Some things never change

Chapter 1: Addie not Maddie


She picked up her feet and ran behind the brick building, panting as she put her back against the wall. She pushed her hair back and pulled  cigarette from behind her ear. She placed it in her mouth as she searched her jacket and jeans for a lighter. She pulled the short grey lighter from her back pocket and sparked it, she lit her cigarette and took a long drag and held it deep in her lungs for about a minute. She released the smoke and closed her eyes as she laid her head back on the wall . She kept her eyes closed and continued to think. She continued to take long drags of the cigarette as she drifted deep in thought. As she stood there a tall lanky man with dark hair crept upon her in silence "Adeline"!! he screamed. The girl jumped and without notice started choking on the smoke in her lungs, she bent over coughing and wheezing "fuck" she said as she caught her breath . "What would your dad think if he caught you smoking?" the man said as he folded his arms "I'd like think he'd turn the other cheek" the girl said as she reached down and put out the cigarette. "Well he could also tell how eager you are too ignore him, so he just might" the man pointed out " atta boy" she responded shuffling her feet in the snow. "Why are you stalking me Keadis"? she asked him looking deep in his eyes. "Stalking! ha! hardly! I did nothing more then merely catch my ever so loving best friend trail her way too self destruction" he chuckled. "Are you patronizing me?" said Adeline as she zipped her hoodie and proceeded to walk. Keadis shrugged as he staggered to catch up with her pace. They both turned the corner and walked down the short ally covered in snow. The skylines were tall, with the clouds shifting above them. The closer they got too the main street the louder the world got. They weren't in New York but between the honking of every car and the fast pace movement of the people, you almost had the instinct to place yourself there. "I almost feel like i dont exist today" Adeline mumbled as she looked at the many faces passing her by. Some caught her gaze others however intently pressed on as if she never looked their way. "Maddy" Keadis responded trying to get her attention which in fact worked better then he thought "Addie" she hissed back. Adeline and Keadis had been friends for years but what only seemed to add up to a few months. He will always be her favorite person simply because he understood why she wanted to just be Adeline instead of Maddox the name given too her by her parents. "Why wont anyone other then you just let me be Adeline even Addie at the least!! Maddox is a ridiculous name" She stated grabbing Keadis by the arm "well you of all people should know why our parents give us such unholy names, its indirect payback for all the sleepless nights they endured on our behalf" he replied as he glanced down at Adeline who was fumbling with the buttons on the sleeves of her flannel . She felt his gaze and looked up at him " now whats the cure"? she asked "i think hookers" he responded and the both bursted into laughter. They pressed on down the busy sidewalk. The people moved swiftly around them as they kept their own pace. They surveyed the world, talking in all the motion around them. Adeline felt as ease with the world so she let go of Keadis and took a deep breath, once she exhaled she nodded at the world in approval. Keadis quickly checked the time on his watch, which flashed "11:37 am". "Here's a thought" he started "how about we slam some coffee first before i have to leave for work" he added. Adeline hesitated "how about you slam some coffee and we pretend i indulged as well" she started tracing the city with her eyes. "Oh that's right! your an anti coffee fascist, how could i forget" Keadis said playfully pushing her. "Oh you remembered i see, don't forget i did start the anti coffee consumerism rebellion" she responded sarcastically "your just a beast" Keadis shot back playfully. They both stepped off the sidewalk carefully inspecting the street for out of control vehicles. They waited until a sizable truck with a bear on the side passed by. They ran across, ending up on the other side in front of a modest but busy coffee shop called "caffeinate me". Adeline huffed out of frustration "why do you come here" she   asked as she ran her hands through her dark hair, Keadis shot her a look "you ask me that everyday and i continually give you the same response". "Indulge me for the millionth time" she folded her arms "they have an exceptional amount of modern art" he stated. Adeline rolled her eyes as she stepped towards the door too pull it open, she whistled to get Keadis too look but he was busy gazing through the large window at a portrait of the ocean he was fond of. Something he found to be beautiful and annoying. Adeline whistled again which finally caught his attention, he walked towards her as she made her way in, he held the door open from behind before strolling in after. She stopped suddenly as did he when they had to make room for the people scurrying by looking for seats. The room was medium with an array of tables and chairs strategically spread out for the purpose of aesthetics. The dull wooden floors creaked under every step, it was never a bother since the place was usually packed and loud. Each table was sparsely decorated with artificial flowers standing in the glass with glittering fish rocks below them. Sheer fishnet table cloths elegantly draped each table shimmering in a variety of colors to give the room some more light. There were small candles cradled in aluminum off to the side waiting to be lit for leisure. They waited in line diligently behind a short and talkative blonde who was chatting away on her bluetooth. Once reaching the counter after what seemed like a 30 min wait Keadis scoured the menu before ordering "Hi how can we caffeinate you today" the employee said with a stare and uneasy smile as if he was new. "This Morning ill take a large coffee thats half hot chocolate with milk and 9 sugars" Keadis said as he reaches into his pocket for his wallet, the worker typed everything into register before revealing the price "is that all" he asked. Keadis looked back at Adeline to give her another chance. Although all she did was stare blankly back at him, "no that's all" he responded "the total is 7 .26". Keadis pulled open his wallet only to find he had six dollars so instead he pulled out a credit card and handed it off, "here you go" the cashier responded as he handed the card back. He then turned around to grab the cup that was waiting patiently behind him "Thank you" Keadis said playfully as he took the drink out of the mans hand, they both exchanged smiles before Keadis turned and eased his way too the wall where his favorite portrait hung, Adeline followed closely at his heels too avoid getting in the way. He stopped and appreciated it in its entirety as Adeline stepped to his side "explain" she daunted "I look at this and i feel personified, like there's more too me then anything i ever knew" he said "that's beautiful" Adeline looked at him endearingly. Keadis looked at his watch in horror " I'm going to almost be late, text me and we can get our lives together" seconds later Keadis ran out the door not looking back. Adeline stood there confused but she shrugged and looked around before walking out. Once outside she took out another cigarette and sparked it, pulling up her hood and walking in a familiar direction.