Author's note: I know I said in my profile that I was putting this one on hold, but I've been inspired to continue it. Hopefully this chapter will answer some of the questions my reviewers have been asking.

The next day, after class, I made my way back to my building, went up to my room, and did my research. Finally, it was almost six 'o clock; time for my meeting with Max. I took a deep breath, grabbed my backpack, and headed down the hall.

I stared at the door for a moment. Room 306. The name "Max" was scrawled onto the blackboard with red chalk in bold, capital letters. I could hear music, chatting, laughter. It sounded as though Max had company. I didn't know what to do. I was so shy around individuals; I was even more timid around groups. Finally I decided to face the music and knock on the door.

"Just a sec!" I heard Max call out. The door opened to reveal a girl my age with short purple-dyed hair, a ring in her nose, and a cynical look in her brown eyes. I gathered up all my confidence and gave her a faltering smile.

"Hi. I'm Lily." I said, putting out my hand for her to shake. She ignored it, then moved out of my way. I glanced around the room. The plain white walls were covered with colorful posters, photos, and artwork. A stereo played heavy punk music. Max sat on the bed, a smirk on his face.

"Never mind Miss Suzy Sunshine. Come right in." The girl made a face at him. I went in and closed the door behind me. "Take a seat." I obediently sat down at his desk. The girl glared at me.

"I was sitting there." she said.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I-"

"Jeez, Tora, give her a break. I didn't see your name written on it." Max spoke up. Tora did not reply. We were all silent for a few awkward moments, the only sound being the loud, fast song on the cd player. I looked at the walls around the desk. I saw a color pencil sketch of a boy in his late teens with ash blond hair, an innocent, babyish face, and a hard look about his eyes that was quite contrasting to his features, not to mention vaguely familiar. Feeling brave, I ventured, "Did you draw this, Max? It's very good." I gestured towards the sketch.

"Nope, that was Tora. She did that when we were in high school." I looked over at Tora and was surprised to see her wearing a shy smile.

"It's not that good. I've gotten a lot better." she admitted.

"I think it's great. Who is it, someone in your family or something?" I asked. She started to laugh.

"He doesn't look familiar at all?" she asked me when she calmed down.

"Well, yeah, but I can't figure out who it is." I told her.

"It's Max!" she said, and broke into peals of laughter once again.

"Max?!?" I looked from the sketch back to the now embarrassed Max. He had changed so much - the dyed hair, the piercings, the clothes. It was hard to believe that under all of that was a normal, ordinary guy.

"Yeah, it's me." he muttered. "The only reason I keep that stupid thing is because it's going to be worth millions one day."

"Oh, Max, get out of here." Tora said. I smiled. I felt a lot less ill at ease; it didn't seem like Tora hated me anymore.

"So you guys have known each other since high school?" I asked.

"Even before then." Max said. "We've known each other since elementary school."

"We're practically brother and sister." Tora chimed in.

"Wow. I wish I had a friend like that here." I said wistfully.

"Well, I don't go here. I go to the Rosholt School of Design, a little further upstate." Tora explained. "I just come and visit when I can."

"Oh." I said. "Still though, I wish I had some more friends here. But no one here even wants to talk to me."

"You wanna know why? 'Cause this place is snobbier than Ivy League. Just about everyone who goes here is some wealthy spoiled brat, and they know anyone who's anyone, and all that shit, and they all go around in their little rich kid cliques." Tora spat.

"Really?" I said incredulously. "I knew this school was expensive, but I never really thought of it that way."

"Yeah. The only reason I'm here is because of a scholarship." Max said.

"Me too. My family doesn't really have much money." I said. Max nodded.

"If you think they don't like you, imagine what it's like for me. I've practically gotten death threats." Max said. His eyes grew dark and sad. There was something else I hadn't thought of. As much trouble as I had had making friends here, Max must have had it twice as bad. I felt sorry for him.

"Why don't you just dress more normal then?" I asked him. His eyes grew hard again, his expression tough, his voicepassionate.

"I'm not going to change the way I am just to fit in with everyone else. I'm my own person, and if they can't accept that, then I don't want to be friends with them." I had to admire his strength of character. I could never in a million years be as bold as he was.

"That's my Max. Well, I've got to get out of here, and from what Max told me, you guys have got some work ahead of you." Tora said. She looked at me. "Sorry I was such a bitch when you got here. I just thought you were gonna be one of those rich kids. I guess I was wrong." She smiled at me. I smiled back.

"It's ok." I told her.

"Tora, Tora, Tora." Max said, shaking his head. "You of all people should know not to judge someone by how they look." He got off the bed and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "See ya later."

"Bye bye, Max. Nice meeting you, uh . . ."

"Lily." I supplied.

"Lily. Have a good one." With that, Tora left Max's dorm, leaving the two of us alone together.