Eventually Amber came down to check why we took so long. It didn't scare her because the lights were on. It was one of those messed up doors that are always locked from the inside. I don't understand why they exist but they do.

  I carry up the paper and once we're back in the cafeteria Amber starts sketching out the food on them. Maddie moves tables and chairs around to give it a more cafe-like feel. While I'm in the kitchen making sure we have everything we need. As well as rearranging and washing dirty dishes.

  It's almost seven PM by the time we all finish doing small things. Maddie and Amber took longer because the principal had to take measurements for their outfits. Sounds weird but our city has a cosplay store. You can buy almost every outfit there.

  These festivals start getting annoying at one point. Almost every holiday, even small ones the school has a festival for. Plus this one, the yearly “Theme Festival”. This one is the most liked though.

  Luckily for Amber, her parents picked her up. I was begged by Maddie to walk her home. “Because of the animal warning from yesterday.” She said, “There's still animals roaming the streets.” I know this was just so she could bother me more. But just like last time, I couldn't say no.

  Once I get home I'm too tired for dinner. I end up going to sleep before seven. Even though I still sleep in Saturday morning, woken up only by my phone ringing. “Huh? What do you want?” I ask whoever's on the other side, I didn't even bother to check.

  “You're late, idiot. We have like thirty minutes left before the festival starts.” I yawn, “Oh, Maddie… I'll be there in a bit.” I think for a second. “Wait, when did I give you my number?” “You didn't, I got it from the teacher, just added it to my phone.” I couldn't see it but I knew she was smirking.

  I hang up and get dressed, no one besides Maddie and Amber will see me so I don't really look at what I put on. I quickly brush my hair and leave, not even bothering to ask my parents to drive me.

  Once I finally make it to school, hands wrap around me, covering my eyes. “Guess who.” The person behind me is basically jumping in excitement. “Maddie.” I say blandly, I don't have time for her games. “Mhm! You're right!” She's probably smiling like a child after getting what they wanted.

  “Now let go of me.” I demand. “Nope! You can’t see me in this yet.” The small gap between us closes as I walk around. She's right up against my back now. “Wrong way dummy.” She giggles. “Not my fault, I can't see anything!” 

  After she guides me into the kitchen, she picks me up and sits me on the counter. Somehow she's able to keep me from seeing her. “Now you can look.” She moves her hand away.

  I look her up and down, “Really?” The first thing I notice is the cat ears and the drawn on whiskers. Then I noticed the actual maid outfit. “So? What do you think?” She purrs. “That's not what the school was thinking when they said maid cafe.” I reply, she just laughs.

  “So?” She asks, “I changed the style a little bit. Even Amber is with this.” She smiles at me, doing a quick pose. “Take a picture Aki!” I roll my eyes but comply. Looking back at the picture I see a tail. “Really Maddie? You're really into this bit.” She nods.

  Maddie calls in Amber. Amber starts fidgeting right after she sees me. “D-does it look good? You're s-staring…” She asks quietly. I snap back to reality, “Oh, uh… yeah! It totally suits you.” She smiles, “You r-really think so?”

  Maddie forces a picture with the three of us. Afterwards she begs me to set it as my phone's wallpaper. Once she gets Amber to join in on the pleading I crack and do it. I pay more attention to the picture. Somehow I didn't notice both of them were holding and leaning onto me.

  Maddie was smirking and looking at me innocently, Amber's face was still all red, even after the picture. In it she had a slight smile but was looking away from me. They are definitely two completely different people.

  Finally the festival begins. I'm cooking three different things at the same time. I didn't think this many parents and students would come. I almost completely forgot that the students who didn't agree to do this got to come. And all parents were invited.

  Every time Maddie comes into the kitchen to either give me an order or to take a meal she lets out a small meow to me. I don't have to put up with it for long though, the festival only lasts three hours.

  About two hours after it began Maddie walks in and the biggest smirk probably ever forms on her face. She corners me. “Aki, Looks like you have some food on your face.” She leans in close, us touching together again. Then the door opens. Maddie panics and we both fall to the ground.

  “W-woah… w-w-what did I walk in on?” Amber asks quietly. “Oh, thank god, it's just you.” Maddie says before licking the food off of my cheek, causing me to blush almost as much as Amber is. I notice a slight strawberry taste in my mouth.

  Once I get up I ask, “Maddie, what was the last thing you ate?” She thinks for a second. “Probably those thirty strawberries I ate in like, ten seconds.” She smiles, “Why?” I suddenly feel a tingling feeling in my stomach. Did we… kiss? Probably not, maybe she just breathed through her mouth when we fell so the taste is in my mouth because of that.

  “Oh um, No reason.” I answer. But if we did kiss, she would've taken my first. I hope she didn't though, because I want my lips to be unkissed for as long as possible. Until I think love isn't stupid.