Tuesday, October 15, 2013

I need something cold and sugary or else I'm going to pass out in here. She chugged down the soda she had just bought and headed to the English class, which was taking place across from the vending machine.

Coming from around the corner, distracted by his own thoughts, Mark didn't notice Max was in his way, nor did she notice him, causing them to slam into each other, the force of the blow resulting in Max falling to the ground, she still feeling quite weak because of the low blood sugar.

Stumped, she took a look around, barely able to make out of what had just happened.

'I am so sorry, Max,' she heard Mark's voice and looked up. He was looking at her apologetically and extending his arm to pick her up. She accepted it, pulling herself up with his help, and readjusted her bag and clothes.

'Are you alright? Are you hurt?' he asked with concern in his voice. It seemed he felt really bad for bumping into her.

'No, sir, everything's fine,' she shook her head and sent him a slight smile, they were being observed after all.

'I was so distracted, I should have paid attention to where I was going,' he spoke again. 'I'm sorry for bumping into you like this.'

'It's alright, Mr. Jefferson. Happens to the best of us,' she let out an awkward little laugh and continued her path to her next class.

Mark looked around the hallway, and several students immediately turned their eyes away. He sighed, rubbing his eyes under his glasses and beating himself up for slamming into her like that, and for making everything needlessly weirder. Idiot! I hope I didn't hurt her, though.

The Photography class was over and Mark heard Max wince as she was getting up from her desk. She walked past his, heading for the exit.

'Hey,' he stopped her, gently yanking her arm, his voice soothing. Max immediately turned to face him, though looking at him shyly, a bit startled, feeling his hand touching hers. 'Max, you're walking funny, are you sure you're okay?'

'I'm fine, nothing's wrong with my walking, I–'

'Oh, come on, Max. You're clearly hurt.'

'I, uh… I mean, yeah. But to be fair, I didn't lie to you right after it happened,' she said. 'It started hurting me when I got up from my desk after English.'

'… I'm really sorry, Max,' he apologized yet again.

'Hey, it's fine. Really. Nothing's broken or anything. It'll pass soon, and I'm gonna be fine. Don't worry,' she said softly, sending him a reassuring smile.

Mark was fixing her with gaze for a moment, her voice so soft and sweet in his ears, and Max couldn't help but look at his lips, her own parted a bit, wondering what would happen if she kissed him now. She imagined herself making the move, slipping her hands up his chest, feeling his warmth and giving into the temptation, but feeling herself get flushed, she snapped out of her daydream and realized her hands had been on his arms all this time, lightly stroking them along with what she had been saying.

Fuck! She gaped and abruptly pulled away. Mark had an amused look on his face, and Max felt utter embarrassment.

'Anyway, I, uh… I'd better go,' she said, blushing further.

Yes, go. You've made your choice. Stick to it. It's done, she chastened herself in her mind.

'Yeah, sorry, don't let me stop you,' he said, laughing lightly. He watched her walk away from him and exit the classroom in a hurry.

Obviously, he had noticed her staring at his lips for a moment or two, he himself wanting to kiss her as well, but trying his best not to make any moves. But it was hard. All Mark could feel was yearning, he was using everything he had in him to hold on and respect her request. But seeing her in class or anywhere else, interacting her with her around the school campus rendered that task that much harder.

Maybe she still wants me…

After lunch, Max saw Mark around the school, and felt compelled to observe him from afar. She had to quickly turn her head away once he caught her staring. Damn it!

Mark smirked under his nose, his heart twitching a bit at the hope of rekindling their little romance, then immediately dismissed the idea, knowing he shouldn't be thinking of her this way anymore.

But he wanted to. So much.