Chapter 20: Epilogue: How Does it Feel?

"Shalalalala my oh my. Looks like the boy's too shy, ain't gonna kiss the girl. Shalalalala ain't that sad? It's such a shame, too bad, you're gonna miss the girl. Go on and kiss the girl," Rebel sang under her breath as she brushed Sophie's hair.

"Will you stop singing that stupid song all ready?" Mack asked as she reached for her ringing cell phone. She, Meena, Rebel, and Sophie were all gathered in Sophie's room on a Saturday afternoon. President Martinez had a meeting about some war so Sophie had to be babysat all day. Usually Mack wouldn't want to waste her Saturday babysitting Sophie, but she gave in only so she wouldn't have to be pestered by her overprotective family. "Damn, it's them!"

"Why don't you just answer the phone? You know the only thing they're going to do is keep calling you," Meena said as she put down the magazine she was reading. "They're just worried."

"Worried is when your dog is missing and you want to stay out all night looking for it. What they are is overprotective, smothering bunch of idiots who are trying to control my life!" Mack cried in exasperation. "Reb, can I stay with you for a couple of days?"

"Its fine with me, I'm sure it's fine with my mom too," she responded as she pulled back Sophie's hair and tied it with a scrunchie.

"Avoiding your family isn't going to make things better between you guys," Meena said with a sigh. "You need to talk it out."

"Thank you Dr. Phil, I'll be sure to do that next time I decide to want to kill myself without being physically hurt," Mack said as she rolled her eyes. Rebel, Meena, and Sophie fell silent as they looked at each other before they looked over at her. "Jesus! Guys, it was a joke! Sheesh!"

"Sorry, it's jus that most jokes I hear are funny," Rebel said as she tried to hide a smile. Mack rolled her eyes and threw a pillow at her. She cursed when her phone started ringing again.

"I swear–" Mack started as she checked the ID before opening the phone. "Hey Newt."

Meena, Rebel, and Sophie smiled at each other before inching closer to hear their conversation as Mack held up her middle finger.

"Hey dudette, whatcha doin'?"

"Talking to you. Other than that I'm over at Sophie's babysitting with Reb and Meena."

"Oh…"

"What? Did you want something?"

"Only you," Meena hissed. Mack aimed a kick at her but she backed away, laughing with Rebel.

"Well, I wanted to know if you want to come over and hang out? There's this new guitar riff I wrote and I wanted you to hear it."

"Even if I could leave my babysitting job, which I can't, my mom has me tracked so I'd be in trouble right as I set foot out of the White House." Mack paused and added, "Can you play it for me in school on Monday?"

"Yeah, deefanet…definite…that sounds cool! I'll see you Monday."

"All right, see you then." Mack took the phone away from her ear and was about to press end when Newt's voice came over the phone and said, "Wait." "What?" Mack asked as she brought the phone back to her ear.

"Um…nothing…never mind."

"Ohkayyy, talk to you later."

She hung up and tossed her phone over to the bed as she glared at Meena and said, "Never do that again."

They just burst out laughing as Mack smiled a little bit.

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"Where have you been?" Melanie demanded once Mack closed the door to their home.

"Babysitting Sophie," Mack responded in a 'duh' tone as she dropped her backpack by the door.

"Mackie, you're back! Want to play a game?" Max asked as she ran over to her sister and gave her a hug.

"Not now, Maxie. I'll play later," Mack responded as she patted her on the head.

"You're no fun anymore," Max said with a sigh as she slowly walked out of the room.

"It's hard having fun when your mother has you confined like a jailbird," Mack stated as she glared over at Melanie. She waited for Max to leave the room fully before hissing, "Calling every hour? Why don't you just stick a tracking device on me that will shock me every time I leave the house?"

"I was just making sure that you were safe," Melanie hissed. "Excuse me for caring!"

"Your problem is you care too much! All of you! I hate this family!" Mack shouted as she stomped to her room. She started shoving random clothes into her backpack as Melanie stood in the doorway.

"Where are you going?" She demanded.

"To Rebel's," Mack responded as she shoved past her and started towards the front door.

"No you will not! You will stay here where we can keep an eye on you!"

"No I won't!"

Mack raced towards the door and pulled it open. She slammed it shut behind herself and quickly ran off before her mother could come after her. She started to walk to Rebel's place but thought better of it and left the White House all together. She walked down the street, not knowing where her feet were taking her, but just went along with it to get away. The next thing she knew she was knocking on a door and Newt appeared in the doorway.

"Mack?" He asked in concern as he peered at her.

"Is it all right if I stay here for a couple of days?" She asked as she let out a wary sigh.

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A/N: And that's the end of this story! I'm working on the first chapter of the sequel right now, so that should be up sometime today. Don't forget to review!