Her

Lexa POV:

I did not expect that.

Seeing the girl I haven't seen in almost 6 years really caught me off guard. When I lived in the Maryland Foster Home, everyone called Madi 'Madison'. She hated how formal it was. I told her she should nickname herself 'Madi'. That spelling specifically. She agreed.

Now, I know what you're thinking. 'Oh, you just ran away from your best friend, what a bitch.' Yeah, I know. I didn't mean to just things got...complicated.

Anyway, I sent a text when I got home and she sent me a smiley face.

I was still in shock that Madi Jones was in my house. Out of everywhere in the world, she came to Virginia. I'm not sure why I didn't tell her who I was, maybe it was just to avoid that conversation. 'Why did you leave me? I hate you. Blah, blah, blah.'

When I woke up the next morning, everything was the same. Sold stuff, laid on the couch, bored out of my mind. My phone buzzed.

Madi: Hey.

Lexa: hey what's up?

Madi: I was looking for somewhere to get lunch? Know any places?

Lexa: I have a few in mind I can send u them

Madi: Or you could come with me?

I smirked at the text, then more came flooding in.

Madi: Only if you're hungry.

Madi: You don't have to, only if you want to

Lexa: chill girl I'd be happy to go with u

Madi: :)

Lexa: I'll walk to ur place in 10

Madi: Okayy

I got dressed, my ripped jeans, converse, black halter top and a jacket. I walked over to Madi's apartment building. I texted her I was here and she came out wearing a yellow sundress and converse.

"Hi." She smiled.

"Hey." I greeted.

"So, where are we going?" She asked.

"Follow me." I started walking and she walked beside me.

"So, have you always lived here?" Madi asked.

"For a couple years, I used to live somewhere else but I moved here." I explained.

"Oh, cool. Wait, how old are you?" She asked.

"18." I answered.

"Are you in school?" She asked.

"Nope." I shook my head.

"Oh, you already graduated?" She nodded.

"Nope, I dropped out. I'm a teenage drug dealer." I told her.

"Right. I knew that." She laughed it off.

The corner store was a small café. It's called: Richmond Café

I opened the door and Madi walked in and I followed. She looked around in awe. The room had a bright aesthetic, I knew Madi would like it.

"I love it." Madi smiled. Nailed it. We walked to the counter.

"Lexa, wonderful to see you again." Hazel, who owns the café, greeted me. Her gray hair in a ponytail and her glasses on her nose. She reminded me of Mrs. Clause.

"Morning, Hazel. This is Madi, she's new in town." I introduced.

"Hello, sweetheart. I love your dress." Hazel looked at Madi's yellow sunflower dress.

"Oh, thank you." Madi blushed.

"Do you know what you would like?" Hazel asked.

"I'll take a breakfast sandwich and an iced coffee. You?" I looked at Madi.

"Umm...can I please have the blueberry pancakes and an iced coffee too." Madi asked politely.

"Of course. That'll be $11.48." Hazel said.

Madi went to grab her wallet but I waved her off and handed Hazel a $20.

"Let me pay you back." Madi went to grab her wallet again.

"No need. My treat." I told her.

"I have money." Madi continued.

"Think of it as a 'welcome' gift." I smirked. Hazel gave me the change and I put $4 in the tip jar. We took a seat in a booth near the window.

It wasn't too packed but there were some people here.

Madi touched the vase of sunflowers on the display window.

"I take it you like sunflowers." I said.

"How'd you know?" Madi asked, confused. I motioned to her dress. "Oh. Right." She laughed.

It wasn't her dress that gave it away, she loved to draw sunflowers when we lived in the foster home. She always gave me pictures of sunflowers, and I kept them. Yesterday, when I found out it was her, I hid them. At least for the time being.

"Lexa? You okay?" Madi asked.

"Fine, why?" I asked back.

"You look spaced out." She smiled.

"It's nothing. Uh, so are you looking for a job or are you only focused on school?" I asked.

"I'll have to find a job so I don't run out of money." She played with the sunflower.

"Here you are. Blueberry pancakes, a breakfast sandwich and two iced coffees. Enjoy." Hazel put the food on the table.

"Hazel." I called and the woman looked at me. "You were looking for workers, right?"

"Yes, still looking. Why? Would you like a job?" Hazel asked me.

"I don't, but she does." I pointed at Madi.

Madi's cheeks grew red. "Only if you have an opening, I don't want to intrude."

"Nonsense! If you would like to try it out you're more than welcome. I have to take more orders, but talk to me before you leave." Hazel smiled before walking off.

"Wow, uh thank you!" Madi told me.

I smiled. "Welcome, babe." Madi's eyes widened. "It's a term of endearment."

"I knew that." Madi took a bite of her pancake, moaning at the taste. I smirked to myself. Innocent little thing.

We ate and made small conversations.

"Are you engaged?" Madi looked at the ring on my left hand.

"Hell no. These are just rings." I looked at the rings on my hands.

"Right, I knew that, too." Madi sipped her coffee.

"You look nervous." I noticed.

"I feel like I'm embarrassing myself." She put her head in her hands.

"Hey, you're fine. It's cute." I joked.

After we finished eating and Madi talking to Hazel about the job, we walked to her place.

"Thanks for today, I really enjoyed it." Madi said as we got to the building.

"Anytime." I nodded.

"The next time we go out, I'm paying." She told me.

"If that's what you think." I shrugged.

She laughed. "Bye, Lexa."

"Bye, Madi." I said as she walked inside and I walked home.

When I got to the 4th floor I saw 2 men standing at my door.

"Where the hell were you?" Max asked, he's the one who gives me the drugs. Henry, the guy beside him, is his partner.

"I walked to your mom's house, we ate breakfast and had a side of none of your damn business." I said before unlocking my door and the three of us went inside.

"Sometimes I forget you're a kid." Henry said.

"I'm 18, technically an adult." I corrected.

"Right..." Max rolled his eyes, both of them made themselves at home right on my sofa.

"Where's my stuff?" I asked.

"Where's ours?" Henry retorted.

I watched with narrow eyes until Max sighed and opened his bag, pulling out drugs.

I opened a drawer near my TV and handed them a stack of cash. Not to brag but I was probably the best in the business.

"Pleasure doing business with you." Henry said after he counted the money.

I rolled my eyes and escorted them to the front door. Once they were in the hallway Max turned as if he was gonna speak but I shut the door and locked it, not really caring.

My phone buzzed and I looked at it.

Madi: Did you get home okay?

I smiled at my phone. She's adorable. I walked towards my room.

Lexa: yes made it in one piece

Madi: Good. I'll text you tomorrow?

Lexa: sure

Madi: Okay, good night Lexa :)

Lexa: night babe

I looked up at the mirror next to my bed. The smile was still on my face until it dropped in realization.

I can't fall in love with her.

Not again...