Author's Note: This is my first (completed) story! Thanks to Cowboys-and-coffee for betaing. I hope you enjoy and review!
Amelia has had years of practice, dealing with Addison's moods. Happy Addison, Sad Addison, Angry Addison, Bored Addison, she knew how to handle them all. But when Addison lashed out at them that night, Amelia's eyes widened in surprise. This was a side of her friend she had hardly ever seen. A tiny seed of suspicion began growing in the back of her mind as she watched the scene unfold before her. By the time that Addison fled the room, it was feeling uncomfortably heavy.
"I'll go," she announced, standing the second the redhead was out of earshot.
"No, I will," said Sam, but seeing her disappear around the corner, he slumped back into his seat, shrugging at Violet. The clacking of Amelia's heels faded down the hallway.
Addison was long gone by now, but it didn't matter; Amelia would always know exactly where to find her. She ducked into the cafeteria first, and then emerged a minute later, crossing the hall and calling the elevator. She took it all the way to the top, and used her elbows to push open the heavy door.
There stood Addison, right where Amelia had known she would be, leaning against the roof ledge, gazing out at the city lights. Addison flinched a little at the sound of the door, but she didn't turn around.
"Please, Sam, not now," she said, her voice thick. She straightened up, and crossed her arms tightly in front of her chest.
"Good thing I'm not Sam, then, huh?" Amelia replied lightly, cautiously approaching her friend. Addison did turn around at that, and Amelia winced. "Sorry. Not funny."
She paused for a moment, hoisting herself up onto the ledge of a flower planter. "Coffee?" she asked, extending one of the cups toward Addison. "You looked like you could use some juju."
Addison nodded, quickly crossing the roof to stand at Amelia's side. She took one of the cups, grasping it in both hands, and lifted the drink to her mouth. They stood together, not speaking, until both cups were empty, and the first hint of daylight was appearing on the horizon.
"You want to talk about it?" Amelia asked at last. The tiny seed had shifted, and was now a lump in Amelia's throat.
Addison shook her head immediately. "No," she whispered, looking down and away.
"Don't want to?" Amelia pressed quietly. "Or can't?"
Addison said nothing, merely setting down her cup and laying her head on Amelia's shoulder. Amelia reached an arm around her, pulling Addison closer, as she let the tears fall at last.
