Dilemma a Euphoria Story

Maddy hadn't talked to Elizabeth at all the rest of the weekend. Elizabeth had texted and called, but she also didn't want to push too hard.She was just worried about her friend.

In their calc class, Maddy was all layered up.

"Is the air conditioner not working?" "No, but does the turtleneck not cover it? Can you not take off the hoodie?" "No." she tells me. "Well, was there a mark- are you covering a mark?!" I whisper shouted. "Shut up, Beth" she whisper shouted back at me.

After class, after everyone else had left, Maddy was still in her chair. I was gathering my belongings thinking she was just waiting on me. Then, she wasn't moving. Like she had passed out or something.

"Maddy?" I shook her arm. "Maddy?"

It wasn't long after that until the teacher had called for an ambulance. They took Maddy away. Of course the halls filled with gossip. Elizabeth felt bad.

The principle had called me into his office. "Miss Flores, you're in Miss Perez's circle, right?" I nodded my head. "Do you know of any reason the paramedics would've seen bruising on her neck?" I got hot and felt sweat start to form on my forehead. She told me not to tell. I'm not under oath, right? I can lie for her.

"Um, not really. Not that I can think of, no". "Are you sure, a lot of other students I've talked to said that they saw her with you last at the carnival". "That is true. I was with a different um, friend, most of the night. She and I met a couple times within the night-" "Did any of the times happen to be when she knocked over a chili pot at the Jacob's chili stand?"

That's when it dawned on her. That's when Nate choked her. When she lost them.

"Um, yes, I was there. But, I, uh, left right after because she had walked off and I lost her". "Did she walk off with anyone?" "Are you some sort of detective? Why are you interrogating me?" "I'm just trying to protect my students. Your friend. I only have a couple more questions". I sighed and he did just that and kept asking.

"Were you the last one with Maddy that night?" "That I'm aware of, yes. I ran into her again and she said she wanted to go home. It had been a long night and she was ready to go to sleep. Now, if that is all-" "Yes Miss Flores, you're good, thank you".

She was relieved and finally left his office. The next thing she knew, she'd seen Nate walk past her with the police behind him. The nice boy she had thought to be, maybe wasn't so nice after all. He looked... defeated. She knew he was bad. Yet, when he looked up at her, he gave her a soft smile. As if he had some sort of innocence. She knew he was guilty, but what did it matter.

••••

"Do you think he did it"? "Elizabeth!" "Hmm? Oh, um, I don't know. Do you think he has that in him? Like, isn't their family really big on their image? You think he would slip up like that?" "Everyone is bound to like, break at one point right?" Cassie asks. "I don't know Cass, we don't really know him right? We only really know what Maddy tells us". "Why are you like, defending him?"

She didn't know. She didn't know if it was due to her thinking a life with him would be easier, or if she was still trying to keep Maddy's secret.

"Um, I don't know. Maybe he did do it" I shrugged.

••••

"Now your friends are getting choked out? You need new friends Daisy!" "Mami!, it's not like that. We don't even know who did it. And isn't the alleged choker Raphe's friend"? "Don't keep dragging me into your fights with mom" Raphe tells me. "No, I will when you're just as much involved as me. You literally play football. I'm friends with the victim and Mom has an issue you're friends with the issue and nothing has been said to you. That's bullshit!" "Watch your mouth Elizabeth!" "Sorry, Mami". "Look, I want what's best for my kids. Is that too much to ask for?" "When you're asking me to stay away from the only friends I'd ever had, yes". I started to walk up to my room. "Daisy!" my mom calls at me. "Just let her go" I hear Mateo tell her as I reach the top of the stairs.

I started to rummage through my drawers for my cart. That's when I remembered I left it at Fez's. Just as I sat on my bed I heard a knock and saw my door open.

"Mija, what's going on? You know your mother is just trying to help you right?" My father says to me as he joins me on my bed. "I don't care. During this 'help'" I started while I did finger quotes, "She's actively trying to take everyone I know away"! "And that's not a bad thing. Maybe the people you know aren't the best people for you in your life." I moved my face as I started to protest. Before I could say anything, my dad kept going. "Maybe they are the best people. You're a very smart girl. Does Mom even know what you want to do after school? Does she know you want to leave? You don't talk to her. Maybe she just misses her Daisy and she's scared." "Then she can tell me! She even has Sofía. A whole other daughter that she babies even though she's fourteen!" "Elizabeth Ximena! I really need you to calm down. Your mother is just looking out for you. I just need you to be respectful and listen to her. Even if you don't agree with her. Stop blowing up." "Fine" I say sharply.

He gets up from my bed and starts to leave. Then he turns back and sighs. "You do remember why we started calling you 'Daisy' right?" "Because I was a happy baby?" "Well yes, and they're your moms favorite flower. One day we were in a market and you started crying in my arms. Your mom was off with Mateo. She came back with flowers and handed you one. It was a Daisy. You instantly stopped crying and started laughing and smiling again. I guess I'm just trying to say your mom could've fixed anything back then. Now, she doesn't know how to get through to you". He finally started to leave again. Just as he was shutting the door he said "To the moon..." Which I responded with "And back".

Everyone knew Elizabeth got along with her dad more than her mom. She started growing away from her mom when she was around ten. The whole "To the moon... and back" thing is only with her and her dad. He had read her a bedtime story when she was little. Someone had said "I love you to the moon and back", that became their version of "I love you" ever since.