Reunion

THE NEXT MORNING

 Madison jolted awake from her sleep, panting and sweating. She couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that had crept over her, and as she sat up in bed, her eyes darted around the room and her head acing her so bad.

She recognizes the room not to be hers.

That's when she saw them.

Zane, Adrian, and Liam were standing in front of her in a somber line, their faces twisted in pain and sorrow.

"Madison," Liam began, his voice shaking. 

She stared at him suspiciously and carved her brows at him.

“Where is Zach?” she asked first.

“You were there last night. It all happened so sudden and it pains me to say this.” Zane cried

"There's no easy way to say this, but... Zach is dead." Adrian said

Madison's heart dropped, and she felt the color drain from her face. She squeezed her eyes shut, hoping that this was all just a terrible dream.

But when she reopened them, the boys were still there, their expressions unchanged.

"Wh-what happened?" she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Zane stepped forward, his eyes moist. "He was shot directly at his heart. we couldn't save him." Adrian said tearfully

The room began to spin, and Madison felt like she was going to be sick. Zach couldn't be dead. It just wasn't possible. 

Adrian placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice soft. "We're here for you, Madison. We're all hurting over this, too."

Madison couldn't process anything properly. Her mind was reeling in disbelief and her heart was shattered in a million pieces. She couldn't believe she had lost the love of her life in an instant.

She cried uncontrollably for several moments, Zane and the rest of them holding her tightly and trying their best to comfort her.

“I really feel so bad, what would we tell aunt Maria? What about our father?” Zane cried.

But then, something caught Madison’s attention. A slight movement by the door.

As they all turned to look, in the shadows by the door emerged a figure.

Zach.

Madison's heart leaped in her chest, and she jumped out of bed, running towards him. She threw her arms around him and held him tightly, sobbing with joy.

"What's going on?" Zach asked bewildered.

His friends burst into laughter.

"It was all a prank, man! We're sorry, but it was just too good to pass up," Liam explained, still chuckling.

Madison was still in the throes of mixed emotions, confusion at feeling relief and happiness and humiliation at having been duped.

As she tried to calm down, Zach grinned and pulled her closer. "The boys did get you good, but your tears were just too real. I promise it was just a silly joke."

As he brushed her cheeks with his warm hands, Madison finally laughed. "I can't believe you guys would do this to me!"

Zach hugged her tightly, then leaned down to kiss her. "Let's make this day special anyways," he whispered.

Madison smiled, knowing Zach would do anything to make her happy. Prank or no, she was grateful for the love and support surrounding her. And best of all, she had Zach.

“I will have to deal with them first.” She said as she wiped her cheeks and jumped back on the bed throwing the pillows on them.

“I deserve to be an actor, don’t you think so brother?” Zane asked Zach with a proud look on his face.

“You did well, honestly speaking.” Zach laughed

“But I saw you got shot in your chest.” She said to him

“I knew that was coming, I wore bulletproof baby.” He said to her

“And the blood?” she asks

“Thanks to Zane, that was fake blood.” He replied and she dropped her jaw.

“Wow.” That was all Madison could say at the moment.

“Yep, now there is no more Greg to disturb us.” He said to her as he walks to her and pull her by her waist

“About your profession, you shouldn’t quit, I was stupid when I said it. I respect your profession, okay? I love you, Madison.” Zach said to her as he stroked her cheeks

“I am sorry I was rude too.” She replied, looking into his enchanting blue eyes that told more than the words ‘I love you’.

“Look at her, she has forgotten one person.” Liam laughs and Madison turns to him, “Is it Krystal? How is she doing?” she asked Adrian

“Well, she is very fine. In my hands you know.” He smirked

Madison rolled her eyes as she turned to Zach, “What about Kingsley? Did he die?” she asks lowly and everyone in the room sighed with their heads low.

“Please no prank!” she exclaimed and they burst into laughter.

“He is here Madison; we couldn’t let him die.” Adrian replied and Kingsley stepped into the room,

“Kingsley…” Madison called as she walked to him

“Yes, please hit me. I deserve it.” He said with his head low but instead, she pulled him to a hug.

“I was so scared of loosing you.” She cried out

Kingsley was shocked, he was never expecting that. He pulled away from the hug. “I have caused you both so much trouble, but still Zach saved me. I am so sorry for all the wrongs I have done Madison. I just hope you forgive me.” He said and she caress his cheek

“You were just being a big brother to me except from the part you lied about your job though. I don’t want to know why you did, it’s in the past no” she said

“I am sorry. I will be leaving LA for Texas today.” He said and she flinched back, “But why??”

“I think I need sometime with my parents, and away from you a little. I can’t even forgive myself for what I did to the man you love.” He said.

“Yo man, it’s okay” Adrian said

“Kingsley, you have a wonderful cousin that has taught me how to love, be gentle, be the better me and all that I can’t mention.” Zach said

“I will help you, be good in bed too.” Zane adds and everyone laughed

“Damn, these two moans are enough to turn the innocent ones on.” Zane laughed and Zach rolled his eyes.

“You are crazy you know??”

“As I was saying Kingsley, you are welcome to the family anytime hmm?”

“No more Greg, no more pain.” He adds as he pulled him to a hug and the rest of them in the room joined the hug giggling like kids.