Survival

Chapter Five

Madeline POV

I heard something slam down in the bathroom. Is he okay? Not your problem Madeline. He is your brothers guardian, that's it. Walking into Noah's room he was cuddles up on the bed asleep. It was a plain room with a few toys for him. I curl up next to him just holding him why did this happen to us? Sniffling and wiping away my tears. I hear a sigh in the doorway. Turning catching Masons eyes. He pursed his lips and tilted his head my way as if asking if I was okay. I assure him with a nod. Staring back at each other he licked his lips and turns around walking away I touch my lips, remembering the way his lips felt on mine and the undeniable urge to want him to kiss me again.

Waking up from my nap, I notice Noah isn't near me. I frown and get out of bed, stopping at the doorway when I hear familiar voices. I quicken my speed flying down the stairs into the living room. Staring at the group standing in my new house. Sophia, Mia, Emma, Seth, and Greyson... wait Greyson? Shit. Mia ran over and there her arms around me. "Oh my god Mads. Thank god you're okay. We were all so worried when we heard." I hug her right to me smelling her green apple shampoo on her hair. Mia was my closest friend. We do everything together. Sophia and Emma join us in our hug. "How did you guys know where I was?" I pulled away looking at them. Mia smirks. "That hot piece of yumm I was in there called me. Man Mads aren't you lucky." Looking into the kitchen watching as Mason and Noah were up to something.

Greyson cleared his throat and an irritated expression sat on his face. Sophia rolled her eyes at him. "Really Greyson? You broke up with her months ago. No actually you cheated her months ago. You're lucky her ass took you back as a friend." I make eye contact with him. What he did was wrong but they shouldn't invalidate him feelings... "Soph, be nice to him we just, we hit a rough patch, the patch just happened to be named Janelle, but that's besides the point." I give Greyson a small smile and look around the room.

There was a happy birthday banner and some balloons. Oh my god, my birthday was two days ago. "This was all officer hottie in there." I down at Mia. Mason wouldn't do this, he's known me a week. I'm just another responsibility to him.

Greyson grabbed my elbow pulling me away from everyone. "Madeline, when Mia told me what happened, I hated myself so freaking much. I should've been there for you. I made a mistake with Janelle, I messed up so much letting you leave me. I love you Madeline more than you know." I heard a quick inhale, looking behind Greyson stood Mason. He looked uncomfortable, hurt and annoyed. I opened my mouth and closed it multiple times. I'm sure I look like a fish. Mason looks down and walks back into the kitchen. Putting my attention back on Greyson I jumbled out my words, "I... uh.. no." He frowns, "No?" I frown back at him. "Greyson, you cheated on me, you get that right? Now you're trying to get back to me after my family just died? You need to leave." He grabs my hand shaking his head. "What? No! Mads." I yank my hand away and walk to the door and open it. "Greyson, please." He sighs before nodding and leaving.

The girls and Seth were now watching a movie, Noah cuddled with them. They all love him as much as I do. Mia wiggles her eye brows at me and nods me to where Mason retreated to. Walking into the kitchen slowly, playing with my hands. He stopped what I was doing looking at me. " I made Greyson leave." He raised an eyebrow at me. I guess I can continue. "Hw much did you hear?" His jaw clinched before looking down. "Enough." I slowly walk over to him. " I don't love him. Hell, I don't even like him anymore, with Grayson, he cheated on me with the one person who bullied me my entire life." Mason looked more pissed off at this point. "Alright." I frown at him and his tone towards me. "What?" Ge shrugged before putting plates away. "Not my problem. Sucks that happened, but I don't care who you're with." I start blinking my eyes so I don't cry at his sharp tone with me. His face softened a little looking at me. "Madel.." I cut him off raising my hand. " Mason. What the hell was that tone?" He looked taken back at my outburst.

"I-I, we, us, it can't happen." My breath caught. What? Where did this come from? "I don't want 'this' anyways. You kissed me. You got jealous. You're admitting somethings there. You're just some cop that's taken my little brother in and you just happen to be tasked with protecting me." His mouth open slightly before it closed, jaw clinched, and his eyes held rage.

My eyes wi just realizing what I said. I'm so stupid. I open my mouth to apologize but he took the dish towel off his shoulder throwing it on the counter before storming off. Sighing, I felt defeated I've never felt like this before. Grayson never made me feel so happy or mad and this hurts. No matter how many times I try to tell myself, liking him isn't a good idea, it always comes back to the kiss we shared.

I grab the bag of popcorn from the counter and join the girls and Seth in the living room. We had a fun night of laughs and games before we all fall asleep on the floor. We haven't had a sleepover since junior year so this was nice.