Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Siobhan shot to her feet, and reached the door before anyone else, flinging it open to reveal Madison on the other side. Siobhan flung herself at her friend, hugging her fiercely, �I love you, Maddi!� she declared.
Madison laughed, �I love you too, Syvanni. And you guys.� she said, gesturing to her friends, who embraced her, too.
�Okay, guys I hate to break up the party, but it�s cold!� Tara complained a few moments later.
�Yeah it is. Come on inside, guys.� Kennedi said, as they staggered into the threshold, Siobhan still attached to Madison.
�Come on, Syvanni, off me so I can take my coat off.� Madison said, kissing the top of her friend�s curly head.
�No!� Siobhan said, sounding very much like a two-year-old.
�Honey, just for five seconds, so I can take my coat off.� Madison said. Siobhan sighed, and untangled herself from her friend. Madison took off her coat, and they walked into the living room, Alyson and Tara plopping onto the couch, but the three other girls remained standing.
�So, Madison, how were your finals, honey?� Siobhan asked.
�Good. Tough, but good.� Madison said, smiling, �But I�m so glad to be back home.�
�I�m glad you�re back, too. How was the flight?� Kennedi asked.
�It was fine. I�m just exhausted.� Madison leaned over on Siobhan, who pushed her back up.
�I can�t hold you up, you�re bigger than me!� Siobhan exclaimed.
�Okay, okay.� Madison said, giggling.
�Shall we decorate?� Kennedi asked.
�Absolutely!� Alyson cried, and she and Tara jumped up.
�I get the sled!� Siobhan cried, lunging for it.
�And I get the Santa, Kenni said so!� Tara cried, lunging for the ornament.
Kennedi giggled, �Be glad you two weren�t here awhile ago. We had an argument over who got what ornament, and then a very random comment about converting from Siobhan.� she explained.
Alyson laughed, �Sounds like I missed some fun. Ooh can I put this one up?� she asked, holding up a silver bell.
�Of course.� Kennedi said, �As long as I get to put up my first Christmas ball.� she said, grabbing it.
The five best friends soon surrounded the tree, decorating it and chatting happily. They were glad to be together again, even if it was only for awhile.
The funeral was over, and people were walking away, but before the friends went with their families, they gathered in front of Madison�s headstone and read the words.
Madison Chantelle Winters
August 13, 1984 - November 25, 2004
Beloved daughter, sister, and friend
�Love you Madison. We�ll never forget you.� each of them said in turn, and they walked away, together, but lost in their own thoughts.
THE END, THANK YOU FOR READING THIS STORY
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