Madison looked up from the book she was reading and looked out the window. She saw lush green landscape, lots of trees and for the first time, mountains. Snow covered mountains. Madison looked at Justin, who had fallen asleep 3 hours ago.
“Attention passengers, we are landing in Raleigh. Please remain seated until your row is called.” Madison gently poked Justin. He stirred and opened his eyes.
“Are we there?” he asked groggily. Madison nodded. “Yeah and our row was just called.” Madison grabbed her things, got up and started going down the isle. Justin followed suit as they got off the plane. It felt akward to be walking after flying for four hours. They stretched and went to get their bags. Justin rented a car and put their bags in the trunk. It must be nice to have money, Madison thought.
“You need to put this blindfold on.” Justin said, handing it to her.
“Why? Justin I don’t want to!” She whined in a child like voice.
“Just put the blindfold on.” Justin said, turning left. Madison put it on and after what seemed like forever, the car stopped. Justin got out of the car, opened her door and helped her out. Madison took off the blindfold and let her eyes adjust to the light. In front of her stood the most beautiful house. It had a spacious, wraparound porch and beautiful front yard. She turned around and looked out over the valley.
“Come inside.” Justin said. Speechless, Madison obeyed. The inside was even better. When they walked in the door, they had walked into the living room. The living room had big glass windows for one wall, a huge tv, a sound system, two tables, a couch, and glass doors that led out into the backyard. The backyard had an Olypic size pool, rose bushes and lush green grass. There was a canopy with a swing chair beneath it. Justin pulled her down the hallway to the bedroom. There was a huge kingsize waterbed and Madison flopped down on it.
“I love this house!” She exclaimed. Justin laughed and sat down next to her.
“I knew you would. I’m glad you like it though. And there’s three more bedrooms in case somebody wants to live with us.” Justin said.
“This is great. It feels good to finally be on my own, away from my mom and dad. And to have my best friend back.” Justin looked at his watch.
“Speaking of your best friend, we should go.” Madison nodded and they drove to the valley to pick her up. Riley was sitting on a bench when they got there.
“Hey guys.” Riley said. Justin sauntered over and picked up her bags.
“Hey. Ri, you absolutly going to love this house. It’s huge and it’s just like the house we wanted when we kids.” When they pulled up in front of the house, Riley’s mouth dropped open and Justin burst out laughing.
“I didn’t think it would get that kind of response. It’s just a house.”
“Yeah, the house of our dreams. Hey Ri, it’s just like Barbie’s house. Let’s see if we can find Ken.” Madison said laughing. Justin took Riley’s bags and showed her to her room.
“Why didn’t you stay with your parents?”
“They found out about the baby and kicked me out.” Madison felt sorry for her best friend.
“So what’s for dinner?” Riley asked. “I am starving!”
“Justin’s cooking fettacine alfredo, garlic bread, and a tossed salad.” Madison answered, her stomach growling. Madison and Riley went into the kitchen as the scent of garlic filled the air. Justin had set the table, each place with a bowl of steaming alfredo. There were candles in the middle of the table.
“Wow Justin. I didn’t have to call the fire department.” Riley said. Justin shot her a look.
“Sit down so we can eat.” They obeyed his command. Madison took a bite and savored the rich texture.
“You are a great cook JuJu.” Madison said, smiling. Justin shrugged his shoulders.
“It was nothing. I made a chocolate cake too.”
“I get the first piece.” Riley said. After Riley took her piece, Madison took a piece and looked at it. She broke off a piece and threw it at Justin, hitting him in the left cheek. Justin threw cake back as Riley joined Madison and the trio was soon covered in chocolate frosting.
“See what you started?” Justin asked. Madison laughed.
“All your hard work wasted.” Riley retorted. The doorbell rang and Justin jumped up to answer it. He ran a hand through his brownish gold curls, which were streaked with frosting.
“What the hell do you want?” Justin asked angrily. Madison looked up as Justin stepped aside and Mike O’Grady walked in.
“Riley.” He stated. Riely looked at him for a moment, then stood up.
“What do you want?” Riley demanded, her voice quivering.
“To talk to you about getting an abortion.” Mike said.
“Never. I will not kill something that’s living inside of me.”
“What do you think this will do to my rep? Popular Mike knocks up Riley the Reject. You were an object. Nothing more to me.” Mike sneered. That was all it took to set justin off. His right fist slammed into Mike’s left eye.
“That’s for Madison.” He punched him in the nose.
“That’s for Riley.” Justin slammed his fist into Mike’s stomach.
“That’s for the baby you want to kill.” And he kneed him, quick and hard, in the groin. Mike doubled over in pain.
“That’s for me. Get blood on my carpet and I’ll kick your ass again.” Mike turned and limped out the door. Madison was trying to calm Riely down, who was sobbing on the floor.
“It’s okay Riley. He’s gone now.” Madison said quietly, but her best friend wouldn’t hear it.
“He won’t come back or I’ll kick his ass again. Believe me.” Justin exclaimed.
“I knew he wouldn’t love me but it didn’t matter. It’s still his and that won’t change.” Riley said drying her eyes. Madison had absolutly what to do to help her best friend.
********************
Madison had no idea if her plan would work. She dialed the number and let it ring.
“Josh, it’s Madison.”
“Hey Mad. What’s up? Enjoying NC?” Josh asked.
“I’ve only been here two days. I couldn’t tell you. But i have something to ask you.” Madison said, pacing around the living room.
“Ask me anything Madison. Anything at all.” Josh replied.
“I want you to come live with us. I still don’t see how we were friends for so loing and you didn’t meet Riley.” Madison said. Josh laughed.
“I see now. You want me to come live with you so you can hook me up with Riley. Thanks but no thanks.”
“Please Josh. I know you’d really like her. She has blond hair, green eyes, really pretty. Please Josh?” Madison begged. So much for not begging, Madison thought.
“I’ll come to visit and meet her but I won’t move out there. I’ll get a flight for tomorrow.” Josh said, exasperated.
“Thank you Josh! I promise you won’t regret it.” Madison hung up the phone and went to find Riley. Riley was in her room, looking at a book of baby names.
“Hey Ri. Figured out any names yet?” Madison asked, sitting down on Riley’s bed.
“Jasmine Renee for a girl and Nickolas Michael for a boy. I think. I could change my mind.” Riley set the book down.
“I have a friend coming out. We’ve been friends since we were like two, and I want you to meet him.” Madison said. Way to go Madison, Madison thought. You sound like you REALLY want to hook them up.
“OK, so what’s his name?”
“Josh. I wanted you to know that he’s going to be here.” Madison let herself out. This is going to be good, Madison thought. Very good.
********************
Justin knew Madison was planning something when Josh showed up on his doorstep the next night.
“Hey J.” Josh said, as Justin let him in.
“Hey Josh. What brings you to NC?”
“Madison wanted me to come out here. To meet somebody named Riley I guess.”
“I’m Riley.” came a voice from the kitchen.Riley came out wearing short white shorts and a light green sweatshirt.
“I’m Josh or JC if you want to use my nickname. It’s really nice to meet you Riley.” Josh said, shaking her hand. Madison came out of her bedroom.
“I know about your plan.” Justin whispered in Madison’s ear. Madison shrugged her shoulders. Josh and Riley had hit it off and were talking animatedly in the corner.
“It’ll never work. Josh won’t date somebody who’s pregnant. I know he won’t.” Justin said, watching the two.
“You can’t be sure about that. He might surprise us and fall in love with her.” Madison said. So far things were going good.
“Madison?” Josh called from the living room.
“Yeah?” She called back, trying to look busy.
“Riley and I are going out for ice cream. She really wants some. Do you guys want anything?” Madison gave Justin a smug smile.
“A chocolate milkshake please.” Madison said. When they left, she turned to Justin.
“See? Things are going good. They’ll be dating in no time.” Justin looked at her in disbelief.
“Dating? Mike just came over and you think she’s gonna want to date?”
“Yeah and I know that Josh will accept the baby.” Madison said, putting a couple of dishes in the dishwasher. She shut the dishwasher. Madison knew her plan would work.
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