The Atlas Of Love

- eleven -

"Omo!" Xander's mother stood on the hallway, shook and almost dropping the tray she was carrying.

I jumped up to her, getting the tray from her hand and keeping it down safely on the table.

"I'm.. I'm so sorry. I- uh. Was just looking at it and it slipped from-- I don't know how-- I'm so sorry Mrs.Collins!" Madison's eyes were teary and the poor girl was shaking so much.

"It's okay, dear. It happens." Xander's mom gave her a gentle smile while calming herself.

"You kids come this side. I'll clean that up." She gestured for me to take care of Madison.

"Hey, come on." I called her over.

"Jane! I'm so sorry. I didn't think this would happen. I feel so sorry for her and for Xander too. What am I gonna do now?" She whispered, almost on the verge of breaking down.

"Maddy. Chill. It's fine." I patted her back.

Maddy?

Xander walked to us and hugged Madison from the side, trying to calm her down.

I took the time to go and help his mother with the broken pieces.

I winced when I felt the glass dig in to my skin while I attempted to pick it up but knew better than to yell out in pain.

I wiped the blood off with my other hand and threw the pieces into the dustbin before anyone noticed.

Just when I felt that everything was under control and everyone was calm, I walked to Xander's mother in the kitchen.

"Eomma, are you okay?" I asked while cautiously getting closer to her.

She turned to me with a tight-lipped smile on her face. "I'm okay Jane. You should go back and hang out with your friends, I'll make something for you guys."

"No uh, that's okay. You should rest. We just had a lot of snacks from my place."

She nodded at this, turning back around to continue whatever she was doing. I figured that she didn't want to talk about it and that she wanted some time alone so I decided not to push it any further and left quietly.

When I reached the hallway, I heard a gasp and then I saw Madison quickly running back inside.

Maybe she was eavesdropping.

I shrugged it off and walked in to join them back in the living room. Dean and Xander were having an intense staring battle for some reason but Madison was nowhere to be seen.

"Guys? What are you doing?" I deadpanned.

They both turned to look at me, the same kind of intensity still flashing in their eyes. "I don't know." Xander was the first to speak.

"Okay." I raised my hands in defeat and sat down beside Dean.

"I'm so tired." I whispered to him.

"Let's get you home then." He whispered back.

I smiled up at him, snuggling closer.

Xander cleared his throat, making us both jump a little.

"What are you guys talking about? I also wanna know. Don't leave me out of this." Xander asserted.

I rolled my eyes at him. "None of your business Xander Collins."

"How so?" He gasped. "Suddenly I'm not a part of our squad? That's wrong and I'm hurt." He stood up, wiping off his fake tears.

"Grow up Xander." I threw a cushion at his face.

With my excellent aiming skills, the cushion landed right on his forehead, pushing him back.

Dean and I laughed out loud as Xander glared at us.

Madison happened to return from wherever she had been to, a wide smile playing on her face as she tried to grasp the situation.

When we calmed down, Madison asked me if she and I could have some girl-talk. Xander said he should also tag along and listen to whatever she had to say but one glare from me was enough to make him sit his ass back down.

We walked out to their porch and sat down comfortably, watching the sunset.

"Hey, Jane. I know you saw me eavesdropping on you and Xander's mom. I'm sorry I couldn't help it." She sighed.

"That's okay Madison. It's not like we were talking about some top secret, it's fine." I shrugged, smiling at her.

"I can see that you're really close to her." She smiled, sounding almost dejected.

I nodded. "I just hope I'll be half as close to her than you are. I mean, she means the world to Xander and I want to make him happy by getting along with her." She heaved another heavy sigh, this time her, shoulders slumping.

"Oh, Madison. You will. You will get along well her. She's a very nice person." I patted her back.

"Yeah right. I know I left such a bad-first-impression on her. Xander told me about the vase and how much it meant to his mom. I screwed up Jane. I screwed up." Her voice broke.

"It's okay Madison, you didn't." I hugged her from the side, hoping my words would magically make her feel better in some way.

They're both serious about this relationship and if I can do anything to help them, I will.

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Hola amigos.
It feels weird writing this after a delay of 1 month.
Lmao I'm sorry. But my summer break ends in 4 days and I'll update again if I can finish writing whatever I've started. Y'know I love you all. Thank you. :)

- m.