Maddie's POV

The next morning I woke up feeling content. Last night was the best, being able to hang out with the boys after spending the past Halloweens on my own was a nice change. Plus finally giving the boys a proper Halloween experience of their own made me feel good. What made it better was waking up next to Brendon. We had fallen asleep on the couch together and had cuddled all night. It seemed like we'd been doing that a lot lately. I took a moment to just bask in the silence of the house before sneaking away from Brendon's grasp and quietly heading to the kitchen.

I didn't mind making breakfast for everyone, I just needed a head start to be able to make everything on time before everybody woke up. As I rummaged around in the fridge I sighed softly. I would need to make another grocery run soon. Either that or resort to ordering pizza again for us to eat, not that Ray would object. It was time to face facts, having so many mouths to feed, I needed to get a job. I had been halted in my job search after meeting the boys, and living off of what my Mom was sending me wouldn't be enough for us now. It wouldn't be any good for the guys to start searching for jobs, places would see them as 'delinquents' and turn them away first chance.

Maybe later on I could pull the old laptop out and job hunt again. Until then I didn't want any of the guys to feel bad about the financial situation. I found some waffle mix buried in the cabinet and got to work making some batter. Some of if splashed on my pajamas and I groaned in annoyance.

"What's cookin' good lookin'?" A voice sounded behind me and nearly made me drop the bowl of batter in fright. I turned around to see Patrick standing there. "Ohmygoshsorry-" He apologized in a rush, his face red as he blushed in embarrassment.

"Patrick! It's fine you just scared the uh-" I looked down at the bowl and whisk in hand. "Batter out of me."

"Betty better batter butter..." A very sleepy Gerard mumbled from where he was passed out on the air mattress. Patrick and I turned our attention to him before looking back at each other and laughing to ourselves.

"No really, I was just trying to be funny is all. You don't have to cook by yourself, I can help you! I-If you'd like-" Patrick started.

"That would be awesome Patrick, thanks." I smiled as I handed the bowl to him with a smile. "I normally wake up first, so I figured there would be nothing wrong with getting started on food early."

"I get it. Hey! You know what would go perfect with these waffles? Some eggs and bacon!" Patrick grinned, moving to the fridge and looking around. He closed it shortly after. "...Which we're fresh out of. Holy smokes Maddie, I barely noticed we've eaten you out of house and home."

"Hey, don't worry about that. I've come to the conclusion that I'm going to need to get a job soon. But leave it to me, somehow I'll keep this place still standing." I gave him a reassuring smile. It seemed to make Patrick feel better because he returned it. He almost looked like he was going to say something, but was interrupted by Gerard mumbling something in his sleep again.

"No... I don't want to give the Morning Pancake Report again..." He turned around in his sleep and grabbed Frank who was the closest to him and put his arms around him. "Here- toss it to Maddie, toss the pancake to Maddie." Gerard smiled.

"Oh boy. Better wake him up before he starts trying to eat Frank or something." I joked, catching Patrick's attention again. Whatever was on his mind seemed to have gone.

"Leave it to me. This batter is ready to get waffle-ized now." He handed the bowl back to me before heading towards the boys. I gladly started spooning some into the waffle maker I had plugged up on the counter. I watched Patrick, wondering just how he was planning on getting everyone up. He stood in the center of everyone and suddenly belted a musical note in the most soul like voice I'd ever heard. It did the trick, and suddenly all the boys started resurrecting.

"Holy shit that sounds like soul." Brendon smiled, sitting up and rubbing his eyes on the couch. 

"Wow Patrick, you've got a soul voice!" I laughed, meaning my compliment however. He shuffled his feet in embarrassment.

"Thanks Maddie-"

"Are those waffles? Oh hell yeah!" Frank tried to get up but realized he was being contained by Gerard. "Um- Gee let go of me."

"Thank goodness we're not having pancakes." Gerard shuddered, letting go of Frank as everyone filed in for breakfast.

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Later that day I decided it was a good time as any for a grocery run. I had some money left from Mom's previous check that I could burn on some food. Brendon was more than happy to stay and keep the boys in line for me while I was away. I decided to go to a place with cheaper selections, so off I went back to Walgreens. Hey, it was the corner of happy and healthy! I walked in, getting a little basket and headed towards the food section. I grabbed some snacks first just to have around, like some Funyons, Fritos, bean dip, and Bugles for the salty side of things. Next was sweet, so I grabbed some M&M's, Hershey's, and a bag of those chewy cherry twizzlers. I was about to grab a jug of milk when I heard a voice behind me.

"Hey, it's Halloween girl!"

I turned around to see the tall lanky guy from my trip prior standing at the end of the isle. Dallon, I remembered. "You caught me. I needed some more snacks for my Kindergarten class." I joked. Dallon smirked at that, trying to hide his amusement I assumed.

"Nothing wrong with that. Although I would recommend getting a milk from the back of the row. The one's in the front have been in there for like... a while." He told me making a face. I slowly put the milk back disgustedly.

"Thanks.. might've dodged a bullet there." I smiled gratefully. Dallon started putting some items on a shelf, once again looking bored out of his mind. "Don't mention it."

"So uh- do you like work here everyday or something? Shouldn't you be having a post Halloween recovery day?" I asked getting another milk, this time from the back.

"Me? Nah. Gotta make some bank somehow. You know how it is." He replied, somehow managing to hold ten cans stacked on top of each other in one hand while putting them on the shelf with the other.

"Well um, I don't unfortunately. I'm in the process of looking for a job. Times be hard these days. You know how it is." I shrugged using his wording. Dallon stopped his work and turned his full attention to me.

"Really? Well..." He leaned against the shelf nonchalantly. "We're currently looking for help here at your friendly neighborhood corner of happy and healthy."

"Wait really? Say sike right now." I got excited. "Do you think I could get a hire form? Who knows, you could be looking at your new business partner."

"Sure thing, right this way if you're ready to check out, Halloween girl." Dallon pointed in the direction of the register.

"Awesome. Oh, and you can call me Maddie." I corrected, earning a tiny smile from Dallon.

"Right this way then Maddie."

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Patrick's POV

All that had been running through my mind since I woke up was what happened last night. That kiss... her. A part of me was convinced that it wasn't real. Maybe it had been a dream, maybe Pete had spiked the punch and I had been out of my mind. I could still feel it. Her soft lips against mine... But that kiss hadn't been meant for me. It had been meant for Brendon. That's who she really loved.

I was so close to telling her this morning. Admiting that it had been me, and saying how sorry I was that I let it get this far... But as usual, scared little Patrick couldn't take the heat. Besides, what would Brendon say? Better question, what would he do to me? I tried to tell myself to not be ridiculous. Brendon was my best friend. He would never hurt me.

Now here we were, playing a game of Go-Fish, and of course Brendon and I were sitting across from each other. It was hard to hide my feelings from him. How long could I keep pretending?

"Got any three's?" Ryan asked from beside me. Brendon mulled over his deck before shaking his head. I'm telling you, the guy had a killer poker face. "Go-Fish."

"HE'S BLUFFING!" Mikey shouted banging the table and standing up.

"Mikey- you've been saying that for the past five turns." Bob shook his head while Gerard patted Mikey's shoulder supportively.

"Oh- sorry." Mikey smiled sheepishly before sitting back down.

"Got any feelings for my girlfriend?" I could hear Brendon's voice in my mind.

"Patrick? I asked you a question." Brendon looked at me over his cards.

"What?" I snapped back to reality quick, cracking a sweat.

"I asked if you have any five's?" Brendon looked at me amused.

"Oh... uh, G-Go Fish." I answered, recovering quickly.

"This is boring. Can we play something else? How about Black Jack?" Pete put his cards down.

"Are we going all in? I add my pot to the loot!" Mikey slapped down his cards for all to see making everyone groan.

"I don't think you're playing this right." Gerard glared at his brother. Just then we all heard the door open, and a very happy looking Maddie entered.

"Hey guys! Hey Brendon." She put down the grocery bags she'd been holding and came over  to our table where she kissed him. I looked away.

"You seem happy. Which makes me equally happy. What's up babe?" Brendon asked making room for Maddie to sit. Ugh, babe? Now they were starting pet names?

"Wellll... this girl may have landed a job!" Maddie grinned.

"Wow! That's awesome! Where?" Brendon asked.

"I was able to fill out an application at Walgreens, hopefully I'll be hearing back from them soon." She replied. "It's official boys. The break's over! I need to make some cash, so this might be the perfect solution."

"I'm happy for you Maddie! That sounds great." I piped up, honestly glad that she was able to find something today. Maybe fate was on our side after all. "I know you'll get it."

"Thanks Pat." She smiled at me, and I almost turned to putty. I sighed as the rest of they guys congratulated her and Brendon hugged her. Oh, if only fate could be on my side.