Melody Carlson - Double Take

2011 by Melody Carlson

Published by Revell

a division of Baker Publishing Group

P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.revellbooks.com

E-book edition created 2011

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

ISBN 978-1-4412-3256-4

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Contents

Why does everything have to be so complicated? Madison shook her Blackberry at her mom as she entered the Manhattan penthouse. Im sick of it! Sick of the stresssick of everyone pushing and pulling on me. I cant take it anymore!

Calm down. Her mom set what looked like a new Falchi handbag on the side table. Tossing her cashmere cloak onto a chair, she strolled into the living room and gracefully settled herself on the sofa with a calculated smile. Tell me whats going on, dear, and Ill see if I can fix it.

You cannot fix it. Madison folded her arms across her front. You are part of it.

Oh, Madison, are you still complaining about spring break? Do you know how many girls would love to be in your shoes? Her moms brows arched as she nodded to Madisons feet. By the way, arent those my Manolos?

You can have them. Madison kicked off the wedge sandals and flopped down on the ottoman with a loud groan. I would rather go shoeless than be controlled by you or anyone else. Im serious, Mom. Im sick of it. Sick of everyone telling me where to go and what to do, and how theyre planning my future for me.

Her moms smile was fading fast. Dont be such a drama queen. Honestly, I never heard anyone complain as much as you do... over nothing.

Nothing? Madison stood up. You and Grandma keep pressuring me to give up spring break to go to Tuscany with youso I can hang with a bunch of old people. She rolled her eyes. And Vivian insists I must go to Palm Beach with her and her family. Plus Ive got Garret pushing me just to stay home and do some things in the city. She held up her Blackberry. Now Dad calls up and tells me hes decided that its time for a father-daughter bonding vacation, which is really a thinly disguised excuse for visiting Harvard

What? Her mom leaned forward. Are you serious?

Madison nodded. He wants me to come to Boston to stay with him. He said we can spend some time on campus and meet his

Harvard? Her mom grabbed her handbag and jerked out her phone. Your father knows good and well that you are going to Yale, Madison, and if he thinks he can waltz in and

Please, dont call him, Mom. Madison paced back and forth, sorry shed even brought this up. That will just make everything worse.

Your father cannot start dragging Harvard into the college conversation. Not at this stage of the game. Weve already been all over this, and he knows

See! Madison stopped pacing and held her hands up. This is what Im talking about. Everyone is treating me like Im five years old, or like they think Im their puppet!

Oh, Madison! Her mom looked seriously irritated now. Just grow up.

So much for the I can fix it spiel.

I wish everyone would just leave me alone. Madison hurried to her room, and just as her mom began speaking into the phone, she slammed the door behind her. Immature, yes, but if everyone was going to treat her like a child, she might as well act like one.

She went into her bathroom, closing and locking the door, trying to get as far away from her mother as possible. For a long moment, she stood in front of the mirror over the sink, just staring blankly. On the outside, she looked like the typical spoiled little rich girl. Impeccably dressed, long and sleek blonde hair with roots that looked natural, clear skin, blue eyes, good teethher mother was right, lots of girls would like to be Madison. Just not Madison! Sometimes it felt like shed been born into the wrong family... or the wrong century.

As if to remind her that this was the twenty-first century, her Blackberry rang again. As badly as she wanted to flush the stupid phone down the toilet, she saw that it was her best friend. Werent BFFs supposed to be understanding? Madison could use a little understanding right now.

Hey, Viv, she said in a forced cheerful tone.

Why didnt you call me back? Vivian demanded. My parents are already on their way to the airport. Are you coming with us or not?

I cant, Vivian.

Cant? Vivians voice grew shrill. Dont you mean wont ?

Madison attempted to explain all the pressure on her just now, including her dads Harvard plan, but Vivian cut her off. That means Ill be stuck down there all by myself, Madison. Do you know how boring thats going to be?

Oh, Im sure youll find someone to entertain you. Madison wasnt surprised that, as usual, her friend was primarily thinking of herself. It was like Vivian hadnt even heard her. One more reason Madison was relieved to pass on Florida. Anyway, have fun down there, Viv. If I change my mind, Ill call you, okay?

Yeah, right! Vivian hung up.

Great. Madison flopped on her bed and tried to figure out just when life had gotten so complicated. Wasnt being seventeen supposed to be fun and carefree? And spring breakwasnt that supposed to be, like... a break?

Madison could hear her moms voice nowloud and angry. She was obviously talking to Madisons dad (aka Moms ex) on the phone, and she was obviously enraged over this Harvard development. Madison wrapped a down pillow over her ears, attempting to block out the sound. It took her straight back to childhood, to times when Mom and Dad could fight like this for hours. Why had she even mentioned Dad and Harvard to Mom? No good would come out of it for anyone.

A part of Madison was tempted to do what she used to dojust give in to keep the peace. Except that giving in was probably what had gotten her to this feeling of frustration in the first place. No, she decided, no one was going to stick up for Madison except Madison. The sooner they all figured that out, the better it would be.

The truth was she didnt want to go to any of the Ivy League schools. Not Yale or Harvard. If Madison could have it her way, which was highly unlikely, she would rather go to college in Colorado or Oregon or somewhere equally remotesomeplace different from here. A school that valued things like individuality and creativity and respecting nature and living greenand not the green of the almighty dollar either. Not that anyone was listening to her... or cared. All this stress over spring break seemed like the tip of the iceberg to her. Like a bad omenas if the pressures in her life would only get worse if she didnt resist.

Madison? It was Mom, and she was trying to make her voice sound sweet and kindenticing. It was a familiar tone.

What? Madison called back in an irate voice.

I need to speak to you, dear. May I come in?

I dont care. Madison knew it was useless to say no.

Her mom came in and sat down in the lounge chair by the window. Crossing her legs, she leaned back and smiled. I tried to talk some sense into your father, although Im not sure its possible. That man can be such a mule.

Despite feeling slightly relieved that Mom was dealing with Dad, Madison was tempted to tell her to butt out and that shed deal with it herself. Even if it made no sense, a part of Madison wanted to argue with her mom, to declare that maybe she did want to spend the week with her dad and maybe she did want to go to Harvard. Not that that was true, but what if it was?