So I've done a few LIS works, but I never felt that they really had the effect I was hoping for, so I ended up removing them, to be returned to at a later date. For now, enjoy this story. I look forward to hearing what you think in the comments!
Max sat with her group of friends at lunch, waiting in the cool fall air for the bell to ring, calling them all back to class. She looked lazily around the group of her friend in order that they sat. Taylor, Courtney, Dana, Juliet, Logan, Hayden Zach, and Nathan. They were all off talking in their own little groups, mostly chatting about boys – in the girls' case- and football –in the boys' case. Max, however, couldn't focus on anything but what she had seen yesterday. She was staring off in to space, deeply concentrating on the thoughts running through her head.
"Maxine, did you hear anything I just said?" Max snapped out of her revere to see her closest friend standing over her, wearing her usual collection of clothing that max could never afford.
"Sorry, Victoria," Max smiled sheepishly, scratching the back of her neck as the other girl stared her down. After a moment of eying Max suspiciously, Victoria let out a sigh and sat in the grass next to her, careful not to get her skirt dirty.
"It's fine, Max," She waved her hand dismissively. "I was just asking what you think the theme for the next Vortex party should be?"
Max simply shrugged. "I'm not sure, but I bet the others would have some ideas," she said, trying to divert the question onto the others.
"Nice try max, but I've already asked them; now I want to know what you think about it!" Victory leaned back, propping herself up on her arms as she examined the look on Max's face. There was a long pause before she spoke again. "In all honesty, Max, we're worried about you,"
It was then that max realizes all other conversations had stopped, and all eyes were on her. Dana nodded, speaking up after Victoria. "She's right, Max. ever since you ran off yesterday at lunch, you've been acting strange."
"You didn't even come to history yesterday," Nathan added. "It's not like you to skip, Is everything alright, Maxine?"
Max swallowed nervously. She supposed she should tell her friends, it wasn't right to keep them in the dark like this, especially when they were so worried about her. Except Courtney, she wasn't even paying attention, simply scrolling through something on her phone.
"It's… kinda heavy," Max said slowly, wringing her hands rather nervously, trying to avoid eye contact with any of her friends.
"That's okay, Maxine," Victoria gave her a smile and reached out to squeeze her hand reassuringly. "We're all here for you, whatever it is that's troubling you."
The others all nodded and voiced their agreeance, along with many comforting smiles, and a thumbs up form Hayden and Logan.
Max took a shaky breath, squeezing her friend's hand back, before she started to speak. "Yesterday I learned some… pretty awful news, I guess it's still pretty hard for me to believe. I had realized that in the month I've been here at Blackwell, back in Arcadia Bay, I never went to visit Chloe, an old friend of mine. We never stayed in contact while I lived in Seattle, and she was pretty mad with me when I left, so I was nervous to see her. When I went to visit her, I found out that she had gotten into an accident shortly after I moved to Seattle. She's… almost completely paralyzed from the neck down."
Max let out a breath, now that it was off her chest, even though she hadn't told the whole truth. The others all voiced their sympathy and apologies, and the girls –with the exception of Courtney – all got up and hugged her tightly. Max thanked each of them. She turned to speak with Victoria, but instead found Nathan standing there, rubbing the back of his neck while he looked at his feet. "Nathan?" She said, getting his attention. He looked up suddenly.
"Hey, Max," he said, looking somewhat awkward, standing there looking so nervous. Max wondered what he was so nervous about. "I'm sorry to hear about your friend, and I just want you to know that, if you ever need it, I'm here to talk." He slowly held out his arms, and max took the hint, chuckling to herself as she pulled the taller boy in for a hug.
"Thanks, Nathan," She smiled, once they had separated. "I really appreciate it, it means a lot that I have friends to talk to when I need it.
Nathan seemed to deflate slightly at the word "friends" but max didn't notice. Just then the bell rang, and the rest of the group made their way back towards the school, leaving Max standing in the grass. She let out a deep sigh and slung her messenger bag over her shoulder. She was about to turn and head to the school herself, but someone grabbed her arm. She looked over to see Victoria standing there with a concerned expression on her face.
"Can we talk for a minute, Maxine?" She asked, letting go of max's arm. She let out a small huff, as if she was nervous about something.
"Sure, Victoria," Max nodded, looking at her friend with a curious expression. What's on your mind?"
"It's no secret that you're one of the only people in this school that I actually treat like a human being," Victoria began, her eyes avoiding Max's as she spoke. What she said was true, the only people Victoria treated with respect were Max, Nathan and Taylor, her three closest friends. "I just wanted to thank you, for making me apologize to Kate for teasing her, and… the other thing."
Max nodded, understanding what this "other thing" was.
A week prior, Victoria had gotten her hands on a video of Kate making out with several other students. She was going to show it all over social media to humiliate the religious girl, bet then Max got wind of what she was planning. She immediately confronted Victoria, and after nearly an hour of expressing how disappointed she was, Victoria deleted the video.
"After seeing how devastated Kate was by the teasing alone, I can't imagine how she would react to seeing the video of her posted online." Victoria continued. "I'm glad that you managed to talk me out of posting it, and I'm glad to have you as a friend, despite how shitty I can be."
"Victoria," Max frowned, crossing her arms. "You are nota shitty person! You just… don't know how to express yourself." Victoria could agree with that statement to some extent, now that she thought about it. Whenever she was talking to someone, rather that explaining what she was really trying to express, she usually ended up insulting the person in one way or another.
"Thanks, Max," Victoria smiled, then her smiled was replaced by a concerned frown. "I realize this may be a sore subject for you, but I want to help, just like you helped me. When you told us about… your friend, Chloe, I could tell that something was wrong. And I mean worse than just your friend having gotten in an accident. You seemed… I don't know, but there is definitely something you didn't tell everyone."
Max was about to speak up, but Victoria cut her off before she had a chance. "I'm not going to force you to tell me, but I want you to come to me, if and when, you are ready to talk. Until then," Victoria held out her arms awkwardly. It took Max a moment before she realized what Victoria was doing, then the shorter girl crashed into the blonde's arms, hugging her tight. She felt Victoria hugging her back, and after a few short seconds, the two separated.
"If you ever need anything, Max," Victoria said. "You can always come to me."
"Thanks, Victoria," Max smiled at her friend, her cheeks slightly flushed. "I will,"
"Good," She nodded with a smile. "Now, shall we head to class? I really don't feel like being marked late today."
Max stepped into her photography class, sliding into the seat at the back of the class. Despite the conversation she had with Victoria, she still arrived in the class before anyone else. A few seconds passed before another person entered the class, smiling as she sat down next to the hipster.
"Hi Taylor," Max greeted her with a smile, shifting her chair to the side so the girl could sit properly at the table.
"Hey Maxine," Taylor smiled. When max had first arrived at Blackwell, she hated it when people would call her Maxine. Now, however, she really didn't mine it so much. She had also used to wear baggy sweaters and jeans, along with dorky T-shirts, but becoming such close friends with Victoria seemed to have changed her style. Now, her usual attire consisted of plain long sleeve shirts and skinny jeans as well as converse instead of running shoes. She had even grown her hair out, and usually kept it tied back in a ponytail like when she was younger. She kept the messenger bag, though; she couldn't bring herself to stop using it, and besides, it was useful for carrying her camera in a place she could reach it easily. That was another thing that hadn't changed. Max still used her Yellow polaroid camera; she just liked the way the photos turned out on film, the style was so much more appealing to her than digital.
"I'm surprised you beat me here," Taylor laughed, setting up her papers and pens on the desk. "I thought I saw you stay behind to talk to Victoria."
"I did," Max nodded, "I guess I just walk fast?" she suggested with a shrug.
"I guess so," Taylor nodded, then after a moment she donned a look of deep thought. "Who do you think you'll choose?"
Max returned a confused stare, not sure what she was talking about. "What do you mean?" She asked.
"I'm talking about Nathan and Victoria!" Taylor explained gleefully. She cleared her throat once she realized that other students were starting to trickle in, and she had been a bit loud. In a quieter voice she continued. "Those two can't get enough of you! Victoria told be all about how grateful she was that you were able to talk her out of hurting Kate any more than she already has, and Nathan– oh god, I've never seen anyone as confident as him act to awkward around anyone!"
Max was thoroughly perplexed, looking at Taylor with an almost glossy look in her eyes, completely lost to this conversation. "I don't follow…" she said slowly.
"You can sure be really dense sometimes, Maxine," Taylor laughed playfully. "Nathan's got 'the hots' and Victoria's got a lady boner for you!" Seeing Max's still obviously confused look, she let out a sigh. Obviously she would have to spell it out carefully for her. "We're talking about Nathan and Victoria."
"I get that part," Max nodded.
Taylor continued. "And, they both like the same person… a certain brown haired, doe eyed hipster,"
Max's eyes went wide all of a sudden. "wait, you mean–
"Now you get it!" Taylor clapped her hands together excitedly.
"That's crazy!" Max's mouth dropped open, before snapping it shut again, realizing that she had nearly shouted, earning a few glances from her classmates.
Satisfied with herself, Taylor gave a smug smile before changing the subject. She could see max's mind racing, trying to think things through clearly the girl wasn't prepared for the revelation. "Anyways," She said, leaning onto the table casually. "I thought you were with Victoria, why didn't you two just come to class together like usual?"
It took max a few moments before she could clear her head and respond. "Um, she had to get her books form her locker…" as if on cue, Victoria strutted into the classroom, followed by Courtney, who was carrying her own books, along with Victoria's.
Upon seeing the smug look on Taylor's face, Victoria's eyes narrowed suspiciously. She had Courtney place her books next to max, on the opposite of Taylor, leaving final girl to have to sit at a separate table, where Brooke sat with Kate. Max noticed how Kate grimaced when Courtney sat with them. Even though Victoria apologized, and had even gone as far as declaring Kate off limits to bullying, Courtney continued to harass her. Max offered the Christian girl a friendly wave, to which Kate smiled widely and waved back. Despite max being a part of the Vortex Club, she and Kate had always gotten along famously since they first became friends at the beginning of the year, and often enjoyed each other's company as they had weekly tea dates, where they would always chat much longer than they had intended.
"What were you two talking about?" Victoria asked Taylor, her eyes still narrowed at her. She wasn't always the most observant person, in fact she rarely paid attention to most things that didn't immediately involve her, but she could always tell when Taylor was up to something, or had been talking about a juicy bit of gossip.
"Nothing that concerns you, sweetie," Taylor teased. These terms of endearment always worked to get under Victoria's skin. It was just too easy to resist doing.
Victoria let out a frustrated huff, crossing her arms and looking to Max. "Will you tell me what you were talking about?"
Max blushed slightly, avoiding Victoria's gaze, all of the sudden feeling very self-conscious about making eye contact with her. "It was nothing Victoria," she stammered. She could feel her pulse pick up all of a sudden. Come on, Max! she thought to herself. You've never acted like this around her before, why are you suddenly being so weird?
Victoria looked as though she was about to push further, but she seemed to sense max's discomfort, so she quickly dropped the subject. "Fine," she let out a sigh, crossing her legs as she prepared her books and pencils for class.
Just then the classroom door opened again, and their photography teacher, Mr. Jefferson, entered the room. "All right everyone, settle down," he said over the rather noisy conversations that were occurring throughout the class. He dropped his bag by his desk and slid his usual suit jacket off, hanging it over the back of his swivel chair. "Now, before we begin today's material, I feel the need to remind you all about rule of thirds." There were some grumpy mumbles shared amongst some of the student. "I know you're all proficient photographers by now, but judging by how disappointing some of last week's assignment's submissions were in this aspect, I clearly need to refresh you all,"
The teacher went on about the proper use of the photography strategy, but for once Max had a difficult time paying attention. She was so preoccupied in her thoughts that she didn't realize that class had ended until she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see that the rest of the class had already left the room, except for Victoria, who was the one whose hand was on her shoulder.
"Are you alright, Maxine?" she asked, looking concerned for what seemed like the umpteenth time that day. "You've been zoned out all class; you're normally so attentive in Mr. Jefferson's class.
"I'm fine, I think," Max nodded, indicating that she was fine. After a moment of silence, she spoke again. "There's something I want to tell you," Victoria's face lit up slightly at Max's words, though she didn't notice. "It's about Chloe…"
Victoria's expression dropped, and she squeezed Max's shoulder reassuringly. "Sure, Max" She gave a kind smile. "Why don't we talk about it back in one of our rooms, I doubt you want to talk about it here." She gestured around the class, empty except for Mr. Jefferson typing idly away at his computer.
Max nodded again, shouldering her bag as the two of them stood, making their way to the door.
"Max," Mr. Jefferson called from his computer, not looking up. "I'm still waiting for your submission for the Everyday Heroes contest," He informed her, still typing away.
"Yes, Mr. Jefferson," Max swallowed uncomfortably. She had no confidence in what she had selected for her entry. "I'll hand it in soon, I promise."
He finally looked up from his computer to look at her. "Don't keep me waiting, Max," he turned back to his computer and the girls left the classroom.
"You still haven't handed yours in yet, Maxine?" Victoria asked, giving her yet another concerned glance.
"I'm… working on it," She lied. She had already taken the photo nearly the first day the contest had been announced, but she had been stewing over handing it in ever since. Thankfully, Victoria didn't push the matter, and the two walked in relative silence back to the dorms.
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