Thirteen years ago...

I hated wearing dresses. If I wore a dress, I couldn't run, or cartwheel, or try to stand on my hands anytime Liam told me I couldn't walk with my feet in the air. I couldn't of course, but it didn't stop me from trying. Unless I had to wear a stupid dress, and this was one of those times.

Mommy said I had to look nice. It was Liam's eighth birthday, and he was having a big party at his house with balloons of all colors, a magician, and a bouncy house in the backyard. The house smelled of cake and smelly boys who were currently running all through the house, yelling at each other and shooting nerf guns.

I was heading to get some juice, because I was thirsty after eating all that yummy cake shaped as a magician's hat, when a dart flew out and hit me in the butt. Immediately, I reached out and started rubbing my hand over my behind to soothe the sting. I turned my head looking for who shot me, only to see Liam's head peeking out from behind the tan colored couch.

"Liam! I know it was you!"

"Nuh-uh! The magical Liam has disappeared!"

I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at his dumb head bobbing behind the couch.

"I can see you Liam!"

He poked his head out from the side, his eyes sparkling with mischief. A cheesy grin spread across his face as he stood up, gun in hand. He pointed it back at me with his finger on the trigger.

"Don't you do it! I mean it."

"You mean it?"

"Yes!" I huffed.

"Well, since you mean it." He slowly lowered the gun, and I blew out a breath of relief ready to tell him thank you, when he swiftly brought it back up again, shooting me two more times.

I quickly brought my hands up to cover my face as I squealed. "Ow! You're a big meanie head Liam Tucker!"

My mommy always said my full name anytime I was in trouble. Madalynn Nova Reese! she'd yell. And for some reason, it made me more scared. So, I always did the same to Liam whenever he would make me mad. Except I didn't call him James. His daddy called him by his middle name James, and I don't know why, but I knew he didn't like it. And even though he made me mad, he was still kind of my friend.

He walked up to me, tossing his gun on the couch. "Take it back."

I stared him down, unbothered by his words. "Nope." I said, popping the p.

"It's my Birthday."

"Yeah, so?"

"So that means you can't be mean to me on my Birthday. I only turn eight once."

I pushed my lips to the side as I thought about what he said. He was right. I hadn't turned eight yet. I was still seven, but I wouldn't turn seven again, just like he wouldn't turn eight again. Plus, I didn't like anybody being mean to me, especially on my Birthday.

"Okay. I take it back."

He broke out in a toothy grin, reaching out and flicking my nose before running off toward outside.

"Come on Little Dove! Let's bounce!"

I rubbed my nose with my fingers, scowling at his retreating back. The black cape he wore around his neck flapped around as he ran.

Stupid meanie head.

Maybe I took it back to his face, but that sure didn't stop me from thinking it.

I took off, running after him and made my way to the giant red and blue bounce house. He was already inside, jumping up and down with two other boys from school, Connor and Ryan.

I kicked off my flip-flops and started climbing in, when I looked down at my blue-flowered dress. See, that was why I didn't like dresses. Because apparently it wasn't ladylike to bounce in a dress, and I liked to bounce.

So, guess what?

I was gonna.

I hopped in, well more like fell in. The boys were bouncing all over and wouldn't stop so I could climb in properly. Every time I tried to stand up, Connor or Liam would bounce harder right by me.

I knew I liked that Ryan.

I managed to get up on my knees, and just as I was finally getting ready to stand up, Liam gave another hard bounce which made me flop down like a fish.

"Stop bouncing! I'm trying to get up!"

"Okay, we'll stop." Liam laughed and looked at the other boys, causing both to stop bouncing. I looked up to Liam and smiled, thankful for his help. I went to stand up finally when those stupid boys started bouncing again, except that time it was all at once, causing me to hop like a frog before flopping back down.

Laughter broke out around me, and I felt my cheeks heat up in anger.

"Hey! You can see her undies!" Ryan yelled.

Okay, so maybe I don't like Ryan either.

"Hey, they're Barney undies!"

I looked up to see Connor laughing and pointing at my Barney panties that were in full view thanks to my stupid dress riding up. I still liked to watch Barney, but most of my friends made fun of that show, so I never told anyone. My face was burning up, and I could feel a tear rolling down my cheek.

Suddenly, I heard a swoosh noise and then felt a soft blanket cover me. I looked beside me to see Liam had sat down next to me and was tying his cape around my neck. He held out his hand, and I slowly took it as he helped me up.

"Watch closely Maddie. I'm going to make you disappear."

I nodded as he helped me out of the bounce house and walked me back inside. I ran to the bathroom and slammed the door before Liam could come in. He knocked on it, but I ignored him.

"Let me in Maddie."

"No! Go away!"

"Come on, I just want to make sure you're okay."

I wasn't okay. In fact, I was crying and the kind that's gross, snotty crying. I sat by the door, wiping my eyes as I tried to calm down.

"It's all your fault!"

He must have sat down too, because I heard his head bang on the other side of the door right where I was sitting.

"I know. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I was just trying to have fun."

"Yeah, well it wasn't fun for me. Now everyone saw my panties!"

"Not everyone. Just Connor and Ryan."

"Yeah, but they're gonna tell everyone and then everyone will know I still watch Barney and they'll make fun of me." I sniffled.

"No, they won't."

"How do you know?"

"Because I'll punch everyone who does."

I wiped my nose on my sleeve and smiled at picturing Liam punching people.

"Do you mean it?"

I turned my head to the side, waiting for his answer and when it came, I smiled bigger.

"Yeah, I do. Now will you open up the door?"

I stood up and grabbed the handle, opening the door, causing a still sitting Liam to fall backwards. He looked up at me from the floor with wide eyes; a slow grin spread across his face.

"Oops." I smiled sheepishly. He reached out and yanked me down with him, both of us laughing as we laid on the floor. Catching our breaths, we sat up. He looked over at me and smirked.

"Hey guess what?" He asked.

"What?"

"I'm a real magician."

I laughed and shook my head.

"No, you're not Liam. You don't know magic."

"Hey! I made you disappear, didn't I?"

I looked at that boy, his swirly, gold and dark green eyes sparkling, and smiled.

"Yeah, I guess you did."

His wolfish grin made everything better that day. And like promised, the next day at school, he punched Connor right in the cheek. No one brought up my panties again.