She'll never love me the same

Faded lines

Comment if u need clarification same old same old byeeeee enjoy! (Frl ask if ur confused abt smth cs i don't proof read very well and it's hard to catch my own mistakes 😭😭😭)VOTE AND COMMENT 🙏🏾!

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The Next Morning

Madison's POV:

The sunlight streamed through my dorm window, casting a warm glow on the walls. For the first time in months, I woke up feeling... excited. Nervous, too, but mostly excited. My mind immediately jumped to Xolani, how we talked for hours last night like no time had passed.

I grabbed my phone off the nightstand and scrolled to her contact. It was still surreal seeing her name on my screen again. I debated texting her but chickened out, throwing the phone back onto my bed and groaning.

"Don't overthink it, Madison," I muttered to myself.

Xolani POV:

My phone buzzed on the nightstand, the vibration loud against the cheap wooden surface. I grabbed it, half-expecting a notification from one of my "business" contacts.

Instead, it was Madison.

Madison 💙: Hey, what are you up to today?

A small smile tugged at my lips. She texted first.

Me: Not much. Thinking of hitting the gym or something. You?

Her reply came almost instantly.

Madison 💙: Wanna grab lunch?

Lunch with Madison? My chest tightened a little at the thought. It was like the universe was giving me another shot to fix what I messed up.

Me: Sure. Where?

Madison 💙: There's this spot by the quad that's supposed to have good food.

Me: Bet. Noon?

Madison 💙: Alr . See you

I tossed my phone onto the bed and stared at the ceiling for a moment. She had no idea how much that simple invite meant to me.

Madison's POV:

I spent the morning meticulously picking out an outfit, which was ridiculous because this wasn't a date. It was just lunch. But still, I wanted to look nice effortless but put-together.

By the time noon rolled around, I was a bundle of nerves. I got to the café a little early and snagged a table outside, the sun warming my skin as I sipped on a lemonade and waited.

And then I saw her.

Xolani walked toward me, her locs tied back and her confidence radiating even in her casual black hoodie and sweatpants. She spotted me, her lips curving into a small smile as she slid into the seat across from me.

"You're early," she teased, pulling her hoodie sleeves up to her elbows.

"And you're late," I shot back with a grin.

"Fair enough," she said, laughing softly.

We fell into easy conversation, the kind that made the rest of the world fade away. She told me about her music production classes and how she'd spent her summer working odd jobs to save up. I told her about my psychology classes and how I was trying to adjust to college life.

But there was still so much unsaid, lingering just beneath the surface.

Xolani's POV:

Being with Madison felt like slipping into a familiar song you'd forgotten you loved. But the guilt was there too heavy and ever-present.

She didn't know how hard it had been for me to get here. She didn't know about the nights I'd spent barely sleeping, barely eating, just to keep my head above water. And she definitely didn't know what I had to do to save up for this fresh start.

"I'm glad you texted me," Madison said suddenly, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I looked up at her, the sincerity in her eyes making my throat tighten.

"I didn't want to lose you again," I admitted, my voice quieter than I intended.

Her expression softened, and for a moment, I thought she might reach across the table and take my hand.

"You won't," she said firmly.

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Later That Evening...

Madison's POV:

I should've been studying, but my thoughts were a tangled mess. Spending time with Xolani had been amazing, but there was something she wasn't telling me. I could feel it.

A knock on my door pulled me from my thoughts.

"Who is it?"

"It's me!" my roommate, Tia, called out.

I opened the door to find her grinning like she'd just won the lottery.

"Guess who's throwing a party tonight?" she asked.

"Let me guess... you want me to come?"

"Obviously! Everyone's gonna be there, Mads. Come on, you need to have fun!"

I hesitated. I wasn't really in the mood for a party, but then I thought of Xolani. What if she went?

"Fine," I said, grabbing my jacket.

Xolani POV:

The party was already packed by the time I arrived. Music blasted from the speakers, and the air was thick with a mix of sweat, perfume, and alcohol.

I wasn't really a party person, but one of my teammates had insisted I come. I was leaning against the wall, sipping on a soda, when I saw her.

Madison.

She was across the room, laughing at something her friend said, her whole face lighting up in a way that made my chest ache.

She hadn't seen me yet, and part of me wanted to keep it that way. But another part of me, a bigger part wanted to go to her.

Before I could decide, her eyes met mine.

Her smile faltered for a split second before it returned, softer this time. She excused herself from her group and started walking toward me.

"Hey," she said, her voice barely audible over the music.

"Hey," I replied, my heart pounding.

"I didn't know you were coming."

"Same," I said, shrugging. "Didn't think this was your scene."

"It's not," she admitted, smiling a little. "But I'm glad you're here."

Me too, I thought, but I couldn't bring myself to say it out loud. Instead, I just smiled back, hoping she could see everything I couldn't say in my eyes.

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Thoughts?

🎀 I might post another chapter