Because of You

Three

The next day came freakishly fast for Asher. He still hadn't quite processed everything. Maddie was just...there. As if he hadn't been gone for years.

Asher always loved Maddie more than anything. Probably even more than a friend if he really thought about it. He never really thought much about it though, but he figured deep down it was always there.

Maddie was still asleep when he woke up. It was around seven am and the only reason he was up so early on a weekend was because he was starting to get withdrawal symptoms. He knew he was going to need more pills soon. Like, very soon.

Maddie was taking him to Robby's that day so he would have a chance to grab his stash. He'd have to hide it though, but he wasn't sure how yet. In his hoodie maybe?

Asher decided his best bet was to get up and try and distract himself in any way possible. He knew that Maddie would be up soon but he didn't know how soon.

He also knew he was hungry and that he was very much in need of food. He didn't eat anything but the noodles Maddie had made, the day before.

He knew Maddie's favorite breakfast food was eggs and cheese with toast so he went into the kitchen to see if he could find the stuff to make it. Maddie had everything that was necessary to make the food.

Asher wasn't the best cook in the world but he also wasn't the worst. He tried to be as quiet as possible while looking for the pans. He finally found the cabinet that held them and he grabbed the medium sized frying one.

His hands were shaky but he managed to crack the four eggs without any issues. He added seasoning too, what he could find at least, and let it cook.

When they were close to being done, Asher stuck two pieces of bread in the toaster and pulled the black lever down. When everything was done he put some on a plate for Maddie and covered it with another plate to keep it warm.

Only a few minutes had passed before Maddie was walking down the stairs and out into the kitchen where Asher was still at. Maddie's expression showed her puzzlement most likely caused from having just woke up.

"What are you doing?" she asked, rubbing her eyes and letting a yawn slip past her lips.

"Making breakfast," Asher responded, handing Maddie her plate.

Maddie eyed it, a small smile of reminiscence creeping on to her face. "You remembered."

"Yeah. I figured it's the least I could do."

Maddie took the fork that Asher handed to her and took a bite of the eggs. Even though he's never really been a morning eater, Asher decided to have some anyway. He did need it.

Once they were finished, Maddie put their plates in the sink. "Okay. I'm going to go change and get ready and then we'll drive to your friend's house. Do you have a key."

That was the one thing Asher never let go of. It was the only thing that could get him his drugs and there was no way he would even dare to lose it.

"Yeah. I uh, I was wondering if maybe once I've got my money if we could stop and get a charger."

"Oh, I have an extra. You should've said something sooner," Maddie told him.

Asher internally smiled. Maddie always was the first to volunteer her own belongings to help someone else. Her parents were practically rich but Maddie always spent most of her allowance and at least half of her birthday money on buying food or clothes for charity's.

One time, she gave about three hundred to her local animal shelter for new toys and other supplies. Her generosity was contagious too. Any time Asher was around her, he always left feeling great. Clearly Maddie hadn't lost that part of her.