the lost soul

Aurora was looking after her little niece for a few days whilst her brother and his wife had some work on in the city, a job she honestly loved to do. She loved children and knew that she would love to be a mum one day. Holding the girl, she walked down the street, looking down slightly as people looked. The brunette knew it was because of Avery, though felt weird to have attention on her after so long. She noticed a familiar face and walked over, the smallest smile on her face. “…Before you a-ask, she’s unfortunately not m-mine..”

“Did I ask if it was yours or not?” Madison asked, before crossing her arms and taking a step away from her and the baby she was holding. “I mean, she’s beautiful and all, but I really don’t care who’s she is.”

Jordan had been looking through one of the newspapers in the coffee shop, their coffee on one side.“Look who made it onto the front cover? You must be proud.”

Madison was standing in line for her coffee, grabbing it and moving towards the table to sit and work through her songbook. She looked up when she heard Jordan, nodding, “Right, I should be proud.”

The rasp that tore past his mouth in place of an exhale felt like sandpaper rubbing over the back of his throat. His hand flew up immediately to cup over his mouth as he coughed into it, each one feeling like claws puncturing his lungs. When he pulled his hand off, his mouth curled up with distaste at the sight of a reddish mucus smeared across his hand like long expired jam, and he quickly reached for a napkin to wipe it clean before wiping over his mouth. The private booth he had asked for was situated towards the back of the restaurant, so his plight fell on deaf ears as he pulled himself together quickly in wait of the person he was dining with, who had just gone to the bathroom minutes before. He had just managed to crush the napkin in his fist and pocket into his loose, green jacket when he heard approaching footsteps and his gaze snapped upward. “I looked at the menu while you were gone,” He mentioned immediately, not actually having done so. “I’m kind of stuck on what to order. I hear the crab salad here is something though…” By heard, he meant that he had read it on Google Reviews. Close enough.

Madison wasn’t sure what this was, wasn’t sure why he was wanting to have a dinner with her. Louis and Madison don’t hang out, they don’t even spend minutes talking to each other, yet here they were sitting at a private booth. “Oh,” she started, looking at him and and biting her bottom lip, “Uh, crab salad doesn’t sound too bad,” she admitted as she sat down. “But I can’t really focus on what to order when I don’t really know what you’re trying to do here, what I’m doing here.”

his lower lip was fastened firmly between his teeth, his chewing opening up old cuts and the slight zing of copper taste filled his mouth. his blue eyes were concentrated on reviewing the last few photos he’d taken on his camera, each one making his heart beat faster. he became aware of a presence on the park bench beside him and quickly switched off his camera. he didn’t want anyone else looking at her. his eyes flit to the person next to him,  but his mouth didn’t move to form a greeting. he wore his silence like a leather jacket. instead, he just openly stared, as though he could surmise their entire background with a look.

Madison was running around, taking her exercise seriously as she pushed herself to get fit, to get that body that she’s always dreamed of having. Sure she didn’t need to please anyone, but she needed to get back out in the world, find someone, find someone who she won’t need to worry about getting attached to. She found a bench and sat down, taking a drink from her water bottle and sighed, nodding to the person who she ended up sitting beside. 

“Obviously not the fanfic. I couldn’t read anymore after like chapter five. It was getting to be too much.” Noah rolled his eyes, something he didn’t do often. Stephanie was worried about what he did and Madison had no business in their relationship. “I’m sorry I’m not perfect?” He shrugged. “I’m sure we all are. Look up your name. It’ll be there.”

Madison bit her lip and raised an eyebrow, “Was it getting so heated? You two having sex on the kitchen counter? What, is Stephanie not up for sex on the kitchen counter?” She asked, smirking and crossing her arms. “Don’t you worry, I’ve read a few about me.”

“Can I hear a snippet of something? I really would like to get a taste of what you’ve got.”  She smiled. Alaska would love to support her music and hearing it would help her do that. “Right. It’s been a while but we should do something when you’re free.”

“Oh.. I mean if you really want to, you can come with me to the studio right now?” She asked, biting her bottom lip, “That way you can hear what I’ve got so much,” she whispered, looking at her and taking a deep breath. “We should, whenever you’re free we can totally meet up.”

alaska: ouch

alaska: well then let's go out together then and have fun

madison: sorry i have too many people muted

Zayn knew that the two of them would more than likely never mend things and now, he was okay with that. It took him months to get here but he knew he couldn’t stay hung up on her when she didn’t want him. He still wanted her in his life, as a friend, but things wouldn’t be the way they were before and he knew that. “Oh, right.” He smiled slightly. “Well, I should be home so drop by anytime.” He chuckled. “That’s true.”

Madison looked down, sniffing a little at the fact that they could have had something but it was all gone to bits. All she wanted was for them to go back to how they were, but she would not be someone whom he wanted to be with it seems. “Okay I guess I’ll drop by later tonight when I’m.. done with the studio and stuff,” she whispered, looking around and then scratching her neck. “Yeah, well, I should let you get back to what you’re doing.”

“If that’s what you want. Personally, I don’t blame you. I don’t particularly like my company either.” she brushed it of with a shrug. “We’re about to watch a bunch of men in wigs and dresses — I think you’re good. Hence why I, the intruder, am asking you what to bring. But whatever, I’ll figure it out.” 

“Yeah sure,” she stated with a shrug, before crossing her arms and then nodding her head. “That’s fine - again as long as you don’t judge me,” she whispered, before biting her bottom lip. “It’s fine whatever I’ve got the wine you can bring more.”

LT: Oh... Sorry Madison it happened a while ago

LT: It's okay you didn't miss out on much. It was just an engagement party for Payton

“Yeah you were. I wasn’t exactly doing anything, then you started talking. Someone else? You know there’s no one like me down here. At least, you should know that by now.”

“I don’t care what you think.” She shrugged, “The way you’re acting makes it seem like you care.”

The blonde shrugged their shoulders, “Just been working really. It’s been super busy as it’s been getting warmer. A lot more elderly people seem to be coming in, drinking bottles of wine. Pleased to be back?”

“I don’t mind, really! I actually enjoy making drinks. Wouldn’t be a bartender otherwise. Although, wine is good for me if it’s alright with you.” Jordan smirked a little at her. 

Persephone understood the struggle. Although Madison didn’t know, she too had lost her baby and knew just how hard it was. Since Wesley now knew, she didn’t know whether or not she should tell her. She was a little surprised though hugged her back, “Well, thanks for the compliment! I enjoy it as well, even though I know exactly what’s going to happen.” She winked, “Well, at the moment he is.”

Madison clapped her hands at the comment about the actor that is Stefan, and shook her head, “Well girl, either get it or hook me up because oh my, my heart is totally in his hands.” She laughed, shaking her head a few times and then smiling at her. “Though Damon is definitely attractive.”