Backstage ➳ Madnessa

-7

Madelaine's POV

"Vanessa, you truly are the best best friend ever, thank you" I say, reaching over the table and grabbing her hand as we sat in the restaurant.

"It's nothing Mads, really, you deserved that part more than anyone" She smiled back, stroking my knuckles.

As I was about to about to speak again, we got interrupted by a waiter.

"Mads, I always knew you had a thing for the prettiest ones" The waiter said, making me giggle, Vanessa blushed and looked down.

He leant down to hug me, I hugged him back, not letting go of Vanessa's hand, I felt her hand tense in mine so I pulled out of the hug.

"Sorry, this is Adam, we used to work together, Adam, this is Vanessa my-" Adam cut me off.

"Your girlfriend," He said, "Hi, it's nice to meet you" He extended his arm for her to shake his hand.

"nice to meet you Adam" She giggled, going to take her hand out of mine but I gripped hers tighter, she laughs lightly at me and uses her other hand to shake his.

"Tell me, Adam," She starts, "Do I really look that good on Madelaine?" She asks, pulling a pose, still holding my hand. I giggle and she does too.

"Oh, absolutely girl," He says, looking between us "You two are made for each other I can already tell" He smiles.

"So Mads, how's the acting career going?" He asks me. I smile and look at Vanessa, she smiles softly at me.

"I actually just got cast in a new tv show" I say, looking at Vanessa still.

"We're actually here to celebrate that" Vanessa says to Adam, still looking at me.

"Oh, well, I'll leave you girls to it, Mads keeps in touch" He says, going to walk off. I stand up quickly.

"Wait, Adam I need to talk to you" I say. He turns around and grabs my other hand.

"Okay I just went on my break anyway, Bye Vanessa" He says.

"I'm sorry Nessa, I'll be back in a sec" I say walking over to kiss her cheek, I let go of her hand and walk off with Adam.

Once we're outside the restaurant we sit at a bench.

"Okay girl talk" He says, crossing his legs and waiting patiently for me to speak.

"O-okay, well see there's a person-" I start.

"It's Vanessa, I know" He says, "Sorry continue"

"Well, she's not my girlfriend, we're just best friends but... I think I want her to be my girlfriend, I'm not sure"

"Well I can already tell she likes you for real so I think you just need to figure out what you want" He says, making me furrow my eyebrows.

"Wait, you think she likes me? No she doesn't, we're just friends to her" I say looking into the restaurant where I can see her sitting and picking at her food.

"She does, trust me. You just have to figure out if you really like her or if this is just because you're best friends" He says to me.

"Look, you have my number already so call or text if you need to talk but my break is over so I have to go back in, good luck" He says, walking off.

I look up and see Vanessa with her head in her hand, still playing with her food and looking sad. I get my phone out and text her.

[Mads] didn't your mother ever teach you not to play with your food?

She looks up at the doors and smiles, shaking her head, she's so cute.

[Mads] now you're using your phone at the table...

She looks up again and even though I can't hear her, I can see that she's giggling, it brings a smile to my face and I stand up.

I head back in and walk over to the table, I gather my stuff and pay for the cheque. Vanessa also gathers her things and stands up with me.

"Come on" I say, taking her hand and walking with her.

As we leave the restaurant and the LA air hits our skin, Vanessa starts to shake and shiver. I turn to her, handing her my coat, she smiles and puts it on, taking my hand back in hers as we begin walking home.
                                      • • •
Once we're inside we head over to the couch and fall onto it.

I turn my body so that my legs are laying across Vanessa's lap, she takes her hands and puts them over my legs, holding them protectively.

"So, when-when do you have to leave for, you know, the show?" Vanessa asks, turning her head towards mine.

"Next week"

"Oh" she says, playing with her rings and looking down at the ground.

I take my legs off her lap and sit up, crossing my legs. I grab her hand and stroke her knuckles.

"Hey, what are you sad for, you're coming with me, it'll be 10 months of Vanessa and Madelaine time" I say, trying to boost her confidence about not getting the call yet.

"Mads..." She says, looking up at me with sad eyes, "Mads, I didn't get the part, there isn't going to be 10 months of Vanessa and Madelaine time, there's going to be 10 months of separation and who knows if you'll even remember me by the time hiatus comes around..." Tears fall from her eyes as she struggles to hold them back.

"Vanessa, why didn't you tell me?" I ask, "and I will never forget you"

"Because, you were so h-happy when you got the part and that was all that mattered, I didn't want to ruin your happiness by telling you that I didn't get it" She says as she wipes her tears.

"No, you should've just told me. When did you get the call?" I ask, wiping my own tears.

"The other day at the coffee house" she sniffles.

"Vanessa-" I say, as I go to hug her, she stands up and wipes one last tear.

"Its fine, it doesn't matter, you're going to Vancouver and I'm not, I'm glad you got the part" she says walking off towards the bedroom.

I sit in shock as she leaves, why didn't she just tell me?

After a while I get up and go to the guest bedroom, figuring she may need a little space.

As I try to fall asleep all I can think about is how sad Vanessa was that I got the part and that I was leaving her.

Eventually I fell asleep, hoping the next day would be a better day for the both of us.

A/n: this took way longer to write than I expected I'm sorry this came out so late, what do you think about the chapter? Let me know and I hope you enjoyed it. I had to republish this 😑😬