TW: Talks about abuse

When Maddow had gotten into bed, Hazel began to read to him from "Beauty and The Beast." They'd been working their way through what it seemed like a lasting chapter, but Maddow was exhausted from pre-K and drifted off before his grandmother could finish the longish chapter.

Hazel closed the book and sat it to the side on the soft green carpet, and turned out the light and turned the nightlight on. Maddow's eyes fluttered and he spoke softly. "Granny?"

"Yes sweetie?" She asked. Her tone was kind and loving. She placed Maddow's doll next to him and smiled.

"Is Mommy coming home soon?" Maddow asked and snugged up with his doll.

"Soon, Madd. I love you, get some rest"

"Tell her to come in and kiss me?"

"I will. Goodnight," Hazel knew his mother wouldn't come home...yet. She would had to give Maddow a second kiss.

+++
Morning. 9am
Maddow slumber was rudely awoken by his father's voice. His loud screaming and slight screaming from his granny. He couldn't understand what they were bickering at. He automatically brought his hands to his ears and closed his eyes.

"Bad dreams, bad dreams go away," he murmured under his breath. He uncovered his ears and walked out to help his granny. He just had to see what' was going on. The screaming and crying situation. He glanced down to see his grandmother laying on the kitchen floor with one hand covering her not so good eye.

"Oh Maddow," she said trying to brave. "You don't need to see me like this. Granny will be alright."

He rushed to her side and laid on the floor next to her. "Did Daddy do this?" He spoke softly and pointed to her eye.

She nodded. "Yes sweetie. He likes to take his anger out on the ones who he calls family. He has his good days and loves you. Please remember this; you are an angel and will always be loved. Don't let him make you so small."

Maddow placed a kiss on her forehead and stood by her side from that moment forward.

Maddow sat up close in English; black ballpoint pen in his left hand and worksheet notebook in the other. He used to sat behind Jaxon and next to Carter. Not today. He needed a change in route and focus his eyes on the protector above, shining notes that was needed to be wrote on paper to study for the finals.

When the teacher began his lesson, Maddow knew he was going to ask a few students to answer some questions. He could tell by the look in the teacher's eyes that what he wanted. He just knew and he for one didn't want to stand up in a class cluster with twenty students staring straight at him, all eyes on him. The teacher came up towards him and bent down whispering how he wanted to see him after class.

After the bell rang, the teacher gave him a worry look. "Are you alright? You usually sit near Carter and and behind Jaxon. There was no psychical fight, right?"

Maddow shook his head. "No sir. Just needed a change in route."

In the doorway stood Carter with hurt in his piercing green eyes. One hand leaning against the door and the other held his belongings. "Maddow you need to come see this!"

Maddow followed him into the hall and witnessed what he had to see. In the hallway stood around hundreds students, eyes watching him and then the copies of pictures hung on each locker. He glanced at the pictures. The pictures were him; some on Freak in a red sharpie across the picture and some had Obsessor. The picture was of him at a small Halloween party: dressed up in an everyday outfit with a skirt and a doll in his hand. This nonsense picture announced who they'd always think about him and brings out the bullies in others.

He wanted to run and cry in the bathroom stall. Better yet, run away. He knew crying in the bathroom is weak but would get his act together. Run away; is pathetic but nobody would miss him or even knowledge his absent.

"Who would do this?" Carter asked with his hands gripped tightly against his belongings. Maddow saw shock and confusing in Carter's eyes.

"I have no idea," he spoke quietly. His hands rushed to the nearby pictures and crumble it into a ball. "And I really don't care."

"Do you want to go to Lilta's Café after school?" Carter asked.

Maddow thought about it for a minute. He knew if he go home he'd have to put up with the monster he used to call dad. To him; he only worth it to grab him a beer or what his father would call him....punching bag. "Sure. I'd love that."

After school; he sprinted across the street and made some turns to get to Lilta's. His arm and chest squeezed his bag all the way there. By his side was Carter, racing with him.

Once they made their entry, they sat down at a three seated table. Lilta's Café was loud; laughter, utensils clinging against some beautiful plates Maddow ever seen and cups, and people talking about their day. It was the hotspot in the city: it's always clutter with people after the 2pm mark.

He glanced at the interior of the café. The engraved molding boarder for each paintings from local artists and then his eyes witness the line at the front waiting for their order to be called. It was the place to be after school or on the weekends.

The cafe was very modern and Insta worthy. Vines with magnolia peonies were wrapped around the beams and fairy lights hung above. At each tables were candles and condiments. Perfect place.

"Should we go order?" Maddow asked. His hands were fidgeting with the utensils and fingers rubbing against the spoon.

"No," he quickly said. "Beatrice will be coming to the table to take the order."

Maddow hasn't seen Beatrice in years; since seventh grade. The last time he saw her was when she had fizzy hair, glasses, braces, and pimples all over her face before she moved schools. He wondered if she would recognize him after these years.

"Hey Beatrice!" Carter shouted and hand motion for Beatrice to spot them. "Over here Bea."

Maddow spotted Beatrice and grinned. She didn't dress like others do; she worn a plain tee shirt and fitted black jeans. Hair was pulled back into a bun, glasses over her nose and shoes were slip on.

"Hey dudes," she spoke as she took her seat. "Maddow? Is that you?" She had a huge grin on her face.

Maddow nodded. "Yes. It been awhile since we saw each other last. What have you been up to?"

"Working and when I'm not here I'm at home helping my mom take care of my grandma. Dad is in the army."

Maddow felt excited seeing Beatrice for the first time in awhile. After awhile, he noticed Carter and her cheerfully chatted away. Her blueish green eyes were beautiful and wowed Maddow.

He grabbed his bag and clenched it to his chest. He walked towards the cashier and cleared his throat. He felt nervous as he got closer and closer to the lady at the cashier.

Beatrice strolled towards him. "You alright?" She asked, gripping his shoulder then she realized. "What would you like to eat?"

It took Maddow a minute to answer. He couldn't decide between the turkey club or the English fish and chips. Both were calling his name especially the fish and chips. "Fish and chips please and cappuccino."

Beatrice smiled. "Perfect," she kept her eyes onto Maddow. "How are you and Ava?"

"Fine," He said. He wasn't sure if he should spill the tea about Ava and Jaxon. Ava replaced Beatrice when she moved. Ava became apart of the friends group. The cliche of the awkward and the beautiful. Beatrice named it. "Ava is dating the Jaxon Johnson."

"How does that make you feel?" She asked. They were best friends up until middle school. She could tell by the expression on his face that they've kissed. "Who kissed who first?"

"Jaxon kissed me in a forest somewhere and it felt good. He can't dump her or anything."

"Honestly I ship it," Beatrice said as she grabbed the tray from the cashier and walked with Maddow to the table. "Jaddow! Beautiful I'll go down on this ship."

The fish and chips and cappuccino looked delicious. It was his first time being here. "First time here and it looks perfect."

"There'll be more first times for you Maddy," Carter chuckled. He ordered avocado toast with drizzle of hot sauce and bagel seasoning. Carter playfully elbowed Maddow.

Maddow felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He took it out and unlocked the recognition. One new message.

Jaxon: Hey where are you?

Buzz.Buzz

Again.

Jaxon: I miss your face

"You guys he messaged!" Maddow said. He quickly messaged him the address. "He should be here soon."

"We can't wait to meet your boy," Beatrice winked.

***
In the middle of the evening, before closing time, Maddow and Beatrice waited and waited for Jaxon to show up. He watched the doors and didn't took his eyes off of it.