Us [18+]

Chapter 6

MADELINE'S POV ⛓️

Hugging the guys goodbye was a part I wasn't looking forward to. I was enjoying the comfort of being around the people I love the most.

I'm probably saying that like they're going to die tomorrow or something, they're not. It's just that reality gets warped sometimes and you can't tell where the time went. It might just be my apprehension talking but that's how it is.

Iris will tell me what's going on even if I have to pry the words out of her mouth. Barely stepping into the house, I grabbed her elbow and led her to my- our bedroom. I don't know why I did that when there's no one else around but I needed to be confined with her.

"Speak."

"What?"

"You heard me, missy. I've not missed how you avoided my gaze all day, or the nervous fidgeting and glancing when you thought I wasn't looking. I'm always looking at you so I picked up on it all. Why are you so nervous? Are you alright?" My voice ranged from annoyance to curiosity to concern.

"Uh... this is harder than I thought it would be." I wanted to hug her, silently tell her that it's okay to take it slow. But if I don't probe her like this, she probably won't tell me.

"I-I uh- I had sex with someone last night." I fought the urge to laugh. She's been nervous about that? We have sex with other people all the time, three and foursomes, even. What exactly is running through that pretty head?

"You know you're allowed to do that, right?" It sounds ridiculous, even to me. "Why are you so nervous about it?"

"I think I like him." I'm sorry, who?

"Who's him?"

"Do you remember seeing another guy at the party? Besides Kayden's boyfriend or whatever?"

"Vaguely. He had a buzz cut, right? He didn't stand out much and I thought he left after an hour?"

"Yes. He didn't leave, we were in my bedroom- having sex." Was he the one that brought cigarettes?

"How do you know you like him after meeting him once?"

"I knew I liked you."

"I was different." The look she gave me after that nearly knocked all the air out of my lungs. She looked like she was... begging me? What for? Oh. What she was truly asking for hit me right in the face and my mouth went dry.

"D- Do you want to explore this feeling? Be exclusive with him for a while?" She looked shocked, appalled even. But, her expression eventually became somber.

"Yes, but only until I figure out how to tell him about us. This doesn't change how much I lo-"

"Alright. I don't mind." A lie.

"Really? Are you sure?" Like I could do anything about how she feels.

"If being with him will make you happy, I'm all for it. Just don't leave out the juicy details." In less than a minute, I'd reverted our relationship from lovers to "best friends".

"Thank you, Maddie. How does this affect us overall?" You're just thinking about that?

"Not much changes." Another lie.

She looked skeptical for a while, but eventually moved forward and gave me a hug. Putting my brave face on, I returned it.

"Last night wasn't my first time of meeting him." It was shocking, but largely mild compared to the turmoil in my head and heart.

"Really?"

"Yes. Remember that one time you were sick and missed class? He was there. I don't know why but he never came back. He was striking and hard to miss. I walked up to..."

I slowly blocked her voice out. Sorry, but listening to the love of my life talk about a potential love interest isn't exactly thrilling.

"Are you listening?"

"Yeah. Uhm, I don't think you need to share this bedroom with me anymore. Since you'll be "exclusive", you can use your bedroom."

"Oh... sure. I could do that."

"Don't be shy about bringing him over, 'kay? I have to call Kayden, I'll see you later, yeah?" I walked out of my bedroom without waiting for a response. I need to get out of here.

I heard the door to my room open and Iris asking me something but my head was roaring and I couldn't register a lot. I walked out the front door, my vision blurry.

Walking towards my car, I saw Sean, my favorite driver asking if he should take me. I managed a weak smile and a shake of my head. Climbing in, driving out the gate and towards Kayden's gym all seemed to happen in seconds.

I connected my phone to the car and called Kayden.

"He-"

"Is the gym open? Is Mikey there?"

"Yes, why?" He seemed... breathless?

"Nothing, I'm headed there. Thanks, bye." I hung up before he could get another word in. Deep breaths, deep breaths, Maddie. You love her- this is for her happiness.

What about mine?

I frantically wiped my face and tried to focus on the road. For a while, I could see everything. My peripheral vision seemed to be clearer. I would have loved to take Julia up on that offer right now, but, Mikey would have to do.

Parking the car, I took another deep breath and tried to calm my heart. I tied my hair up and looked at myself in the mirror. I like it when my hair looks like this. I climbed out, got my gym bag from the backseat and headed towards the front.

I'm probably going to break Mikey's nose today.