Being Madison

Madison flipped her dark hair over her shoulder as her mother began to speak. “Did you remember everything?”

“Yes Mama, I have a list.” Madison cracked a pretty smile while zipping up her last bag. Shelby watched her daughter and couldn’t help but feel a little excited. Madison had worked so hard and now she was taking a break. Finals were done and she had two weeks off from work. Shelby was happy to see her baby finally putting herself first. “Everything will be fine, I promise.” Madison smiled to catch her mother wipe away a tear. “I know I’m just worried.” Her mom replied as she came in for a hug. She gathered her bags as they turned to leave the bedroom.

“Let’s go Courtney announced as she bounced into the room. “Let’s go then!” Madison answered back in her best Wayne’s world impression. They made it out of the house and to her car. While putting the last of the bags into the blue 2001 Mustang, Jasmine and her sister pulled into the driveway. “Just in time,” Shelby told the girls.

“Hey I know Courtney would have left me. Jasmine joked to the group as she put her own bag into the trunk. “Well Mama that’s everything, time to go!” Madison told her mom from the driver’s seat. She slid her sunglasses on and let the top down, as the girls got comfortable. “You guys be careful” Shelby started. “And call us when you get there” Jasmine’s sister finished. “No prob!” Jasmine assured her them as they pulled out of the motor court. As they rounded the corner Courtney yelled out “Cancun here we come!” The other girls just laughed and yelled to hype it up.

The trip was an estimated five-hour drive. With the early start it was a Mickey D’s breakfast and a long drive ahead of them. Three hours later they were well on their way. The small talk had turned into to complaints of work, school, and of course guys. Jasmine adjusted her backseat campout and tried to untwist her jeans that had become all bunched up while digging though their bags for CDs, gum, and her novel. She found a comfort zone where her jeans and green t-shirt were straight. Her strawberry blonde hair was sticking out from underneath a matching cap. She was a tall 5’8 compared to the other’s 5’3 status. She was ballsy, loud, and one of the sweetest people you would ever meet.

“Jazz hand me the case logic!” Courtney requested from the front seat as she started playing with the radio. Madison glanced over to see the exchange then back to the road. “Hey I want to hear Ashanti.” She told Courtney who was DJ this trip. “No I want to hear *Nsync then we can hear it.”

“Oh I forgot we had those CDs in there.”

“Yeah right” Jasmine broke into the conversation.

“Nah, I’m serious. I have been really busy lately.” Madison said truthfully.

“So you haven’t heard?” Courtney asked and didn’t wait for an answer before filling her in on the latest fan gossip. Her light blue tank top lit up her eyes as her short platinum blonde hair flapped crazily in the wind. Madison looked over a couple of times trying to hear her update over the blaring radio and road. She could only wonder why they were still all into a boy band. Courtney had just turned 20, Madison was 21, and Jasmine was 22. Granted they were still younger than most of the members of the band. Still it was very last season to go gaga over the teen heartthrobs.

“Hello are you listening to me or not?” Courtney shouted snapping Madison out of her daze. “What?” Yes of course I am.”

“She has that look again Court…” Jasmine sounded out. Madison looked over at peering eyes and pleaded for so sympathy. “Oh guys come on, I’m sorry, I’m just a little tense.” They let up on her and agreed things had been going on full speed for too long. “Yeah Maddy it’s cool, but you have to understand where we are coming from too. It is weird for us to see you not in to it anymore.”

“What do you mean Jazz?”

“Well to start how do you go from #1 fan to not even remembering you have these CDs in here.”

“Man that is this trip is all about y’all. Chilling out, catching up, and getting a tan.” Madison assured them.

“Woo-YOO!!!” They all screamed out to see the border in front of them. Courtney and Madison high fived each other as they crossed the checkpoint into Mexico.

Ding-Ding

“Welcome to the Sands, may I help you?”

“Yes reservations for Madison Davis.”

“One moment please.” The clerk went to the computer ands started typing the girls stood patiently in the giant hotel lobby. “Check it out.” Courtney whispered to Madison. “They have bellboys.”

“Yes, yes we do!” The clerk sounded out rudely as he returned with they key card and paperwork. “Sign here, room 1054!”

“Thanks!” Madison barked back picking up on this unfriendly attitude. Courtney and Jasmine both embarrassed couldn’t help but laugh as the “bellboys” showed them to their Suite. Madison tipped them as they left and began on over view of the room. Once they all took it in the sighed with relief to be at their destination and out of the car.

“Jazz call Mama and Kristi and tell them we are here.”

“Yes sir”, Jasmine saluted her as she found the desk on the other side of the room. Courtney threw back the drapes to reveal the patio’s view. “WOW…” she squeezed out when Madison joined her outside. “Really" Madison said in agreement. They enjoyed the view for a moment the sandy beach seemed to reach up to them from below. The blue water danced in the breeze carrying swimmers all over and bouncing a few jet-skiers around. The pools were off to the side and the bar was full of people. The scene was postcard perfect.

“Maddy!” Jasmine yelled from deep inside the room. Madison turned on her heel and patted Courtney on her shoulder as she went back in. “Yeah Mama everything is fine. You need to see this view it’s gorgeous. All right then, love you too, bye.” Madison hung up the phone and caught a handle on the idea that she was free for the next two weeks.

Chapter 2

“This place is wonderful.” Madison said as she walked up to the chase where Courtney was tanning. “So I take it the water is agreeable?” Courtney turned in her direction checking her sunning progress. “It’s great, I’m loving all this.”

“Watch out Maddy you might just relax on your vacation.” Courtney poked. Madison could only smile as she took her chair and started applying tanning oil.

“Courtney, Maddy! How would you like this really hot guys to buy us a drink.” Jasmine said as she came running up. She had just come from the pool and as always just happened to bump into some random guys. “What guys?” Madison asked. Courtney nonchalantly glanced over to check them out as Jasmine told her story. “Hot, very hot.” Courtney agreed. “I’ll go.”

“Maddy you in?” they asked.

“No I’m not thirsty.” Madison stated bluntly. They left her to soak up the last of the afternoon’s ray. Later putting her Discman away, she watched the sun set on the beach.

The next morning she woke up to the sound of pounding on the door. Jasmine and Courtney poured themselves into the room looking pretty rough. “How was it?” Madison asked sleepily as she sat down in the recliner ready to hear all about it. “It was great.” Courtney gushed as she remover her earrings. Jasmine rounded up some sleep clothes and headed for the shower. “Well we went to dinner and then dancing, three different clubs.”

“Sounds fab so who were these guys?” Madison questioned. “Oh girl, nobody special some guys named Lee and Nick, they were so cheesy. We spent most of the night losing them on the dance floor.”

“Sounds about right.” Madison joked. “Well since you guys are home an I’m going back to bed.”

“Me too Maddy, just as soon as I get a shower.”

Later that day when they work up they decided to go out fro lunch and some shopping.

“There is so much to do here,” Jasmine stated.

“Hey Court, hold this.” Madison said as she took a few pairs of shorts and novelty shirts into the dressing room.

“Those look great Courtney told her when she appeared again. Madison returned to the room to change back after quick thanks. Jasmine found them a little later in a different store.

“Hurry up let’s go!” she instructed in a whispered voice.

“Why?” they both questioned her. She bowed her head and tried to not be so obvious.

“Those guys from last night are over there.” Slowly Courtney followed her out of the store leaving Madison by herself. She mumbled at the two of them under her breath as she made her way to the register. In spite of their efforts to slip out un-noticed Courtney was spotted.

“Court! Jazz! Wait up!”

“Shit…” Courtney muttered as turned to face them. She pasted on her fake smile and greeted them.

“Lee, Hon how are you guys doing today?” Jasmine came across fake as hell in her nod to the boys. Madison now on the sidewalk about ten feet away leaned up against the side of the store. They gave their best thanks but no thanks speech in a subtle way. Five minutes later Nick and Lee left the girls “heart broken” thinking they were much better off.

“You guys so owe me” Madison laughed at them. They began shopping again and found the sounds of a live band pouring out of the small music store. “Tell me they are not all like that…” Jasmine began to playfully whine.

“Well Jazz, to say all would be a stereotype and in this day and age we really should avoid that at all costs.”

“Okay thank you first lady…” Madison poked at Courtney.

“And you have a better answer Miss Madison Avenue?”

“Sorry Jazz they all suck…” Madison flipped through some of the CDs of the local band that was playing. The girls shook their head at her and looked around. Seeing that she was losing their focus she spoke up again. “Now there may be some real Prince Charming out there ready and willing to sweep you off your feet… but trust me even he has issues.”

“Maddy you are so jaded, what issues could Prince Charming have?” Courtney asked.

“For starters, he doesn’t wear any socks."  The girls didn’t really understand what she was talking about but they couldn’t hold back their laughter any longer. The people that were listening to the band began to disperse as the set ended. Courtney was pleased with what she heard and bought one of the CDs and have the three members of the band sign it.

Miguel, David, and Veronica made up the group Familia. The girls offered to take them to lunch for an autograph and such a good show. They had lived in Cancun for the past five years and played mostly for tourist. They had signed a deal with Jive Records and had already made two albums with four hit songs. The girls were impressed with how down to earth the band was. By the end of lunch Veronica had invited them to a beach party planned for later that night.

“Tons of people… tons of fun…promise you!” The girls smiled to hear Madison accept the invitation. “We would love to… Thank you so much.”

“Then it’s settled” Miguel said with a smile. And lunch was over.

Chapter 3

They arrived at the designated hotel with passes in hand. With no problem at the door Madison began to relax. Veronica found them in the lobby. She looked so different than before. Earlier she wore a dress and heels to perform in and now she was in a halter top with overalls rolled up at the bottom as if she had been playing in the shore line only a minute ago. They had all dressed down for the party. Courtney wore UFO pants with a tank top and Jasmine wore shorts with a tee. Finally Madison decided on hip huggers and a bare mid-drift shirt.

They made it to the patio that lead to the beach and there were safely a thousand people there. Everyone seemed to be hyper and ready for a good time. One detail that Veronica seemed to leave out was that the place was surging with celebrities. There were musicians, actors, producers, and directors though the labels were not acceptable tonight. They were all just people looking for a great party.

It didn’t take long for Courtney and Jasmine to disappear into the crowd. Madison and Veronica nabbed a table with their backs to the wall so they could see everyone. They joked and a made little remarks about all the A-listers. Madison loved Veronica’s since of humor and they made quite the gossiping pair. “Oh shit, shh… Maybe he won’t see me…” Veronica froze up for a minute and tried not to make any sudden moves.

“Who?, which one?” Madison tried to whisper under her breath with a laugh. She searched the crowd a saw a thin shorter guy with brown hair waving at them. He looked like a young Mexican guy, that had the glimmer, but she couldn’t place him. “Is he gone?” Veronica asked not even acting like she saw him. When he relized that she would not budge he let himself be pulled away by a few ladies that were yelling and screaming at him.

“Ok, he is gone.” Madison told her so she would looked up. They were both laughing as the waitress brought another round of shots. “Now you have to tell me what that was all about.” Veronica put up one finger as she took her drink hard.

“It was Diego Luna, he’s an actor.” Madison swigged her shot and made a face at her.

“I know who is he! I just couldn’t place him with out his hands down his pants… Girl have you seen the movie I’m talking about.” Veronica closed her eyes and laughed.

“Yeah, I dated him before I married David. That was way after that movie though.”

Madison nodded at her with a serious look on her face that neither one of them could pose for. They had already had a few by that time and things were funny for no reason at all. They laughed a started to point people out again. Madison spotted a cute guy and got Veronica’s attention. He had just come from the beach with his shoes in hand. He seemed to be casual and relaxed. He made eye contact with her and made his way to the bar where he sat down.

“How cute is he?” Madison whined to her. Veronica scanned the bar to see who she was talking about. “He has on a blue shirt and he has blonde hair.” She said narrowing down the search.

“Oh yeah,” Veronica smiled. “Good pick, his name is James. And yes he is fine!”

Madison continued to gaze and whenever he would look up he would look to see if she was still there. “He looks so familiar, but why?” she said out loud.

“Hello!” Veronica rolled her eyes. “No more drinks for you if you don’t know that is a member of *Nsync.” Maybe it was the drinks but it took her a minute after Veronica seized her shot for it to dawn on her.

“James…OH MY GOD… Lance!?!?! It is him isn’t it!” Madison whispered the best she could, it had been a while since her groupie stage and she had been so busy she couldn’t tell Elvis from Nickelback. The information processed in her brain and all she could do was smile.

“Duh!” Veronica teased now seeing the glazed expression on her friends face.

“Do you know him?” Madison pried.

“Yeah we went on tour with them for about four months last year. They are really great, and he is like super nice.” She paused, the words had to enter her brain before they could come out of her mouth. “Except when he’s mad.” Madison hardly noticed the break in her slurred speech.

“That is so cool Vee.” She smiled to see him keep making eye contact with her as she tried to act unknowing.

The waitress brought another round to the table. When they looked confused she explained that the guy at the bar had sent them. They cracked up for a minute and then looked at him. Madison smiled sweetly and Veronica motioned for him to come over. When he stood up and started their way she wanted nothing more to lock him and that cute little smile of his up and keep em’ her pocket.

“Veronica, I thought that was you!” he said has he gave her a quick hug.

“Hey sweetie I didn’t know you were in town” she replied.

“I got here this morning.” He sat down and gave Madison a quick smile.

“Well this is Madison, we met at Tully’s this afternoon” Veronica introduced them.

“Nice to meet you” Madison offered a handshake.

“The pleasure is all mine” he cooed and kissed her hand instead of shaking it. Madison did not budge, she had always been able to keep her cool in from of guys and this one was no different. Beside the fact that she was about spent and wasn’t sure if it really happened or not.

“So what are you an actress or something, no a model right.” Lance tried to flatter her when the kiss got no reaction. Madison giggled to play along and she shook her head.

“That’s a new one. No I’m a photoger…photo-graoher….” She couldn’t pronounce her profession with anger she dropped her head and inhaled a deep breath. “I take pictures!”

The mini outburst got laughs and she hid her embarrassment behind her red cheeks.

“So you’re only on the edges of this crazy life. Are you working now?” he asked. She smiled to see him overlook her sloppy state and she decided to pull herself together.

“No, I’m taking some time off to kick back with some friends. Are you working?” He dropped his eyes to his drink to be reminded that even though he was having fun then he was there on business. “Yeah we have a show tomorrow, but nothing to jump out of the window for.”

They talked and drank for two more hours. By that time David had joined them in the mix. It was nice Madison thought to herself. This vacation was going to be better than she had hoped for. After a couple of dances and a few more drinks Courtney found her. Jasmine wasn’t far behind, when they had all regrouped they hung out for another hour yammering. It was five am and the girls knew that they should get going, but they weren’t sure where.

“I don’t think I can drive” Madison told the girls with a little slur. Lance stood up to stretch from sitting too long and everyone seemed to follow his lead including her. She wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol or the lack of sleep but she lost her balance.

“Drive, are you serious?” Lance laughed as he reached out to steady her. She grabbed his hand and let herself fall into him. He was warm, strong, and it felt great.

“Maddy we have a villa on the far side of the hotel. Let’s just walk over there,” Veronica told the group. Everyone was thankful at the news.

            Madison straightened herself as they began to walk along the beach. The sun was peeking through the clouds and she stopped and watched the water for a moment. Lance noticed her lagging and went to retrieve her. He wasn’t sure how out of it she was so no chances should be taken. “Madison?” he spoke softly as he approached her. When he was close enough he touched her shoulder.  Her skin was cold and she shivered at his warm hand.

“Yeah, I’m coming.” She assured him as she broke her gaze and stared at the ground.

“It’s cool, I just wanted to make sure you were ok” Lance replied. She shook again with the breeze and wrapped her arms around her bare waist.

“Really I’m fine, I just wanted to see the water for a minute. This is all so breath taking…” she looked up at him with glossy eyes still trying to assure him she wasn’t THAT drunk.

            “Breath taking, huh. Is that why you are shaking?” he joked. As if on cue he pulled off his long sleeve shirt to put on her.

“No keep it, I don’t want you to be cold.” She wiggled a little.

“I have on another one, its okay!” She looked up to see indeed he was wearing a white A/X t-shirt. She slid her head through the big shirt and was thankful to block out the chill of the wind. She looked at him in approval of his good deed and took his hand to begin walking again. He took a few steps with her and stopped. She stopped too and glanced at him questioning the action. “I thought you wanted to see this…” He spoke in a deep serious tone. The sound of his voice played with her mind in her drunken state. She turned to the water and let go of his hand. The sun was coming up now, and the sight was majestic. The soft rays danced on the water filling the air and night clouds. The saltwater smell filled her senses as well, at that moment complete relaxation took over her body. When it passes she whispered, “Thank you” into his chest as she turned to face him.

“Anytime,” he looked down at her with tender eyes. Not wanting to ruin the moment he leaned in a kissed her forehead with a smile. She sank into him as he put his arm around her and they began walking the rest of the way to the villa.