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Maddie’s sweet sixteen isn’t what she thought it would be. She’s not entirely sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing - but now she knows to expect the unexpected. Especially from a certain someone.
It started out terrible. First, her idiotic brother wouldn’t stop making fun of her the whole night, all because the money for Maddie’s party was going to his stupid braces, so her not-so-sweet sixteen was now at the Goose Lodge, as opposed to Pimento Garden, Maddie’s first choice. Second, all of her “guests” were probably good friends with the dinosaurs, and third? None of Maddie’s friends were there. Well, Zack was. That had to count for something. At least he pretended to be interested in the senior’s bingo happening at the same time as her birthday…
More specifically, London wasn’t there. Maddie’s other friends also failed to appear at first, which still sucked - but for reasons unknown, Maddie was strangely latching onto the fact that London was somewhere else, having everything she wanted, when all Maddie wanted was her.
At her party. All Maddie wanted was London at her party, which was perfectly normal to want from your friend - because that’s what London and Maddie were. Friends.
Despite the fact that earlier in the day, Maddie, in a whirl of spite over London choosing her extravagant Tipton party over hers, had said something different.
“Fine! You guys have a great time,” Maddie yelled as Corrie and Mary-Margaret, her friends from school who’d fallen under the Tipton spell, ran over to all the cool stuff London was giving away - “Because all of my real friends will be at my party.”
“Well, all of my real friends will be at my party.” London huffed, crossing her arms.
“Well, then…I guess we’re not friends.” With that, Maddie stomped away.
It was all she was thinking about - and how she wishes she didn't say it. Why she was always saying stupid things around London Tipton was a mystery - and why she cared so much was also a mystery.
Maddie’s grandma helped by cheering Maddie up slightly - reminding her that even if she didn't have the best decorations or the most guests she still had a room of people who loved her. Maddie knew she was right - but she thought things weren’t going to get any better.
Until London Tipton walked through the door.
“London? What are you doing here?” Maddie walked over to where London had entered, eyes lighting up. Maddie was unable to miss her colourful and extravagant outfit- It was very London after all.
“I got locked out of my own party,” London lamented, before gasping. “I don’t need any ID, do I?”
Laughing, Maddie said “No. I’m sorry you got locked out,” Maddie looked at London, remorse overtaking her voice.
London sighed. “Actually, I don’t care. I wasn’t having a good time,” London started to tell Maddie about how her party wasn’t all she thought it would be, and how her parents made her miserable the whole time, without even speaking to each other.
“The worst part of it is, we didn't even get to have a miserable time together!” London snivelled as she gestured between her and Maddie.
Maddie felt terrible. Even if it made her feel slightly better that London would rather have a terrible time with her than with anyone else, Maddie wished she and London didn't fight in the first place. Maybe then the night would’ve started the way it ended up.
That’s what Maddie is thinking about as she looks around the room, her sixteenth birthday looking way more lively than it did twenty minutes ago. Now, all of her friends were there, and it looked like a real party - all thanks to London. Speaking of which, where is London?
Just a second ago, London was dancing with her dad - well, just his hand, since there were about a million security guards surrounding him - but as Maddie looks around, even with the flashing lights and loud music, London is nowhere to be found.
The girl has feathers on her head, Maddie thinks, she can’t be too far.
And it seems Maddie’s right - for she spots those very feathers walking out the door. Confused, Maddie breaks away from the crowd, following the feathers.
She finds London sitting on the pavement. The street is relatively empty, but London still makes a face at an average-looking car.
Maddie laughs to herself over this, before making her way over to London and sitting down next to her.
“You’re not leaving, are you?” Maddie asks. She hopes it sounds like an innocent question, and not like please, please stay. Even if that’s what she really means.
London shakes her head. “No, of course not. I just needed a minute.” she sighs. The feathers now lay in London’s hands - Maddie wasn’t sure how it could be comfortable, and she was right.
“But you love parties,” Maddie states, confused.
“I guess so,” London agrees, before looking at the ground with a faraway look. “I just wish I had what you had, Maddie. I mean, I know your parents fight a lot, but at least you get to see them. You have so many people that care about you in that room. Sometimes I feel like everyone’s just pretending to like me,” she exhaled.
Shifting closer to London, Maddie lays a hand on her shoulder. “I’m not pretending,” she reassures her. “I would never. People do like you, London. People care. I know I do. And I’m really glad you showed up. I really wanted to spend my birthday with the people special to me - like you, London.”
London turned to meet Maddie’s eyes, a smile approaching her face. “I’m special to you?” she asked, incredulous.
With a nod of her head, Maddie says, “Of course you are. And I’m really sorry about what I said before,”
London tilts her head, confused. “What’d you say?”
Maddie rolls her eyes, but not without a smile to go with it. “What I said in the lobby today. That we weren’t friends,” Maddie breathes out, “I didn't mean it. We are friends, London. I hope we always are.”
Smiling, London says. “It’s okay, Maddie. I already forgot about it - wait! I almost forgot something else,” London suddenly turns to the side, grabbing an envelope that was apparently with her the whole time.
Handing a pink envelope with Maddie written on the front, London exclaims “Happy birthday, Maddie. Open it!” clapping her hands in excitement.
“You wrote me a card?” Maddie turns the envelope around in her hands. She knows that writing, spelling, or anything having to do with words is not exactly London’s forte.
“Ew, no. Just open it,” London urges. Maddie shakes her head and opens the envelope to reveal - a gift card.
Maddie thinks London could have sprung for more than just a gift card - until she reads what’s on the said card. And how much was on it…
“A gift card to Pimento Garden! How did you..?”
London hides a smug smile. “I have my ways.”
“ Three hundred dollars ! I could totally eat at Pimento Garden for the rest of my life with this,” Maddie marvelled at the card. Maybe she didn't get to have her birthday there - but three hundred dollars for her favourite restaurant was pretty awesome.
London wrinkles her nose. “I don’t see why you would. I’ve eaten real Italian food. You know. In Italy,” London bragged.
Maddie chuckled. “I’m sure you have. I know it doesn’t compare to all the fancy places you’ve been to and fancy food you’ve eaten, but it’s my favourite! They give you unlimited breadsticks and everything!” She turned to look at London, “Thank you, London. This is a pretty awesome gift.”
Happy that Maddie liked her gift, London claps her hands, exclaiming “Yay me!” She stops for a second, before continuing, “I mean, yay, Maddie!”
After her mini-celebration is over, London glances at the card in Maddie’s hand, thought washing over her expression. “I guess if it’s your favourite, it can’t be that bad. Maybe you should take me,” she suggests.
“Consider it done!” Maddie beamed, holding up the card, “I have the funds for it, after all.”
London smiles. “Yay! What about Saturday?”
Maddie nods. “Sure, why not?”
London grins at Maddie, before glancing at the door behind them, lights and music faintly appearing. “Should we go back in there? Maybe find some cute boys to dance with?”
Normally, Maddie would agree - but for some reason she almost wants to stay here, alone, with London.
London isn’t always what Maddie expects - instead of her usual annoyance with her friend, Maddie feels all kinds of confused and flustered, and instead of the shallow heiress everyone thinks London is, Maddie knows she’s more than that. Maddie knows she cares - and she’s lucky to have London in her life. Who else would give her a $300 gift card?
Maddie thinks about how funny it’ll be to watch London Tipton enjoy a “fancy” night out at Pimento Garden - until Maddie realizes what London just did by inviting herself to the restaurant with Maddie.
Did London just - ask Maddie on a date?
Before she can think about it any further and send herself into a spiral, Maddie shakes her head, bringing herself back to London’s question.
“I don’t know,” Maddie answers. “Maybe you should just dance with me instead,” she gently suggests.
London shrugs, the only thought on her mind getting back to the party. “Okay!” Grabbing Maddie’s hand, she pulls her off of the pavement, dragging her back to the night. “C’mon, Maddie!” London sings, Maddie laughing as London pulls her through the door and into the crowd.
So maybe Maddie was wrong.
Her sweet sixteen
was
everything she thought it’d be.