My Somewhat Forbidden Love

9

I'm really sorry for not updating yesterday. I'll be putting up two chapters today, here's the first. I hope you guys enjoy ~N

I hold the flowers in a tight grasp trying not to let them fall. Jeez 4 dozen??? I've never gotten flowers before. Let alone anything. And the fact he remembered the little things just topped it off.

I reach my house and I struggle to get the key in the door. As soon as I get in my puppy Andy greets me.

"Aw hey buddy. Hungry?" I gently lay the flowers on the kitchen counter and get Andy's snack and pour some in his bowl. I walk back to the cabinet below and grab the biggest vase I could find. I fill it up with water and right when I turn around to get the roses I find my mother walking in through the door.

Oh boy get ready for the questions.

"Hey Maddie how was school?" She says as she places her shoes by the door.

"It was okay, the usual. How was work?" I say standing still with the vase behind me. Her eyes look at the counter and immediately see at the flowers. Fuck.

"Hm. Beautiful flowers Maddie, your favorite too." She says smirking then takes a seat.

"Yeah thanks it was a gift." I blush and walk over with the vase.

"Any idea from who?"

Oh she's definitely pushing it. She knows exactly who. Since she wants to play smart I'll play as well.

"Nope doesn't say. Just walked over to my locker and saw them there with a card. All it said was my name." I do a fake sigh and start arranging these beautiful blossoms into the vase. They looked as if they were glowing.

"Oh well isn't that lovely. Well it is February and valentines is just around the corner so maybe you have a secret admirer." She grins widely and I look up at her.

"Oh please ma as if someone likes me. I'm nothing to like." I finish arranging them and try to walk upstairs.

"Madison, you're beautiful, smart, talented, it's no wonder why that Nathan likes you." She stands up to take her things to her room. I stand there and just shut my eyes. After a deep breath I walk up the stairs and into my room to find my brother Donavin. Oh boy I forgot we needed a talk.

"What's up loser? Still need the code?" I say as I set the flowers in the middle of my dresser.

"Woah Maddie where'd you get those??" He says as he sits up on my bed.

"Nathan sent them. I was just as shocked as you are trust me." I stare at them and take a seat by him.

"Well that's kinda part of what I wanted to talk to you about. Um.. Does he know about you not eating?"

"What do you mean I'm not eating. I eat all the time." My eyes move to the ground.

"Madison. You can't lie to me. I see the way you pick at your food, and if someone's not looking you'll feed it to Andy. And your lunch? Pretzels and water? Really? Maddie when mom packs you lunch it's for you to eat. Not give it away." He looks at me with worried eyes.

"Don it's not that simple. I still believe the things that have been said. I can't get them out of my head. If I feel beautiful even for a second, his voice is in my mind."

"That punk ass hurt you yes I know, that's why I fucked him up. He's gone now. He's been gone for like a year now. I know that he hit you, I know he abused you verbally, And mentally. I know all that. But do you know what else I know?"

I look up at him as a tear falls down my cheek.

"I know that my sister is a beautiful woman. Not just inside but out as well. You have such a kind heart Maddie and it's always taken for granted. You're not ugly either. Makes it way harder for me because I'll beat anyone's ass if they look at you or treat you the wrong way." He says chuckling a little and wipes my tear away.

"Thanks Don, I'm trying I'm really trying to see myself the way I did before I met him. But he did a lot of damage. But I've noticed after I met Nathan.. It's gotten way better. I actually feel happy. And on a good day, I even feel beautiful. I love him a lot. And I'm afraid my so called eating-disorder isn't the thing I'm worried about telling him."

"What's up? Spill it."

"I still gotta tell him my age. I know it can go really bad and he can end up hating me but I can't keep on lying. Everything else is real. The feelings.. Everything. It's just that one thing holding me back."

"Maddie I think you should tell him soon. It's better to get over with. Even if he doesn't accept you, that's his loss because you're amazing, and anybody can see that. You have to forget about your past to move on to your future. If you keep believing all that nonsense it'll drive you mad."

"You're right. I'll talk to him about it this week hopefully. He deserves to know. I'm so fucked up in so many ways. I gotta pick myself up."

"You have me here to help if anything got it?"

"Got it." I wipe away my tear and I hear my stomach grumble.

"You better start eating. If not for me at least for Nathan. He would want you to be healthy." He nudges me a little.

"Fine. I'll start eating more. Thank you for everything Don." I smile a little and he hugs me tight.

"That's what Bros are for."

We go downstairs when dinner is ready and we take our seats. Em talks about her day at school and Don and Ma listen. I pick at my food a little and catch Don looking at me. I sigh and start eating. Damn I haven't had a meal in days. I actually finish my plate and don't feel bad for once...