�Hey, Madison, can I talk to you?� Siobhan had asked, at the exact same sleepover. Alyson and Tara had gone into the living room to get the Harry Potter game set up and Kennedi was in the bathroom. It was just the two girls getting the snacks set up.
�Sure, honey. What do you think, marshmallow creme or regular marshmallows?� Madison asked.
�Both. All the sugar we can get.� Siobhan grinned, �Seriously Maddi, I need to talk with you for a sec.� Siobhan said.
�Okay, I�m listening.� Madison said, as she got the Sprite out of the refrigerator.
�I-I�m just having mixed feelings. I want to go to college, and I�m excited about that, but...� she trailed off.
�But you�re scared of becoming an adult and don�t think you�re quite ready yet?� Madison asked, stopping what she was doing and leaning on the counter, looking at Siobhan who was at the table fidgeting with the napkins.
�Yeah.� Siobhan said, quietly.
�Hey, it�s okay to be scared. I�m scared, too, especially because I�m going out of state, but for me, that�s the best. For you Edina State with Kennedi and Tara is the best, and I know you�ll do well. And, hey, no one expects you to grow up overnight. It takes time, you have four years before you�re expected to live on your own. And even then, I see us five getting an apartment together or something.� Madison smiled at her friend.
�Really?� Siobhan asked.
�Yeah. Hey, you�re a great person, you�ll do very well in college. I�m not worried at all.� Madison said, waving her hands for effect.
�Thanks. Hey, Mads?� Siobhan asked.
�Yeah?� Madison asked.
�Don�t tell anyone else, but you are my best friend. When we first met it was obvious that Aly and Tari were the best buds, so I feel more attached to you, and more so than Kennedi because we�ve known each other longer.� Siobhan smiled, �Thanks for always being you.� she finished off.
�No thanks necessary. You totally deserve it.� Madison smiled at her.
�I love you, Maddi.� Siobhan said, reaching out for a hug.
Madison slipped into Siobhan�s arms, �Love you, too, sweetie.�
*June, 2003*
�All right.� Kennedi said, and they headed out of the gym into the hallway, which was pretty much deserted still.
�Hey stop for a second.� Alyson said, suddenly as they walked.
�What?� Siobhan asked.
�Look around.� Alyson said.
�It looks the same.� Madison shrugged.
�It�s not so scary anymore is it?� Alyson grinned.
Kennedi grinned widely, �Nope!�
�Not at all!� Tara agreed.
�What, high school, scary? Naaaaah.� Siobhan said.
�When you walk into college for the first time, just remember that. How high school felt on the first day and how it feels now.� Alyson said.
Tara grinned, �We will.� The others nodded, smiling.
�Now come on, people are waiting.� Kennedi said, and led them out of the school building.
The five girls crowded onto the foot of Tara�s double bed, some on top of others. Tara started the movie and they all settled in.
�Can you believe we did it? We survived!� Siobhan said, suddenly.
�We certainly did.� Kennedi grinned.
�I�m proud of you guys.� Madison said.
�I�m proud of you too!� Tara chimed in.
�No one�s prouder than me!� Alyson said.
�I am!� Kennedi said.
�No I am.� Siobhan stuck out her tongue.
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