Y/N

    My mind was going in all directions as I watched Maddy and Cassie disappear upstairs. A part of me desperately wanted to climb up there, but I would be lying if I said that the other part of me wasn't scared. I have never seen Maddy like this. The fire burning in her eyes was searing hot that I was terrified to touch her, afraid she'd burn me.

    The more the screaming and the running ensued, the more frightened I became. This suddenly felt all too real. A bond now broken between two of the closest people, and I was part of the reason for the collision. 

    When I took the first step up the stairs, I could hear the beating of my own heart and the various warning signs going off in my head. Each step I took felt heavier than the last. Until finally, I was at the very top. Looking around, I spotted a furious Maddy pounding at Cassie and Lexi's room door. 

    I ran towards Maddy, holding her arm in a tight grasp. Willing her to look at me, and she did. She stared at me as I just stood there wordlessly, watching her watch me. I was about to will the imprisoned words stuck to the back of my throat when she shook her hand out of my grip. "Stay the fuck away from me! I'll fucking deal with you later." It was like the calm before the storm, before Maddy went on fully ballistic, pounding at the door. "Cassie! Open the fucking door."

    More hammering ensued as everyone else tried to separate Maddy from the poor door of Cassie and Lexi's bedroom. "I swear to God, Cassie!"

    "I'm sorry, Maddy!" Cassie screamed through the door, the only barrier separating a furious Maddy and a scared shitless Cassie. I thought Maddy was going for another jab at Cassie, but she placed her forehead on the door.

    "Are you?" Maddy sniffled as she turned around and slipped down the door. "Fucking sorry? Or are you just fucking sorry you got fucking caught!" Maddy screamed, and it was like all the fight left her body. She hugged her knees to her chest as she tried to regulate her breathing. 

    Seeing a girl cry would always arise some emotion inside me, but seeing Maddy cry. That was a whole another ball game. My feet were already trying to step towards Maddy, but Kat held her up to me. A shake of her head, and I already knew what it meant. 

    So I stayed put and watched as Kat walked towards Maddy, kneeling towards the broken girl. She was drying her tears, rubbing small circles on her back. All I could think about was that it was supposed to be me, but this mess was partially my fault. I should have just told Maddy what I knew instead of keeping it and hoping I'd resolve itself.   

    Seconds later, the door Maddy was leaning on creaked open a bit. Cassie must have sensed that Maddy was done trying to commit first-degree murder, so she let herself out. Cassie walked out the door with slow and calculated movements, and then she stood directly in front of Maddy. She looked like she was about to say something through her wrenched sniffling, but Maddy refused to look at her. 

    Cassie was visibly distressed, but at that moment, who wasn't? Lexi then came up to Cassie as she took hold of the older Howard. "Give her some time," Lexi mumbled to Cassie softly as she led a forlorn Cassie downstairs. 

    All I could do was watch as the girls helped each other console themselves. There was nothing I could do, my mind was blank, but I knew I had to apologize at least. That's the least I could do. So with slow movements, just like Cassie's earlier. I treaded towards Maddy and Kat, still sitting on the floor. 

    My heart was starting to beat so harshly that I had to put a hand to my chest, trying to reason with my overactive heart, trying to calm it down. I raised a hand, somehow thinking it would help me with the penned words to the back of my throat. "Maddy, I-'

    Maddy didn't even stare at me, but Kat did. She had a look that I could only describe as a mix of anger, disappointment, and pity. "Not right now, Y/N." That was all Kat said as she directed her head back to Maddy, who was busy staring at the floor. 

    I swayed back and forth, hoping that Maddy would at least spare me one glance, but she didn't. I gathered up my losses and went downstairs. Feeling the weight of what just happened land on my shoulders. 

    Cassie and Lexi were sitting on the couch when I got to the last step. Lexi motioned me to sit with them. "Listen, I think Cassie has something to say to you, Y/N." Lexi then got up from her seat and signaled Cassie to go on. 

    I reluctantly stayed rooted to where I was sitting, refusing to sit any closer to the blonde. Somehow the thought of even an inch of her skin touching mine made my skin crawl, but I fought through my distaste and tried to hear Cassie out. 

    "I didn't sleep with Nate while she and Maddy were still together. I'm not a bad friend-"

    I instantly stood up from my seat, not being able to take any more of this bullshit. "Jesus, fucking christ, Cassie! You fucked me over once, and you fucking did it again! And if that wasn't bad enough, you had to spin me around for this bullshit like you and me were fucking. But in reality, you were fucking your best friend's abusive ex-boyfriend. And you can't even own up to it! Fuck me! Fuck this. God. Wow. I'm heading out. Lexi, I applaud you for being able to take all this bullshit because I fucking can't!" 

    "Leaving without at least one fucking apology?" Kat scoffed as she led Maddy downstairs. My head was about to burst at that moment. I can't fucking believe this. 

    "Maddy, listen. I'm sorry-" As soon as Maddy got close to me, she looked me dead in the eye and softly said, "I'm sorry for hitting you." Maddy said, completely ignoring my apology. "It wasn't okay. It just felt like fucking home because the guy who used to fucking put his fucking hands all over me did it whenever shit would go down. Anyone relate to it?" Maddy looked around, and her gaze landed on Cassie. 

    "Right, Cassie? Or is it a little too early for him to be showing his true colors?" She deadpanned, staring at Cassie right in the eye, not wavering or stuttering a word. Then she smiled, the biggest fucking smile I've ever seen on Maddy's face. 

    We all just stood there, waiting for Maddy's next move. My phone suddenly rang, and I cursed myself for not putting it on silent before I got here. Maddy's gaze landed on me as she stared at me from my shoes to my head. Again, I was about to apologize, but Maddy just scoffed and shook her head. "Not now." 

    My phone rang again, and I knew I had to check it. It could be my mom. My suspicions were correct as she texted me, saying she needed a ride. "My mom needs a-" But I stopped talking as soon as I realized nobody really cared. 

    Nobody said anything, and I just stood there for about a full minute before I finally left. That was the worst fucking intervention ever.