The Harsh Reality Of Life

New York Can Wait

Tuesday, 12:54 Californian Time

Jessica and Lea drove through a storm, on their way back to the cabin.

"I'm so glad you came with me to drop Maddie off at the airport." Lea sighed in relief. "One, because it would have been too hard to fight the tears and the emotions and all that and also because I wouldn't want to face a storm like this alone." She laughed.

"Well, it was fun to be back in town for a few days." Jessica said. "Oh and I got a call from her a few hours ago. She arrived."

"I wonder how the Big Apple's going to treat her. Jess?"

"Yeah?"

"When are WE going to go wedding shopping for YOU?" Lea exclaimed.

Jessica smirked. "Well. When the time comes. Plus, Nick and I agreed to not rush into things. He wants it to be perfect. I'm just glad everyone's happy about the engagement."

"Yeah well it's your happiness that matters the most." Lea replied.

"I couldn't be happier." She smiled.

The rain tapped viciously on the car, frightening the life out of Lea. The road was slippery and the only thing that lit up the streets were the old street lamps.

"Jessica, can you drive faster? I really hate storms." Lea panicked.

"Don't worry, we'll get there." Jessica assured her.

Only minutes later did Jessica realise how slippery the road was. It was difficult to see through the rain.

"Okay, Jess. I've changed my mind, how about you slow down a little!" She tensed up, shouting.

"I'm trying!" Jessica screamed back.

"Oh my god."

Jessica lost control of the car as it slid thought the storm because of the bad weather. A gasp escaped Lea's lips as the car collided into another, with glass shattering everywhere. Jessica went head first, smashing into the steering wheel, the seat belt biting into her stomach tightly. Flying out of the windshield, Lea hit the cold hard ground.

"Lea?!" Jessica screamed but it wasn't loud enough. She sat in the drivers seat with her eye-lids slowly closing but reached for her phone.

"9...1...1"

On hearing the ring, the phone slipped out of Jessica Evans' hand as she closed her eyes.

"H-Heh...Help..."

The only thing left was the cold midnight breeze, the fast tapping of the rain on Lea's body and the ringing of the phone.

---LINE BREAK---

Friday, New York City

'...Love Dean'

Maddie folded the letter in half, finally putting it back in her bag. It was the 12th time Maddie had read Dean's letter that morning. She sat on her bed in her empty 'new' New York apartment. It was big, at least for her. She'd been in the city for only five days but had already fell in love with it. The busy streets got her excited, the coffee was somehow better and she felt independent and confident. All she was, was a petite brunette with a bunch of boxes that needed to be unpacked. She wanted it to make it seem as 'home-ful' and as comfy as possible. She was going to be spending a lot of time there.

Her first few mornings and evenings of New York consisted of emailing work and getting information on when she had to start, singing and dancing around the apartment, especially to songs like 'Shake It Off' by T Swift, and ordering take-out.

But...there was something that had kept on bugging her day after day. Not one call. Not one text. Not one email. She received nothing from her friends. It made her doubt if they were even happy for her, were they? The only person that Maddie had talked to was Jessica when she finally landed in New York, but that was it. She'd try and call but would never get a reply.

---LINE BREAK---

Maddie's eyes slowly shut as she sat on the couch. She was watching a film but was too tired to watch. Once her eyelids finally closed, her phone rang, waking her up in shock.

"Oh god." She said startled. "Hello?"

The other end of the line was nothing but silent.

"Hello?" She repeated once more. Silence was all that she could hear.

It was then when Maddie heard sniffling and quiet crying through the phone. Her heart starting thumping as the crying became a little louder. It sounded oh so familiar.

"Hello...Maddie?" The shaky voice said from the other end.

"Chloe. wha...what's wrong?" She asked.

Chloe tried to speak but nothing came out of her mouth.

"Chloe,your scaring me..." Maddie said, growing nervous.

"Come home Maddie." She cried forcefully. "Something terrible happened."

Maddie felt tears prickle out her eyes. "What happened Chloe?!"

As soon as Chloe's words came out her mouth, Maddie felt a know grow in her stomach and was at loss for words. Tears streamed down her face and it was as if it was all in slow motion.

"I'll be back in town by tomorrow afternoon, okay Chloe?" She cried. After hanging up, she threw the cellphone to the ground and her hand I front of her mouth. She cried forcefully, loosing control.

---LINE BREAK---

Maddie Foster watched people, all of which that were dressed in black, enter the church but she however hesitated to go in. The sun was shining but it was at no use. It was a sad day. Probably one of the saddest days of her life. She was wondering to go in or not but decided not to. She didn't see anyone familiar, anyone that she knew. Being in town for a week was probably the best thing. Maddie called work before she left New York, saying it was a family emergency.

She finally persuaded herself to go in. Walking in, she stood and stopped at the back of the church, and slowly scanned the room. There were a lot of people. She looked straight ahead at the coffin that laid and a picture of a loved one. Maddie was the one that took that picture not too long ago. Suddenly, her eyes drifted to the two front rows only to find them staring right back her. It was Nick, Chloe, Dean, Chase, Liam and...

It was Lea. Lea sat at the end of the row.

---LINE BREAK---

"I could see how Nick was putting on a brave face." Liam said as he walked down the street with Maddie and into his house.

"Uh, is your mom and dad home?" Maddie asked, sniffling after every sentence.

"No. They're both...out of town." Liam sighed. It was only lunchtime and the service had ended. Not knowing what to do, she decoded to stay with Liam for the rest of the day. Even though it wasn't a good idea.

Liam unbuttoned his top button is his shirt and plopped down into the couch, still silent. He tapped the stop next to him, gesturing Maddie to take a seat.

"Well your house has definitely not changed." She said quietly.

"Yeah." He smiled sadly. "Nothing ever really changes."

He started stroking her hand with his thumb and after a while he faced her. "How was New York?" He smiled.