Reunited: Old Friends

Reunited

Ten years after leaving her best friend, Madison Scott is back in LA, intent on finding Hayden. She walked the streets, dressed in denim shorts and a white crop top, silver sneakers on her feet. She looked around, searching for him. Little did she know, he was running her way. Feeling a hand slam onto her shoulder, she spun, coming face to face with Hayden. Her eyes widened, and she smiled at him.

Hayden POV.

Walking down the street, I notice someone in a white crop top and denim shorts, beginning to run after her. Slamming my hand onto her shoulder, she spins to face me. 'Madison... She's back... Home... Thirteen years since she and her family left after our fifth birthdays...' I thought.

The blindingly bright smile she gave was so unbelievably familiar, I had to shake myself to reality. "Meet my friends?" I ask her.

End Hayden POV.

He asked me to meet his friends. I nod. "Of course. What could've happened in the time I was away?" I joke. The smile doesn't quite meet his eyes, telling me he was hiding something. I look for signals, but see nothing obvious.

Two minutes later his friends are gathered. I see two girls among the guys. My eyes narrow. Just who are these girls, and how are they connected to Hayden? They introduce themselves as Annie and Hayley LeBlanc, singers and actors. I keep close to Hayden's side, not fully trusting them.

Annie POV.

Staring at the newcomer sticking close to Hayden, I wonder who she is. A dark haired beauty, in a white crop top, sky blue shorts with ankle boots, I see his arm snake around her waist. Despite dating him briefly, I wonder if she's the one who really owns his heart. It saddens me slightly, but things didn't work out between us so we split.

End Annie POV.

After everyone had gone home, it was just me and Hayden, sitting there. I move closer to him, staring into his eyes. Without saying anything, I softly kiss him, eyes fluttering shut. He returns the action. Two teens in love reuniting after ten years apart, we take our relationship slow, not wanting to make things obvious.

As time went on, we started revealing our relationship to the world, head over heels for each other. I could tell Annie was saddened by this, since I was the first girl Hayden had ever truly loved, owning his heart. I had organised a meeting with her and explained everything. "Hey." Annie greets, walking over and sitting down. "Annie, I need to tell you something." I speak. She waits. "Eighteen years ago, I met Hayden. Only babies, I didn't know five years would pass before I had to leave him the day after our fifth birthdays. That was the first time we kissed, a meaningless act. Back then, we were children, oblivious to love and the hurt it could bring. Not a day went by where I didn't think of him. As I got older he started fading from my memory. The only thing I had of him was the picture taken two days following our second birthdays. But I was trained in the Red Room as a Black Widow, with many others training alongside me.

I got sent on many missions with Natasha Romanov, the best Black Widow.

When I returned, I knew I had to find him, no matter the cost. When I saw you and Hayley, I realised he must've gone out with you at some point. But you weren't me. It didn't feel the same or right. I'm not trying to hurt you, but loving someone can break you. I know that all too well. Friends?" I ask. She smiles at me, "Friends." She affirms with a hug. Discovering Annie was dating Asher Angel, I wished the two well.

Asher POV.

Sitting there, my arm around Annie, I see Hayden walk through the door, hand in hand with a stunning girl. Slender yet willowy, with perfectly cascading dark curls, wearing a royal blue off the shoulder top, skirt and silver flats. I can't help but stare at her. "Asher, meet Madison Scott, my girlfriend." I blink, my mouth falling open. Annie gently closes it, smiling at the two. Annie and Madison strike up girl talk, leaving me to awkwardly catch up with Hayden.

End Asher POV.

Hearing Annie's plans for the future, I smile. We were so similar. Deciding to have a girls shopping trip, I drag Annie out the next day. We shop for sneakers, heels, flats, sandals, boots, jeans, hoodies, shirts, tops, skirts, shorts, dresses and accessories. After going home, we split the clothes and shoes fairly. I had decided to rent an apartment, allowing Annie to move in with me.
We spent hours on end laughing over funny things both Asher and Hayden had done. After an old friend of Asher's had returned, causing him to break up with Annie, the girl was shattered.

The second guy she'd loved currently dated someone else. It broke her to see him with Heather, but she knew he was better off away from her. Comforting her as she cried, I silently cursed Asher for reducing the beautiful Annie LeBlanc to a sobbing messy wreck. Oh, he had it coming.

A week later.

I had messaged Asher, asking him to meet alone. Arriving at the Starbucks, I sat down to wait. He came in seconds later. Waving him over, my smile drops. "I know you hurt Annie. Don't expect me to forgive you. I won't. Go say you're sorry then make it up to her by ending things with Heather, and make her happy again. I'm not blind to the effect you had on her, Asher. Be by her side, through the highs and lows. She and Hayley just lost their brother. Support her. Be there for them." I warn, eyes flashing, getting up and leaving him sitting there to think.

Five months later.

Seeing a flash of movement from the corner of my eye, I vanish. I know the Grey Ghost is after me, so I slip out of sight. Despite the Grey Ghost hiding their identity behind a mask, I can tell the person is male.

Hayden POV.

Chasing the Silver Shadow, I wonder who she is. My life as HYDRA's best agent, next to the Winter Soldier, is top secret. I know the Shadow's female, but that's it.

End Hayden POV.

Lunging at each other, we tussle for the other's mask. I land on top, getting my hands on the Ghost's mask. Yanking it off, I roll sideways, shocked. 'Hayden? What's going on? Why are you the Grey Ghost?' I wonder, climbing to my feet and bolting. Hayden lies there, allowing me to escape.

Fleeing to the rooftops, I drop to my knees. 'How did this happen? Why is Hayden part of HYDRA?' I wonder, heartbroken. Hearing Hayden far below, calling out in fury, Madison activates her invisibility, dropping down behind him. A sharp blow to the back of his head has her beloved blacking out.  Slinging him over her shoulder, Madison flies off to base, nervous.

Once in her room, Hayden comes to. He blinks groggily, confused. He remembered someone knocking him out then nothing. He looks around, feeling eyes on him but not seeing anyone. The masked Madison drops her invisibility, exposing herself. She sits down next to him, hands slowly reaching to pull the mask off.