always (erik durm)

CHAPTER TWO

Erik and I hung out alot after my birthday incident. I realised that those fake people I called friends weren't worth my time. Erik had been with me longer than they have and if they couldn't accept him then they weren't worth my time.

Erik became outgoing and I learned to be more confident. We helped each other out and it made me happy to see Erik finally come out of his shell.

He was becoming a really excellent football player and whenever I had time, I would watch his games. I didn't participate in those kind of activities but what I did participate in was singing competitions. I was in a choir and we would perform at competitions, it was hard for Erik to attend said competitions because it was usually out of town, however it would make me extra happy whenever I'd see him in the crowd.

I was too young for love but whenever I was with Erik, I felt like I was in love. I was in love with the way he'd pull his eyebrows together whenever he failed to score a goal, I was in love with his rosy cheeks and how they always got redder whenever I'd tell him a silly joke, I was in love with all the little things he'd do. It was hard for me because I was too young to deal with all those emotions. I was only 12 when I realised I had those emotions.

Erik was usually a quiet one when it came to expressing emotions. Whenever I'd rant about the prince being too obvious or the princess being too desperate, he'd just smile and agree with me. I didn't understand why he acted that way but I never tried to approach him because it would be plain awkward.

We both had managed to overcome all the bullies however it was hard for Erik because he wasn't tough. He was a bit of a softie so I had to be the one to stand up for him sometimes. I don't regret any of it though, I loved Erik and I'd honestly die for that boy (but if he won't die for me, then it's a no).

Erik and I were a duo for a couple of years until we met Madeline. Madeline was your typical shy geek. She wore big square glasses and she would always tie her hair in adorable pigtails. I wanted her to be my friend because she seemed so lonely and I would love a new addition to our squad . . . or something like that.

It wasn't difficult to approach Madeline because she was in most of our classes and she usually sat alone.

"Hello," I said. It was lunch time and Erik and I spotted Madeline sitting alone at a corner table. "My name's Hadley and this is my friend Erik."

Madeline looked up at us and offered us a genuine smile. "My name's Madeline."

"Don't worry Madie, Erik and I will be your new besties."

And that's how the fabulous trio was formed. After finding out I lived in the same neighbourhood as Madeline, we began to walk together to school. We would usually meet up at the entrance with Erik because he lived in the other neighbourhood and the bus we took didn't go down that route.

I liked being with Madie and Erik, they gave me a strong sense of comfort and whenever I was with them, I felt like I could take over the world (not literally but metaphorically).

When we reached the awful age of 16, we had to distance ourselves from each other because junior year was kicking our butts and we didn't want any distractions.

Although Erik had heavy football training, he didn't drop out of highschool and it made me proud. Even after his aunt had died and he was practically living by himself, he managed to get his life sorted out.

We graduated highschool with flying colours and Madeline even managed to grab the Valedictorian spot. Erik was awarded the "Athelete of the Year" award whilst I was awarded with a great amount of food.

After highschool, I didn't know what to do. I honestly thought I had my life planned out but after the graduation ceremony, I literally sat in my room for hours staring at the ceiling. I didn't apply for any colleges yet because I didn't know what course I want to take. Dad told me to just get engineering or something but I was horrible at Maths and my handwriting was the definition of trash.

I was upset because I didn't have my college life planned out and I needed to think fast. That day, I was calling Erik but the lady from my service provider said that the number I was calling blocked me. I was obviously flabbergasted and decided to go to Madeline.

It turns out Erik left and didn't even say goodbye. He left and I was obviously hurt because I didn't know if he was coming back or not and if he was, I didn't know when. Madeline didn't bother contacting him because if he was in another continent, she had to pay credit. I didn't want to contact him because the fact that he left without saying was too much for me to handle.

I didn't even get to tell him how much I loved him.

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(lol chapter is short af) (btw these throwbacks are set in like early 2000's since they're still teenagers and the story will take place when they're all 25) (i know erik is still 23 but in this story he will be 25) (although he doesn't look 25) (this is fiction anyways lol) (so in the next chapter, maddie and hadley are no longer in college since they've graduated)