now, everyone on set was laughing now.
“I don’t understand…Ha-ha….why spilling….plain spaghetti on a shirt does anything!” Katy hunched over in laughter. “I mean, it probably made it look better if sauce was on it.”
Madeline laughed too. “Yeah! Totally!”
“People! Quiet on the set!” Sophie yelled.
Everyone stopped laughing. “Sorry, Soph. But it was funny.” Katy said, still giggling.
Sophie smiled. “It was. Ok! Places everyone! We start again!”
They worked on that scene ten times before anyone got it right.
When they were done with practice, Madeline and Orlando were the first ones out the door.
They held hands as they walked. Madeline put her head on his shoulder and sighed.
“What’s wrong, darling?” he asked.
“Tired.” Madeline closed her eyes. “Being Tess, makes me tired. I’m not usually that mean.”
“Of course you’re not. I know that.” He brushed his other hand across her face.
Then Madeline fell asleep. Orlando picked her up and carried her to the car.
When he set her down, he looked behind him and then got in.
Chapter 16
Madeline woke up on her bed still in her clothes. She sat up and yawned and stretched and then rubbed her eyes. “Wow! What happened?”
“You fell asleep.” Sophie said, leaning against the wall in her room.
“When did you get here?” Madeline asked, standing up and stretching.
“I think I should be asking the questions here.” Sophie said coming up. She had on a black skirt brown shirt and black coat and black boots.
“What’s wrong?” Madeline asked.
“Where did you go last night?” Sophie asked. She put her hands on her hips.
“I remember walking with Orlando and then…nothing.” Madeline said,waving her off. So went to her bathroom.
“That’s it? What about the other five hours you were missing.”
Madeline stuck her head out of her bathroom door. “Five hours?”
“Uh-huh.” Sophie folded her arms.
Madeline rolled her eyes. “Check your sources, Soph. That’s not right.”
“It is. Either you walked in your sleep or Orlando took you someplace while you were sleeping.”
“Orlando didn’t take me anymore. Call him if you want. He’ll tell you.”
“What happened to you talking and hanging out with your friends?”
“I do that!” Madeline protested.
“You don’t! All you ever do it talk and hang with Orlando. It’s always, Orlando this and Orlando that.”
“You’re just jealous that you don’t have a boyfriend.” Madeline said, brushing her teeth.
Sophie came into the bathroom. “I’m worried about you, Mads. Are you ok?”
Madeline put down her tooth brush. “Yes, I’m fine.” And then she brushed past Sophie to get to her dresser.
Sophie went to the door. “Ok, then. BFF.” She walked out.
Madeline stopped rifling threw her drawers. Maybe, Sophie’s right? No, she’s not. She’s just playing that friend game. But, what if…? No!
Madeline was sick of battling with herself. She needed to go talk to someone.
She picked up her phone and dialed Orlando’s number.
*
“It’s like she’s drunk on Orlando!” Sophie cried throwing her hands up in the air.
“You can’t be drunk on someone, sis.” Andrew said.
“Yes you can! Remember when you just couldn’t stop talking and stalking that one girl in preschool?”
Andrew gave her a look. “She’s ‘addicted’ to him. How’s that?”
Sophie folded her arms. “Fine. But if she keeps this up,the Madeline we knew will be lost in a sea of Orlando.”
“She’s sick on love, Soph. It’s alright.”
“You don’t understand!” Sophie tried not to cry. Madeline couldn’t stop hanging with Orlando, she was getting drunk on him. Sophie was sure. Soon, she could get to the point anything he said would be ok. And who knows what he’ll make her do? Something wasn’t right about the Prince of France. Something’s fishy. “I need some air.” Sophie said and she stalked out of the room.
*
“Michel! I need those parts.” Ned called.
Michel, the blonde haired boy with brown eyes came into the room lugging a huge box of robot parts. “Are these the ones you wanted?” Michel asked, setting down the box a little too hard.
“Careful!” Ned snapped. Without saying thank you, Ned reached in the box and pulled out a part and started to put it on the robot.
Sharlean was flipping through the pictures the spy robots had gathered of Madeline.
Michel walked over and took a good long stare at one picture of Madeline laughing as she held Orlando’s hand.
Something pricked inside of him, something was telling him something. Like a brotherly instinct that Ned told him about when Sharlean started going out with someone.
Michel shook his head to clear it. Why am I having feelings like that? She’s not my sister, she’s the Grand Duchess of Russia who is a danger to the.--
“Michel! Stop doing that! You’re fogging up the screen!” Sharlean snapped.
Michel stepped back and felt Ned’s eyes on him.
Why are they getting so offensive? They used to be nicer…
He felt himself getting pulled. “Michel!” Ned yelled.
“S-s-s-sorry.” Michel stammered. And he went and helped Ned with his robot.
“Oh! My! Gosh!” Sharlean cried, a couple minutes later.
Michel and Ned turned. “What?” they said.
“Look at this!”
They went over and looked at the screen.
Madeline and Orlando were kissing.
Chapter 16
Something was telling Madeline to stop. But she couldn’t, even if she wanted to. Orlando had his arm around her waist pulling her closer.
Her foot had even popped.
Think of the most romantic scene you ever saw, and put Madeline and Orlando in it. And you got it.
Michel, Sharlean and Ned gaped at the video that was being fed to their computer.
Michel’s pricking was out of control. “We have to stop that.” He said.
Sharlean and Ned turned to look at him. “What?” They said.
“We…We can’t let them do that!” Michel said.
“Why?” Ned stood up to his full height.
Michel took a step back. “Because, that’s not right!” he pointed to the screen. “There’s thirteen and fourteen! They shouldn’t be kissing like that! Or even better, not at all.”
Sharlean and Ned looked at each other.
“And stop doing that! I know I’m different, I don’t know why, but I’m going to find out. You better find someone else to help you fix your robots, Ned.” He walked to the door. “If those are really robots at all.” He walked out the door.
Sharlean and Ned gaped at the door. “MICHEL!” Ned yelled. He went to run after him, but Sharlean stopped him.
“Forget it, Ned. Michel is going to find out who he is even if we keep him here. Besides, Mother will be happy to have both of them anyway.” She turned back to the computer with a triumphant smile.
Ned smiled too and went to finish his robot.
*
“Wow!” Madeline said. And she began to laugh. Then she covered his mouth, why was she laughing? She couldn’t stop! “Why…did you do that?” she screamed at Orlando through bursts of laughter. “I can’t stop laughing!” she started to feel faint, she couldn’t breathe she was laughing so hard.
Orlando just stood there, watching her trying to get her breath.
She fell to her knees laughing, but with a painful face. She grasped her throat. “ORLANDO!” she screamed. She started to see black spots.
“Sorry, darling.” Orlando said.
Madeline looked up at him and then passed out clean on the ground.
“The general will be pleased.” Orlando said. He knelt down. And pushed Madeline over. “That was too easy.”
“Easy?” someone said. “That was better than easy. It was a steal.”
Orlando looked down at Madeline and brushed a stray hair away from her face. He felt a pang of guilt.
“No hesitating. Let’s get her loaded. Next stop, Russia.” The voice said again.
Chapter 17
“She’s not answering her phone.” Sophie said, sitting down in her director’s chair. She tried to stay calm.
“Have you tried Orlando’s?” Andrew asked.
Katy, Tyler, Andrew and Sophie were all in the dressing room. They didn’t know what happened to Madeline or Orlando. And they were starting to get worried.
“He’s probably sweeping her off her feet.” Katy said with a mystical voice.
Tyler did a face palm.
“It’s not like her! I’ve texted and called a lot! And they’re both not answering.” Sophie was on the verge of tears. How hard could it be to keep the Grand Duchess of Russia and her BFF safe?
Andrew came over and started to rub her back. “It’s ok, Soph. We’ll find her. She couldn’t have gone far.
*
Madeline woke up to the sound of yelling. She blinked several times before she could open her eyes.
She moved her legs and heard the sound of metal. She looked down and saw chains on her ankles.
The night started to flood back to her.
Her hands were in chains too, behind her back. She pushed herself up and leaned against the wall and breathed hard. It was good to breath again.
The yelling continued. Something about taking a wrong turn. And they were speaking in Russian.
Wait! Where am I? And where am I going? Madeline started to panic. “HELLO?” She yelled.
The yelling stopped. “Does her Imperial Highness need anything?” came a mocking male voice.
Madeline gulped. Bolsheviks.
She ears felt funny. She was on a air plane, going somewhere she didn’t know.
“What do you want?!” she screamed. She knew what they wanted, but she needed to know where she was going.
“To kill you of course,” came the Russian reply.
Madeline’s eyes widened.
“But the boss wants to be done somewhere else. Where your family died.”
No! Madeline thought. Russia? She was going to Russia? And she was going to be killed? Madeline started to cry then.
“Let me go! Please!”
Cruel laughter came threw the doors. “Sorry, little one. But no can do.”
Madeline closed her eyes and leaned against the wall as the tears spilled silently.
I’m going to die. Madeline kept thinking over and over…
*
Izzy was in frenzy. “I knew that prince was bad news!” she cried.
“I knew it too, and I just didn’t do anything about it.” Sophie said. She looked up at the ceiling.
Chief was just standing in the corner of the dark room. All of his agents were losing it. “Calm down, people. We’ll find her.”
Sophie and Izzy looked at him like he was crazy.
“Chief’s right guys. We need clues. First of all. Orlando is our first suspect. Second, Mr. Leroy--”
Izzy let out a gasp of horror. “You dare accuse, Harold?”
“What, Izzy?” Chief asked.
“H—Mr. Leroy is not bad.”
Chief gave her a good look. Then he turned to Andrew, “Continue Mr. Jackson.”
“Then, Jeremiah and Jade. And two new people I didn’t know about until Her Imperial Royal Highness told me about. Ned and Sharlean.” He clicked a couple keys on his laptop and a picture of Ned and Sharlean in black trench coats with dark sunglasses appeared. They were looking backwards. Andrew pointed to the screen. “Ned, makes robots who have currently tired to capture her Imperial Highness. And Sharlean, hasn’t tried anything but we know from Madeline that she uses makeup as weapons. She’s like a bounty hunter.” Andrew turned back to his boss. “Any questions?”
“Good job, Andrew. We have a lot going on. First of all, I want Sophie and Andrew to go visit the Coplyn’s. Izzy…” He turned to Izzy. “Go check on Mr. Leroy for me now. I feel we have another double crosser in our mist.”
Chapter 17
Michel hovered under the plane. With his breathing mask and hover car and black jump suit, he looked like a real agent. An advanced one. But Michel didn’t trust himself. He hadn’t learned all about being an agent. What if he fell? What if he got shot?
Michel shook his head. I have to rescue her.
He climbed up below the plane and found that secret hatch that he saw the Russians make before they lifted off. He opened it up and climbed inside.
The plane was quiet. Too quiet. Then he heard a muffled crying.
He made his way through the crates full of who knows what and he slowly looked around a box and saw her.
Madeline had been gagged because she wouldn’t stop talking and the Russians were getting tired of her yelling and crying. Her hands were chained behind her back and her legs were chained also.
Michel tried to hold back his tears. But it wasn’t working. They just kept on coming.
What should I do? He thought. Should I jump out and help her? I could possibly scare her though…Should I be like a Superman, and fly in to her rescue? Or should I be like a Batman, and sneak in silently?
Then he heard voices and Madeline started to freak.
She’s paranoid. Michel thought. I have to go now.
He came out of hiding and Madeline saw him at once. She started to freak. Trying to push herself away from him.
Michel put out his hands. “I’m not going to hurt you. Just stay calm. Everything’s going to be alright.”
Madeline stopped and looked at him.
“Just stay still so I can get you out of these.” He sat down next to her and untied the gag.
“Who are you?” Madeline asked timidly.
“I’ll explain that later.” He moved down to her feet and used a laser to cut the chains.
“If you’re a good guy, could you please not have a British accent? They bother me.”
Michel looked up at her. They don’t bother her. They scare her.
Michel got rid of it. “Sorry, I’m just used to using it.” He helped her up and turned her around. “Hold still.” He said.
“Why?” she went to turn around and got a horrible pain in her arm above her wrist. She screamed in pain.
Michel gripped her shoulder. He had to be firm, but kind. “Stay still.”
Madeline didn’t’ move.
He got the chains off. Madeline spun around and gripped her right arm. “Ow.” She moaned. A white scar about three inches long went up her arm. She looked up at Michel and glared. “Why’d you do that?” she snapped.
“It’s hard to use a laser so close to someone’s arms and hands. You had to stay still. Which you didn’t.”
“Excuse me?” Madeline said. Still gripping her arm. She narrowed her eyes.
Michel felt an urge to snap back at her. But he held his tongue. I just have to get her out.
“Oh, your Highness!” a Russian voice. “We’re here!”
Madeline’s eyes widened in terror. They looked like deer’s eyes when a car was coming right at them to Michel.
“Can we please go?” she whispered. She was shaking.
Michel wrapped his fingers around Madeline’s. He felt another something. A brotherly feeling. Then he started running until they made it to the hatch. He opened it. “Come on.” He said.
“I am not jumping.” She said. She crossed her arms.
I don’t like to get mad. But she’s starting to get annoying. So…
Before she could protested, Michel picked her up and jumped.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and tossed her head in his shoulder and screamed.
When they landed, he put her down in the seat and jumped into the driver seat.
Madeline looked fear stricken. She wrapped her arms around her legs.
Michel looked at her from his review mirror. “Are you ok?” he asked.
She nodded.
Either she’s so scared or her heart is broken about what the prince did. Or both.
“So…what’s your name?” Madeline asked after awhile.
“Michel.”
“I’m Madeline. But I guess you’d know that already…”
Is she testing me? Michel thought. “That’s cool.”
“Are you going to take me home?”
“I’m going to try. But my hover car can’t go that far. I need gas.”
“It got you here.”
“But that doesn’t mean it can take us back.”
“What do you mean.—“
“I’ll try! But be quiet! Ok?”
Oops, that came out a little too harsh. Michel thought.
Madeline just crossed her arms and looked away.
I hope she doesn’t cry. Michel thought. He checked the gas gauge. Probably a good hour left…he thought. Then the hover car jerked and started to fall fast.
Chapter 18
Sophie and Andrew arrived at the Coplyn’s large mansion. They were dressed in black so they wouldn’t get noticed.
Sophie looked at her brother. “You ready for this?”
Andrew laughed. “Been ready.” They went to the door and knocked.
They knew they needed both of them to take on Jeremiah and Jade. So they had to stick together. When the butler Charles opened the door. Sophie told him that they were here for Jeremiah and Jade.
He let them in and they sat down on the comfy chairs. Sophie looked at the winding stair case, gripping the chair arms. She hated this place. So many bad things had happened to Madeline here.
“They should be in a minute.” The butler said.
Sophie and Andrew nodded and got up. They needed to scope out the house. They pulled on there gloves and walked up the stars. The first room they checked used to be Madeline’s. All her stuff was still in there.
“That’s weird...” Sophie mused. “Why would they keep her stuff in here? Or keep it all for that matter…”
“Maybe someday they hope that they’ll get Madeline back and keep her prisoner.” Andrew said.
Sophie shrugged. “Probably.”
They heard footsteps and Jeremiah’s silky voice come threw the door. “Who’s in there?” he asked.
As the door opened, Sophie and Andrew jumped onto the ceiling.
Jeremiah was just the same. Sophie thought.
But what they didn’t’ count on was him looking up.
He’s been trained well. Sophie thought.
“Well, well. Isn’t it Madeline’s followers.” Jeremiah said.
Andrew and Sophie jumped down and drew their guns. “All we’re here for is to find Madeline.” Sophie said through her teeth.
Jeremiah put up his hands. “I don’t know where she is. Last time we heard of her was when Ned and Sharlean accused us of ‘taking’ her.” He sighed and put his hands in his pockets, “Which we didn’t do. I don’t understand why everyone accuses us.” He crossed his arms.
Sophie pocketed her gun and walked forward. “Because, you were the first people to ever ‘take’ Madeline. Because you’re part of the Bolsheviks. Because you’re the meanest person in the world. Is that enough?”
Jeremiah glared down at her.
Sophie glared back.
“Jeremiah, I can’t find that dress I wanted. Do you think that.—“ Jade stopped in the door way. She narrowed her eyes. “What are they doing here?” she asked stepping forward and standing next to Jeremiah. Arms crossed.
“They accuse us of taking Madeline.” Jeremiah said. Still glaring at Sophie.
“Well everyone knows that they took her to R.—“ Jade started. Jeremiah threw his hand over her mouth before she could continue.
“Jade! Why are you so stupid?” he cried.
Jade muffled a reply.
“Did I hear Russia?” Andrew asked.
Sophie nodded. “I think we did. Thank you for your help, Mr. and Ms. Coplyn. We’ll be going now.” Sophie and Andrew brushed past them.
Jade wished they would stay longer.
Chapter 19
Madeline was fine. She was perfectly fine. Michel seemed to be a nice guy. He saved her life. Everything was fine. But then, the hover car stopped hovering.
She screamed as she was thrown from her seat and it was falling faster than she was. She was in mid-air and heading for the water. She was going to die.
She saw Michel trying to get a grip. “Madeline!” he called, over the howling wind.
She looked over at him.
“Try to make your way to me!”
Madeline reached out and got hold of his hand. He pulled her towards him and then wrapped his arm around her waist.
“We’re going to die!” Madeline screamed.
“We’re not. Just calm down,” Michel said.
“That’s water!”
“Yes, yes it is.”
“We’re going to fall into it!”
“No, we’re not.”
“Yes we are! We’re going to die!” she started to cry.
“It’s going to be ok. Just relax.” Michel managed to get his parachute on.
“You have parachute?!” Madeline screamed.
“Yes! I said it was going to be alright!” Michel snapped.
Madeline gulped. “I’m still scared.” She whispered.
Michel yanked the ripcord on the parachute. And they jolted up with the wind.
“Don’t drop me.” Madeline said.
“I won’t.” Michel smirked. They landed in the water.
Michel let go of Madeline she started to do a bicycle kick so she could stay a float.
Michel wiggled got out of the parachute.
“Ok, now we are going to die,” observed Madeline, looking around. Her hair was already wet. You couldn’t tell that she had curly hair now. “Wait!” she dug in her pocket and brought out a walkie talkie.
“I think that won’t work…” Michel said.
“It will. It’s water proof and this thing works all around the world.” She hit the button but just water came out. “Never mind. That was the other one I had.”
Michel shook his head. She’s so funny.
Michel pulled out his, waterproof computer and typed in something. “Ok, there’s a small island not far from here.” He pointed to the East. “We can signal a ship from there.”
“Nice, I have to swim to an island. And I’m alone. With a boy.” Then she choked up. I miss Orlando. Why did he do that to me?
“It’ll be good exercise .” Michel said.
Says you. Madeline thought. They started to swim.
Chapter 20
“She’s in Russia?” Izzy cried. She turned pale.
“We don’t’ know that. She could be on her way.” Andrew said, scanning his computer.
“With those horrible Bolsheviks?” Izzy said. Her eyes rolled up in her head and she fell onto the floor.
Sophie went to take care of her.
Andrew sighed. They were getting no where. Mr. Leroy had acted totally surprised when Izzy told him about what Orlando had done. He said he was sorry and to contact them if they heard anything from Orlando.
An angry knock came at the door, startling Andrew. He went to open it. But the person just barged it. “What’s this that my brother being a Bolshivick?” Alice stormed.
Andrew was totally taken back. “W-what?” he stammered.
“You heard me! Where is my BROTHER?!”
“Calm down your Highness. He’s on his way to Russia.”
Maybe. Andrew thought, but good thinking, Soph.
“Why?!”
“Because, he might, might be working with Madeline’s captors.” Sophie said, putting a wet cloth on Izzy’s forehead.
“YES!” Andrew shouted.
That woke Izzy up. “What?” she cried.
Then Andrew’s face went from happy to total shock.
“What’s wrong?” Sophie asked, coming over to the computer with Alice right behind her.
The video of Orlando and Madeline kissing was playing. Sophie gasped and covered her mouth. Alice just stared with utter total disbelief. “That can’t be…r-r-right. Orlando would never.—“
“Maybe you don’t know your brother, Alice.” Sophie snapped, turning back to the screen.
“I-I-I do!” Alice protested.
“Then do you know that he might be out to kill his bride-to-be?” Sophie asked.
Andrew saw how stressed Sophie was. She looked on the verge of tears.
Alice didn’t answer. Andrew studied her for a moment. So pretty, but so stressed.
Whoa, Andrew. Slow down. She’s a princess and I am an agent. Chill.
Andrew didn’t know the meaning of chill. He never chilled.
“Andrew!” Sophie shook him. “Look!”
He looked at the screen. Madeline was on the ground in uncontrollable laughter. Her face in total anguish. And Orlando was just staring down at her. There wasn’t any sound. So they wouldn’t tell what they were saying. But Andrew knew it couldn’t be good.
He looked at Alice. She looked like Madeline. In anguish. She probably couldn’t come to understand why her brother would do that.
If that really was her brother.
“Alice, what do you know about your brother?” Izzy asked.
Alice just stared at her. “I-I-I-…”
“Alice, please, for Madeline.” Izzy begged.
Alice sighed and sat down on a chair. “This is the first time he’s actually been home this long. Usually he goes off somewhere. And Mr. Leroy starts to freak. Then Orlando comes back safe and sound. And no one knows where he went.” She took a shaky break and looked up at them. “I eavesdropped on him once. He got really mad at me.” A tear slid down her cheek. “I’ve never seen him so mad in my life.” She chocked back a sob. “He grabbed me by the arm and dragged me to my room and threw me inside. And he locked the door. I was so scared. I didn’t understand why he was so mad. He just said something about the Grand Duchess and killing. I didn’t understand.” She covered her face with her hands. “I was so scared though.” She looked up. “So when he started to date Madeline, I was scared for her. I saw how mean Orlando could be, and I heard what Orlando said. That’s why I acted all mean to her. Maybe she would get fed up with me and stop dating Orlando. It didn’t work…” her voice trailed off.
Sophie sat next to her, “It’s ok. We’ll find her.” She looked up at Izzy and Andrew. “First, let’s go find Orlando.”
Chapter 21
“You lost her?” Orlando asked, shocked. How could you lose a little girl?
I guess she’s not little but…
“Sir, we’re sorry, but...—“ the Russian stated.
“Silence! I’ll find her myself. Since you obviously can’t.” he rolled his eyes. He put his hands in his black dress pants with his matching suit. He had black sunglasses on.
The Russian bowed his head. “I am sorry, sir. Very sorry.”
“Save it for the boss.” Orlando said and he stomped off.
How hard could it be to watch Madeline? She already fell for my little charade. I don’t think it’s that hard to keep her in a plane, Chained up.
Orlando sighed and took off his sunglasses and pocketed them. He felt something in his pocket. He took it out. It was a picture of him and Madeline.
He felt that pang of guilt again. He quickly shook it off. I have to kill her. No feelings.
He took out his cell phone and dialed a number. “It’s me. Yes, she got away. I’ll go. Alright.” He hung up. He put back on his sunglasses and put on his smile.
This is going to be fun. He thought.
*
Madeline and Michel were exhausted when they got to the island.
Madeline fell onto the beach and started to laugh. “Wow. That was far.”
Michel stood nearby. “A little too far.” He saw a cave not far from shore. “Come on. There’s a cave over there.” He held out his hand and Madeline took it.
This time, Madeline felt something. A sisterly something. She smiled and took her hand back. They walked up to the cave together.
Once inside, Michel went out to find some wood for a fire. Madeline sat alone with her fears and troubles. Playing with some small rocks in the cave she thought about Orlando.
“How could he do this to me?” she whispered. “He was so charming. I l-l-l…” she couldn’t say it. She just couldn’t.
She wiped away a tear. “He doesn’t l-l-l- me back. We shouldn’t have been doing that anyway. Why did I let him do that?” she drew her knees to her chest and cried into them. “I was so stupid!” she burst into sobs.
Michel came in awhile later and saw her like this. He dropped the sticks he’d been carrying and ran to her. “What’s wrong? Are you alright?” he knelt down next to her.
“No! I am not ok!” she cried even harder. “I am so STUPID!”
“You’re not, stupid, Madeline. It wasn’t your fault.”
“How do you even know what I’m crying about?” she looked up at him.
He brushed a stray hair away from her face. He sat against the cave wall next to her. “That prince was just junk, Madeline. He did it to hurt you. It wasn’t your fault.”
Madeline looked outside. “It was. I should never have let him get that close.”
Michel gently pushed her face towards him. “Listen to me. It wasn’t. I saw the whole thing. I saw you try to tell him to back off. I saw you try to pull away.”
Madeline’s eyes widened. “You did?”
Michel nodded. “I did.”
“I did try to tell him to stop but once his lips touched mine. I couldn’t stop.” She got teary eyed again. “He broke my heart in half.” She clenched her fists and stood up. “He played me like a fiddle! And he’ll pay! I won’t let him hurt me again!” She looked back at Michel. “You’ll help me, won’t you?”
Michel nodded. “Duh.”
Madeline laughed.
“So Madeline…” Michel said after awhile. Madeline sat back down. “Do you ever wonder if you have anymore family out there?”
Madeline turned to look at the smoke from the fire Michel had built. “Yeah, I do. But I don’t think there are any. What about you?”
Michel nodded. “I do too.”
“Ok, so let’s take turns asking each other questions.” Madeline said.
Michel shrugged. “Sure.”
“Ok, so…hmm…have you ever had a girl friend?”
Michel laughed. “No! Goodness me no! Ned and Sharlean wouldn’t give me time to do that.”
Madeline widened her eyes. “You lived with Ned and Sharlean?”
Michel sighed. “Afraid so. But once I saw you and that prince together. Something told me to help you. So here I am. Ok, my turn…Um…do you play any sports?”
Madeline shook her head. “No. I don’t. Ok…when’s your birthday?”
“July 30th. Yours?”
“That’s my birthday too! Do you know what time you were born?”
“It was twelve fifty nine at night.”
“Mine was twelve fifty eight. What year?”
Michel didn’t say it was his turn, he was too shocked. “1998.”
“Me too!”
He turned towards her. “Do you know where?”
Madeline rubbed her chin thoughtfully, “It was at my house…”
“Me too!”
Madeline turned to him. “This is freaky.”
Michel started getting bold. “What was your father’s name?”
“Ivan. And my mom’s name was…”
“Tanya!” they said together.
They both stood up. “This is not happening…” Madeline said.
“I know.” Michel said. He was shaking with emotion. “So all those brotherly feelings were real!”
“Oh my gosh!” tears spilled down Madeline’s cheeks. And she wrapped her twin brother in a hug.
Chapter 22
“Orlando! We know what you did!” Sophie yelled into her phone.
“Really, Sophie. I wouldn’t do that to Madeline.” Orlando said.
His voice always sent chills down Sophie’s spine. But today, Sophie felt like the North Pole was going down her back. “You did! We have video proof! Don’t deny it!”
A low chuckle sounded. “Ah…well…Good bye dear, Sophie.”
The line went dead.
Sophie threw the phone onto the table. “Such nerve! He kept denying it! He sounded like he was guilty though.” Sophie leaned on the table with both hands and sighed.
“I just don’t understand. Why…why would he do this?” Little Amie asked. She had already cried. She fully understood what her big brother had done.
All four princess sat on the couch. Alice kept stroking Amie’s hair.
Andrew had never noticed how kind Alice was. She always seemed hostile and violent. Or course, he’d been noticing a lot of things about Alice.
RING RING
Everyone turned to look at Sophie’s cell phone on the table. Sophie picked it up and gasped. She answered it right away. “Are you alright? Are you ok?”
Madeline laughed. “I’m fine. Just fine.”
“Are you hurt? Where are you?”
“I’m not hurt. I’m just fine. We’re on a small island in…” she paused and asked someone behind her a question.
We’re? Sophie thought.
“Near Russia. I’ll have Michel send the coordinates to your phone.”
“O-o-k. Who’s Michel?”
“You’ll see.” Sophie swore that she could feel Madeline smiling.
Sophie hung up. She could barely stand she was so relieved. “Madeline’s ok.” She breathed.
Cheers erupted around the room.
It felt good to be happy again.
It took Sophie and them awhile to find the island. When they landed, Madeline ran up to them and gave each of them a hug. “You’re alright! Oh darling!” Izzy cried stroking Madeline’s hair.
Madeline laughed. “Don’t cry, Izzy, I’m fine.” She let go and smiled up at her. Izzy smiled back and then looked behind her. There was a boy. Probably Madeline’s age. In all black standing awkwardly a little away from the greetings. He had brown eyes and blonde hair. Izzy thought she saw a little Madeline in him. But she pushed that thought away. Crazy. She thought to himself. Impossible.
“Madeline, who’s that?” she asked.
Madeline turned. “That’s Michel.” She gestured for him to come.
“Hi.” Michel said.
He’s really shy. Like Madeline can be. Izzy thought.
“And he is…?” Andrew asked.
“He’s my….um…”
What is she trying to say?
“We’re twins.” Michel said.
The words hit the air like an arrow.
“No…” Izzy breathed.
She wasn’t crazy. They looked almost alike. Except he was a boy and she was a girl.
“You’re joking.” Sophie said.
Madeline rolled her eyes. “I’m not. We are twins.”
“If you want, I can confirm it for you.” Michel offered.
Sophie put her hands on her hips and gaped at him. “And how are you going to do that?”
Michel gave her a death glare. “I have things that can do it for me, miss…”
“Sophie.” Sophie stuck out her hand. “Her Imperial Royal Highness’s protector.”
“Michel.”
Sophie pulled back her hand and turned on her heel back to the plane.
“Touchy.” Michel said, fixing the black glove on his hand.
This wasn’t good. Izzy looked at Madeline. Her eyes had the same thoughts.
The plane ride wasn’t that great.
Sophie and Michel didn’t stop arguing.
“Blue is the best color. Not black.” Sophie said.
Madeline put her hand on her head and sighed.
After a couple more minutes. Madeline couldn’t take anymore. “Shut up! Both of you!” she turned to her now glaring brother. “At least argue about something that makes sense!” She leaned back and sighed and closed her eyes.
Sophie turned back into her seat.
Michel started to play with his little computer thing.
Great. My bestfriend and brother are rivals. Great. Just great.
When they landed back in the U.S.A. Izzy started to talk about where Michel was going to stay. She drew Madeline aside.
“Maddie, I don’t know about this. What if he’s a Bolshevik?”
“He’s not, Izzy. Trust me.” She looked at Michel and then back at Izzy. “He is my brother. I can feel it. And so can he. He has been living with Ned and Sharlean. It all makes sense! I was with Jeremiah and Jade. And he was with them! The pieces fit.”
“But I’m not sure we have the right puzzle.” Izzy said.
Madeline looked into Izzy’s worried eyes. “Don’t worry.”
Izzy nodded and then took a deep breath. “I’m going to trust you, Madeline. But, please, be careful.”
Madeline nodded and went to the others.
Madeline made up the guest room for Michel.
“You’ll probably have to go see Chief tomorrow.” She said, fluffing the pillows.
“Chief?” Michel asked.
“He’s the guy in charge of my protection program.” She said. “Or our.”
Michel nodded. “I don’t know why nobody believes us.”
“Sophie’s just jealous. She was jealous of Orlando. So she thinks you’re going to take me away from her.”
“I’m not going to do that.”
“I know your not.” Madeline walked the door. “Sleep tight. And don’t let the bed bugs bite.” She winked. “Because there are some!” she screamed as he threw a pillow at her. She ran out the door.
Michel shook his head. Sisters.
Chapter 23
“When are you going to get her?!” Jeremiah screamed at Orlando.
“Really, Jeremiah, I would think you would have more patience.” Orlando said.
“I did. But they’re gone now.” Jeremiah said through his teeth.
“It was your sister’s fault that you lost her.” Orlando said, motioning to Jade, who was cowering behind a book. Jeremiah hadn’t taken kindly to Jade’s mistake. “Not mine.” Orlando finished.
“I don’t care! Get her back! Do whatever is takes!”
Orlando smiled. “I can do that.”
“She’s going to be at the school soon. Go there and do anything. My father’s patience is gone. You’re taking too long. Get it done now.
Orlando was trying not to lose his cool. “My little act wouldn’t have worked if I just brought her to you.”
“But Sophie was getting suspicious! You should have just kissed her and swept her off her feet right when she started to like you! Simple!”
“Have you done this before, Jeremiah?” Orlando inquired.
“Yes. One time.—“ Jade started.
“Shut up, Jade.” Jeremiah snapped. And then he turned back to Orlando. “None of your business. Now bring her to me!”
Orlando did a mocking bow and left the Coplyn Mansion.
*
When Michel and Madeline got back from seeing Chief, everything was settled. Indeed, Michel and Madeline were siblings. He would stay with Izzy and Madeline.
Sophie’s ego had been wounded.
She went straight home when they were done.
“Bark, bark!” Flurry jumped on Michel.
“Whoa! Who’s this?” Michel exclaimed.
“Oh, this is Flurry.” She picked the barking dog up and wiggled noses. “You were right all along, Flurry. Orlando was a jerk.”
Flurry barked happily.
“The dog knew?” Michel asked. “Fascinating.”
“Now you’re sounding like Reed Richards.” Madeline said. She walked to the kitchen. “Hungry?”
“Just a little.” Michel took a seat in on the bar stools. “How about you?”
Madeline shrugged. “Just a little.” She poured her and Michel a glass of milk and grabbed each of them a chocolate cookie and sat down on a stool next to them.
“So…tell me…what is it like to be the Grand Duchess of Russia?” Michel asked.
Madeline laughed. “Well….um…It’s not that grand of a job. Everyone is trying to kill you. You’ll get used to it though.”
“Wow. I totally forgot that part.”
“You also have more power than me…think…because the guys always get the throne.” She rolled her eyes. “Stupid really.”
“What happens if you get married?”
“Well, if I marry then I guess I would still be the Grand Duchess and I’ll definitely get married to royalty so I’ll be the queen or princess I guess. Girls always change there titles and names.”
“And the guys just get to keep there title and name. Seems fair.”
Madeline punched him in the arm. “It’s not fair.”
Madeline looked at her watch. “Oh carp! I have to be at the school in fifteen minutes!”
“Carp?” Michel asked.
“Instead of saying ‘crap’ I say ‘carp’. It’s more family friendly that way. But you didn’t get the point. I have to get ready! It’s dress rehearsal night!” she jumped off the stool and ran to her room, followed by Michel. Madeline talked on the way.
“Long story short: I’m doing a musical and I need to get there now.”
“What is it about?” Michel stood outside Madeline’s bedroom door while she changed.
“It’s Camp Rock. And I’m Tess Tyler.”
“Oh! That movie, love that one. It’s good.”
“I know right?”
“But why Tess?”
“They decided I was the best person to play the mean girl since I’ve lived with some for awhile.”
Michel nodded. “Makes sense. Do you have to sing?”
“No, we put the music going with the real actor singing and the person on stage lip syncs.” Madeline came out the door. “It’s easier, so that they don’t have to memorize the song and you don’t have to worry about being a good singer.”
She hurried to the door, followed closely by Michel.
“Izzy! Can you take Michel and me to the school?” she yelled.
“Is that how you always communicate with Izzy?” Michel asked.
“Yeah.” Madeline replied. She was too worried about time to answer anyway else.
“Yes! I’ll be right there!” Izzy yelled back.
Ten minutes later, they were in their little Honda going to the school.
“I totally forgot about the dress rehearsal!” Izzy exclaimed.
“I guess with all the excitement going around, everyone just forgot. I wonder if Sophie remembered,”
“Of course she did! She’s Sophie for pete’s sake!” Izzy cried.
“Wait a sec, did I say I wanted to go?” Michel said.
Madeline and Izzy laughed.
The stage was in a whirl. Everyone was panicking.
“What’s wrong?” Madeline asked Tyler.
“Everyone totally forgot that it’s the real show night!” Tyler cried.
“You’re kidding!” Madeline cried.
Tyler shook his head. “I’m not. The dress rehearsal was last week. Wait, you weren’t there! Where were you?”
“Kinda in Russia.” Madeline whispered. “Tell ‘ya later.”
Tyler nodded.
“Why did you tell him that?” Michel asked.
“He knows.”
Michel nodded. “Got it.”
“So you can tell him who you are if you want.”
“Everyone in the dressing rooms! It starts in thirty minutes! Let’s move it people!” Sophie said into her megaphone.
“She’s the director?” Michel said, surprised.
“Yep.” Madeline said running with her costume to the dressing room, leaving Michel to be confused by himself.
Chapter 24
Orlando was on the school roof.
When she’s alone, I’ll come in. He said to himself. Make her terrified. Maybe even try kissing again.
Madeline looked out behind the curtain. It was time for the scene when Tess sings: “Two Stars” Madeline was so ready for her last singing part.
She was wearing dark purple leggings with same color flats. She had a dark purple sparkly knee length shirt over it. She had fake diamond earrings in. She had straightened her hair. She took a deep breath. Only two more minutes…
“My, you look nervous.”
Madeline didn’t move. She was too scared too.
“Being nervous is a normal thing though.” Orlando said.
She could hear him coming closer. She was doomed. She felt sick.
She felt his hands on her shoulders. “Being scared is another normal thing, too.”
She spun around. “GET OFF ME!”
“Now darling.—“
“I’m not your ‘darling’!” Madeline shouted.
“Hush. You’ll ruin the show.—“
“I DON’T CARE. You better get out of here now.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart.” Orlando tipped Madeline’s chin. “But I can’t do that.”
“Why?” Madeline asked. She tried to control her shaking. She grabbed his arm that held her chin up.
Orlando took control of the moment by swirling his wrist around and grabbing her hand. He grabbed her other hand too. He pulled her closer. “Because, someone wants you very badly. And I have permission to do anything to get you to that somebody.”
“You’re not cool.” Madeline said through her teeth. She knew who that somebody was. It was Jeremiah. She was so doomed now. She tried to pull her hands away.
“Oh but I am, Madeline. But this theater won’t be, if you don’t cooperate.”
Madeline heard Tyler’s voice. He was announcing her next.
Orlando pulled her over to the dressing room table. He grabbed both of her arms. “Look.”
She saw on a small camera a bomb. She yelped.
“This will go off. It’s a fire bomb. And if you don’t cooperate, I will set it off. And the whole school won’t be ‘cool’ anymore.”
Madeline gulped. What should I do? People always made this look easier in the movies.
She tried to pull away. Orlando pulled her against him. He whispered in her ear. “So, what do you say?”
“Never.”
“I didn’t want to do this…” Orlando said. He hit a button on the cameraa. The bomb started to tick.
“NO!” She screamed.
Orlando wrapped his arm around her waist and carried her outside the door. “HELP.—“ Orlando thrust his hand over her mouth.
Orlando stopped at a door to unlock it. He set Madeline down but kept his arm around her waist. She looked around. A glint of hope appeared.
“Hold it right there.” Michel said. He had a gun and was pointing it at Orlando’s back.
Orlando stopped trying to unlock the door. He turned around. “Well, well. So it isn’t Madeline’s brother.”
Surprise fluttered across Michel’s face.
“Oh yes, I know a lot about you two. I knew before you knew. I wonder why Ned and Sharlean let you go…” Orlando stepped forward, taking Madeline with him.
Michel cocked the gun. “They didn’t. I ran away. Simple. I guess you don’t know everything.”
Orlando was getting annoyed. “Put that away or she gets it.”
“Michel! There’s a bomb! Don’t’ worry about me! Get the bomb!” Orlando squeezed tighter around her waist. She could barley breath.
“Stop that!” Michel said, he pushed a little bit on the on trigger.
“The bomb!” Madeline gasped.
“Let her go!” Michel said.
Orlando pulled out a good sized knife and put the tip on Madeline’s cheek. “I suggest you put that gun away and come with me.”
Michel kept sending frantic looks at his frightened sister. She was trying to get air. She had started to turn white.
Michel started to lower his gun.
“Michel! No! Get the bomb! I’ll be fine!” Madeline said. With the last attempt to breathe again, she grabbed the knife, scraping herself in the cheek she sliced at Orlando’s arm, he let go and she fell the ground, taking in huge gulps of air.
“Why you little,..” Orlando kicked Madeline into the wall.
She screamed in pain as she hit the wall. Grasping her stomach, she turned a dreadful white.
“Look what you did!” Orlando yelled. “You hurt her!”
“I hurt her?” Michel asked. “You did! You broke my sister’s heart in half! You’re the one who hurt her!”
“She thought the whole thing was real. But it wasn’t.”
Madeline was sick of Orlando. She was sick of pain. And she was sick of people taking about her while she was there!
She stood up and tackled Orlando to the ground. He hit his head and fell into unconsciousness Madeline went to stand back up she wrapped a arm around her stomach., trying not to get sick.
Michel helped her up. “Are you ok?” he asked.
Madeline managed a weak smile. “Yeah.”
Then a loud noise sounded and Michel covered Madeline as the fire from the bomb went into the room.
There were cries from the crowd, Tyler came running in.
“What’s going on?” he still had his Australian accent. He saw Madeline and Michel on the ground. Michel had an unconscious Madeline on his lap.
“Andrew! Sophie!” Tyler screamed.
They came running it. They went straight into agent mode. “What happened?” Sophie asked, taking Madeline on her lap.
“Orlando…he had her…and…” he was so worn out.
“OK, take it easy Your Highness.” Andrew said, patting him on the back.
“The bomb.” Michel said.
Andrew turned white, so did Sophie. “So that’s what the fire is.”
The ceiling started to crack.
“This bomb did some serious damage.” Sophie said.
“Ya think?” snapped Andrew.
He ran out on stage and told the crowd to stay calm and go out the doors. They ran out the door.
When he came back in, Sophie and Michel were both out and Madeline was gone. So was Orlando.
Chapter 25
Stupid, stupid, stupid. Orlando thought.
He was carrying Madeline through the fire trying to find the exit.
This would be easier, if she was awake! He said to himself.
He looked down at the sleeping Madeline. He felt the pang of guilt again.
He looked up and saw someone coming through the fire towards him. It was a girl. A girl he knew. He stopped. “Alice?”
“Shut up. And put Madeline down.” Alice snapped.
“Come now, sweets.—“
“Don’t call me that! You’re not my brother! You never were! You betrayed us all! Amie, remember her? She’s heart-broken because of what you did.”
Orlando was done being nice. “You have no place to talk to me like that!”
“I do, because I’m sick of being afraid of you!” Alice came right up to him.
“You have every right to be afraid, Alice. Now step aside.”
“No! Put Madeline down and I will. She is a girl who loved you Orlando! And know what you did? You broke her heart! She beats herself up every time she thinks about you. She hates herself, Orlando, all because of you!” Tears spilled down Alice’s cheeks. “How could you do this to us?”
Madeline woke up at that moment. She didn’t move, she knew what was going on. She knew what Alice was trying to do. Orlando dropped her she scrambled to her feet and stepped out of the way.
Orlando was fuming. Alice was crying.
Madeline flinched when Orlando hit Alice on the face. Alice put a hand on where he had hit her, but he pulled it away. “You’ve always been in the way Alice! Always listening in on my private conversations!”
“I wouldn’t if you would have stayed home and acted like a brother!” Alice yelled.
“Quiet! I’m done with you!” He pushed Alice out of the way and stomped out of the room. Madeline pulled Alice in a hug.
Alice is hurt more than me. Madeline thought. She just lost her big brother.
Chapter 26
They did the musical Camp Rock again a couple days later.
And this time, there were no fires.
“At least the schools fixed.” Tyler whistled as he looked at the bill. “That’s a lot of money.”
“Let me see,—“ Michel went to look at the check. Madeline pulled him back.
“I think we’ve had enough pressure and sadness to last awhile, Michel.”
Michel smiled at her sister.
Alice and Andrew were in a back room talking.
“Aww, how sweet. Maybe they’ll start dating!” Katy said.
Everyone groaned.
“We’ve had enough love problems to go on for awhile.” Sophie said. She smiled at Madeline.
“Yeah, and I just want to get used to being the Grand Duke of Russia!” Michel said.
“And I want to get used having a big brother!” Madeline said.
“I’m only a minute older.” Michel protested.
“But I’ve always wanted a big brother.” Madeline whined playfully.
“Fine,” Michel said winking.
“At least we don’t have to plan for a royal wedding!” Sophie said.
They all laughed. Even Madeline.
THE END
Chapter 1
Madeline was bored, yeah, you could say that.
“Izzy! I don’t want to learn Russian!” Madeline yelled. She grabbed her cell phone and hung off the side of the bed making everything look like it was walking on the ceiling.
Izzy, Madeline’s au pair, came in spread her legs apart and put her hands on her hips. Her toothpaste commercial smile wasn’t on. “Madeline Nykolavena! Put your phone away and get right back onto your bed and do your work! Now!” Her Western accent always got stronger when she was angry.
“But I don’t understand it!” Madeline whined.
Izzy came over and plucked the cell phone out of the very annoyed Madeline’s hands and leaned down so she was almost touching Madeline’s face. “Now.”
Madeline groaned and pulled herself up and spread out onto her bed and started doing her Russian again.
“I don’t understand why I have to do this.” She mumbled.
“A Grand Duchess needs to know her people’s language.” Izzy replied, pocketing Madeline’s cell phone.
Madeline turned her head towards her guardian. “But I don’t live in Russia,” she snapped.
Izzy opened her mouth to say something back but the door bell rang.
Madeline jumped off her bed and sprinted to the door.
With her neon green short skirt, jean leggings bright blue peace sign shirt, day glow blue flats and those half glove things you put on your hands. Madeline Nykolavena didn’t look like a Grand Duchess. Ever since Chief told Madeline that she was a daughter of a Grand Duchess, Madeline has gotten to get used to blending in and acting nothing like royalty. It wasn’t hard, because she had been dressing like she wanted for awhile. Living with the cruel Jeremiah and Jade Coplyn and their parents, Madeline had to fake a British accent and dress the way they told her to dress. Now she was constantly watched by Izzy, and Sophie and Andrew Jackson. Izzy was her guardian and body guard and Sophie and Andrew were two of her best friends and body guards. With the Coplyns still out there, they couldn’t be too careful.
Madeline’s once seriously blonde curly hair had been straighten and tied back tight into a pony tail. Her hair was super long, and it bounced off her back when she walked.
She threw open the door. Sophie and Andrew were standing in the door.
Andrew’s dark almost black hair totally needed a hair cut. He always pushed it out of his eyes when he was talking.
Sophie’s light brown hair was tied back into a bandana. And she wore a tie dye colored shirt to match.
“Hey, Blondie.” Andrew said as he came into the door.
“Hey, Andrew, Sophie.” Madeline said.
“Hi, Madeline.” Sophie said. She came inside.
“What do you guys want?” Madeline asked. She closed the door. “Not that I’m not happy to see you.—“
“We’re here to take you to see Chief. He has something to discuss with you.” Andrew said. He shoved his hands in his pockets. “I thought Izzy told you.”
Madeline shook her head. “Nope.”
“Well we are and I don’t think…” Sophie looked down at Madeline’s outfit.
“Don’t be like Jade, Sophie!” Madeline cried. “I was in a funky mood!”
“Sorry, but you better change.”
“Sorry Sophie, Madeline isn’t going anywhere without finishing her Russian lesson for the day.” Izzy walked into the room.
Madeline crossed her arms. “What ever.”
“Chief said it was urgent. Which means now.” Sophie said. She could always be so serious. Madeline thought maybe it was the body guard training or maybe living with Andrew. He could lie sometimes.
Izzy sighed. “Fine, but when you get back.—“
“You too, Izzy.” Sophie said.
Now things are getting serious. Madeline thought.
“Oh,” Izzy said. “Alright then,” and she took Madeline to change.
They rode in a helicopter to Head Quarters. Madeline put her hair back in a headband and a jean jacket, jeans and a light blue t-shirt.
“I just saw Chief!” Madeline whined. “I don’t want to go back again! What does he want?”
Sophie turned to her. “This is something more important than just checking up on you, Your Imperial Highness.”
Uh-oh. They said it. They must be nervous. They never say your Imperial Highness unless they were scared, mad or freaking out. And I think there doing all three, Madeline thought.
Madeline thought hard. She had to keep her cool. “What does he want?” she wondered.
Sophie turned back to the window. “You’ll see.”
This must be bad, Madeline thought.
When we got to Head Quarters, Madeline walked inside, flanked by Andrew and Sophie. Izzy was behind them staring down at the ground.
What is up? Madeline thought.
She found out.
Once she was seated in the chair in the dark room where Chief always talked to her everyone but Madeline seemed to stiffen. She couldn’t figure out what was wrong.
The projector screen flashed on and there was a picture of a boy with blonde curly hair going almost to his shoulders and brown eyes.
“This,” Chief said.
“What can’t you just say ‘hello?’” Madeline asked.
“This is,” he just continued without even answering Madeline. “Prince Orlando, of France.—“
Madeline put up here hand. “Just please, get to the point!”
Chief sighed. “Since the Royal’s like to keep the blue, or royal blood in the family, we need ties to keep it going. And ties are.—“
“I’m with he Imperial Highness.” Izzy said. “Just get to the point.”
“We need you do m—m—Marry. Prince Orlando.”
There was a long silence.
“W-w-what?” stammerred Madeline. “No! No! I can’t marry him! He’s like, related to me! And, and, I can’t marry now!”
“You wouldn’t marry now you would marry at a…decent age. And you have to, like I said. We need to keep the Royal blood in the family!”
“No! I won’t do it! You can’t make me” Madeline yelled. “If this is what a Grand Duchess has to do, I don’t think I want to be one.”
Gasps went around the room.
Izzy came over to Madeline and started to rub her shoulders. “Don’t talk about such things, honey,” she said.
Madeline pushed her hands away. “This is wrong! What is he? My second cousin, third?”
“Umm.” Chief looked at his clip board. “Sixth cousin, twice removed. You’re safe. It’s legal.”
“But it’s still wrong!” Madeline argued.
“It’s not wrong. It’s right. We can’t let the Royals to die out. If you don’t marry him, they will. You know that, don’t you? Do you understand?” Chief said.
Madeline rubbed her face and looked away. This is so wrong. She thought.
“Since we are the protectors of the Royal but lost Russian Royal families. We have talked to the Royal but lost French family protectors and they have agreed to the idea. I don’t believe Prince Orlando is very happy about the idea either.” Chief said.
“How old is he?” Madeline finally said.
Chief looked at his clip board again. “He’s fourteen.”
Madeline sighed and sank in her chair. “No.”
“Then we’ll have to use force. We have every right to.” Chief said.
“No, no!” Izzy cried. “Sir, can’t we just let them meet before we decide on marriage plans?”
Chief folded his arms. “Fine. But unless they both have a good reason not to, then they are going to marry. It’ll just be four years from now.”
After that, Madeline was extra guarded.
“Katy, this is so wrong.” Madeline said to her friend Katy McIntire, on the phone a couple days before flying to France to meet the prince.
“It is! I mean, if you love someone else it’s not fair.” Katy said.
“Katy, it’s not fair in general. My summer was supposed to be fun. I wasn’t supposed to have my life suddenly switched to adult hood and get married. It’s wrong.”
“Oh yeah, it is.”
“You don’t understand!” Madeline cried. No one did. No one got it.
“Madeline, it’ll be fine. You said he was cute, didn’t you?”
Madeline rolled her eyes. “I guess. But he’s related to me. That’s what’s wrong with it. And second, I don’t even want to date now! So marrying is, is. Way over rated at the moment.”
There was a pause. Madeline thought that Katy hung up. Then she said, “Just try to be friends. Try to get a relationship like the ones you have with Andrew and Tyler.”
Madeline sighed. “I’ll try.”
“Bye, Madeline.” Madeline could hear the laughter in her voice.
“Bye, Katy.” And Madeline hung up.
She lay face up on her bed. “This is so wrong.”
Chapter 2
Madeline was on a plane to France. And she was not happy.
“I want get off.” she said to Izzy.
“You can’t Your Highness. So just sit tight.” Izzy answered. She had been getting annoyed with Madeline’s complaints.
They had ‘bought’ a plane and Andrew was flying it.
“You stole a plane?!” Madeline yelled, when she had heard about it. They had to cover her mouth and push her on board the plane before anyone could catch them.
“I demand to be let off!” she screamed.
Sophie came and stood over her. “You cannot your Imperial Highness. So shut up, and sit still!”
Madeline’s mouth opened in shock. “You dare you.—“
“Blondie, just keep quiet.” Andrew said over the intercom.
“Do you really just want to keep the Royal Blood in the family?” Madeline asked, Sophie.
Sophie opened her mouth several times and then walked away.
“Didn’t think so.” Madeline said. She crossed her arms and leaned back. Something is wrong, she thought. And it’s not just this marriage.
The instant the plane touched down, Madeline put up a fight.
“I’m not getting out!” she screamed for the tenth time.
“Your Highness!” Andrew cried.
“I’M NOT GETTING OUT!”
“Get out!” Sophie said.
“No!”
“Honey, this isn’t going to change anything. Get out.” Izzy said.
“NO!”
From there, everyone was just fed up with Madeline complaining. So an agent picked her up and carried her out, kicking and screaming.
“Put me down!” she yelled, she was on the verge of tears.
“This was a bad idea, Soph.” Andrew whispered to Sophie.
Sophie didn’t answer.
“We should have never accepted this. If the French.—“
“Shut up!” Sophie hissed.
Andrew closed his mouth,
“We just need to get them to like each other. The French tell Prince Orlando what to do. And we tell Madeline what to do. And hopefully, they’ll start to like each other.” Sophie whispered.
“This is still a bad idea.” Andrew said. He walked further up away from Sophie.
“Please! Put me down!” Madeline cried. She was crying now.
Andrew sighed. “Put her down.”
The agent put her down. Madeline wiped the tears away from her face. And then she didn’t move.
“Well, keep walking, Blondie.” Andrew urged.
Madeline shook her head and crossed her arms and looked sideways. “No.”
Andrew groaned. “Walk, Madeline.” He demanded.
“I said no!”
“And we say yes.” someone said in a really heavy French accent.
Madeline turned around and saw a man with piecing blue eyes and blonde hair. He was wearing a black coat and tie. His hands were folded behind his back. Two other men had the same outfit, expect they had dark black sunglasses and ear things in their ears. “You must be Madeline.” The main guy said. He put out his hand.
Madeline grunted. “It’s Her Imperial Highness to you.” She said.
Everyone groaned. Andrew did a face palm.
The man smiled. “Her Imperial Highness then. It’s lovely to meet you. Now if you would just step into my car.—“
“Car? You call that a car? That’s a limo!” Madeline cried, as a sleek black limo pulled up.
She took a step back remembering how she had to ride in limos every day and how she had to tolerate Jeremiah and Jade, all crammed together in such a small space.
She froze.
“Excuse me, Mr. Leroy. But M—Her Imperial Highness doesn’t like to ride in limos. Ever since...” Izzy started.
The man put up his hand. “I completely understand. Orlando hates to ride in helicopters. Come, we can walk. We will get to know each other better.”
And with that, everyone walked.
Chapter 3
Madeline walked from then on. As long as she didn’t have to ride in a limo, she’d be alright. She rubbed her sweaty palms together.
“You alright, darlin’?” Izzy asked.
Madeline nodded. “S-Sure.”
Izzy smiled and put her arm around Madeline’s shoulders. “Everything will be fine,” she smiled.
Madeline pushed away and fixed her with an icy glare. “Really? Because I highly doubt it.”
They came to a large castle.
Mr. Leroy put out his hand towards the castle. “The Chateau de Vincennes,” he proclaimed. “A castle on.—“
“We know where we are!” Madeline snapped. “The Île-de-France or Isle of France.” She tapped her foot.
Mr. Leroy put his hands behind his back and bowed. “Of course, Your Highness.”
Madeline brushed past him with the others. They opened the large doors and went inside.
Madeline didn’t have time to see the castle. She was immediately herded into a large room, with a colorful marble floor and two green comfy-looking chairs facing each other but from a distance. Beside each chair was a wooden table with a vase brimming with chrysanthemums.
“Cozy.” Madeline said. She smiled, she always liked saying things that Robin in Batman the cartoon series said.
Then her smile faded, but she was pushed into the green chair that was the closest to her.
“I won’t talk!” Madeline yelled.
“Don’t have to,” Andrew said. “Because, with Prince Orlando gets here, we’re going to leave the both of you to yourselves.”
Madeline put her hands on the arm rests of the chair and pushed herself up, with wide eyes and said. “You’re not!”
“We are.” He gently guided Madeline back down.
When Prince Orlando, came into the room, he looked just as unhappy as Madeline.
He kept saying things in French which Madeline was sure that were bad words.
Then one of the agents leaned down and whispered into his ear. He still didn’t look happy. Then he started to talk in French.
“I am not going to sit here and talk to her!” he yelled.
“My lord.—“
“No! I refuse!”
They pushed him into the chair and then both teams of agents left them alone.
A very uncomfortable silence followed. It seemed to last forever.
Madeline kept pushing back into the chair, staring at the prince.
“Who are you staring at?” Orlando snapped.
“You. Who else? There’s no one else in the room!” Madeline snapped back.
“You dare talk to me that way?”
“I do!”
The prince stood up and walked towards her. Madeline really wanted to disappear completely into her chair then.
“I don’t know who you think you are, he blurted, pointing his finger right at her.
Madeline pointed to herself. “I am Madeline Nikolavena Grand Duchess of Russia!”
“And I am Prince Orlando of France!”
“You don’t have a long title do you?” Madeline smiled a smug smile.
The prince’s dark brown eyes flared. “Excuse me?” he said.
“Look, I know you and I both don’t think the idea of…this ‘arrangement’ but we might as well pretend we like each other so that they leave us alone, then we can sneak off and go our separate ways. And all of this will be over!” Madeline said. She took a deep breath after saying all that.
Prince Orlando leaned back and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “It is a good plan.” He said.
“Uh-huh. Now.—“ Madeline started.
BOOM!
The right wall of the Chateau de Vincennes exploded. Marble and rocks flew everywhere.
Madeline screamed as her chair was thrown across the room taking her with it.
Orlando was thrown against the wall too.
“What in the world?” he said in French.
“What?” Madeline screamed.
“Oh, sorry.” He said. “I must remember to speak in English.”
“What? Stop speaking French and do something!” Madeline screamed. She chocked back tears. If the Bolshiviks were after her again, and Jeremiah and Jade showed up…
BAM BAM
“Your Royal Highness! Is everything alright?” someone called through the huge oak doors.
“No! Of course not you idiots!” Orlando yelled. He got up and brushed the dust off of his suit and dress pants. “I just got these!” he whined.
“Shut up. We have to find out who just tried to kill us.” Madeline said. She pushed back the chair and brushed her blonde curls, pink blouse, white tights and black skirt off.
Then her phone rang. The sound of “Now or Never” echoed across the almost whole room.
Madeline dug her purse out of the rocks and pulled out her phone.
JEREMIAH
It said.
Chapter 4
She screamed and dropped the phone. It clicked and answered.
“Hello, Love. Why don’t you just come on out and we can talk. Sibling to sibling.” came Jeremiah Coplyn’s silky voice.
“N-n-not on your life, Jeremiah!” Madeline said shaking.
“Well, darling, it’s going to be your life you’re going to have to worry about if you don’t come out.”
BAM BAM
“What is going on in there?” Mr. Leory’s voice yelled.
“I’m not coming out!” Madeline screamed at the phone.
“Madeline, just come on out. It’s fine.” Andrew said, through the door.
“No! Not you, Andrew! J—“
“Come on Love, just a small chat. I promise that no harm will come to you.” Jeremiah said.
“No!”
“It’s your life then. We’ll come and get you. You can count on it.” The phone clicked off.
“Who was that?” Orlando asked.
“Someone who’s trying to kill me,” Madeline said.
“Ah, good, because I didn’t want it to be the people who are trying to kill me,” Prince Orlando said matter-of-factly.
Madeline turned to him stuck her finger at him and walked towards him. He walked backwards. “All you care about it yourself!” she screamed.
“I do not!”
“Do too! You know what? This isn’t going to work.”
“It isn’t, you little.—“
“Your Highnesses! What in the name of goats happened?” Mr. Leroy exclaimed.
“Goat? He’s the goat!” Madeline pointed at Orlando.
Orlando put his hands on himself. “Me? A goat? No, no, mammouselle. You are the goat!”
“You dare call me a goat?” Madeline cried.
“I do.” Orlando folded his arms.
Madeline lunged at him but Andrew and Sophie grabbed her by her arms and pulled her back. “We are going to have to try this another time.” Izzy said. She looked at the shattered and crumbling wall. “When someone isn’t trying to kill them.”
Mr. Leroy nodded. “Of course. I have a hotel reserved for you.”
“A whole hotel? Really, Mr. Leroy, that goat needs a barn.” Orlando said. He smiled a smug smile.
Madeline let out a scream of irritation as she was dragged threw the doors and out to the waiting car.
“What were you thinking?” Izzy exclaimed, in the largest hotel you had ever seen.
Madeline was on her bed with her hands folded in her lap, looking at the ground.
“You called him a goat?” Izzy yelled.
Madeline looked up . ”Yes! Because he is one!”
“Madeline, a young lady does not call a prince a goat.—“
“I am a Grand Duchess! I can do what I please!”
Izzy sighed and sat down next to Madeline. “Honey, a Grand Duchess must respect people.”
“I-I know but, he’s so annoying.” She threw her hands in the air and brought her fists down onto her lap. “I highly dislike him!”
Izzy stood up. “I can see that. You just need to get along, that’s all.”
Madeline stood up. “I have read about all the poor princess and duchesses that were forced to marry their cousins. And guess what happened to them?” She didn’t give Izzy a chance to answer. “They either got depressed or their husbands threw them in jail or had them executed.”
Izzy went to put her arm around Madeline, but Madeline pushed it away. Tears started to fill her eyes. “I-I-I don’t want to end up like them!” she put her hands over her face and cried.
Later that night, Izzy was talking on the phone with Chief.
“This isn’t going to work. We should never had made her go through with this.” Izzy said.
“She has to. If she ever wants to get back on the throne of Russia, she needs someone to.—“
“I know that! Madeline won’t have any say in what she wants. Orlando is a spoiled and arrogant child. He will take over France and Russia, and Madeline will probably die of sadness.” Izzy snapped.
Chief sighed. “If we have any chance in, you know what. Then this marriage must take place.
“But Madeline won’t do it. Even when their both old enough, she won’t say her vows at the wedding, I’m sure of it.”
“Talk to her. She has to.” And the line went dead.
Chapter 5
Jeremiah and Jade were in so much trouble.
“I said, make her come outside! And what did you do? You called her on her phone and tried to get her to come outside! You’re so stupid!” Mr. Coplyn yelled at his sons.
“Sorry, father. She used to be so scared of me that she would do what ever I said.—“ Jeremiah stated.
“But obviously she’s not anymore? Hmmmm? You need to make her come out! Use force!” Mr. Coplyn turned to his daughter. “And you, that bomb was supposed to go off inside the building.”
“But father, if it went off inside the building, then wouldn’t that of killed the prince and Madeline? So why would Jeremiah talk her in to coming outside?”
Mr. Coplyn’s eyes became annoyed. “You stupid little girl! Don’t ever question me!”
She’s right! How could I have been reduced to this? He thought.
“Now! Both of you! Go to your rooms! Now!”
Jeremiah and Jade didn’t hesitate.
*
Madeline was on her hotel bed, looking at Times magazine when the door flew open, and four brown haired, brown eyed girls came running in and surrounded Madeline on her bed.
Madeline did the any normal thing, try to jump off her bed and go out the window, but the girls didn’t’ let her.
“Ooh! Is this the Grand Duchess?” an eight-year old said.
“I thought she’d be taller.” The twelve-year old said.
“Where’s her crown?” whined the six-year old.
“I thought she had blue hair!” yelled the ten- year old.
“Girls, girls! Her Imperial Highness needs space to breath!” Izzy said. She pushed the girls back.
Madeline was breathing alright. “W-w-who are they?” she asked.
“These are Prince Orlando’s sisters. Aren’t they sweet?” Izzy patted the little six-year old on the head.
“Izzy! I don’t want them in my room! Get them out!” Madeline yelled. She scrambled off the bed and pushed herself against the window.
“Madeline, these will be your future sister-in-laws. You should start getting to know them now.” Izzy smiled and closed the door behind her.
The eight-year old picked up Madeline’s magazine and started flipping threw the pages. The ten-year old looked all around the room and the six-year old just copied off the twelve-year old, who was staring daggers at Madeline with her arms crossed and tapping her foot.
Madeline held back a laugh.
“Well,” Madeline said. She stuffed her hands in her jean pockets. “What are your names?” She forced a smile.
“I’m Andrere.” the eight-year old said. Still flipping threw the magaizine.
“I’m Adele.” The ten-year old said.
“I’m Aimee.” the six-year old said. She leaned in and Madeline bent down. “That’s Alice. And she does not like you.”
Madeline looked up at the twelve-year old looking at her watch and tapping her foot.
Well, she’s going to be a great politician, when she grows up, Madeline thought as she gulped. If she lives that long.
After the ‘intros’, a very uncomfortable silence followed. Madeline looked out the window when Alice’s voice cut threw the air like swords,
“You can’t have him.”
Madeline looked back at her. “Pardon?”
“You can’t have my brother.”
“Well guess what? I don’t want him, so you can have him.” Madeline crossed her arms.
“But, you have to marry him. Don’t you?” little Aimee said.
Madeline shrugged. “Whatever.”
“It’s not a ‘whatever’.” Alice snapped. “It’s your duty.”
“You’re not making any sense, Alice.” Adele said.
“Shut up, Adele.” Alice snapped. She looked back at Madeline. “Just, when you do marry him, just stay as far away of him as possible. He’s my brother, and I don’t want him to get stuck with a girl like you.”
From there, everything went down hill.
“You dare call me a, pig?” Alice screeched.
“I do!” Madeline screeched back.
“Girls! Girls!” Izzy cried. She was running out of patience. Madeline was so going to get it.
Mr. Leroy had to pull Alice away from Madeline and Izzy had to pull Madeline back.
“This is not working!” Izzy yelled over the screaming girls.
Mr. Leroy nodded and pulled Alice out the door.
Once everyone was gone except, Izzy and Madeline. Izzy started to rant.
“Why would you do that?” she yelled.
“She started it!” Madeline yelled back.
Izzy put her hand on her head. “Madeline, what am I going to do with you?”
“Take me home! That’s what!” Madeline ran out the door tearing blurring her sight.
“Madeline!” Izzy cried after her.
But Madeline didn’t stop, she just kept running.
Until her phone rang.
She accidently hit the answer button and this time, Jade’s silky voice came on the line.
“Hello, Madeline. What are you wearing these days?”
“Jade! Go away! I’m having a crisis…” Madeline yelled. She wiped the tears away from her eyes.
“What kind of crisis, dear?”
“Shut up.”
“Oh come now, we’re your family, and we care.”
Jade was putting on a pretty good show, but Madeline wasn’t buying it.
“Just leave me alone.”
“Fine, but we will come for you. You can count on it.” And the phone hung up.
If they keep saying they’ll come for me, why don’t they just do it? Madeline thought. Well, that’s the Coplyns for you, always trying to take the easier way.
Madeline sat down in one of the lobby chairs and sighed. Her summer wasn’t going great at all. She had people trying to kill her and someday she would have to marry someone she loathed.
“Would you like me to get you something, Your Highness?” Andrew asked. He sat down next to her.
Madeline shook her head. “No thanks.” She looked down at the floor. “The floor has a better life than I do.”
Andrew laughed. “You have a perfectly fine life, Blondie.” He said.
Madeline shook her head. “I don’t think you’re here, Andrew, because I’m having a horrible life at the moment.”
“You’re not.”
Madeline looked sharply at him. “I am.” She stood up and wrapped her arms around herself and went to the elevator.
“Madeline wait!”
Madeline went into the elevator and the doors closed without letting Andrew in.
She leaned against the wall and sighed. Then, the elevator lurched.
Madeline stuck out her arms as her knees buckled. She heard a creaking noise, and then the elevator fell.
Chapter 6
Madeline screamed as she fell against the floor.
“They didn’t wait!” she screamed. “They’re coming now!”
She tried to stand up but she fell right back down.
“Stupid gravity,” she said.
She crawled up against the side of the elevator and started to pray.
Then the hatch of the elevator broke open and Andrew and Sophie jumped in.
“I believe this is your stop, Blondie.” Andrew said, he smiled as he helped Madeline up.
“Th-th-thanks,” she stammered.
Sophie plugged something into the elevator where all the buttons were.
“Sophie!” Madeleine cried. The elevator lurched and Madeline grabbed hold of Andrew.
“Yeah, Soph. We can find out who tried to kill her after we save her,” Andrew said.
“Fine!” Sophie said she unplugged the cord and she climbed to the top hatch, helped Madeline up first and then Andrew.
The floors were going by fast.
“We have to jump into one of these.” Sophie said.
“What?” Madeline cried.
“You heard me!”
Andrew got a hold of Madeline.
“One….Two…Three…JUMP!” Sophie screamed and they jumped just as the elevator hit the button and shattered into a million pieces.
“Ok, now you can find out who tried to kill her.” Andrew said.
Madeline was breathing hard, her eyes were as big as saucers. She gripped her stomach.
“Are you alright, Mads?” Sophie asked.
“S-sure.” Madeline said. Then she put her hand to her mouth and ran to the nearest bathroom.
“She’s not alright.” Andrew said.
“Ya think?” Sophie snapped. And they hurried after her.
*
“I don’t care if this is the grandest hotel in all of France!” Izzy screamed to Mr. Leroy on the phone. “Someone almost killed the Grand Duchess of Russia! And it’s your fault!”
Izzy kept pacing back and forth across the hotel room. Madeline was in her pj’s with a blanket wrapped around her. She hadn’t touched her food or water ever since the elevator.
“No, I think we should cancel the art museum trip tomorrow.” Izzy said. She stopped pacing. “No, she won’t eat anything. No, I don’t’ think that’s a good idea.—Mr. Leroy…”
Izzy turned to Madeline and gave the loco sign.
Madeline didn’t smile.
“If the prince feels strongly about it, I guess.—No, she won’t like it. You saw what happened when they were together! I don’t.—“
Madeline laid back on her bed. Her pink silk pj’s felt nice, but she still nauseous and felt like she could vomit at any moment.
“Fine, but if they get into a fight, and Madeline ends up in intensive care, this is off.” Izzy slammed her phone shut. “Such nerve! That man cannot take no for an answer!”
“Tell me about it.” Madeline told the ceiling.
“And sleeping beauty speaks.” Izzy said. She sat down at the end of the bed.
“What did he want?”
“He said, that Prince Orlando felt sorry for you, and that we should still go to the art museum tomorrow and.—“
Madeline sat up in a flash. “Wait, did you say that Orlando felt sorry for me?”
“I’m afraid so.”
“Must be sick or something. Ok, back to what you were saying about the art thing.”
“You and I, Mr. Leroy, Orlando and his four sisters are all going to the art museum tomorrow. Fun huh?” Izzy smiled her tooth-paste commercial smile.
“You know what, I’m too sick to do anything.” Madeline laid back down.
“It’ll be fine. The museum has the best security. No one will try to get to you and I’ll be there.”
“No, I’m fine about that, I just don’t want to see Orlando or Alice.” She spat Alice’s name out like something gross.
“You don’t like the other sisters?”
“I do, but Alice is such a pig and Orlando is such a goat.”
Izzy leaned in above Madeline. “Hey, honey. Just act like a snake and give them what they deserve.”
Madeline laughed. “You believe me than that I had the right to get mad at them?”
“You had your reasoning, but try to be like a snake and sneak and do friendly things back. Just some pranks.”
“That sounds like flirting to me.” Madeline said.
Izzy shrugged. “You have to do this, Madeline.”
It was Madeline’s turn to sigh. “I know.”
Izzy stood back up and walked to the door. “Orlando will be here in the morning to pick you up, and.—“
“What?” Madeline cried.
Izzy laughed and closed the door.
Chapter 7
In the morning, Madeline wouldn’t get up.
“Madeline, just get up. He’s not that bad. He actually felt sorry about what happened last night.” Izzy said.
“He’s putting on a show! I know it!” Madeline cried. She put her pillow over her head.
“Madeline!”
Madeline didn’t move.
Then Izzy smiled. “Get up, if you don’t. Orlando will be here and it’ll be the most
embarrassing thing in the world.”
That got Madeline up.
An hour later, Madeline came out of the bathroom dressed, teeth brushed and brushing her hair. She put down her brush on her night stand, picked up her purse, and walked towards the door.
“This isn’t going to be fun.” She mumbled.
She went to open the door when a male’s voice sounded. “Hello, Madeline.”
Madeline stopped, hand on the door knob. She gripped her purse with the other hand. And then she spun and went to whack the person in the head. When Orlando’s voice sounded and he put up his hands to shield his face.
“Stop! It’s me!” he cried.
Madeline groaned and put her purse down. “You idiot!” she yelled. “Don’t ever use a British accent again!”
Orlando put down his hands. “Why not?” he said in a British accent. He put his hands in her khaki pants and put on a smug smile.
“STOP!” she yelled.
Orlando’s put up his hands as Madeline raised her purse again. “I’m sorry!” he cried.
Madeline walked to the door and Orlando went to walk with her, when she suddenly twisted, scaring Orlando. He took a step back and tripped and fell.
“You little.—“ he murmured.
“Sorry!” she said in a mocking French accent. And she giggled and walked out the door.
When they were almost to the door, Madeline felt something climbing up her back.
She screamed and knocked a rat off.
She dropped her purse in horror. And stared at the creature. Orlando was gripped his sides and laughing.
“How dare you!” Madeline screamed. She lunged for him and knocked him over. Orlando wasn’t laughing then.
“GET OFF!” He screamed.
“SAY YOUR SORRY!”
“NO!”
“Your so…IMMATURE!” Madeline screamed.
“No, I’m sorry but I’m not but you are.” Orlando said. He smiled.
“Who carries around a rat?”
Orlando pushed her off. “This is Justin.” He said. He clicked his tongue and bent down and the rat scurried up Orlando’s arm.
“Sick. Totally sick.” Madeline said.
The rat made it up to his shoulder. “It’s not. I mean, it’s better than playing with my sisters.”
Madeline let a laugh come out. But she stopped and put a hand to her mouth. No! She told herself. I don’t like him! I don’t! No laughing!
They walked out the door and Madeline walked at least a foot away from Orlando. She didn’t want that creature to touch her.
I know I still have Jade in me, and it stinks. But a rat, I have to act like her when that comes in. she thought.
Madeline stopped when she saw a black limo.
“We’re not riding in that, are we?” she asked.
“Of course not! We wouldn’t want her Imperial Royal Highness to freak out!” Orlando handed Justin the Rat a peanut.
“And you say I’m immature.” She said.
Orlando gave her a death glare.
But when the limo did pull away, the window went down and Jeremiah’s coffee with cream face came into view. He smiled that I-know-more-than-you-do smile at Madeline and closed the window.
Madeline froze in fear. “O-o-orlando.” She stammered.
“We’re not riding in that car. Chill!.—“
“No!” Madeline whirled around, knocking Orlando in the arm with her purse, Justin squeaked and climbed into Orlando’s thick, brown, curly hair. “The Bolsheviks were in that car! They probably put a tacking device on the car!” she gripped her purse, determined not to cry.
“Oh.” Orlando said. “Um…how about we not go in that car then.” He looked scared for a second to Madeline.
“Yeah, good idea. Wow, I didn’t know you could think!” Madeline said, rolling her eyes.
Orlando walked to the street and waved to a passing person in a car. He said something to the driver in French. And driver got out and Orlando handed him a huge wad of cash. Orlando waved to Madeline.
Madeline went to get in. “What did you do?” she whispered to Orlando.
“Solved our problem.” He whispered back. He smiled that smug smile of his.
He got in after her and the driver got back in the car and asked something in French.
Orlando looked at Madeline. “Where do you want to go?” he asked.
Madeline was startled for a second. “Um…to the art museum?”
“Really? Art’s boring, we should just cruise. I never get to do that.”
Madeline shrugged. “What ever.”
Orlando said something to the driver. The driver laughed and pulled away from the curb.
“What did you say to him?” Madeline hissed.
“Oh, nothing.” Orlando said. And he crossed one leg over his other knee and put his hands behind his head.
Ok, this will be interesting. Madeline thought.
Chapter 8
The tracker device wasn’t working or did Madeline get away? Jeremiah thought.
“Hello, Jeremiah! We don’t have all day.” Jade said, waving her hand in front of his face.
Jeremiah grabbed his sister’s wrist. “Stop that.” He snapped. He let go.
Jade rubbed his wrist. “Sorry.” She said meekly.
Ever since Madeline was gone, Jeremiah didn’t have anyone else to pick and be mean on. So Jade was the next in line.
“Did you get a signal?” Jade asked.
Jeremiah shook his head. He had to stay calm. “Her car hasn’t moved. Either the tracker is broken or she took another…”
“Car.” Jade sighed. “Father is going to kill us.”
Jeremiah snapped his cell phone shut. “He is. So, we have to get out and track her down by ourselves.” He sigaled the driver to stop.
“No!” Jade whined. “I just got these!” she rubbed her newly polished black boots.
“Shut up, Jade. We are going to go get her by ourselves.” The car stopped and Jeremiah pushed Jade out. He grabbed her by her arm and pulled her down the street.
*
“Orlando!” Madeline cried. “They’re going to start getting worried. We have to go back.”
“They will be fine.” Orlando said. “Mr. Leory said that it might take me hours to get you out of the hotel. They won’t come looking for awhile.”
Madeline crossed her arms. They were sitting at a café, a cute little place. Madeline would have enjoyed it if weren’t for all of the Royal but lost Russian Royal Family protectors who she knew were freaking out.
“Besides, it looks like we’re dating.” She said to herself. Orlando had said ‘just a couple more minutes’ at least a hundred times.
Madeline looked behind her and then looked back at Orlando and then looked back again. Two people were walking towards the café.
Jeremiah and Jade.
“Orlando!” Madeline hissed.
“Hush, just a couple more.—“
“Orlando!” she kicked him in the leg.
“ow!” he gave her the death glare.
The swung her head behind her and her eyes. He looked behind her and then his eyes got wide. “What do we do?” he had that scared look again.
“We can’t run, because.—“ Just then Orlando grabbed her by the wrist and starting running.
“What.—“ Madeline hissed.
“He has a gun!” Orlando hissed.
“Orlando! Flats aren’t made to be running in!”
“Just shut up and run!”
Madeline looked behind her and saw Jeremiah and Jade running after them. “I said, ‘don’t run, because they’ll notice us’.” She snapped.
“All you said was ‘we can’t run, because’.” Orlando snapped back. Picking up speed.
“That’s because she grabbed me and we started running!” she yanked her wrist away from his hand and ran on her own. “This is kind of fun, really.”
“Fun?” Orlando said. He got a frantic ‘what in the world?’ kind of look.
“yeah, I’ve always wanted to beat Jeremiah and Jade in a race.” Then she picked up speed and was a good foot in front of Orlando. Then, she tripped.
*
“Where are they?” Sophie said. She checked her watch again.
“Checking the time for the hundredth time won’t get them here, sis.” Andrew said.
Sophie didn’t bother to answer. Her ear bud started to static when Izzy’s frantic voice came. “Are they there? I’m freaking out Sophie, if Madeline is not back soon this whole thing in off!”
“I’m sure they’re fine, Ms. Longacre.” Mr. Leory’s voice came next.
“You just want this whole thing to go down!” Izzy snapped.
“Chill you guys. They’re fine.” Andrew said.
Izzy and Mr. Leory sighed. “I hope.” They said.
*
Madeline wasn’t ok. She had landed on her hands, so they were bleeding and her black dress pants were ripped and her knees were bleeding too. She tried to get up, but she cried out from the pain.
“I can’t walk!” she had to keep her cool, but it was hard.
Orlando knelt down beside her and put his hands on her shoulders, carefully, of course, but Madeline shoved them off.
“Are you sure? I mean, you just fell.—“
“I fell Orlando. And it was painful.” Madeline rolled her eyes.
“Everything will be f.—“
Then the sound of a gun clicked. Madeline and Orlando both looked behind them.
Jeremiah had a gun out and was pointing it at them and Jade was semi behind him arms crossed and looking as smug as ever.
“I wouldn’t move if I were you.” Jeremiah said.
Madeline and Orlando were too scared to move at all.
Madeline turned to sit more comfortably. Not that it would of matter if they take her away. Or fire that gun.
“What do we do?” Madeline whispered to Orlando is Russian.
He looked at her blankly. “What?” He whispered back in French.
“Trying to trick us with your many dialects? It’s not working.” Jeremiah said.
“Then what did I just say, Jeremiah?” Madeline said, in Russian. She smiled a smug smile.
Jeremiah and Jade both looked confused. “You said my name…” Jeremiah said.
“Uh-huh, real smart.” She said in Russian.
Jeremiah knew what she said there. “Don’t say that to me, Madeline.” He said.
“I don’t ‘belong’ to you anymore, Jeremiah.” Madeline said, switching back to English. “And I never did, I was just too scared to tell you that.”
“Can we just go?” Jade whined. “Just make her stand up!”
“I told you to shut up Jade.” Jeremiah snapped.
So he has moved on to someone else. I sort of pity her. Madeline thought.
While the two siblings argued, Orlando leaned in and whispered:
“I have some pepper spray in my pocket, but with…them…holding a gun on us, I need a distraction to get it.”
“Do anything!” Madeline hissed. “I’m freaking out here.”
But what Orlando did freaked her out more.
He started to talk a bit louder, so that Jeremiah and Jade stopped arguing and looked back at him and then he went forward and kissed Madeline.
And that did distract Jeremiah and Jade, they watched in utter, freaked out and shocked expressions.
Orlando reached with his free hand (the other was holding Madeline in place) and got the pepper spray out of his pocket and then sprayed it on Jeremiah and Jade.
“AHHH!” they screamed, swatting at nothing, but air.
“My hair!” Jade screamed.
Orlando stopped kissing Madeline and helped her up.
Madeline was shocked. “You idiot!” She screamed.
“Shh!” he hissed. He picked her up and started running.
“I didn’t mean kiss me!” she screamed.
“I said: SHHH!”
“I don’t want to ‘shhhh’!”
Orlando let go of her for a split second and then caught her.
“O-o-ok. I’ll ‘shhhh’” Madeline said.
“There you go.” Orlando winked and smiled that smug smile of his.
When they were at least a half a mile from where Jeremiah and Jade had almost kidnapped Madeline, Orlando put Madeline down. She instantly fell.
“You still can’t walk?” Orlando sighed. He had his hands on his knees and was breathing hard.
Madeline stood up. “I can walk. I just thought I’d tease you, but you look tired.” She brushed herself off.
“It’s not funny. You’re heavy.”
Madeline gave him a sharp look. “Thanks.”
“Your welcome.”
“I was being sarcastic.”
“So was I.” he smiled.
Madeline looked back at the road. Now he’s flirting. Great. She thought.
“Sooo,” she said after awhile. “How about we go to the art museum now?”
Chapter 9
“WHERE ARE THEY?” Izzy cried.
“We have a report that Jeremiah and Jade Coplyn were in the eastern part of Paris.” Mr. Leroy said.
“WHAT?” Then, Izzy fainted.
“Izzy!” Andrew and Sophie cried.
They helped her on the couch in the hotel room. They had just given up and gone back to the hotel along with Orlando’s four sisters and Mr. Leroy.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
“I’ll get it!” Aimee cried. She threw open the door and screamed: “ORLANDO!” And jumped up on him.
“Whoa, sweets. Calm down.” He gently put her pushed her down.
“Orlando! Where have you been?” Mr. Leroy demanded.
Orlando smiled that smile of his. “Why, having fun, of course.”
Mr. Leroy sighed. “Maybe her Imperial Highness knows what you were doing.”
Everyone stared at Madeline.
Wait, what? She thought. What was I supposed to say? ‘Yeah, we almost got caught and to avoid it and run away Orlando kissed me.”
Mr. Leroy sighed again. “Alright, if you two don’t have any explanation for me, maybe Ms. Longacre will get one out of you.”
When Izzy woke up so was happy and angry all at once. Orlando and Madeline so got it.
“Orlando! What were you thinking?” she yelled. “If you thought the car was bugged, you should have called us! Never again bribe someone. They could be trying to kidnap or even kill one of you.”
Madeline kept looking at the floor. She didn’t want to say what Orlando did. It would get him into trouble.—Oh no, she thought I’m having feelings this is not good.
“Madeline? Do you have something to say?” Izzy asked.
Madeline’s head shot up. “Um…”
Izzy’s thoughtful green eyes told her to continue.
“We just went to a coffee shop. Nothing huge.” Madeline said. She held her breath. Would they believe her?
Izzy leaned back and nodded. “Alright. If you two don’t want to say what you did. I say that we all have a nice good night’s sleep.”
Mr. Leroy rounded all of Orlando’s sisters up and hustled them out of the door.
“That was smooth, Madeline.” Orlando whispered to her.
Madeline nodded. “Sure.” And then opened the door for him. “Good bye, Orlando.”
Orlando put on his smile and walked out the door.
She closed the door after him and rested against it.
I am not having feelings. She thought. More like stirrings. Then she shook her head. I am! This is horrible. We are kids still. Unless it’s that hundred old thing again. I don’t know.
She walked to her bed and threw herself onto it.
Love stinks, she thought.
Chapter 10
The next day, Madeline woke up to a text message. She rolled over and knocked her phone on the nightstand. She sighed and got up and stretched and yawned. She rubbed her eyes with one hand and picked up her phone with the other.
The message was already opened it said:
Hey, Madeline. Mr. Leroy said that we were going to the Untied States today like with you or something. Isn’t that going to be fun?
Orlando
Madeline blinked several times before jumping up and screaming into Izzy’s room.
“What does this mean!” she screamed.
Izzy rolled over.
Madeline jumped on her. “Izzy! What does this mean?”
“I arranged for Orlando and his sisters to come back with us to the states.” Izzy answered.
“That’s not fair! I don’t like him, Izzy. No!”
Izzy rolled over. “I thought you wanted to be in that summer musical at your school?”
“I do but.—“
Izzy sat up. “Madeline, you’re not making any sense!”
“Izzy, if I spend anymore time with Orlando, I might.—“ she stopped herself. “I might…explode!”
Izzy patted her on the leg. “It’ll be alright, Madeline.” She smiled.
Madeline forced a smile and then went back to her room.
“It’s not going to be ok!” She screamed. And she pulled on her robe and opened the hotel room door and ran out.
“I hate this!” she screamed.
She ran down the hall and stopped when she got to Sophie’s room. She knocked on the door. “Sophie, I need to talk…” she said. Tears were coming down her cheeks.
No reply.
“Sophie! Please! I need a best friend pep talk, or something.”
Madeline heard someone walk across the floor she heard the deadbolt being removed and the other lock clicked and the door opened.
“What’s up, Mads?” Sophie asked. Then she looked at Madeline and gave her a hug. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
“I can’t…take it anymore, Soph!” Madeline cried.
Sophie helped Madeline into the room. And they sat on the couch.
“What’s bugging you?” Sophie asked.
Madeline gave Sophie a helpless look. “What do you mean? You know ‘what’.”
“I know it’s been hard. But it’s going to turn out great! Who knows, maybe you’ll actually like him?”
Madeline groaned and laid back against on the couch. “This isn’t helping. I’m already starting to ‘like’ him and it’s bugging me!”
Sophie laid down too. “See, you already started to ‘like’ him.”
Madeline sat up again. “But I don’t want to! I shouldn’t be ‘liking’ someone at this age!”
“It’s the hundred year old commitment stirring, Mads.” Sophie said.
Madeline sighed. “I know, but I don’t to have a ‘commitment’. I just want to be normal.”
Sophie wrapped her arm around her best friend. “You’re normal in your own special way.” She smiled.
Madeline didn’t force her smile this time. “I love you.” She said.
“I love ya too, Mads.”
They hugged.
“Now, about Orlando…” Sophie said.
“Oh! Don’t get me started! He was so flirting with me, Soph! You should have seen him!”
Sophie laughed.
“If he starts calling me, ‘sweetheart’ or ‘darling’ or something gross, I’ll kill him.”
Sophie laughed. “He’s French. So it’s probably going to be a natural thing. You saw him talk to his sisters? He calls them ‘sweets’ and ‘darling’.” She laughed some more.
Madeline laughed. “Jeremiah used to do that with Jade. I thought it was the grossest thing ever.”
They laughed some more.
Then there was a knock on the door. “Madeline, you can’t hide in there. We need to talk about this.” Izzy’s voice came threw the door.
Madeline’s smile melted.
“What?” Sophie asked.
“I just remembered.”
Sophie gave her a hug. “It’s going to be fine.” She let go and leaned back to look at her friend. “Just don’t let him get to close.”
Madeline nodded. “I won’t.”
But he already has. She thought.
*
“I can’t believe you!” Mr. Coplyn screamed.
“We’re sorry, Father. Honest.” Jade said.
“Sorry?” he marched right up to Jade. “If you were sorry, then you would be out there right now and getting that little brat for me!”
RING RING
Mr. Coplyn looked up at his huge computer screen.
INCOMING CALL: JUILIA
He hit the answer button. “What is it, Julia?” he snapped.
Julia was the top bounty hunter and assassin for the Bolsheviks.
“I came to make a proposal.” Julia said.
“Which is?”
“Your children are failing, Coplyn. Why don’t you let someone else try?”
Mr. Coplyn rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “You are my sister Juilia, but I say no.”
“My children can do a better job than yours, you can count on that.”
Mr. Coplyn looked up sharply at the picture of Julia. “My children fail yes, but they are working on it.”
Julia laughed a cold laugh. “Working on it? Ha!” then she gathered herself up. “Fine, if you don’t like my proposal, I guess I’ll just have to do something drastic. So long brother.” And the computer screen went black.
*
“No, Orlando, I don’t want you to sit by me.” Madeline said.
“Why not?” Orlando asked. He had his smile on again.
“Because, I don’t’ like you.”
Sophie and Izzy did a face palm.
“Fine.” Orlando said he shrugged and he went over to another seat.
They were on a plane back to the United States. A stolen plane like before. And Madeline wasn’t any happier about it this time.
“Madeline…you shouldn’t be so rude.” Izzy whispered.
Madeline shrugged. “It’s true though.”
“I don’t care if it’s ‘true’. You have to be nice.”
Madeline crossed her arms. “Whatever.”
When they got off the plane, Orlando got right in step with Madeline. He leaned in.
“You hate me, don’t you?”
Madeline shrugged. “You could say that.”
Orlando laughed. “You’re very strange. I’ll give you that.”
“Thank you?”
“You’re welcome?”
Madeline rolled her eyes. “You are very annoying.”
“You’re annoying.”
“Stop that!”
“Stop that!”
“SHUT UP!”
Orlando put his hands up. “I surrender. Sorry.” And he walked on ahead.
“You’re not sorry.” Madeline said under her breath.
Orlando threw his hands up in the air. “Ha! You’re right! You’re always right!!”
“Stop acting like Johnny Storm, Orlando. It’s getting on my nerves.”
Orlando shrugged. “Sure.” Madeline went to hit him he ran on ahead even more.
Madeline started running after him.
“At least there getting to Stage One. Finally.” Sophie whispered to Izzy.
Izzy nodded. “Stage One: Become Friends. Stage Two: Start Dating. Stage Three: Get Engaged. Stage Four:.—“
“Get married.” Sophie finished. She sighed. “I still don’t think this was a good idea.”
“I don’t like it either. They’re so…young.”
“When is he going to purpose?”
“The Chiefs wants it done soon. No matter how old they are. They want it done.”
“There not going to force them to get married at this age!” Sophie cried.
Izzy sighed. “If they don’t start getting along. It looks that way.”
“And when he does propose, she’s not going to say yes,” Sophie said, matter of factly.
“If they start Stage Two, then there is defiantly some chemistry going on.” Izzy winked.
“But dating at this age is stupid.” Sophie said. “Believe me, I’ve done it.”
Izzy sighed. “I know. But.—“
“The Chiefs. I know.”
“Just pray, Sophie. Really, really, hard.”
Sophie nodded. “I will.”
Everyone was so busy talking, they hadn’t noticed that Madeline and Orlando had run very far away.
“Orlando!” Madeline screamed.
Orlando just laughed and kept running.
“Your so…AHHH!” Madeline fell and rolled down into any alley.
“Madeline!” Orlando cried. He skidded to a stop and turned around.
Madeline was no where in sight.
Chapter 11
Madeline had blacked out. She groaned and rolled over and ransmack into four furry legs.
She screamed and sat up scooting backwards.
The dog was a black cocker spaniel It’s tongue was sticking out, pants. It barked a greeting bark and trotted over to Madeline.
Madeline wasn’t a dog person. But she held out her hand for the dog to smell.
The dog sniffed her hand and barked again and jumped into her lap.
Madeline yelped and held her hands in the air. But the dog didn’t bite. It just panted and looked at Madeline.
She slowly put her hand on the dog and started to pet it. It barked again and panted some more.
She petted it some more. It licked her face.
She laughed. “You’re so sweet.”
“Madeline!” Orlando’s voice startled her. He sounded…worried.
She heard him coming over, he looked over the fence.
“Goodness! Are you alright?” he asked. He climbed over it and helped her up. The dog barked a warning bark and growled.
“Who’s this?” Orlando asked.
Madeline leaned down and picked up the growling dog. “I found him.” She said. She petted his head. The dog kept growling. “I think he smells Justin.”
Orlando looked confused.
“Your rat, stupid.”
“Oh! Yes, yes!”
“It’s ok, Fluffy.” Madeline said. She started to walk down the ally.
“Madeline! You can’t keep the thing!” Orlando cried, rushing after her.
“Why not? And Fluffy isn’t a thing . He’s a dog.” Madeline said, petting the dog affectionately. Fluffy rubbed against her with his head.
“Madeline…”
“Don’t ‘Madeline’ me. Johnny.” She winked. And continued to walk.
Orlando ran to catch up and stopped in front of her. “I’ll buy you your own dog.”
“You can’t be serious? Madeline thought. “No. I want Fluffy.”
Orlando sighed. “Just please, don’t name him Fluffy.”
“Why?”
“Because, it disturbs me. That’s why.” He gave her a sharp look.
Madeline shrugged. “Fine. But don’t give me looks like that, it ‘disturbs’ me.” She smiled a sly smile and pushed past him.
“And…and, the…dog will disturb Justin.”
“Rats aren’t as important as dogs, Orlando.”
“Rats are definitely more important.” Orlando said.
Orlando is so daft. Then she pushed her lips together. She had just said that out loud.
Orlando stopped. “Excuse me?” he didn’t mind name calling, but when someone said something, like what Madeline just said. It offended him. Especially when the person meant it. And did I mention this made him angry?
“What?” Madeline said. She was trying to cover up her mistake. But Orlando wasn’t buying it.
“You know very well what.” Orlando said. He stopped in front of her again.
Fluffy barked a warning bark.
This is so not good. Madeline thought. But she didn’t want to say she was sorry. She was right, he was daft.
“Say you’re sorry.”
“No!”
“For goodness sake, Madeline!” Orlando cried. He pressed his lips together and looked away, shoving his hands in his pockets.
Was he trying to tell me something? Madeline thought.
“Madeline, can we just get along?” Orlando asked. He turned back toward her.
Fluffy gave another warning bark.
“No, because I don’t like YOU!”
“I know you don’t. But we have to get along if we’re going to live the rest of our lives together.”
Omigosh! Madeline thought. “Who says we are?”
He sighed. “Madeline, we are.—“
“No! We’re not!” she screamed.
Fluffy barked and jumped on Orlando. Fluffy knew that Madeline was upset with Orlando.
Orlando yelped, swatting at the dog.
Madeline started running fast, her eyes were blurred with tears. She could hear Orlando yelling at Fluffy. But Fluffy just kept on barking.
“Madeline!” Orlando yelled after her.
“Shut up!” she screamed.
“Madeline! Sweetness!”
Madeline stopped. Did he really just say that? Then she regained her composure and kept running.
“Darling!”
“Stop!” she heard him running after her, with Fluffy at his heels.
I think I might have to name the dog Flurry. Madeline thought.
She couldn’t see anything, so when she bumped into something, her reaction was to back up and keep running.
“Hey, hey.” Orlando said. He grabbed her arms, trying to steady her. “Calm down.”
“Leave…me…alone!” she sobbed.
“I’m not going to hurt you, just calm down.”
Madeline just kept crying. She didn’t want to spend the rest of her life with someone. Why couldn’t she just wait and think about these things?
Orlando pulled her in and hugged her, as she sobbed. “Shh.” He whispered.
She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him back.
He’s just acting like a brother. Madeline said to herself. That’s all.
When Sophie and Izzy found the couple, everyone nearly jumped up and cheered. But, Sophie and Izzy weren’t excited as everyone else.
“Sophie…” Izzy whispered.
“Yes?”
“I don’t like this.”
Sophie shook her head. “Me either.”
When Madeline stopped crying and saw the crowd of people, she wanted to die. But she gathered herself up.
“Why did you just do that?” she snapped at Orlando, giving him a wink.
He nodded. “Sorry!” he threw his hands in there air, returning a wink.
Sophie and Izzy let out relived sighs. They didn’t see there winks.
When they stopped for lunch, Madeline let Orlando sit by her, which made Izzy and Sophie worried all over again.
“That was some crying you did, back there.” Orlando said.
Madeline shrugged. “I was stressed.”
“I could tell.” He smiled a nice smile.
Madeline blushed. She shrugged again. “That was nice of you to…you know…”
“It was nothing.” He smiled a nice smile again.
Madeline blushed again.
A couple tables back. (they were eating at a small shack place outside) Andrew rolled his eyes.
“What?” Sophie asked.
He pointed towards Madeline and Orlando. (his mouth was full of cheese burger) Madeline was laughing at something Orlando had just said. He looked…comfortable , with one knee crossed over the other and his elbow resting on the table, watching Madeline.
A little too comfortable. Sophie thought. Then she turned back to her bother and shrugged.
Andrew swallowed his food. “Oh please, sis.”
“What?”
“You have that look. Like you don’t like what’s going on.”
“No I don’t!” Sophie protested.
Andrew nodded mockingly. “Uh-huh.”
Sophie hit him on the arm. “Shut up.”
Andrew threw his hands in the air. “Ok, ok.” He got up. “But I know you, Soph. Something’s wrong.” He went to toss his food.
Sophie looked back at Madeline and Orlando. Orlando had scooted approximately three inches closer to Madeline, and was intently looking at her as her talked. (training to be a agent pays off)
This is so wrong. She thought. As she watched, Orlando was attempting to scoot even closer. And Madeline hadn’t even noticed! She just kept on talking, holding her untouched hamburger in the air with one hand, and either shrugging or waving with the other, as she talked.
Sophie decided that she needed to do something. She got up and went and sat down right in the middle of Orlando and Madeline.
Orlando retreated and scooted back. Madeline looked a little surprised herself.
“Hey guys.” Sophie said., getting comfy.
“Hey, Soph.” Madeline said, turning back to her untouched food.
Why hasn’t she eaten? Sophie wondered.
“What were you talking about?” she gave Orlando a sideways glance. “You seemed to really be getting into it.”
Orlando showed no signs of worry or confusion.
Hmmm, that’s strange…usually when someone is guilty, they look like there worried or confused. Sophie said to herself.
Instead, Orlando shrugged. “She was telling me about the States.” He shrugged again. “They sound…intriguing.” He looked at Madeline and put on his smile.
Madeline blushed.
Sophie’s eyes widened. Did they already have inside jokes?
“I was asking, Orlando, where he was going to stay.” Madeline said. Nibbling on a french-fry.
“He’s staying in a hotel.” Sophie answered, “where he belongs.
Sophie saw a flicker of disappointment come over Madeline’s face. Then it went away. Madeline bit into her fry. But it looked to Sophie like it was hard to eat it.
“Do you know what hotel it might be, Sophie?” Madeline asked. Forcing herself to swallow the fry.
Sophie pulled out her Droid from her pocket and hit some buttons. “Um…It’s close to your apartment Mads…”
Madeline perked up. “Great!” she said and took a bite of her hamburger.
When all seven agents, (seven for Orlando and seven for Madeline) plus, Andrew, Sophie, Izzy, Madeline, Orlando Mr. Leroy and all four of Orlando’s sisters were done. They got up. Madeline picked up her tray to throw it away.
Orlando grabbed onto it. “Allow me.” He smiled.
Again, Madeline blushed.
Sophie rolled her eyes.
Alice saw this and walked up to her. “I know right?” she said.
Sophie gathered herself up. “What, Your Highness?”
Alice nodded towards Orlando and Madeline. Orlando had thrown away Madeline’s food and was now talking to her.
“Look at them. They’ve gone from haters to lovers. It’s ridiculous.” Alice commented.
“They’re supposed to.” She turned to Alice. “One day, it’ll happen to you.” And she walked away.
Alice turned back to the Royal Couple. She sighed.
I don’t want to lose you this way, Orlando. She turned around and followed the others out.
Chapter 12
“I think I’m going to call you Flurry.” Madeline said to the panting dog.
Madeline had been home, for an hour now, and she still couldn’t get over that excited feeling she had. She shook herself.
“Snap out of it, Madeline!” she scolded.
Flurry titled his head to the side and perked up his ears.
She petted the dog. “It’s hard to explain, Flurry. When you meet a pretty girl dog, you’ll understand.” She rolled over. She dialed her phone.
“Madeline! How are you? Is he cute? Is he nice? Is he.—“ Katy’s excited voice jolted Madeline’s excited feeling right out of her.
“Katy!”
Katy stopped spitting questions out. “Sorry. So…what is he like?”
“He’s…” she breathed in. “Wonderful!” she sighed, letting the air out.
Katy giggled. “Really? I can’t wait to meet him. You are going to come to the Summer Drama Kingdom, right?”
The reason they called it the Drama Kingdom is because, the day Madeline came to the Drama Club, she gave an idea that it should be called the Kings and Queens of Drama. But they changed it to the Drama Kingdom, and all who was in the Kingdom, was a Drama King or Queen.
“Yes, I am Katy.” Madeline replied. “I wouldn’t miss it. But I’m nervous.”
“Why?”
“This is my first drama! What drama are we doing?”
Katy laughed. “You’re funny. We wouldn’t decide without you, Andrew and Sophie! The meeting’s tonight. I think…let me check…” sounds of paper came up to the line. “Ha! Here it is! Yeah, tonight at six. You are coming right?”
Madeline looked at her watch. “I think I can make it.”
“Think? We couldn’t make a decision without you, let alone do the drama! You have an important part!”
“But I don’t know what my part is yet.”
“You’re either, Sharpay or Tess. And those are both important charcters. So you have to be there.”
BEEP.
“One second, Katy. Orlando’s on the other line.”
“Sure. And invite him tonight! Eeeek!”
Madeline laughed as she hit the button to switch calls.
“Hello?”
“Madeline, sweets. I was wondering, would you like to do something with me tonight?” Orlando’s French accent made Madeline get that excited feeling again.
“I have a meeting tonight, Orlando. But you’re invited to come.”
“A meeting? What kind of meeting?”
“I’m in a drama club. You know, like a play. We’re going to decide on who’s going to be who in the play we pick. And which play we’re going to do.”
Orlando laughed. “You never cease to amaze me, darling. Yes, I’ll come. Can I pick you up?”
“Yes! That would be great!” Now I’m sounding like Katy. Madeline thought. “But no limos.”
Orlando laughed again. “Of course not. What time is the meeting?”
“Six tonight, so be here at five forty-five.”
“I’ll be there. Good bye.”
“Bye!”
Madeline switched calls.
“Is he coming? Oh! I hope he’s coming!” Katy squealed.
“He’s coming. And he’s picking me up!”
Katy screamed with excitement.
Madeline heard a ‘shut up, I’m working!’ from Katy’s brother Tyler.
“What’s got him?” Madeline asked.
“He really wants the part of Troy if we do High School Musical. And he wants the part of Shane Grey, if we do Camp Rock.”
“I don’t know about the Shane Grey part, Kate. But Troy is a definite.”
“Why not Shane?” Katy asked. Madeline heard the challenge in her voice.
“Because, not that he’s bad or anything, but he’d fit being Troy a lot better. And Nick, you know Nick right? Well, he’s been pretty sad ever since the last Drama Kingdom meeting. So I think he deserves Shane’s part. You know, he has black hair too, and that same attitude.” She laughed.
Katy laughed too. “I see your point. So who would Ty be if we did Camp Rock?”
“Someone special I promise.” Madeline said.
“Alright, I have to go, it’s dinner. See you with your new BF! Bye!” Katy giggles as she hung up.
“Yeah…Wait! Boyfriend?”
Madeline jumped out of bed and went to tell Izzy about the night’s plans.
“That’s fine just as long as Sophie and Andrew go with you.” Izzy said into the sink of suds and dirty dishes.
“Fine.” Madeline grabbed for her phone.
“Hey, Soph. Andrew and you are going to the meeting tonight, right?”
“Yeah, we are. You?”
“Yeah. Orlando’s picking me up, and can you guys come with us? Izzy said I can’t go unless you come, too.”
Sophie had gotten lost at ‘Orlando’.
“Soph? Sophie?” Madeline said.
“Sorry, what were you saying?”
“Just come to my house now! Ok? Uh-huh. Bye.”
Madeline hung up and sighed. Sophie’s never lost track of a conversation. That’s what makes her a great agent.”
Sophie and Andrew arrived a couple minutes later.
“Are you urgent or what, Blondie?” Andrew said, stepping through the doorway.
Madeline looked at her watch. “He should be here soon.” She looked up. “So, have any ideas about what the other Kings and Queens will vote for? We have it down to two choices so it shouldn’t be hard.”
Andrew crossed her arms. “It will be easy until Nick starts complaining.”
“Yeah, he didn’t’ like the idea of High School Musical and Camp Rock.” Sophie said, thoughtfully.
Madeline shrugged. “Ever since the first meeting, he’s been annoying. I think he’s just…lonely.”
“Lonely? I think he just wants attention.” Andrew scoffed.
“Which would mean he’s lonely.” Madeline scoffed back.
“Whatever.” Andrew scoffed.
Sophie rolled her eyes.
KNOCK KNOCK
Madeline rushed to open the door.
“That was quick.” Orlando said. He looked around. “Cozy.”
Madeline blushed. She grabbed his hand and pulled him outside. “A SUV? Sweet!”
“Is that what it’s called?” Orlando asked. He winked.
Madeline blushed again. “Yeah, duh.” She pulled him out with Sophie and Andrew behind him.
They got into the car.
Madeline immediately started telling Orlando about the Kingdom.
“Sophie’s the director.” Madeline said.
Orlando just kept nodding as she talked while looking at her intently.
Sophie rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.
So immature. Sophie thought.
“You could help Sophie, direct.” Madeline said. She turned to Sophie and smiled.
“Really?” Orlando said. He turned to Sophie too with that smug smile on his face.
Sophie’s eyes grew wide.
What? No! And what did she say again? What? No!
“Maybe, I better not. I like to watch. It’s fine, darling.” Orlando put his hand on Madeline’s.
“Alright.” Madeline gave Sophie a sideways glare and continued to tell Orlando all about the drama club.
When they arrived at the school, May and June Summers greeted them at the door.
June’s jet black hair and green eyes, made Sophie think of a vampire. She had only met her once a couple weeks ago at the last meeting. May’s blonde hair and blue eyes made Sophie think of, Spring. She had met May later in the year.
The two sisters took an immediate interest in Orlando.
“Who are you?” they flirted, coming behind him.
They were always flirting with Tyler and Andrew and sometimes Nick. He was essentially quiet though because the Summer girls liked to talk.
Orlando ducked away from one of May’s hand reaching for his hair and grabbed Madeline’s hand. “Sorry, ladies,” he said and he pulled Madeline away.
“Who are they?” he hissed into Madeline’s ear.
“Annoying people,” Madeline hissed back. She rolled her eyes. Then she covered her mouth. Had she just said that? Was she turning into Jade? No! I’m not!
And she continued walking holding tightly to Orlando’s hand.
April Summers, May’s and June’s older sister said hi to them when they entered the Drama Kingdom’s room.
“Hey! We haven’t seen you in awhile, Mads. And you brought a friend…”
“This is Orlando.” Madeline said, smiling.
“Hello, April is it? How charming.” He smiled a smile, Madeline knew was fake. Cheap and fake. He took April’s hand a kissed it.
Madeline glared.
Then Orlando let go and took Madeline’s hand again and walked into the room.
Everyone who was in the Drama Kingdom was there.
Nick, the Summer Sisters, Katy and Tyler Mackentire, Joyce Lol and Fred and Joe Vondoom. (No one knew if those were their real names)
Once everyone was seated, they began roll call. When they got to Orlando, May and Spring started to whisper to themselves. Madeline got a sudden jealous feeling.
“Hello, I am Orlando. I am fourteen and I’m from France.”
That got almost all the girls hyped up. “Really?” June and May squealed. The only girls that didn’t care were Sophie and April.
“What’s so exciting?” April whispered to Sophie.
Sophie shrugged. “They’re just being girls.”
“Madeline seems to like him though, which is odd. ”
Sophie didn’t know what to say to that.
“And he kissed my hand!” April hissed.
Sophie nodded. “He’s just…different. Like Maddie.”
April nodded. “I understand.” She put an arm on her friend’s. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Sophie moved her arm.
April looked at her a moment longer and then turned her attention back to the meeting.
Madeline stood up with the clip board with all the people’s characters in the play.
Later that day, Andrew, Sophie and Madeline got together to discuss who got what. Everyone agreed that no one should try out, but to pick the character that best fit them, or they could do a good job on.
“Alright, we have discussed who will be who. I know you are all excited to find out who got what.”
Cheers filled the room.
“Ok, we will be doing the drama: Camp Rock.”
Louder cheers.
“Alright, settle down!” Madeline shouted over the noise. “Now, Mitchie Torres will be…April Summers!”
Everyone cheered.
April covered her mouth in surprise and ran up to get the script that had all of her lines highlighted.
“Caitlyn Gellar will be…Katy Mackentire!”
Katy ran to get hers.
After all the parts except Tess, Shane’s and Brown Cessario’s, everyone started to talk about who got what.
“I cannot believe I got Lola Scott!” Joyce Switchal said. The African American girl was so happy.
June had ended up with Peggy Dupree, May got Ella Pador, Nate Grey was Joe and Jason Grey was Fred. Mitchie’s mom would be one of the teachers.
“Alright! A hush fell over the crowd!” Madeline called.
Everyone quieted down.
“Brown Cessario will be…Tyler!”
Tyler looked at her in surprise; Katy pushed her older brother to get up. “Go get it silly!”
“Wow, wow, wow, wow.” Tyler just kept repeating.
Madeline smiled. “You deserved it.” Tyler smiled back.
“Tess Tyler will be…Me!” Madeline said.
Everyone started to laugh.
“And, for the Shane Grey part…Nick!”
Everyone started to cheer the loudest.
Nick’s eyes were so wide, you could see them under his black Beiber-Styled hair. “Really?” he said.
Madeline nodded. “Uh-huh.” She smiled.
Nick went up and grabbed the script from Madeline’s hand and smiled.
When the meeting was over, everyone stood around talking and having cookies and punch. May and June came up to Madeline.
“Are you and Orlando boyfriend and girl friend?” the two twins said at once.
Madeline was startled by there words. Boyfriend and girlfriend? We never really got to that part. But we do act that way don’t we? I felt a jealous pang when we kissed April’s hand. But that could happen to any girl. But, he held my hand. But boys do that sometimes to tag girls along. But still…No. It’s just the hundred year old commitment again. And just plain liking.
“So?” May and June said.
Madeline shook her head to clear here thoughts. “No, we’re not.”
“You sure act like it though.” May said swinging her arms.
Madeline couldn’t believe that they twelve. They acted sometimes like four year olds and other times like teens. But never like their real age.
“We’re just friends.”
“You held his hand, though.” May said, still swinging her arms.
Madeline rolled her eyes. “SO?”
“So?” May stopped swinging her arms. “That’s like the next big step after coming boyfriend and girlfriend! Everyone knows that!”
Apparently I didn’t, Madeline thought. Her grip on the desk she was sitting on tightened. Why wouldn’t they just leave her alone? She wished she could tell them why he was here in the first place.
Yeah, he’s the prince of France and I’m the Grand Duchess of Russia and we have to get married someday. Ok? Now bye, bye.
Madeline sighed. “Um…I have to go. Congrats on your parts!” Madeline jumped off the desk and ran to Orlando who was sitting on a desk talking to Tyler.
“Hey, Ty.” Madeline said.
“Hey, Mads. Thanks for the part by the way.” Tyler said.
Madeline waved her hand down. “No problem. Like I said before, you deserved it.” She smiled.
“Tyler was telling me about polo. It sounds exciting.” Orlando said, standing up.
Madeline loved how he was so much taller than she was and how his chocolate eyes glowed when he looked at her.
“Sweets?” Orlando asked.
Madeline jolted back to the real world. “Sorry. Polo, yes. Jeremiah used to play that…”
“Oh yes, that evil boy. If I ever saw him, I’d knock him a few.” Orlando said, demonstrating on Tyler.
Madeline laughed and then she went sober again.
You probably will see him, Orlando. Madeline shivered. And she didn’t want to. Ever again. As long as she lived.
Chapter 13
“What did you say?” Jade yelled at her older brother.
Jeremiah put up his hands. “Calm down. I’m sure it’s just some rumor going around…”
“Rumor? No, our cousins don’t spread rumors. When they say they’re going to do something, they do it. And now they’re going after what father wants us to get! This is terrible!” Jade cried. She wanted to cry, but Jeremiah wouldn’t like that.
“I said, calm down. Ned and Sharlean won’t get Madeline.”
“They will though! You’ve seen Ned with his robots! And Sharlean with her makeup… that turns into weapons! They were raised by an assassin slash bounty hunter, Jeremiah. They will get her.”
“Aunt Julia just likes to bluff about those things. She doesn’t like her children out of the house unless it’s for a family reunion! I’m sure that Ned and Sharlean don’t know who Madeline is and where she is at the moment, like we do.” Jeremiah put his hands in his pockets and smiled a smug smile.
“Um…Jeremiah?” Jade said meekly.
Jeremiah’s smile faded. “What?” he snapped.
“We don’t even know where she is.”
Jeremiah hit her. “Why do you have to be so stupid, Jade!” he yelled.
Jade gripped her cheek. “I’m sorry! It’s just…we don’t! That’s all!” she started to cry.
Jeremiah grabbed her by the arm and pulled her across the room.
Why are little sisters so dumb? Jeremiah thought.
Why are big brothers so mean? Jade thought.
*
Why are dogs so messy? Madeline thought.
“FLURRY!” Madeline yelled at the meek little dog. “Don’t poop on the floor! That’s what Izzy was for!”
“Hey!” Izzy called from the kitchen.
“I meant.—“
“I knew what you meant, silly.”
Madeline smiled. At least someone got her. But then…there was Orlando…
RUFF RUFF
Flurry jumped onto her and started to wag his tail. Madeline picked up the dog and scratched behind its ears.
“Do you like, Orlando, Flurry?”
Flurry stopped wagging his tail and let out a low growl.
“Really? I think he’s quite sweet.” Madeline swung the dog around and put him on the bed. “But don’t tell anyone I said that,” shaking her finger at him.
Flurry barked happily and jumped off the bed and ran out the door.
Madeline fell back onto her bed and sighed. She grabbed her script and started to read out loud:
Mitchee: “I’m sorry! I didn’t see you…”
“Apparently not!” Madeline said. Then she tried to read the other lines but her mind kept going somewhere else.
She threw the script onto her lap and looked up at the ceiling.
I hate this feeling. She thought, excited and nervous all at once. It’s annoying.
After several attempts and failures at reading her lines, she texted Orlando.
Madeline: Hey L
Orlando: What’s wrong, sweetheart?
Madeline: I can’t work on my lines!
Orlando: How come?
Madeline: I feel funny.
Orlando: What do you feel like?
Madeline: Just…funny…
Orlando: Maybe you’re sick.
Madeline: No, it’s not a sick feeling…
Orlando: Then what feeling is it, sweets?
Madeline put down her phone for a second and then wrote:
Madeline: I MISS YOU!
Orlando: I miss you too, darling. But I’ll see you tomorrow. And I’ll fix that funny feeling you have. ;)
Madeline: Oaky Doky. Bye. J
Orlando: Good bye. J
Madeline went to sleep that night, happy and content. But she was unaware of the enemy’s eyes watching her.
*
“Mother says that Jeremiah and Jade can’t catch her, how odd,” said Sharlean to her older brother. Her long glossy pitch black curly hair shone in the moonlight. She put down her binoculars.
“Hmm, yes. You’re quite right, Sharlean. She’s fair game. I don’t understand there dilemma.” Ned said. His short pitch black curly hair shone in the moonlight like his sister’s.
Sharlean looked at her nails. “There just not…oh…how should I put it?”
“Not good enough?” her brother suggested.
Sharlean clapped her hands. “Yes! That’s it. They’re not good enough. A pity really. You would think that since they are related to us, they would be good enough.” She shrugged. “A shame.”
“A shame indeed,” Ned smiled evilly.
Sharlean and Ned looked just like Jeremiah and Jade. Same skin color, same hair and same personality. These accents were the same: British. And there goals were the same: Get Madeline.
*
“Hey Orlando, we don’t have practice until two today. Do you want to go out for lunch?” Madeline said into her phone.
“That would be great! Where do you want to eat, darling?” Orlando asked.
“I don’t know…you pick.” Madeline read her lines to herself as she spoke to Orlando. She hadn’t gotten much sleep that night. She had a feeling someone was watching her…She had spent most of her night trying to read her lines.
“How about we have a picnic?” suggested Orlando.
Madeline threw down her script. “Yes! That would be great! I’ll have Izzy pack us some sandwiches and chips. What kind?”
“Surprise me.”
Madeline giggled to herself. He’s so cute. She thought. “Alright, I’ll surprise you. Pick me up, say? Twelveish?”
“Perfect. Just like you. I’ll be there.”
Madeline put down her phone and jumped up and down a screamed.
“What’s wrong?” Izzy yelled over Madeline and the yelping Flurry, from the kitchen.
“Nothing!” Madeline called.
Izzy rolled her eyes. That girl and her ‘boyfriend’ I will never understand what she’s so happy about. Never. I never dated and I don’t plan on it. I have too much to do handling Madeline already.
RING RING
Izzy picked up the phone and put it on her shoulder while she washed the dishes. “Hello, this is the.—“
“Hello, Izzy, I was uh…wondering…since their highnesses are going out today…would you like to go with me somewhere?” Mr. Leroy’s voice came from the other side of the phone.
Izzy stopped moving. Her heart skipped a beat. “Pardon?” she said.
“Would you like to go out with me?” He repeated.
Izzy didn’t know what to do. “Hold on a sec.”
“Sure.—“
Izzy threw down the phone on the counter and ran to Madeline’s room. “Madeline!” she cried.
Madeline turned around with wide eyes as Izzy grabbed her shoulders. “Mr. Leroy just asked me out. What do I do?”
Madeline looked at her for a moment, then pushed Izzy’s hands off her. “For one thing” she declared, “Don’t call him: ‘Mr. Leroy’. Call him, Harold.”
“What?”
“That’s his name, Izzy.”
“How do you know?”
“Orlando told me.”
Izzy nodded. “Oh. And this has to do with my problem how…?”
“Because, when you go on a date, don’t call him ‘Mr.’ call him his real name.”
“But I don’t know if I’m going out or not yet!” Izzy cried.
“Say yes! He likes you and you like him.”
“Do not!”
“You so do. It’s obvious.” Madeline rolled her eyes and put a hand on her hip.
Izzy threw her hands in the air. “Fine! I’ll say yes. What are you and Orlando doing today?” she put on a smug smile.
Madeline opened her mouth a couple times before answering. “We’re having a picnic. You want to come with?”
“Yes! Thank you!” Izzy ran back to the kitchen and picked up the phone. “Sure, Harold. I’ll go. How about a picnic in the park?”
“S-s-sounds great.” Harold stammered.
Izzy hung up and let out a groan. What am I thinking? She thought.
Madeline threw on a loose fitting blue top with rolled up sleeves and a white top with long sleeves underneath, with jeans and a straw hat with a blue sash around it and black sunglasses, and blue covers.
She sighed. “I don’t look that great.”
“You look fine, honey. I’m the one that doesn’t look great.” Izzy came in wearing a pink top with a white shirt under it and jeans and pink covers. She had curled her straight blonde hair and had put on lip stick and pearl earrings.
“Oh my gosh! You look…fabulous!” Madeline exclaimed. Then she sobered. “We’re going on a picnic. Not to a fancy restaurant.”
“What? Can’t I look nice?”
“You’re over doing it.”
“Am not.”
“Are too!”
“Ladies, ladies. Your both pretty. Can we go now?” Orlando stood in the doorway leaned against the side. He smiled his smile at Madeline.
Madeline blushed. “Yeah.” She giggled as she took his arm.
Orlando leaned down and whispered into Madeline’s ear. “You look awfully pretty today, darling.”
Madeline blushed. “Aww, thank you.”
“It’s true.”
That made Madeline want to faint.
*
“Look how she blushes. It’s annoying.” Ned said, fiddling with one of his robots.
Sharlean put down the binoculars. “It is. I don’t know what she sees in him…” she was only fourteen, but she knew a lot about dating and love. Not that her parents love had been successful.
Ned rolled his eyes. “You keep saying that, Sharlean.”
“I know.” Sharlean said. She looked into the binoculars again. She sighed.
“What now?” snapped her sixteen year old brother.
She put them down. “Nothing.”
“Hey guys, I got those parts you wanted.” A blonde haired boy with brown eyes came in threw the roof stairs, carrying some parts. He looked about thirteen.
Ned looked up from his robot and smiled a sticky smile at the boy. “Thank you,” he said. He took the parts from the boy.
The boy went over to look at whatever Sharlean was looking at. He leaned over the ledge. “What’s so exciting down there?” he asked.
Sharlean sighed. Hadn’t he learned what they were doing yet? “I’m spying on the Grand Duchess and Prince of France.”
“Oh.” He tucked his arms under him and kept staring. “I can’t help but wonder where I saw her before.”
Ned and Sharlean shared nervous looks. “I showed you pictures that one time, remember?” Sharlean said hastily.
“I remember.”
The brother and sister let out a sigh of relief.
“But I think I know her from somewhere else.”
They groaned. “You don’t know her. Now stop staring and help me!” Ned snapped.
The boy looked hurt. “O-ok.” He stammered.
Sharlean gave her older brother a glare. He just glared right back.
The boy had been living with them since he was five and Ned or Sharlean hadn’t snapped at him at all. The boy was hurt now, and deep down inside, he learned a lesson: I’m different.
Chapter 14
Madeline laughed. “That’s too funny!”
Orlando looked hurt. “But it hurt! It’s not funny!” he protested.
“It is funny!”
“Is not!”
Madeline pushed him over. “It is.”
“It’s not funny, darling.”
“It is!”
They just sat there, looking at each other, and then they started to inch there heads closer together. They sat up and there lips were almost touching when a voice interrupted them.
“Excuse, may I ask you a few questions?” a African-American women in a blue business jacket with a blue skirt and a pinkish shirt underneath stood over top of them holding out a microphone.
A news guy with a baseball cap and camera stood next to her.
“Um…” Madeline said. These people looked familiar. Something to saw once…
“What kind of questions?” Orlando asked. He stood up. But Madeline stayed down.
Something wasn’t right.
“First, what are your names?” the lady asked.
The blue sky and green grass in the park started not to look so great anymore.
As the lady asked Orlando questions, Madeline shuddered. That voice wasn’t human.
She had a flash back.
It was the last Coplyn Family Reunion. Three years ago. Madeline was only ten.
They were in front of there mansion in London, England and Madeline had gone inside to find someone or something to play with. But she wasn’t allowed to.
She went into a dark room and said: “Hello? Anyone in here?” she British accent bounced off the walls.
The door suddenly closed. And a laugh echoed across the room. “Well, it’s Madeline! My cousin. How are you, darling?”
Madeline knew that voice. It was Ned’s. The cousin she was scared of the most.
She felt something wrap around her waist. It lifted her into the air. It was a giant robot. She screamed. “Put me down!”
New came out of the shadows, holding a remote controller and leaned against a wall. “Why? You weren’t allowed in here anyway. Might as well discipline you for it.”
“You’re not my mum!” Madeline screamed. Tears spilled silently down her cheeks.
“Your mum isn’t here now, is she, Madeline?” Ned put on an evil smile.
“Yes, but.—“
“But, who’s going to do it?”
“I am.” Jeremiah’s voice echoed threw the room.
“Jeremiah!” Madeline cried. Her tears stopped.
You see, this was before Jeremiah and Jade started being mean to her. She was thankful her eleven year-old brother was here to save her.
Ned was thirteen. But that didn’t scare Jeremiah.
“What are you going to?” Ned asked. He moved the remote control stick in a circle. Sending Madeline in a circle.
“STOP!” she screamed.
“Ned! I don’t have time for this. I’ll take care of Madeline, put her down.” Her family always acted older than they were.
A voice echoed across the room. “Master doesn’t want to put her down, Jeremiah.”
Madeline snapped back to reality. “ORLANDO!” she screamed. She shot to her feet and pulled him back.
“What is it?” Orlando looked worried.
“Those aren’t news people. They aren’t even human.”
“Come now, Madeline…” then he looked at Madeline’s ghost stricken face. He wrapped a protective arm around her. She leaned against his chest. He whispered into her ear. “What are they?”
“I told you about my cousin, Ned right? Well, these are his robots.”
Orlando nodded and started to back up taking Madeline him with him. “Sorry, we have to go.”
Madeline looked behind her. Mr. Leroy and Izzy were too far away to see what was happening. Izzy was laughing at something Harold had said.
“Wait! We have more questions for you!” the news lady said.
“Sorry, we have someplace to go.” Orlando said. Madeline was too scared to speak.
Then, the robots looked back up at a building and nodded and then turned back around. Their eyes turned red and they started towards them. “Get, Madeline.” They said over and over.
Madeline let out a yelp. She couldn’t move. She was too scared.
Orlando picked her up and started to run.
“Izzy! Mr. Leroy!” Orlando yelled.
Izzy and Harold looked over at them and immediately jumped up and took out guns and activated their head pieces.
As Mr. Leroy ran towards the robots, Izzy called in for back-up.
When Orlando couldn’t run anymore, he put down Madeline. Madeline was still too scared to move. “I-i-i-izzy!” she stammered. “N-n-n-ned!”
Izzy understood at once, she started to run towards her.
Then, Madeline felt something wrap around her waist. She screamed as the news lady robot’s microphone pulled Madeline back. The lady had grown to twenty stories, and Madeline was dangling in the air. She kept on screaming.
Orlando didn’t know what to do. Izzy and Mr. Leroy were in a fluster. The news lady robot started to walk towards the city, with Madeline screaming. The news guy let out a cloud a dust out of his camera leaving Izzy, Mr. Leroy and Orlando coughing.
The last thing they heard was Madeline’s screaming.
Chapter 15
Madeline felt air-sick.
“Put me DOWN!” She screamed.
The robot didn’t respond.
Another flash back started:
“I said put her down, Ned!” Jeremiah yelled.
“Fine.” Ned said with a sinister smile. He started to slowly put Madeline down then he let go when she was still a good five feet in the air. She screamed as she fell. She landed hard.
“O-o-o-ow.” She moaned. Jeremiah rushed to help her up. He put a firm hand on her shoulder and then a firm hand on the same side arm and started to walk out. Before they went out. Jeremiah turned and said to Ned:
“I know you know who she is. I don’t care even if you’re part of the other group. Stay away from what’s ours.” Then he kept walking with Madeline.
Madeline asked with what he meant, but he told her to shut up.
And Madeline learned there, despite how much she wanted to fit it, that she was different.
Then she flashed back to the present. And then was falling threw the air and she landed in someone’s arms.
“You ok, Blondie?”
Madeline opened her eyes. “Oh thank you! Thank you thank you!” she cried. She hugged him. And then he put her down. “How did you get me down?”
“I shot at the cink in the robots arm.” He pointed the gun at the robot who hadn’t noticed that it didn’t have Madeline anymore.
“Madeline!” Orlando called running towards them.
Madeline ran to greet him and wrapped her arms around his neck. He wrapped his hands around her waist. “Are you alright?” he asked rocking back and forth. Madeline was shaking. “Y-y-y-yeah. Just bad memories.”
“We need to get you two out of here, your going to be late for drama practice. Hope to read your lines.” Andrew smiled and ran after the robot. He was followed by Sophie and a couple other agents.
Mr. Leroy and Izzy came up behind them. “Let’s get you two to practice.”
Madeline let go of Orlando to hug Izzy. “You ok, kiddo?”
Madeline nodded and smiled.
She looked up at the building and saw a flash of silver and it was gone.
Ned and Sharlean are up there. Madeline thought. And let’s hope they don’t try to get me again.
Madeline knew that they wouldn’t stop, but she had to tell herself something happy.
When they got to the school, everyone was there and ready.
“Where’s Sophie?” June and May asked.
“She had some family matters to take care of.” Madeline smiled a fake smile and than walked on and an annoyed look came on her face.
Those annoying little girls were so…so…bratty.
I least I’m in character. Madeline thought. Then she put on a smile and went up to Tyler. “Hey, Ty. Did you practice your lines?”
“Yeah,” Tyler said. “I don’t have a lot.”
“Sorry about that! I just thought you wanting a good part and all.—“
Tyler put up his hand. “I was joking, Mads.” He smiled.
Madeline let out a sigh of relief and pretended to wipe off her forehead.
Tyler leaned down. “Where’s Andrew and Sophie? Soph’s the director. How are we supposed to do this?”
“There was a giant robot trying to get me. So they had to go take care of the ‘master’ of the robot and then come here. They said to stall as long as possible.” Madeline replied.
Tyler leaned back and gave her a ‘seriously’ look.
“My ‘cousin’ Ned makes giant robots. He tried to kidnap me he’s part of the Bolsheviks.”
“Uh-huh.” Tyler said teasingly.
“It’s true!”
“I know, but if you said that to anyone else they wouldn’t believe you.”
Madeline waved her hand. “Pssst. I know that.” She winked.
“Madeline, I don’t know how many more stories I can make up about what Sophie and Andrew are.” Orlando ran up. June and May were close behind him.
“Where’s April?” Madeline asked Tyler.
“Dressing room.—“
Madeline ran up the stage steps and into the dressing room.
“Hey April, your sisters are how should I put this? Hmmm…” What was Madeline supposed to say to June and May’s older sister? Yeah, there really annoying.
“Annoying? Yeah, I know. Who are they annoying now?”
“Orlando. They won’t step pestering him with questions. I mean, he’s my boyfriend.” Madeline just couldn’t help herself.
April turned around and put a hand Madeline’s shoulder. “I know, they’re total flirters. I’ll go talk to them.” April walked down the steps.
Boyfriend? Yeah, it fits. Madeline put a hand on her hip and put on a “Sharpay” smile, and walked down the stage steps. How she liked being like a Sharpay sometimes.
Chapter 15
“And…Action!” Sophie blurred into her megaphone.
“Oops, I’m sorry.” Katy playing Caitlyn Gellar said. “Oh wait, I’m not.”
Madeline playing Tess Tyler dropped some of the play food on Katy\Caitlyn’s shirt. “Anything makes that outfit look better.” Madeline\Tess said.
Katy started to laugh.
“What?” Madeline asked.
“It’s just…” Katy kept laughing.
“Come on people, work with me here!” Sophie said into the megaphone.
By now, everyone on set was laughing now.
“I don’t understand…Ha-ha….why spilling….plain spaghetti on a shirt does anything!” Katy hunched over in laughter. “I mean, it probably made it look better if sauce was on it.”
Madeline laughed too. “Yeah! Totally!”
“People! Quiet on the set!” Sophie yelled.
Everyone stopped laughing. “Sorry, Soph. But it was funny.” Katy said, still giggling.
Sophie smiled. “It was. Ok! Places everyone! We start again!”
They worked on that scene ten times before anyone got it right.
When they were done with practice, Madeline and Orlando were the first ones out the door.
They held hands as they walked. Madeline put her head on his shoulder and sighed.
“What’s wrong, darling?” he asked.
“Tired.” Madeline closed her eyes. “Being Tess, makes me tired. I’m not usually that mean.”
“Of course you’re not. I know that.” He brushed his other hand across her face.
Then Madeline fell asleep. Orlando picked her up and carried her to the car.
When he set her down, he looked behind him and then got in.
Chapter 16
Madeline woke up on her bed still in her clothes. She sat up and yawned and stretched and then rubbed her eyes. “Wow! What happened?”
“You fell asleep.” Sophie said, leaning against the wall in her room.
“When did you get here?” Madeline asked, standing up and stretching.
“I think I should be asking the questions here.” Sophie said coming up. She had on a black skirt brown shirt and black coat and black boots.
“What’s wrong?” Madeline asked.
“Where did you go last night?” Sophie asked. She put her hands on her hips.
“I remember walking with Orlando and then…nothing.” Madeline said,waving her off. So went to her bathroom.
“That’s it? What about the other five hours you were missing.”
Madeline stuck her head out of her bathroom door. “Five hours?”
“Uh-huh.” Sophie folded her arms.
Madeline rolled her eyes. “Check your sources, Soph. That’s not right.”
“It is. Either you walked in your sleep or Orlando took you someplace while you were sleeping.”
“Orlando didn’t take me anymore. Call him if you want. He’ll tell you.”
“What happened to you talking and hanging out with your friends?”
“I do that!” Madeline protested.
“You don’t! All you ever do it talk and hang with Orlando. It’s always, Orlando this and Orlando that.”
“You’re just jealous that you don’t have a boyfriend.” Madeline said, brushing her teeth.
Sophie came into the bathroom. “I’m worried about you, Mads. Are you ok?”
Madeline put down her tooth brush. “Yes, I’m fine.” And then she brushed past Sophie to get to her dresser.
Sophie went to the door. “Ok, then. BFF.” She walked out.
Madeline stopped rifling threw her drawers. Maybe, Sophie’s right? No, she’s not. She’s just playing that friend game. But, what if…? No!
Madeline was sick of battling with herself. She needed to go talk to someone.
She picked up her phone and dialed Orlando’s number.
*
“It’s like she’s drunk on Orlando!” Sophie cried throwing her hands up in the air.
“You can’t be drunk on someone, sis.” Andrew said.
“Yes you can! Remember when you just couldn’t stop talking and stalking that one girl in preschool?”
Andrew gave her a look. “She’s ‘addicted’ to him. How’s that?”
Sophie folded her arms. “Fine. But if she keeps this up,the Madeline we knew will be lost in a sea of Orlando.”
“She’s sick on love, Soph. It’s alright.”
“You don’t understand!” Sophie tried not to cry. Madeline couldn’t stop hanging with Orlando, she was getting drunk on him. Sophie was sure. Soon, she could get to the point anything he said would be ok. And who knows what he’ll make her do? Something wasn’t right about the Prince of France. Something’s fishy. “I need some air.” Sophie said and she stalked out of the room.
*
“Michel! I need those parts.” Ned called.
Michel, the blonde haired boy with brown eyes came into the room lugging a huge box of robot parts. “Are these the ones you wanted?” Michel asked, setting down the box a little too hard.
“Careful!” Ned snapped. Without saying thank you, Ned reached in the box and pulled out a part and started to put it on the robot.
Sharlean was flipping through the pictures the spy robots had gathered of Madeline.
Michel walked over and took a good long stare at one picture of Madeline laughing as she held Orlando’s hand.
Something pricked inside of him, something was telling him something. Like a brotherly instinct that Ned told him about when Sharlean started going out with someone.
Michel shook his head to clear it. Why am I having feelings like that? She’s not my sister, she’s the Grand Duchess of Russia who is a danger to the.--
“Michel! Stop doing that! You’re fogging up the screen!” Sharlean snapped.
Michel stepped back and felt Ned’s eyes on him.
Why are they getting so offensive? They used to be nicer…
He felt himself getting pulled. “Michel!” Ned yelled.
“S-s-s-sorry.” Michel stammered. And he went and helped Ned with his robot.
“Oh! My! Gosh!” Sharlean cried, a couple minutes later.
Michel and Ned turned. “What?” they said.
“Look at this!”
They went over and looked at the screen.
Madeline and Orlando were kissing.
Chapter 16
Something was telling Madeline to stop. But she couldn’t, even if she wanted to. Orlando had his arm around her waist pulling her closer.
Her foot had even popped.
Think of the most romantic scene you ever saw, and put Madeline and Orlando in it. And you got it.
Michel, Sharlean and Ned gaped at the video that was being fed to their computer.
Michel’s pricking was out of control. “We have to stop that.” He said.
Sharlean and Ned turned to look at him. “What?” They said.
“We…We can’t let them do that!” Michel said.
“Why?” Ned stood up to his full height.
Michel took a step back. “Because, that’s not right!” he pointed to the screen. “There’s thirteen and fourteen! They shouldn’t be kissing like that! Or even better, not at all.”
Sharlean and Ned looked at each other.
“And stop doing that! I know I’m different, I don’t know why, but I’m going to find out. You better find someone else to help you fix your robots, Ned.” He walked to the door. “If those are really robots at all.” He walked out the door.
Sharlean and Ned gaped at the door. “MICHEL!” Ned yelled. He went to run after him, but Sharlean stopped him.
“Forget it, Ned. Michel is going to find out who he is even if we keep him here. Besides, Mother will be happy to have both of them anyway.” She turned back to the computer with a triumphant smile.
Ned smiled too and went to finish his robot.
*
“Wow!” Madeline said. And she began to laugh. Then she covered his mouth, why was she laughing? She couldn’t stop! “Why…did you do that?” she screamed at Orlando through bursts of laughter. “I can’t stop laughing!” she started to feel faint, she couldn’t breathe she was laughing so hard.
Orlando just stood there, watching her trying to get her breath.
She fell to her knees laughing, but with a painful face. She grasped her throat. “ORLANDO!” she screamed. She started to see black spots.
“Sorry, darling.” Orlando said.
Madeline looked up at him and then passed out clean on the ground.
“The general will be pleased.” Orlando said. He knelt down. And pushed Madeline over. “That was too easy.”
“Easy?” someone said. “That was better than easy. It was a steal.”
Orlando looked down at Madeline and brushed a stray hair away from her face. He felt a pang of guilt.
“No hesitating. Let’s get her loaded. Next stop, Russia.” The voice said again.
Chapter 17
“She’s not answering her phone.” Sophie said, sitting down in her director’s chair. She tried to stay calm.
“Have you tried Orlando’s?” Andrew asked.
Katy, Tyler, Andrew and Sophie were all in the dressing room. They didn’t know what happened to Madeline or Orlando. And they were starting to get worried.
“He’s probably sweeping her off her feet.” Katy said with a mystical voice.
Tyler did a face palm.
“It’s not like her! I’ve texted and called a lot! And they’re both not answering.” Sophie was on the verge of tears. How hard could it be to keep the Grand Duchess of Russia and her BFF safe?
Andrew came over and started to rub her back. “It’s ok, Soph. We’ll find her. She couldn’t have gone far.
*
Madeline woke up to the sound of yelling. She blinked several times before she could open her eyes.
She moved her legs and heard the sound of metal. She looked down and saw chains on her ankles.
The night started to flood back to her.
Her hands were in chains too, behind her back. She pushed herself up and leaned against the wall and breathed hard. It was good to breath again.
The yelling continued. Something about taking a wrong turn. And they were speaking in Russian.
Wait! Where am I? And where am I going? Madeline started to panic. “HELLO?” She yelled.
The yelling stopped. “Does her Imperial Highness need anything?” came a mocking male voice.
Madeline gulped. Bolsheviks.
She ears felt funny. She was on a air plane, going somewhere she didn’t know.
“What do you want?!” she screamed. She knew what they wanted, but she needed to know where she was going.
“To kill you of course,” came the Russian reply.
Madeline’s eyes widened.
“But the boss wants to be done somewhere else. Where your family died.”
No! Madeline thought. Russia? She was going to Russia? And she was going to be killed? Madeline started to cry then.
“Let me go! Please!”
Cruel laughter came threw the doors. “Sorry, little one. But no can do.”
Madeline closed her eyes and leaned against the wall as the tears spilled silently.
I’m going to die. Madeline kept thinking over and over…
*
Izzy was in frenzy. “I knew that prince was bad news!” she cried.
“I knew it too, and I just didn’t do anything about it.” Sophie said. She looked up at the ceiling.
Chief was just standing in the corner of the dark room. All of his agents were losing it. “Calm down, people. We’ll find her.”
Sophie and Izzy looked at him like he was crazy.
“Chief’s right guys. We need clues. First of all. Orlando is our first suspect. Second, Mr. Leroy--”
Izzy let out a gasp of horror. “You dare accuse, Harold?”
“What, Izzy?” Chief asked.
“H—Mr. Leroy is not bad.”
Chief gave her a good look. Then he turned to Andrew, “Continue Mr. Jackson.”
“Then, Jeremiah and Jade. And two new people I didn’t know about until Her Imperial Royal Highness told me about. Ned and Sharlean.” He clicked a couple keys on his laptop and a picture of Ned and Sharlean in black trench coats with dark sunglasses appeared. They were looking backwards. Andrew pointed to the screen. “Ned, makes robots who have currently tired to capture her Imperial Highness. And Sharlean, hasn’t tried anything but we know from Madeline that she uses makeup as weapons. She’s like a bounty hunter.” Andrew turned back to his boss. “Any questions?”
“Good job, Andrew. We have a lot going on. First of all, I want Sophie and Andrew to go visit the Coplyn’s. Izzy…” He turned to Izzy. “Go check on Mr. Leroy for me now. I feel we have another double crosser in our mist.”
Chapter 17
Michel hovered under the plane. With his breathing mask and hover car and black jump suit, he looked like a real agent. An advanced one. But Michel didn’t trust himself. He hadn’t learned all about being an agent. What if he fell? What if he got shot?
Michel shook his head. I have to rescue her.
He climbed up below the plane and found that secret hatch that he saw the Russians make before they lifted off. He opened it up and climbed inside.
The plane was quiet. Too quiet. Then he heard a muffled crying.
He made his way through the crates full of who knows what and he slowly looked around a box and saw her.
Madeline had been gagged because she wouldn’t stop talking and the Russians were getting tired of her yelling and crying. Her hands were chained behind her back and her legs were chained also.
Michel tried to hold back his tears. But it wasn’t working. They just kept on coming.
What should I do? He thought. Should I jump out and help her? I could possibly scare her though…Should I be like a Superman, and fly in to her rescue? Or should I be like a Batman, and sneak in silently?
Then he heard voices and Madeline started to freak.
She’s paranoid. Michel thought. I have to go now.
He came out of hiding and Madeline saw him at once. She started to freak. Trying to push herself away from him.
Michel put out his hands. “I’m not going to hurt you. Just stay calm. Everything’s going to be alright.”
Madeline stopped and looked at him.
“Just stay still so I can get you out of these.” He sat down next to her and untied the gag.
“Who are you?” Madeline asked timidly.
“I’ll explain that later.” He moved down to her feet and used a laser to cut the chains.
“If you’re a good guy, could you please not have a British accent? They bother me.”
Michel looked up at her. They don’t bother her. They scare her.
Michel got rid of it. “Sorry, I’m just used to using it.” He helped her up and turned her around. “Hold still.” He said.
“Why?” she went to turn around and got a horrible pain in her arm above her wrist. She screamed in pain.
Michel gripped her shoulder. He had to be firm, but kind. “Stay still.”
Madeline didn’t’ move.
He got the chains off. Madeline spun around and gripped her right arm. “Ow.” She moaned. A white scar about three inches long went up her arm. She looked up at Michel and glared. “Why’d you do that?” she snapped.
“It’s hard to use a laser so close to someone’s arms and hands. You had to stay still. Which you didn’t.”
“Excuse me?” Madeline said. Still gripping her arm. She narrowed her eyes.
Michel felt an urge to snap back at her. But he held his tongue. I just have to get her out.
“Oh, your Highness!” a Russian voice. “We’re here!”
Madeline’s eyes widened in terror. They looked like deer’s eyes when a car was coming right at them to Michel.
“Can we please go?” she whispered. She was shaking.
Michel wrapped his fingers around Madeline’s. He felt another something. A brotherly feeling. Then he started running until they made it to the hatch. He opened it. “Come on.” He said.
“I am not jumping.” She said. She crossed her arms.
I don’t like to get mad. But she’s starting to get annoying. So…
Before she could protested, Michel picked her up and jumped.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and tossed her head in his shoulder and screamed.
When they landed, he put her down in the seat and jumped into the driver seat.
Madeline looked fear stricken. She wrapped her arms around her legs.
Michel looked at her from his review mirror. “Are you ok?” he asked.
She nodded.
Either she’s so scared or her heart is broken about what the prince did. Or both.
“So…what’s your name?” Madeline asked after awhile.
“Michel.”
“I’m Madeline. But I guess you’d know that already…”
Is she testing me? Michel thought. “That’s cool.”
“Are you going to take me home?”
“I’m going to try. But my hover car can’t go that far. I need gas.”
“It got you here.”
“But that doesn’t mean it can take us back.”
“What do you mean.—“
“I’ll try! But be quiet! Ok?”
Oops, that came out a little too harsh. Michel thought.
Madeline just crossed her arms and looked away.
I hope she doesn’t cry. Michel thought. He checked the gas gauge. Probably a good hour left…he thought. Then the hover car jerked and started to fall fast.
Chapter 18
Sophie and Andrew arrived at the Coplyn’s large mansion. They were dressed in black so they wouldn’t get noticed.
Sophie looked at her brother. “You ready for this?”
Andrew laughed. “Been ready.” They went to the door and knocked.
They knew they needed both of them to take on Jeremiah and Jade. So they had to stick together. When the butler Charles opened the door. Sophie told him that they were here for Jeremiah and Jade.
He let them in and they sat down on the comfy chairs. Sophie looked at the winding stair case, gripping the chair arms. She hated this place. So many bad things had happened to Madeline here.
“They should be in a minute.” The butler said.
Sophie and Andrew nodded and got up. They needed to scope out the house. They pulled on there gloves and walked up the stars. The first room they checked used to be Madeline’s. All her stuff was still in there.
“That’s weird...” Sophie mused. “Why would they keep her stuff in here? Or keep it all for that matter…”
“Maybe someday they hope that they’ll get Madeline back and keep her prisoner.” Andrew said.
Sophie shrugged. “Probably.”
They heard footsteps and Jeremiah’s silky voice come threw the door. “Who’s in there?” he asked.
As the door opened, Sophie and Andrew jumped onto the ceiling.
Jeremiah was just the same. Sophie thought.
But what they didn’t’ count on was him looking up.
He’s been trained well. Sophie thought.
“Well, well. Isn’t it Madeline’s followers.” Jeremiah said.
Andrew and Sophie jumped down and drew their guns. “All we’re here for is to find Madeline.” Sophie said through her teeth.
Jeremiah put up his hands. “I don’t know where she is. Last time we heard of her was when Ned and Sharlean accused us of ‘taking’ her.” He sighed and put his hands in his pockets, “Which we didn’t do. I don’t understand why everyone accuses us.” He crossed his arms.
Sophie pocketed her gun and walked forward. “Because, you were the first people to ever ‘take’ Madeline. Because you’re part of the Bolsheviks. Because you’re the meanest person in the world. Is that enough?”
Jeremiah glared down at her.
Sophie glared back.
“Jeremiah, I can’t find that dress I wanted. Do you think that.—“ Jade stopped in the door way. She narrowed her eyes. “What are they doing here?” she asked stepping forward and standing next to Jeremiah. Arms crossed.
“They accuse us of taking Madeline.” Jeremiah said. Still glaring at Sophie.
“Well everyone knows that they took her to R.—“ Jade started. Jeremiah threw his hand over her mouth before she could continue.
“Jade! Why are you so stupid?” he cried.
Jade muffled a reply.
“Did I hear Russia?” Andrew asked.
Sophie nodded. “I think we did. Thank you for your help, Mr. and Ms. Coplyn. We’ll be going now.” Sophie and Andrew brushed past them.
Jade wished they would stay longer.
Chapter 19
Madeline was fine. She was perfectly fine. Michel seemed to be a nice guy. He saved her life. Everything was fine. But then, the hover car stopped hovering.
She screamed as she was thrown from her seat and it was falling faster than she was. She was in mid-air and heading for the water. She was going to die.
She saw Michel trying to get a grip. “Madeline!” he called, over the howling wind.
She looked over at him.
“Try to make your way to me!”
Madeline reached out and got hold of his hand. He pulled her towards him and then wrapped his arm around her waist.
“We’re going to die!” Madeline screamed.
“We’re not. Just calm down,” Michel said.
“That’s water!”
“Yes, yes it is.”
“We’re going to fall into it!”
“No, we’re not.”
“Yes we are! We’re going to die!” she started to cry.
“It’s going to be ok. Just relax.” Michel managed to get his parachute on.
“You have parachute?!” Madeline screamed.
“Yes! I said it was going to be alright!” Michel snapped.
Madeline gulped. “I’m still scared.” She whispered.
Michel yanked the ripcord on the parachute. And they jolted up with the wind.
“Don’t drop me.” Madeline said.
“I won’t.” Michel smirked. They landed in the water.
Michel let go of Madeline she started to do a bicycle kick so she could stay a float.
Michel wiggled got out of the parachute.
“Ok, now we are going to die,” observed Madeline, looking around. Her hair was already wet. You couldn’t tell that she had curly hair now. “Wait!” she dug in her pocket and brought out a walkie talkie.
“I think that won’t work…” Michel said.
“It will. It’s water proof and this thing works all around the world.” She hit the button but just water came out. “Never mind. That was the other one I had.”
Michel shook his head. She’s so funny.
Michel pulled out his, waterproof computer and typed in something. “Ok, there’s a small island not far from here.” He pointed to the East. “We can signal a ship from there.”
“Nice, I have to swim to an island. And I’m alone. With a boy.” Then she choked up. I miss Orlando. Why did he do that to me?
“It’ll be good exercise .” Michel said.
Says you. Madeline thought. They started to swim.
Chapter 20
“She’s in Russia?” Izzy cried. She turned pale.
“We don’t’ know that. She could be on her way.” Andrew said, scanning his computer.
“With those horrible Bolsheviks?” Izzy said. Her eyes rolled up in her head and she fell onto the floor.
Sophie went to take care of her.
Andrew sighed. They were getting no where. Mr. Leroy had acted totally surprised when Izzy told him about what Orlando had done. He said he was sorry and to contact them if they heard anything from Orlando.
An angry knock came at the door, startling Andrew. He went to open it. But the person just barged it. “What’s this that my brother being a Bolshivick?” Alice stormed.
Andrew was totally taken back. “W-what?” he stammered.
“You heard me! Where is my BROTHER?!”
“Calm down your Highness. He’s on his way to Russia.”
Maybe. Andrew thought, but good thinking, Soph.
“Why?!”
“Because, he might, might be working with Madeline’s captors.” Sophie said, putting a wet cloth on Izzy’s forehead.
“YES!” Andrew shouted.
That woke Izzy up. “What?” she cried.
Then Andrew’s face went from happy to total shock.
“What’s wrong?” Sophie asked, coming over to the computer with Alice right behind her.
The video of Orlando and Madeline kissing was playing. Sophie gasped and covered her mouth. Alice just stared with utter total disbelief. “That can’t be…r-r-right. Orlando would never.—“
“Maybe you don’t know your brother, Alice.” Sophie snapped, turning back to the screen.
“I-I-I do!” Alice protested.
“Then do you know that he might be out to kill his bride-to-be?” Sophie asked.
Andrew saw how stressed Sophie was. She looked on the verge of tears.
Alice didn’t answer. Andrew studied her for a moment. So pretty, but so stressed.
Whoa, Andrew. Slow down. She’s a princess and I am an agent. Chill.
Andrew didn’t know the meaning of chill. He never chilled.
“Andrew!” Sophie shook him. “Look!”
He looked at the screen. Madeline was on the ground in uncontrollable laughter. Her face in total anguish. And Orlando was just staring down at her. There wasn’t any sound. So they wouldn’t tell what they were saying. But Andrew knew it couldn’t be good.
He looked at Alice. She looked like Madeline. In anguish. She probably couldn’t come to understand why her brother would do that.
If that really was her brother.
“Alice, what do you know about your brother?” Izzy asked.
Alice just stared at her. “I-I-I-…”
“Alice, please, for Madeline.” Izzy begged.
Alice sighed and sat down on a chair. “This is the first time he’s actually been home this long. Usually he goes off somewhere. And Mr. Leroy starts to freak. Then Orlando comes back safe and sound. And no one knows where he went.” She took a shaky break and looked up at them. “I eavesdropped on him once. He got really mad at me.” A tear slid down her cheek. “I’ve never seen him so mad in my life.” She chocked back a sob. “He grabbed me by the arm and dragged me to my room and threw me inside. And he locked the door. I was so scared. I didn’t understand why he was so mad. He just said something about the Grand Duchess and killing. I didn’t understand.” She covered her face with her hands. “I was so scared though.” She looked up. “So when he started to date Madeline, I was scared for her. I saw how mean Orlando could be, and I heard what Orlando said. That’s why I acted all mean to her. Maybe she would get fed up with me and stop dating Orlando. It didn’t work…” her voice trailed off.
Sophie sat next to her, “It’s ok. We’ll find her.” She looked up at Izzy and Andrew. “First, let’s go find Orlando.”
Chapter 21
“You lost her?” Orlando asked, shocked. How could you lose a little girl?
I guess she’s not little but…
“Sir, we’re sorry, but...—“ the Russian stated.
“Silence! I’ll find her myself. Since you obviously can’t.” he rolled his eyes. He put his hands in his black dress pants with his matching suit. He had black sunglasses on.
The Russian bowed his head. “I am sorry, sir. Very sorry.”
“Save it for the boss.” Orlando said and he stomped off.
How hard could it be to watch Madeline? She already fell for my little charade. I don’t think it’s that hard to keep her in a plane, Chained up.
Orlando sighed and took off his sunglasses and pocketed them. He felt something in his pocket. He took it out. It was a picture of him and Madeline.
He felt that pang of guilt again. He quickly shook it off. I have to kill her. No feelings.
He took out his cell phone and dialed a number. “It’s me. Yes, she got away. I’ll go. Alright.” He hung up. He put back on his sunglasses and put on his smile.
This is going to be fun. He thought.
*
Madeline and Michel were exhausted when they got to the island.
Madeline fell onto the beach and started to laugh. “Wow. That was far.”
Michel stood nearby. “A little too far.” He saw a cave not far from shore. “Come on. There’s a cave over there.” He held out his hand and Madeline took it.
This time, Madeline felt something. A sisterly something. She smiled and took her hand back. They walked up to the cave together.
Once inside, Michel went out to find some wood for a fire. Madeline sat alone with her fears and troubles. Playing with some small rocks in the cave she thought about Orlando.
“How could he do this to me?” she whispered. “He was so charming. I l-l-l…” she couldn’t say it. She just couldn’t.
She wiped away a tear. “He doesn’t l-l-l- me back. We shouldn’t have been doing that anyway. Why did I let him do that?” she drew her knees to her chest and cried into them. “I was so stupid!” she burst into sobs.
Michel came in awhile later and saw her like this. He dropped the sticks he’d been carrying and ran to her. “What’s wrong? Are you alright?” he knelt down next to her.
“No! I am not ok!” she cried even harder. “I am so STUPID!”
“You’re not, stupid, Madeline. It wasn’t your fault.”
“How do you even know what I’m crying about?” she looked up at him.
He brushed a stray hair away from her face. He sat against the cave wall next to her. “That prince was just junk, Madeline. He did it to hurt you. It wasn’t your fault.”
Madeline looked outside. “It was. I should never have let him get that close.”
Michel gently pushed her face towards him. “Listen to me. It wasn’t. I saw the whole thing. I saw you try to tell him to back off. I saw you try to pull away.”
Madeline’s eyes widened. “You did?”
Michel nodded. “I did.”
“I did try to tell him to stop but once his lips touched mine. I couldn’t stop.” She got teary eyed again. “He broke my heart in half.” She clenched her fists and stood up. “He played me like a fiddle! And he’ll pay! I won’t let him hurt me again!” She looked back at Michel. “You’ll help me, won’t you?”
Michel nodded. “Duh.”
Madeline laughed.
“So Madeline…” Michel said after awhile. Madeline sat back down. “Do you ever wonder if you have anymore family out there?”
Madeline turned to look at the smoke from the fire Michel had built. “Yeah, I do. But I don’t think there are any. What about you?”
Michel nodded. “I do too.”
“Ok, so let’s take turns asking each other questions.” Madeline said.
Michel shrugged. “Sure.”
“Ok, so…hmm…have you ever had a girl friend?”
Michel laughed. “No! Goodness me no! Ned and Sharlean wouldn’t give me time to do that.”
Madeline widened her eyes. “You lived with Ned and Sharlean?”
Michel sighed. “Afraid so. But once I saw you and that prince together. Something told me to help you. So here I am. Ok, my turn…Um…do you play any sports?”
Madeline shook her head. “No. I don’t. Ok…when’s your birthday?”
“July 30th. Yours?”
“That’s my birthday too! Do you know what time you were born?”
“It was twelve fifty nine at night.”
“Mine was twelve fifty eight. What year?”
Michel didn’t say it was his turn, he was too shocked. “1998.”
“Me too!”
He turned towards her. “Do you know where?”
Madeline rubbed her chin thoughtfully, “It was at my house…”
“Me too!”
Madeline turned to him. “This is freaky.”
Michel started getting bold. “What was your father’s name?”
“Ivan. And my mom’s name was…”
“Tanya!” they said together.
They both stood up. “This is not happening…” Madeline said.
“I know.” Michel said. He was shaking with emotion. “So all those brotherly feelings were real!”
“Oh my gosh!” tears spilled down Madeline’s cheeks. And she wrapped her twin brother in a hug.
Chapter 22
“Orlando! We know what you did!” Sophie yelled into her phone.
“Really, Sophie. I wouldn’t do that to Madeline.” Orlando said.
His voice always sent chills down Sophie’s spine. But today, Sophie felt like the North Pole was going down her back. “You did! We have video proof! Don’t deny it!”
A low chuckle sounded. “Ah…well…Good bye dear, Sophie.”
The line went dead.
Sophie threw the phone onto the table. “Such nerve! He kept denying it! He sounded like he was guilty though.” Sophie leaned on the table with both hands and sighed.
“I just don’t understand. Why…why would he do this?” Little Amie asked. She had already cried. She fully understood what her big brother had done.
All four princess sat on the couch. Alice kept stroking Amie’s hair.
Andrew had never noticed how kind Alice was. She always seemed hostile and violent. Or course, he’d been noticing a lot of things about Alice.
RING RING
Everyone turned to look at Sophie’s cell phone on the table. Sophie picked it up and gasped. She answered it right away. “Are you alright? Are you ok?”
Madeline laughed. “I’m fine. Just fine.”
“Are you hurt? Where are you?”
“I’m not hurt. I’m just fine. We’re on a small island in…” she paused and asked someone behind her a question.
We’re? Sophie thought.
“Near Russia. I’ll have Michel send the coordinates to your phone.”
“O-o-k. Who’s Michel?”
“You’ll see.” Sophie swore that she could feel Madeline smiling.
Sophie hung up. She could barely stand she was so relieved. “Madeline’s ok.” She breathed.
Cheers erupted around the room.
It felt good to be happy again.
It took Sophie and them awhile to find the island. When they landed, Madeline ran up to them and gave each of them a hug. “You’re alright! Oh darling!” Izzy cried stroking Madeline’s hair.
Madeline laughed. “Don’t cry, Izzy, I’m fine.” She let go and smiled up at her. Izzy smiled back and then looked behind her. There was a boy. Probably Madeline’s age. In all black standing awkwardly a little away from the greetings. He had brown eyes and blonde hair. Izzy thought she saw a little Madeline in him. But she pushed that thought away. Crazy. She thought to himself. Impossible.
“Madeline, who’s that?” she asked.
Madeline turned. “That’s Michel.” She gestured for him to come.
“Hi.” Michel said.
He’s really shy. Like Madeline can be. Izzy thought.
“And he is…?” Andrew asked.
“He’s my….um…”
What is she trying to say?
“We’re twins.” Michel said.
The words hit the air like an arrow.
“No…” Izzy breathed.
She wasn’t crazy. They looked almost alike. Except he was a boy and she was a girl.
“You’re joking.” Sophie said.
Madeline rolled her eyes. “I’m not. We are twins.”
“If you want, I can confirm it for you.” Michel offered.
Sophie put her hands on her hips and gaped at him. “And how are you going to do that?”
Michel gave her a death glare. “I have things that can do it for me, miss…”
“Sophie.” Sophie stuck out her hand. “Her Imperial Royal Highness’s protector.”
“Michel.”
Sophie pulled back her hand and turned on her heel back to the plane.
“Touchy.” Michel said, fixing the black glove on his hand.
This wasn’t good. Izzy looked at Madeline. Her eyes had the same thoughts.
The plane ride wasn’t that great.
Sophie and Michel didn’t stop arguing.
“Blue is the best color. Not black.” Sophie said.
Madeline put her hand on her head and sighed.
After a couple more minutes. Madeline couldn’t take anymore. “Shut up! Both of you!” she turned to her now glaring brother. “At least argue about something that makes sense!” She leaned back and sighed and closed her eyes.
Sophie turned back into her seat.
Michel started to play with his little computer thing.
Great. My bestfriend and brother are rivals. Great. Just great.
When they landed back in the U.S.A. Izzy started to talk about where Michel was going to stay. She drew Madeline aside.
“Maddie, I don’t know about this. What if he’s a Bolshevik?”
“He’s not, Izzy. Trust me.” She looked at Michel and then back at Izzy. “He is my brother. I can feel it. And so can he. He has been living with Ned and Sharlean. It all makes sense! I was with Jeremiah and Jade. And he was with them! The pieces fit.”
“But I’m not sure we have the right puzzle.” Izzy said.
Madeline looked into Izzy’s worried eyes. “Don’t worry.”
Izzy nodded and then took a deep breath. “I’m going to trust you, Madeline. But, please, be careful.”
Madeline nodded and went to the others.
Madeline made up the guest room for Michel.
“You’ll probably have to go see Chief tomorrow.” She said, fluffing the pillows.
“Chief?” Michel asked.
“He’s the guy in charge of my protection program.” She said. “Or our.”
Michel nodded. “I don’t know why nobody believes us.”
“Sophie’s just jealous. She was jealous of Orlando. So she thinks you’re going to take me away from her.”
“I’m not going to do that.”
“I know your not.” Madeline walked the door. “Sleep tight. And don’t let the bed bugs bite.” She winked. “Because there are some!” she screamed as he threw a pillow at her. She ran out the door.
Michel shook his head. Sisters.
Chapter 23
“When are you going to get her?!” Jeremiah screamed at Orlando.
“Really, Jeremiah, I would think you would have more patience.” Orlando said.
“I did. But they’re gone now.” Jeremiah said through his teeth.
“It was your sister’s fault that you lost her.” Orlando said, motioning to Jade, who was cowering behind a book. Jeremiah hadn’t taken kindly to Jade’s mistake. “Not mine.” Orlando finished.
“I don’t care! Get her back! Do whatever is takes!”
Orlando smiled. “I can do that.”
“She’s going to be at the school soon. Go there and do anything. My father’s patience is gone. You’re taking too long. Get it done now.
Orlando was trying not to lose his cool. “My little act wouldn’t have worked if I just brought her to you.”
“But Sophie was getting suspicious! You should have just kissed her and swept her off her feet right when she started to like you! Simple!”
“Have you done this before, Jeremiah?” Orlando inquired.
“Yes. One time.—“ Jade started.
“Shut up, Jade.” Jeremiah snapped. And then he turned back to Orlando. “None of your business. Now bring her to me!”
Orlando did a mocking bow and left the Coplyn Mansion.
*
When Michel and Madeline got back from seeing Chief, everything was settled. Indeed, Michel and Madeline were siblings. He would stay with Izzy and Madeline.
Sophie’s ego had been wounded.
She went straight home when they were done.
“Bark, bark!” Flurry jumped on Michel.
“Whoa! Who’s this?” Michel exclaimed.
“Oh, this is Flurry.” She picked the barking dog up and wiggled noses. “You were right all along, Flurry. Orlando was a jerk.”
Flurry barked happily.
“The dog knew?” Michel asked. “Fascinating.”
“Now you’re sounding like Reed Richards.” Madeline said. She walked to the kitchen. “Hungry?”
“Just a little.” Michel took a seat in on the bar stools. “How about you?”
Madeline shrugged. “Just a little.” She poured her and Michel a glass of milk and grabbed each of them a chocolate cookie and sat down on a stool next to them.
“So…tell me…what is it like to be the Grand Duchess of Russia?” Michel asked.
Madeline laughed. “Well….um…It’s not that grand of a job. Everyone is trying to kill you. You’ll get used to it though.”
“Wow. I totally forgot that part.”
“You also have more power than me…think…because the guys always get the throne.” She rolled her eyes. “Stupid really.”
“What happens if you get married?”
“Well, if I marry then I guess I would still be the Grand Duchess and I’ll definitely get married to royalty so I’ll be the queen or princess I guess. Girls always change there titles and names.”
“And the guys just get to keep there title and name. Seems fair.”
Madeline punched him in the arm. “It’s not fair.”
Madeline looked at her watch. “Oh carp! I have to be at the school in fifteen minutes!”
“Carp?” Michel asked.
“Instead of saying ‘crap’ I say ‘carp’. It’s more family friendly that way. But you didn’t get the point. I have to get ready! It’s dress rehearsal night!” she jumped off the stool and ran to her room, followed by Michel. Madeline talked on the way.
“Long story short: I’m doing a musical and I need to get there now.”
“What is it about?” Michel stood outside Madeline’s bedroom door while she changed.
“It’s Camp Rock. And I’m Tess Tyler.”
“Oh! That movie, love that one. It’s good.”
“I know right?”
“But why Tess?”
“They decided I was the best person to play the mean girl since I’ve lived with some for awhile.”
Michel nodded. “Makes sense. Do you have to sing?”
“No, we put the music going with the real actor singing and the person on stage lip syncs.” Madeline came out the door. “It’s easier, so that they don’t have to memorize the song and you don’t have to worry about being a good singer.”
She hurried to the door, followed closely by Michel.
“Izzy! Can you take Michel and me to the school?” she yelled.
“Is that how you always communicate with Izzy?” Michel asked.
“Yeah.” Madeline replied. She was too worried about time to answer anyway else.
“Yes! I’ll be right there!” Izzy yelled back.
Ten minutes later, they were in their little Honda going to the school.
“I totally forgot about the dress rehearsal!” Izzy exclaimed.
“I guess with all the excitement going around, everyone just forgot. I wonder if Sophie remembered,”
“Of course she did! She’s Sophie for pete’s sake!” Izzy cried.
“Wait a sec, did I say I wanted to go?” Michel said.
Madeline and Izzy laughed.
The stage was in a whirl. Everyone was panicking.
“What’s wrong?” Madeline asked Tyler.
“Everyone totally forgot that it’s the real show night!” Tyler cried.
“You’re kidding!” Madeline cried.
Tyler shook his head. “I’m not. The dress rehearsal was last week. Wait, you weren’t there! Where were you?”
“Kinda in Russia.” Madeline whispered. “Tell ‘ya later.”
Tyler nodded.
“Why did you tell him that?” Michel asked.
“He knows.”
Michel nodded. “Got it.”
“So you can tell him who you are if you want.”
“Everyone in the dressing rooms! It starts in thirty minutes! Let’s move it people!” Sophie said into her megaphone.
“She’s the director?” Michel said, surprised.
“Yep.” Madeline said running with her costume to the dressing room, leaving Michel to be confused by himself.
Chapter 24
Orlando was on the school roof.
When she’s alone, I’ll come in. He said to himself. Make her terrified. Maybe even try kissing again.
Madeline looked out behind the curtain. It was time for the scene when Tess sings: “Two Stars” Madeline was so ready for her last singing part.
She was wearing dark purple leggings with same color flats. She had a dark purple sparkly knee length shirt over it. She had fake diamond earrings in. She had straightened her hair. She took a deep breath. Only two more minutes…
“My, you look nervous.”
Madeline didn’t move. She was too scared too.
“Being nervous is a normal thing though.” Orlando said.
She could hear him coming closer. She was doomed. She felt sick.
She felt his hands on her shoulders. “Being scared is another normal thing, too.”
She spun around. “GET OFF ME!”
“Now darling.—“
“I’m not your ‘darling’!” Madeline shouted.
“Hush. You’ll ruin the show.—“
“I DON’T CARE. You better get out of here now.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart.” Orlando tipped Madeline’s chin. “But I can’t do that.”
“Why?” Madeline asked. She tried to control her shaking. She grabbed his arm that held her chin up.
Orlando took control of the moment by swirling his wrist around and grabbing her hand. He grabbed her other hand too. He pulled her closer. “Because, someone wants you very badly. And I have permission to do anything to get you to that somebody.”
“You’re not cool.” Madeline said through her teeth. She knew who that somebody was. It was Jeremiah. She was so doomed now. She tried to pull her hands away.
“Oh but I am, Madeline. But this theater won’t be, if you don’t cooperate.”
Madeline heard Tyler’s voice. He was announcing her next.
Orlando pulled her over to the dressing room table. He grabbed both of her arms. “Look.”
She saw on a small camera a bomb. She yelped.
“This will go off. It’s a fire bomb. And if you don’t cooperate, I will set it off. And the whole school won’t be ‘cool’ anymore.”
Madeline gulped. What should I do? People always made this look easier in the movies.
She tried to pull away. Orlando pulled her against him. He whispered in her ear. “So, what do you say?”
“Never.”
“I didn’t want to do this…” Orlando said. He hit a button on the cameraa. The bomb started to tick.
“NO!” She screamed.
Orlando wrapped his arm around her waist and carried her outside the door. “HELP.—“ Orlando thrust his hand over her mouth.
Orlando stopped at a door to unlock it. He set Madeline down but kept his arm around her waist. She looked around. A glint of hope appeared.
“Hold it right there.” Michel said. He had a gun and was pointing it at Orlando’s back.
Orlando stopped trying to unlock the door. He turned around. “Well, well. So it isn’t Madeline’s brother.”
Surprise fluttered across Michel’s face.
“Oh yes, I know a lot about you two. I knew before you knew. I wonder why Ned and Sharlean let you go…” Orlando stepped forward, taking Madeline with him.
Michel cocked the gun. “They didn’t. I ran away. Simple. I guess you don’t know everything.”
Orlando was getting annoyed. “Put that away or she gets it.”
“Michel! There’s a bomb! Don’t’ worry about me! Get the bomb!” Orlando squeezed tighter around her waist. She could barley breath.
“Stop that!” Michel said, he pushed a little bit on the on trigger.
“The bomb!” Madeline gasped.
“Let her go!” Michel said.
Orlando pulled out a good sized knife and put the tip on Madeline’s cheek. “I suggest you put that gun away and come with me.”
Michel kept sending frantic looks at his frightened sister. She was trying to get air. She had started to turn white.
Michel started to lower his gun.
“Michel! No! Get the bomb! I’ll be fine!” Madeline said. With the last attempt to breathe again, she grabbed the knife, scraping herself in the cheek she sliced at Orlando’s arm, he let go and she fell the ground, taking in huge gulps of air.
“Why you little,..” Orlando kicked Madeline into the wall.
She screamed in pain as she hit the wall. Grasping her stomach, she turned a dreadful white.
“Look what you did!” Orlando yelled. “You hurt her!”
“I hurt her?” Michel asked. “You did! You broke my sister’s heart in half! You’re the one who hurt her!”
“She thought the whole thing was real. But it wasn’t.”
Madeline was sick of Orlando. She was sick of pain. And she was sick of people taking about her while she was there!
She stood up and tackled Orlando to the ground. He hit his head and fell into unconsciousness Madeline went to stand back up she wrapped a arm around her stomach., trying not to get sick.
Michel helped her up. “Are you ok?” he asked.
Madeline managed a weak smile. “Yeah.”
Then a loud noise sounded and Michel covered Madeline as the fire from the bomb went into the room.
There were cries from the crowd, Tyler came running in.
“What’s going on?” he still had his Australian accent. He saw Madeline and Michel on the ground. Michel had an unconscious Madeline on his lap.
“Andrew! Sophie!” Tyler screamed.
They came running it. They went straight into agent mode. “What happened?” Sophie asked, taking Madeline on her lap.
“Orlando…he had her…and…” he was so worn out.
“OK, take it easy Your Highness.” Andrew said, patting him on the back.
“The bomb.” Michel said.
Andrew turned white, so did Sophie. “So that’s what the fire is.”
The ceiling started to crack.
“This bomb did some serious damage.” Sophie said.
“Ya think?” snapped Andrew.
He ran out on stage and told the crowd to stay calm and go out the doors. They ran out the door.
When he came back in, Sophie and Michel were both out and Madeline was gone. So was Orlando.
Chapter 25
Stupid, stupid, stupid. Orlando thought.
He was carrying Madeline through the fire trying to find the exit.
This would be easier, if she was awake! He said to himself.
He looked down at the sleeping Madeline. He felt the pang of guilt again.
He looked up and saw someone coming through the fire towards him. It was a girl. A girl he knew. He stopped. “Alice?”
“Shut up. And put Madeline down.” Alice snapped.
“Come now, sweets.—“
“Don’t call me that! You’re not my brother! You never were! You betrayed us all! Amie, remember her? She’s heart-broken because of what you did.”
Orlando was done being nice. “You have no place to talk to me like that!”
“I do, because I’m sick of being afraid of you!” Alice came right up to him.
“You have every right to be afraid, Alice. Now step aside.”
“No! Put Madeline down and I will. She is a girl who loved you Orlando! And know what you did? You broke her heart! She beats herself up every time she thinks about you. She hates herself, Orlando, all because of you!” Tears spilled down Alice’s cheeks. “How could you do this to us?”
Madeline woke up at that moment. She didn’t move, she knew what was going on. She knew what Alice was trying to do. Orlando dropped her she scrambled to her feet and stepped out of the way.
Orlando was fuming. Alice was crying.
Madeline flinched when Orlando hit Alice on the face. Alice put a hand on where he had hit her, but he pulled it away. “You’ve always been in the way Alice! Always listening in on my private conversations!”
“I wouldn’t if you would have stayed home and acted like a brother!” Alice yelled.
“Quiet! I’m done with you!” He pushed Alice out of the way and stomped out of the room. Madeline pulled Alice in a hug.
Alice is hurt more than me. Madeline thought. She just lost her big brother.
Chapter 26
They did the musical Camp Rock again a couple days later.
And this time, there were no fires.
“At least the schools fixed.” Tyler whistled as he looked at the bill. “That’s a lot of money.”
“Let me see,—“ Michel went to look at the check. Madeline pulled him back.
“I think we’ve had enough pressure and sadness to last awhile, Michel.”
Michel smiled at her sister.
Alice and Andrew were in a back room talking.
“Aww, how sweet. Maybe they’ll start dating!” Katy said.
Everyone groaned.
“We’ve had enough love problems to go on for awhile.” Sophie said. She smiled at Madeline.
“Yeah, and I just want to get used to being the Grand Duke of Russia!” Michel said.
“And I want to get used having a big brother!” Madeline said.
“I’m only a minute older.” Michel protested.
“But I’ve always wanted a big brother.” Madeline whined playfully.
“Fine,” Michel said winking.
“At least we don’t have to plan for a royal wedding!” Sophie said.
They all laughed. Even Madeline.
THE END