The Atlas Of Love

- eight -

"Fine. We can all hang out in my place." I deadpanned when Xander suggested the idea.

We were joined by Nick and Kara right when we reached home.

Mom and dad would still be at the hospital and birdbrain Jae would also probably be outside partying and so the house would probably be free for us to hang out.

I unlocked the door and walked in as the rest of them followed.

My friends visited often and they were used to taking off their shoes before walking in. And I don't know if this bothers other people but I find it extremely uncomfortable when someone doesn't, when they visit.

I wasn't surprised when Madison didn't take off her shoe and just walked right in and just kept the frown to myself.

Xander yanked her back swiftly and asked her to take her shoes off with an amused smile. To say that Madison was just embarrassed would be an understatement.

She apologized for like the hundredth time and even though I kept on telling her that it was fine, she didn't seem to be assured.

They settled down in the living room to watch a movie. Me and Kara walked straight to the kitchen to get snacks.

"How the fuck did they end up heading here together?" Kara asked, taking out the icecream from the fridge.

"I don't know. Change of plans, Xander said." I shrugged.

"Are you sure they're not trying to get on your nerves?" She grabbed my arm hard.

"What? No that's crazy. Why would anyone want to do that?" I dropped the spoons I was holding and turned to glare at her.

"I don't know, sometimes you're cute when you're annoyed--"

"Kara. Shush." I hit her forehead with a spoon.

"Ou-- alright I deserved that." She rubbed her forehead, grabbing some more snacks with her free hand while walking out of the kitchen.

I stood there alone for a while, thinking of ways to avoid all sorts of awkward interactions with Madison.

It's not that we don't get along, or me not liking her from the first glance or anything of that sort. We just don't click. She likes things which I don't and I don't know, we're just too different to fit into the same picture.

Everytime I try to strike up a conversation, she seems to turn me down focusing on her phone alone.

I wonder how Xander puts up with that seeing how he's the type to get annoyed if he doesn't recieve enough attention.

Anyhow, I didn't want to get on her bad side and make Xander upset.

When I reached the living room, the rest of them had already put themselves in the most comfortable positions and they had also put on a movie to watch.

Nick and Kara were cuddled up in the couch on the left, Madison sat far right on the couch in the centre with Xander sitting just below her on the carpet, Dean sat on the other side of the couch, leaving some space for me between him and Madison.

"I got some blankets from your room babe." Kara said, flashing me her million dollar smile.

I nodded and kept the snacks on the table before settling down beside Dean.

I hadn't been focusing on whatever movie was playing until I noticed Dean smirking down at me.

Black Panther.

I'm sure my face was beetroot red by the moment I looked back up at him.

He shook his head, a deep chuckle following soon.

I couldn't stop myself from smiling either, thinking back to that day.

Madison tickled Xander's neck, causing him to flinch in response, the back of his head accidentally hitting her forehead.

The four of us immediately turned to each other, waiting to hear Xander's repeated apologies.

"Shit. Babe, I'm so sorry." He turned to face her, rubbing her forehead.

"No, it's okay babe. It doesn't hurt." Madison giggled, kissing his cheek.

Well I guess she's cool.

Xander immediately calmed down, kissing her lips in return.

The rest of us found this scene rather unamusing. Even Nick and Kara were seen cringing over this. Dean looked like he was about to puke anytime soon.

We all looked away, trying to focus on the movie which was extremely hard to do because for the love of God---

"Can you get a room please? We're trying to watch a movie here for the love of God." Nick beat me to it, sounding like he was close to crying.

The both of them laughed, pulling away.

The rest of the movie went by quickly and Nick and I decided to practice up in my room, while the rest of them decided to watch another movie.

I took out my laptop and Nick took out his guitar.

"Yeah the lyrics are still fucked up and you're welcome to suggest any kind of changes." I said, sitting up on my bed, pulling out the piece of paper from my drawer.

"Holy fuck. Did Xander possess you or something?" Nick laughed, looking down on the handwriting on the paper.

"Uh, no?" I low-key panicked.

"That's Xan's handwriting alright. I've known the man for a while now too." He explained, grinning.

"Pfft. That could be anyone's handwriting."

"Xander's handwriting is one of a kind Jane. Even middle school kids have handwritings better than Xan's."

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Hey y'all. I know, I know. It's not Monday and it's not Thursday either but I feel too guilty for not being able to update in 5.638834 billion years and couldn't make y'all wait for another 73892874 billion years.
Anyway, I'll try to update in time and finish this damn book before summer ends. Love y'all.
- m.