...With You

Chapter 9


Two months later

Madison sped around her apartment.
"I can't believe this!" Madison yelled.
"Can't believe what, Madd?" Carson asked from the doorway.
Madison swung around and faced the door.
"Carson! I wasn't expecting you to get here so soon." Madison said, flustered.
"Sorry babe, I didn't mean to scare you. Now, what can't you believe?" he asked.
"I can't believe I graduate today. In a few hours I'll be making a speech in front of hundreds of people!" she exclaimed "This is one of the most important days of my life!"
"Ok, ok Madd. Settle down sweetie, you'll be fine." Carson said.
"I know." Madison said. "It's just nerving racking."
"Hello?" a voice called from the hallway.
"Mom! Dad!" Madison yelled. "Thank God you're here, I'm going crazy!"
"Baby, you'll be fine" Mr. Wilkes said.
"Thanks dad, I know I will. Carson's been trying to calm me down all morning." She said.
"That's what I'm here for" Carson laughed.
He went over to greet Mr. and Mrs. Wilkes. It wouldn't be long now until Madison's graduation present arrived. Carson had called JC earlier in the week to check his schedule and seek the possibility of him coming up for the day. JC had not hesitated, which Carson was glad for.
"Well, I guess it's about time to go" Madison said.
"Um, no, I got something coming in a bit" Carson said. He didn't want to give away the surprise, but he knew he had to stall until JC got there.
"I thought Tara was meeting us afterward?" Madison said.
"Yeah, she is" Carson answered.
"Well….then what or who are we waiting for?" Madison asked.
Carson was just about to answer when there was a voice from the door.
"Just me" JC said.
"Oh my God!" Madison screamed, running up to JC and threw her arms around his neck. "What are you doing here?!" Madison asked.
"I had a day off, and I didn't want to be any place else." He said.
"That is so sweet of you!" Madison smiled.
"Madison, don't be rude…" her mother said.
"Oh, right, I'm sorry. Mom, Dad, this is Josh Chasez." She said.
"Oh! So this is the Josh we've been hearing so much about?" Sara Wilkes said smiling.
"I certainly hope so!" JC said.
They all laughed and Madison was glad that the awkward moment had passed. She didn't know how to introduce JC to her parents. She didn't know exactly what her and JC were, they never really talked about it. 'Yeah well' Madison thought to herself, 'It's done now.'
"Well, it looks like everybody is here now. Shall we go?" asked Shaun Wilkes.
"Yep. Let's get this over with so we can party!" Madison smiled.
The five of them walked out the door. First Carson, followed by Sara and Shaun, and bringing up the end, JC and Madison, hand in hand.

**~*~*~*~**

Carson and JC took seats in the back of the seating section, while Madison's parents took their seats up front.
"Thanks for callin' me man" JC said to Carson.
"No problem. She wanted you here, she would just never ask." Carson smiled.
"Yeah, I know. She wouldn't even tell me the date until last week." JC said.
"She didn't want you to drop everything for her. She's understanding in that respect." Carson said.
"Don't I know it. But, I guess that's good in a way. I mean, she's cares about my career, and is supportive. I'm lucky. But sometimes I wish the two of us could walk down the street holding hands and not get bothered. I don't want to make her live her life in captivity." JC said.
"JC, you're a good guy, she knows that. And if she's willing to give herself to you, don't pass her on it." Carson said.
"I don't plan on it" JC said smiling.
"Good." Carson paused for a moment. "Truth of the matter is, I never introduced you to her cause I was afraid this would happen."
"What? Madison and I?" JC asked.
"Yeah. I didn't want to see her get hurt. I still don't. But I see how happy you've made her, and that alone makes me happy." Carson said.
"Carson, I would never hurt Madison. Not in a million years." JC said seriously.
They stopped their conversation and turned their attention to the front and watched closely as the dean stepped up to the microphone.

**~*~*~*~**

Meanwhile…

The knot in Madison's stomach would not let loose. She couldn't even say she was nervous about getting in front of people. Talking to a crowd had never slowed her down before. The fact the JC in the audience made her nervous.
"Madison, you're up in one minute" said the dean.
"Thanks Dean Wallace" Madison smiled.
Madison made her way out onto the side of the stage and waited for them to introduce her.

**~*~*~*~**

"Ladies and Gentleman. It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you and extraordinary woman. She's won the graphic design award of NYU four semesters running, the communication industry of TV and Sound has honored her with multiple awards and her success is just beginning. Ladies and Gentleman……Miss Madison Wilkes!" Dean Wallace said.
Madison made her way out to the podium. Clapping and cheers silenced after awhile and Madison smiled when she spotted JC sitting with Carson. With one look she knew that everything from this moment would be fine, and she began her speech.

When I transferred to NYU two years ago,
I had no idea what I wanted to get from this school.
I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life.
And I certainly didn't know what I wanted to be 'when I grew up'.
I spent the past four years working hard, having fun, and doing
what I love to do. All of us graduating today know that this is the last day of reckless abandon, and tomorrow we start another chapter in our lives. Someone once told me that 'life is a series of
memories and events'. That couldn't be more true. I found something the other day and I had to work it into this speech
because I think you'll find it surprisingly true.

Life isn't about keeping score.
It's not about how many friends you have or how accepted you are.
Not about if you have plans for this weekend or if you're alone.
It isn't about who you're dating, who you used to date, how many
people you've dated, or if you haven't been with anyone at all.
It isn't about who you've kissed.
It's not about sex.
It isn't about who your family is or how much money they have or
what kind of car you drive.
Or where you go to school.
It's not about how beautiful or ugly you are.
Or what clothes you wear, what shoes you have on, or what kind of
music you listen to.
It's not about if your hair is blonde, red, brown, or black.
Or if your skin is too light or too dark.
Not about what grades you get or how smart you are, or how
everybody else thinks you are, or how standardized test say you are.
It's not about what clubs you're in or how good you are at "your" sport.
It's not about representing your whole being on a piece of paper
and seeing who will "accept the written you."

LIFE JUST ISN'T.

But, life is about who you love and who you hurt.
It's about who you make happy or unhappy purposefully.
It's about keeping or betraying trust.
It's about friendship, used as a sanctity or a weapon.
It's about what you say and mean, maybe hurtful, maybe heartening.
About starting rumors and contributing to petty gossip.
It's about what judgments you pass and why.
And who your judgments are spread to.
It's about who you've ignored with full control and intention.
It's about jealousy, fear, ignorance, and revenge.
It's about carrying inner hate and love, letting it grow, and spreading it.
But most of all, it's about using your life to touch or poison other
people's hearts in such a way that could have never occurred alone.
Only you choose the way those hearts are affected, and those
choices are what life is all about.

In our lives, the choices we make, make a difference in the lives of
others around us. Who we choose to be friends with, who we
choose to love and who we choose to share our lives with,
make up the people we are and the people that we become as
time passes. I've been blessed with a wonderful and supportive
family, a group of friends that can never be replaced and
experiences that will never leave my memory. I
wish all of you the best of luck in where ever you decide to
take yourselves.

Madison stepped down from the podium and took her seat on stage next to the dean. Thunderous applause rang through the air and Madison smiled.

**~*~*~*~**

The rest of the ceremony went on without a hitch. Diplomas were in the hands of proud graduates looking frantically for their loved ones. Madison was no exception. She had spotted her parents nearly a half hour ago and they left to hail a cab back to the hotel before they all went out to dinner in a few hours. Her eyes darted from one side to the other looking for Carson and JC.
"Hey you!" a voice yelled in Madison's direction.
Madison turned around and saw JC and Carson standing there. She ran up to both of them and enveloped them both into a big hug. When she finally let go, she started to cry.
"Madd! What's wrong?" Carson said.
Madison sniffled. "I'm just so happy. My two favorite guys, right here in front of me!" Madison smiled. Carson looked from JC back to Madison. "We're not going anywhere, Madd." Carson said.
"No, we're not" JC agreed giving Madison a hug of his own.
"You both are coming to dinner later, right?" Madison asked, particularly looking at JC to make sure he didn't have to leave yet.
"Wouldn't miss it" JC said.
"Yeah, I'm meeting Tara back at my apartment now." Carson said.
"Ok, let's all go, and then meet my parents there." Madison suggested.
"Sounds like a plan." JC said, still gripping Madison's hand.
Madison smiled and the three of them headed to hail a cab back to the apartment.

**~*~*~*~**

Madison unlocked the door to her apartment and let JC in ahead of her. Carson had went into his own apartment to see if Tara had arrived yet. As Madison closed the door and turned around JC was right behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close to him. Their lips met softly and their passion grew as JC's handed wandered up and down Madison's back and Madison hands clasped around the back of his neck. After a few minutes they parted.
"I was wondering how long it was gonna take you to do that." Madison smiled, still wrapped up in JC's arms.
JC smiled. "I didn't think it was appropriate to do that around your parents." He said.
"You've got a point there" Madison said, still smiling.
"You were wonderful today." JC said. "I don't think there would be a person that disagrees with me either."
"Thank you." Madison said. "Talking in front of people never really phased me, I guess."
"I can see that." JC smiled. "What time are we meeting up with everyone?" he asked.
"In about an hour." Madison said, looking at the clock. "I'm gonna change."
"Ok," JC said. "take your time."

An hour passed quickly for JC and Madison. They kept distracting each other with light kisses and it was a miracle that Madison was ready in time. They were in the middle of another one of their 'moments' when they heard a knock at the door.
"Madison! Your parents are here!" Carson yelled from the outside.
"Alright" Madison said lazily, still weak in JC's arms.
They pulled away from each other and smiled.
"Come on let's go, we're gonna be late" JC said.
"Oh, alright." Madison sighed.
"Don't worry, baby. We'll continue later." JC smiled.
"Promise?" Madison asked.
"Cross my heart" JC said, making a cross sign across his chest.
Madison smiled and pecked him on the cheek as she headed out the door, JC not far behind.

**~*~*~*~**

"Dinner was wonderful, wasn't it?" Carson said.
"Sure was" Tara said smiling. "Madison, it was so nice of your parents to take us all out."
"They were happy to" Madison said.
"It's a shame they couldn't stay longer" JC said.
"I know, but they didn't want to have to get up earlier just to drive home tomorrow." Madison said.
The four of them walked toward the apartment complex from the restaurant. It was too nice out to take a cab, plus, practically no one was on the street this late.
"I don't believe you didn't tell me about the MTV gig!" Carson said, breaking the silence.
Madison broke the news to her parents and friends at dinner that MTV had offered her a job, starting in September.
"Like you didn't already know!" Madison smiled.
Carson smiled. It was true, he knew. They had been trying to get her for quite some time, but her loyalty to the NYU staff was outstanding.
"True." Carson said. "But you still coulda told me!" he said.
"What? And ruin the look on your face, not a chance." Madison smiled.
Carson smiled back at her. "You're horrible!" he said.
"I know. That's why you love me." Madison said modestly.
"Ha!" Carson laughed.
"Ah, you know I'm right, Cars. Just admit it!" Madison teased.
"Oh, alright. You're right, you're sarcasm and endless wit makes me want to admit my undying love for you." Carson said rolling his eyes. Tara and JC looked on and smiled, watching the two best friends duke it out.
"Are you two done yet?" JC asked.
"Yeah, I guess so, why?" Carson asked, taking one last chance to tickle Madison.
"Cause we're here" JC said pointing at the apartment building.
"Oh. So we are." Madison smiled. "Come on JC, let's go finish what we started earlier." She said taking his hand and leading him up to her apartment.
JC smiled and shrugged. "Who am I to argue with that?" he asked no one in particular.
"Don't argue, just go man!" Carson said laughing.
Carson watched the two of them head off into the apartment complex together, laughing and giggling all the way. He turned around and saw Tara staring off into the distance. He wrapped his arms around her from the back, startling her a little.
"They look so cute together, don't ya think?" Tara asked.
"Yeah, I do. He's good for her." He answered.
"Do you think they'll make it?" she asked.
"I hope so," Carson said "For Madison's sake, I sure hope so.

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