�Um, guys?� she asked, tentatively.
�Yeah, sweetie? You hungry again? Thirsty?� Alyson asked. The medications made Madison very, very hungry all the time.
�Nope, I just....can I have a word with each of you? Alone?� Madison asked, softly.
�Of course. The rest of us can wait in the hall. Who do you want first?� Kennedi asked.
�It doesn�t matter. Just make sure Syvanni is last, okay?� Madison requested.
�Okay. I�ll go first, I�ve been wanting to ask Madison something, anyways.� Alyson said. The three other girls left the room quietly, as Alyson moved over on the bed so she was sitting next to Madison, but facing her.
�Ally....there�s so much to say. But first, what did you want to talk about?� Madison asked.
�Well, just that I�m transferring to Edina State next semester. I�ve already worked it all out, just have to tell you guys. I just wanted to ask you if you think its a good idea first.� Alyson looked at Madison with her emerald eyes.
�So, the accepted you this time?� Madison asked.
�Yeah, they did. I really wanted to switch because I feel I need to be with my friends more, I just don�t fit in there much. And it�s less expensive, and I can still get education as my major there.� Alyson explained.
�I think it�s a wonderful idea. Oh, Tara will be so thrilled. So will the rest of them.� Madison said, grinning.
�I know. I�m going to tell them in the hallway when I�m finished.� Alyson said.
�Great, honey. I�m proud of you.� Madison gave her a hug, �Now, that brings me to my talk with you.� Madison sighed and then continued, taking Alyson�s hand in hers, �Alyson Piper Almond, Ally, Red....I don�t even know where to start. You�ve...just made me so proud and so happy these last 5 years that we�ve been friends. I never thought I�d say this, but I�m glad my ex-friends deserted me that day, for I wouldn�t have become such great friends with you. You, my dear, are the power behind our friendship group, and I need you to promise something for me.� Madison said, looking into her eyes, blue meeting green.
�Anything, sweetie.� Alyson said, tears in her eyes.
�You need to watch out for the others. You�re going to be the strong one now. The leader. You always have been, really, but you won�t have me as co-leader anymore. But, I need you to step up to the challenge and face it like the Ally I know. Don�t let the others fall off the path.� Madison said, looking straight at Alyson the whole time.
�I-I don�t know if I can.� Alyson�s voice was trembling.
�You can. You are so capable, I have complete confidence in you, my Ally.� Madison said, tears in her own eyes, �I love you.� she whispered.
�I love you too.� Alyson whispered back, and they hugged tightly, Madison planting a kiss on Alyson�s forehead as they pulled apart.
�Can you get Tara now, sweetie?� Madison asked. Alyson nodded, and got off the bed, and left the room quietly. A few seconds later, Tara entered the room. Her eyes were already teary as she sat on the bed and cuddled up to Madison, �Hey, sweetie.� Madison greeted her.
�Hey, Maddi.� Tara said, so quietly, Madison barely heard her.
�Can you look at me, honey?� Madison said, and Tara turned her face so she was looking up at Madison, hazel eyes meeting blue, �My Tara, Tari, Tare-Bear....I just want you to know how much I love you. I loved you the day I met you, and I always will. You are one of the sweetest, most caring people I ever met, and I want you to stay that way. Now, can I ask you to promise me something?� Madison asked. Tara nodded, tears dripping down her cheeks, �I need you to watch out for Siobhan for me. You need to be brave, okay? Live for me, honey, don�t mourn me forever, but live for me. Can you promise me that?� she asked. Tara nodded again, tears streaming down her cheeks, �Good. I love you, my sweet girl.� Madison finished up, and Tara buried her head in Madison�s chest and sobbed.
�I love you too!� Tara cried, and Madison sat there for a few minutes, letting her cry. When her tears were gone, Tara sat up, �Who would you like me to get?� she asked.
�Kennedi. I want Siobhan last.� Madison said, pulling herself up a little more on the pillows. She was glad Alyson had gone before Tara, that way she�d be there to comfort her when she came out. Tara smiled faintly, and went out of the room. A few moments later, Kennedi entered, �Hey sweetie!� Madison greeted her.
�Heya, Maddi!� Kennedi greeted her, with all the cheerfulness she could muster, �You wanted to speak with me?� she asked.
�Yes, I do. Wanna sit?� Madison asked, patting the bed. Kennedi sat across from Madison and looked her in the eyes, blue meeting brown, �My Kennedi, Kenni....I don�t even know where to begin. I want you to know how much I love you, and how highly I think of you. You are such a giving person, and I�m so proud of you. I was proud of you when you found Tara for us the day we met, and I still am. I love you so much. Now, can you promise me something?� she asked.
�Of course.� Kennedi said, her eyes watery.
�I need you to be Siobhan�s best friend. Be there for her forever. She needs someone, and she�s already told me that she feels that Alyson and Tara have already set up their own best friend status with each other. So, I need you to be Siobhan�s best friend, and always, always, always be there for her. It�s going to be the hardest on her, I can already tell.� Madison chose her words carefully, not wanting to slip and tell Kennedi that she was the odd one out.
�Don�t worry. I already know that you and Siobhan think of each other as your bestest friend. I�ve just learned to trust that you all love me equally and would do anything for me. So, I promise, I will look after Siobhan.� Kennedi said, crossing her heart, tears spilling from her eyes.
�Thank you. I love you, my darling.� Madison said, and Kennedi crawled into her open arms. Kennedi cried for a few moments, and then looked up at Madison.
�I love you, too.� she said, and then got up, �Shall I send the Syvanni-bean in now?� she asked.
�Yes, please.� Madison said, and Kennedi smiled and slipped out
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