Till death do us part// 13rw (UPDATE)

3

It was a Wednesday. So Maddie gathered flowers, tied up her hair how he liked it, and made her way to the graveyard. She went there every Wednesday, although she had missed last week. She enjoyed visiting Jeff Atkins. Well, more his grave. But she could always feel him near her. Always.

Her and Jeff had been close. Very close. He was like an older brother. His death hurt her deeply. Over a month ago, Jeff died. It was classified as a 'drunk accident', but he wasn't drunk. Maddie knew it. She had made sure of it the moment he told her he was going on a beer-run at Jessica Davis' back-to-school party. 

Maddie laid down the fresh roses, replacing the dead ones, and sat in front of the head stone. Some weeks she would sit in silence and just listen to the noises surrounding her. Other days she would 'catch up' with Jeff. Or she would just break down. The wind was sharp, piercing her skin and blowing her hair, but she didn't care. 

The girl had been there before, of course, but that day felt different. Now, she needed Jeff more than ever. She always went to him when she struggled with anything. And he always helped her, no matter the cause.

Burying my head in a book, I just wanted to be invisible. Over the past few days, the students at Liberty High continued making the 'Hot-or-Not' list the centre of their conversations. Every word taunting those on the list, except the girls who were somehow proud of their new found popularity, like Angie Romero. However for me, my stomach twisted whenever someone looked in my direction, how this list crushed me. To make matters worse, Monty wouldn't shut up about it. He had been relentless. 

That's why I went to the Library. It wasn't my preferred hang out spot, but that's why it was a good place to hide in. I was alone. Apart from the odd tutoring occurring here and there, or those who actually wanted to read.

'What's the matter, Baker? Aren't you feeling special?' That dreadful sound rang in my ears. I wanted him to stop, to leave. I winced as I felt his presence from just in front of me. I couldn't bring myself to look up. He was obsessed. Obsessed with making my life a living hell. I was about to raise my head to take a glance at Monty, but then I heard..

'Just leave her alone, De la Cruz. You are like the only one still talking about that list. Give it a break.'  I quickly looked over to the speakers origin and noticed a boy sitting on a table with Clay Jensen. He had tanned skin and his hair was rather shiny and fluffy. His right ear was pierced and he wore a 'Liberty High' T-shirt. I had seen him around school before, but I hadn't heard of his name. I gave a relieving, soft smile over to the boy. 

Monty's smirk fell. For once, he had nothing to answer back with. Flipping the boy off, he retreated to a corner of the library to torment another poor soul. I gazed over to the table before me, debating whether to thank him or not, but I didn't want to draw any attention to myself. So I just continued reading whatever random book I had picked up from the shelf - 'A Brief History of Time' - and allowed Clay to carry on his tutoring. 

- 

'You're welcome, by the way.' It was that same voice again. I looked behind me to see the boy from earlier. Clay's tutoring session must've finished. 'I know how much of a dick Monty can be, but he does have a heart. Deep, deep, deep down.'  He chuckled. I gave a sympathetic smile as I walked towards my locker, our steps interlinking. 'I'm Jeff Atkins, by the way.' 

'Maddie Baker.' It was nice to have someone talk to me for once without mockery in their voice. Someone who saw me for me. We walked in silence for a while. Not an awkward silence, though. More a soothing silence. 

'Not much of a talker, huh?' Jeff asked, his voice raised a little above the crowds that surrounded us. 'Don't let those jocks bother you. They're pricks.' He leaned against the locker beside mine and our eyes met. His were bright and a little sympathetic. They made me feel warmth inside, warmth I hadn't felt for a while. 

'You're a jock.' I scrunched up my face a little in question. 

'Yes. But I like to think I'm a pretty decent guy, don't you think?' A smile stretched across my face. His was so infectious. 

'I suppose. I haven't known you for that long.' I shrugged. I bottled down my laughter as I closed my locker shut. I looked up at Jeff. He was still staring at me, with those wide eyes of his. He had a smirk on his face. However, it wasn't a dangerous one, like Monty's, but more of a mischievous one. 'I best be going home. It was nice to meet you, Jeff Atkins.' 

Jeff quickly straightened his posture and adjusted his bag on his back. 'I'll walk you out. I can even drive you if you want.' As we continued our walk, I felt a prick of jealousy on my neck. Like someone was watching us from afar. I brushed of the thought, however, and made my way to Jeff's car.

'I'm honoured. You better not crash the car though.' I joked as I sat myself in the front seat of his car. The inside was rather clean for a car that belonged to a teenage boy. It smelt sweetly of cherries mixed with men's cologne. 

'I'm the best driver you'll ever meet.' 

Maddie traced her fingers along the cold, engraved headstone. 'Jeff Atkins, gone but never forgotten' it read. The earth felt damp against her jeans and she shivered as the wind picked up more violently than before. She hadn't planned what she was going to say. She didn't know if she even wanted to say anything. This was just the place she went to when she felt.. hopeless. When she had nowhere else to go. 

'Hannah's gone now.' The girl trembled. 'And I.. I don't know what to do. You were always the one best at coping.' She chuckled. Her heart pained at the thought of saying any more words, but she pushed on. 'You both left me. When I needed you.' Tears started to pour now as she held her cheeks in her hands. Her head faced the floor as she began to crumble. 

A lump formed in her throat as Maddie struggled to get her words. The slight taste of salt landed on her tongue as she inhaled the fresh air around her. Grief overwhelmed her as she carried on. 'I'm not okay.' That was the first time she had admitted those three words. The girl broke down, covering her cries with the palm of her hand. 

A twig snapped in front of her, catching the girls attention. She quietened down and quickly wiped her tears with the sleeve of her sweater. As she rose from the ground, her vision of the figure in front of her grew more clearer; Sheri Holland. 

Her and Maddie had been friends since they had been sat together in Mrs. Bradley's communications class. Ever since, they never left each other alone. Sheri was the person who convinced Maddie to join the cheer squad, who helped Maddie when she had a fight with Monty or her parents. When Hannah had been at Monét's with Jess and Alex, Maddie was always seen with Sheri. 

However, the past month, Sheri began to grow distant. The two weren't running to each other in the halls, or seen giggling in the toilets. It was like they had barely known the other at all. 

The girl's curly hair was tucked back in a ponytail and in her hands, she held a bouquet of flowers. A face of concern was evident in her looks as she stepped closer to Maddie. 

'Oh, hey Sheri.' Maddie sniffed, trying to hide the fact that she was just bawling her eyes out, although she was certain Sheri had witnessed it. 'I was just leaving.' As she was about to hurry past, Sheri extended her free hand and grabbed her wrist. 

'Don't leave, please. I want to talk to you.' Her voice was hoarse. Guilt flashed in her eyes as she begged the girl to stay just a moment longer. 

'Why now?' She snapped. 'Why, after over a month, have you finally decided you want to associate yourself with me again?' Maddie was hurt. Hurt that her best friend had shut her out, so now she was doing the same thing. Sheri struggled to find an answer, so she just said, 

'I miss you. We all do. Me, Jess... Monty.' Sadness struck the poor girl once again. She missed them too. But it was too late to want them back. 

'I'm okay. Really.' She forced a smile on her face. 'I don't need your sympathy. Goodbye, Sheri.'