A/N: Thanks to KnightLawn. I wasn't expecting a review so soon after I posted the first chapter. I'm still working out how to actually format in here, so sorry about that.

Chapter 2 – Team

"Holy shit," was all Max could say after the girl finished her story.

The two walked in silence for a while, looking at the other students go about their day; some were painting, others skating, one was even playing with a drone, and none knew about the tragedy that almost happened.

"Nathan tried to kill that blue-haired girl with a gun..." he finally spoke. "I knew he had issues, but... holy shit."

"I hope she's all right," Girl Max told him. "And that nobody finds out I pulled the fire alarm."

"Even if they do, who's gonna complain?" he asked. "You're a hero, Girl Max."

"I'm not," she said.

"I don't think many people would act as quickly as you did," he told her. "You kept your cool and saved her life."

"I didn't, I..." she paused, staring at him. An inner struggle played in her eyes before a side won, and she sighed. "I guess."

He noticed her discomfort he put a hand on her shoulder. "All I'm gonna say is that I hope Principal Wells listens to you and looks into it."

"Yeah."

The two kept wandering, and found themselves near the girl's dormitories.

"I forgot I needed to give Warren his flash drive," Girl Max said. "Want to come?"

"Sure."

The two headed for the dormitory, only to find Victoria and her friends sitting on the steps, blocking the entrance.

"Oh look, it's Max Caulfield, the selfie ho of Blackwell, " the girl smiled. "What are you doing here?"

"We're just trying to go to my room," she replied, rubbing her right arm with her left.

"Wow!" she laughed. "You saw your viral slut friend go wild and want to do the same, huh?"

"Come on, Victoria," Boy Max stepped in.

"Why are you with her, Maximilian?" Victoria asked him, her tone going from venomous to friendly and teasing. "Is it some 'same name' fetish I don't know about? Maybe I should find some guy named Victor and see how it feels."

Max looked down and sighed.

"So humorless, Maximilian," she chuckled, standing up and moving to the side. "The get-together is in Taylor's room. Don't forget, all right?"

"I won't," he answered, ignoring the look Girl Max threw at him as the two went inside.

"I can't believe you're hanging out with the Asshole Club," she reproached him when they were out of earshot.

"I'm not," he said defensively. "But if I offend them they're gonna make my life miserable, right?"

"I haven't done anything to them and they still do that," she countered.

Maximilian opened his mouth but no words came out. He had nothing to say against that. When they reached her room he paced around while she looked for the flash drive.

"I haven't heard you play guitar in a while," he commented, trying to lighten the mood.

"Great, Dana has it," she walked past him to the door. "I'll see you in class, Maximilian."

Max watched her go, then walked out of the room. Maybe she's right.

"I didn't know you were a quick shooter," he saw Victoria wink as she and her friends passed him. "See you in a bit."

"Okay," he simply said. When they were gone he looked at the little board next to Girl Max's door. Unlike the others', there wasn't anything written on it. He grabbed the marker.

You are completely right. Sorry, Girl Max.

He put the marker down and left the dorm for some fresh air.

"Hey, Boy Max."

He opened his eyes and looked up from where he lay on the grass. Girl Max was standing next to him, rubbing her arm like earlier.

"Hey," he said, unsure what to say next. "Did you, uh... did you get the flash drive?"

"It was an ordeal, but I did," she nodded. "Listen, can I talk to you?"

"Sure," he got on his feet and, when she started walking, followed her.

"I wanted to apologize for earlier," she told him. "You're just doing what you can to avoid trouble. Like, I try to stay out of her way and you put up with her. It's the same thing."

"It's not," he said. "I'm watching her be a bitch to you and Kate, and instead of doing something I'm going to her parties and chatting with her.

"Sorry, Girl Max."

"We're both messed up today," she chuckled. "I blame the lack of sugar."

"We'll get some milkshakes after you give that flash drive to Blackbeard."

The two reached the gate to the main campus and the parking lot and stopped in their tracks. Kate was standing by herself, fidgeting nervously as security Dave all but charged at her.

"Don't think I'm blind!" he lightly pushed her. "I see everything here at Blackwell!"

"What the fuck..." both whispered in unison.

"Do you understand what I'm saying?" he demanded.

"No," the girl took a step back. "And l-leave me alone."

"Take a picture," Max ordered the girl.

"On it," she said, camera already out.

"You can't fool me, I know everything about this school," Security David jammed his finger on Kate's chest. "I cover the waterfront, so you better figure out what side you're on..."

"Please leave me alone..." she said, her voice breaking.

"Hey, Kate," Maximilian walked up to them, standing between her and the man.

"Excuse us, this is official campus business -"

"I didn't know bullying students was part of your duties, sir."

"Hey, hey, nobody's bullying anybody," he said, a note of nervousness appearing on his voice. "I'm just doing my job."

"Are you sure?" now Girl Max stepped in, making sure her camera was visible.

"You two are part of the problem," he looked from one Max to the other. "I will remember this."

He turned around and stalked away. The three remained in place for a moment, then burst laughing in relief.

"That was great!" Kate hugged both Maxes, a genuine smile on her face. "I think you scared him for once."

"We did more than that," the girl pulled a photo from her pocket. "We made sure he won't bother you again."

The picture was beyond perfect. It captured David stabbing his finger on Kate's chest, a more clear proof of his bullying wasn't possible.

"You're an amazing photographer, Max," Kate told her. "And you were so brave standing up to him.

"Thank you," she said again. "This means a lot to me."

"Anytime, Kate," Boy Max said.

"Listen, we're gonna go get milkshakes right now," Girl Max said. "You wanna come with us?"

"I'd love to, but I have to go," the girl said. "Thank you again."

Kate walked away, her steps lighter than earlier, and the two bumped fists.

"That was amazing!" Girl Max said excitedly. "We make a great team!"

"We do," he agreed as his phone vibrated. He didn't have to look at it to know what it was. From the way the girl looked, he guessed she knew too.

"Look, I'm gonna get this to Warren," she told him. "You go to Victoria's party, okay? She might say something we can use."

"So we're spies now?"

"After what just happened? We're Double 0's," she smiled. A moment later she grew serious, and studied him the same way she did after she told him of the incident in the bathroom.

"What is it?" he asked, getting nervous.

"When the party's over, give me a call," she said. "I need to tell you something important."