chapter 2

Madison woke up at 5am. She's a girl of her word after all. She sighed and turned off her loud alarm clock, not bearing the constant beep any longer. She turned on the hot water in her bathroom shower and undressed getting ready to start her day. She stepped into the black stone shower, letting the hot water flow down to her head, her chest and back, all the way down to her toes. She quickly and deeply massaged the shampoo into her scalp before washing her hair, she followed suit with the conditioner. She stepped out to comb her hair and quickly stepped back in to wash the conditioner out of her hair. She got her body wash and scrubbed her body until her skin was bright red. Once done with her shower she brushed her hair and blow dryed it before combing it letting it stay in its wavy state. Madison threw on a gray calvin klein t-shirt and white ripped jeans. 

She walked down the stairs straight into the kitchen and began to make her breakfast. As she was eating her waffles, she noticed the house was unusually quiet since she returned yesterday. She walked into her mother's bedroom only to find it empty. Madison checked the bathroom, her little brother's, Matthew, bedroom, and the backyard only to find it empty. She was alone and that was it. Madison tried calling her mother, but she wouldn't answer.

She was alone in the house. She chuckled to herself knowing they'd left her yet again. It was that time of month when they left her alone and didn't come back until days after. She walked downstairs with her keys in hand and drove off to Riley's house thinking about the fact that for once in her high school life she's on time. She decided to stop by at the flower shop near RIley's house for a few white roses for Andrea, Riley's mom. As she arrived at the Evans' residence she looked at herself in the mirror making sure she looked presentable. Madison always did this before seeing them again. She liked to greet them looking better than she usually did, but nobody ever noticed a difference every person met thought she looked like a walking goddess.

She knocked on the door with the perfect amount of force needed. Not too loud, and not too soft. Andrea quickly opened the door and kindly greeted her with an embrace. "My-my Madison you look more gorgeous everytime I see you, come in" Mrs. Evans spoke with her soft, smooth voice. "Thank you Mrs. Evans you look stunning this morning" she complemented back in her raspy voice as she entered the bricked house. She loved it there. She loved how Andrea and Julian are. They were like her second set of parents. They treated her as if she were their own. They weren't anything like Madison's parents. If anything Julian and Andrea were the exact opposite. They're always there when she needs them to be.

"Have you had breakfast this morning sweetie" Andrea asked as she was about to get an extra plate for Madison. "Yes ma'am, I just ate before I got here" Madison responded to Mrs. Evans. Remembering she left the roses in her car, she excused herself for a quick moment stating she forgot something in her car. .

She opened the door to her car and reached in for the bouquet. She got out and that's when she saw him. Noah Andrews staring at her. She walked up to him, "aw you brought me flowers", he questioned placing his hand on his chest. "No stupid I brought them for Riley's mother" she responded quickly shutting his thoughts down. She turned on her heels and walked away returning to the Evans' residence. As she was walking back she suddenly heard the voice she despised so much "you have a nice ass Madison" "you have a girlfriend Andrews shut it" she retorted as she rolled her eyes with a chuckle to herself. Noah always tried flirting with her by making these comments. And although it wasn't appropriate it was a game the two played since freshman year. Back in elementary all to the 8th grade, Noah was sweet, he'd bring Madison candy and flowers as a way to show her he wanted to date her, and although madison knew what he was doing it never worked. She'd tell him she wasn't one to date. After freshman year, the two began two talk to each other the way they do now, simply because Noah liked annoying her to show he was still interested in her without trying too much as he did in the past years. 

She entered the house making her way to the kitchen where Mrs. Evans was and surprised her with the lovely roses. "Oh Madison they're beautiful" Mrs. Evans exclaimed receiving them. She loved roses and anybody could see that, she had a garden full of them.  Just before Madison could respond to Andrea, Riley stood and said they'd better leave before they're late once again, dragging Madison with him out the door and into the car.

They entered the school, as usual all eyes were on Madison as she walked the halls. "I'll see you third" Riley said as he walked into his classroom, she nodded and walked into hers which was right by the student enterance. As soon as she sat down as she expected she heard it. "Is the Madison Monroy early to class" Ms. Miller said with fake shock to annoy Madison. Madison showed a tight smile and rolled her eyes. She said she'd give the dean a week off from seeing her so she'd stick to it. Just a week, just a week, just a week. Madison repeated in her head. 

Seconds later there he was, Noah Andrews. He entered the cold classroom and sat down next to Madison. He mentally smiled knowing that he's sitting next to her. He always liked her, well her way of being, he admired her, the her that she showcased. He liked that Madison always had something to say back, how care free she is, and her voice and how soft it was but how raspy it could be, he liked that she was Madison Monroy, not MADISON MONROY. 

"So I was wondering if I could maybe, probably go to your house so we can um finish the project if that's cool with you" Noah asked. "Yeah no, meet me at starbucks and we'll do it there" Madison replied. It's not that she didn't want him at her house, it's that she didn't want him at her house, she didn't want him to be there when the fights between her parents started if they came back home. She didn't need anybody especially Noah Andrews at her house listening to all her parent drama. "Already want a date with me huh Monroy" Noah said with a smirked plastered on his face. "Sure bitch, you're the one that wants me in bed already Mr. 'I was wondering if I could go to your house' don't play with me Andrews we both know it's you that wants me so badly" Madison retorted. "Whatever Maddie" he replied with an eyeroll. "Maddie huh" she quirked an eyebrow. "Just shut up" Noah responded with a small laugh and that's what she did. For the remainder of the period they both sat in silence doing work for the class. Well at least she did, Noah sat in his seat admiring the girl right next to him. 

Soon it was lunchtime and Madison sat on the hood of her car waiting for Riley. Usually Riley walked with her to her car, but not this time.  Annoyed from waiting and wind blowing into her face, Madison got in her car. She noticed Riley walking out of the school side by side with no one other than the golden boy himself. The two seemed to be having a great conversation seeing as Noah was making Riley laugh. They walked towards Madison's car as they kept their conversation going, when they finally reached the car Noah opened the passenger door for Riley allowing him to enter the vehicle. After Riley got in, Noah jogged to Madison's window and knocked on it. "How may I help you dickface" she questioned with a smile making him chuckle.  "I was wondering if we're still on after school" he asked hoping she hasn't changed her mind. She chuckled back at him and nodded her head, satisfied with her answer, Noah tapped the car and backed off from it allowing her to drive away leaving him standing in place watching her leave. 

"So what were you and Andrews talking about" she questioned. She was curious, Riley and Noah never had a conversation before, it was new. Riley hated socializing and he'd always get nervous around Noah. "Nothing really, he mostly asked about you Mads" he responded honestly. It was true, Noah had asked him a few basic questions just to know a little bit about Madison before they got together after school. They sat there singing thinking bout you by Ariana Grande. ¨But at least I have the meemmooryyyyyy¨ Madison sang as they arrived at their destination while Riley admired her vocals. ¨You know I love when you sing her songs, you sing really good, I don't know why you don't pursue it¨ Riley stated in honest admiration for the girls singing.

 After ordering their subs, the two talked about their day and laughed about some events. "It's true" Madison laughed "she rolled down and took the dog with her, until she threw him mid roll, you'd think she'd hold onto it for dear life but nope" she continued. "How the hell do you throw a dog mid roll" Riley asked in between his laugh. "I honestly don't know, but yeah that shit is idk, I died when I saw it yesterday" Madison responded. "So you and Noah?" Riley questioned as he raised an eyebrow. "What's there to say about him" "You know he's interested in you Mads, he always has been" "it wouldn't be fair to him or anybody if I dated them while not being happy enough for them Riles, he doesn't deserve that" "But he tries Mads" Riley made a point. "Let's just move on from this alright" the girl in front of him stated not wanting to think about dating anybody until she felt like she could.