Once upon a time

Chapter 4: The Pain

Madison P.O.V:

I wake to see Alec's brown eyes watching me. "Good Morning." he says in a husky voice that makes my heart race."Morning." I answered,flustered. Alec sits up and we get out of bed. I can't believe I slept in his arms.
We send May off to school. We head to the bookstore.

"Morning Uncle!" Alec greets Mr. Phillips with a smile. Mr. Phillips gives him a bag.
"Morning, this is for you." he says, as Alec opens the bag.
He pulls out some clothes and shoes. "Thanks uncle!" Alec says, pleased.

Alec disappears into the back of the store to change. How is this even possible?
Alec is living and breathing, yet he belongs to a storybook! I can't wrap my head around it!
Alec comes out wearing a pair of jeans and a plain black shirt. His brown hair is all disheveled.

I snap out of it. "I need to go to the supermarket!" I said, flustered as he shoots me a smirk.
Mr. Phillips looks at us with amusement. We leave and head down to the supermarket.
"Is Mr. Phillips, your real uncle?" I asked, trying to make a conversation without embarrassing myself.

"He's my mother's brother's sister's brother." he states.
"So basically he's your uncle?" I asked, unsure. He grins widely.
"Yeah, I'm just messing with you." he says, pleased with himself.

"Oh my god, that guy is so hot." squeals a girl. Alec looks her way and gives her a wink.
What a flirt! "He looks like a prince." another girl giggles. Of course, because he is!
Wait, nobody knows that! They are smarter than I give credit for.

An arm circles around my waist and I'm pulled to Alec's side.
"What are you doing?" I hissed, trying to get out of his grip.
"Do you want to be pestered by my suitors?" he questions, his eyes twinkling.

And I thought he was mature! He keeps his arm around my waist, all the way into the store.
I buy what I need and before I can leave, I hear a loud sound. I turn around to see Alec had accidentally knocked over a pile of apples. He gives me a sheepish look as he starts to pick up the apples.

I roll my eyes. I bend over and help him pick up the apples. "Well, that is embarrassing." Alec says, as we exit the store. "How do you knock over something that right in front of you?" I teased. He flushes and looks down. "I was distracted." is all he says. I dismiss his reply and continue walking home.

Alec P.O.V

A girl of girls suddenly call out Madison's name. "Hey, you worthless bitch." says a girl, with a nasty look in her eye. "I suggest you should rethink your choices." she says, looking at me with a fake sweet smile.
I gritted my teeth. That nerve of the girl.

Before I can even open my mouth, Madison places her hand on my arm. She gives me a pleading look.
"Don't . . . please." is all she says. Her tone is defeated and she offers me a sad smile.
I sighed and we walk away like nothing happened. "Why?" I asked, gently.

The next words that come out of her mouth nearly breaks my heart. "Because they are right. I am worthless."
I turn to face her, determined. "No one is worthless. They know nothing about you!" I protested.
"And you do?" she states, huge unshed tears glistening in her big blue beautiful eyes.

She was right. It was none of my business. "You're right. I'm sorry." I apologised.
She turns to look at me. She surprises me as she kisses my cheek. "I guess I was being a little paranoid. No one's ever done that for me, before." she says, her cheeks slightly flushed.

I beamed, feeling little better. We go back to her house, talking. She has this gleam in her eyes when she mentions her sister, May. She's just . . . I can't ever start to comprehend what she is. Her walls are so tightly wrapped around her. She lets no one in. But I know she's lonely.

The way she looks at mothers with their children. The way she carefully cuts the vegetables. The way she tries to cover up her pain with a smile. "Let's go pick up May." she says as I set the bags onto the kitchen counter. I give her a nod and we're off, again. Just like yesterday.

May gives me a huge smile as she approaches us. "HI!" she squeals as she jumps into the car.
Madison smiles and starts to drive. "Madison? When is Mom coming home?" May asks, quietly.
"I don't know. Do you have some kind of parent's meeting?" replies Madison.

"No. I just hope that she won't be like last time." whispers May.
"She won't." Madison soothes, leaving me to wonder what had happened last time?
We drive home in silence. I watch her, quietly. She flushes as she catches my curious gaze.

She cooks food like yesterday. She brushes her hair behind her ear, patiently. Her look in her eyes are faraway like she isn't really here. We eat dinner. I try to steer away from the subject of her mom. But still, Madison is quiet. She is busy looking out of the window. I listen to May's energetic chatter.

Madison is quiet all though dinner. I help her was the dishes when we finish. But she keeps washing the same plate over and over. I give a tap on her shoulder and she realises. She looks down at the very clean plate, blushing. I chuckled. "I'm going to bed." she states, finishing up.

She goes upstairs with a sigh. After a few minutes, I head up.
I find her sleeping, already. I walk over and squeeze myself in.
I slowly fall asleep hearing her heartbeat.

Madison P.O.V
(Dreaming) I walk towards Mom, shaking with fear. She is furious with me. "Please, Mom." I pleaded.
She narrows her eyes at me and her gaze is so cold. "THIS YOUR FAULT! EVERYTHING! YOU ARE NOT MY DAUGHTER. YOU'RE JUST SOME BITCH THAT KILLED MY HUSBAND." She screamed. She grabbed my hair in her hands and yank it. "Please stop. Please." I cried. She lifts her hand and slaps me hard in the face. "I wish you were never born into this world." she yells.

"Madison!" I hear a voice. I open my eyes to see Alec's worried face.
I gasped and sat up. Tears are blurring my vision.
"I'm sorry." I said, bursting into tears as I ran out of the room.

I run into the bathroom sobbing.
The pain will never leave.
Even when she's not here.