Chapter 20... Hide

                                    

                                          
(Madison's POV)
My normal morning routine usually consisted of being forced awake by a frightening nightmare of Mason and being arrested. That was always followed by either the sweats or the chills. Then I'd take a few minutes to talk to my reflection and convince myself that I wasn't a murderous monster. But this particular morning, none of that happened.
                          
There were no nightmares. There were no body temperature problems. There was no pep talk. That morning, I awoke to a pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist, a head comfortably lying on my chest and the sound of soft snores. I awoke to birds chirping, the delicate sun shining, and the smell of strong coffee in the air.
                          
For the first time in a long time, waking up didn't seem like such a chore. Life was good and I was excited to see what the day would bring. I was—dare I say it— happy. Who knew that all it took was Chris?
                          
The night before, Chris had snuck through my window and we had kissed then talked, then kissed some more then talked some more, until we fell asleep. I had learned a lot about him. His favorite color was black, he loved lasagna and conollis, and he knew jujitsu. He also learned about me. I'd told him how I attended karate in the third grade then dropped out because Suzy Troywater had punched me in the nose. I had told him how I once secretly joined a pie-eating contest and won but puked all over the moderator's shoes shortly after- I regretted telling that story but Chris didn't seem too mortified.
                          
Knock! Knock!
                          
I was broken out of my thoughts and Chris had woken up.
                          
"Madison!" My father called from the other side of the door.
                          
Chris and I looked at each other, then I began to panic. I pulled Chris out of the bed, his towel almost falling down and exposing his below parts. I pushed him into my walk-in closet then made my way over to the door. I scanned the room before reaching for the knob, ensuring there was no evidence of Chris lying about. Everything looked fine so I opened the door. My father ran inside like he was expecting to find something. Then, he looked at me. He was wearing his stern face. 
                          
"Since when do you lock your door?" He asked. 
                          
"Since I was choked in my sleep," I retorted. 
                          
"Watch your tone when you're speaking to me." He pointed at my bedroom window. "You should probably start locking that too." He turned to leave, his hands behind his back. "Carter's here to see you." 
                          
When he left, Carter walked in. "So, I'm not gonna ask about that picture. I'm just going to trust you," he said immediately upon entry. He kissed my lips so aggressively, I almost tripped. When he pulled away he smiled sweetly at me. "So fiance, have you thought of a date?" He looked down and realized I didn't have my ring on. "Where's the rock?" 
                          
I smiled nervously. "Oh, I put it in my drawer last night. I'm still not used to wearing it." 
                          
"Well, you won't ever get used if you don't wear it." He walked over to my dresser and started opening drawers. "Which one is it in?" He reached the bottom drawer, paused, and pulled out the murder weapon and note. "Mads? What is this?" I gasped when I saw what was in his hands. "Turn yourself in? Did you write this? And this tire iron. I still don't remember you ever being in a play where you used one as a prop." 
                          
I began to panic. What was I supposed to say? How was I supposed to get out of this one? Carter was looking me in the eyes and it pained me to lie.
                          
"I wasn't in a play where I had to use a tire iron. I'm writing a play where I use a tire iron. And that piece of paper, I was just scribbling down some dialogue." 
                          
Carter nodded. "Literature? You're more of a science girl." He placed the weapon and note back into my drawer. "I was thinking we could go for breakfast at the club. I want to show off my bride-to-be and the rock that's way too heavy for her finger." He slipped it backed on to my finger. "How bout it?"