Ch. 4
Madelyn stretched as she woke up with a smile on her face. Last night, last night was good, except for the whole Michael thing she thought as she stretched, got out of bed and opened her shades. Not only did she have a good night with Alex the night before but, she dreamt the music. Now that she was up she couldn’t hear or see it anymore, but it had been in her head, it was starting to come back.
Madelyn pulled open her shades forgetting you could see in her room from the balcony across the way (Alex’s and Michael’s balcony to be exact) and turned on some music from her laptop on high.
Alex sat on his balcony with a coffee in his hands. He was thinking about the previous night. Madelyn was a mystery to him and he wanted and needed to hang out with her more to get to know her.
As he thought more about Madelyn he happened to look across his balcony. When the shades opened he had to do a double take. He didn’t know that she lived across from him and that he could literally see into her room… He knew he should look away, but something drew him to her. He watched her walk over to her computer and then he had to laugh. Madelyn was now dancing around her room in a little tank top and her underwear (which were Boston red sox). One thing he had to remember about Madelyn- when getting to know her more, don’t take her out dancing. He continued to watch but only after a few minutes, Madelyn grabbed her stuff and left her room. Alex wasn’t sure what his plans were for the day but he now knew one thing, somehow during the day or night, he was going to hang out with Madelyn.
“So what was up with last night?” Kellie asked as Madelyn came into the kitchen after her shower.
“What do you mean?” Madelyn asked knowing full well what Kellie meant. “I wasn’t in the mood for partying so I went out on a balcony, Alex found me, we talked, and then fell asleep on his bed.” I answered.
“Well thanks for the low down on you and Alex, but I was talking about you and Mike…” Kellie said.
“Let’s just say, I knew him before you and I met, I don’t know him anymore, I guess people change.” Madelyn said as she dug into her bowl of cereal.
“Did you guys have a history?” Kellie asked.
“Yeah, I guess you could say that.” Madelyn answered.
“Are you ok… I mean if you still have feelings…”
“No!” Madelyn nearly yelled. “Sorry for my outburst but no, I have no feelings other than angry towards him now.” Madelyn said. “But if you like him, which I can tell you do, I’m going to try to put those feelings aside and be civil with him. I just want you to be happy Kells. But seriously if he does one thing to hurt you, I swear I will make sure he can’t procreate.” Madelyn threatened.
“Ok, thanks for that.” Kellie said as walked over to Mads and kissed her head. “I’m gonna take a shower.” Kellie said as she left the kitchen.
Madelyn finished her cereal and as she was about to put her bowl and spoon in the dishwasher someone knocked at the door. She quickly dried her hands and made her way over to the door. She opened it without looking who was behind it first.
“Oh, what do you want?” Madelyn asked.
“Hi Maddie! Great to see you! It’s a beautiful day out. Oh thanks for inviting me in.” Michael said as he walked through the door into Kellie and Madelyn’s apartment. Madelyn rolled her eyes but closed the door and followed him into the den. Without saying anything both sat down on the couch waiting for the other one to talk.
“You really don’t like me do you?” Mike finally asked breaking the silence.
“After what you did, can you blame me?” Madelyn asked. Michael didn’t say anything but looked down at his hands.
“Ok, I told Kells this earlier. It’s obvious my best friend is really interested in getting to know you more, so I told her and I’m telling you this now, I will be civil with you. No bringing up the past, no being snarky, and no connections or talk other than being civil, understand?” Madelyn asked. Michael just nodded as Madelyn got up.
“Where are you going?” He asked.
“Kellie should be out of the shower soon, you are more than welcome to wait here until she does. I on the other hand have work.” Madelyn said. She left the room only to go to her room and grab her stuff. Michael didn’t say anything as she passed him on the way out of the apartment.
“I’m sorry.” He said once she had her hand on the doorknob. When she heard him say that she hesitated. She was contemplating what to say. She couldn’t say it’s ok, because as of right now, it wasn’t. She could say me too, but she never did anything wrong… so finally without saying anything, she opened the door and left. She knew it was harsh, but right now, it would have to do.
Alex was wandering around his apartment bored… None of his roommates were there. Jay and Andy were at the studio finishing up on some tracks, Mike was out with Kellie (no surprise there) and Alex had nothing to do. He was thinking about taking a nap, but he wasn’t tired. He couldn’t focus enough to write music… and he couldn’t get Madelyn off his mind. So in his mind there was only one thing to do…
Madelyn sighed as she leaned on the counter at work. For a Saturday it was an unusually slow day at the flouriest and to tell you the truth Madelyn was sort of bored. She looked around the shop hoping for any sign of activity other than the bees buzzing around the flowers, but no such luck. Since she didn’t have anything else to do and Madelyn found it relaxing, she made her way over to the different flowers, phone in hand just in case it were to ring. She quietly walked around the different flowers taking in their different colors and shapes trying to decide what would go together.
She decided since it was a nice late summer day out that she would make her first arrangement with summer colors. She first started with a handful of white Peruvian Lilies. Next she started walking around and collecting Peruvian Lilies of pink, purple, and yellow to add to the mix. Once she had all of her flowers, she picked a vase (really just a bucket with water) to put the arrangement in and started to arrange it. For some reason this really relaxed her. Within ten minutes and finding an arrangement she liked, she had the different colored lilies spread throughout the arrangement. There seemed to be more white lilies than anything else, so she picked out a white ribbon and tied it around the bottom of the bouquet. She admired it once more before nodding and starting on her next project.
She was about to pick up another flower to make a different arrangement when the phone rang. She quickly put the flower down and picked up the phone as she walked back to her desk to write down whatever information the customer wanted.
Alex thought one way to impress a girl and get to her heart is through flowers, so like the gentleman he is, he went to the nearest flouriest to pick out flowers to surprise Madelyn. He walked into the flouriest and just looked around trying to decide what flowers to get for Madelyn.
“Ok sir, not a problem… Five bouquets by this coming Friday, we can do that.” When Alex heard her voice his head popped up, he knew that voice he had to make sure it was her though… Alex quickly looked up from behind the row of flowers he was behind.
“Ok, thank you, see you Friday.” Madelyn said as she hung up the phone. Alex looked quickly and saw her as she hung up the phone… yup definitely Madelyn. Great, he picked the flouriest she worked at to buy her flowers. Ok, I need to leave and quick without being seen or caught, Alex thought. He quickly looked up to see Madelyn walking back to the flowers she was previously looking at.
Without looking at where he was going, Alex quickly backed up getting ready to leave. He was in such a rush though he quickly backed up and before he knew it, he moved too fast, lost his balance and crashed into a bunch of flowers making water, buckets, and flowers go everywhere as he fell back. All hopes of him leaving unnoticed was just busted.
“What the-?” Madelyn asked as she quickly turned around. “Oh goodness! Are you ok?!” Madelyn asked as she raced over to Alex. From running over she quickly slipped on the split water and landed on the ground right next to Alex.
“I’m ok, are you ok?” Alex asked as a huge grin spread across his face. Madelyn couldn’t even answer him because she was laughing so hard, which in turn caused Alex to laugh as well.
Once their laughter subsided both got up, tried to dry off their wet clothes as much as possible and soon cleaned up the flowers, buckets, and water that had gone askew. Surprisingly it only took a half hour although both were a little achy from the fall.
“So what can I do for you dear?” Madelyn asked as the last flower was put back in its bucket.
“Um well, I came here to buy flowers obviously.” Alex said nervously as he rubbed the back of his neck.
“Ok for you? Mom, girlfriend?”
“No, umm I guess a girl I’m trying to impress.” If only Madelyn knew she was the girl, Alex thought.
“Ok, so how much do you want to spend here? Like are you going all out or is this something casual…” Madelyn asked
“It’s something casual. I want something that will brighten her day that will make her happy and feel good.” Alex answered.
“Ok, now I sort of have an idea of where to go with this, but I want you to help me please. I mean this is for a girl you’re trying to impress after all.”
The two walked over to the flowers deciding that they wanted a different colored bouquet. Alex immediately went for the daisies.
“What about these?” He asked.
“Oh, I’ve always loved daisies, they would be perfect since they’re nice and simple, and it wouldn’t imply anything.” She said as she pulled a handful of daisies out.
“Ok, what next?”
“Umm what about yellow roses infused in there somewhere?” Alex asked.
“Sure.” Madelyn said as she picked out four yellow roses and displaced them throughout the bouquet.
“That looks pretty good right?” Alex asked.
“Well it looks good, but maybe just add one more flower?” Madelyn asked.
“You’re the professional…” Alex answered. Madelyn took that as permission to add her flower of choice so she picked out a few purple button poms and added them to the outside of the bouquet.
“There.” She said as she held the bouquet out for Alex to see.
“Beautiful.” He answered.
She quickly brought the flowers to the desk where she added a purple ribbon and wrapped the flowers up for Alex.
“The total comes to $30.” Madelyn said.
“Ok, thank you so much for helping me.” He said as he paid for the flowers and took them in hand.
“Hey Alex?” She asked as he was about to leave.
“Yeah?”
“She’s a lucky girl whoever you’re trying to impress…” Madelyn said.
“Thanks Maddie… so ummm… do you have any plans for tonight?” He asked her.
“Um not that I know of why?”
“Would you like to hang out with me some more? Maybe go get something to eat or coffee? Somewhere we can talk?” Alex asked.
“Pick me up at 4? That’s what time I get off.” Madelyn answered.
“See you then, thanks again.” Alex said as he kissed her cheek and left the flouriest, his flowers in hand.
