"So let's toast to being such good friends, to being happy and to making sure that we never grow distant," Annie raised her grass.
"Cheers," Matt said raising his glass. Ollie smiled and did the same. Maddie was reluctant at first, but she raised her glass and clinked her glass against theirs.
"You know what, I have to agree, this is the most tasty apple juice I've ever had," Annie said.
"I know right?" Maddie replied, she smiled. "I am so glad you finally admit it," she giggled.
"I can get used to this. Having guests I actually like come over," Ollie smiled.
"I promise you, Ollie, whenever we can come over, we will," Annie smiled.
"Yes, dude, any time we can come over, we will, because we are good friends and we should never grow distant," Matt smiled.
"Well, now that I know how to convey, I will just convey over here, give you a fright in bed and disappear so you think the castle is hunted," Maddie said.
Ollie laughed, that definitely sounded like something she would do, "Well, you can do that, but I won't ever think there are ghosts in the castle. We got rid of them back when I was ten.".
"Wait, there are actually ghosts?" Maddie gasped.
"Well yes, ghosts exist, mostly they are spirits with unfinished business or have been killed unlawfully, so they do exist, however you can get rid of them," Ollie said.
"There is so much lore you are yet to tell us, blondie!" Maddie said.
"I'm sorry, it's a lot to say, you can't tell it all in one day," Ollie shrugged.
"That is so cool, how do you get rid of ghosts?" Matt asked.
"Well, it's a long, lengthy, complicated process, and it's going to take quite a long time to explain," Ollie said.
"Well, we have time, so come on, Ollie, tell us," Annie smiled.
"Tell us! Tell us!" Maddie demanded.
"Yes, tell us dude, we have time," Annie said.
"Alright, alright, so it all starts with...".
...
Hours passed and they all had not noticed it was already dark outside. They were all just having too much fun talking to each other, sharing stories.
Even though Maddie did not want to admit it, she was enjoying being here. She enjoyed the library, she enjoyed being with the people she loved most in the world, but that did not include, Ollie, she simply could tolerate him, but she did not love him.
Annie, Maddie, Matt and Ollie finally left the library for the first time in the entire day. They had dinner, said goodnight and left to their respective bedrooms.
"I am so tired," Maddie groaned, falling on her bed.
"Why are you tired? It's not like you did anything strenuous today," Annie laughed.
"Hey sitting down is doing something, and it is very, very strenuous," Maddie replied.
Annie laughed and shook her head, "Only you would think that.".
"Of course, and that is why there is only one Maddie," Maddie said proudly.
"Yeah, right," Annie said as she brushed her teeth.
"You know, I had a great time today," Annie said while brushing her teeth.
"I can't hear you, spit out first," Maddie said, her words came out muffled.
"I said, I had a great time today as always. It's so nice for us to spend our final day here telling stories, and laughing," Annie said after she had spit out into the sink.
"I am not going to agree with that a hundred percent, but I will admit that it was nice," Maddie shrugged.
"I am actually so sad, I don't want to leave, this place is starting to feel like my third home," Annie smiled.
"Third home?".
"Yes, third home. My home back in Sunset Village is my first home. The palace is my second home, and this one is my third home," Annie smiled.
"Ahh, I see, that makes sense. Well, I have to admit that the castle's aesthetic is very pleasing to the eye. It is very beautiful, I consider it my second home," Maddie said.
"Your second home?" Annie asked and she nodded. "Why your second home? Not your third?".
"My first house wasn't even a home, it was just that, a house and nothing more," Maddie shrugged. "So, my first home would be the palace, and the second would be here, but don't tell the blondie I ever said that, he will never let me hear the end of it.".
Annie laughed, "I can't promise you that, it's rare before you say something so sweet and he would appreciate.".
"If you tell him, I will be angry with you, and I won't speak to you for three weeks," Maddie said.
"You can't be serious about that.".
"I am very serious, so very serious," Maddie said seriously.
"You are not serious, but you have nothing to worry about, I'm not like you. I won't tell him, or at least not deliberately. Now, if it comes out unexpectedly, I will not be held accountable," Annie shrugged.
"How reassuring. What are you still doing in the bathroom?!" Maddie shouted. All this while, Annie had been in the bathroom, and she had expected her to come out by now.
Annie laughed, she had been waiting for Maddie to notice. "I am about to wash my hair.".
"Why are you washing your hair tonight?" Maddie frowned.
"Well because I can, and also I have a feeling that once we return to the castle, there will be no time for me to do it when I want to," Annie laughed.
"Your are being really weird right now, but it's okay," Maddie said. She heard Annie laughing again. Wow, she was really happy with what they had done today. Of course she was, she was a bookworm and being in a library as enchanting as the blondie's was probably a dream come true.
"So, do you want me to come help you wash your hair?" Maddie asked.
"No, thank you, I got it," Annie smiled.
"Alright then," Maddie said. She looked at the celling, she was bored. Apart from that, she could not help but think about how much she would miss this place once they left. It was like another realm of peaceful, and she did not like to admit it, but being here with Annie, Matt and the blondie was like a dream come true.
It felt bittersweet to know that one week had already passed by very quickly and they would be leaving tomorrow. She felt kind of sad, but she would not admit it to anyone. She did not need them capitalizing on her rare emotions. Especially not that blondie.
"Okay, I'm going to wash my hair as well," she got off the bed and walked into the bathroom.
"Why?" Annie laughed as she looked up. She was busy detangling her hair.
"Because I feel bored, and I also think that you are right about not finding time to wash our hair when we return to our normal life, so move over. Wait, you don't even have to move over, the tub is big enough for both of us to wash our hair in," Maddie said.
"Well, you know that you are more than welcome to come and join me," Annie smiled. "So as long as you lend me that sweet honey and peach shampoo you use," she added.
"I knew there would be a catch, I just knew it," Maddie said.
Annie laughed, "Of course, I like that shampoo and you know it, so here, here.".
Maddie scoffed, she snapped her fingers and a bottle of shampoo appeared in her hands. She threw the bottle to Annie who caught it happily as it hovered in the air.
"Thank you," she said. She knelt down by the tub and ran water through it.
"I can't believe you are washing your hair the old school way," Maddie commented.
"What do you mean the old school way?" Annie frowned.
"There is no way I am kneeling down just to wash my hair," Maddie said. She snapped her fingers and sat down on a chair made out of air. Then she snapped her fingers again and the second shower head moved on it's own accord and began to wet her hair.
Instead of the water to fall to the ground, it was caught by an invisible basin.
"Alright, show off, how did you do that?" Annie turned.
"It's all in the wrist," Maddie said proudly.
Annie rolled her eyes at her, "Be serious, how did you do it? You have to teach me that.".
"Just use your levitatis spell to move the showerhead, and relax with the rest," Maddie shrugged.
Annie placed her dripping hair in a towel. She looked at Maddie and tried to mimic the air chair spell.
She managed to do it successfully. Then she sat down and to her surprise did the second spell as well.
"Alright, magic is cool," she said.
"You didn't know that before?" Maddie said as they both laughed.