The Truth In My Lies

14

     MADISON

     SOMEONE knocking on Kaiden's door is what wakes me up in the morning. Whoever it is doesn't even bother being subtle. They're literally banging on the door. I immediately spring out of the bed and open the door, not remembering the fact that I slept in my makeup and my hair is for sure all over the place.

"Well, good morning to you, too." Kaiden smirks. In typical Kaiden style, he's only wearing his boxers.

"Yeah, not really." I grumble and walk back over to the bed. The clock on his nightstand says it's only eight in the morning. "Why did you wake me up this early?"

"Because I figured you didn't want to have a run-in with Andrew," He grabs some clothes out of his closet. "I'm going to take a quick shower and then we can grab some breakfast."

I rub my eyes. There's still some mascara on my eyelashes that didn't come up in my sleep and my eyes burn. I'd love to wash my face and brush my teeth. I feel nasty.

"You can just take me back to my dorm. I don't want to go anywhere looking like this." I gesture at my appearance.

Kaiden rolls his eyes and opens the door to the bathroom. "You look fine, but there's some pop-tarts on the counter if you'd rather have those."

I wait until I hear the shower start running before I finally go and grab a pop-tart. I didn't want Andrew to hear me in the kitchen.

Unfortunately, my plan fails. As soon as I grab one of the pop-tarts and try to dart back into Kaiden's room, Andrew's door opens, and he freezes when he sees me. I know what he must be thinking. I'm wearing Kaiden's clothes and I obviously slept in his bedroom.

"Madison," He clears his throat and tries to shake off the shock. "What are you doing here?"

I contemplate explaining that I didn't sleep with Kaiden because I know that's what he's assuming, but I just shrug and wave my pop-tart in the air. "Getting a snack."

"I can see that. I mean – did you and Kaiden – did you stay with him?" He struggles to find the right words to say.

"Yeah, he let me stay in his room." I leave out the fact that Kaiden slept on the couch.

He nods his head, like he's trying to comprehend what I just said, then he lets out a deep sigh. "Look, I've been meaning to call you. I just don't know what to say."

"I think you made it perfectly clear how you felt. There's nothing you need to say." There's a lot I want him to say, but even if he said sorry, I don't know if I could accept his apology. We crossed a line and we can't go back from it.

"I get that you're pissed at me, but please don't sleep with Kaiden to try and get back at me. The only one who will end up getting hurt is you."

His words sting, but I stand my ground.

"I can handle myself, thanks for your concern though." I snap and start to head back to Kaiden's room. I need to get back to my dorm and get ready for my shift.

"Madison, can you just wait a second?" He runs a hand through his hair.

"What do you want, Andrew?" I stop and look at him.

"Okay, it's not you, it's me. I know that's the classic douche line, but it's true, okay? I just don't want a relationship right now and I didn't want anything to come between our friendship."

A bitter laugh slips through my lips. "Didn't want anything to come between our friendship? Well, sleeping with your best friend is obviously going to affect your friendship."