Chapter Twelve

*Austin's POV*

I got home from baseball and walked through my front door.

"Mom?" I called.

She came through the kitchen doorway and smiled. "Hey." She whispered.

I frowned. "Why are you whispering?"

She grabbed my arm and pulled my outside. "Madison's here. She's pretty upset."

"What's wrong?" I asked.

Mom's eyes filled with tears and she shook her head. "I can't really say. She came over a few hours ago looking for you and she was crying. I talked to her and she told me some things." A tear slid down her cheek. "I just feel so bad for her."

I shook my head. "So wait, why are we out here?"

Mom looked at me. "Sweetie, she's moving away. Her mom is sending her to live with her brother."

I think my heart stopped. I frowned. "What?"

She nodded. "She's going back to Michigan."

I shook my head. "No. No way." I pushed past Mom and went back into the house.

Madison walked out of the bathroom and looked at me. Her eyes were red and puffy.

I felt like I was gonna cry. I went over to her and grabbed her, pulling her into a bear hug. She started crying again.

"When are you leaving?" I asked.

"I don't know." She said, still crying.

I hugged her tighter. "You can't leave, Mads. Tell your mom you want to stay."

She pulled away. "She already made up her mind."

I wiped her tears away. "Call your brother. Tell him you're staying."

Mom came over to us and rubbed Madison's back. "Sweetie, I wish I could help."

Madison wiped her eyes. "Could I use your phone to call my brother?"

Mom nodded. "It's in the kitchen."

"Thank you, Mrs Carlile." Madison said, walking to the kitchen.

Mom put her arm around me. "Austin, she's really upset. And from the things she told me, maybe it's best that she goes to Michigan. It's not safe for her in her house."

I shook my head. "I finally found someone I really care about, and now she's leaving." Mom touched my arm and I pulled away. "This is bullshit." I said, running upstairs.

After about an hour of being in my room, laying in bed, Madison came in. She shut the door and came over to me, laying down next to me and resting her head on my chest.

"What'd your brother say?" I asked.

She shrugged. "He said that he's already on his way down here. He's talking to your mom right now."

I took her hand. "I don't want you to leave."

"I don't wanna leave either." She rolled over and looked at me. "But I can't be in that house anymore."

I nodded. "I understand."

She pushed her hair out of her face. "I'll make sure I call everyday."

I shook my head. "Mads. You're not leaving yet. Let's make the best of it."

She laid her head on my chest. "I love you, Awesome Austin."

I rubbed her back. "I love you Mad Mads."

We laid there for a long time until we fell drifted off. Madison cried herself to sleep.