You're My Best Friend Until You Weren't (Madlyn AU)

Ray of Sunshine

Summary: Maddox struggles to figure out how she should treat Ashlyn once she realizes that Ashlyn has forgotten about her.

Notes: Here is chapter 3! This is mostly Maddox's POV. I hope you guys would like this.

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Maddox was over the top when she discovered that she and her brother Jet would be moving permanently to good old Salt Lake City. She was so excited to be back to the place that made her feel at home every summer, close to her childhood friends and one extraordinary girl.

What Maddox didn't predict was that one very special girl in her life had completely forgotten her whole existence. She knew that it had been years but she thought that when she walked inside her classroom or even when her name was announced the girl would at least remember something.

But that didn't happen. Instead, she looked at her like she was a stranger and that she never knew anything about her. Not even the name she used to call her.

"Maddie! What was that for?" Jet blurted out as soon as their classes ended and they were heading back to their shared car. "What was what for?" Maddox questioned as she shuffled around her bag, looking for something.

"Shutting Ashlyn off? Ignoring her even Gina and Carlos," Jet clarifies. "I only said what needs to be said, bro bear," Maddox answered. "Come on. You were so excited to see her," Jet reminded her.

"Yeah, I was... and now I feel stupid because clearly she doesn't remember me at all," Maddox pointed out as she ran her hands through her hair. "So what? You could have just told her," Jet muttered.

"Hi, I'm Maddox. I don't know if you remember me but we used to spend some time together when we were kids when you visited Camp Shallow Lake," Jet mimicked. "Yeah, no. Why would I do that? If she doesn't remember me then it doesn't matter," Maddox verbalized, shrugging her shoulders.

"Okay, you're upset. I get it. Still, why did you flip them off? They were kind enough to approach us then all of a sudden you ignored them," Jet questioned. "I don't need to be friends with them, okay? If you want to get along with them. I'm not stopping you but don't pull me with you," Maddox answered as she entered their car.

"You won't be able to avoid them for that long! They are friends with EJ and Nini. And they basically are part of the drama club," Jet pointed out. "Just get inside the car, Jet. And let's not talk about this anymore," Maddox uttered. Jet lightly groaned but followed Maddox inside the car.

"This conversation is not over," Jet remarked as soon as he sat down. "Seems like it's over to me," Maddox retorted, grinning. "Whatever. But let me remind you... You'll just end up hurting yourself, Maddie," Jet muttered.

Maddox sighed for a second before she replied, "I know, bro bear. I know. But it's easier this way." She then started the car and drove back home.

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It's not like Maddox wants to ignore Ashlyn but it would be easier for her to act like she didn't know the girl than push herself to her. Don't get her wrong, Maddox would love for Ashlyn to remember her, remember how they met like how she remembers it but she wouldn't want to force that onto her.

It was before the camp's opening night and 9-year-old Maddox was angrily kicking rocks at the woods. She was upset and sad that Mr. Wood got a call from her mom and said that she and Jet wouldn't be able to come tomorrow because apparently, her brother was sick.

It was her third summer at camp and the first time her family wouldn't be able to attend and a part of her felt lonely... but it was not her brother's fault because she knew even Jet was frustrated that he wouldn't be able to go.