Madison

Madison looked around at her bedroom,or former bedroom. There are several boxes lined up in place of her bed,vanity,closet now nothing but boxes of all her belongings. She felt a nuge in her stomach as she recall all the memories she had of this place. The good and the bad,bitter sweet. This was the only home she had known after collage. Now shes on her on,alone. She shook her self and muttered " such a drama queen " and continue on tidying up and throwing some items inside the  boxes. She looked up to see Emily on the threshold looking at her with glistening eyes.

"Oh come on! Dont give me that look Emmy! Its not a funeral,Im 30 mins away. Practically your neighbour!" I said with feigned cheerfulness. She sighed and replied

"Oh Maddy,I will visit as much as I can,I promise!"

I nodded and gave her a hug. This must be the tenth time we've said goodbye and hugged like we wont see eachother again. Leo sat in the living room,sipping from a beer bottle, trying to keep from rolling his eyes.

Leo and Emmy met 8 months ago, she worked as a hotel receptionist and he was a freelance computer technician. He showed up after he received a call about their internet connection problem. She said it was an instant connection. The moment he walked in to the lobby with his eggshell glasses and his backpack slung over his shoulders,she knew he was the one and he felt the same. And now they are engaged and moving in together. And I am moving out! Out of their way!

Its funny how some people just wake up one day,go to work and find love and the rest of us look for it everywhere and never find it. Some even spend the remaing of their days either searching for it or losing hope and accepting their fate. May be a dopting a cat or two to fill their home with something...anything. I dont know which category best describes me. Some days I am hopeful that theres someone out there thats made just for me and other days I convience my self that single life isnt as bad as everyone pictured it to be,infact its not bad at all. I cook and bake just for me,I have plenty of time to read,nap, binge watch tv  shows and spend an hour in the bath tub soaking.But deep down I am scared I'm going to end up alone.

                                                                                   Later Leo's friend,Caleb came to help us carry the boxes to the car. Caleb and leo knew eachother since highschool. Leo introduced Caleb and Emma as soon they start dating. He always mentions that he was like a brother to him. Emma likes him too. Hes okay,I guess. But I have a feeling that he doesnt like me much. I feel like when we're hanging out,the four of us,he was tolerating me insted of accepting me. Whenever I am saying something,he keeps shifting uncomfortably. I try to avoid direct interactions with him as much as possible. I once tried to indicate the same thing to Emmy and she said it's all in my head and assured me that he never said anything bad about me to Leo. But I feel like she's lying to protect me and also she get to keep both me and Caleb around.

After all the boxes were stacked in the truck,Caleb insisted on driving while I sat at the passenger seat. Leo and Emmy said they will take a taxi and follow along. It was awkward sitting next to him in silence. I wanted to break the silence by mentioning something,being the people pleaser I am. But decided to keep quiet as I might annoy him even more. The fact that he came all the way here is because he couldn't say no to Leo and Emmy when they told him that it was my moving out day and Leo's moving in day.  After we drop the boxes in my new apartment, they will pick Leo's stuff and drop it at Emmy's.

I remember the day I met Caleb the first time. Emmy suggested the four of us to get to know eachother. It was a great idea,because always being a third wheel at that point was almost unbearable. And Leo and Emmy don't mind PDA. So we arranged to meet at this restaurant that specializes in steak. It was adimly lit cosy place.

I was running late,last one to arrive. I saw them at a corner booth,laughing having a good time. I walked there smiling, anticipating the best time we will all have. Emmy noticed me and stood up.

"Maddy,I want you to meet Caleb,Caleb this is Maddy" she said with clasp hands and broad smile.

"Nice to meet you Caleb! " I smiled and extend my hand. He hesistated,I mean really hesitated before taking my hand and shaking it. I thought ,fist time meeting is expected to be awkward. Emmy sat back at the same booth as Leo. That leaves me to seat at the same booth as Caleb. I sat as far as the booth allows me. I smiled and nodd as Emmy and Leo talked passionately about a topic I dont remember now.I tried to make polite conversation with Caleb but his replies were short and brief. He looked uncomfortable. The next meeting was not better than the first. Im so grateful for Emmy's bright and outgoing personality,she takes the attention off me and occupy the audience with her chatter which cover the awkwardness between me and caleb. I wondered why he didnt like me? I wanted to ask and look for answers but I kept quiet to keep the peace as Caleb was important to Leo,Leo to Emmy,Emmy to me.

Emmy and I became friends sophomore in collage, we hang out together with her other friends from the same  highschool. They were tight. I was lucky to be part of their group. Although sometimes I felt like I was an unimportant addition to the group. My presence didnt bother nor comfort them. I was never dissatisfied though. I was happy to be a part of something. After we graduate,I got a job as an intern accountant. I got the job but no where to live. I told one of my friends about the job offer and she mentioned that Emmy rented an apartment  downtown and is looking for a roommate. I was thrilled by the idea of having an apartment and a roommate. I called Emmy and although I couldnt afford the rent share,she took me in and payed the rent by herself untill my pay came through. We have grown close over the two years we've lived together and shared a lot of memories together. Shes the only friend I have and I hate to lose her over a simple thing as "your fiancé 's bestfriend doesnt like me" its pathetic and can easily be solved by avoidance.

We reached at my new apartment. We haven't said a word except for some directions. The apartment bulding  was shabbier and more affordable  than Emmy's, so it will do. We took some boxes and took the elevator up. I had one box while Caleb has three on top of eachother. He was balancing them as we walk down the  corridor to my apartment. I quickly open the door,drop my box and went to get one of the boxes he carried.

"I got it." He said curtly and I backed up quickly scanning the desserted kitchen. It was an open concept kitchen with an island and three barstools. I kept a checklist of to-dos in my mind. Buy kitchen items and gadgets,some small furnitures,vases and frames from the thrift store.Caleb went back for more boxes. I would be a fool to think that he's helping out for my sake,the sooner he's done,the sooner he's gone! I thought to myself and sat at the barstool with a sigh. Im gonna have to talk to him one of these days and solve our issue once and for all. Theres no way around it anymore, Emmy and Leo are getting married,that means if I want to still be friends with Emmy,Leo and caleb came as a package too. I dont mind Leo,hes a great guy. But I must find a way to get to Caleb. I am usually okay with people disliking me before or after knowing me. But this ....this is bothering me way too much than I care to admit. I've never been dismissed,ignored and belittled like this. He wouldnt even look me in the eye when talking to me. I must put an end to this,its now or never. I hear footsteps nearing the open door and I felt my hands tremble and I suddenly felt out of breath. I almost changed my mind about confronting him,but then he spoke

"Where do you want these?" He pointed to the boxes at his hands. I couldnt speak so I pointed at the living area. He nodded and put them in the middle of the living area. He took his phone out and start to tap the screen. I was gathering up my courage, I told my self over and over ,'its now or never'

"Where are you guys? I thought you're following us?" He said over the phone.

I took in a deep breath and and calmed my nerves.

"Okay"he said and hang up. He looked around and said "they said there's traffic and they might be a while." And start for the door.

"Caleb.." my voice came out weakly than I intend.

He turned and gave me a questioning look.I gathered up my courage and said,

"I feel like we should talk."

"About what?"

"I mean..we havent been on the best terms and I feel like we..I " I trailed off and stopped when he suddenly grew impatient and put his hands on his hip.I sighed and added.

"Im not asking to be the best of friends but could we atleast be friendly to one another so we could keep both our friends?" I said and waited expectantly for his answer.

"Okay" was all he said as he nodded and left to get more boxes. 'Okay?' Okay?  I repeated his answer quietly to my self.That was all he said! My anger grew beyond my control at how he seemed indifferent to the topic while I was struggling to gather up my courage to even mention this. 'Okaaaaay' I repeat to my self. If he wants to play this game of feigning indifference and belittleing me,not caring to give it a go at a polite conversation...well so be it. Two can play that game! And I can only imagine what it would be like to beat him in his own game. And that thought suddenly calmed me and brought an easy smile.