*2 Weeks Later
Lydia's POV
It's been about two weeks since my conversation with Chandler. He has tried to approach Maddie a couple times but luckily, I have been there every time to stop him. She said she still wasn't really ready. A couple times he has come up and asked if I think she's ready yet and I just say no. I understand that he wants to know why she ran away from him but he needs to stop bothering us before it makes matters worse.
Madison's POV
It's been about two weeks since Lydia spoke to Chandler and explained everything...well almost everything. I still haven't told him why I ran away after the kiss. I wasn't ready. Over the two weeks, Lydia kept asking me if I'm okay or if I'm feeling any better. I really appreciate Lydia taking care of me but it can get a little too much when she constantly asks. I still love her though, she's my best friend.
I arrive at school and meet Lydia at our lockers as usual. "Heya Maddie. How are you feeling today?" She asks sweetly.
"I'm actually feeling a lot better" I say. "Really?" She asks and I nod. "Do you think it's time to tell Chandler?" She asks nervously.
I slowly nod. "I...think it's time" I give her a nervous smile.
"Do you want me to come with you when you talk to him?"
"No...I think it'll be better if we're alone" she nods, showing she understands. "I'll talk to him after English...at lunch" I say before walking into the classroom.
Throughout the lesson I feel Chandler eyes burning holes in the back of my head. I resist the temptation to turn around.
*Skip to the end of the lesson
The bell rings and everybody starts to pack up. I see Chandler quickly exit and a jog after him. Once I'm caught up with him, I slow down a little, hesitantly grab his wrist and spin him around to face me.
I see his eyes widen as he realises it's me. I can tell he's surprised by my presence in front of him.
"C-can we talk?" I say nervously and he nods. I begin walking away with him next to me. We're silent the whole way. I'm sure knows where we're going.
We reach the usual spot and sit down in an awkward silence for a minute.
"I-uh...I know I've kept you waiting for a long time...to-to explain myself" I say, nervously rubbing my hands together. Avoiding eye contact.
"Look at me" he says sternly. I wince but then hesitantly look up, connecting my eyes with his.
"Listen...I know you've had a hard time these past couple of weeks but...it's not nice being left in suspense, wondering if I had done something wrong, or if I hurt you...or what? I got absolutely nothing. I had all sorts of things going through my mind" he explained.
"And you think I didn't?" Tears begin to form in my eyes. "That was the worst panic attack I had ever had, what do you think was going through my mind? I yell.
"I-I don't know" he says quietly.
"I thought I was going to die, I thought I was going crazy, I thought something was wrong with me...I thought I wasn't normal" I emphasise each word. I pause. "I was terrified" I say quietly, tears delicately rolling down my pale face.
He gently wipes them away but I smack his hand out the way "Don't touch me" I clench my teeth.
We both take a deep breath and sigh and there is a awkward silence. "A-after the kiss...I ran away because...b-because I don't do relationships" I say, my voice shaken.
He furrows his eyebrows. "I-I don't understand" he says confused.
I sigh. "I mean...I don't do well in relationships. I'm not good at opening up to people. My-my last boyfriend...I...um...I didn't open up to him and he had enough of it. He..." I gulp. "He had enough of it being one sided a-and he abused me and then left me" I explain, tears forming again.
"That's what I'm scared of Chandler...I'm scared of getting hurt again and I'm scared of hurting other people. So...um...when you k-kissed me...I got scared. Whenever someone makes a move on me, I instantly go into panic mode" I explain.
He looks down. "You opened up to me, Madison" he says quietly. "That's because I had to a-and it was before my anxiety was triggered again but look where that's got me now" I say calmly.
I hear him sigh. "I'm not like you're previously boyfriend, Madison. I won't hurt you" he looks at me. I look up at him. "I can't be certain of that Chandler". He looks hurt
I look down. "Give me a chance. Spend more time with me. I'll make you happy. I'll try my best not to hurt you or trigger your anxiety. Please." He begs. I hesitate at first but then I look into those ocean blue eyes and see hope. Hope for me.
I close my eyes for a split said and nod.
"Thank you" he whispers.
A/N
I said I'd made the chapters longer. I hope this is long enough. I'll try to keep doing them this length. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Let me know what you think.
