𝐘/𝐍'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕

𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐒𝐤𝐢𝐩

The shift had been slow. Subtle. Barely noticeable if you weren't looking for it.

But I was looking for it.

I noticed the way things felt different. The way Madelyn lingered just a second longer when she hugged me now.

The way she casually stole sips from my drinks like she had every right to. The way her hand sometimes brushed mine, fingertips barely ghosting over my skin, like she wanted to hold it but wasn't sure if she could.

Like she wasn't sure if she was allowed to.

And maybe I wasn't sure either.

Because for weeks, we had been dancing around something unspoken. Even after everything, even after I'd finally let my guard down, let her see me at my most vulnerable, we still hadn't said it.

Hadn't put a label on it. Hadn't acknowledged that we were already acting like something more.

And if I was being honest, it was driving me insane.

So when Madelyn showed up at my apartment tonight—wearing sweats and a hoodie, looking soft and familiar and like she belonged there—I knew I couldn't keep pretending we were still just friends.

Not when every time I looked at her, I wanted to touch her.

Not when I kept catching her staring at me like she wanted to kiss me.
Not when the space between us felt more like a thread being pulled tighter and tighter, seconds away from snapping.

"Okay," she said, dropping onto my couch like she owned the place, "I need to know something."

I raised an eyebrow. "And what's that?"

She turned her body to face me, pulling one leg up onto the cushion. "What are we doing?"

My stomach flipped. She was beating me to it.

I blinked, playing dumb. "Uh... watching TV?"

Madelyn shot me a look.

"No, seriously," she said, tilting her head. "Because, like... are we just pretending we're not basically together?"

I opened my mouth. Then closed it. Madelyn raised her eyebrows expectantly.

I exhaled, rubbing a hand down my face. "I don't know," I admitted. "I mean, I do, but—" I stopped, shook my head, then tried again. "It's just... I don't want to screw this up."

Her expression softened. "You won't," she said simply. I scoffed. "You say that now, but you don't know how bad I am at relationships. Like, so bad, Madz. Historically speaking, I'm awful at them."

She smirked. "So historically speaking, you're telling me you're a walking red flag?"

I groaned. "No! I just—" I paused. "I don't know. I feel like I don't always say the right things. And I've never... felt this way before."

Madelyn blinked. "What way?" My chest tightened.

Oh. Shit. I hadn't meant to say that out loud. Madelyn sat up a little straighter, eyes locked onto mine.

I swallowed. "I don't know," I muttered. "Just... different. You feel different."

The words hung in the air between us, heavy and electric.

Madelyn's lips parted slightly, like she wasn't expecting me to say it. Like maybe she had been waiting for me to. My throat was suddenly dry.

Then—before I could lose my nerve—I reached for her hand. She didn't even hesitate.

Her fingers curled around mine like she had been waiting for this. Like she had been waiting for me. And suddenly, it was so simple. So easy.

I exhaled, forcing myself to meet her gaze. "Madz," I murmured. "I don't want to do this if it's not real."

She squeezed my hand. "It is real," she said softly. "Has been for a while, Y/n/n. I mean come on, we've practically all over each other for weeks. I don't just let anyone kiss me when they please."

The breath left my lungs. I wasn't used to this. To things being this easy. To someone wanting me without hesitation, without fear, without second-guessing whether I was worth it.

But Madelyn? She made it feel like the easiest thing in the world. I ran my thumb absentmindedly over her knuckles. "So, does this mean we're..."

She smirked. "Dating? Yeah. I'd say so."

Something warm curled in my chest. "...That was way less dramatic than I expected," I muttered. Madelyn laughed, rolling her eyes. "Oh my God."

I grinned. "Seriously. Like, I thought there'd be fireworks or something."

She smirked, shifting a little closer. "You want fireworks?"

I swallowed, suddenly very aware of how close she was.

"...Maybe," I murmured. She hummed, like she was considering it. Then, without warning, she leaned in—slowly, like she was making sure I was paying attention. Like she wanted me to feel it happening.

Her nose brushed against mine, soft and teasing. My breath hitched. Then—her lips were on mine. And holy shit.

It wasn't like our last kiss. That one had been soft, uncertain, careful.

This one? It was slow, sure, but it wasn't hesitant. It was warm and certain and so familiar it made my stomach flip.

I kissed her back without thinking, my free hand moving to her waist, pulling her just a little closer. She smiled against my lips, fingers tightening around mine, like she had been waiting for this.

I had, too. When we finally pulled away, she stayed close, her forehead resting lightly against mine.

"Well?" she whispered.

I swallowed, trying to regain some sort of composure.

"...Yeah, okay," I muttered. "That was definitely fireworks." She smirked, brushing her nose against mine before finally pulling back. I stared at her, still slightly dazed, and exhaled slowly.

"So," I said, voice lower now, teasing. "I guess that makes you my girlfriend?"

Madelyn hummed, considering. "I guess it does." A slow, satisfied grin spread across my lips.

My girlfriend. Yeah. That sounded right. That sounded perfect.

. . .

I wasn't sure when I got so comfortable with this.

With her.

With the way she fit into my space, like she'd always belonged there. With the way my arm draped over the back of the couch, my fingers barely brushing against the nape of her neck as she leaned into my side.

With the way I kept finding excuses to touch her, like it was second nature now.

She had some dumb reality show playing in the background, something she had insisted was "ironically entertaining," but neither of us were paying attention.

Not when we were doing what we always did—bantering.

And maybe that was why I was laughing, actually laughing, my head tipped back against the couch as Madelyn leaned in, trying to argue some ridiculous point about why she would absolutely survive in a zombie apocalypse.

"I'm serious!" she insisted, poking my side. "You don't think I could?"

I scoffed, still grinning. "Babe, you scream when I scare you in your own apartment. You'd be so dead."

Madelyn gasped, eyes wide with dramatic offense. "Wow. Wow. That's actually so rude."

I smirked. "Is it wrong though?"

She huffed, crossing her arms. "I'd thrive in an apocalypse."

I raised an eyebrow. "Uh-huh. And what's your grand survival plan?"

She pursed her lips like she was really thinking about it. Then— "Charm my way into a well-fortified group. You know, pretty privilege and all."

I barked out a laugh.

"Madelyn—"

"What? It's a valid strategy."

"Oh my god."

I shook my head, still grinning. She was so unserious.

Madelyn narrowed her eyes. "You don't believe me."

"Oh no, babe, I totally believe that your secret weapon in an actual zombie apocalypse is—" I waved a hand dramatically, "—flirting."

She shrugged. "Hey, people make dumb decisions when they think you're cute."

I scoffed. "Yeah, like letting you lead the damn group."

Madelyn smirked. "Exactly."

I groaned. "You're actually insane."

Madelyn's smirk widened. "Admit it. You'd let me stay in your fort."

I rolled my eyes, but my grin was still there. "Yeah, yeah. I'd let you stay in my fort."

"Because you like me," she sing-songed, poking my cheek.

I caught her hand, smirking. "No, because you'd die in, like, two days otherwise."

Madelyn gasped.

"You asshole!" she swatted at me, and I grabbed her wrist, grinning as she pretended to struggle, giggling through it.

Then, before I could say anything else— She kissed me.

Soft, but teasing.

Like she knew she had me wrapped around her finger.

I hummed against her lips, still grinning, my free hand curling around her waist to pull her closer.

"You're insufferable," I muttered.

She kissed me again, just a little slower this time.

"But you love it," she whispered.

I smirked. "Maybe."

Her hands slipped into my hoodie pockets, tugging me closer again, and I was already leaning in for another kiss when—Madelyn froze.

I blinked, following her gaze— And there she was.

Standing by the counter, arms crossed, a smirk way too big for her small face.

"What?" I asked slowly, peeking up, already dreading whatever was about to come out of her mouth.

Storm grinned.

Then, like she had just discovered the world's biggest secret, she said, "You guys are totally dating."

I choked on my own breath. Madelyn's lips twitched. "Wow. No buildup? No lead-in?"

Storm shrugged, like she wasn't absolutely shaking up my entire world. "Didn't need one. The evidence speaks for itself."

I squinted. "What evidence?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"

I frowned. And then—oh no. Storm started listing.

"One—you guys have been staring at each other all day like lovesick idiots."

I opened my mouth.

"No, we—"

Storm held up a finger. "Two—Madz has been all up in your personal space, and you're letting her."

I blinked. "That's not—"

"Three," Storm continued, ignoring me completely, "you were just playing with her hand, like, five minutes ago."

My brain glitched.

Madelyn smirked, tilting her head at me. "Huh. I didn't even notice that."

I groaned, running a hand down my face.

"And four," Storm finished, leaning forward like she was going in for the kill, "you guys literally were just making out and being all couple-y and gross"

Madelyn laughed. "Oh my God."

I choked on air.

"What—what the—Storm, what?"

She grinned so smugly. "You totally did."

I buried my face in my hands. "I'm gonna have to send you to boarding school."

Madelyn was laughing now, eyes bright with amusement, watching me suffer. I shot her a look.

"Do not encourage her."

"Oh, I'm absolutely encouraging this," Madelyn said, grinning. "She's got you clocked."

Storm beamed. I groaned again, leaning back against the couch. "You're the worst."

Storm practically skipped over to the couch, throwing herself onto the cushions beside us. "Soooo," she said, kicking her feet up, "you guys are, like, officially official now?"

Madelyn smiled, throwing an arm over the back of the couch. "Yep."

Storm grinned.

Then—she tackled Madelyn into a hug.

I barely had time to react before she was throwing herself at her, practically knocking the breath out of her as she hugged her tight.

Madelyn laughed, catching her with ease. "Whoa, okay! Not the reaction I expected!"

Storm squeezed her. "Finally! I've been waiting forever for you guys to get your shit together."

My jaw dropped.

"Storm—language!"

She barely acknowledged me. "Whatever, you say worse."

Madelyn was cry-laughing now. I scowled at both of them. "This is not the dynamic I signed up for."

Storm pulled back slightly, still hugging Madelyn, and smirked at me. She flopped onto the couch beside us, still grinning. "So does this mean you're my official sister-in-law now?"

Madelyn snorted. "I think that's a bit soon, don't you think?"

Storm shrugged, unbothered. "Nah. You're stuck with us now."

Madelyn smirked, bumping my shoulder. "That so?"

I rolled my eyes, but the corner of my mouth was tugging up despite myself. Storm, smug as ever, just gave her a nod of approval.

Then, she pointed at me. "You better treat her right."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh, so you're threatening me now?"

Storm scoffed, arms crossed. "You bet I am."

Madelyn grinned, clearly enjoying this. "You hear that, Y/n? I have Storm's protection now."

"Oh, fantastic," I muttered. Storm nodded seriously, then turned back to Madelyn. "If she ever messes up, I will help you break into her phone and post something embarrassing on Instagram."

I stared at her, betrayed. Madelyn laughed, holding up a hand to fist-bump her. "Noted."

Storm happily fist-bumped her back.

I groaned again, dropping my head back against the couch.

Storm smirked, pleased. "Yup. This is gonna be fun."

Madelyn leaned over, pressing a soft kiss to my temple before rubbing her hand on my thigh soothingly.

. . .

I should've known.

The moment we walked into Caleb and Lili's apartment, I should've known something was up.

Because Caleb? He was smirking.

And not just any smirk—the smirk. The one that meant I was about to be publicly humiliated.

Lili, on the other hand, was just sitting on the couch, sipping a cup of tea like she was the picture of innocence. Which was already suspicious.

Madelyn greeted them like nothing was wrong, setting her purse down as she made her way toward the couch, completely unbothered.

Meanwhile, I was still standing in the doorway, staring at Caleb like he was an active threat.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" I asked slowly.

Caleb took a deep breath—then clapped his hands together, grinning ear-to-ear.

"So," he drawled, mocking casual. "How's my favorite idiot doing today?"

I squinted at him. "I swear to God—"

Lili perked up, eyes twinkling. "I dunno, Caleb, she seems different today. Doesn't she?"

Caleb gasped, nodding dramatically. "You know what? You're right. Something's changed."

Madelyn was already laughing quietly, shaking her head.

I exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of my nose. "How did you guys even find out?"

Caleb put a hand on his chest, feigning offense. "Excuse me? You didn't think we'd notice? You didn't think we'd see it coming?"

Lili set down her tea, her grin widening. "Honey, Storm told us."

I froze.

My head snapped toward Madelyn, who was biting her lip, clearly trying not to laugh.

Storm. Of course it was Storm.

I closed my eyes, inhaling sharply. "I knew she was up to something."

Caleb nodded, delighted. "Oh, yeah. She called us immediately."

I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. "I hate everything."

Lili, smirking, leaned forward. "Sooo... how long has this been going on, exactly?"

Madelyn, fully enjoying herself, answered before I could.

"Officially?" she said, tilting her head thoughtfully. "A couple of days."

Lili grinned. "And unofficially?"

Caleb wiggled his eyebrows.

Madelyn giggled, looking at me. "You wanna take this one, babe?"

I turned to her, scandalized. "You're helping them?"

She shrugged, smiling innocently. "I think it's cute."

Caleb cackled, leaning against the counter for support.

"Oh my God," I muttered.

Lili sighed dramatically, placing a hand over her heart. "Our baby's finally in love."

Caleb nodded solemnly. "We never thought we'd see the day."

"Y/n Calloway," Lili said wistfully, shaking her head. "Famous for being emotionally unavailable—"

Caleb clutched his chest. "—brought to her knees by a pretty blonde."

I pointed at them warningly. "You're both the worst."

Lili smirked. "But you love us."

"Not right now, I don't."

Caleb snorted, shaking his head. "Nah, nah, nah—seriously though." He finally smiled for real, his expression softening. "You're happy, right?"

I blinked.

Then, almost instinctively, my gaze flickered toward Madelyn.

She was watching me, a soft, quiet smile on her lips, her eyes so full of warmth it almost knocked the air out of my lungs.

I felt something tighten in my chest.

Then, I swallowed, looking back at Caleb.

"Yeah," I admitted, quietly. "I am."

Caleb nodded, satisfied. "Good."

Lili smiled too, her teasing tone gentler now. "Because you deserve this, Y/n."

I exhaled slowly, feeling something inside me unravel just a little.

"...Thanks."

Caleb grinned again. "And just so we're clear—"

I groaned. "Here we go."

"If you ever hurt Madelyn," he continued cheerfully, "I will personally ruin your life."

Lili nodded along. "Same."

Madelyn giggled.

I sighed. "Oh my God."

Caleb smirked, throwing an arm over my shoulder. "Love you, bud."

Lili winked at Madelyn. "And you—welcome to the family, officially."

Madelyn laughed, leaning into me a little. "Thanks, guys."

I just stared at them flatly. "I hate all of you."

Caleb grinned. "Love you too, sweetheart."

And that?

That was how I officially lost control of my life.

. . .

𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐲𝐧'𝐬 𝐏𝐎𝐕

I wasn't used to this. Not in a bad way. Just... in a new way.

Y/n had never been the kind of person to cling to someone—not physically, not emotionally. She wasn't the type to check in constantly, to reach for someone's hand in public, to text someone all day just to say hi.

But now? Now she was calling me every night before bed. And I loved it.

Tonight was no different. I was already in bed, curled under the covers, when my phone lit up on my nightstand. I didn't even have to check the name—I just knew.

I smiled, picking it up.

"Hey, you."

Y/n's voice was softer than usual, laced with something tired but content. "Hey."

I adjusted my pillow, shifting onto my side. "How was work?"

She groaned. "Don't ask."

I laughed. "That bad? "

"Terrible," she confirmed. "It was so busy today. I think I ran more today than I did during basketball season in high school."

"Poor baby," I teased.

She scoffed. "Don't patronize me."

I grinned. "Never."

She huffed, but I could hear the smile in her voice.

"What about you?" she asked. "How was your day?"

I exhaled dramatically. "Exhausting."

"Yeah?"

"Oh, so long," I sighed. "We had to do this full day of filming in North Carolina yesterday, and then we wrapped, turned around and came right back to Charleston because our schedule's been all over the place. I feel like I haven't seen you in forever."

Y/n chuckled. "It's been a few days, Madz."

"That's basically forever," I muttered.

She laughed, and the sound settled deep in my chest, warm and familiar.

"You really missed me, huh?"

I could hear the teasing in her voice, but I didn't even hesitate. "Obviously."

Y/n went quiet for a beat before she spoke again, her voice lower, more sincere.

"I missed you too."

Something inside me