training wheels. // evan 'buck' buckley

v. meeting maddie

the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm, golden hue over los angeles, as i finished tidying up the small apartment bobby had lent me. i had spent the afternoon organizing the space, finding comfort in arranging and rearranging my belongings until everything felt just right. the apartment was slowly becoming more than just a temporary place; it was starting to feel like home.

as i stepped back to admire my handiwork, i heard my phone buzzing on the kitchen counter. i picked it up, smiling when i saw buck's name flashing on the screen.

"hey, buck," i answered, leaning against the counter.

"hey, charlie!" buck’s voice was upbeat as always, but there was something else in his tone - excitement, maybe? that was something i hadn't gotten to experience much of from him. "i was thinking… how would you feel about meeting my sister, maddie?"

i blinked in surprise. i'd heard buck talk about his sister before, and from what i gathered, maddie was someone he was extremely protective over, hadn't been back in LA for very long herself, and was incredibly important to him. the idea of meeting her was both thrilling and a little nerve-wracking. i wanted to make a good impression.

"really? that sounds great," i said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the flutter of nerves in my stomach.

"awesome! maddie’s been wanting to meet you ever since i told her about bobby’s niece coming to town. she’s got the afternoon off today, so i thought maybe you two could hang out." he speaks, reminding me that maddie herself was also a bit of a hero, being a 911 dispatcher.

my eyes widened a bit. "wait, you’re not coming with me?"

buck laughed lightly. "nope! i think you two will hit it off better without me there. maddie’s the best, and i promise you’ll love her. i’ve already told her about you, so she’s expecting you. i’ll text you the address."

"okay," i replied, a bit more at ease after hearing the confidence in buck's voice. "sounds like a plan."

"great! you’ll have a blast, i promise. and don’t worry maddie’s the kind of person who makes you feel at home in about five seconds," buck reassured me. "i’ll talk to you later, and let me know how it goes!"

after hanging up, i quickly changed into something more presentable, opting for a simple sundress and a light jacket. as i looked in the mirror, i reminded myself to just be myself - buck wouldn’t have set this up if he didn’t think me and maddie would get along. why did he set this up anyway?

with the address in hand, i made my way to maddie’s house, my nerves quickly turning to excitement. i trusted buck, mostly, and if he thought maddie and i would get along, then i believed it.

maddie’s house was in a quieter part of town, surrounded by tree-lined streets and a few small shops that gave it a cozy, neighborhood feel. as i approached the door, i took a deep breath and knocked, hoping my nerves wouldn’t show too much.

a few moments later, the door opened, and i was greeted by a tall, striking woman with warm eyes and a welcoming smile.

"hi! You must be charlie," maddie said, stepping forward to give me a hug. the gesture was so genuine and immediate that it put me at ease almost instantly.

"hi, maddie," i replied, hugging her back. "it’s so nice to finally meet you. buck’s told me so much about you."

"all good things, i hope," maddie teased, stepping back to let me in.

"of course," i said with a laugh, glancing around the house. maddie’s place was cozy and inviting, with soft lighting and a mix of eclectic furniture that gave it a homey feel. there were pictures on the walls, some of buck and maddie as kids, and others of friends and family. it was the kind of place that immediately made you feel at home.