Prince Charming

Madison paced nervously back and forth the length of her cramped apartment.

1…2…3…4…5…6..7. 

Seven steps; she could get across her entire apartment in seven, wide steps. She had never realized how tiny her apartment was until that moment; maybe she was over paying. Madison bit down on the side of her lip; she leaned against her kitchen counter and stared intently at the clock on he stove. Breathe. You have to remember to breathe. She thought to herself as she fidgeted with the hem of her dress and took several slow, deep breathes. The intercom began to buzz. Madison’s heart nearly leapt out of her chest; she grabbed her half full glass of wine and quickly downed it. She slammed her glass down and ran for the intercom. Those seven steps suddenly couldn’t get her there fast enough. Her shaking hands pressed down on the call button, she opened her mouth to speak but stopped herself. Madison took several more deep breaths, relaxed herself and then spoke in a deep, calm tone,

“Who is it?”

“It’s Connor.” Madison danced in excitement.

“I’ll be right down!” Madison grabbed her trench coat and flailed her arms into the sleeves as she rushed out the door. She called for an elevator and waited impatiently for it to arrive. She raced inside the car and repeatedly pressed the lobby button. Please, don’t stop at every floor.  She thought to her self as she watched the elevator pass the floors one by one. Finally, the elevator doors opened and there he was.

Connor stood in the lobby, waiting for Madison. He seemed to have gotten even more handsome than the last time she had seen him. His dark brown curls were coiffed into a slight, messy pompadour.  His shoulders were broad in a dark brown blazer with lighter patches on the elbows and his green eyes popped against his outfit. Madison walked toward him; she stopped in front of him and had to tilt her head up to look him in the eyes. He was the epitome of tall, dark and handsome.

“Hi.”A smile stretched across Madison’s face as she leaned upward to kiss him on the cheek. He turned his head as she approached him and gave her a quick kiss on the lips.

“Hi.” He responded with a smirk.

Smooth, real smooth. She thought to herself. She was glowing; his charm captivated her completely.

“Shall we go?” He asked as he extended his elbow toward her. She smiled, linked her arm in his and they began their way toward the street.

“So, where are we going?” Madison asked as they started walking up the block.

“There’s an amazing French place just around the corner. You mentioned you like French food, didn’t you?” Connor replied.

Madison was shocked. When she met Connor, two weeks ago, she had told him that French food was her favorite; she had never expected him to remember, her ex certainly never did. Madison smiled at him,

“Yeah, I think I may have said something like that.” She leaned into Connor, and tightened her grip on his arm. She had only been on this date for ten minutes and already it was better than any other date she had ever been on.

They arrived at the restaurant and Connor opened the door,

“After you!” He held the door open and motioned for Madison to enter.

The hostess showed them to their table and Connor helped Madison into her seat. She looked up at him and smiled,

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. “ Connor smiled back and for the first time she noticed his boyishly charming dimples. Madison swooned; her heart fluttered and cheeks blushed. She immediately felt like a schoolgirl with a silly crush; flooded with embarrassment, she looked away. Connor kept his gaze on her as he took his seat. Everything she was feeling was written on her face; he found it quite endearing. They dined over great conversation and witty banter. Madison had never met someone who could match her sarcasm, but for every sassy remark she made Connor had a quick-witted retort. She liked that he didn’t just let her win arguments; she loved bantering back and forth with him.

“…So I went to the store today because I was craving frozen pizza, but they didn’t have the kind I like.” Connor explained the details of his day. Madison sipped her wine and raised an eyebrow.

“That’s a great story, you should tell it at parties.” Connor’s eyes widened as he leaned forward,

“Oh, yeah, because all of YOUR stories are REAL winners!” He exclaimed with a  chuckle.

“They are! I’m a great storyteller!” Madison leaned across the table and playfully nudged Connor’s arm.

“Okay, babe, keep telling yourself that.” Connor laughed as he lightly nudged her back.

“Admit it, you love my stories!” She tilted her head to the side, smiled wide and locked eyes with him.

“I mean, they’re not awful.” Connor winked at her. She sipped her wine, trying to conceal her excitement, as she couldn’t help but smile. Connor’s phone began to ring.

“I’m sorry. I thought I turned this thing off.” He glanced at the screen of his phone. “Crap, its my boss. Do you mind if I text him back real quick?” Madison waved her wand as she continued to sip her wine.

“One of the bartenders didn’t show up tonight. They’re swamped, I hate to do this but would you mind if we call it a night?” Madison froze. She didn’t want the night to end. She looked at Connor with disdain; she could see genuine sorrow in his eyes. She smiled sheepishly,

“Of course, that’s totally fine. I understand.”

The couple walked back to Madison’s apartment building, pausing outside the lobby doors.

“Well, good night.” Madison faced Connor, extending her hand toward him. Connor looked down at her hand and let out a slight laugh.

“Come on, I’ll walk you up.” He reached out and took her hand in his, interlocking his fingers with hers. They made their way upstairs, to Madison’s door. Madison sighed heavily.

“Thank you for walking me up! And I just wanted to say that I’m sorry if you had a bad time and –“ Connor interrupted her nervous rant with a soft, sweet kiss. He caressed her face with his hands and then pulled away. He pushed her strawberry blonde hair away from her face and smiled at her.

“I had a really great time. I’ll call you.” He turned away from her and made his way back down the hall toward the elevator. Madison was left standing in the hallway in awe. When she was sure he had gotten on the elevator, she let out a small squeal and made her way into her apartment.

The next day loud, urgent pounding on the door awoke Madison. She sprang up in bed.  What’s going on? She thought. The door. Someone is pounding on the door. She looked at the clock on her nightstand. At 8:15, how lovely of them. 

“I’m coming!” Madison yelled as she pulled on her slippers and robe. The knocking continued, growing impatient and louder. Madison let out a frustrated groan.

“I SAID I’M COMING!” Madison ran toward her door and opened it as quickly as possible.

“WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? I’VE BEEN TRYING TO CALL YOU!” Annalise roared at Madison as she stormed into her apartment. She whizzed past Madison and flung herself onto the couch.

“Good morning to you too.” Madison said as she closed her front door. She looked at Annalise. Her eyes were puffy and red. She had been crying. She had a hint of powdered sugar in the corner of her mouth, she had been eating donuts, something she reserved for doing when she was incredibly stressed out.  Madison crossed her arms.

“Got something you want to share with the class, Leese?” Annalise covered her face with a pillow and let out a frustrated scream.

“I HATE GUYS!” She yelled into the pillow. Madison made her way to the kitchen, and began making a pot of coffee.

“It’s just like, I don’t get it, you know?” Annalise began to sit up on the couch.

“Like, if you aren’t going to call me then don’t say you will!” Annalise’s voice began to crack; Madison could see tears begin to well up in her eyes.

“Wait, I’m confused. Can we start from the beginning?” Madison said as she handed Annalise a cup of coffee.

“You know the guy I was telling you about?” Madison nodded. “Well, we went out last night and I thought everything went well but then I tried texting him last night and this morning and he hasn’t answered!” Annalise explained as she burst into hysterics.

Madison stared at Annalise with her mouth wide open. The corners of her mouth began to turn upward. She clapped her hand over her mouth to prevent herself from laughing. Annalise grew wild with rage. She smacked Madison as hard as she could.

“YOU ARE NOT SERIOUSLY LAUGHING!” She shrieked.

Madison rolled over with laughter.

“STOP IT!” Annalise smacked Madison again, this time even harder.

“OW! I’m sorry, I’m sorry, but you have to be kidding me, right?”Madison tried to contain herself. “Leese, its barely 8:30! You said you guys went out last night? Give the man a chance.”Madison tried to calm Annalise.

Annalise let out a groan that sounded more like a growl. “I just really like him! Why can’t he just answer me?” Annalise took a sip of her coffee.

“He will! How many times did you text him?” Annalise stared guiltily at her coffee,

“Not a lot.” She said as she traced the rim of her cup with her finger.

“Leese.” Madison gave her friend a knowing stare. Annalise let out a defeated sigh,

“I texted him once last night to let him know I had a great time, but then he didn’t answer so I texted again to say I hoped he had a good time.—“

“Okay, don’t text him again.” Madison interjected. Annalise bit the side of her lip.

“What?” Madison asked. “YOU TEXTED HIM AGAIN?” Madison’s eyes nearly bulged out of her head. Annalise nodded shamefully. Madison brought her palm to her face as she looked at her friend through the spaces of her fingers.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing! I just sent him a standard good morning text!”

“Annalise! You just have to wait for him to answer, and he WILL answer! Don’t text him again!” Madison warned. As she lectured her friend, her own cell phone began to buzz with excitement. She looked at the screen.

One new IMESSAGE. Connor.

Hey. I had a lot of fun last night. Feel like telling me more stories over drinks tonight?

Madison could barely contain her excitement; it took everything in her not to jump up and down on her couch.

“Mads, I just really want him to answer me!” Annalise whined as she plunged face first into the couch. Madison rubbed her friend’s back.

“Shush, its okay. He’ll text you back!” Madison consoled Annalise but she couldn’t help but be glad that the tables had turn and now she was the one with exciting boy news. Did that make her a bad friend? At least she wasn’t rubbing it Annalise’s face. She looked down at her friend and attempted to lift her up.

“Come on, get up! I will not let you wallow, let’s call the girls and see if they want to go out, it will take your mind off of it!”

……………………………….

Check back next week to meet Madison and Annalise’s crazy friends and find out if Annalise’s beau ever texts her back!