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

Rekindling the Past

Summary: Maddox and Ashlyn finally had their conversation about their childhood together. An old friendship is bound to relight between two people while feelings are rediscovered.

Notes: Here is chapter 10. Everyone had the idea of where this is going after last week's cliffhanger but let's all just assume we didn't know. We also love a good banter and countless teasing from friends.

-----

Maddox wasn't sure if she was hearing her right. If Ashlyn Moon Caswell, her supposed childhood friend, just admitted that she remembered her. It was too good to be true, too unrealistic to happen, but here she was staring straight at her Moony.

"Gadget? Hey, are you still with me?" Ashlyn asked, waving her hand in front of Maddox. Maddox snapped out of her daze but still stared wide open at Ashlyn.

"Y-you remember me?" Maddox said as she was able to get words out of her mouth. Ashlyn nodded at her and admitted, "I do or I guess I was just able to put things into pieces. But I wouldn't figure it out if it weren't for your subtle clues and Nini and Kourtney's comments."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know how to tell you after I didn't remember you the first time you got here," Ashlyn apologized, her head staring at the floor obviously embarrassed.

"Can you say something?" Ashlyn lightly pleaded when Maddox remained still at her place. "I-I don't know what I should say. I thought you'd never remember me," Maddox admitted, playing with her bracelet.

"I guess I could thank my dreams for it too," Ashlyn disclosed, nervously rubbing her forearm. "What do you mean?" Maddox questioned, obviously confused at what Ashlyn was talking about.

"Well, I've been having a dream since junior year started. About a little girl," Ashlyn begins and continues with a grin forming on her face, "Who as I remember is obsessed with chocolate flavor ice cream and has a stuffed animal named JJ."

Maddox stared at her eyes widened as Ashlyn clarified. "Yes, Gadget. I've been dreaming about you. I didn't understand it before but it was the memories I had with you back at camp. I'm sure of it," Ashlyn emphasized.

"Now, my turn. Why didn't you tell me? I know that I don't remember you that time but you could have still told me," Ashlyn reasoned with her.

"I was excited to see you again, trust me I was. But you looked at me like I was a stranger and I just felt so stupid," Maddox admitted, pouting. "And I know we only spend like 3 days at camp and that was 8 years ago but I don't know," Maddox added, pushing her glasses close to her.

"It was memorable," Ashlyn finished for her and Maddox nodded at her in response. Ashlyn though groaned as she continued, "I don't know why I forgot! I mean I have a good memory."

Maddox chuckles in her direction, shrugging her shoulders. "Maybe I'm just not as important as I thought I could be," Maddox uttered and she meant for it to be a joke but I guess her teasing wasn't as convincing as she thought it was because Ashlyn instantly looked at her with a frown.

"You are," Ashlyn argued and continued, "I know you are or else I wouldn't have some dreams about you." "I was just joking," Maddox murmured her voice just above whisper.

-----

They stayed in an awkward silence for a moment before Maddox decided to interject in a very timid way.

"Hey, Moony," Maddox started, earning a hum from Ashlyn as she easily got used to the nickname. "Why didn't you come to camp the next year? I know it was probably a stupid promise but I just thought you would at least visit," Maddox asked.