41. "You did all of this for me?"
Ozzy had never been taken with the idea of throwing a party. Parties brought forth images of cramped spaces full of too many people making too much noise; food bowls covered in unwashed fingerprints and a sickly sweet cake that left frosting clinging to his tongue. He preferred quiet ceremonies: Christmases spent with his mom in a living room bathed in warm light, birthdays where his friends came over and played Monstermon for a while. The unpredictability of a party was daunting, and Ozzy avoided them wherever possible.
…On the other hand, Madison adored parties. She squealed over the decorations and gifts, delighting in games and songs. Ozzy never understood why she liked them so much, but the fact remained that she did. And, well. Ozzy had missed her over the past few days. His routine had been interrupted, his closest friends had disappeared, and the last time he’d seen Madison, she’d been coated in a disgusting green slime. Ozzy knew that if he had been subjected to such a horror, he would be distraught. Madison deserved a bit of cheering up, no matter how Ozzy felt about her preferred way of having fun.
To his surprise, planning a party was something he enjoyed. Ozzy had a chance to regulate it all, making tweaks and changes to ensure Madison had the best time possible while minimising the germs that would inevitably crawl all over them both. Recruiting his mother for assistance, Ozzy handed out begrudging invitations to those in his class, prepared streamers and balloons, then directed Madison to where the party had been set up.
“Where are we going?” She’d asked curiously, trying to look through the gaps in the hands over her eyes.
“No peeking!” Ozzy replied, avoiding the question and feeling a thrum of excitement shoot through him. While this was definitely a deviation from his routine, it was one he could control, and that made all the difference. He couldn’t wait to see how Madison would react.
Ozzy removed his hands from over her eyes with a flourish, watching in antsy anticipation as her mouth dropped open in awe. Excitement flooded through her face like a tidal wave, those emerald eyes sparkling as she took in the set-up. Madison seemed largely undeterred by the bored antics of the party’s attendees, gasping at the enormous, colourful “WELCOME BACK!” banner and assorted cupcakes. Ozzy couldn’t help but puff up a little as she turned to beam at him.
“You did all of this… for me?” Madison asked breathlessly, her huge smile wobbling with tears. At the sight of them, alarm spiked in Ozzy’s chest.
“Don’t cry!” He exclaimed worriedly, eyebrows drawing together. “I’m sorry, I thought you’d like–”
“These are happy tears!” She interrupted with a laugh, and before Ozzy knew what was happening, she’d crashed into him for a hug. “I love it. Thank you, Ozzy.” She mumbled into his sweater.
Ozzy flushed, pride welling in his chest. “I missed you,” he admitted quietly, slowly returning Madison’s right embrace. He’d forgotten how marvellously warm her hugs were.
“I missed you too!” She replied, drawing away again and looking at the party decorations. Something in the far corner caught her eye, and she began to positively vibrate with excitement. “Ooh, what are those?”
And Ozzy was so caught up in the lingering warmth Madison had left in his heart, he didn’t think to wonder when she’d last washed her hands until three hours after the party came to close.
