CURIOUS ( MADELAINE PETSCH ) ✓

SEVEN

SEVEN | RECONNECTING FRIENDS?

REAL LIFE

ZEE WAS TEN MINUTES LATE AND MADELAINE SAT OUTSIDE THE CAFE, FIDDLING WITH HER HANDS UNDER THE SEE THROUGH TABLE, SPINNING HER RINGS AROUND ON HER PALE, SLIM FINGERS. Madelaine was nervous to say the least, she hadn't seen or spoke to Zee in over a year and she was certain it would be awkward when the brunette finally turned up. If the brunette ever turned up. Madelaine was starting to think she wasn't going to, she wouldn't be entirely surprised, she felt shitty about what had happened with Zee and she understood if she hated her. But deep down Madelaine knew Zee could never hate her. After a few more minutes of uncomfortable solitude, Madelaine began to ponder whether she should just leave when she saw the tall girl stride towards her. She wore a pair of straight navy trousers and a baggy off the shoulder white top, the bottom tied just below her belly button, resting against her warm, smooth, dark skin. The girl  didn't have to wear heels as she was tall enough as it was and instead wore a pair of fashionable sneakers, a small bag hitting her thigh. Even though Madelaine wouldn't admit it, her breath was totally stolen by the beautiful girl and she still couldn't catch it back when Zee sat opposite her, a leg tossed over the other gracefully and casually.

Madelaine shot the girl a kind smile, and Zee returned it with a shaky one as she waited for the ginger to speak. After all it was her that wanted to meet up. Madelaine cleared her throat and fumbled with her hands again, but Zee didn't notice as she stared at a spot far away above Madelaine's head as she tried to avoid her eyes. Zee was half convinced after this interaction the pair wouldn't talk again for another year and Zee didn't want to risk getting attached again if that would happen.

"I didn't think you'd come" Madelaine awkwardly chuckled, her voice and hands shaking.

Usually Zee would scoff as the whole situation between the pair wasn't the best, but when she saw how nervous the girl was her hard exterior melted as she remembered how much she cared for her. So instead she just asked her if she'd already ordered, and the ginger silently thanked her, both of them relaxing a little.

They waited in silence for their drinks, still unsure what to say to each other but the thick air had dulled a little.

"I heard you're in riverdale" Zee said, the quiet was itching at her goosebumped skin and it was suffocating her until she had to say something even though she didn't know where this conversation would lead.

"Yeah" Madelaine smiled geniuely and nodded, her tight curls bobbing with the movement, "Have you seen it?" She asked, her balmed lips still stretched across her teeth.

Zee shook her head, the only tv shows she made time for was stranger things and the flash, plus she wouldn't watch riverdale in a millions years. Not because she wasn't interested, but the reason for her wariness was staring at her across the table with a lit up face.

"No" She said simply, waiting for Madelaine to elaborate on the show as she rested her soft chin on her palm, her eyes preoccupied by the street opposite. An elderly man was walking his golden dog and it pulled gently on the lead, as the man scrambled behind his free hand rested on his cap. A latina woman walked quickly with her purple pram, her other hand holding a toddler's as they both shone bright smiles. A middle aged man played a guitar beside them, the backdrop of the beach making him seem happier and more romantic as he soothed a rhythm. They all seemed to casual and content, but they had caught Zee's attention. She wondered if they were all happy in their lives, if they were hiding from problems, if their smiles were as fake and ironed on as hers, if they also had the sickly feeling in their stomach.

"I play Cheryl Blossom" Madelaine's sweet voice pulled her from her thoughts as she tore her gaze back to the pale bubbly girl. Her straight white teeth were on show now and shone as she spoke enthusiastically, adding to her previous statement "She's like, kind of a main character, she's bitchy too, I love it"

"From the Archie Comics?" Zee pondered, a thick slick brow furrowing as she leaned forward on her flat palm. Madelaine's face lit up even more, if it was possible, as she was sure Zee was actually paying attention now.

"Yes!" She exclaimed and she remembered how Zee used to read the comics when she was younger.

"The distinct hair colour must have helped" Zee giggled slightly, her coloured full lips now pulling across her own pearly teeth. Cheryl Blossom was Zee's favourite character from the comics, she loved her independence and feminism, she was also pretty certain she was a lesbian too, she hoped they had kept that temperament in the show. Zee heavily identified with that character, she wouldn't admit that to Madelaine but she was wondered if she already knew. And Madelaine did. She'd remembered from that one conversation they had on a summer's evening on the porch of Zee's mother's home, sipping her homemade lemonade.

Madelaine laughed louder at the comment, her eyes crinkling and her long lashes marrying together. The noise made Zee giggle too, and her stomach flip as the waiter rested their glasses in front of the pair. Madelaine had ordered a fresh juice smoothie, the fruity scent filling both their nostrils. Whilst Zee ordered a cool lemonade as it reminded her of her childhood home, loving mother and nostalgic young days. Days were she didn't have a care in the world; days were the pair could talk about anything and everything easily; days were it wasn't awkward and they'd see each other all the time without planning; days were they thought they'd be inseparable forever; days were she could kiss the ginger girl's lips. They didn't bother getting any food as they both knew they wouldn't be there long enough.

They quietly sipped on their beverages, but the atmosphere was clear and calmer now, peaceful almost as if they were out on a regular lunch day. They proceeded with the small talk, further discussions about the show, Zee's new music or anything that didn't need deep conversing, until their glasses held only the remnants of their drinks and a thin layer of melted ice cubes. Only around an hour had passed since Zee sat at the outside table with Madelaine before they decided to part ways (mostly Zee's choice make an excuse that she had a meeting); the tension slightly lighter than it had been when she arrived.

But as Zee walked away from the café to wherever she found herself, down the sparse street, her mind was clouded. A part of her wanted to meet up with Madelaine again and salvage the remaining pieces of whatever they had left. But another half wanted to never see the girl again.