madelinexholt:
“It wasn’t shitty,” Mads shook her head, looking over at Alex with wide apologetic eyes. “It was just… human.” She didn’t blame Alex. She had done it herself. How many people had she walked out on after things got too hard? She had spent so much of her life drifting from place to place, never staying too long to get attached. The second she felt like she might want to settle down for good, she’d skip town. It had been easier that way. It had saved her from having to watch even more of her friends, even more people she loved, get to grow old, have a family, and have a life. Something that she didn’t believe was possible for a girl like her until now. She knew why Alex had done it. It didn’t make Alex a bad person. But, it didn’t change the fact, that just as Alex was a runner, she was scaredy cat. She was so afraid to get heart broken like that again, knowing she wouldn’t be able to put herself back together if she let herself fall.
“Alex-” The name left her lips. She wanted to believe her and a small part of her did and, maybe in a few weeks from now, after they spent time re-getting to know each other, she’d be ready to let the girl completely in. Maybe they’d get together down the line and be better people for it. For what they had gone through. For what they had experienced. Maybe, the two town screw ups could really do it this time. They’d date and figure out if this worked, without the mess. They’d get their lives together and have a family. Maybe. Just Maybe.
“I- I’d like that,” Maddy admitted, nodding her head as she gave the girl a little smile. “How about- how about we start over?” Maddy offered up. “Hi! I’m Maddy, and I think you’re hella cute,” Mads said, taking a step closer to Alex and reaching out to give her hand a little squeeze. “No labels. No commitment. Let’s just- go out? On a real date and see where things go maybe? If it doesn’t work, then straight back to friends. Just friends this time. But, if it does? Then who knows? Then maybe we can try for real this time?” She asked nervously, biting down on her lower lip as she looked up at her with a little smile. She might not have been able to take the fall just yet, but she hoped Alex wouldn’t mind settling for a little leap. “And let’s get one thing straight. I’m always annoyed with you and we’re always fighting from what we’re gonna be to what Dorito flavor is the best but- You will always be my partner in crime, Alex. No matter what this is and no matter what we become to each other. I’m lucky to have you,” Maddy told her, stepping forward and giving Alex a light kiss on the cheek.
Maybe, just maybe they could have been a lot of things. If only they had had enough time. As Maddy pulled back, the hair on the back of her neck stood straight up. She should have caught it earlier. She had been trained to be on guard for this. All of those drills in the back of the yard that her father had made her do when she was young, over and over again, just in case. But, she had been swept up in the moment. For the second time in Maddy’s life, she hadn’t been paying attention and it was about to cost her dearly. “Alex,” Maddy, whispered, pulling herself in front of the girl as she noticed the men zoning in on them. “Run.”
“I think shitty and human can go hand in hand,” Alex replied, with a breathless laugh. Being shitty was something she had been good at for a long time, it felt nice to poke her head out of the hole she dug for herself and commit to something. Even when it was difficult sometimes, she was seeing how committing to things, be it her job or Maddy, was paying off. Her life felt more complete. She laughed at Maddy’s introduction and shook Maddy’s hand, nodding her head to the other blonde.
“Name’s Alex and the pleasure is all mine,” she smirked and did a little shimmy where she stood to add to the sillyness of everything. She settled down at Maddy’s offer, warmth enveloping her heart and she knew she had to play it cool. Fist-pumping the air and exclaiming something in excitement might seem too desperate, but Alex grinned instead. “Dude, that’d be fucking awesome. A date. Something chill, maybe romantic. Who knows, maybe there’s a Doritos tasting bar around these parts.” She said, reaching out and grabbing Maddy’s hand, giving it a little squeeze. “You’re my best friend and I’ve never had one before. Thanks for giving me a second chance.”
Alex blinked in confusion and pulled herself out of her giddy delirium, honing in on her senses and heard heavy footsteps some distance behind her rapidly approached. She turned, brows furrowed as they were a few yards away and they didn’t look friendly. What was going on? Was someone trying to rob them? Alex pulled Maddy’s hand as they started to sprint back in the direction of the event, but suddenly it seemed like they had walked much farther than they realized. One of the men called her name and she could hear their pace quicken to match Maddy and Alex’s. A strong, large hand planted itself on Alex’s shoulder and jerked her back, causing Alex to stumble and let go of Maddy’s hand. She cried out in surprise and twisted around as two of the men took advantage of her slowed pace and went and grabbed her arms.
“Maddy, run!” Alex cried out, not wanting Maddy to be caught in the crossfire. Alex pushed one of the men down before the other wrapped his arms around her waist. She kicked her legs and threw her elbows back, trying to get him to drop her.
