Part 27: Return Of The Moms

Wally x Maddie

Info and warnings: everyone is Alive AU, set in 2023-24 (in line with the show), swearing, light smut (they have their clothes on)

Summary: Bea and Sandra return home after 4 weeks in Madison. Sandra has an update about the cabin, Wally and Maddie talk about their trip and the wedding. Wally tells his mom the full story about the wedding and his doubts about college. How will Bea react?

Masterlist

The drive back to Split River was anything but quiet. Charley was still in disbelief that he had actually gone sledding and that nothing bad happened- well to him, anyways. 

“I can’t believe out of all of us, I was the one that didn’t crash into someone,” Charley said from the middle of the back seat.

“I can’t believe it either,” Wally laughed, flicking the wipers on, clearing a fresh layer of snow from the windshield.

“I think I deserve a medal or something.” 

Maddie turned in her seat to look back at him. “That says what? ‘I survived my first time sledding’?”

Charley leaned forward slightly. “You get me.”

“Well, since you ‘survived’ does that mean you want to go again sometime? Just you and me?” Yuri asked.  

Charley nodded. “I would like that,” he said. “But not anytime soon. I may have survived, but that was still a lot. I need time to recover from that.”

Yuri laughed softly, reaching over and taking Charley’s hand in his. 

The rest of the drive blurred into laughter, Charley retelling each moment like they all hadn’t been there until Wally pulled up outside his house. Yuri and Charley climbed out, grabbing their things from the back before disappearing up the front path.

Conrad was next. Wally helped him unload his sled, the two of them exchanging a quick goodbye before he headed inside. 

The truck was quieter without the others, the heater humming as snow drifted against the windshield. Wally pulled back onto the road, one hand resting on the wheel, the other settling on Maddie’s thigh. 

“Thank you for today,” he said after a moment. “It’s exactly what I needed.”

Maddie glanced over at him. “I figured you could use something to take your mind off of things.”

“It definitely worked,” He reached for her hand, lifting it slightly and pressing a soft kiss to the back of it. “I love you.”

Maddie felt warmth rise to her cheeks. “I love you, too.”

Wally turned down their street, headlights cutting through falling snow. As they got closer to the house, his gaze shifted, in the driveway sat Bea’s car. 

“Damn,” he muttered. “I thought we’d have a couple hours before they got back.”

Maddie rolled her eyes, a small laugh slipping out. “We literally had four weeks of just us.”

“I know,” he said, glancing at her. “But I’m greedy.” 

“Yes, you are,” she laughed.

That familiar tightness returned in the pit of her stomach, as Wally pulled in the driveway. Wondering if this time would be different.  That this time, treatment finally helped. That she and her mom can rebuild what had been so badly broken from tears of hope and trust being shattered every time Sandra relapsed. 

She wasn’t sure if she could do it all over again. The first couple of days were everything was good, steady, like they were finally at the end of it all. And then it would slip, right back to where they started. The thought alone was enough to dull that small glimmer of hope, threatening to unravel it before it even had the chance to grow. But it was still there. Quiet and fragile. And this time she wanted to believe it would last. 

Wally cut the engine, glancing over at her. “You okay?”

Maddie nodded, though her voice was softer now. “Yeah. I just… hopes it sticks this time.”

“Me too.”

Maddie grabbed her bag, as they stepped out of the truck, the cold hitting immediately. Wally pushed open the front door, the warmth inside, wrapping around them. The fair smell of coffee lingered in the air as they walked in. 

“Hi mom,” Wally said, closing the door behind them. “We’re back.” 

Bea pushed herself up from the couch, walking over to them. “It’s good to see you.” She pulled Wally into a hug, standing on her tiptoes to wrap her arms around his shoulders. 

“It’s good to see you too, Ma” Wally said, hugging her back. 

She let go of the hug and smiled at Maddie. “It’s good to see you too, dear.” She pulled Maddie into a quick hug. “Did you just get back from a date?”

Before either of them could respond, Sandra appeared from down the hall. “Hey, you two.” 

Maddie glanced over at her mom as she walked over to them. She looked like a completely different person. Her once glassy eyes are bright and alert, the dark circles beneath are gone. She looks slimmer, and healthier. Maddie couldn’t even remember the last time her mom looked like this, even from the all the previous rehab trips. The sliver of hope grew in her chest. 

“Hi, mom.” Maddie said. 

Sandra pulled her into a hug. “I missed you, sweetheart.” 

Maddie held onto her for a second longer than usual. “I missed you two.”

“So,” Bea said, “did you guys just come back from a date or what?”

“We went sledding with the group,” Wally said. “Even Charley and Rhonda went.”

Bea blinked. “Really? I didn’t think those two would be interested in sledding.”

“Me neither,” Wally said, shrugging of his jacket. “But they both had fun. Well - I know Charley did, I don’t know about Rhonda. It’s hard to get a read of her.” 

“Well, you guys must be freezing,” Bea said. “Let me make you a hot chocolate and we can talk about the trip.”

“Thanks, Ma,” Wally said, taking Maddie’s jacket from her. “We did bring some with us, but everyone drank it before we even got some.” 

Bea made her way into the kitchen as Maddie, Wally and Sandra moved into the living room. Wally and Maddie took a seat on the couch while Sandra settled into the armchair. 

Sandra watched them for a moment – Wally’s hand resting in Maddie’s lap, fingers interlacing with hers. A small, knowing smiled crossed her face. 

“Before we get into all that,” Sandra said. “I have some good news.” 

“I think you mean great news, Sandra.” Bea called from the kitchen. 

Maddie raised a brow. “What is it?” 

Sandra smiled. “I sold the cabin.” 

“Wait- what?” Maddie said. “How?”

“Well, while I was in group therapy, there wasn’t a lot for Bea to do,” Sandra said, crossing her legs, as she settled further back into the armchair. “She got talking to another patients son who owns an architecture company. He was looking for somewhere secluded to build a small bed and breakfast. Bea bought up the cabin, showed him photos… and he bought it.”

“He brought a cabin that’s rundown and falling apart?” Maddie asked.

“Well, no,” Bea said, walking in with two steaming mugs of hot chocolate placing them on the coffee table before settling onto the other armchair. “He mostly wanted the land because of the lake view. He’s planning to tear the cabin down and rebuild completely.”

Maddie went quiet, watching them as they continued talking. Her thoughts drifted. 

She couldn’t help but wonder how much it sold for and if it would be enough to cover college. But then the doubt crept in. Sandra would need to pay Carol back for the treatment facility, and Maddie had no idea how much that cost. From what she’d heard - and how long her mom had been gone – it had to be a lot. 

“How much did he buy it for?” Maddie asked. 

Sandra met her eyes. “Enough for your first two years at Northwestern.”

Maddie blinked. “What? But what about paying Carol back? I don’t need it all for college. We can split it.”

“That money was always meant to be yours, Mads,” Sandra said softly. “I was never meant to spend it in the first place.”

 “When does it get finalised?” Wally asked. 

“Monday,” Sandra said. “Everything’s already in motion. It just becomes official then.” 

Maddie nodded faintly, still processing. A small beat passed before she looked back up at her mom. “How did it go?” she asked quietly. 

Sandra exhaled. “It was really intense. Four weeks doesn’t sound like a long time, but it felt like forever in there.” 

She paused, her gaze dropping briefly to her hands. “There were a lot of times where I was really close to giving up. Just walk away and pretend that I was okay.”

Maddie’s chest tightened. 

“But I didn’t,” Sandra continued, her voice softer. “FaceTiming with you every day – seeing you… it made me push myself. It made me not give up.” 

Maddie’s grip tightened around Wally’s hand. Wally’s thumb brushed lightly over her knuckles.

“I didn’t want to disappoint you,” Sandra said. “Not again.”

The room fell quiet for a moment, the weight of her words settling over them. For the first time in a long time, Maddie let herself believe it – maybe this time really would be different. 

Bea leaned forward slightly, her expression softening. “You did good, Sandra. I’m proud of you.” Sandra gave a small nod, her lips pressing together. 

Bea sat back again, clearing her throat lightly. So, how was the trip? Meeting everyone?”

“Jess and Izzy are great,” Wally said. “They were easy to get along with. It helped that they have the same feelings about their mom that I do about dad.” 

Bea frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Mallory also cheated on her husband to be with dad,” Wally said, his jaw tightened slightly. “She’s basically the woman version of him.” 

Bea rolled her eyes. “Because we need the woman version of that man.”

Maddie let out a small laugh. “That’s one way to describe her.”

Sandra leaned forward slightly. “How was the wedding?”

Wally tensed just enough for Maddie to notice. He glanced at her, his stomach tightening. He knows he has to tell his mom what happened.  Just… not yet. Not like this.

“The venue was really nice, overlooking the ocean,” Maddie said, stepping in. “Though, we had no idea what we were eating. Everything was really fancy.” 

Bea rolled her eyes again. “Figures he’d have a fancy wedding.” She rubbed at her temples. “It was his idea when we got married to go to town hall. I wanted a proper wedding, but I guess he was just waiting for the right person.”

Silence settled over the room again. 

Wally sat forward slightly. “You alright, Ma?” 

“Yes,” she said quickly. “Sorry. I don’t want to think about him anymore. Only want to talk to him when it regards you, and that’s it.”

Wally nodded, sitting back.

“So,” Sandra said, shifting the conversation, “what did you two wear? I’m sure you guys looked great.”

Maddie grabbed her phone, scrolling through the photos before passing it to Sandra. “We found a thrift store in Malibu, run by the sweetest elderly woman. She even gave us a discount.”

Sandra flicked through the photos, then turned the screen slightly toward Bea. “I love this one of you two.”

On screen, Maddie was looking up at Wally, and he was looking down at her like she was the only person in the world. 

Maddie smiled softly. “That’s my favourite too.” 

They lingered on the photos for a while longer. Maddie and Wally filled in the gaps as Sandra and Bea asked questions about the trip, Jess and Izzy, the places they’d gone, their unexpected extra night in Los Angeles. Maddie glanced over at Wally as he spoke. She knew he wasn’t ready to talk about what happened at the wedding and college. But whenever he did tell her, she’d be there. 

Bea glanced at the clock on the wall. “It’s getting late,” she said. “We should sort out something for dinner.” 

Wally nodded. “I can cook something.”

“I’m not even going to argue,” Bea replied. “I’m exhausted from the drive.” 

Wally stood, heading to the kitchen and opening cupboards and the freezer as he figured out what to make. “We’ve got stuff for mac and cheese, or there are two frozen pizzas. Take your pick.”

“I’m happy with whatever,” Sandra said. 

“Mac & cheese sounds good,” Maddie added, shifting on the couch. “Do you need any help?”

Wally shook his head. “I’ve got it, babe. Thanks, though.”

He moved around the kitchen, grabbing what he needed, falling into a steady, easy rhythm. Maddie watched him, a small smile tugging at her lips. 

“Make sure you grate three different types of cheeses,” Bea called from the armchair. “And don’t add it until the pasta’s al dente.”

“I know what I’m doing, Ma.” Wally said, grating a block of cheese. “I’ve made it plenty of times..” 

“I know,” Bea said. “I just can’t help giving advice.” 

Sandra laughed. “You’re the backseat driver of cooking.”

Wally snorted. “That’s exactly what you are, Mom.” 

Half an hour later, Wally pulled the mac and cheese out of the oven, setting it on the countertop beside a stack of plates. Steam curled up from the dish, filling the kitchen with warmth and the aroma of melted cheese. 

They plated up their dinner and moved to the dining table, the conversation easy and light as they ate. Wally and Maddie talked about their day sledding with the others – the chaos of it, most of them figuring it out as they went, and Nicole accidently crashing into someone, which, surprisingly, worked out in her favour. 

By the time they finished, the atmosphere had settled into something easy and familiar. 

Maddie pushed her chair back slightly. “I should finish packing up my stuff.”

Sandra looked over at her. “Do you need any help?”

Maddie shook her head. “No thanks, mom. I’ve done most of it already.”

“Alright.” 

When Maddie disappeared down the hall, Wally started stacking plates, carrying them into the kitchen and loading the dishwasher. 

 Bea stood, stretching slightly. “We could probably get in an episode of Selling Sunset while the kids pack up.”

Wally glanced over at his mom, brows lifting. “Since when do you watch that show?”

“We binged a lot of it in our downtime,” Sandra explained.

“It’s surprisingly good,” Bea added, flicking on the TV.

“Fair enough,” Wally said, turning back to the dishwasher. 

Sandra lingered in the kitchen for a moment.  Wally didn’t notice she was still there until he turned around. 

“Hey, Wally,” she said. “I just wanted to say thank you.”

He tossed the dish towel over his shoulder. “For what?” 

“For looking after my girl while I was away.”

His expression softened.  “Always.”

A small smile tugged at Sandra’s lips as she turned, heading back into the living room. 

Maddie sat on the edge of Wally’s bed, folding the last of her clothes and placing them into her bag. She did one final look in the drawers Wally had cleared out years ago for her to use, since she always left clothes when she stayed over. 

Footsteps sounded in the hallway before Wally appeared in the doorway, leaning against the frame as he watched her for a moment. “It’s going to be really weird,” he said after a second.

Maddie glanced up at him. “What is?”

“Not seeing you in here,” he admitted. “You being the last thing I see before I go to sleep and the first thing when wake up.” 

Something soft tugged in ger chest. “There’ll be other times. We’re at each other’s house all the time.”

“I know,” Wally said, a smile pulling at his lips. “I just got used to it.”

Maddie smiled faintly as she zipped up her bag and placing it on the floor. 

Wally pushed himself off the doorframe, stepping further into the room, closing the door softly behind him. “You know, we’ve got a bit of time. They’re watching Selling Sunset.”

Maddie let out a small huff of laughter. “Seriously? Since when do they watch that?” “Exactly what I said. They watched it in their downtime.” Wally said, sitting next to her on the bed. 

 “So,” she said, smiling at him. “What do you have in mind to kill some time?”

A cocky grin formed on his face. “I can think of a few ideas. But… maybe let's not be as loud as we were at the hotel.”

Maddie laughed softly. “You did that on purpose.” 

“Maybe,” he said. 

He pulled her closer, slower this time, like he’d been thinking about this all day. Their lips brushed light and teasing at first, soft and light, but that didn’t last long. Wally’s hand slid into her hair, fingers threading through it as he tilted her head, deepening the kiss. His free hand moved along her side, settling at her waist before he pulled her onto his lap. 

He paused just enough to meet her eyes. “Is this okay?” he asked quietly.

“Yes.” 

His lips crashed onto hers again, faster and more urgent. Maddie leaned into him, her hands tightening against his back, gripping onto his sweater as his hold on her steadied, pulling her closer. Wally’s hand moved from her waist, sliding up her back before setting firmly there, keeping her close as she shifted against him. Her fingers curled into the fabric at his shoulders, holding onto him as if she didn’t want him to pull away 

They broke a part for only a second, barely enough for a breath, their lips found each other again, deeper, his grip tightening as she shifted against him. 

She leaned into him, steady and deliberate, guiding the movement as they shifted- Wally letting himself fall back onto the bed beneath her. He adjusted instantly, both hand settling at her hips, holding her there firmly. 

The kiss picked up again straight away, Maddie stayed on top of him, hands on his shoulders before one slipped down, finding his hand. Her fingers curled into his, pushing his hand against the bed and steading herself over him. He unintentionally felt a twitch against her before his grip around her fingers tightened.  

The kiss broke just enough for their foreheads to rest together, both of them catching their breath, their hands still linked, their eyes met. 

Neither of them said anything, they didn’t need to. 

Wally’s hand shifted slightly at her hip, grounding her there as Maddie leaned in first this time, closing the space between them again, slow and soft.

Just then, a knock at the door broke the kiss again. Before they had any time to move, the door opened. 

“Hey, you two. I thought I’d come grab you, Sandra’s ready to-”

Maddie quickly pushed herself off him as Wally sat up, both of them fixing their hair. 

Bea stopped mid-sentence, pressing her lips together. “Sorry- I… Maddie, your mom’s ready to head home.”

Heat rushed to Maddie’s cheeks. “Okay.”

Bea gave a small nod before turning, leaving the door open as she walked away. 

Maddie glanced over at Wally, and a quiet laugh slipped out of both of them.

“That was really embarrassing.” Maddie said. 

Wally huffed a laugh. “Eh, it could’ve been worse.” 

Maddie shook her head, a small shudder running through her. “I don’t even want to think about that.” 

Wally smirked slightly. “Yeah.. let's not.”

Maddie grabbed her bag, pushing herself off the bed and heading toward the door, Wally following just behind her. 

Maddie and Wally stepped back into the living room, both a little more composed than they had been a minute ago. 

Bea glanced up at them immediately, her expression unreadable for half a second before it shifted into something more controlled. “Right,” she said, straightening slightly. “I think we’re going to have to come up with a few rules when Maddie’s over here.. and when you’re over there.” 

Wally glanced at her, thrown off. “Rules? We never had rules. And besides, we’re adults.” 

“That was before you were dating,” Bea said. “You’re under my roof. My rules.”

Wally rolled his eyes. “Unbelievable.”

“We can talk about that later.” Sandra cut in gently.

Maddie let out a quiet breath before grabbing her bag, glancing briefly at Wally before heading toward the door with Sandra. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said quietly. 

Wally nodded as the front door closed behind them. 

He turned to his mom. “I’m gonna head to my room.”

“Actually, I think you and I need to have a talk,” Bea said, crossing her arms. “About what really happened at the wedding.”

Wally knitted his brows together. “What do you mean? I did.”

Bea held his gaze. “Your dad called yesterday and told me what happened.”

His expression fell flat. “He did?”

“He did,” she said. “But I want to hear it from you what happened, not his version.” 

He didn’t answer straight way, he dragged a hand through his hair as he moved into the living room. Bea followed behind him. He dropped into the armchair, leaning forward, elbows on his knees. Bea sat in the opposite chair. 

“It was fine at first,” he said. “I didn’t really fucking care about the ceremony. Then he started his vows.” He let out a sharp breath. “I wasn’t really paying attention until he said, ‘sometimes, it takes being in the wrong situation to realise what’s actually right.’” He shook his head.  “That was a clear dig at you.” 

Bea’s jaw tightened. 

“And the first dance…” Wally let out a humourless huff. “They picked Endless Love. He fucking knew that was one of your favourites.” 

“I wasn’t even on planning on drinking,” he went on. “I just-” He paused, like he was searching for the right words to say. “I just wanted to forget it for a bit. I saw the champagne bottle unattended, so I grabbed it.”

Bea stayed quiet, letting him continue. 

“I went outside and found Jess and her boyfriend- they were already drinking. Then after a while, Maddie and Izzy found us. We were just talking, hanging out, away from it all.” 

His tone sharpened slightly. 

“Then, eventually, Dad found us. Takes one look and immediately assumes Maddie’s drinking. That she’s the reason we all were drinking. Starts saying she’ll end up exactly like her mom that it was only a matter of time before she drags me down with her.”

Bea’s brows pulled together. 

“When Maddie told him that she wasn’t, he didn’t believe her,” Wally continued. “Said he heard the same bullshit from her mom.” He took a deep breath, jaw tightening “I couldn’t take any more of his shit. So I hit him.”

A brief silence settled.  

“Then he told me he was glad that I was leaving the next day,” he added, quieter now, but his tone was still sharp.  “Said it meant he wouldn’t have to see me again.”

Silence settled between them, again.

For a moment, Bea didn’t say anything, then she pushed herself to her feet. “Are you fucking kidding me?” she snapped, starting to pace the room, running a hand through her hair. “That man just doesn’t know when to stop does he? Taking shots at me is one thing,” she continued, her voice tight with anger, “but Maddie? Her mom? That’s fucking low. Even for him.” She turned sharply, pacing back the other way.

Wally rubbed the back of his neck. “I know it wasn’t right,” he said. “Hitting him.” He let out a breath. “But I couldn’t just stand there and let him keep talking shit about everyone, something in me just… snapped.”

Bea kept pacing for another second before Wally spoke again.

“Are you mad at me?”

That made her stop. She turned to face him. “No, I’m not mad at you.”

Wally blinked. “You’re not?”

“No. I don’t like that it got to that point,” she added. “But I understand why it did.” She shook her head. “What he said? That’s not okay. He crossed a line. Actually, he crossed about ten.”

Wally sat back slightly, staring at the floor for a second before speaking. “I’m thinking about cutting him out of my life.”

Bea didn’t respond tight away. Instead, she moved back to the armchair, slower this time, like she needed a second to take that in. “Wally…”

“I’m serious,” he added, his voice steady. “I don’t need that in my life. Not if he keeps acting like that.”

Bea watched him carefully, the anger in her expression shifting into something more measured. “Okay, but what about college? You’re not doing the football scholarship anymore – which I’ve come to terms with.”

Wally’s eyes widened in response, but before he could say anything, Bea continued. 

“Your dad would be helping to pay for that. If you cut him off, what are you going to do?”

Wally let out a short breath. “I was thinking I made a mistake giving up the scholarship.”

Bea stilled, she didn’t expect him to say that. The old version of her would’ve jumped on that immediately- pushed him straight back into football. But being away with Sandra, seeing things differently… it stopped her.  

“Would you be happy doing that?” she asked.

Wally didn’t hesitate. “No. But I’d be in college, doing something. I’d have a scholarship.” A small pause. “Something you would be proud of.”

Bea’s expression softened. “Wally, I’m going to be proud of you with or without a scholarship.”

He held her gaze. “It didn’t feel like it when you said I wasn’t smart enough to get one on my own. And it wasn’t just you. Dad said the same thing when I told him.”

Bea shook her head immediately. “I didn’t mean that, Wally. I was blindsided by what you said.” Her tone hardened slightly. “And your father’s a fucking asshole. His opinion doesn’t matter.” 

Another brief pause. 

“Honestly,” she added, quieter now,” neither does mine when it comes to what you choose to do.”

Wally’s jaw tightened.

“It’s your life,” Bea continued. “Same with your dad. If you want to cut him out, I support you.” She leaned forward slightly. “And college? We’ll figure that out. You can take a gap year, get a job, apply for financial aid, work- study. There are options. “You’re not stuck, Wally.” 

He stayed quiet for a second, taking what she said in. He’d heard this all before but hearing it from her now felt different. 

He let out a slow breath, lifting his head. “Thanks, Mom. I’ve got a lot to think about.” 

Bea gave a small nod as she stood. “You do. I support whatever you decide.”

Wally nodded. “Good night.” 

“Night, Wally.” 

Wally stepped into his room, closing the door behind him. He stood in the middle of the room for a moment, before moving to his desk, flipping open his notebook to a blank page. He picked up a pen and split the page into two columns, football on one side, physiotherapy on the other.  He worked through each side without rushing. When he finished, the physiotherapy side ran longer. 

He leaned back against his chair, looking over it. For a while, he wondered if he gave up the football scholarship to quickly, but sitting there and seeing it laid out in front of him, it didn’t feel like he had made the wrong choice. He made the right one. All that pressure, the doubt, the second- guessing it all just… fell way. His let his heart lead the way instead of his mind.  His chest eased, the tension he’d been carrying around the last couple of days, disappearing. 

He quickly changed into his pyjamas and climbed into bed. He grabbed his phone and texted the first person he wanted to tell. Maddie. 

Wally: I’ve decided what I’m going to do about college. 

Maddie: Yeah?

Wally: I’m going to stick with my original plan. 

Wally: Study kinesiology, become a physiotherapist. 

Maddie: I’m so proud of you.

Wally: I had so many doubts about everything. Thought I made a mistake. 

Maddie: You don’t have to explain yourself. It’s normal to second guess something this big.

Wally: How do you always know exactly what I need to hear?

Maddie: It’s a gift.

Wally smiled slightly.

Wally: It’s weird being in bed without you next to me.

Maddie: I know. I miss curling up next to you… falling asleep in your arms.

Wally: Yeah. I miss that too. 

Wally: Maybe I should just come over.

Wally: You know so I will be able to go to sleep. 

Wally: Because I don’t know if I can, not having you in my arms. 

Maddie: You’re adorable. 

Wally: I am, aren’t I?

Maddie: Good night, babe. 

Wally: Good night, beautiful. 

He placed his phone down on the side table and settled under the covers. For the first time in a long time, he felt so light. Free. And like he’d finally made the right choice. 

Part 26 Part 28

Of course I was going to make Wally study kinesiology and become a physiotherapist. I felt like it was natural for him to second guess himself a bit.

Next up is a time jump as we come close to the end of this story 😭

Tags: @lover1409@rosietoesy@jamiemoonymarks@unholypsychic@darth-jaderz@m3ntaltashia23@kellykeyser85@major-tomcat @jerseygirl1313

This was written before watching.

Part 22: Under Pressure

Maddie x Wally

Warnings and info:everyone is Alive AU, set in 2023-24 (in line with the show), swearing, mentions of sex, assault (only pushing), I hope the football stuff makes sense cause I have no idea I just winged it

Summary: With their relationship finally out in the open, Maddie and Wally face the pressure that comes with it.

Masterlist

Wally pulled into a parking space and killed the engine. The school car park filling up- car doors slamming, teachers and students crossing the snowy ground to the main entrance.

He hopped out first, rounding the front of the truck to open Maddie’s door. He grabbed her bag, helping her adjust it. Then he grabbed his, swinging it over his shoulder. 

As they started making their way toward the entrance, Maddie slipped her fingers through his.  

“You sure about this?” he asked quietly.

Rumours were still circulating about the accident. About what people thought had happened in the car. Walking in holding hands would only feed it. And the one person he knew would definitely have a reaction to them being together was Xavier. But if Maddie wasn’t worried, why would he be?”

“I’m sure,” she said, tightening her grip. “Fuck what anyone else thinks.” 

Wally nodded. “Fuck it.” 

They headed inside together. The hallway was already crowded, lockers slamming and voices echoing off the linoleum. A few heads turned, a couple of whispers, but Maddie kept her chin up. 

They made their lockers, where Rhonda stood talking with Quinn, Dawn and Janet.

Dawn noticed first. Her eyes dropped to their hands. “You're holding hands?”

“That’s a great observation, Dawn.” Rhonda said dryly. 

“We’re dating,” Wally said, rubbing the pad of his thumb on the back of Maddie’s. “Officially.” 

“Took you long enough,” Janet replied. 

“That’s great, you guys.” Quinn said with a smile. Then they glanced at Rhonda. “You don’t seem surprised.”

“I found out last night,” Rhonda said, closing her locker. “When we accidently crashed the end of their date.” She looked at them. “Charley literally wouldn’t shut up about it.”

Wally laughed. “Figures.” 

The bell rang, cutting through the hallway noise. Maddie grabbed what she needed, and they headed to home room – still hand in hand.

Lunch came quickly, the morning passing in a haze of shared looks and small smiles across classrooms. 

They settled into their usual table in the far corner of the cafeteria – the one that felt like their own little bubble. Trays clattered onto the scratched tabletop, backpacks dropped onto the floor beside their feet, the conversation picked up almost instantly. 

“Ugh,” Charley groaned, stabbing aggressively at his chicken salad. “Applying to college is so stressful. There’s too many options in this damn country.”

“I know,” Dawn agreed, pushing her food around her plate.  “The schools I’m looking at for fashion design feel so out of reach. Like… can you imagine me in New York? Or LA?”

“I could see you in LA,” Nicole said. “Near the beach. That’s your vibe.

“Maybe,” Dawn said with a small shrug. “But Janet’s already going to Cornell. We’ve always talked about staying near each other. Like how you guys talk about staying close.”

The conversation around the table seemingly all stopped at the same time.

“Wait,” Charley blinked. “What?”

“She didn’t tell you guys?” Dawn asked, immediately realizing what she’d just done

Rhonda narrowed her eyes. “This is not the tone of someone who thinks we’re all informed.”

Before Dawn could answer, Janet finally appeared beside the table, setting her tray down. “You do not want to know what we just did in AP Biology,” she said, sliding into her seat. “It was really interesting but also disgusting.”

She looked up and noticed everyone staring at her. “… What?”

“You got into Cornell?” Simon asked. 

Janet’s eyes flicked to Dawn. “You told them?”

“I’m sorry. I thought you already did,” Dawn said quickly. “You found out forever ago.”

“It was not forever ago.”

“When?” Nicole pressed. 

Janet hesitated for half a second before answering. “December 31st”

Maddie blinked. “New Year's Eve?”

Janet nodded. 

“And you didn’t say anything at the party?” Charley asked, half offended, half impressed. 

“I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it,” Janet said, shoulders lifting slightly. “I know some of you are still figuring things out. I didn’t want to rub it in anyone’s face.”

“Janet,” Nicole said firmly, leaning forward, “that’s amazing.”

“Like, Ivy League amazing,” Simon added. 

Charley dropped his fork dramatically. “You are going to be insufferable in a prestigious way.” 

Janet rolled her eyes, but she was smiling now. 

The conversation slowly drifted back to college plans, overlapping voices overlapping and half - finished thoughts bouncing around the table. Wally’s hand rested casually on Maddie’s thigh beneath the table. 

A group of cheerleaders passed by. Kingsley – one of Claire’s orbiters – slowed when she noticed where Wally’s hand was resting. 

She smirked. 

“Well,” she said loudly enough for the table to hear, “guess we were right about how that accident happened.” She made a crude, mocking motion with her hand before turning away, her friends snickering behind her. 

Maddie rolled her eyes, pretending it didn’t get to her more than it did. 

Rhonda pushed up from her seat, jaw tight. “Oh, fuck no.”

“Hey, airheads!” she called, not caring about the attention she was drawing. “How about you get your facts straight before you start running your mouth?”

Kingsley turned back slowly, feigning innocence. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Oh good,” Rhonda said flatly. “Then let me educate you.”

She ticked her fingers and she spoke. 

“One- Maddie was alone when the accident happened. Two – she wasn’t even with Wally. And three – it’s none of your fucking business what anyone does in their own damn car.”

The cafeteria had gone noticeably quieter. 

Kingsley crossed her arms, smile faltered. 

Rhonda tilted her head slightly. “But if we’re bringing up public rumours… should we talk about how your boyfriend has been screwing Aurora since last summer?” A few nearby tables erupted with exaggerated “ooohs.” 

Kingsley’s expression snapped. “That’s not true.”

Rhonda shrugged. “He wouldn’t shut up about it to Wally and Conrad.”

Kingsley’s jaw tightened. “Fuck you.” She spun on her heel and shoved the cafeteria doors open harder than necessary. 

Rhonda sat back down like nothing had happened. 

“You didn’t need to do that, Ron,” Wally muttered, though there wasn’t much heat behind it. 

“Yeah, I did,” she replied calmly, picking up her fork again. “No one picks on my friends.”

Charley blinked. “You pick on us… All the time!”

“So?” she said, not even looking up. 

The cafeteria noise slowly swelled back to normal – trays scrapping, the sound of boots thudding against the linoleum, conversations picking back up. 

Wally’s hand tightened slightly where it rested on Maddie’s thigh. She didn’t say anything. Instead, she reached down and lifted his hand from her leg, threading her fingers through his. She gave his hand a small squeeze, leaning closer to him.  

Across the table, the conversation drifted back to college applications – deadlines, essays, financial aid horror stories that Nicole said Diego went through. Janet and Dawn were discussing the possible distance between them, Rhonda and Charley were discussing colleges in California. 

The bell rang, cutting through the cafeteria noise. They gathered their trays and filtered out together, heading toward study hall. 

The library was already half full when they walked in, the quiet hum of keyboards and turning pages filling the room. They claimed the same long table near the back they always did, backpacks dropping onto the floor and laptops sliding onto the tabletop. 

Charley slumped dramatically onto his chair. “I hate this already.” 

“You haven’t even opened your laptop,” Nicole said. 

“That’s irrelevant. I can feel the stress.”

Rhonda dropped into the seat beside him. “You’re applying to one school.”

“It’s still emotionally taxing.”

Simon snorted as he pulled his laptop out of his bag. “You’re literally applying to UW Madison with half the people at this table.”

“That’s because UW Madison understands me,” Charley replied. 

He glanced around the table again, frowning slightly. “I miss Yuri.”

Nicole looked up. “He’s been sick for one day.” “Yes,” Charley said solemnly. “A tragic loss.”

“You’re going to see him after school,” Maddie reminded him. 

“That doesn’t help me now.”

Quinn slid into their seat across from him. “He texted me this morning. He said if you’re being dramatic, I should tell you to focus on your essay.” 

Charley sighed heavily. “He knows me too well.” 

Laptops began opening around the table. 

Nicole immediately pulled up the application portal for the Chicago Academy for the Arts, already halfway through filling out another section.

Dawn was rereading the requirements for Otis College of Art and Design, her brow furrowed in concertation.  Janet moved between laptops like an unofficial editor, leaning over shoulders and scanning screens. “You used the word passion four times in this paragraph,” she told Dawn, tapping the trackpad. “Admissions officers hate that.” Dawn sighed. “I hate this process.” 

“Everyone hates this process,” Simon said, opening the Northwestern portal again even though he’d already submitted his application months ago. “Waiting is the worst part.”

“Tell me about it,” Maddie muttered. 

Janet shifted to Nicole’s side next, skimming over her essay. “Your portfolio section is really strong, but this sentence is doing too much.”

Nicole leaned closer. “Too much, how?”

“You’re trying to sound impressive instead of sounding like yourself.”

Across the table, Charley had his laptop open but wasn’t typing. 

Janet glanced over at him. “Why is your screen blank?”

“I’m thinking.”

“For ten minutes?”

“It’s a creative process.” 

Rhonda snorted. 

Maddie slid her seat a little closer to Wally, angling his laptop so she could see his screen. 

“So,” she said lightly. “Where are we applying first?”

Wally hesitates, fingers hovering over the keyboard. “I’ve been thinking about what I actually want to do,” he said. “Since football’s not the plan anymore.” 

She waited, letting him take his time. He rubbed the back of his neck, clearly a little unsure of how to say it. 

“I think I want to study kinesiology at the University of Illinois Chicago,” he continued. “Become a physiotherapist.” 

For a brief second Maddie just stared at him then her whole face lit up. “Wally, that’s perfect.” 

He let out a quiet laugh. “You really think so?” “Yeah,” she said immediately. “You’re literally the person everyone goes to when they get hurt. You’re basically like the team medic. And you love helping people.” 

Wally exhaled slowly, like saying it out loud made it more real.

Maddie studied him for a moment before gently moving his laptop to herself.  “Okay,” she said softly. “Future physiotherapist.”

He huffed a quiet laugh. “You say that like it's already decided.”

“It is,” she replied simply, already clicking onto the application page. She glanced over at him, a small smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “You just need someone to help you write it.” Wally leaned back slightly in his chair, watching as she began scrolling through the application requirements. 

“And lucky for you,” Maddie added, fingers already moving across the keyboard, “English is kind of my thing.”

Wally shook his head with a small grin. “Yeah. I noticed.”

By the end of the school day the sky had turned into that pale winter grey that meant the sun would be gone soon. The football field looked almost normal again after maintenance cleared most of the snow off from the turf, leaving only thin white edges along the sidelines where piles had been pushed back. 

Wally jogged out with the rest of the team as their breath fogged in the cold air. Practice started like any other day – warm-ups, drills, the sharp whistle from Coach cutting through the quiet afternoon. 

Wally had been keeping a secret from the team and the coach. He still hadn’t told him his plans have changed. During a break between drills, he pulled off his helmet and glanced towards his teammates. 

“Hey,” he said, voice a little rough. “I gotta tell you guys something.”

“What’s up Clark?” one of the linemen asked.

Wally shifted his weight, cold air burning slightly in his lungs. “I’m not pursuing football in college.”

The team was quiet for a moment. Then someone shrugged. “Seriously?” “Yeah.”

Another player nodded. “I mean… you could’ve gone somewhere big, be the next big name in football, but if that’s not what you want, that’s your call.” 

“I’m still finishing the season,” he added. “I’m not quitting the team. But football’s not gonna be my main priority for the rest of the year,” he paused. “I’ve got other stuff I’m focusing on.”

That’s when the mood from the team shifted. One of the receivers scoffed. “Wait, what?”

“So you’re gonna half-ass the season?” 

“That’s not what I said,” Wally replied, keeping his voice calm. 

“You’re literally our best player,” another guy said. “If football isn’t your priority anymore, that screws the rest of us.”

“Yeah,” someone muttered. “Great fucking leadership.”

Before Wally could respond, Conrad stepped forward. “Or maybe he’s just being honest.”

The team fell silent. 

“He’s still playing the season,” he continued. “Most people would’ve quit the second they decided they were done.”

A group of guys shifted uncomfortably.

“And unless one of you suddenly becomes the starting running back,” Conrad added, glancing around, “maybe relax.”

Silence settled over the group. The coach stood, joining the team. He walked over slowly, arms crossed. “You are one hell of a player, Clark,” he said. “But if it’s not something you want to do then I support your decision.”  

“Thanks, Coach.” Wally said. 

“So,” Coach said, looking at Wally, “does this mean I don’t have to deal with your mom anymore?”

A few guys snorted. Coach may have used to be in the military, but he was terrified of the wrath of Bea Clark. 

Wally blinked. “Uh… I don’t know?”

Coach sighed heavily, shaking his head. “Alright,” he muttered. He lifted his whistle and blew it sharply. “Break’s over. Get back to running drills.”

From the sidelines, Maddie watched Wally jog back into line with the rest of the team, his breath fogging as he ran. She sat bundled up on the metal bench along the sideline, her sling tucked carefully beneath her jacket while she scrolled absentmindedly on her phone.

Her phone suddenly buzzed in her hand. Bea on FaceTime. 

Maddie answered, smiling slightly. “Hey Bea.”

“Hey, Mads,” Bea said warmly. “We know Wally is training but it’s the only time we could check in to see how things are.” Bea moved slightly to the left, letting Sandra enter in the frame. 

“How’s rehab going?” she asked. 

Sandra let out a small breath. “It’s…tough. They don’t let you hide from anything here.”

Bea gave her a sideways look. “But she’s sticking with it.”

Sandra nodded. “I am. I’m not giving up this time.” Maddie smiled. That small sliver of hope, growing inside of her. 

Sandra leaned closer to the camera. “You’re getting your sling off Friday morning, right?”

“Yeah,” Maddie said. “Wally is taking me since we both have study hall Friday morning.”

 Bea tilted her head slightly. “How’s Wally doing?”

Maddie flipped her camera toward the field. Wally was halfway through another sprint, pushing himself across the turf with the rest of the team.

She flipped the camera back toward herself. “He just told the coach and team today,” she added. “That he’s not pursuing football in college.” 

Bea’s eyebrows lifted slightly. 

“And he told them that football’s not going to be his main focus for the rest of the year.”

Bea leaned back in her chair. “Oh,” a small sigh slipped out of her. “So, he’s really serious about this.”

“He is.”

A voice called Sandra’s name from somewhere off camera. She glanced over her shoulder. “That’s my group session.” Bea stood, gathering her things. “We’ll talk later.” Then she hung up.

Maddie turned off her phone, staring at the dark screen. Maybe she shouldn’t have said that. She shifted on the bench, second guessing herself. 

A shadow fell across her. “Hey.” She looked up to see Wally jogging toward her, slightly out of breath, his hair damp with sweat and sticking to his forehead. 

“You okay?” he asked, as he sat next to her grabbing a towel from his bag, swiping the sweat away from his face. “You look like you’re in your head.”

“Bea and my mom just called,” Maddie said. “They wanted to check in before my mom had to go in for another group session.”

Wally nodded, taking a sip of water from his bottle.

“She asked how you are doing, so I told her that you told the team about football and that it’s not going to be your main focus anymore,” she hesitated. “When my mom got called into her session she ended the call abruptly. Now I’m wondering if I should have said anything.”

“You know how my mom is,” he said. “She just takes her time to process things. She’s had this idea in her head that I’d become some big football star since I was eight. It’s going to take some time. She will, eventually.” 

He leaned across the bench, arms opening for a hug. “C’mere, babe –”

Maddie immediately stopped him with a hand to his chest. “Absolutely not.” 

Wally paused.

“You’re gross and sweaty. Go shower first.”

“I’m not that sweaty.” He protested. 

“You literally just finished drills.” Wally sighed, pouting slightly “I just wanted a hug.”

“And you will,” Maddie said. “When you shower.” 

After Wally showered, they walked hand in hand back to the truck. He turned the key in the ignition, the heater slowly hummed as it became warmer. Wally backed out of the parking space and pulled onto the main road. 

Maddie glanced over at him. “You know, I liked when you called me babe earlier.”

“You said it first at the carnival,” he reminded her. “Figured it was fitting.”

Maddie blinked. “I did not.”

“You absolutely did, babe.” 

4 Days Later. 

The rest of the week passed in a steady rhythm of winter mornings and long school days. By Tuesday the whispers that had followed Maddie and Wally through the halls had already begun to fade, replaced by the usual gossip cycles that came and went in a place as small as Split River High. A few curious glances still lingered when they walked through the halls hand in hand, but most people seemed to have moved on, the rumour losing its power now that they were openly together. 

They never crossed paths with Kingsley or the rest of the cheerleaders again that week. Whether it was a coincidence or deliberate avoidance, Maddie didn’t know – and she didn’t care enough to find out.

The only familiar face she did see was Xavier. One afternoon between classes she spotted him down the hallway just as Wally slipped and arm comfortably around her shoulders. For a brief moment their eyes met across the crowd of students moving between lockers. Xavier looked away first. He turned down another hallway without a second glance, like the two of them didn’t exist. Maddie watched him disappear into the crowd and felt… nothing. No anger. No sadness. Nothing. Just relief. Because the first time in a long time, she realized she didn’t give a fuck what he thought anymore. 

Classes blurred into one another. Lunches at their usual table were filled with college talk, complaints about homework, and the occasional sarcastic comment from Charley that sent the whole group into laughter. 

After school, Wally continued showing up for football training, running drills and practicing plays like he always had. Most of the team had grown noticeably distant since he told them football wouldn’t be his main priority anymore. Conversations were shorter, the easy camaraderie replaced with a colder professionalism.

Conrad, however, never changed. He still bumped Wally’s shoulder in the locker room, still joked with him between drills, and still defended him whenever someone muttered something under their breath. 

Outside of school, their evenings filled themselves easily. Study sessions around the Clark dining table turned into late-night movie marathons more often than not. Nicole inevitably took over choosing the films -absolutely no horror movies – Charley provided constant commentary, and Simon pretended to hate every romantic scene while secretly watching the closest. Rhonda usually ended up sprawled across the floor with her laptop open, half working on college applications in case UC Berkeley fell through while still managing to keep up with the conversation. 

Every evening, Bea and Sandra called to check in. Sometimes it was a quick FaceTime before Sandra’s group sessions. Other nights they talked longer, Bea asking about school while Sandra made sure Maddie was still taking it easy with her arm. 

On Wednesday afternoon, Aunt Carol stopped by before her shift. She found them halfway through a chaotic study session at the dining table – textbooks spread everywhere, Charley arguing with Simon over a history question while Nicole tried – and failed- to keep everything on track. 

Carol only stayed for a few minutes, making sure everything looked okay in the house, reminding Maddie about the appointment on Friday, and checking in with Wally before heading out the door with a quick wave. 

The hospital lobby buzzed with the usual morning activity. Morning light filtered through the tall windows near the entrance, reflecting off the polished floors as Maddie and Wally walked in together. The familiar scent of antiseptic hung faintly in the air, and the low murmur of nurses at the front desks echoed softly through the space. 

Maddie checked in with the nurses at the reception desk before sitting down in the waiting room. The TV played some morning talk show that no one was paying attention to, the volume low enough that it blended into the background noise of nurses moving through the hallway and the occasional name being called from the doorway. 

Wally sat beside her in the plastic chair, one foot bouncing lightly against the floor while one of his hands rested on her lap. Maddie kept glancing down at the sling. Four weeks. It had become part of her routine – getting dressed around it, sleeping elevated and cautious, constantly adjusting the strap. Now she was about to lose it. 

A nurse finally appeared in the doorway. “Madison Nears?” Maddie stood, Wally standing beside her. 

“You can come with her, I know Dr Dunphy is your Aunt,” the nurse added, already turning back down the hallway. 

They followed her into the exam room and waited only a few minutes before the door opened again.  Carol stepped inside, clipboard in hand.

“Morning,” she said, glancing briefly at the chart before looking up at Maddie. “How’s the shoulder feeling?”

“Better,” Maddie replied. 

“Good. Let’s get that sling off then.”

She stepped closer and carefully loosened the strap before sliding the sling away from Maddie’s arm. Maddie instinctively held her shoulder still as Carol gently pressed along the collarbone, her fingers moving slowly over it. 

“Any pain here?” Carol asked. 

“Just a little sore,” Maddie said. 

 Carol nodded and moved her hand slightly. “And here?”

“No.”

“Good.”

She stepped back slightly. “Try lifting your arm for me.”

Maddie raised it carefully, wincing only slightly as she rotated her shoulder. Carol watched the movement closely, then nodded. 

“Looks good,” she said. “The bone’s healed well. You’ll still be stiff for a while, but you’re clear to stop wearing the sling.  Just remember to take pain relief when needed.” 

Maddie let out a sigh of relief. “Finally.” 

Carol gave a small smile. “Don’t celebrate too fast. You still need to take it easy for a couple more weeks.” 

Wally leaned forward slightly in his chair. “She’s been sleeping better too, not waking up as much through the night.”

Carol glanced at him. “Oh?”

“Yeah,” he said. “She’s way less restless now.”

Carol tilted her head slightly. “And you know that how, exactly?”

Wally shrugged. “Because we sleep in the same bed.”

Carol froze for half a second. “Well,” she said calmly, “that has to stop.”

Wally blinked. “Why?”

“You’re dating now,” Carol said matter of factly. “Which means you two don’t share a bed anymore.”

Wally crossed his arms. “We’ve shared a bed plenty of times. What’s the big deal?”

“The big deal is that you’re both eighteen, hormonal, and far too young to be parents.” Carol replied calmly. 

Wally sat up straighter. “Whoa – time out, Aunt Carol.”

She crossed her arms. “You heard what I said.”

“We’re just sleeping,” Wally said. “We haven’t even brought up sex. And if we were, we definitely wouldn’t be telling you about it.” 

Carol gave him a look. “That’s not the point.”

“Yes it is,” he shot back. 

“The point is,” Carol continued firmly, “that I’m still responsible for you two while both your moms are away. And that means making sure neither of you does something stupid.”

The room fell into silence. Wally leaned forward in his chair, shaking his head slightly.

“I’ve never done anything stupid,” he said. “Ever.”

Carol opened her mouth, but he continued. 

“I’m not my dad.” 

Those words hung in the air between them. 

Carol’s expression softened immediately. “I know that-”

“Do you?” he cut in. “Seems to me you think I’d do something reckless.”

“Wally-”

Wally dragged a hand through his hair, clearly realizing he’d let his temper get ahead of him. He took a breath, then looked over at Maddie. “I’m going to wait in the waiting room.” He stood and headed for the door before either of them could say anything else. The door clicked shut behind him.

Carol exhaled slowly. “I’m sorry you had to see that.” 

 “It’s okay.” Maddie said, shaking her head.

Carol rubbed the bridge of her nose. “I might’ve… overstepped a bit.”

Maddie gave her a small understanding smile. “You were just worried.” 

Carol nodded, though she still looked uneasy. 

“Thanks again,” Maddie said, carefully slipping into her jacket. “I’ll talk to him.” 

Carol gave her a grateful look as Maddie headed toward the door. 

Maddie stepped out into the hallway and headed toward the waiting room. 

Wally was sitting on one of the plastic chairs, elbows resting on his knees, starting down at the floor. His hand rubbed the back of his neck the way it always did when he was trying to cool off. He looked up when he heard footsteps coming closer to him. 

“You ready?” he asked.

“I just need to go to reception and fill out the forms.” 

Wally stood up and followed her to the front desk. The receptionist slid a clipboard across the counter, and Maddie filled out the last few forms while Wally leaned beside her, absentmindedly spinning a pen between his fingers. 

Once she handed the clipboard back, the receptionist smiled. “You’re all set.”

“Thanks,” Maddie said. 

They walked outside, the cold hitting their faces as fresh flakes of snow began to fall. Wally pulled out onto the main road, heading to school. 

“I’m sorry you had to see that,” Wally said. “Between me and my aunt. Normally she’s really chill. I don’t know what happened.” 

Maddie glanced at him. “It’s okay, really.” She reached over, her hand touching his knee. “She was just being protective.” 

“I know,” he said. “It’s just… I’m not someone to do anything stupid and reckless and when she said that my brain immediately went to her comparing me to my dad.” 

Maddie shook her head slightly. “She wasn’t doing that.”

Wally kept his eyes on the road, hands tightening briefly on the steering wheel. “I know,” he said. “Logically I know that. It just… hit a nerve.”

Maddie studied him for a moment before speaking again. “You’re nothing like him, Wally.”

He huffed quietly. “I know.”

“No,” she said gently. “I mean it.”

She leaned back slightly in the seat. “You’re the guy who stayed with me through the entire hospital stay. The guy who is always there for his friends when they need them. The guy who still shows up to football practice when the team is acting like idiots. You are a billion times a better person than your dad is.” 

A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “That’s a very specific resume.”

“I’m serious.”

He glanced at her briefly before looking back at the road. “Thank you, Maddie.”

When they pulled into the school parking lot, Wally glanced over at Maddie before they got out. “Before you leave with Nicole after school… can you meet me in front of the boys locker room?”

Maddie’s brows furrowed together. “Why?”

Wally shrugged with a small grin. “You’ll see.”

“That sounds suspicious.”

“It’s not suspicious,” he said. “Just… trust me.”

She studied his face for a second before smiling. “Okay. I’ll be there.”

“Good.”

The rest of the school day passed quickly. By the time the final bell rang, the halls were already thinning out as students filtered towards buses and cars. 

Maddie stood at her locker gathering her things while Nicole leaned against the lockers beside her, scrolling on her phone. 

“Ready?” Nicole asked. 

“Almost,” Maddie said, shoving the last of her books into her bag before closing the locker. “Wally asked if I could meet with him before I leave. I shouldn’t be too long.”

“Okay,” Nicole said, standing up straight. “I’ll go heat the car up.”

“Thanks.” 

The girls parted ways, Nicole heading toward the exit and Maddie going in the opposite direction towards the boys locker room. By the time she reached it, the halls were almost completely empty, the distant sounds of students leaving echoing faintly through the building. 

Wally was waiting just outside the locker room, leaning against the wall. When he saw her approaching, he straightened. 

“Hey.”

“Hey.”

Wally reached into his duffel bag at his feet and pulled something out. A football jersey. His. He held it out to her. 

“Since we’re official now, I thought you should have this. Other girlfriends of the players do, so I thought…” he paused. “But you don’t have to wear it. Obviously you can wear whatever you want to wear. I just wanted to give you the option.” 

She grabbed the jersey from him, running her fingers over the fabric. A smile spread across her face. “Of course I’m going to wear it, Wally.”

“Really?” 

“Uh-huh.”

Wally couldn’t help the smile spreading on his face. 

Before he could say anything else, a loud voice echoed down the hall. 

“Clark! Get your ass back in here, we’re about to head onto the field.”

Wally groaned quietly. “Way to ruin the moment, Coach.”

Maddie laughed. 

He leaned down, kissing her quickly. 

“Good luck,” she said softly when they pulled apart.

“See you after the game,” he said, heading back into the locker room before the coach yelled at him again. 

Maddie carefully made her way across the snowy parking lot, spotting Nicole’s car already idling near the curb. She slid into the passenger seat, the cold air clinging to her jacket. 

Nicole glanced over immediately. “Everything okay?”

Maddie held up the jersey. 

Nicole’s eyes widened. “No way.” 

“He gave it to me to wear tonight.”

“Are you going to?”

Maddie’s cheeks flushed a bright pink. “Yeah.” 

Nicole grinned, pulling the car out of the parking space. “That is the cutest thing. Ever.” 

Maddie laughed softly, folding the jersey in her lap as they drove to Nicole’s house. 

When they arrived, the sky had already started dimming into early evening. Inside, they quickly got ready for the game, pulling on layers to fight the cold winter air. 

Maddie went to the bathroom to change. She changed out of her hoodie and pulled his jersey over her head. It was oversized, the sleeves almost falling past her wrists and the hem nearly reaching mid-thigh. She smoothed the fabric down, pausing for a moment. It smelled like him. Something warm settled in her chest as she adjusted it, the familiar scent wrapping around her. For a second, it almost felt like he was standing behind her with his arms around her. 

When she re-entered Nicole’s room, Nicole turned from the mirror and grinned. “Oh my god. You’re totally that girl now.”

Maddie rolled her eyes, but the smile tugging at her lips gave her away. “Shut up.”

Maddie and Nicole walked toward the field, the glow of the stadium lights cutting through the cold evening air. The crowd noise carried across the parking lot, people bundled up in jackets and in school colours as they headed towards the stands.

Near the concession stand, they spotted Charley, Yuri, Rhonda and Quinn waiting. 

Charley noticed them first. His eyes immediately landed on Maddie – more particularly on the jersey. He froze. Then he gasped dramatically. “OH. MY GOD!”

Everyone turned to look at him. 

Charley pointed at her like he just discovered evidence in a crime scene. “IS THAT-”

“Yes,” Maddie said before he could finish. 

He dramatically clutched his chest. “You’re wearing his jersey!” he clapped his hands together. “THIS. IS. EVERYTHING!”

“It’s just a jersey,” Maddie said. “Relax.”

“I can't relax,” Charley said, running over to her. “This is a moment.”

Rhonda glanced over at Maddie. She raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t think you were the type to wear your boyfriend’s jersey.”

“Yeah I didn’t think so either,” she said. “But when he gave it to me, I knew I wanted to.”

Rhonda made a face. “That’s so cute it kinda makes me physically ill.”

Charley gave her a sarcastic look. “You’re just allergic to happiness.”

“I’m allergic to you.” She said, shoving his shoulder. 

Nicole laughed, shaking her head. “Alright, before you two start a fight in the middle of the walkway, can we please get food? I’m freaking hungry.” 

Quinn nodded. “I agree.”

“Before the line gets longer.” Yuri added. 

Charley sighed dramatically. “Fine. But I’m still emotionally processing the jersey.”

Rhonda rolled her eyes as they lined up at the concession stand. 

They climbed up the stairs of the stands carrying hot chips, popcorn, hot dogs and big cups of drinks. They found a row directly near the railing, the plastic chairs cold as they sat. The stadium lights blazed overhead, turning the failing snow into glittering specks in the air. Below them, the field buzzed with movement as players from Stillwater finished warming up. The announcer’s voice crackled over the loudspeakers. A second later, the Split River Bandits burst onto the field, the crowd erupting into cheers. 

Maddie leaned forward slightly, scanning the field, it didn’t take long for her to find Wally. It didn’t take him long to spot her either. He could see she was wearing his jersey. He gave her a wink and blew her a kiss with the biggest grin on his face. 

Maddie smiled, blowing him a kiss back as he ran out in the middle of the field. 

Beside her, Charley grabbed her arm. “This,” he said dramatically,” is the most adorable thing I have ever witnessed.” 

Rhonda snorted, rolling her eyes. “Relax, Romeo.”

Quinn leaned forward, watching the field. “I think you’re more invested in this relationship than they are.”

Charley pointed at them. “I’m invested in love.”

Yuri smiled faintly. “You’re invested in everything.”

Charley turned to him. “That’s not the point.”

The whistle blew sharply across the field. The players lined up and the game began. 

The cold air carried the sharp sound of helmets colliding and whistles cutting across the field as the teams pushed through the first quarter.

From the stands, Maddie watched Wally move across the field, the bright stadium lights reflecting off the snow packed along the sidelines. He was everywhere – running routes, blocking, diving for the ball- still putting in effort for something he cared so little for all because he didn't want to let the team down. That was one of the many qualities Maddie loved about Wally. Always putting others before himself. 

Charley leaned forward on the seat, squinting toward the field, trying to figure out what was happening. The crowd suddenly erupted when Wally caught a long pass near the sideline, barely keeping his feet in bounds. 

“YES WALLY!” Charley yelled, jumping up with the rest of the crowd.

Rhonda glanced at him. “Do you even know what just happened?”

Charley sat back down. “Not a fucking clue.”

“At least you’re honest.” Nicole added. 

The energy in the stands shifted as the game wore on. The Stillwater Sharks offense kept pushing forward, their plays sharper and faster than the Bandits seemed ready for. The sharks scored again. The scoreboard buzzed. Groans rolled through the home crowd.

Charley leaned forward again. “Okay one looked bad.”

Nicole glanced at the field. “That one was bad.”

The Bandits tried to answer back on the next drive, but the Sharks defence shut them down quickly, forcing a punt. A few minutes later, the Sharks broke through again. Another touchdown. The visiting side of the stands erupted while the home crowd fell quieter, the tension settling in the cold air. 

Quinn pulled their jacket tighter. “This is… not looking great.”

Maddie watched the field carefully, her eyes following Wally as he ran another route, cutting hard across the snow-dusted turf. The Bandits pushed down the field once more, but the Sharks intercepted the pass and took possession. They didn’t waste the opportunity. Another drive. Another touchdown.

By the fourth quarter, the outcome was starting to feel inevitable. The scoreboard loomed above the field.

Stillwater Sharks – 31

Split River Bandits – 17

The final whistle blew. The Sharks celebrated near the end zone while the Bandits slowly began walking toward the sideline, frustration across their faces. It was their first loss in a while. The team gathered near the sideline, the mood already turning sour. 

One of the players shoved his helmet into his bag. “Unbelievable,” he muttered. 

Another player looked directly at Wally. “You’re supposed to be our best player.”

Wally frowned. “I gave everything out there.”

“Yeah?” he shot back. “Could’ve fooled me.”

A few players just watch it all unfold in front of them, not doing anything to stop it. 

“You’ve been off all week, ever since you said that football isn’t your priority anymore,” the player continued. “You’re not even trying anymore.”

“That’s bullshit,” Wally said sharply.

The player stepped forward and shoved Wally hard in the chest. Wally stumbled back half a step.

“What the fuck?” he said, more confused than angry.

 The guy moved forward again, anger written all over his face. “Maybe if you cared about the team instead of your girlfriend in the stands-” 

Wally’s jaw tightened. “Don’t even fucking go there.”

“Oh yeah?” the player scoffed. He pulled his arm back, swinging toward Wally – but Conrad stepped in between them, grabbing his wrist mid swing before he could land the punch. 

“Enough.” Conrad said, shoving his arm away. “We lost. That’s on the whole team. Not just him.”

The other player muttered something under his breath and backed off heading to the locker room. Wally exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair as the tension lingered in the cold air. 

The final whistle blew. A groan rippled through the stands as Nicole glanced over at the scoreboard. 

She let out a breath, pulling her scarf tighter around her neck. “Well… that sucks.”

“They haven’t lost in a while, right?” Quinn said, glancing down at the field. 

“Not for weeks,” Yuri said quietly, watching as the players gathered near the sideline.

Charley leaned forward, trying to read what was happening on the field. “Uh… why does it look like they’re about to start a fight?”

Rhonda narrowed her eyes toward the sideline. “Because they are.”

They watched, helplessly as the player shoved Wally hard in the chest.

Maddie shot to her feet, yelling over the railing, toward the field. “What the fuck?”

Charley shot up next to her. “Hey! Stop!”

The player then lunged at Wally again, pulling his arm back like he was about to take a swing. 

Rhonda leaned over the railing, shouting toward the field. “Hey asshole, back the fuck off!”

Conrad stepped in, stopping him before he could land the punch. “Enough.”

The players eventually evened out, but the tension still lingering as they headed to the locker room. 

They remained standing watching as Wally headed to the locker room, not even looking up at them as he walked by. 

“What the fuck was that?” Maddie muttered. 

Later, the group waited near the locker room entrance as the players filtered out after showering. When Wally finally appeared, his hair was still damp, and his duffel bag hung over his shoulder. 

Maddie stepped toward him first. “Are you okay?”

Wally shook his head, clearly exhausted. “I’m fine.”

“Wally-” Charley started. 

“I said I’m fine,” he cut in firmly. 

He rubbed the back of his neck, letting out a tired breath. “I just… want to go home.”

Maddie nodded. “Okay.”

They group slowly made their way across the snowy parking lot, the stadium lights glowing behind them. Wally had his arm around Maddie’s shoulders as they walked. When they reached the row of cars, Nicole paused beside Maddie.

“Text me if you need anything, okay?” she said. 

“I will.” Maddie smiled. 

Nicole gave her a small smile before climbing into her car. One by one the others peeled off until it was just Maddie and Wally left in the lot. They climbed into the truck, the heater humming to life as he started the engine. For a few minutes, they drove in silence, the tires crunching over the snow. 

Maddie glanced over at him. “Okay, what actually happened out there?”

Wally exhaled slowly. “He said I wasn’t trying. That ever since I told the team football isn’t my priority anymore, I’ve been half-assing it.”

Maddie scoffed. “That’s bullshit.”

“He also said maybe if I cared more about the team than my girlfriend in the stands we wouldn’t have lost.”

Maddie turned to him fully in her seat. “That guy is a fucking asshole.”

Wally huffed out a quiet laugh. “Yeah.”

“The team doesn’t deserve you,” she said. “I know you don’t want to leave halfway, but they are all dicks. Except you and Conrad.” 

“I know,” he said. “I made a promise to keep going. I’m not giving up now.” 

The truck pulled into his driveway a few minutes later, the house quiet under the falling snow. He turned the engine off. For a moment neither of them moved. Then Maddie reached over and took his hand.

“You did everything you could tonight,” she said softly. 

Wally looked down at their hands, then back to her. “Thanks.”

She squeezed his hand. “I’m always on your side, Wally. No matter what.”

He leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. “I know.” 

Part 21 Part 23

Yay Maddie is out of her sling!

Writing the part where Wally gives her his jersey I was like 🥰🥹😍😭👏🏻🙌🏻 all the emotions.

Next up is another time jump to the wedding in Malibu, where of course there will be PLENTY of drama!

Tags: @lover1409@rosietoesy@jamiemoonymarks@unholypsychic@darth-jaderz@m3ntaltashia23@kellykeyser85@major-tomcat

Chapter 2: One Hell Of A Stupid Idea

Wally x Maddie

Info and warnings: alive AU, swearing, Simon is protective over Maddie, the cheerleaders are mean, alcohol themes

Summary: Maddie and Wally set the ground rules for their fake relationship before putting the first stage of their plain into motion.

Masterlist

Wally rested one hand on the steering wheel while the other drummed absently against the center console. The radio played softly through the speakers, but he wasn’t listening to a single word. 

What the fuck were you thinking? He let out a frustrated sigh. Fake dating? Seriously? It had sounded like a brilliant idea, both of them could benefit from. Now actually thinking about it, it sounds completely insane. 

Maddie probably thought it was the stupidest plan to ever exist in all of history.  She’s probably telling her mom about the weird football captain who’d suggested they pretend to date after knowing each other for exactly one afternoon. 

He groaned, rubbing a hand over his face. “Nice one, Clark.”

He pulled into the long driveway of his house and killed the engine. Running a hand down his face, he groaned. The front door swung open as the last of the book club ladies headed home for the night. He hoped if he stayed in his truck, they wouldn’t notice he was there. He couldn’t deal with them right now.

Then his phone buzzed on the passenger seat. Expecting another message from Chloe or Livia, he picked it up with a sigh. 

Instead, Maddie’s name filled the screen. 

Maddie:  I’m in. 

Wally blinked. “… Huh?”

He read the message again, and then a third time. 

She’d actually agreed to his ridiculous not well thought out plan.

A nervous laugh escaped him before he leaned back against the driver's seat. “Well… shit.”

Now came the hard part. Getting Maddie to agree had somehow been the easy part. But convincing the rest of Split River High that the football captain and the girl he’d barely spoken to in eighteen years had suddenly started dating? That was going to take a hell of a lot more than one stupid idea. 

He opened their message thread, his thumbs hovering over the keyboard. Before they told anyone, they needed rules. They needed a story. Above all else, they needed to make it believable. 

Wally: Told you I was a genius. 

He stared at the screen, waiting for the three little dots that showed she was typing. 

Maddie: That’s still debatable. 

Wally: Ouch. 

Maddie: You’ll survive, Clark 

Madde: So how is this meant to work anyway?

Wally: How about we meet at the lookout tomorrow at ten? we can go over everything then. 

Maddie: Okay. See you then. 

Wally let out a breath as he climbed out of the truck and headed up the driveway. 

Inside, he was greeted by the scent of chocolate chip cookies and coffee. His mother, Bea, was in the kitchen cleaning the last few dishes. 

“Hey, Wally,” Bea called from the kitchen. “How was football practice?” 

Wally entered the kitchen, taking a cookie from the plate on the counter before sitting on a bar stool. 

“It was fine. Coach thinks we have a high chance of winning the game next week.” 

Bea glanced up. “Well, of course you guys will win. They have you as their captain and their starting linebacker.”

Wally bit into the cookie. “Mmm hmm.”

“How was Charley’s tonight, or did football practice run late?” Bea asked. 

“Neither. We got a new project in English, and Mr. Anderson picked the partners. I got paired with Maddie Nears, so I was at her house working on the project.” “Oh,” Bea said as the sink drained and she dried her hands. “Just be careful when you’re at her house. Her mother is an alcoholic. You don’t know what goes on in that house, Wally. I don’t want you getting caught up in it with college being so close.”

Wally narrowed his eyes. “I can’t believe you just said that, Mom.”

“What?” Bea replied. “Everyone in town knows Sandra is an alcoholic.” 

“That has nothing to do with Maddie.”

“I don’t care. After this project, I don’t want you around her anymore. College and football are your top priorities.”

Wally rolled his eyes. “You’re being ridiculous, and you fucking know it.” 

Wally pushed back his chair and left the kitchen, heading upstairs to his room.

“This conversation isn’t over, Walter.” Bea called. 

“Yeah, it is,” Wally muttered, shutting his door shut. 

Wally shut his bedroom door and dropped his bag onto the floor with a sigh. He sat on the edge of his bed, elbows resting on his knees as he rubbed both hands over his face. He couldn’t believe what his mom had just said. 

Maddie wasn’t her mother. Sure, Sandra had made mistakes. Everyone in Split River knew that – or some extent of that. But after spending just one afternoon with Maddie, Wally had seen something entirely different. She worked after school. She cooked her own dinner. She’d practically raised herself, and somehow she’d still turned out kind, hardworking, and determined. 

He’d only known her for a few hours, but he already knew there was a lot more to Maddie Nears than the rumours people loved to spread. 

Wally leaned back against his headboard, letting out a slow breath. Then his eyes landed on the phone beside him. Right. The plan. He picked it up and opened the notes app, starting at the blank page for a moment before typing a title. 

Operation: Fake Girlfriend.

He snorted to himself. “I spend way too much time with Charley.”

Deleting the title, he started again. 

How to convince Split River we’re dating.

If they were going to pull this off, they couldn’t just tell people they were together and hope for the best. They needed a story. They needed rules. Most importantly, they needed to think ten steps ahead, because a town like Split River, everyone knew everyone’s business. 

On the drive to the lookout, Maddie was starting to doubt the plan. It had sounded almost foolproof when Wally suggested it yesterday, but now the reality of it was beginning to sink in. She’d only really known him for a day, and somehow they were going to convince their best friends -and everyone at school - that they were dating. Before yesterday, she could barely remember a single interaction she’d ever had with him. 

The plan seemed simple enough – pretend to date long enough for Chloe, Livia and the rest of the bitch pack to leave them both alone. Simple, right? Maddie wasn’t sure. It wasn’t just the lying that worried her; it was everything that came with it. Holding hands. Sitting together at lunch. Convincing everyone they were a couple. She’d never been one for public displays of affection. Even when she was with Xavier, she rarely kissed him at school or when they were out around town. But if this plan was going to work, she’d have to get used to the idea, much to her discomfort. 

More than anything, she couldn’t picture herself pulling it off. How was anyone supposed to believe she and Wally Clark had suddenly fallen for each other? She pulled into the lookout parking lot and climbed out of her car. The air was finally starting to warm up now that the last remnants of winter snow were slowly melting away. 

They hadn’t specifically agreed on where to meet, so Maddie made her way to an old wooden bench overlooking the town. It had been years since she’d been up here, and she’d forgotten how beautiful the view was. The tall trees, the river winding through the middle of town, and the football stadium sitting in the distance all stretched out before her.

She pulled her copy of Dead Girls Don’t Talk by Joanne Carlton from her tote bag, flipped to her bookmark, and continued reading while she waited for Wally to arrive. 

A few minutes later, the sound of a truck pulling into the space behind her drew her attention away from the book. She slipped the bookmark between the pages, tucked the novel back into her bag, and stood.

“Hey, Maddie.” Wally said as he walked over.

She glanced at him to find him dressed in workout clothes, a backpack slung over one shoulder.

“Please tell me you’re not expecting me to go for a run,” Maddie said. 

Wally chuckled. “Relax. It’s just what I told my mom I was doing.”

“Good. Because I wouldn’t have gone with you.” 

“I figured.”

“So,” Maddie said, taking a seat again, “how’s this supposed to work?”

Wally pulled out his phone and opened the Notes app, taking a seat beside her. “I figured we should come up with a few rules before we get into the details of the plan.”

“That works.”

“Okay, he said. “Rule one?”

Maddie didn’t hesitate. “If either of us feels uncomfortable for any reason, we stop. Immediately.”

Wally nodded, typing it down. “No questions asked.”

“Exactly.”

He looked back at the screen. “Rule two. Nobody can know it's fake.”

“Not our friends. Not our families. No one,” Maddie added. 

“If one person finds out, the whole town will know by lunchtime.”

She laughed. “That’s insanely accurate.” 

“Rule three,” Wally continued. “We keep the lies as close to the truth as possible.”

“So we actually have a chance of remembering them?”

“Exactly.”

Maddie nodded. “I can live with that.” 

Wally tapped his phone thoughtfully before grinning. “Oh, and rule four. Don’t go falling in love with me.” 

Maddie stared at him for a second before letting out a laugh. “Wally, I can promise you that’s not going to happen. Ever.”

He placed a hand dramatically over his chest. “You wound me.”

She rolled her eyes, unable to hide a smile. “You’ll be fine.”

Wally slipped his phone back into his pocket and leaned against the bench. “Now we need to figure out how to make everyone believe us.”

Maddie let out a quiet sigh. “I still can’t believe I’m agreeing to this.”

“You’ll survive.”

“I’ll decide after this is all over.”

A smile tugged at the corner of Wally’s mouth before he turned serious again. “The biggest mistake we could make is announcing we’re dating on Monday. Nobody would believe it.”

Maddie nodded. “Because we’ve barely spoken to each other for the last eighteen years.”

“Right. We need to ease people into it.”

She folded her arms. “Okay… how?”

“Nothing dramatic,” Wally said. “I’ll start waiting for you before English, and we’ll walk to class together. One day during the week you can come sit with me, Charley and Rhonda at lunch.” 

“For a little while,” Maddie corrected. “I’m not ditching Simon and Nicole.”

“Fair enough. Then after practice one afternoon, you can wait for me before we head back to your place to work on the project.” 

Maddie considered it for a moment before nodding. “That actually makes sense. If anyone asks, we’re not even lying. We’re just spending time together because of the project.”

“Exactly,” Wally said. “Then if people start asking questions, we don’t confirm anything, but we don’t deny it either.” 

Maddie couldn’t help but smile. “You’re really counting on this town loving gossip.” 

Wally laughed. “Have you met the people in this town? It's like gossip is their middle name.”

She looked back over the lookout at Split River stretched out below them and shook her head with a quiet laugh. “Fair point.” 

“By the following week,” Wally continued,” people will already think something’s going on. All we have to do is tell them we’ve started seeing each other.” 

Maddie thought about it for another moment. The plan was insane, but the more they talked it through, the more believable it became. “I hate to admit that this might actually work.”

Wally grinned. “Told you I was a genius and not an idiot.” 

She rolled her eyes. “That’s still debatable.”

Monday morning came faster than Maddie was prepared for. She rolled out of bed still exhausted after staying up until three am on a school night isn’t ideal. Not like she’d had much of a choice. 

Sandra had come home Sunday night reeking of alcohol after a long day at work. Maddie has spent hours cleaning up every time her mother threw up, making sure she drank water and convincing her to eat something before she finally fell asleep on the couch. By then, it was already three a.m.

None of it was new to her. It was sad how she’d accepted it as her normal, being the one to look after her mom instead of the other way around. She’d been so busy cleaning that she never got around to making dinner, settling for an apple instead after Sandra finally stopped getting sick – for only a little while anyway. Her homework was still sitting untouched in her backpack, but thankfully she had study hall first period to finish it. 

She padded into the living room and sure enough, Sandra was still passed out softly snoring with the cushion beneath her head stained from drool. Maddie quietly made her way back down the hall to the bathroom and took a quick shower, standing beneath the cold water for a few extra minutes in the hope it might wake her up. 

A few minutes later, she was dressed and heading out the door. She grabbed her keys from the hook, sent Nicole a quick text letting her know she was driving herself to school, then quietly closed the door behind her, making sure she didn’t wake her mom. She didn’t have the energy to deal with another conversation this morning. 

The drive to school was short. As she pulled into the parking lot, she gave herself one last glance in the rear-view mirror, smoothing down the flyaways around her face before applying a layer of lip balm. Satisfied that she looked at least somewhat awake, she climbed out the car and headed inside. 

She weaved through the busy hallway, stepping around groups of students who had decided the middle of the corridor was the perfect place to stop and talk. When she finally reached her locker, Wally was already waiting for her, two takeaway coffee cups in one hand and his backpack slung over one shoulder.

“Morning,” Wally said, holding one of the cups out to her. “I didn’t know how you take your coffee, so I guessed.” 

Maddie accepted it with a grateful smile. “I’ll drink it however its given to me. I don’t really have a preference.

She took a sip before turning to her locker and grabbing the books she needed for study hall. 

“I really needed this this morning,” she admitted. “I didn’t get much sleep last night, so… thanks.” 

Wally nodded. He wanted to ask why she hadn’t slept, but only knowing her for a couple of days, it didn’t feel like his place. Instead, he tucked the thought away in case it came up another time. 

“Anytime,” he said. “So, what’ve you got first period?”

“Thankfully, study hall,” Maddie replied as she shut her locker. “I didn’t get around to my social studies homework last night.” 

“Oh, nice. I’ve got math.”

Just then, Simon and Nicole round the corner before stopping in their tracks at the sight of Wally standing beside Maddie’s locker. 

“Uh… hi,” Simon said cautiously.

“Morning,” Wally replied with an easy smile. 

Maddie glanced between the three of them. “We were just talking about our English project.” 

Simon nodded slowly, his eyes dropping to the takeaway coffee cup in Maddie’s hand before flicking back to Wally. 

“…Right.” 

Nicole nudged Simon with her elbow, silently telling him to knock it off. 

“So,” she said, smiling at Maddie, “looks like you survived your first study session.” 

“I did,” Maddie laughed. “We actually got a decent amount done.” 

Wally nodded. “We’re making good progress.” 

“Good,” Niccole said. “At least one of us is. Charley spent half our study session talking about some guy he likes instead of Mary Shelley.” 

Wally laughed. “Sounds about right.”

Maddie smiled before turning back to Wally. “Ready to go?”

“Yep.”

Before they headed down the hallway, Maddie looked back over her shoulder. “I’ll catch up with you guys later.” 

“See you.” Nicole called. 

Simon simply watched the pair disappear into the crowd before finally speaking. “…That was really fucking weird.” Nicole closed her locker. “They’re doing a project together, Simon. They probably just want to get to know each other.” 

“I know they’re doing a project together,” he replied. “I just don’t remember you telling me the assignment including coffee before school.” 

Nicole couldn’t help but laugh. “Maybe he was just being nice.”

Simon folded his arms. “He’s the captain of the football team. Nice isn’t exactly the reputation they have.”

“Teo’s on the football team.”

Simon sighed. “Okay, Teo gets a pass. The rest of them don’t.” 

Nicole shook her head. “We don’t know if Wally’s like that. Besides, it’s only for two weeks.”

Simon wasn’t convinced. “I’ve just got a bad feeling about him.” 

The pair made their way through the crowded hallway, talking about nothing in particular as they headed toward study hall. 

When they reached the door, Wally slowed to a stop. “Well, this is you.”

“Thank you, captain obvious,” Maddie said sarcastically. 

Wally laughed. “See you later, Nears.” 

“Bye.” 

Wally disappeared down the hall as Maddie turned into the room. She weaved her way through the desks to the back of the room, taking a seat at one of the desks, then she noticed Chloe and Livia glancing at her.

Maddie looked up. “What?”

“Since when do you talk to Wally Clark?” Chole asked.” 

“Since I got partnered with him for English,” Maddie replied simply. “You know, the class you’re in?”

Chloe folded her arms. “Then why is he walking you to class?”

“It’s called being nice. Ever heard of it?” Maddie deadpanned. 

Livia glanced down at the coffee on her desk with Wally spelt on the side of the cup. “Nice enough to buy you coffee, apparently.” 

Maddie rolled her eyes. “Didn’t know buying someone a coffee came with an interrogation.” 

Chloe raised a brow. “Whatever. Just don’t get the wrong idea.”

“Trust me,” Maddie replied dryly. “I’m not.” 

The rest of the school day passed quickly, and before Maddie knew it, it was English – the last lesson of the day. One by one, students filtered into Mr. Anderson’s classroom, dragging their desks together with their project partners before he arrived.

Maddie slid the desk beside hers into place for Wally while Nicole did the same for Charley. 

“I swear, if Charley talks about his crush one more time,” Nicole muttered, as she sat down, “I’m actually going to hit him.”

Maddie laughed. “I don’t know Charley all that well, but even I can tell he’s a rambler.

As if on cue, Wally and Charley walked over, dropping their backpacks beneath their desks.

“Who’s a rambler?” Charley asked. 

“You are,” Maddie and Nicole said in unison.

Charley placed a hand over his chest dramatically. “I would normally be offended… but you’re not wrong.” He turned to Nicole with a grin. “Anyway, I have to tell you what happened with Yuri in gym today.”

Wally set his books on the desk and pulled out his laptop. “I have to tell you something about gym too.”

Before Maddie could ask, Mr. Anderson walked into the classroom carrying a coffee in one hand and a stack of papers in the other. 

“Ah, thank you all for sitting with your partners,” he said, setting everything down on his desk. “Makes my job a whole lot easier.”

He glanced around the room before continuing. “Keep working through your projects. I want a rough draft by Wednesday.” 

A chorus of groans echoed around the classroom. 

“You can complain all you want,” he said with a grin. “I’m still not extending the deadline.”

A few students laughed. 

“Now quit whining and get to work. I can’t enjoy my coffee if all I hear is you lot complaining.” 

More laughter spread across the room as everyone opened their laptops. 

Maddie pulled up the document they’d started on Friday before glancing at Wally. 

“So,” she said, “what happened in gym?”

“Chloe came up to me after gym,” Wally said as he typed a few sentences on the document. 

“About this morning, I’m assuming?”

He nodded. “She wanted to know why I brought you coffee.” 

“What’d you tell her?”

Wally shrugged. “I just said I didn’t see why it was such a big deal and that I could buy coffee for whoever I wanted.”

Maddie smiled faintly. “That would’ve annoyed her.” 

“It definitely did.” 

She laughed quietly before scrolling through another website. “They stopped me in study hall too. Chloe asked why you walked me to class, then Livia noticed your name written on the coffee cup.” 

Wally let out a quiet groan. “I forgot they write names on the cups.”

“Honestly,” Maddie said, keeping her voice low, “I don’t think that helped your case.”

“Probably not.” 

Before either of them could say anything else, Mr. Anderson stopped beside their desks, coffee mug in hand. “Are you two actually working, or are you solving the many mysteries of the universe?”

Wally laughed. “Working. I save solving the mysteries of the universe for the weekend.” 

Mr. Anderson chuckled. “Good. Carry on.” 

The rest of class passed in a blur before the final bell rang.

“Alright everyone,” Mr. Anderson called. “Please send me through a rough draft by Wednesday morning so I have time to go over them before class on Friday.”

The sound of chairs scraping against the linoleum filled the room as students packed up and headed for the door. Maddie turned to Wally before he left for football practice. 

“I’ve got a shift at the bookstore tonight, so I can’t work on the project. Does tomorrow after school work for you?”

Wally nodded. “Works for me. See you tomorrow, Nears.” 

Maddie grinned. “Bye, Clark.” 

Maddie and Nicole walked together to their lockers, where Simon was waiting for them.

“I hope you both are ready for movie night tonight,” Simon said. “I picked a good one.”

“I can’t,” Maddie replied. “I have a shift tonight.”

“It’s Monday. Since when do you work on Mondays?”

“I told you I swapped my Saturday morning shift with Dawn.” Maddie said as she opened her locker. 

Simon frowned. “No, you didn’t.”

“Yes I did,” Maddie said, sorting through her books before closing the locker. “Remember? My mom and I went to see my grandma.” 

“I don’t remember you saying it either,” Nicole admitted as she zipped up her backpack. “But that’s okay. We can watch the movie tomorrow night.”

“I can’t tomorrow either. I have to work on my project with Wally.”

Simon raised an eyebrow. “So you’re blowing off your best friends to be with Wally?” 

“I’m not blowing you off, Si,” Maddie replied. “I have a project to finish, and we have to submit a rough draft by Wednesday. We need to work on it.” 

She slipped her phone out of her pocket and glanced at the time. “I’ve got to go. My shift starts in ten minutes. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Without waiting for a response, Maddie waved goodbye and disappeared down the hallway.  

Simon watched her go. “There’s something going on with her.” 

Nicole rolled her eyes as she closed her locker. “Give her a break Si. She literally just got cheated on, her ex-boyfriend is now dating the girl he cheated with, and everything going on with her mom… I don’t blame her for forgetting things from time to time. She’s got a lot on her plate.”

Simon shoved his hands into his pockets as he and Nicole walked to the exit.  “I just… don’t want her getting close to Wally and having him hurt her.”  

Nicole stopped walking and turned to face him. “Si, we can’t stop that from happening if it does. All we can do is support her. Right now, they’re just getting to know each other because of this project. Who knows? Maybe once it’s over, they’ll end up being friends. Maybe not. She’s still our Maddie no matter who she’s friends with.”

Simon let out a long sigh. “I hate when you're right.”

Nicole grinned. “Well, you must hate it a lot, because I am always right.” 

The bell jingled above the door as Maddie entered The Split River Books & Brew. She made her way to the register at the front of the store before slipping behind the counter.

“Hello, dear,” Jennifer, the bookstore owner, greeted as Maddie stepped behind the desk.

“Sorry, I’m a bit late, Jen,” Maddie said, clipping on her name tag. “Two jocks thought the parking lot was the perfect place to have an argument before practice.” 

“Oh my,” the elderly woman replied. “That’s quite alright, dear. Could you finish reorganising the books in the kids section? A kindergarten class came in earlier, and they left it looking like a tornado went through.”

“Sure thing, Jen.” 

Maddie left the counter and made her way through the bookshelves toward the children’s section, carefully stepping around the few customers browsing the store. Books were scattered across the floor. She knelt down to begin placing them back on the shelves when her phone vibrated in her pocket. 

She pulled it out, smiling when Wally’s name appeared on the screen. 

Wally: Day one of How to convince Split River We’re Dating is complete. 

A quiet laugh escaped her before she replied. 

Maddie: You really gave our plan a title?

Wally: Yeah.

Wally: I spend way too much time with Charley. 

Maddie: You do.

Wally: Anyway, I’ve got to get back to practice. Text later.

Maddie slipped her phone back into her pocket, a smile lingering on her face. 

The more she spent with Wally, the more she realized he wasn’t the stereotypical jock she’d always assumed he was. He was kind, funny, and surprisingly thoughtful. He had the sort of golden retriever energy that lit up every room he walked into. 

She’d always known who Wally was. It was impossible not to in a town as small as Split River. By the time they got to high school, she’d quietly admitted to herself that he was cute, but that was as far as it ever went. They ran in completely different social circles, so she’d never bothered to look beyond the football captain everyone else saw. 

Now, she was beginning to realise there was so much more to him. No, she thought. This is just a fake relationship. Nothing more. They’d even made it a rule not to let it become anything real.

…But a small part of her couldn’t help wondering if maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad thing. 

Chapter 1 Chapter 3

Tags: @lover1409 @kellykeyser85 @popcorn-and-lipstick

Part 20: About Damn Time

Wally x Maddie

Warnings and info: everyone is Alive AU, set in 2023-24 (in line with the show), swearing, sexual references, The Stone Manor Estate is a real place in Malibu but I changed the location of it to make it more costal because the real life location is more in land (if that makes sense)

Summary: School returns, rumours spread about how Maddie got in the accident, Sandra and Bea tell Wally and Maddie about their plan. And Wally discovers something that changes his life forever.

Masterlist

It had been one week since school returned after winter break. Maddie and Wally were now staying at Nicole’s house ever since Charley’s parents came home from their trip. Charley hadn’t been lying about the walls being thin - they could hear everything. Neither of them knew how he’d managed to live with that for so long. 

Nicole’s house was bigger than Charley’s, and with her older brother Diego back at college, there was plenty of space. They even had their own room – though neither of the really minded sharing. 

Wally has only spoken to his mom through text messages since their fight, except for that one phone call on New Years Eve. Eventually, she had accepted that he needed space. To clear his head. Which, for the most part he had. 

He decided not to leave the football team halfway through the season. As much as he hated parts of it – and as much as most of the team were assholes – walking away now would feel wrong. He couldn’t do that to the team. Still, he hadn’t figured out how to tell them, or his coach, that he was only playing for fun now. Not for scholarships. Not for a future his mother wanted for him. He didn’t need to owe them an explanation, but he wanted to let them know.  

He hadn’t told his mom yet either. She was still convinced he was going pro, and that he only said that to lash out, that it was just a phase he was going through. Maddie, Rhonda and Charley had spent the week encouraging him to talk to her first, then the team. But the doubts in his head were louder. What if she was right? What if giving up football meant giving up his chance to go to college altogether?

What he had done that week was talk to his dad. Wally agreed to fly to California for his wedding – a decision he still hated – on one condition: Maddie came with him. Edward didn’t hesitate. He booked first-class tickets immediately, scheduled for them to leave on January 29th, and even contacted the school to let them know Wally and Maddie would be missing for a couple of days. 

At first, Maddie struggled with school while only having the use of one arm. Her teachers were lenient with her though. Offering extensions on assignments, letting her work in the library when the classrooms became too loud. What didn’t help were the other students. 

Rumours spread fast at Split River High. Everyone knew Maddie had been in a car accident, but no one seemed to know the truth. The worst version she heard was that she’d been driving while giving Wally a hand job. No matter how many times she corrected people, the story spread through the school like a wildfire, mutating every time it was retold. 

Saturday

Maddie’s eyes fluttered open as the morning light filtered through the blinds. She blinked, letting her vision adjust, and noticed thick, heavy snow falling outside. She sat up slowly, adjusting her sling. One more week. Just one more week in it - assuming the X-rays showed proper healing – she would be done with the sling for good. 

Her phone buzzed on the bedside table. She picked it up, her stomach tightening when she saw who it was from. 

Mom: Could you and Wally please come over today? Bea and I have something we’d like to talk about. 

Maddie knew all too well what she meant – rehab. She would be sober for a few days, promising she would never drink again only for it all to come crashing down a couple days later. The thought made her chest ache. If she didn’t have Wally and her friends beside her, she wasn’t sure how she’d get through it. 

She let out a slow breath and typed her reply. 

Maddie: Okay.

Pushing herself out of bed, she made her way downstairs to the kitchen. Wally was already up, sitting at the breakfast bar talking with Nicole’s dad about the upcoming NBA game. 

“Morning, Maddie.” Nicole’s dad said warmly. “Wally and I just got back from the bakery. Help yourself to a bagel. I’m gonna take some upstairs to the girls before Wally and I eat them all.”

Wally grinned, unapologetically. 

Nicole’s dad disappeared upstairs, two bagels in hand. Maddie sat next to Wally at the breakfast bar, grabbing a bagel from the brown paper bag. 

“Did you get a text from your mom too?” Maddie asked, spreading cream cheese over the bagel. “About coming over because they want to talk?”

“Yeah,” Wally said, taking a sip of his coffee. “I mean, I know what your mom wants to talk about. But mine?” He shook his head. “The last time she texted me was to ask if I was still sure about not playing football.”

Maddie took a bite, savoring the simple comfort of it. “I really don’t want to deal with any drama today,” she admitted. “Nicole and I were supposed to do a movie marathon.”

“I don’t either,” Wally said quietly. Then after a beat, “But I guess we should hear them out.”

“I know,” Maddie said. “I’ll finish this, take a shower, and then we can go over. I’ll tell Nicole we can do the movie marathon later.” 

Wally nodded, watching her for a moment longer than necessary.

An hour later, Maddie and Wally were ready to head over for the conversation they had both been dreading.

Wally had spent the entire morning running through every possible version of how it could go. What if she still wanted him to play football professionally? What if she was furious about California – about the wedding- because she’d never actually believed he’d go through with it? It wasn’t like he had much of a choice. He didn’t want to go – didn’t want to watch his dad marry someone new so soon after everything had fallen apart. He didn’t want to concede to the ultimatum, but he would do it for Maddie. He’d do anything for her without hesitation even if it meant going to his dad’s wedding. He’d move heaven and earth for her if he had too. 

In the truck, Maddie could tell he was stuck in his head as they drove in complete silence. 

“Wally,” she said gently, glancing over at him. “Stop stressing. It’s going to be okay.”

“I’m not stressing-” He paused, exhaling through his nose. There was no point lying to her; she always knew. “Okay. I am. I just… I don’t want another blow-up with my mom.” 

“If your mom does bring up college again,” Maddie said carefully. “you can remind her that your grades are fine – and that this is your decision.”

Wally glanced over at Maddie. “I thought that too. Apparently not for my mom.”

“It’s not even logical,” Maddie added. “You can’t be a straight-A student and carry a football program on your back. That’s too much to put on one person.”

“I know.” 

He turned down the familiar street and pulled to a stop in front of Maddie’s house. “Ready to get this over with?”

“Whatever they want to tell us,” Maddie said softly, “we’ll be there together.”

Wally and Maddie walked carefully along the icy path to the front door. It was a slick mix of snow and frozen patches. Wally hovered close, hands slightly out as if ready to catch her – even though she was steadier on her feet now. 

 Maddie pushed the door open. “Mom? We’re here.” 

Wally shut the door behind them. He took Maddie’s jacket first, hanging it in the closet before shrugging off his own and placing it beside hers.  

Sandra and Bea emerged from the kitchen, each carrying two mugs of hot chocolate. They handed one to Maddie and Wally before leading the way to the living room.  

Maddie and Wally sat together on the couch. Sandra and Bea took the one opposite, facing them. 

Sandra didn’t waste time. 

“I know I keep hurting you Maddie,” her voice trembled. “I never meant to. I’ve been struggling for so many years without your dad. I lost my person. My everything. And I drank through my pain instead of being a mother to you.” Her eyes filled, tears spilling over as she wiped at them with her sleeve. “I am so, so sorry.”

The room fell quiet. 

“There’s a facility in Madison,” Sandra continued more steadily, “where I can get sober and go to counselling.”

Maddie’s fingers tightened around her mug. “How is it going to be different from the last few times you went to get clean?”

“Because I am going with her.” Bea cut in. 

Wally straightened. “What do you mean?” 

“The program allows friends and family support,” Sandra explained. “I don’t want you around all this, Maddie. It would be too much. So, I asked Bea to come with me. And she agreed.”

Maddie swallowed. “How can we afford that, Mom? We couldn’t even pay for my medical bills.” 

“Carol told me about the facility the other day at the hospital,” Sandra said. “She gave me a few days to think about it. When I said yes, she pulled some strings and got me a spot. She covered the initial cost and said I can pay her back in instalments once I start working again.”

“How come this hasn’t come up before?” Maddie asked quietly.

“It’s a hard place to get into,” Sandra replied. “Carol called in a favour. She said it’s one of the best facilities in the country.”

Maddie leaned back against the couch cushions, absorbing it all. “When do you leave?”

Sandra’s eyes softened. “Tonight.” For a second, Maddie didn’t know what to feel – shock, fear, the familiar instinct to brace herself for disappointment. 

But beneath all that there was something else. Hope. A small sliver of hope. Maybe this time it will be different. 

Wally cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “How long is the program?”

“Four weeks,” Sandra answered. “It’s an intensive program. Therapy every day, group sessions. They don’t let you leave until they’re sure you’re ready.” 

“And what’s so great about this place,” Bea said. “I can keep you updated. So, you will know how much progress your mom is making.”

Sandra stood and crossed the living room and sat on the coffee table directly in front of Maddie. She reached forward touching her knee.  “I want to make this work. I want to be the mom you deserve to have.”

Maddie sat forward, grabbing her hand. “You will.” She squeezed once before letting go. 

Wally straightened, setting his mug carefully on the coffee table. “There’s something we need to tell you both.” 

Bea’s shoulders stiffened slightly. Sandra looked between them “What is it?” 

Wally swallowed. “I’m going to my dad’s wedding. And Maddie’s coming with me.” 

Sandra’s brows pulled together. “What? I didn’t think you would not after Christmas.”

“I don’t want to,” Wally admitted, jaw tight. “I’m doing it for Maddie.”

Sandra blinked slowly. “I’m so confused.”

“I can explain,” Bea stood, sitting on the arm rest of the couch. “When you couldn’t get a loan to pay for Maddie’s hospital bills. I told you I’d handle it,” Bea said quietly. “Handling it meant calling Edward.”

Sandra turned to her sharply. “You called him?”

Bea nodded. “I asked if he would cover the bills and any upcoming appointments Maddie might need. He said he would if I could convince Wally to attend his wedding. When I agreed he followed through and paid the bills.”

 “I can’t believe you did that Bea,” Sandra said. “After what that man did.”

“I know, it was stupid.” Bea said. “I put you in a terrible position. One I knew you would refuse. Edward knew that he would get what he wanted.” She looked over at Wally. “I’m sorry I did that to you, Wally. I promised your dad something that should have been your choice not ours.” 

Wally nodded, relieved she hadn’t brought up football. He didn’t want their last day together – for a while- to turn into another argument about his future. 

Bea cleared her throat. “There are going to be a few rules while we’re away.”

She held up one finger. “Rule one: You are either here at this house or across the road at mine. And you’re together.”

A second finger. “Rule two: No parties. Your friends can come over, but nothing crazy.”

A third. “Rule three: Carol will stop by whenever she can to check in. If you're out late or staying somewhere else, you let her know.”

A fourth. “And rule four: I will be Face Timing you every day.” 

Wally exchanged a glance with Maddie before nodding. “Sounds simple enough.”

The afternoon came quicker than they were ready for. Snow crunched under their boots as Wally carried Sandra’s suitcase to Bea’s car. 

Sandra stepped toward Maddie first then stopped, like she wasn’t sure if she was allowed to. For a second, neither of them moved. It had been a few days since they last saw each other. Now, it will be even longer. Finally, Sandra wrapped her arms around her. “I’m really going to try,” she whispered into her hair. “I mean it this time.”

Maddie swallowed, her throat tight. She didn’t say I believe you. She didn’t say you’ve said that before. She just nodded against her. “I know.”

Sandra gave Wally a small wave before sliding into the passenger side of Bea’s car. Maddie stepped aside, giving them some space.

Bea lingered by the driver’s side of the door. “About football-”

Wally rubbed the back of his neck, already shaking his head. “Mom.”

“I’m not trying to fight,” she said quickly. “I just don’t want you making a decision you’ll regret.”

“I’m not,” he replied, steady. “I’m finishing the season. I’m not screwing over the team.” He paused. “But after that? I’m done.”

“Wally you are too good-”

“No, Mom,” he cut in. “You just apologised for making a decision about the wedding without me. You are doing it again” His jaw tightened. “It’s my choice. My future. Can you just think about what I want instead of pushing me into something I never wanted?”

Silence stretched between them as a light dusting of snow fell.

Bea swallowed. “I will, Wally.” 

He held her gaze for a moment, then nodded. “Thank you.”

She stepped forward and pulled him into a brief, short hug. “Try to at least enjoy California,” she murmured.

“I’ll try,” he said quietly. 

Bea got into the car as Maddie moved back to Wally’s side. Sandra and Bea waved before the engine started and the car slowly backed out of the driveway. 

Maddie and Wally stood there a moment longer, watching as the taillights disappeared down the street. 

Maddie shifted carefully beside him, her good hand resting lightly against her sling as if steadying it. The cold bit at her cheeks. “I hope this works,” she said quietly. That small sliver of hope became bigger. She wanted to grasp at it, never letting it go. 

Wally nodded, jaw tight. “Yeah.” He let out a breath, watching it fog in the cold air. “I hope so too.”

Maddie glanced up at him. “We should grab our things from Nicole’s.”

“Okay,” Wally reached into his jacket pocket for his keys. “Do you want to text the group chat? See if anyone is free to hang?”

Maddie hesitated. “Could it just be you and me?” She shifted slightly. “I just… need some space this afternoon.” 

“Yeah. Of course, Mads.” His voice softened. He reached for her hand, without thinking and they walked toward the truck.

Wally pulled up in front of Nicole’s house and killed the engine. He came around to Maddie’s side, opening the door for her. 

Inside, the warmth wrapped around them. “We’re back,” Wally called. 

Nicole paused the TV and twisted around on the couch. Her eyes moved between them. “Well?” she asked carefully. “Did you two clear the air with your moms?”

Maddie and Wally exchanged a look. “Sort of,” Maddie replied. “My mom’s leaving tonight for a rehab facility in Madison for four weeks.” 

Nicole’s expression softened instantly. “That’s… huge.” 

“Yeah,” Maddie breathed. “It is.”

“And my mom is going with her,” Wally added. “They have a family and friends support program there.”

Nicole stood and pulled Maddie into a gentle, one-armed hug, careful of the sling. “I really hope this works.”

“Me too,” Maddie whispered. 

Nicole stepped back, studying Wally. “And you and your mom?”

“We’ll be okay,” Wally said. 

Maddie shifted slightly, adjusting her sling. “We’re just grabbing our stuff. We’re going back to Wally’s”

Nicole tilted her head. “You want some company?”

There was a small pause. 

“Not tonight, if that’s okay,” Maddie said gently.

Nicole didn’t push. She knew when Maddie needed her space. She just nodded. “Okay. Text me if you need anything.”

Maddie smiled softly. “I will. Thank you.”

“Of course, I love you, Mads.” Nicole said. “I’m helping you pack your things. Wally, you’re on your own. I do not need to see your briefs.” 

Wally let out a small laugh. “Love you too, Nicole.” 

They packed up their things and said their goodbyes to Nicole before heading out. By the time they pulled into Wally’s driveway, the sky had turned into a deep blue, the kind that comes just before night properly settled in. 

Inside, they dropped their bags in Wally’s room and unpacked what they could. Once they were settled, Maddie eased onto the couch and clicked on the TV, switching between streaming services to find something to watch. Wally settled next to her before flicking his gaze to the clock. 

“Wait – how is it already this late?” he ran a hand through his hair. “I’ll cook something.”

He stood, making his way into the kitchen. He opened the fridge and paused. “… okay?”

Maddie looked over. “What?”

“My mom hasn’t done the grocery shopping,” he said. “You know what she’s like. Enough food to feed an army.”

“Well maybe you weren’t the only one that wasn’t here,” Maddie said. “Maybe Bea was with my mom.”

“Sounds about right,” he shut the fridge and turned toward her. “I can duck out and grab something for dinner.”

Maddie adjusted her sling as she sat forward on the couch. “You don’t have to.”

“I want to,” he said gently. “You stay and get some rest.”

She raised an eyebrow. “You’re not my doctor.”

“You’re right, my aunt is. And I can call her right now and you can get the full doctor lecture.”

A small smile tugged at her lips. 

“I’ll be twenty minutes. Don’t move.” He added, grabbing his keys. 

“Bossy,” she muttered under her breath. 

“I heard that,” he said, halfway out the door. 

The front door opened twenty minutes later, a gust of cold air rushing in with Wally and two grocery bags hooked over his arms. 

“I come bearing carbohydrates,” he announced.

Maddie paused the TV. “That better not be frozen pizza.”

Wally shot her a look. “Madison Nears. You wound me.” 

She grinned. “Just checking.”

The kitchen filled with the sound of chopping, the soft clatter of pots, and the smell of onions hitting the pan. Maddie stayed on the couch, curled under a thick blanket half watching him, half pretending she wasn’t.

“You didn’t have to go all out,” she called. 

He glanced over his shoulder. “It’s rigatoni carbonara, not a five- course meal”

“That’s still going all out.”

He smiled a little. “I like cooking for you.” 

Not long after, he carried over two bowls of the pasta, steam curling into the air, garlic bread stacked high on a plate. 

He handed her the bowl, the familiar smell of one of her favourite dishes filling the room.  She twirled the pasta on the fork and took a bite. 

“Don’t tell your mom,” she said, eyes widening slightly. “But you make this way better than she does.”

“I wouldn’t dare,” he laughed. “But thank you. I actually listened when my gran taught me the recipe. Unlike my mom who skips a few steps.”

“It definitely shows.”

After dinner, once Maddie’s comfort show had ended, she grabbed the remote and started flipping through streaming services. Her eyes landed on the New Horror Releases tab.

“Absolutely not,” Wally said immediately.

“But it’s new.  And you’ve watched scary movies with me before.”

“Exactly,” he shot back. “When I watch horror movies, it’s during the day. Lights on. With many people around. Not late at night in the dark.”

“You’ll be fine.” She pressed play before he could argue again. The opening credits rolled, ominous music swelling through the speakers. 

Wally leaned back against the couch. “If something jumps out in the first five minutes, I’m suing.”

Maddie shifted a little closer under the blanket. “You sound like Charley.”

Wally huffed a quiet laugh. “Charley screams. I scream internally. Like a man.”

Maddie let out a laugh, shaking her head. “Not once has that ever happened.”

He shot her a look. “Whatever. Let’s just watch the movie.”

She grinned and settled deeper into the couch, curling next to him. In his arms, the safest she has ever felt. 

On screen, the hallway stretched impossibly long. The lights flickered once. Then again. The main character moved slowly, barefoot against creaking floorboards. The camera stayed just behind their shoulder – close enough to feel claustrophobic. The music thinned into a high, strained violin note.  

Wally shifted beside her. “I don’t like when it gets like that,” he muttered 

Maddie didn’t look away from the TV. “Like what?”

“Like it’s holding its breath.”

“That’s the point.” 

The character reached the end of the end of the hallway, a door sat slightly ajar. 

Wally’s hand moved across the blanket they were sharing – ever so casually, like he was just adjusting. They found Maddie’s hand and lace through hers without looking. 

She glanced down, a smile spreading across her face. 

The character pushed the door open. Nothing. Just a dark room and an empty rocking chair. The camera lingered. 

Wally leaned forward slightly. “It’s just some dumb rocking chair?”

The rocking chair slowly started to creak. Still empty. Then- A face snapped into frame from the side of the screen- pale, screaming, inches away from the camera – paired with a violent crash of music that blasted through the speakers. 

Wally physically jumped. He flinched so hard his shoulder knocked into Maddie’s (thankfully her other shoulder) and his grip on her hand tightened instantly. 

Maddie burst out laughing. “You jumped!”

“I did not,” he shot back, a little too quick. 

“You jumped so high you could have hit the ceiling.”

“It was loud,” he defended. “That’s cheap. That’s not even scary. That’s just audio assault.” 

She was still laughing, eyes bright. “You flinched before it even showed the face.”

“I was anticipating,” he insisted. “It’s called being prepared.”

Another intense scare began to build onscreen. His hand didn’t let go of hers. 

Maddie squeezed gently. “You know you can admit it.” 

“I’m fine,” he said, jaw set – even as he edged half an inch closer to her. 

On screen, a shadow moved behind a curtain. 

Wally exhaled slowly. “The things I do for you.”

Maddie leaned into him, smiling. “You love it.”

“Yeah, well,” he said quietly, thumb brushing over her knuckles. “I wouldn’t do it for anyone else.”

After nearly two hours, the movie finished, end credits rolling across the screen. Wally reached for the remote, pausing it as the eerie piano score could finish. The screen faded to black, leaving only the soft glow of the lamp in the corner. 

“Okay. That was really good. I need to tell Simon to watch it.” Maddie said.

“I liked the ending.” Wally added. 

Confusion spread across Maddie’s face. “The part when every single character died?”

“No,” Wally glanced over at her. “I meant the credits.” 

Maddie laughed. “You’re an idiot.” 

She pulled out her phone, typing quickly. 

Wally noticed. “You texting Simon?”

“Not yet,” she said. “I’m doing research.”

“On what?”

She typed quickly, the screen lighting up her face. “The Stone Manor Estate in Malibu.”

Wally groaned quietly. “Mads,”

“Oh my god.”

He sat up. “What?”

Maddie turned the phone toward him. The photos loaded – ocean cliffs, sweeping white stone balconies, chandeliers that probably cost more than her mom’s car, perfectly manicured gardens stretching toward the water. They both stared at the screen as they scrolled through the photos on the website. 

“Holy shit,” Maddie breathed.

Wally blinked. “This doesn’t even look real.”

Maddie zoomed in on one of the photos. “It looks like somewhere people go to pretend their lives are perfect.”

Wally huffed a small laugh “Yeah.”

The ocean behind the estate shimmered under golden light. Everything about it looked expensive, perfect, untouchable.

“This place is literally a mansion,” Maddie muttered, still scrolling.

Wally exhaled slowly. “Can we not talk about this anymore? It’s a bit much.” 

She glanced at him immediately “Oh. Yeah. Of course.” She locked her phone and set it face down on the coffee table. 

Silence sat between them.

 Maybe she shouldn’t have looked it up. He was still trying to process the fact that his dad was remarrying. That he was actually going. That he’d agreed to stand there and watch it happen.  

The butterflies in her stomach returned, sharp and impossible to ignore. She’d been pushing these feelings down for weeks. Telling herself it wasn’t the right time. That things would get too complicated. 

But when was it ever going to be perfect?

She drew in a slow breath and turned toward him, shifting carefully on the couch so her sling didn’t tug on the blankets.

“There’s something I haven’t told you,” she said quietly. “And you deserved to know.”

Wally looked over, brows pulling together. “Should I be worried?”

She shook her head. 

“On Christmas at the hospital. When you thought I was asleep… I wasn’t.” her voice softened. “I heard what you said. All of it.”

He stilled. “Oh.” He rubbed the back of his neck, a nervous habit. “Mads, that was just me rambling-”

“Wally.” She cut him off gently. “I feel the same way.”

The words hung between them. 

His eyes searched hers, like he was waiting for her to take them back. “You do?” he asked quietly.

“I do.”

There was a pause – fragile and electric- where neither of them moved. 

Then she leaned forward. She lifted her hand and cupped his cheek. His breath caught instantly, his hand coming up to steady her at her waist without thinking. 

Her lips brushed his. Soft, testing, warm.

For a second he didn’t react – just froze like his brain had short – circuited. Then he kissed her back, slowly. His thumb pressed gently into her hip, grounding himself, like he couldn’t quite believe this was happening. She tilted her head slightly, deepening it just enough to make his chest tighten. 

The world didn’t explode. No fireworks. No dramatic music. Just warmth. And the steady, overwhelming feeling of finally. 

When they pulled apart, their foreheads rested together, breaths uneven. 

Wally let out a soft, disbelieving laugh. “So… I wasn’t rambling?”

She smiled against his lips. “Not even a little.”

His hand tightened slightly at her waist. “Good.” His lips crashed onto hers, soft, warm. Perfect.

They didn’t move far when they pulled apart. Just enough to look at each other. 

Wally studied her face, something thoughtful settling behind her eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked softly. “At the hospital. Or after. Why keep it to yourself?”

Maddie swallowed. “I wanted to,” she admitted. “So many times.” Her fingers twisted in the blanket. “But I was scared.”

“Scared of what?”

“Of losing you.”

He frowned slightly.

“You’re my everything, Wally,” she said, her voice steadier now. “If we started something and it didn’t work… I couldn’t risk that. I couldn’t risk not having you in my life.”

Her throat tightened. 

“After what Xavier did… I felt stupid. And embarrassed. And so vulnerable.” She let out a small breath. “I didn’t trust myself. And I didn’t want to ruin the one good thing in my life.’

Wally reached up and brushed his thumb lightly along her jaw. “You’re not losing me,” he said firmly. “Ever.” 

She blinked. 

“You don’t get rid of me that easily, Mads.”

A tiny smile flickered. 

“I’m serious,” he continued, quieter now. “You’re the most important person in my life. That’s not changing. And if I ever hurt you-” he shook his head immediately “That would break me. I would never let that happen.” 

His forehead tested against hers again. 

“I’ll treat you better than he ever did. Not because I have to prove something. But because you deserve that. You deserve to feel safe.”

Her eyes softened. “I already do,” she whispered.

And before he could say anything else, she leaned in and kissed him again. His hand slid gently to her waist again, pulling her closer, careful of her sling. She smiled against his mouth, and he smiled back, because for the first time in a long time, everything felt steady. Perfect.

Part 19 Part 21

HEY SIRI PLAY ITS ABOUT DAMN TIME BY LIZZO BECAUSE OUR POOKIES FINALLY KISSED! All that yearning, angst and slow burn is finally over! 🥳🥳🥳

Tags: @lover1409@rosietoesy@seeker1982@jamiemoonymarks@unholypsychic@darth-jaderz@m3ntaltashia23@kellykeyser85@major-tomcat

Part 21: The Winter Carnival

Maddie x Wally

Warnings and info: everyone is Alive AU, set in 2023-24 (in line with the show), swearing, mentions of sex, BTW they showered separately, we're not there. Yet...

Summary: It’s time for Maddie and Wally’s first date, heading to the Stillwater Winter Carnival. And Charley, Rhonda, Simon and Nicole drop by unexpectedly when they find out about the date. Cue Charley freaking out.

Masterlist

Wally pulled back just enough to look at her. His hands were still warm against her face, his breath uneven, like he’d just ran a mile instead of kissing her for the first time. 

“So…” he began carefully, like the words were something so fragile he didn’t want to break. “Does this mean I can take you out on a date?”

Maddie’s lips twitched, her cheeks still flushed. She had never seen him look so unsure of himself. 

“Yes,” she said softly. “You can take me on a date.”

The biggest smile spread across his face. It was immediate. Unfiltered. Pure Wally. 

“Good,” he said, almost breathless. “Because I already have ideas.”

“Of course you do.”

His fingers found hers again and laced them together like it was the most natural thing in the world. “It’s getting late,” he murmured. “We’re gonna need actual sleep if I’m going to impress you tomorrow.”

“Well maybe I should stay in the guest room,” she teased, standing and tossing the blanket aside. “Otherwise, we will just be making out all night.” 

She winked at him as she turned.  

Wally blinked, then followed her down the hallway. “Okay but-” he hesitated, almost sheepish. “I like falling asleep next to you. And waking up with you there.” 

There it was again. That softness. That unfair golden retriever look that made it impossible to say no. 

Maddie smiled and held out her hand. “Come one then.”

He took it instantly. Wally practically tugged her toward his room, excitement buzzing off him in waves. If he was this happy about sharing a bed, how excited would he be when they eventually had sex?

Wait. 

Maddie swallowed.

They weren’t even officially boyfriend and girlfriend yet. And she wasn’t even sure if she was ready for sex. Not after Xavier. Not after he made her feel – even though she tried to hide it. The thought made her chest tighten – not because of Wally, but because she didn’t want to rush something so important. 

But she knew one thing with absolute certainty. Wally would be patient. He would never push. He would wait as long as she needed. And that made her feel even safer. 

He didn’t say anything as they climbed into bed. Just wrapped an arm carefully around her and pressed a soft kiss on her lips. 

“Goodnight, Mads.”

“Goodnight, Wally.”

Maddie’s eyes fluttered open, her arm stiff from the sling. No matter how many weeks it had been, she still wasn’t used to it.

Her gaze shifted over to Wally, still asleep beside her. His long arm stretched over her stomach, heavy and warm. Even in sleep, he’d somehow stayed mindful of her sling. 

Memories of last night filled her mind. Her confession. Their first kiss. Then the second. Then the third. 

For the longest time she’d thought it would be weird if they ever kissed. They’d been best friends forever. What if it felt wrong? Forced? What if it ruined everything?

But it didn’t. 

Not even close. 

When they’d shared that first kiss, it felt natural. Easy. Like they’d been waiting to catch up to something that had always been there. 

Okay, maybe not always because what ten-year-old is kissing anyone? 

She shifted slightly carefully trying not to wake him. His hand tightened around her waist, pulling her closer without opening his eyes.

Or so she thought.

“You’re staring,” Wally mumbled, his voice still thick with sleep. 

She froze. “Your eyes are closed.”

“I can feel it,” he murmured. 

She turned to face him fully. His hair was a mess, cheeks still warm from sleep, long lashes resting against his skin. God, he looks unfairly good first thing in the morning. 

“What can I say?” she teased softly. “I like waking up next to a really cute guy.”

Wally’s eyes flew open. “Are you flirting with me, Madison Nears?”

She raised a brow. “I think I am, Walter Clark.” 

A tiny gasp left his mouth. “I’m going to let you calling me Walter slid because you're my girlfriend. “

Maddie’s breath caught.  That was the first time he has referred to her as his girlfriend – and they hadn’t even officially talked about that yet. A small part of her expected to panic when he said it. To overthink it. But she didn’t. It felt so, so right. 

“I like hearing that,” she admitted, a slow smile spreading across her face. “You calling me your girlfriend.” 

Wally’s eyes widened. “Shit-” He pushed himself up on one elbow. “I didn’t even realise I said that. We didn’t actually talk about it. We don’t have to label anything yet. I mean, we can if you want. Or not. Or-”

Maddie leaned forward and kissed him, cutting off the spiral. 

When she pulled back, she smiled softly. “I said I liked it, boyfriend.”

He blinked at her, stunned for half a second before his grin took over. He leaned in and kissed her again, slower this time. When he pulled back, his forehead rested gently against hers. 

“I like it too,” he murmured. “Also, that was a very effective way of telling me to shut up.”

She laughed quietly. 

“So,” she said, brushing her thumb along his jaw, “where are you taking me on our date?”

“It’s a surprise,” he said immediately, rolling onto his back and reaching for his phone. “We should probably get up if we’re going to make it on time.”

“So,” Maddie said, slightly stretching, “pancakes?”

Wally paused halfway out of bed and turned slowly. “Tempting,” he admitted. “Very tempting.” Maddie’s eyes narrowed. “That sounds suspicious.”  

“But,” he continued, running a hand through his messy hair, “we’re going light today.”

“Light?” she repeated. “Since when do you believe in light breakfasts?”

“Since I started planning this date,” he replied, tugging on a hoodie. “Trust me. You do not want to be full for what I have planned.”

Her eyebrows lifted. “What could you possibly be planning that we can’t have pancakes for breakfast?”

Wally just winked as he opened his door, heading to the kitchen. 

Maddie followed him out as Wally slid two slices of bread into the toaster. “Figured we could have some toast this morning,” Wally said. “Something quick and easy.”

“Can I at least have coffee?” Maddie asked, leaning on the counter next to him. 

“Oh, absolutely,” Wally said with a grin. “I know better than to deprive my girl of her coffee. Especially in the morning.”

Wally flicked on the coffee machine, then crossed the kitchen in two long steps to the cupboard. “Figured we could add cinnamon on top. Since it’s your favourite.” 

“I guess that makes up for the fact that we aren’t having pancakes,” Maddie said as she poured the freshly brewed coffee into two mugs. 

The toast popped up as Wally spread butter over the warm slices, sprinkling the cinnamon-sugar mixture carefully over the top. He carried the two plates to the dining table before heading back to help Maddie with the coffee.  

After breakfast, they showered and got ready for the day. Maddie glanced out Wally’s window as snow drifted steadily down.

The truck hummed steadily beneath them as they pulled onto the road. 

Snow lined both sides of the road in uneven banks; the world washed in pale winter light. The sky was that soft grey-blue that only January seemed to own – quiet, cold, endless. 

Wally kept one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting near the console. Maddie’s gloved fingers brushed against his occasionally when the truck shifted over patches of packed snow. 

He tried to focus on the road. Instead, his brain chose violence. What if she thinks this is stupid? What if it's too childish? What if she expected something bigger? Something more impressive? He tightened his grip on the wheel. It sounded perfect in his head. Nostalgic, sweet something that felt like them. But what if it just felt… small? 

He exhaled slowly through his nose. You’ve known her since you were ten. Relax. Still, that didn’t stop his leg bouncing once, then twice before he forced it still. 

Then his phone buzzed in his pocket, pulling him out of his spiral. He glanced over at Maddie. “That’s probably our moms checking in on us. Could you grab my phone?” He lifted his hips slightly so Maddie could slide her hand into the front pocket of his jeans and pulled it out.

She answered it, angling the screen so they could both be seen. Bea’s face immediately filled the display – slightly too close to the camera - while Sandra appeared beside her wrapped in a sweater, the neutral-toned walls of the rehab centre visible behind them. 

“Hi,” Bea greeted, smiling. “Just wanted to check in before Sandra heads in for her first session.” 

Sandra lifted a hand in a small wave. “Hi, you two.”

Wally’s expression softened as he flicked his gaze between the screen and the road. “Hey.”

“You’re driving,” Bea observed. “You two going somewhere? You texted your Aunt Carol, right?”

“Yes, Mom. She knows.”

Maddie grinned, unable to contain it “We are going somewhere. Actually… we’re going on a date.” 

Bea gasped so loudly the audio crackled. “WHAT?” she demanded, her face lighting up. 

Maddie turned pink, but she didn’t look away. “I may have gotten over my fears. And confessed my feelings.” 

Sandra covered her mouth, eyes shining. “Finally.”

Bea looked like she might cry. “I have been waiting so long for this.”

Wally groaned softly. “Mom.”

“What?” Bea shot back. “Don’t act surprised.”

Sandra turned her attention to Maddie, her smile gentler now. “I’m really proud of you Maddie,” 

Those words hit Maddie harder than she expected. Her throat tightened slightly. 

“Thanks, Mom”

Bea leaned closer to the camera again. “Okay, where are you going for your first date?”

“It’s a surprise,” Wally said quickly. 

“Oh, we love surprises,” Sandra said. 

Bea narrowed her eyes. “You better not be doing something reckless.”

“It’s fine, mom,” Wally said, shaking his head. “I promise.”

Sandra glanced at the clock behind them. “It’s almost time to head in.”

Bea nodded. “Alright. We won't keep you. Have the best time.”

“We will,” Maddie said. 

“I’ll call you tomorrow after school,” Bea added. 

“Okay,” Wally replied. “We’re almost there.”

Bea perked up instantly. “Almost where-”

“Bye, Mom.” Maddie ended the call before she could ask anymore questions. 

Maddie laughed softly, setting the phone in her lap. “They’re so happy.”

Wally huffed a quiet breath. “Wouldn’t surprise me if they were calling every single family member right now telling them that we’re finally together.”

Maddie giggled.  During the call, they passed the Welcome to Stillwater sign. Maddie hadn’t noticed - not until Wally slowed the truck and turned into a snow-dusted gravel lot glowing with warm golden lights. 

She looked up and froze. Beyond the iron gates stretched the Winter Carnival.

Snow blanketed the ground in thick layers, packed down where boots have trampled through. Strings of fairy lights crisscrossed overhead between wooden posts, glowing softly against the pale winter sky. An ice rink sat in the centre, music drifting across the park as couples and kids wobbled across the ice. 

To one side, rows of carnival booths lined up beneath striped awnings, offering ring toss and milk bottle games with oversized stuffed animals hanging from the back walls. On the other side stood a cluster of food stalls, steam rising into the cold air – hot chocolate, cinnamon donuts, roasted nuts. Fire pits burned in metal barrels scattered throughout the park, people gathered around them warming their hands. 

Maddie’s breath caught. 

They haven’t been in years, the last time was probably when they were fourteen – before high school swallowed everything whole. Somehow the festival looked exactly the same, like it had been preserved in winter air. Still. Waiting. 

Coming here every year had once felt like an escape. From her mother’s drinking. From the grief that never fully left after losing her dad. From feeling like she had to be the strong one all the time. 

And he remembered. 

Of course he did. 

Her heart swelled at the thought that he’d chosen this – for their first date. 

Wally found a parking spot and killed the engine, glancing at her. His throat tightened.  “This isn’t-” he started, then tried again. “This isn’t too cheesy for a first date, right?”

Maddie met his eyes immediately. “No, Wally,” she said softly. “It’s not cheesy.” She leaned across the console and kissed him – slow and certain. “It’s perfect.”

The doubt in his expression eased instantly. He unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out into the cold. Snow crunched under his boots as he rounded the front of the truck, opening her door like it was the most natural thing in the world. 

“Your chariot awaits,” he said, offering his hand. 

She rolled her eyes fondly then smiled, grabbing his hand. 

Snow crunched beneath their boots as they stepped through the gates, the sound swallowed by music drifting through the trees. The lights overhead glowed warmly against the grey winter sky, everything dusted in white. 

A gust of wind rolled through, carrying the scent of chocolate and sugar. 

Wally glanced toward the stalls. “Hot chocolate first?”

Maddie turned to him slowly. “I was literally just thinking that.”

He blinked. “See? We spend too much time together .” She smirked. “Or not enough.”

His eyebrows lifted. “Well,” he said easily, bumping her shoulder with his. “I happen to like spending all my time with you.” 

She paused mid-step. “That was smooth.”

They made their way toward the hot chocolate booth, weaving through the crowd. Wally adjusted their path instinctively when people got too close to her sling, his hand hovering lightly at her back without drawing attention to it. 

The stall glowed warmly under strings of lights. A chalkboard menu listed of flavours. “Two hot chocolates with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle on top, please.”

The vendor handed them over in oversized paper cups, steam rising into the cold air. Wally held hers while she adjusted her scarf, then passed it to her. 

She took a sip. “Okay this was the right call.”

He grinned. “Strong start?”

“Very.” 

They stood there for a second, their shoulders brushing, breath fogging in the cold. 

“Alright,” Wally said, glancing toward the row of booths. “Now we dominate the games.”

“First,” Maddie said firmly, already tugging him toward the far-right booth, “we are doing the milk bottle toss. Because there is no way a football player like you is so shit at throwing a ball at stationary objects.”

Wally rolled his eyes. “That guy rigged it last time.” 

“Sure.”

“Probably glued them together.”

“Oh yeah?” she shot back. “Then how did I knock them down on the first try?” “Beginner’s luck.” 

“Excuses.”

They reached the booth. Three neat stacks of milk bottles sat on a narrow ledge, painted white and deceptively sturdy. Oversized stuffed animals hung overhead -bears, penguins, even a moose wearing a scarf. 

“Three balls for five dollars!” the vendor called. “Knock down all three to win!” Wally stepped up like he was about to compete in the state finals. “I’ve trained my whole life for this,” he muttered dramatically. 

“Same skill set.”

He handed over the money and took the three balls, weighing the first one in his hand. 

Maddie leaned slightly closer. “Don’t overthink it.”

“I do not overthink.”

“You absolutely do.”

He lined up the first shot, narrowed one eye, adjusted his stance then threw. The ball sailed just left of the bottles. 

Maddie tried to contain her laugh. But she couldn’t. 

“That was a warm-up,” he said immediately. “Testing wind conditions.” 

“There is no wind.” “There’s emotional wind.”

“Whatever that is.” She laughed harder, the sound bright in the cold air. A group brushed past behind her, and she instinctively stepped closer to him, so no one clipped her sling. 

“Babe,” she said absentmindedly, nudging him lightly with her shoulder, “just throw the ball.”

Wally stilled for half a second. 

She didn’t notice. She was already watching the bottles.

He blinked once, then shook it off, and adjusted his grip.

“Focus,” she added. “You have two left.”

He exhaled, rolled his shoulders back, and threw the second ball. It clipped the stack, knocking the top bottle clean off. 

The vendor rang a small bell half-heartedly. “One down.”

Maddie leaned closer, lowering her voice dramatically. “Wow. Such an elite athlete.”

He shot her a look. “You’re not helping.”

“You’re cute when you’re competitive.”

That did help. A little bit. He picked up the final ball. 

“Last chance” the vendor called.

Wally steadied himself, this time not overthinking it. Instead of carefully aiming like before, he just threw it – hard and straight through the centre. The stack exploded backward. The remaining two bottles hit the table and rolled off the edge. 

The vendor rang the bell louder this time. “We have a winner!” the vendor announced. “Claim your prize!”

Maddie gasped, grabbing his sleeve with her good hand. “No way!”

Wally blinked, then grinned, trying to act like that was the plan all along. 

She lifted her hot chocolate toward him in a mock toast. “Well, look at that. A football player finally managing to hit stationary objects.” 

He scoffed. “I was pacing myself.”

“Uh-huh.”

He turned toward the wall of stuffed animals, scanning the options – penguins, snowmen, bears. And then he saw it. A golden retriever – floppy ears, big soft eyes, slightly oversized paws. 

He didn’t hesitate. “I’ll take the dog, please” The vendor unhooked it and handed it over. Wally tucked it under his arm and stepped back beside her. As they walked away from the booth, held it out toward her. “For you.”

She looked down at it, then back up at him. “You picked that on purpose.”

He gave a small half-smile. “It felt fitting.”

She laughed softly. “It does.” She shifted her hot chocolate to adjust her grip and reached for the dog- then paused.

He exhaled. “Right.”

She lifted her cup slightly. “I’m not sacrificing this.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he tucked it back under his arm. “I’ll carry it.”

She bumped her shoulder lightly into his as they started walking again. “You just wanted an excuse to walk around holding a golden retriever.” 

“Obviously,” he replied. “It aligns with my personal brand.”

She giggled. “Yeah, it really does.” 

They tried a few more games after that. Ring toss? Humbling. Balloon darts? Worse. A fishing game for tiny plastic ducks that Maddie won effortlessly – and then won again when Wally demanded a rematch. 

By the time they stepped away from the row of games, Wally was still carrying the oversized golden retriever and whatever random thing they’d won the past few games – a plastic whistle and a cheap rubber bracelet which he didn’t keep long until he passed them off to a nearby kid.

The ice rink dominated the centre of the park – wide and glowing under stings of warm lights. Skates scrapped over the ice, music floating through the cold air as couples moved carefully across the surface. Some graceful. Some… less so. 

Wally shifted the golden retriever under his arm and glanced at Maddie. 

“So,” he asked casually, “what’s next?”

Maddie didn’t even hesitate. “We should go ice skating.”

Wally instantly stopped walking. She kept going for half a step before realizing he wasn’t beside her anymore.  Slowly, she turned.  

“Absolutely not,” he said.

She stepped closer, lowering her voice. “I’ll go slow. I won't do anything stupid.”

“That’s subjective.” 

“It’s not like I’m going to do any crazy tricks like I did as a kid.”

“You’re still recovering, Mads”

“I’m not made of glass Wally”

He exhaled through his nose, jaw tight. “I know that.”

“Then trust me.”

He hesitated, then he pulled out his phone. Her eyes narrowed. “What are you doing?”

“Getting medical reassurance.” He knew his aunt had the late shift at the hospital, so she would answer straight away. 

“Wally-”

He was already typing. 

Wally: Maddie wants to go ice skating. Can you tell her that it’s a bad idea.

Three dots appeared almost instantly. 

Aunt Carol: Is this a date?

Wally: Why would this be a date?

Maddie leaned on closer to read the screen.

Aunt Carol: Your mom already told me. 

Wally huffed a small laugh. “I knew it.”

Aunt Carol: She’s recovering really well so if she takes it slow and you stay with her the whole time, she should be fine. No tricks or racing or anything like that. And make sure she has pain relief after. 

Wally read it over in his head twice. 

“See?” Maddie said. “Even my doctor said its fine.”

“Fine,” Wally slid the phone back into his pocket. “But I’m holding your hand the entire time.”

“Works for me.”

The rental skates were colder than expected and the ice shimmered under the carnival lights as they stepped onto the rink. 

Maddie moved carefully at first – slow, measured pushes, testing her balance before fully committing to each glide. They left their stuff with the attendant, and Wally stayed close enough that their shoulders brushed every few seconds. 

He hovered. Not in a dramatic way but in a cautious way that if she did slip, he’d catch her before she even hit the ice. 

“Watch it,” he muttered when a pair of teenagers skated too fast past them. 

“Hey, easy. Can’t you see she’s in a sling?” he warned someone else when they drifted too close to her side.

At one point he shifted slightly so she was always on the edge of the rink, keeping her protected from the faster skaters circling past. 

Maddie noticed. Not just the hovering- but the way his hand linked with hers the entire time. The way his grip tightened just slightly whenever she wobbled. The way his eyes never fully left hers. She felt steady. Because he was there. 

“You can relax, you know,” she murmured, smiling at him. 

“I am relaxed,” he insisted – while clearly not being relaxed at all.

She laughed softly. If this was with anyone else, it would have annoyed her. The constant “watch out”, the hovering, the protective stance. Instead, it warmed her. He wasn’t trying to control her. He was just making sure she was safe. And somehow skating slower than usual, hand in his under the string of golden lights- it felt better than any time she’d ice skated before. 

By the time they stepped off the rink, their cheeks were pink from the cold and their legs tired. Wally returned the skates while she waited near the fence, watching the lights flicker across the ice. 

“Okay,” she said when he came back, lacing her fingers through his again. “I think we earned something fried.”

“Can’t argue with that logic, Nears.”

They found a food stall near the edge of the carnival, the air thick with sugar and oil. Wally ordered a basket of deep- fried Oreos with a dusting of powdered sugar on top. 

They shared them standing near one of the metal fire barrels, smoke curling into the cold, crisp air. Maddie tried to take a bite too quickly. Wally picked up the small bottle of water he had in his jacket pocket. 

“I figured you’d try to eat these too quickly,” he said, passing her the water. 

Maddie smiled. “You know me so well.”

“Maybe even better than I know myself.”

Maddie immediately took another bite of the hot Oreos again and Wally shook his head, brushing the powdered sugar from the corner of her mouth with his thumb and licked it. 

Around them, the carnival still buzzed around them – even more than before now it was getting later in the day. “Ready to go?” he asked eventually.  Maddie nodded. 

They walked back toward the truck slowly, footprints trailing behind them, the giant golden retriever securely tucked under Wally’s arm. The carnival lights glowed behind them as he opened her door and helped her in.  He opened the back seat, placing the dog on the seat before he jogged around to his side, the heater humming to life as they pulled away. 

Maddie leaned her head back against the seat. “That was perfect.”

Wally glanced at her. “I hope you have some room for dinner.”

She turned her head toward him. “We just ate Oreos.”

“That doesn’t count as dinner. I want to cook something for you.” 

Maddie’s expression softened. “You’ve already done enough. We can just pick up some take out.” 

“It’s our first date,” he said quietly. “I want it to be… a whole thing.”: She could swear she felt her heart swell in her chest when he said that. “Okay,” she said softly. “I can’t talk you out of it. But I am helping.”

“Mads, you don’t-”

“I’m helping, Wally.” 

Wally smiled. “Okay.”

Wally pulled into the driveway, headlights sweeping across the snow. And then- another set of headlights turned in behind them. 

“Uh,” Wally said. “Do we have company?”

Maddie twisted in her seat and saw Charley’s car. Before Wally could even turn the engine off, doors were already opening. They climbed out of the car and made their way up the driveway. 

Charley paused and threw his hands up the second he saw them in the truck. “Ah shit,” he groaned loudly. “We wanted to surprise you.”

Maddie laughed as Wally stepped out of the truck, holding the golden retriever under his arm. “Surprise us how?” Wally asked.

Charley gestured vaguely at the house. “We were going to be mysterious. Knock casually. Act like we just happened to be in the neighbourhood at just the right time for Wally to be cooking dinner.” 

“You literally drove thirty minutes from the theatre,” Rhonda deadpanned.

“Details.” 

Maddie raised an eyebrow. “Wait,” she said. “You guys all saw a movie? You guys have such different tastes in movies.” 

“It was my movie pick.” Nicole said, pulling her scarf tighter around her neck against the cold. “They were doing a twenty- five- year anniversary screening of She’s All That. I found a deal online. Four tickets for twenty-five percent off.” 

Simon rolled his eyes. “It wasn’t even a good movie.”

Charley sighed dramatically. “It was iconic. You just don’t appreciate cinematic excellence.”

Simon muttered, “It was predictable.”

“You got free snacks and something to do instead of being bored at home,” Nicole shot back. 

“And that was your downfall, my dear friend,” Simon replied. “Rhonda and I practically got the whole candy bar.”

Nicole rolled her eyes. “We really should’ve found other people to go with.”

“Can we talk about this inside?” Charley asked. “I’m freezing.”

Maddie blinked. “You have like ten layers on.” 

“I know,” Charley nodded solemnly. “I feel vulnerable.” 

They headed inside, boots thudding against the floor as jackets were hung up in the hallway closet. 

Charley’s gaze snagged the golden retriever toy Wally had been holding. 

“That’s cute.” he said, brushing a hand along its fur. “Where did you get it? My cousin’s birthday is coming up and she loves golden retrievers.”

“Oh,” Maddie said casually, “Wally won that from me. At the Winter carnival in Stillwater.”

“You guys went to the carnival?” Nicole asked. “Was it any good?”

“It was really good,” Wally said. “Still the same as ever. But good.”

Charley’s jaw dropped. “YOU GUYS WENT TO THE WINTER CARNIVAL WITHOUT US?”  

Wally shrugged. “We can do things just us and not include you guys.”

Charley clutched at his chest. “The audacity.”

“Do we drag along when you and Yuri go on a date?” Maddie asked. 

“That’s different. We’re dating,” Charley said then his eyes narrowed. “You guys are just friends. Unless...” he gasped. “Was this a date?”

Maddie glanced over at Wally, then back to Charley. “Yes.”

Charley let out a dramatic gasp that echoed off the walls. “OH MY GOD YOU’RE ON A DATE? I’M SO HAPPY FOR YOU TOO.” 

He practically launched himself at him, wrapping them both in a hug – completely forgetting about Maddie’s sling. 

“Charley,” Maddie winced. “I love you but you're kinda hurting me.”

“Fuck,” he jumped back immediately. “Sorry. I’m just so happy.”

“It’s about fucking time, honestly.” Rhonda said. 

“I’m really happy for you guys.” Nicole added warmly.

“Me too,” Simon said, looking between them.  Then he paused. “Wait. Are we crashing your date right now?”

Wally and Maddie looked at each other. 

“Yes.” Maddie admitted. 

Nicole’s eyes widened. “Holy shit. We should go.” Charley blinked. “WHAT? I need details!”

“And we can get them tomorrow when they aren’t on their date.” Nicole said, already grabbing everyone’s jackets. “Let’s go.” 

Rhonda took her coat from Nicole. “Come on, we can go to my house.” She said. “My mom always makes too much food anyway.” 

Nicole opened the front door when Charley twisted back around dramatically.

“I want every detail tomorrow at school!” he declared, pointing at Maddie. “Outfits, timeline, emotional highlights. All of it.” “You’ll get a PowerPoint,” Maddie called back. 

“I better.” 

“I was joking.”

“I wasn’t.”

Rhonda grabbed the back of his jacket and practically tugged him toward the driveway. “Get in the car.”

“I’m being supportive!” He protested. 

“You’re being nosy in their relationship.”

Simon zipped up his jacket and stepped closer to Maddie, squeezing her shoulder gently. 

“I’m really happy for you, Mads,” he said quietly. 

Then he looked at Wally. “Don’t hurt her.”

Wally didn’t hesitate. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

The door shut behind them, muffling the last of Charley’s dramatic commentary as Rhonda steered him firmly toward his car. 

The house fell quiet.

Wally looked at Maddie. “We have really chaotic friends.”

She smiled. “And I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

He stepped a little closer. “Ready for dinner?” 

“Absolutely,”

The kitchen lights hummed softly as Wally moved around with easy familiarity, pulling the ingredients from the fridge. 

“You don’t have to cook,” Maddie reminded him, leaning against the counter.

“I want to,” he said simply. 

He stared prepping the chicken, seasoning it without even measuring, confident and precise. Maddie started on the salad, doing what she could with one arm, working around him in a quiet rhythm that felt natural. 

They ate at the table, talking about nothing and everything – the skating, the milk bottle toss, the look on Charley’s face when he realised, they’d been on a date. 

Afterward, Wally carried the dishes to the sink before she could offer herself.

They settled onto the couch, draping blankets over themselves. Maddie curled into him automictically, and he wrapped and arm around her.

“Friends?” he asked. 

“Obviously.”

He turned on Netflix, the familiar theme song filling in the room.

Maddie rested her head against his chest. 

Wally pressed a soft kiss into her hair. “Good first date?”

She smiled against him. 

“The best.” 

Part 20 Part 22

Tags: @lover1409@rosietoesy@jamiemoonymarks@unholypsychic@darth-jaderz@m3ntaltashia23@kellykeyser85@major-tomcat

Part 19: Hidden Secrets and The New Years Party.

Maddie x Wally

Warnings & info: everyone is Alive AU, set in 2023-24 (in line with the show), swearing, mentions of alcohol, underage drinking, manipulation.

Summary: Charley plans a low-key New Years Eve party. Things that have been kept quiet for a long time, are revealed. And the group reunites for the first time since Christmas Eve.

Masterlist

4 Days Later

It had been four days since Maddie and Wally’s fights with their moms, and four days since either of them had gone home. They needed space – no matter how much their mothers insisted they talk it out. 

Bea had been the loudest about it, texting Wally daily to tell him their argument was ridiculous, that he was overreacting, that this would all blow over if he’d just come home. Sandra, on the other hand, had surprised Maddie. She’s been quieter. More understanding. She knew better than to push- knew her daughter needed time, just like she always had. 

It wasn’t the first time Maddie and Sandra had gone days without speaking; they both understood that rushing things only made them worse. When they were ready, they’d reach out. Sanda reminded Bea of that more than once. 

For now, Wally and Maddie were staying at Charley’s house. His parents welcomed them without hesitation, insisting they stay as long as they needed. It helped that they were leaving for vacation for two weeks – handing Charley the house with a list of emergency numbers and a fridge stocked well past reasonable necessity. 

Charley took to hosting like it was second nature. He planned meals, made schedules, and quietly built the days around Maddie’s recovery - making sure she rested, keeping things low-key, figuring out which winter activities were safe now that one of the worst storms in Wisconsin history had finally passed and the power was back on. 

Maddie woke to the sound of movement down the hall and something warm and familiar in the air – food. She shifted carefully, blinking against the morning light, and followed the noise into the kitchen where Charley was already in full motion. Music playing softly from his phone, his sleeves were pushed up, and the counter was crowded with half-finished plates. Chocolate chip pancakes sizzled on the stove, the sweet smell filling the room.

“Morning,” she said, voice still rough with sleep.

Charley beamed. “Good morning”

Maddie crossed the room and tucked herself into Wally’s side, hugging him without thinking. He squeezed her back, careful of her sling. “Morning, Mads.”

Wally glanced over at Charley, who was clearly deep in breakfast mood. “Do you need any help, Charley?”

“Nope,” Charley said immediately, not even turning around. “You are guests. Go sit and be emotionally supportive to each other in that cute way you do. I’ve got this.”

Maddie smiled, leaning on the counter. “We’re not guests. We’re basically family.” 

He shot her a look over his shoulder, spatula still in hand. “And I love that for us. Truly. But still - no.”

Charley flipped a pancake and glanced between them. “Okay,” he said casually, like he hadn’t been thinking about this since before Christmas. “We should talk over the plan for tonight.”

He turned off the stove, slid the last chocolate chip pancake onto the stack, and carried the plate to the table. “It’s going to be a low- key party. Just the group. Food from the diner. Pyjamas are highly encouraged,” He paused, then added quickly, sitting down, “And before you say anything, Maddie, we’re keeping it chill this year because we want to. Not just because you’re still recovering.”

Wally nodded, already halfway through a pancake. “Yeah. None of us are really feeling one of Charley’s usual New Year’s Eve parties this year.”

“And” Charley added in between bites of his pancake, “since you can start looking at screens again, we could watch the ball drop.”

Maddie leaned back in her chair, tension easing out of her shoulders. “That actually sounds perfect.”

Charley let out a dramatic breath of relief. “Oh, thank God. Everyone said we had to get your official approval first, whether you were up for it or not.” His eyes lit up. “Now I can get decorations.” 

“And we wouldn’t have it any other way,” Wally said. 

“Great,” Charley replied, finishing off his pancakes. “Because you’re taking me to Target. Yuri refuses to go shopping with me anymore because I made him go to the dollar store twice the other day. He also says I take way too long in any store.”

He carried his plate over to the sink, calling over his shoulder, “Be ready in ten minutes. We have a lot to do before tonight.”

“We haven’t even showered, Charley.” Maddie pointed out. 

He paused. “Good point. An hour. Tops.” And then he disappeared down the hallway. 

Wally leaned closer to Maddie, lowering his voice.  “Should we be worried?”

“Probably.” Maddie laughed. 

Target was already overstimulating on a good day. Today, it was Charley’s natural habitat. 

He had commandeered a shopping cart within seconds, already throwing in glittery 2024 banners, paper plates and cups, and at least five different packs of fairy lights. 

“We need options,” Charley declared, tossing in a bag of metallic streamers. 

 “For what?” Wally asked, trailing a few steps behind with Maddie. 

“For the vibe.”

Maddie snorted and Wally shot her a look. “Do we… know what that vibe is?”

“Cozy,” Charley replied immediately, grabbing a pack of gold and silver napkins. “But festive and chill. But it’s still New Years.” 

He turned the cart sharply, nearly clipping the display at the end of the aisle. “Thoughts on silver versus gold.”

Maddie glanced between the two packs. “Definitely gold.”

Charley gasped. “Exactly. See? This is why I asked.” He put both packs in the cart anyway.

Maddie and Wally stayed back, letting Charley move at full speed through the aisles, occasionally getting pulled in to vote on decorations or veto on others. Wally kept a careful eye on Maddie, subtly steering her away from crowded spots, making sure she didn’t get jostled. 

“Okay, important question,” Charley announced, stopping short in front of a wall of metallic balloons. “Do we still need the big number balloons even though it’s going to be a casual party?” 

Wally glanced in the cart. “I think we’re good with decorations. We should probably get some snacks.”

Charley nodded thoughtfully… then reached out and dropped the four gold number balloons in the cart anyway. “For the vibe” he said, already pushing the cart forward. 

They turned down the snack aisle; shelves packed with chips and candy when Maddie’s phone buzzed in her back pocket. 

Hospital follow- up appointment – Today, 2:00 P.M.

Shit.

 Between the snowstorm and the fight with her mom, it had completely slipped her mind.  

She slid her phone away and rejoined Wally and Charley, who were deep in debate in front of the potato chips. 

“There you are,” Charley announced. “Can you please tell your best friend that Pringles are objectively the superior chip?”

“The packaging is completely shit,” Wally countered. “Lays are way superior.”

Maddie rolled her eyes, grabbing the can from Charley and the bag from Wally and dumping them both into the cart. “You’re both ridiculous. I swear I’m friends with idiots.”

“But you love us anyway,” Charley added hopefully. 

“I do,” she admitted. Then, more casually, “Also - I forgot I have my follow-up appointment at the hospital today at 2 P.M.”

Wally scrubbed a hand over his face. “Shit I forgot too. Okay - we’ll take this all back to Charley's, get some food and head to the hospital.”

“Umm hello?!” Charley cut in. “I need you to help me decorate all the high-to-reach places I can't. And the ladder at my house is in the back shed, and the last time I went in there, there was a family of raccoons, and I vowed never to return.”

Wally blinked. “Okay… it’s winter. I doubt there are racoons in there now. But I’ll grab the ladder before we leave.”

“My hero,” Charley declared, already pulling out his phone. “I’ll text the group chat to see who’s free to help,” he peeked into the cart. “I think that’s everything. Let's pay before I get a message from my parents reminding me their credit card is for emergencies only.” 

They paid quickly – Charley tapping his foot while the receipt printed, already mentally rearranging his living room. By the time they were back at his house, decorations were spread across the floor like confetti. Wally disappeared out back to grab the ladder from the shed just as Nicole and Rhonda pulled into the driveway. 

“No bossing me around,” Rhonda warned the second she stepped inside, shrugging off her coat. “Or I’m leaving.”

Charley grinned, already elbow-deep in streamers. “I make no promises.” 

“We need to get going,” Wally cut in, grabbing his truck keys, gloved and knitted hat off the kitchen counter. “Rhonda, don’t murder Charley.”

“No promises,” Rhonda deadpanned.                                                                               

Nicole rolled her eyes. “This is clearly going to be a long day with these two.” She glanced at Maddie. “Good luck at the appointment, Mads.”

“Thanks,” Maddie replied, tugging on her mittens and following Wally out the door. 

The moment it shut behind them; muffled shouting carried through the house. 

“WHY DID I SAY YES TO THIS?” Rhonda yelled

“CAUSE YOU LOVE ME!” Charley shouted back.

Wally and Maddie laughed as they headed toward the truck. Maddie noticed it then – she was moving faster than she had been days ago. No rush of dizziness, no sharp stab of pain with each step. Just cold air and crunching snow.

They climbed into the cab, the heater rattling to life as Wally pulled onto the road. He turned the radio down, glancing at her. “I was thinking we could stop by the café for lunch. Grab something easy before the hospital.” He paused. “Wait – have you even told your boss about the accident?”

“I didn’t,” Maddie said quietly. “Because I don’t work there anymore.”

He blinked. “What? Since when?”

“The day before the Snow Ball,” she admitted. “I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want anyone to be disappointed in me.”

“Mads-”

“I know,” she cut in quickly. “You’re going to say no one would be disappointed. But I was. Even if it was just a crappy after-school job for extra money.” She exhaled hard. “When I’m fully recovered, I’ll get another one.” 

Her voice wavered despite herself. “I have no money for Northwestern. I might as well just give up. Get some awful retail job.” She pushed her fingers to her eyes – hoping, praying – that tears won't fall. They do anyway. 

Wally felt it – the sharp crack in his chest, familiar now. The second time that week. The first had been when Rhonda called about the accident.

He reached over, gripping her shoulder gently. “You are not giving up, Mads. Northwestern has been your dream since – honestly, since before I can even remember.” His voice steadied. “We’ll figure something out. Okay?”

She turned to him, blinking back tears. “I don’t see how.”

“We will,” he said firmly. “Promise. You’re going to Northwestern next year.” 

His hand slid from her shoulder to hers, holding tight.

“We don’t have to solve everything today,” he added more softly. “Let’s just get you to the hospital. Then we can focus on tonight.”

Maddie wiped her sleeve across her cheek and nodded. “Okay.” 

Wally pulled into the café parking lot and shifted into park. “I’ll be quick,” he said, grabbing his phone. “You want anything specific?”

“A grilled cheese and a coffee would be great,” Maddie replied. “Thanks, Wally.”

He smiled. “Of course.” Then he was out of the truck heading inside. 

Maddie stayed where she was, the radio quietly playing some old 80s songs as she stared out at the dull, grey sky. Telling Wally about losing her job had been a relief she hadn’t expected – like setting down a weight she’s been carrying without realizing how heavy it was. If only shedding the worry about paying for college could be that easy. 

A few minutes later, Wally returned with a paper bag and cardboard drink tray. He climbed back in and handed her the bag. She passed his grilled cheese to him as she pulled out her own, the smell of melted cheese and coffee filling the cab. 

He demolished his sandwich in two enthusiastic bites before putting the truck back in gear. The road narrowed as the hospital came into view, the pale building looming against the snow. Maddie glanced at the building that she just felt she left, too only to return days later. 

Wally parked and cut the engine. 

“Alright,” Maddie said, adjusting her sling. “Let's get this over with.”

Inside, the sharp scent of antiseptic hit them immediately. Maddie checked in at reception, then took a seat in the waiting room, her free hand worrying at the edge of her sleeve as they waited for her name to be called. 

Seventy minutes later, Maddie’s name was finally called. 

She stood carefully, adjusting her sling, and glanced at Wally. He gave her a small smile and mouthed good luck as she followed the nurse down the hallway. 

“Sorry about the wait,” the nurse said over her shoulder. “We’re pretty understaffed today.”

Maddie nodded, following the nurse into the exam room where Carol was already waiting. 

“Hi, Maddie.” Carol greeted warmly. “How are you holding up?”

“I’m okay,” Maddie said, settling onto the edge of the bed “Aside from the sling – and another fight with my mom.”

Carol’s expression softened. “I’m sorry to hear that. But you usually find your way back to each other.” 

“Eventually,” Maddie muttered

Carol moved on without pushing, checking her pupils, asking about dizziness and brain fog, then carefully examining her collarbone. Maddie winced when Carol pressed a little too close to the break. 

“Still tender,” Carol noted, typing. “That’s normal. Your concussion looks good – keep talking it slow, Tylenol as needed. As for the collarbone, you’re in the sling for another two weeks. Keep adding ice when it aches.” 

“Okay,” Maddie said. “Thank you.”

 Carol smiled. “Of course. Oh – and tell Beas I said hi. I’ve barely had time to breathe lately.”

Maddie stiffened slightly. “Wait… so you don’t know?”

Carol paused. “About what?”

“They had a fight,” Maddie said carefully, “Wally hasn’t been home in four days. We’ve been staying with our friend Charley.”

Carol sighed, unsurprised. “Let me guess. Football?”

“And other things.”  

“I’m honestly surprised it didn’t happen sooner,” Carol admitted. “Bea’s been pushing him for years.”

“Why is she so set on it?” Maddie asked quietly. “On him going pro?”

Carol leaned back in her chair. “Probably our dad. He loved football. Wanted it so badly for himself but when that didn’t happen, it became Bea’s dream instead.” She shrugged. “Wally’s the only Clark kid. I think she sees this as his one shot.” 

Carol finished typing and stood. “You’re good for now – no additional follow-ups unless something changes. We’ll check back in when you come for the shoulder X-ray.”

Maddie nodded. “Thank you, Carol.” She slid off the bed and headed back toward the waiting area.

 Wally was already on his feet the second he saw her. “Everything okay?” 

“Yeah,” Maddie said. “I just need to stop at the front desk and ask about payment.”

They walked to reception together and waited while the receptionist finished with another patient. 

“Hi,” Maddie said. “I was wondering if there’s some sort of payment plan I could set up for my hospital bills?”

“I can check,” The woman replied. “What’s your name?”

“Madison Nears.”

The receptionist typed for a moment, eyes scanning the screen. Then paused. “It looks like you don’t have any outstanding medical bills,” she said. “They’ve already been paid for.” 

Maddie froze. “What? How?”

“It was covered by The Clark Construction Company,” the receptionist read. “And it notes here that any additional follow-up appointments should be billed to that same account.” She turned the screen slightly away and reached for a form. “I just need you to sign here, then you’re all set.”

Maddie took the pen with a steady hand, signed, and slid it back across the counter. 

“Perfect,” the receptionist said with a smile. “You’re good to go. Have a great New Year.”

“You too,” Maddie replied, her voice a little dazed. 

Maddie and Wally stepped out through the double doors into the parking lot. Snow drifted down in thin, lazy flakes, barely sticking to the ground. The walk back to Wally’s truck was quiet – the kind of quiet that was weighted with thoughts neither of them were ready to say aloud. Yet. Maddie could feel it in the way Wally’s jaw stayed tight, the way his gaze never quite settled. He was still processing what the receptionist had said. That his dad had paid for her medical bills. 

Wally opened the passenger door for her, steadying her as she climbed in. He circled the truck, slid into the driver’s seat, and turned the key. The engine rumbled to life, filling the silence – but not nearly enough to drown out what sat between them. 

Maddie exhaled slowly. She couldn’t hold it in any longer. “Why would your Dad pay my medical bills?” 

Wally’s fingers flexed against the steering wheel. “Probably to win me over,” he muttered. “Or to feel like some kind of hero. I don’t know.” He shook his head. “I don’t even know how he found out about your accident. I didn’t tell him.”

“Great,” Maddie said, rubbing at her temple. The knot in her chest tightened. “Now I owe that asshole money.” She paused, then added softly. “No offense.” 

“None taken.” Waly huffed out a breath. “My mom told you not to worry about it. She said it’s not a big deal.”

“That was when your parents were together,” Maddie said.  She looked out the windshield, watching snow blur pass against the glass. “If it came from your mom, it wouldn’t have said The Clark Construction Company.”

Wally’s grip tightened on the steering wheel, knuckles going white beneath his gloves. He swallowed hard, jaw working like it was biting back something sharp. “Fuck,” he said under his breath. “I’ll call him when we get back to Charley’s.” He glanced over at her, anger flickering beneath the concern. “I’m not letting him use you like this. I’m not letting him hold this over you just to get to me.” 

Outside, the snow kept falling quiet and relentless as Wally shifted the truck into gear and out of the parking lot.

Back at Charley’s, the house looked halfway transformed – gold streamers draped across doorframes, a half- inflated balloon arch sagging dangerously near the fireplace. 

Charley stood in the middle of the room. “No, no, higher,” he said, waving his hands as Nicole balanced on the ladder. “We need height. Drama. Impact.”

“Why are we doing all this for a low-key party?” Nicole asked, reaching up high on the ladder. 

“Even a low-key party needs decorations. Higher!” Charley said. 

Rhonda crossed her arms, stopping tying up balloons. “I said don’t be bossy.”

“I’m not being bossy,” Charley replied immediately. “I’m directing.”

“That’s the same thing.”

Charley ignored her and turned just as the front door opened. “You’re back!” He clapped once. “Perfect timing. Wally, I need you to-”

Wally shut the door behind them. “Not now, Charley.”

“What’s got you so on edge, Moose?” Rhonda asked. 

Maddie slipped out of her coat, resting it on the arm of the chair. “The appointment went fine,” she said. “I’m healing. No new restrictions.”

Nicole let out a breath. “That’s good.”

“But” Maddie continued, hesitating, “the hospital bills were already paid.”

Rhonda’s eyebrows knitted together. “Paid?”

Wally nodded, jaw tight. “By my dad.”

Charley lowered the roll of tape in his hand. “Your dad?”

“Yeah.” Wally dragged a hand through his hair. “Every bill from Christmas up until today. Paid in full under his company.” 

Rhonda sat up straighter. “That’s some fucking rich dad leverage crap.”

“Exactly,” Wally said. He pulled his phone from his pocket. “I’m calling him. Now.” Wally didn’t wait for privacy. He stepped into the kitchen, phone pressed to his ear, pacing as it rang. They all watched from the living room, Maddie’s stomach twisting. 

“Why did you pay for her medical bills?” Wally demanded the second the call connected. “And don’t tell me it was because you ‘care.’ How did you even find out?”

A pause. Long enough to make Wally stop pacing.

“…What?”

Another pause. His shoulders stiffened. 

“No,” he said flatly. “You don’t get to do that.”

Maddie leaned forward on the couch, heart pounding. 

When Wally finally ended the call, he stood there for a moment, staring at nothing.

“Well? Fill us in, Moose.” Rhonda asked flatly.

Wally turned back to them. “My mom called him. She asked him to pay the bills. In exchange for a promise.”

“Maddie’s breath caught. “A promise for what?”

Wally swallowed. “That I’d fly to California at the end of January for his wedding.”

“That’s fucking manipulative.” Charley said. 

“I’m not going,” Wally said immediately. “I don’t care if he paid every bill I’ll ever have. I didn’t agree to this.”

Maddie felt something ache in her chest – guilt, anger, gratitude all tangled together. “I never wanted this to turn into a bargaining chip.”

Wally crossed the room in two strides and stopped in front of her. ‘Hey.” His voice gentled instantly. “This is not on you. At all.”

Rhonda stood. “For what it’s worth? If anyone thinks paying your medical bills buys control over your life, they can choke.”

Charley nodded. “Violently agreed.”

Wally let out a slow breath, some tension easing just a fraction. “I need to call my mom.”

“And” Charley added, clapping his hands once, “until then, I am reclaiming control of this evening. Because we are not letting emotionally compromised parents ruin New Year’s.”

Rhond rolled her eyes. “You’re being bossy again.” 

Charley pointed at her. “Yet you stayed.”

“…Barely.”

Maddie glanced at Wally. “Are you okay talking to your mom? It’s been four days.”

Wally ran a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly.  “Yeah. I’ll be okay.” He paused. “I just need to ask her why she did this.”

Maddie nodded. “I’ll be here if you need anything.”

He reached across the couch and squeezed her hand. “I know.” Then, he stood, heading down the hall and closing the guest room door behind him. 

The second the latch clicked, he started pacing, carving a restless grove into the carpet. His finger hovered over the screen. He kept circling the same thought- why. Why would his mom do something like this knowing how he feels about his dad? Was this her way of forcing his hand? No. She was still his mom. She wouldn’t stoop that low, he thought. 

He drew in a deep breath and hit call, switching it to speaker. The moment it connected, he didn’t bother easing into it. “Why did you tell Dad to pay Maddie’s medical bills in exchange for me going to his wedding?”

“I did it for Maddie and Sandra,” Bea replied calmly. “I thought you’d be relieved their debt was taken care of.” 

“By promising Dad something you knew I wouldn’t agree to?” Wally snapped. “You know how I feel about him.”

“It was the only way that he would pay.” 

“We could’ve figured something else out,” Wally shot back. “A payment plan, a loan. Anything.”

“Sandra tried to get a loan. She was declined,” Bea said. “I didn’t have a choice to call your father.”

“You could’ve at least fucking told me,” Wally said, his voice tightening. “Instead, I found out from a receptionist.”

There was a pause. Then Bea said, “You’ve been avoiding me since Wednesday. Since you said that… ridiculous thing about not wanting a football career.”

Wally stopped pacing. “It’s not ridiculous, Mom. It’s the truth.”

“You are too good at football to throw it away.”

“I’m good at it,” he said, voice steady but sharp, “but I don’t love it. And if you still can’t accept that, then I’m not coming home anytime soon.”

Before she could respond, he ended the call. 

He threw his phone on the bed; it bounced once before thudding against the wall. “Fuck.”

He crossed the room immediately, scooping it back up. The screen was intact – at least that was something. He stood there for a second longer, breathing through the tightness in his chest, then took a few slow, deliberate breaths. 

Only when his hands stopped shaking did he head back toward the living room. 

The second Wally disappeared down the hall, the mood in the room shifted. 

Charley clapped his hands once. “Okay. Back to it. Crisis temporarily postponed.”

He handed Maddie a stack of folded cards and a marker. “I know you want to help so, you’re on label- the snacks duty. Very important. And something you can do with one arm.”

Maddie smiled faintly and sat at the dining table, writing salt & vinegar chips, chocolate chip cookies, sour gummy worms across the place cards while Nicole and Charley argued about where the string lights should go. 

They were halfway through when Wally’s voice carried from the guest room.

The four of them froze. Nicole stilled first, hand gripping a streamer. Rhonda paused mid-step on the ladder. Charley lowered his arms that he’d been waving around instructing Rhonda on where to hang the lights. Maddie stopped writing. 

“… in exchange for me going to his wedding?” Wally’s voice cut through the house. 

No one said anything. They didn’t move. They didn’t look at each other. They absolutely, one hundred percent listened. 

Time went by slowly. They didn’t know how long they were half listening in on Wally’s conversation with his mom. Then, a door opened. 

Charley snapped into motion. “Shit. Act natural.”

Nicole yanked down a crooked streamer and pretended to fit it. Rhonda was back up the ladder, hanging string lights on the ceiling. Maddie went back to writing on the place cards, quickly writing chocolate covered pretzels on a card. 

Wally stepped back into the living room. They all turned to him. Forcing smiles on their faces. He stopped short. “You heard me, didn’t you?”

Rhonda didn’t even bother denying it. “You weren’t exactly quiet, Moose.”

Nicole shot her a look. “We accidently heard.” 

Charley nodded enthusiastically. “Very accidently. Sound travels. Old houses. Thin walls. It’s tragic really.”

Maddie didn’t smile. She just watched him, worry written all over her face. 

Wally exhaled through his node, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “… Yeah. Okay.”

No one dared to push. No one filled the silence. 

Charley cleared his throat. “So. Uh. When you’re ready – snacks still need sorting. And emotionally? We’re all here. Just saying.”

Rhonda crossed her arms. “If you need to punch something, pillows exist. Just saying.”

A corner of Wally’s mouth twitched despite himself. “Thanks,”

Wally dropped into the chair beside Maddie at the dining table. “My mom said she called him for you and Sandra. Your mom applied for a loan and was declined. She said she didn’t have a choice,” he said voice low. “If I go to his wedding, he’ll continue with the medical bills. If I don’t…” He trailed off, jaw tightening. “I have a feeling that stops.” 

Maddie stilled, fingers resting against the edge of the table.

Wally exhaled slowly, rubbing a hand over his face. “So. Looks like I’m going to California.” There was resignation there more than anger. His dad ultimately got what he wanted all along -even through manipulation. 

Maddie turned to him. “Then I’m coming with you.”

He looked up, startled. “Mads, you don’t have to do that.”

“I want to,” she said gently, her mind already made up. “Your mom did this for me and my mom.” She paused, then added with a small smile. “And honestly? I wouldn’t hate a few days of sun. Getting away from the snow. From everything.”

Wally studied her face, searching for any doubt. “You sure?”

She nodded. “Yeah. I am.”

Something in his shoulders eased, just a little. He reached her hand under the table, squeezing it once – grateful, overwhelmed, steadied by the fact that she was choosing him right back. “Okay,” he said. “Then we’ll go together.” 

A couple hours later. 

Boots thudded against the entryway, cold air rushed in and out, voices overlapping as everyone piled inside shedding off coats, shaking snow from their sleeves. 

Simon stopped short in the living room, eyes sweeping over the streamers, string lights, the balloon arch, the giant gold 2024 balloons on the far back wall. He blinked. “…Nothing about this screams low-key.”

Charley didn’t even look apologetic. “Just because it’s low-key doesn’t mean we can’t have decorations,” he said, adjusting the bundle of balloons near the door that definitely didn’t need adjusting. “It’s still New Year’s.”

Yuri snorted. “This actually is Charley’s version of subtle.” 

Dawn and Janet made their way over to Maddie on the couch. “It’s really good to see you, Maddie.” Janet said, her voice warm. “When we heard about the accident, I was worried.”

Maddie smiled. “I’m okay. Better than I was a few days ago.”

Dawn glanced at the sling. “If you want, I do have bedazzling supplies. We could give this some personality.”

Maddie laughed softly. “I think I’ll pass, but thank you.”

“Offer stands,” Dawn said easily, before drifting back toward the others. 

The group settled into the living room – the couch filling up, beanbags pulled closer. Conversation overlapped comfortably. Dawn talked about how her grandparents started a college fund for her, talking about how proud they were about their first granddaughter going off to college. Conrad shared that his sister had gotten engaged to her long-term girlfriend over Christmas and was immediately asked to be her man of honor. 

Quinn sat back, listening more than speaking. They’d carried something with them all evening, a quiet weight pressing heavier with every laugh. They’d come out to their family over Christmas – the words still felt new in their mouth – and now, sitting here, surrounded by people who had already made space for them in so many ways, it felt wrong not to say it. 

Quinn stood, clearing their throat. The room stilled. “So… uh,” they began, hands tucked into their sleeves. “Theres’s something, I want to share. I’ve been holding onto it for a while.” They took a breath. “Over Christmas, I talked with my family about something that’s been true for me for a long time. I’m non-binary. I used they/them pronouns.”

“I didn’t say anything before because I wasn’t sure how to,” Quinn admitted. “But I wanted you all to know. You’ve made me feel… safe. Like I already belonged.” Their voice wavered just slightly. “My parents were supportive. They encouraged me to tell you guys when I was ready.”

For a brief moment, the room was quiet. 

Then Maddie smiled, soft and steady. “Thank you for trusting us.”

Charley nodded. “Yeah. We’ve got you. Always.”

Rhonda crossed her arms, then let them drop. “I’m sorry you felt like you had to hide that from us.” She met Quinn’s eyes. “You’re not going to lose us.” 

Quinn let out a breath they hadn’t realised they were holding. “Thank you,” they said quietly. “I really appreciate it.”

The tension in the room eased after that, conversation slipping back into its usual rhythm. Nicole changed the music, much to Charley’s disgust. “Can we listen to anything else besides Beyonce?” 

Charley gasped dramatically. “How dare you say that about Queen Bey. How am I even friends with you?”

“Beyonce’s great,” Nicole said. “But the same album has been looping since I got her this afternoon.” 

“What can I say, Lemonade is a great album.” 

Eventually the topic shifted to food. Pizza was the easiest option. Wally grabbed his jacket, Conrad followed and Rhonda snagged her keys off the counter. “Back in twenty,” she called over her shoulder, already halfway out the door. 

Maddie waited until the conversation with the rest of the group picked up. She slipped down the hallway to the guest room, closing the door behind her, quietly. Her shoulder had started to throb again. A deep, insistent ache that radiated down her arm. She swallowed a couple of Tylenol with a sip of water and carefully adjusted her sling, biting back a hiss when the movement pulled wrong. 

She padded back into the kitchen and opened the freezer, the cold air brushing her face as she dug around until she found an ice pack. She pressed it gently against her shoulder, letting the chill sink in, grounding her as the sounds of the party hummed faintly from the other room. 

The front door swung open twenty minutes later, a rush of freezing air following Wally, Rhonda and Conrad inside, each carrying boxes of pizza. 

“Food’s here,” Wally announced, setting the boxes down on the table. 

They gathered around the dining table, somehow managing to squeeze around the small dining table. Conversation drifted easily as they ate – upcoming finals, speculation about where they were heading for the senior trip, and the disbelief that they were graduating in June. College starting in September felt both impossibly far away and too close at the same time. 

After dinner, they migrated back into the living room, blankets reappearing, everyone claiming their usual spots on the couch and beanbags. Charley grabbed the remote and flipped on the New Year’s Eve broadcast. 

The camera panned across Times Square, a sea of people bundled in hats and thick jackets, packed together under bright lights. 

“They look freezing,” Charley said. “No amount of New Year’s spirit could ever convince me to stand out there.” 

Charley pulled out a whole array of board games from the drawer of the entertainment unit- Monopoly, Cluedo, The game of life, and about ten different versions of UNO

“Ooh we should play Cluedo and act it out - like a murder mystery party,” Charley said, clapping his hands together. 

“We’re not doing that,” Simon said flatly. 

“You guys are so boring,” Charley sighed. “Fine. I guess we can play the boring, not-fun way.” 

They cycled through every game Charley had dragged out, laughter and playful arguing filling the room while the New Year’s Eve broadcast played quietly in the background. As the clock crept closer to midnight, the games slowly dissolved and everyone sprawled across the couches and the floor. 

Charley passed around cans of White Claw to anyone who wanted one and they gathered their attention to the TV as the countdown began. 

“Ten!”

“Nine!”

“Eight!”

“Seven!”

“Six!”

Charley jumped up onto the couch, nearly knocking a bowl of chips onto Simon. “Great,” he muttered. 

“Five!”

“Four!”

They all huddled together – even Rhonda despite her hesitation at first. 

“Three!”

“Two!”

“One!”

“Happy New Year!”

The room erupted into cheers and overlapping group hugs. Charley nearly tackled Yuri, planting a kiss on his lips. Nicole pulled Janet and Dawn in a group hug. Conrad clapped a firm hand on Wally’s back, dragging him close.  

Then Wally turned to Maddie, pulling her in for a hug, careful of her arm. His long arms wrapping around her, like it was second nature - because it was. She fit there perfectly. Like she was made for this. For him.

For a split second, everything else faded. The noise from the group, the TV. Wally looked down at her, her face tipped up just enough, her eyes bright in the glow of the screen. God, he wanted to kiss her. The thought hit him so hard that it could have knocked all the air out of his lungs. But he couldn’t. Not like this. With everyone surrounding them. 

He pulled back just slightly. “Happy New Year, Mads.” 

“Happy New Year, Wally.”

She watched him turn back to the group, her chest tight in a way that had nothing to do with her injury. She wanted to kiss him so badly. She could feel the electricity sparking between them, the pull had been building for weeks now.  She could walk over to him, pull him in, make it happen – a perfect kiss. One she’d been dreaming about more and more often than she cared to admit. But she couldn’t. Not like this. Their first kiss deserved to be special. A moment for just them and them alone. And when that moment comes, Maddie knows she’ll be ready. 

Part 18 Part 20

So, I did forget I wrote Maddie having a job oopsie. so sorry girly you got fired. I decided not to give a reason, leave that up to however you interpret.

I knew I wanted to write Quinn coming out as non-binary because we all knew how that's the direction the show was heading to. I wanted to wait a bit see what the show did for them and it to my story. I hope I made it accurate, if not I am so sorry and let me know so that I can fix it.

Also what an ass Edward Clark is. Wally and Maddie cant catch a break with their parents!. And the slow burn is BURNING! But trust, it wont be burning much longer....

And yes I did include Charley listening to Beyonce after Nick gave that interview of what songs he was listening to in 2016 😂

Tags: @lover1409@rosietoesy@seeker1982@jamiemoonymarks@unholypsychic@darth-jaderz@m3ntaltashia23@kellykeyser85@major-tomcat

Part 28: A Night To Remember

Wally x Maddie

Info and warnings: everyone is Alive AU, set in 2023-24 (in line with the show), swearing, time jump, crime, bullying, sex (!!!!).

I've described some of what the group wear to prom which I based off what the actors have worn! I was going to do all of them but that would've taken way too long 😅 so for the rest, just use your imagination.

Maddie's dress is described what Peyton wore to the season 2 premiere of school spirits Wally's suit is described what Milo wore at the season 2 premiere of school spirits. Charey's suit is described what Nick wore at the glaad awards Yuri's suit is described what Miles wore at the season 3 premiere of school spirits.

Also sorry for the delay, I had a family emergency and had to travel away for it. And I also wanted to make this chapter as perfect as possible.

Summary: As winter turns into spring, a lot can happen in a short few months. As the group get closer and closer to graduation, before that, is prom. What drama will unfold?

Masterlist

A lot can happen in a few months. Somewhere between winter turning into spring, life had shifted into something Wally barely recognised compared to last year. 

A couple of weeks after the wedding, his dad called. Wally almost ignored it, but he answered anyway. Part of him thought maybe his dad would apologise, acknowledge what he said was out of line. 

Wally admitted that he regretted punching him, that the situation shouldn’t have escalated like it did.  But Edward didn’t apologise for his cruel words, doubling down on poor behaviour.  That was it. The years of pressure, disappointment and impossible expectations was finally too much for him. He was done. Wally was firm with his words, stating that this would be the last time they ever spoke. Then he hung up. 

At first, Edward tried reaching out. Calls every few days, short texts pretending nothing happened. Passive aggressive voicemails asking why Wally was ignoring him, until eventually the messages stopped. 

Things with his mother changed too. Football stopped dominating every conversation, no more talk of recruiters over dinner, no more pressure hidden behind “advice.” She accepted that football wasn’t what he wanted anymore and stopped acting like that made him a disappointment. 

For the first time in a long time, Wally felt like his mom was finally seeing who he really was instead of the unachievable version she had wanted him to become.  

By March, he got a job at the sporting goods store in town. His meager attempt to save as much as he could to pay for school. Most afternoons and weekends were spent folding clothes, reorganising displays, hauling boxes from the storeroom or helping frustrated parents find football boots for kids who reminded him too much of himself at twelve years old. 

Then April came, and so did college decisions. The entire friend group was glued to their phones, pretending they weren’t stressed when all of them so obviously were. One by one, acceptance emails came through. And surprisingly, they all got into their first choices of schools. 

Wally stared at his acceptance letter for University of Illinois, Chicago longer than anyone else. Staring at the words on the screen, trying to let them sink in his future finally felt like something chosen by him instead of for him. 

Things with Maddie only grew stronger, becoming closer to her than ever before. No matter how exhausted he was after work or how stressed he was about college, he always made time for her. Late night drives, study dates stretched across the bedroom floor, falling asleep together with textbooks abandoned somewhere between them, small diner dates after his shifts even when all he wanted to do was sleep. 

Being with her never felt draining, it felt easy. Safe. 

They also grew closer physically, their once nervous, hesitant touches becoming more sure, more welcome. Exploring one another at their own pace. Eventually around mid-April, Maddie told him she was ready. Not because she expected anything immediately, and not because she felt pressured. She just wanted him to know that if it happened, she trusted him completely. 

Then, at the end of April, Wally’s life experienced a shocking twist as Edward’s life imploded. 

It was a seemingly regular Wednesday afternoon. Wally was working his usual after school shift, refolding shirts stacked on the sales table, when the looks started. Customers staring too long, voices dropping when he passed, a woman glancing between him and the newspaper in her hands. 

At first, Wally didn’t understand what was happening, he wondered if he was imagining everyone staring at him, thinking it was all in his head, until his manager quietly slid the paper across the counter.

FORMER SPLIT RIVER BUSINESS MOGUL ARRESTED IN MALIBU FOR EMBEZZLEMENT.

Wally’s stomach dropped. 

The photo of his dad took up half of the front page. Edward in his expensive suit, handcuffs around his wrists, two police officers on either side of him. 

For a second, Wally thought it must be fake. He excused himself and went into the break room, calling his mom, wondering if what was in the papers was real or not. 

He called his mom asking if what was in the papers was true, she only just found out about it herself. She was just as blindsided by this like he was. 

By the end of the day, it was everywhere, all over his social media, local news channels, gossip spreading through town faster than a wildfire. 

It was one of the things Wally hated most about living in a small town, that everyone knew everyone. Something this big became entertainment almost instantly. 

Everywhere Wally went, people stared. At school, conversations stopped when he walked by. The whispers followed Bea too. People watched them everywhere they went, wondering if they knew, if they were involved, how long had Edward been stealing the money. 

When Wally got home that first day, he found Bea pacing in the kitchen, one hand pressed on her forehead as she spoke to a reporter. “I’m sorry, I can’t answer any questions. My lawyer has advised me against this.”

The landline didn’t stop ringing after that until she gave up and left it unhooked. 

Over the next couple of days, Maddie noticed Wally shutting down again. He kept conversations short, giving quick answers before walking away, spending more time alone than usual. When Charley suggested everyone hang out at his house Wally declined, saying he had work. But Maddie knew his schedule. He wasn’t working. 

She could tell he was spiralling, even if he kept insisting he was fine. Ever since the article came out, Wally carried this constant tension around him that never seemed to ease. 

One day after school, Maddie got home from school to find Sandra sitting on the couch with a cup of tea in her hands. The TV played quietly in the background as another news segment of Edward’s arrest before Sandra muted it quickly. 

“How’s Wally doing?” Sandra asked softly. 

Maddie dropped her bag beside the couch before sitting next to her. “Not great,” she admitted. “He’s just… distant. Quieter than usual.” 

Sandra nodded slightly. “That’s to be expected. No matter how angry he is at his dad, it’s still hard. It probably doesn’t help that it’s the talk of town.” 

“I know,” Maddie said, picking at a thread on her sleeve. “I just hate seeing him like this. He’s isolating himself, which I get it, it’s his way of coping…” she trailed off, trying to find the right thing to say. “I just miss him, even though he’s right there.” 

“Just give him some time, Mads,” Sandra said, placing her mug on the coffee table. “Be there for him, even if he pushes you away a little.” 

Maddie glanced down at the floor. “I just don’t know how to help him.” 

Sandra placed her hand gently on top of Maddie’s. “Just be you. Remind him that he’s not alone in this.” 

A small smile spread across her face. “Thanks, mom.” 

Sandra picked up her mug again and leaned back into the couch. “This might sound selfish, but I’m glad all of this happened after the divorce. Bea’s finances are completely separate, so she has nothing to do with this mess.”

“It’s not selfish to look out for your friend,” Maddie said. 

Sandra gave a small nod. “I guess.”

After dinner, Maddie walked across the street to Wally’s house, the sky turning into a deep blue as the streetlights flickered on. She walked down the hallway after Bea let her in, lightly knocking before opening Wally’s bedroom door.

Wally was stretched across his bed, absently scrolling on his phone. The only light in the room came from the lamp on his desk. 

“Hey,” Maddie said softly.

Wally sat up slightly when he saw her. “Hey, babe.” 

Maddie sat beside him, and before she could say anything, Wally spoke first. 

“I’ve been acting like a jerk,” he admitted quietly. “I know I’ve been pushing you and everyone else away.” 

Maddie immediately reached for his hand, squeezing it gently. “You’re not a jerk, Wally. You’re going through a lot right now.”

“It’s still not an excuse.”

Maddie looked at him for a second. “I think your parent being arrested for embezzlement is a pretty decent excuse.” 

A quiet laugh almost escaped him, but it faded just as quickly. 

Wally’s gaze dropped to the floor. “You’re not stuck in this with me, you know.”

Maddie frowned slightly. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“People are talking, Mads.” His jaw tightened. “My dad got arrested and this whole thing is a mess.” 

Maddie stayed quiet, letting him continue. 

Wally swallowed hard before speaking again. “Maybe… maybe we should take a break until all of this is over.” 

Maddie’s expression fell instantly. “What?”

“I’m just saying maybe it’d be easier for you,” Wally said quietly. “Until people stop talking about it.”

Maddie stared at him for a second, disbelief flashing across her face. “You seriously think I give a shit about any of that?” 

“I just hate that you’re getting dragged into this because of me,” Wally muttered. 

“You stood by me when people talked shit about me and my mom,” Maddie shifted closer to him, holding his gaze. “Nothing about any of this changes how I feel about you. Nothing.”

The tension in his expression eased slightly. 

“You’re it for me, Wally,” she said quietly. “I’m not going anywhere.” 

A small smile finally pulled at his face. “You’re it for me too, Mads.”

Friday May 17th night before prom. 

By the time Maddie and Wally got back to her house, both of them were exhausted. They barely made it through the front door before kicking off their shoes and collapsing onto the couch beside each other, the cushions dipping under their weight. Wally let his head fall back while Maddie curled into his side, stretching her aching legs out across the coffee table with a groan. 

The entire afternoon had been spent at the Split River Recreation Centre helping set up for prom, which meant Charley directing people around like he was personally producing an award show.  As head of the prom committee, he’d taken this year’s Hollywood glamour theme painfully seriously. Black, gold and velvet red decorations covered most of the recreation centre, and they still weren’t even hallway done. 

 At one point, Charley made Simon climb a ladder three separate times because the gold sequin drapes were apparently “not hung correctly” even though you could only hang them one way. 

Wally still had flecks of gold glitter stuck in his hair after Charley accidently knocked over an entire container of it on top of him. Maddie had already tried brushing some of it out twice at the recreation centre, but somehow it kept reappearing. 

Maddie let out a tired laugh against his shoulder. “I think Charley enjoyed bossing everyone around a little too much.” 

“A little?” Wally turned his head toward her. “Mads, he threatened to fire me twice. From something I’m doing for free.”

“That’s because you kept putting the gold centrepieces on the wrong tables.”

“They all looked the same.”

“Tell that to Charley.” 

Before either of them could continue arguing about Charley’s decorating standards, Sandra walked into the living room. Maddie immediately noticed the nervous expression on her face.

Sandra smoothed her hands down the front of her dark blouse before looking between them. “I still can’t believe Bea somehow talked me into this blind double date.”

Maddie smiled slightly from where she was curled against Wally’s side. “You’ll be fine, mom.”

Sandra let out a nervous laugh. “Easy for you to say. I haven’t been on a date since…” she trailed off for a second before shaking her head lightly. “Since your dad.”

Maddie sat up a little straighter. “You’re not doing it alone, though. That kind of makes it easier, right?”

“A little,” Sandra admitted. “But not a lot.” Wally laughed quietly. “Where are you guys even going?”

“Dinner at Baker’s Bistro in Stillwater,” Sandra said, smoothing her blouse again. “Then a movie.”

A second later, there was a knock at the door. 

Sandra opened the front door as Bea stepped inside. “I’m glad you’re ready. I was starting to think you backed out.” 

“I’m considering it.” Sandra replied dryly. 

“No, you’re not,” Bea said easily. “Relax. Worst case scenario, the men are awful and we ditch them at the movies.” 

“I’m holding you to that.” 

Maddie and Wally stood from the couch as the two women headed toward the front door. 

“Have fun,” Maddie said. 

“Yeah,” Wally added. “Try not to scare the poor guys away.”

Sandra laughed quietly while grabbing her purse from the armchair. “No promises.” 

“You two have fun too,” Bea said casually as she turned the door knob.

Sandra pointed between them. “But not too much fun.”

Maddie immediately groaned. “Mom.”

Bea laughed under her breath as the two women headed outside, the front door shutting behind them a second later, leaving a quietness settling over the house. 

Wally looked over at her. “So… what now?”

Maddie laughed softly. “Let's get some food and we can watch a movie.” 

“Sounds good.”

About half an hour later, takeout containers were scattered across the coffee table while some random action movie played in the background. Maddie was curled against Wally’s side, one of his arms draped loosely around her shoulders as his fingers absentmindedly traced against her arm. The room was dim except for the TV casting soft flickers of light across the living room. 

Wally looked more relaxed than he had in weeks. That made something warm settle in Maddie’s chest. 

The movie played quietly in the background, but Maddie wasn’t paying attention to it anymore. Maddie’s eyes fixated on Wally instead, taking in the relaxed smile on his face, the faint traces of glitter still stubbornly caught in his hair, the way he finally looked lighter after weeks of carrying stress around his shoulders.

Wally caught her staring after a moment and smiled slightly. “What?” Maddie’s expression softened.  “I like seeing you happy. Not weighed by a million things for once.”

Wally’s hand slid slowly against her waist, his thumb brushing back and forth absentmindedly beneath the fabric of her shirt. “That’s because I’m with you.” 

Maddie moved closer, her lips crashed against his, sudden and desperate enough to catch Wally off guard for barely half a second before he kissed her back just as hard. One of his hands immediately cupped her face while the other tightened against her waist, pulling her closer against him. The kiss deepened quickly. 

Wally pulled her fully onto his lap without breaking the kiss, his hands sliding along her back while Maddie’s fingers tangled into his hair. The movie quickly became background noise as they kissed harder, slower, then desperate again, neither of them able to stay apart for more than a second. Maddie found herself tugging at the bottom of his shirt between kisses. 

Wally pulled back just enough to breathe, his forehead brushing against hers. “Are you sure?” he asked quietly.

“Positive,” Maddie breathed. Then she grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head. 

Wally kissed her again instantly, deeper this time as he shifted beneath her before carefully flipping her onto her back against the couch cushions, his body settling between her legs as his mouth found hers again. 

Maddie’s hands slid up his shoulders, pulling him closer for another kiss before she suddenly paused, breath uneven. 

Wally pulled back slightly, immediately searching her face. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” she said, slightly breathless. “As much as I want to do this… I don’t want my first time to be on my couch.” 

A quiet laugh slipped out of Wally as he rested his forehead briefly against hers, “Fair point.” Maddie smiled as Wally pushed himself up from the couch, reaching down to help her stand. Her fingers stayed intertwined with his as they made their way toward the hallway. 

Halfway to her room Maddie stopped. 

Wally turned back toward her, concern flickering across his face immediately. “Mads?”

Maddie bit lightly against her lip. “What about protection?”

“Oh- right” Wally nodded quickly before heading back into the living room, grabbing his bag from beside the couch. He unzipped the front pocket and pulled out a single condom before he headed back into the hallway. 

“When you told me you were ready, I got some just in case. Not because I was expecting anything to happen, I just wanted to be safe.” 

A small laugh escaped as some of the tension eased from her shoulders. “Good,” she said. “Because it would’ve been such a mood killer if we had to leave right now and buy some.” 

Wally laughed, shaking his head as he stepped back toward her. “Yeah, that probably would’ve ruined the moment a little.”

Maddie smiled before taking his hand again, leading him toward her bedroom. 

Maddie’s room was dimly lit, the only light coming from the string lights she had left on before. She shut the door behind him and wrapped her arms around the back of his head, pulling him closer. 

He guided her toward her bed, not breaking apart the kiss, he gently laid her on top of the bed and climbed on top of her. One knee resting on her side, the other between her legs. 

Wally’s lips went from Maddie’s lips down her chin down to her neck, leaving soft kisses as he made his way further down. Maddie couldn't help but let out a soft moan as he continued kissing down her neck. One of Wally’s hands played with the hem of her shirt, until she eventually arched her back up off the bed for Wally to tug her shirt over her head revealing her black bra. His fingers lightly traced along her chest, with every new touch it sent heat through her entire body in a way she has never experienced before. 

Wally’s lips pressed back on to hers, soft and delicate. He broke apart the kiss and looked deep into her eyes. 

“Are you sure about this?” he asked once more, like he needed to hear her confirming it again before he would continue. “We can stop. It wouldn't affect anything between us.”

Maddie could have sworn she felt her heart skip a beat. How did she end up with someone so sweet? Someone so caring for her needs instead of their own. If she wasn't head over heels in love with him already, that would have done it for her. 

“I have never been more sure of anything in my life, Wally,” she confirmed. “I want this with you, right now.”

Wally nodded as Maddie moved further up onto her bed, her head resting her pillows as she slid off her jeans, leaving her in nothing but her underwear. Wally stood, pulling his shorts down, pooling at the bottom of his ankles then swiftly kicked them to the side. He slowly crawled over her, hovering just over her body. Wally ghosted his fingers along her chest, slowly caressing her skin as his lips met hers again. 

Maddie’s hands ran up and down his back until they eventually landed on the edge of his boxer briefs, pulling them off completely. Maddie could feel him instantly, hard on her stomach. 

Wally then tugged at her panties down to her ankles, Maddie flicking them off. His finger then pulled at her bra strap down her shoulder. She arched her back for him to undo the clasp of her bra, throwing it off onto the floor with their other clothes. 

“Fuck, Maddie.” Wally breathed, as his eyes scanned over her body laying underneath him. 

He then rolled off her, opening the condom wrapper, rolling it on. Within seconds, he was back on top of her. He paused, lightly teasing her core. His eyes met hers again and without saying anything, Maddie nodded and that was all he needed. 

Her eyes widened in surprise as he entered her for the first time. For a brief moment, it felt a bit uncomfortable as he thrust into her. But the feeling quickly faded and Maddie started to fully enjoy it. 

Wally’s lips crashed onto hers again as he thrust into her, slowly.  His lips trailed down her neck again, leaving soft, delicate kisses as he went. One of his hands lightly caressed her breast, hitching her breath as his hand travelled along.

Wally began increasing his pace, slowly but surely until Maddie felt her whole body start to shake under him, she clutched at his back, eyes squeezing shut as she reached her climax.

He continued thrusting until he finally reached the apex letting out a groan, Wally slowed, pulling himself out, and rolling onto his side. Maddie felt like she was seeing stars as he lay beside her. 

“That was…” she said breathlessly. “Worth the wait.”

Wally smiled. “It definitely was.” 

They laid there in silence for a bit, side by side until Wally eventually sat up, grabbing the tissue box and delicately cleaned her up. Then he grabbed another one and tossed the condom in the bin. He then found his boxer briefs on the floor and quickly put them on. 

Wally looked over at Maddie, propped up on her elbows, watching him. “Damn,” she bit her lip. 

Wally laughed, striding back to bed. “You might want to go to the bathroom. It’s normally a good idea after having sex.” 

Maddie nodded. “Right.” 

She opened her drawers, throwing one of Wally’s old shirts. The oversized fit hung low enough that it looked more like a dress than a T-shirt. 

When she returned, Wally was under the covers, wearing one of the old shirts he kept at her house. “I figured I should put something on,” he said, tossing back the corner of the blanket for her. “I don’t want your mom coming home later and finding her daughter and boyfriends half-naked in bed.”

Maddie laughed. “Good idea, I don’t need my mom having a heart attack or anything.”

She slipped under the covers beside him, curling up against his side and resting her head on his chest. 

 “Ready for prom tomorrow?” “Yeah, I am.” Wally nodded. “I can’t wait to see what you’re wearing. Can I at least get some kind of hint?”

Maddie tilted her head up to look at him. “You’re just going to have to be patient and wait until tomorrow night.”

Wally groaned dramatically. “Okay. Fine.”

Maddie let out a small laugh, settling back against him. 

They spent the next hour talking about prom, graduation, summer plans - anything that kept Wally’s mind off his dad for a little while. Eventually, their conversations grew quieter, words becoming less frequent as exhaustion finally caught up to them. Before long, they drifted off to sleep wrapped in each other’s arms. 

Sunlight filtered through the sheer purple curtains in Maddie’s room, casting a warm, golden glow across the bed. 

Maddie’s eyes fluttered open to see Wally still asleep beside her, hair messy against the pillow. Thoughts of last night immediately flooded her mind - the way Wally stayed in control the entire time, constantly making sure she was comfortable before continuing, making her feel safe through all of it. 

Maddie never really had a clear vision of what she wanted her first time to be like, but if she did, it would’ve been exactly like last night. 

Wally slowly opened his eyes immediately catching Maddie staring at him. A small smile tugged at his lips. “You’re staring again, babe.”

 “I’m not even sorry,” Maddie laughed softly. “I can’t help that you’re cute.” His smile widened slightly before he leaned closer across the pillows, kissing her slowly. 

After a moment Wally pulled back and rolled onto his back with a quiet grin. “What time are we supposed to be back at the rec centre?”

Maddie reached for her phone beside the bed. “I think it's 8:30.” Her eyes widened slightly as the screen lit up. “Shit, it’s almost ten.” She quickly opened the group chat. “Everyone’s asking where we are.”

“Fuck,” Wally muttered, immediately throwing the covers back “Charley’s gonna murder us.”

They hurriedly got dressed before rushing out into the living room where Sandra sat flipping through a magazine on the couch.

“Morning, sleeping beauties,” Sandra said casually, glancing up at them.

“Morning, mom.” Maddie replied while shoving her converse sneakers on. “We overslept. We’re really late.”

“What about breakfast?” Sandra asked. 

“I don’t know if we have time to eat anything,” Wally said while grabbing his bag, quickly stuffing his shirt Maddie tossed absentmindedly last night, before Sandra noticed. 

“Nonsense,” Sandra stood and headed into the kitchen. A moment later, she returned with bananas and a couple of granola bars. “Here. Something quick and easy you can eat on the drive.” 

“Thanks, Mom. We’ll talk later about your big date last night.” Maddie said as they hurried toward the front door. 

By the time Maddie and Wally rushed into the Split River Recreation Centre, the place was already chaotic. 

Music echoed through the room while people rushed around carrying ladders, boxes and decorations from one side of the room to the other. The Hollywood glamour theme was finally starting to come together. A mini-Hollywood sign sat near the entrance beside a rolled out red carpet lined with velvet ropes, while gold sequin draped curtains framed the walls beneath hanging stars suspended from the ceiling. Black, gold and red balloon arches were still being assembled near the stage beside faux film reels and a large Oscar cardboard cutout, Charley insisted was “the centrepiece of the entire prom.” Half- finished walk of fame stars were scattered across the floor waiting to be painted while a nearby table overflowed with black, gold and red velvet centrepieces ready to be spread across dining tables later that afternoon. 

The second Charley spotted them, he pointed dramatically across the room. “Oh, look who finally decided to show up.” 

“We overslept,” Maddie said quickly as they approached. 

Rhonda looked up from where she sat cross-legged on the floor painting gold lettering onto one of the stars. “By almost two hours?” 

“We watched a few movies really late last night and forgot to set an alarm.” Maddie said. 

Simon adjusted the box in his arms. “You two picked a terrible day to oversleep.” 

Janet glanced up from the star she was painting. “At least you’re here now. Charley’s been spiraling for the last hour.”

“I have not been spiralling,” Charley called from across the room while readjusting one of the balloon arches for the fifth time. 

“You literally threatened to send out a search party,” Nicole pointed out.

“It’s called being concerned about where my best friends are, my dear Nicole.” 

Before anyone could keep talking, Charley walked across the room with his iPad in hand, rapidly checking things off his list. “Okay, enough talking. We’re already behind schedule.” He pointed to the far side of the room. “Wally, can you help Conrad finish setting up the lighting around the photo wall?”

“Sure,” Wally said before heading toward the other side of the room. 

Then Charley pointed to the scattered stars across the floor. “Maddie, can you help finish the walk of fame stars?”

Maddie nodded, dropping down beside Rhonda grabbing some gold paint before starting on one of the unfinished stars. 

For the next few hours, the recreation centre stayed loud and chaotic as everyone scattered around finishing the last of the decorations. Music blasted through the speakers while ladders scraped across the linoleum floor, and Charley somehow managed to be in six places at once directing people around with his iPad clutched against his chest like he was running an actual Hollywood production. 

Maddie spent most of the afternoon on the floor with Rhonda, Nicole, Janet, Dawn and Quinn finishing the walk of fame stars while Wally helped Conrad, Yuri and Simon adjust lighting, hang the last of the ceiling stars and then rearranging the tables. Even from opposite sides of the room, Maddie and Wally kept catching themselves looking for each other. Small glances across the room turned into quiet smiles whenever the other noticed, both of them slipping into their own little world for a second before someone pulled their attention back to decorating. Every now and then Wally would catch Maddie already looking at him, immediately making her smile before pretending to focus back on painting. 

By the time the clock pushed past two in the afternoon, the recreation centre finally looked complete. 

The red carpet had been rolled out properly, the balloon arches were finished, the tables were set, and the giant Oscar trophy Charley insisted on renting stood along the side of the stage. 

Everyone looked exhausted. 

Charley slowly turned in a circle near the middle of the room, taking everything in with his hands pressed dramatically against his chest. “This,” he announced emotionally, “is my masterpiece.” Simon dropped into one of the chairs nearby. “You said that about the Snow Ball too.”

“And I was right then too.”

Rhonda tossed a paintbrush onto the crate of craft supplies on the floor. “If I see another damn gold star after today, I’m actually going to lose my mind.”

“You say that now,” Quinn replied, “but wait until tonight when everything’s lit up.” 

Nicole slowly looked around the room, taking in the finished decorations properly for the first time all day. “Okay… this is kind of incredible.” 

Charley immediately placed a hand against his chest. “Kind of?” he repeated, offended. “Nicole this is incredible.” 

Rhonda snorted beside Maddie. “Careful. Complimenting him only makes him worse.”

“Too late,” Simon muttered. “We created a monster yesterday.”

A laugh slipped out of Yuri before he could stop it. 

Charley slowly turned toward him, narrowing his eyes dramatically. 

Yuri immediately cleared his throat. “Right. Not funny. Sorry.”

Conrad dropped into a chair beside Simon and Wally with a dramatic groan. “My arms are officially dead after moving those tables around for 2 hours.” 

“That’s because you guys didn’t understand visual balance,” Charley defended immediately. 

“None of us knows what that is.” Simon replied. 

After a few minutes of cleaning, everyone gathered their bags. 

“Alright, Charley clapped his hands together. “Everybody go home, shower, make yourselves look attractive and be back by six.” “Bossy,” Rhonda muttered standing up.

One by one, the group headed toward the exit, exhausted after spending hours decorating but excited for prom, finally being only a few hours away. 

The afternoon slipped by quietly as Maddie moved between her bedroom and bathroom getting ready for prom. 

After showering, she stood in front of the bathroom mirror carefully doing her makeup while music played softly from the speaker beside the sink. Soft bronzed eyeshadow blended around her eyes with a darker shadow smoked lightly at the corners, paired with thin eyeliner and mascara. Her skin glowed under the bathroom lights, finished with subtle highlighter and a glossy nude lipstick that tied everything together. 

Her short hair took less time, though she still spent longer on it than she cared to admit. Soft waves curved neatly around her jaw and just above her shoulders, styled with enough volume to give it that old Hollywood feel but still feeling like it was her. The blonde pieces framed her face perfectly, one side she tucked behind her ear, securing it with a few bobby pins, while the other side fell naturally across her cheekbone. 

By the time she finished, the bathroom smelled like hairspray, perfume and the steam still clinging to the mirrors. 

Back in her room, her black dress hung from the closet door waiting for her. The second Maddie stepped into it, everything suddenly started to feel real. 

The dress fit perfectly, the black fabric hugging against her waist before falling smoothly to the floor. The strapless neckline dipped slightly at the front, elegant and dramatic without feeling over the top. Paired with the soft waves in her hair and darker makeup, the whole Hollywood glamour theme finally came together.

Maddie reached behind herself, struggling with the zipper for a second before sighing. “Mom?”

A few seconds later, Sandra appeared in the doorway. “Need help?”

“The zipper hates me.”

Sandra laughed softly before stepping behind her, carefully pulling the zipper the rest of the way up. For a moment, Maddie caught her mom’s reflection in the mirror before smiling quietly to herself. 

“What?” Maddie asked. 

Sandra shook her head lightly. “Nothing. You just look really beautiful.” 

Maddie’s expression softened. “Thanks, mom.” 

Sandra smoothed down the back of the dress gently before stepping back to admire her properly, wiping a small tear away from her eye. “I really wish your dad was here. He would’ve been so proud of you.” 

A small smile pulled at her lips as her fingers instinctively brushed against the silver compass necklace resting against her collarbone. “Yeah. Me too.” 

“I’ll let you finish,” Sandra said. “I need to find my camera.”

Maddie smiled as Sandra hurried out of the room, already muttering to herself trying to remember where she last had it. 

Maddie slipped into her black wedges before reaching for the silver jewellery laid neatly across her dresser. A couple of thin rings slid onto her fingers, followed by small silver earrings that caught the light every time she moved.

She was adding her things into her small black bag when a knock sounded at the front door. 

A second later, Sandra’s voice carried through the house. “Maddie, Wally’s here!”

Heat immediately rushed into her cheeks. Maddie took one last look in the mirror, smoothing her hands down the front of her dress before stepping out of her room into the hallway. She could already hear Bea talking loudly near the front door while Sandra laughed at something she said. 

Maddie then rounded the corner into the living room. 

Wally looked up and immediately forgot how to breathe for a second. Everything else in the room faded. 

He stood near the front door beside Bea, dressed in a black suit with a crisp white button-up underneath and a white bow tie slightly loosened in that effortless way only Wally could somehow pull off. A watch sat against his wrist, and his dark hair had been styled back neatly, though a few pieces had already fallen naturally over his forehead. In one hand, he held a small black corsage box. 

But none of that seemed to matter anymore the second Maddie stepped into the room. His expression completely softened. 

Maddie watched his eyes slowly move over for a second before landing back on her face, almost like he was trying to process that she was real.

Sandra smiled warmly as she looked between them. “You two look so good together.” 

Bea immediately pointed at Wally. “And he looks seconds away from passing out.” 

Sandra laughed as she grabbed the boutonniere box, handing it to Maddie.

A small smile pulled at Wally’s mouth as he stepped closer to Maddie. “Wow. You look beautiful.” 

“Thank you,” Maddie said, smiling. “You look really handsome.”

Wally finally seemed to remember the corsage box still sitting in his hand. He glanced at it with a quiet laugh before holding it out toward her. “Right. I got distracted.” 

Maddie smiled as she took the small black box from him, seeing the familiar deep red roses wrapped neatly with black ribbon that she and Wally had picked out together earlier in the week. 

Wally gently took the corsage from the box before carefully sliding it onto her wrist, his fingers brushing lightly against her skin as he adjusted it into place. 

“I’m glad we picked roses,” Maddie said, holding her wrist up as she admired the details of the corsage.

Wally nodded. “They do look better with your dress.”

Maddie looked up at him with a small smile. “Thank you for finally admitting I was right.” 

“You were definitely right.” Wally laughed. 

Maddie held out the boutonniere box for Wally before opening it, revealing matching deep red roses wrapped with black ribbon. She lifted his left lapel, carefully securing the boutonniere onto his jacket.

“You two are simply gorgeous,” Bea said. “Time for photos. Outside. Now.” 

By the time everyone stepped out the front door, the sun had started lowering in the sky, casting everything in a soft golden light. 

They stood on the steps of the front door as Sandra and Bea took photo after photo of them in different poses, the entire thing lasting a solid ten minutes. 

Sandra and Bea continued snapping pictures before Wally finally laughed quietly. “Mom, I think you have enough photos.”

“Oh, just one more,” Bea said immediately. “You look so handsome.” 

Bea took one last photo just as the sun shifted aside them, the golden light catching against Maddie’s dress and the edges of Wally’s suit perfectly. 

“Okay,” Bea said, lowering the camera with satisfaction. “That one was the one.”

“We really need to get going now,” Wally said. 

“All right,” Sandra replied with a smile. “Have fun, you two.” 

 Maddie smiled. “Thanks, Mom. Have fun at book club.”

“Oh, we will,” Bea said. “We just finished Fourth Wing. It was so good.”

Wally glanced over at Maddie with a mildly horrified expression. “Doesn’t that book have…”

 Maddie nodded immediately, already knowing what he meant. “Yep.”

“Gross.”

“What?” Bea defended. “We’re both single women. We can enjoy a book that has a little-”

“We’re leaving now,” Wally interrupted quickly, grabbing Maddie’s hand and guiding her toward his truck across the street. “Bye.”

Wally and Maddie walked hand in hand across the street to his truck. He opened the passenger door for her, offering his hand as she climbed in and carefully gathering the fabric of her dress so it wouldn’t catch before shutting the door behind her. He rounded the front of the truck and slid into the driver's seat. 

The second the doors closed, Wally looked over at her. 

“Okay,” he said. “Now that it’s just us… you look really fucking hot, babe.”

Maddie smiled. “Don’t get used to it.” She gestured toward the dress and makeup. “This isn’t exactly me.” 

Wally looked at her for a moment before shaking his head. “Maddie, I’ve been in love with you since before any of this.”

Maddie’s cheeks warmed. 

“The dress is nice,” he admitted. “But you’re still my favorite part.” 

Maddie felt her chest tighten in the best way. “God, I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

The parking lot was already packed by the time Wally pulled into the recreation centre. Music drifted through the evening air as groups of students crossed the parking lot in dresses, suits and heels, all making their way toward the entrance. 

Wally came around to Maddie’s side of the truck, taking her hand the second she stepped down the pavement. Together, they followed the crowd toward the doors. 

As soon as they stepped through the front door, everything looked completely different now the lights were on. 

Gold sequin drapes lined both sides of the red carpet, illuminated by warm string lights woven through the fabric. Velvet ropes bordered the walkway while dozens of gold stars hung overhead, glittering softly whenever they caught the light. 

Maddie and Wally followed the red carpet to the main room. 

The rest of the prom opened up before them. 

Black, gold and velvet red decorations filled the recreation centre. A gold mirror ball hung above the dance floor in the centre of the room, scattering flecks of light across the walls and ceiling. Alongside the room stood a large cardboard Oscar’s statue cutout, while faux film reels and black, gold and red balloon arches framed different sections of the room.

The stars Maddie, Rhonda, Nicole, Janet, Dawn and Quinn had spent hours painting now stretched across sections of the floor. Near the entrance sat a small sign reading: The Split River walk of fame. Find your star. 

Across the far wall, students lined up around the Hollywood themed photo wall while others crowded around the bar carrying mocktails, sparkling juice and sodas. 

Wally spotted their friends gathered near the bar. 

“MADDIE YOU LOOK FABULOUS.” Charley yelled over the music, not caring about all the looks he was receiving. 

Maddie laughed as she and Wally made their way over. “You look great, Char.”

Charley had embraced the Hollywood theme more than anyone else. His fitted black jacket and matching dress shirt were paired with a satin bow at his collar, but it was the black glitter-flecked trousers that stole the show, catching light every time he moved.

Charley spun on the spot. “Thank you, my sweet,” he said before looking over at Wally. “I’m sorry, is this my friend Wally or someone different?”

“Ha-ha,” Wally replied dryly. 

“No seriously,” Charley said. “I had no idea you could… dress like that.”

“Uhhh… thank you? I think.” 

“It’s definitely a compliment,” Yuri added. “Now Charley’s discovered his college major, he’s going around critiquing what everyone wears. I tried on five different suits before he found one he liked.”

Yuri had opted for something simpler. A black suit jacket hung neatly over a white dress shirt with the top few buttons left undone, giving the outfit a relaxed feel that suited him perfectly. 

“And you look handsome, Yuri,” Charley said before taking a sip of his mocktail. 

The group continued talking near the bar as more students filtered into the room.  

A few minutes later, Rhonda and Quinn appeared through the crowd together, Quinn immediately slipping in beside Rhonda as they joined the conversation. Conrad arrived not long after, drawing more than a few smiles and waves as he crossed the room. Ever since Wally and Maddie had started dating, he unexpectedly became the most sought-after guys in their grade.  

Janet and Dawn showed up together a few minutes later, already halfway through a conversation as they approached. Simon arrived shortly after, looking exactly as thrilled to be attending prom as everyone expected. 

Eventually, they all migrated to one of the tables, conversations overlapping as they exchanged compliments and looked around the room, pointing out the decorations. 

A few minutes later, Nicole appeared through the crowd with Teo beside her. 

“You look amazing, Nic,” Maddie said as Nicole and Teo joined the group at the table. “Hey, Teo. It’s nice to see you again.” “You too, Maddie.”

Maddie’s eyebrows lifted. “We didn’t know Teo was coming.” Nicole laughed. “Neither did I.”

“Seriously?” Wally asked. 

She nodded. “He surprised me this morning. Drove all the way down from Steven’s Point.”

Teo smiled. “Prom seemed like a pretty good reason to make the drive.” 

“Okay,” Charley said. “That’s adorable.”

Before anyone else could say anything, the music faded and the room quieted as Principal Hartman stepped onto stage, microphone in hand. 

“Good evening, seniors,” he said. “First of all, I want to congratulate everyone who helped put tonight together. The decorations look fantastic.”

Charley immediately sat a little taller. 

“Secondly, don’t forget to submit your votes for Prom King and Queen before nine o’clock, so votes can be tallied.”

He glanced around the room. 

“Food will be served in thirty minutes. Until then, enjoy yourselves, make some memories, and have a great night. You deserve it.”

A small round of applause broke across the recreation centre as Hartman stepped away from the microphone and the music began playing once more. 

Before long, the room was in full swing. 

Students crowded the dance floor, gathered around tables, and drifted between conversations. The Hollywood backdrop along the far wall rarely sat empty for more than a minute, while laughter and music echoed throughout the recreation centre beneath the hanging stars overhead. 

After spending some time with the group, Wally and Maddie joined the line for the photo wall. 

A handful of couples waited ahead of them, shifting forward a little at a time as the photographer directed people through poses. Before long, it was their turn.

Up close, the photo wall looked even better than it had from when they first walked into the room. A red carpet stretched out in front of a black and gold backdrop decorated with stars and faux film reels, while warm marquee lights illuminated the large HOLLYWOOD sign above it. Red velvet ropes framed either side, making the entire set up feel like a miniature movie premiere. 

As the photographer adjusted the camera, Wally’s hand settled comfortably against the small of her back. Maddie glanced up at him and immediately forgot she was supposed to be looking at the lens. 

The warm lights caught his brown eyes, making them sparkle. His dark hair gleaned beneath the overhead lights, a few stands refusing to stay exactly where he styled them earlier. He looked confident tonight- comfortable in a way that seemed effortless, his natural charisma impossible not to notice. 

Every smile, every glance, every small touch felt easy. His thumb brushed lightly against her back as they shifted into another pose, and Maddie couldn’t help the smile tugging at her lips. 

Less than twenty-four hours ago, it had been just the two of them. Curled up together 

on her bed long after midnight, talking while the rest of the world faded around them. The memory was still close enough to make her cheeks warm.

Nothing between them had changed. Yet somehow everything did. 

The nervousness she expected never came. There was no awkwardness, no uncertainty. Just the same Wally she’d known for years – the boy who made her laugh when she was upset, who showed up when she needed him, who somehow made every room feel a little lighter the second he walked into it. 

His hand remained steady at the small of her back as the camera flashed again. 

Looking at him was easy. 

Not for the first time that night, Maddie found herself wondering how she’d gotten so lucky.

Later in the evening, the music shifted and a slow song drifted through the speakers. Almost immediately, couples began making their way back onto the dance floor. 

Wally didn’t hesitate. His hand found Maddie’s and a moment later they were both swaying beneath the mirror ball along with everyone else.

From across the room, Charley watched them over the rim of his mocktail.

“Interesting,” he said slowly. 

Beside him, Rhonda glanced up. “What?”

“Tell me I’m not imagining things.”

“That depends entirely on what you’re about to say.”

Charley nodded toward the dance floor. 

Maddie was laughing at something Wally had whispered in her ear. His hands rested against her waist while hers sat loosely behind his head. Every few seconds one of them would smile and the other would immediately smile back.

“They seem weirdly happy tonight.” Rhonda deadpanned. “They’re dating. That’s what happens when you’re dating.”

“No, I know they’re dating.” Charley waved a hand dismissively. “This is different.”

“Different how?”

“I don’t know.” He narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. “There’s just… something different about them.”

“Or they’re just having a good time at prom?”

“Maybe.” Charley continued staring suspiciously. 

Rhonda rolled her eyes. “Shouldn’t you be dancing with your boyfriend instead of investigating your best friends?”

Charley blinked. “Right.” 

A second later he was gone, weaving through the crowd to find Yuri. 

Eventually, after many songs later, Maddie and Wally left the dance floor, making their way back to the group. 

“I’m going to run to the bathroom.” Maddie said. 

Wally nodded. “Okay I’ll get us some drinks. 

Maddie smiled before disappearing down the hall. 

The bathroom was empty when Maddie walked in. A few minutes later, while she sat in one of the stalls, the door opened and two familiar voices drifted inside- Claire and Chloe. 

“Did you see him out there?” Chloe asked. 

“Who?”

“Wally.”

Claire laughed. “Kind of hard to miss him.”

“Seriously though, can you imagine showing up to prom while your dad’s all over the news?”

“Former Split River business mogul arrested in Malibu.” Claire recited dramatically. 

Both girls giggled.

Maddie felt her jaw tighten. 

“There is no way he didn’t know,” Chloe continued. “People don’t just steal millions of dollars, and their family has absolutely no clue.”

“Exactly. Everyone acts like he’s some innocent victim.” 

“Because everyone loves Wally Clark,” Chloe said. “Golden boy football player. Good grades. Nice smile.”

“Perfect family,” Claire added. 

“Guess that didn’t work out. Ever since daddy Clark fucked some other woman.”

Another round of laughter echoed through the bathroom. 

“His dad’s probably going to end up a felon,” Chloe continued. “Imagine having that attached to you going into college.” 

“Went from hometown hero to son of a criminal overnight.”

“Honestly, I’m glad I got over that crush months ago,” Chloe said with a snort. “Can you imagine dating into that mess? I don’t need my name attached to that kind of drama.” 

The stall door slammed open.

Claire and Chloe looked up from the mirrors. Chloe’s eyebrows shot up before a grin spread across her face. 

“Well, that’s awkward.”

Maddie folded her arms across her chest. “You know, I always wondered whether you two were actually this pathetic or of it was just an act.”

Claire rolled her eyes. “Oh, please.”

“No, seriously. I’ve spent the last five minutes listening you talk about Wally like he’s responsible for what his father did. Edward stole the money, Edward got arrested. Edward’s the one facing charges. Not Wally.” 

Chloe shrugged “It’s a small town, Maddie. People are gonna talk.” 

“We were talking,” Claire added. “People are allowed to talk.”

Maddie let out a humourless laugh. “Yeah, and what you were saying was fucked up. You want to talk shit about Edward? Fine. Trust me, nobody’s defending that asshole. But dragging Wally into it because his dad turned out to be a selfish piece of shit is low, even for you two.”

Claire exchanged an amused look with Chloe. “People are going to judge him. It’s just reality.” 

“Then maybe stop contributing to it.”

“We’re not the only ones saying it.”

“I know you’re not,” Maddie snapped. “That’s the fucking problem. Everyone suddenly thinks they’re entitled to an opinion because they read a headline online. None of you know a fucking thing about what he’s been dealing with.”

Chloe crossed her arms. “Family reputation matters.”

Maddie stared at her for a second before laughing again. “God, listen to yourself. Wally has spent most of his life trying not to become his father. He’s kinder than half the people in this town, works harder than anyone I know, and somehow he’s the one getting judged for someone else’s mistakes. 

“Whatever you say,” Claire replied. 

“No, not whatever I say. It’s the truth. The fact that you can’t tell the difference between Wally and Edward says a hell of a lot more about you then it does about him.”

Maddie grabbed her clutch from the counter and headed for the door. Before leaving, she glanced back over her shoulder. 

“And Chloe? If your biggest concern is whether someone else’s family problems might affect your reputation, maybe you should spend less time worrying about Wally and more time fixing your own shit.”

Chloe laughed. “Cute.”

“Fuck off.” Then Maddie walked out. 

Wally stood in line at the bar waiting to grab drinks for himself and Maddie when Xavier stepped in behind him.

“Maddie looks so fucking hot tonight.”

Wally rolled his eyes and turned toward him. “Can you not say that about my girlfriend?”

Xavier laughed. “Relax. It was giving her a compliment.” 

“Whatever.”

 Wally turned back around and ordered two piña colada mocktails. 

“You know,” Xavier continued, “it’s still weird seeing her with someone else.”

Wally accepted the drinks from the bartender.

“What’s weird is that you slept with someone else while you were dating her.” He shook his head. “You had your chance and you fucked up.” 

Wally started to walk away before pausing and glancing back over his shoulder.

“Now she’s with someone who actually treats her right.” His jaw tightened slightly. “And unlike you, I don’t plan on fucking that up.”

By the time Maddie returned from the bathroom, she took the empty seat beside Simon. He immediately noticed the look on her face. 

“What happened?” 

Maddie leaned closer. “Claire and Chloe were in the bathroom talking shit about Wally and his dad, the usual bullshit going around town.” She rolled her eyes. “Then I told them to fuck off.” 

Simon let out a short laugh. “Good.” 

A few minutes later, Wally returned carrying two piña colada mocktails and slid into the chair beside her, setting one in front of her. “What did I miss?” “Maddie told Claire and Chloe to fuck off when they started talking shit about you and your dad. The usual crap.” Simon grabbed his drink.  

Wally laughed. “I don’t care what either of them say.”

Maddie nodded. “I honestly can’t wait until next when we’re in Illinois away from this small-town shit.” 

“A couple more months,” Simon said, taking a sip of his drink. “Then we’re free from shit river.” 

The rest of the night passed in a blur. The group drifted between the dance floor and their table, conversations overlapping as songs changed and students came and went around them. Wally spent most of the night exactly where everyone expected him to be- in the middle of the dance floor, not caring what people were saying about him and his dad. Maddie even admitted that she was having fun dancing and laughing as he attempted to convince reluctant classmates to dance. 

Later, votes were counted and Principal Hartman returned to the stage to announce Prom King and Queen. Conrad and Chloe took the crowns – a result that surprised no one- Chloe looked as thrilled as she accepted her crown while Conrad appeared slightly overwhelmed with all the attention. 

As the night wound down and more and more students began heading home, exhaustion finally started catching up to Maddie. Between the excitement of prom, the dancing, and the emotional rollercoaster of the past few months, she felt completely drained. Wally looked equally tired despite his best efforts to pretend otherwise. 

After saying goodbye to their friends, they slipped out into the cool night air. Neither of them felt ready for the evening to end just yet, so instead of immediately calling it a night, they headed back to Wally’s house, changed into comfier clothes, and curled up on his bed and watched some TV. Before either of them made it through the full episode, sleep pulled them under. 

Part 27 Part 29

Wellll that was a lot huh? What do you think of everything? Let me know in the comments

Only 2 more chapters and this story is over 😭

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