Author's Note: I don't own Saved By The Bell or any of it's characters. I only own Melissa(My OC), Ella(Max's sister), Jean(server at The Max), Amy(another server), and Beth(also a server). The story and ideas in it are also mine. In this chapter Max will confess his love to Melissa. He also has a deep dark secret that may shock some people. I have written Max as a cutter, I also made him out to possibly be anorexic.(He cuts his arms, legs, or chest to release pain, and I'm still not sure if I really want to make poor Max anorexic, but I need to have some excuse for why he's so thin.) I had always wondered why Max wore a jacket in the show, so I decided that he might be hiding something.(I got: burns, track marks, and tattoos from my coworkers.) I quickly dismissed tattoos since Ed Alonzo doesn't have any tattoos in real life.(To the best of my knowledge.) I just wanted to make the character of Max just a bit more complex than he was of the show. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Please read and review.

Chapter 2: The Dark

I walk out of Max's office upset and confused. I know I have to keep things together for both our sakes.

"Hey Melissa, what happened in there?" Someone asks.

I look and see Ella standing there. Ella is about my age with long curly light brown hair. She looks a bit like a female Max, although I'm pretty sure they're not related.

"Nothing." I say.

"Please don't lie, I know something happened." Ella says.

"Ella, I need you to gather the rest of the staff, I need to tell you guys something."

"Ok, I'll get them." Ella says and walks off.

I watch her gather the staff.

She comes back and says, "They're ready."

"Ok, take a seat and I'll be right there." I say.

Ella nods and walks off to take her seat. I take a deep breath and let it out slowly trying to calm my nerves. I walk out and stand in front of everyone. I see ten pairs of eyes looking right at me. I begin to wish Max hadn't made me tell everyone. I brush it off and calm myself.

"I'm sure you are all wondering why I need to talk to you guys." I say.

I hear yeahs coming from the staff.

"Max has asked me to ask you guys to stay after we close for the night." I say.

"Why?" Ella asks.

"He has something he needs to say to all of us."

"Do you know what it is?" Jean asks.

"He didn't tell me. All he said was that it was important." I say.

Naturally I'm lying through my teeth. I know damn well what Max has to say to us.

"I think you're lying." Amy says.

"Guys, I'm not lying, I really don't know what Max wants to say."

As I say this Max walks out of his office. I notice he looks a little green, almost like he's about to throw up. He walks over to me. He gets next to me and leans close.

He whispers in my ear, "Are they giving you a hard time?"

"Yes." I whisper.

He stands up and puts a hand on my shoulder.

"Guys, Melissa isn't lying to you, I didn't tell her what I need to tell you guys tonight." Max says.

"What's going on Max?" Beth asks.

"I'll tell you tonight. Are you guys going to be there?" Max asks.

I hear yeah we'll be there from the staff.

"Ok guys, back to work." I say.

After I say this the staff gets back to work. I hear Max sigh behind me.

"Are you feeling alright?" I ask

He turns me to face him and says, "No, I feel sick to my stomach."

"Sit down and I'll get you some toast and tea." I say.

"Thanks, but I think I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?" I ask.

"Yes." Max says with a nod of his head.

"Really?"

"Yes really." Max says.

He then pulls me close and gives me a kiss on the lips.

I pull away asking, "What was that for?"

"I'm trying to show you I love you."

"Do you really?" I ask.

Max gives a nod of his head as an answer.

"I knew it." I say.

"Knew what?" Max asks puzzled.

"I always knew deep in my heart that you loved me."

Max smiles at me and says, "I have a surprise for you later."

"What is it?" I ask.

"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise."

"I guess you're right." I say with a sigh.

"I promise, the surprise will be a good one." Max says.

"I hope so."

"Why?" Max asks.

"Because, I hate being let down, that's why." I say.

"I thought maybe you had another reason." Max says.

"No, no other reason."

"Well, I'll let you get back to work."

"Ok, I'll talk to you later."

I watch Max walk back to his office.

'I hope he'll be ok today.' I think.

I make a mental note to check on him a bit later. I get through my shift without much hassle until the high school kids come in around noon. Zack and the gang come in and take their spot in their usual booth. I walk over to them with a couple of menus.

"Hey guys, can I get you anything?" I ask.

"Just you." Slater says.

"Sorry Slater, I'm taken." I say.

"Hey Melissa, where's Max?" Zack asks.

"He's in his office taking care of some unruly server."

"Max has never fired anyone." Kelly says.

"Guys, he's busy."

"Just let us talk to him." Jessie demands.

"Fine, I'll go get him." I grumble.

I turn and walk off toward Max's office. I get to his office and knock on the door.

"Come in!" Max shouts.

I open the door and walk in. I find Max sitting at his desk with his head in his hands. The black jacket he was wearing earlier is haphazardly thrown across the back of his chair. His red t-shirt is stuck to his back like he has been sweating.

"Are you ok?" I ask.

"I'm fine, I'm just thinking." Max says.

"Well, Zack and the gang are here, and they're insisting on talking to you." I say.

"Tell them I'll be right out."

"Ok, I'll tell them."

I turn and walk out of the office and head back to Zack's table.

"Guys, Max will be right out." I say when I get to the table.

"Great, we really need to talk to him." Lisa says.

"What's so important?" I ask puzzled.

"We heard a rumor that some guy named Jeff was looking to buy this place." Screech says.

"Guys, that's no rumor." Max says as he walks up behind me.

"You're not going to sell, are you?" Slater asks.

"I'm not sure yet." Max says.

"How long do you have to make up your mind?" Zack asks.

"He's given me two days to make up my mind and let him know."

"That's not much time." Kelly says worried.

"No, it's not." Max says with a long sigh.

"What's wrong?" I whisper.

"I'm not feeling too well." Max whispers.

"Hey, is something wrong Max?" Jessie asks.

"It's nothing, I'm getting over the flu." Max says.

I know he's lying to them. I know what's really wrong.

"You can't sell this place to Jeff." Lisa absentmindedly says.

"Why?" Max asks puzzled.

"He might try to change things, and we don't think that change will work." Screech says.

"It might, and it might not." I say.

"What do you know Melissa, you're just a server." Slater says.

"I know plenty about how this business works, my parents owned a diner." I angrily say.

"I didn't know that." Max says.

"I don't usually tell people that." I say.

"I think I've made up my mind."

"What do you mean?" Zack asks.

"I'm going to tell Jeff I'm not selling."

"That's great news." Kelly says.

"I do need one thing from you guys though." Max says.

"What's that?" Jessie asks.

"I need you to come here after closing time."

"Why?" Lisa asks.

"I have something important I need to tell you guys."

They all say they'll be there. They then get up and leave. Max walks away from the table and as he does I see him sway on his feet. I run over and grab his waist to steady him. As I do I notice that his shirt is soaked with sweat.

"You ok?" I ask.

"No, I'm dizzy." Max says.

"Do you need help getting back to your office?"

"I don't think I can make it there."

I walk him over to an empty table and help him sit down.

"Can I get you anything?" I ask.

"Just some water." Max says.

"Just water? Have you eaten at all today?" I ask puzzled.

I don't recall seeing him eat anything yet today.

"No, I haven't eaten."

"Let me get you some toast." I say.

"Fine." Max grumbles.

'What the hell is his problem? Is he anorexic or something?' I think.

I walk off to get some water and toast for Max. When I get back to the table I find him slumped over it. I quickly set the toast and water on the table. I then grab his shoulder and give him a shake.

"Max, wake up." I say.

I get no answer from him. I begin to pray he's ok. I shake him again, just harder.

"Max!" I shout.

His head shoots up and I watch him try to focus.

"You ok?" I ask.

"I think so, what happened?" Max asks puzzled.

"I went to get your toast and water and when I came back I found you slumped over the table. I think you passed out." I say concerned.

"This has never happened before." Max mumbles.

I let his shoulder go and take a seat across from him. Max sits up and rubs his face with his hands. After a while his hands drop to his sides.

"Do you think it's because you haven't eaten?" I ask.

"I don't know, it might be." Max says with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Eat, and that's an order." I say pushing the water and toast in front of him.

I watch Max as he slowly eats the toast and drinks the water. I notice he's eating the toast like he really doesn't want it at all.

'He must be anorexic.' I think.

He finishes eating.

"So, how come you never told me your parents owned a diner?" Max asks.

"When I left home, I wasn't getting along with my parents. I guess I just wanted to put them and their diner behind me." I quietly say.

"Why did you get a job here then?" Max asks puzzled.

"When I came here I was out of other work options, and then there was how I saw you acting with the kids." I say.

"How I was acting with the kids?"

"Yes, you always act so nice around them even when they're mean to you."

"I've never let anyone who was mean to me get to me, even when I was their age." Max says looking away.

I know by the way he's acting that this isn't true.

"What were you like at that age?" I ask.

He looks back at me.

"I was a bit like Screech. You know, the outcast, and I guess in some ways I'm still like that." Max says.

"I don't think you're like that at all." I say.

"Sure." Max says with a sigh.

"I mean it."

"Melissa, look at me. I'm a diner owner who does magic tricks for a laugh."

"So, if you like doing magic, why didn't you become a magician?" I ask.

"As I told the gang when they asked me, I was much better at flipping burgers than I was pulling rabbits out of my hat." Max says.

"There must be some other reason." I say.

"The real reason is, my mother disapproved of my becoming a magician, and she wanted me to run the diner instead."

"Why did she want you to run the diner? Don't you have any brothers and sisters?" I ask puzzled.

"I'm the oldest of three kids, so my mom had to pick me, I guess." Max says with disgust.

'He really must not have wanted to run the diner.' I think.

"Why couldn't your siblings do it?"

"My sister, who's a year younger than me does work here, and my brother, who's a year younger than my sister got messed up with drugs and is in rehab." Max says.

"Who's your sister?" I ask.

"My sister is Ella."

'Now I know why Ella looks like a female Max. It's because she really is his sister.' I think.

"And she couldn't run things here?" I ask puzzled.

Now I'm really confused. If Ella already works here why couldn't she run things instead of Max?

"Would you go to a place called The Max if the owners name was Ella?" Max asks.

'What the hell is he talking about? Is this a result of the tumor?' I think.

"What?"

"Nothing." Max says.

We sit there in silence for a few minutes. I watch as Max looks down at his arms. He seems to be staring at something. Scars maybe? I don't really know.

"Some scars run deep." Max mumbles while looking at his arms.

"Max, are you ok?" I ask.

He continues to look at his arms. He takes his right hand and runs a finger over the inside of his left arm. He's looking at his arm like he's tempted to do something, but what?

"Are you alright?"

"Even though the scars are faded, the pain still remains." Max mumbles.

I reach across the table and grab his hand asking, "Are you ok?"

That seems to get his attention. He looks up at me.

"Max, what's wrong?"

He lets out a long sigh and looks at his arms once more.

"I don't normally tell people this, but I'm what shrinks call a cutter." Max says.

"Meaning?" I ask puzzled.

"Meaning, I cut my arms and sometimes my legs or body to release pain." Max quietly says.

"When did this start?"

"It started when I was about the same age as Zack and his friends."

"Do you still hurt yourself?"

"Sometimes, it really all depends on the day I've had."

"When was the last time you did it?" I ask.

"A little over a month ago." Max admits.

"So, about the time you found out you were going to lose this place then." I say.

Max nods his head in response. I let go of his hand and stand up. I walk over to him.

"Stand up."

He stands up and turns to face me. I take his right arm in my left hand. I look at the faded and fading scars that run from his wrist to just above his elbow where they disappear under his shirt sleeves. I take my right hand and run my fingers across the scars. I feel Max jump when I touch them.

I release his arm and pull him close. I wrap my arms around him. Max takes his arms and wraps them around me.

"You don't have to do this anymore. I'm here if you ever want to vent." I whisper.

Feeling tears start to prick my eyes I bury my face in his chest. The tears form in my eyes. They spill down my cheeks and I sob into Max's chest, my tears soaking his shirt.

"I promise, I will try my hardest to stop. I don't want to hurt you anymore." Max whispers.

I pick my head up and look him in the eyes. I can see in them that it's going to be hard for him to stop cutting himself. I smile in the hope he's really going to stop.

I let him go saying, "I have to get back to work."

Max smiles lets me go. I turn and watch him walk back to his office. I get back to work trying to kill as much time as I can so closing time comes faster.