Chapter 4
Next morning, Hannah stayed in bed up until the last possible moment. Everything since yesterday was just too crazy.
Suddenly, Hannah's phone beeped. She overcame herself and lazily picked the phone up.
Hey beauty! Runnin' late, huh?
Dw Han, l got your back. This fatass English slob trusted me immediately, so you are safe ;)
Also: saw you exiting the building at 9pm. Glad you and Nathan took at on the next step 3
And also: hurry sista! You will miss the interesting stuff.
Xoxo Victoria)))
Hannah rolled her eyes and finally got up. She quickly got dressed and looked at the clock: dear god, 11:30am!
She basically flew out of the dorm and rushed to the lesson. Yeah, Victoria covered her, but that doesn't make the other lessons disappear!
– Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit, – Hannah was thinking, and she, not keeping her head on track, suddenly bumped into someone.
– Oof, sorry… – I think I'm flying in my own world right now, – Hannah was trying regain consciences, with holding her head. She finally raised her eyes, and saw Max Caufield, standing there, looking really confused.
– Caufield? – Hannah raised her eyebrow. – Well, skipping much?
– Just like you, Hannah, – Max said and randomly shut up. Hannah shut up too, because she was confused on what to say to Max.
Two girls were awkwardly standing across from each other for a solid minute, until Hannah finally spoke up.
– So… – Some crazy yesterday, yeah? – Hannah "joked". Max breathed in. She was pretty cautious around Hannah, as she had a reputation of being Nathan Prescott's number 1 protector.
– Yeah… – Was all Max could say, before she turned away and began to walk away from Hannah. Hannah looked confused and followed Max.
– Nate was practically spitting venom in you yesterday, – Hannah said and it got Max's attention. – What did you even do to him?
– Well… – I kind of snitched on him for… – Doesn't matter, – Max replied and slowed down. – I don't have time to explain.
Hannah let out a small and clueless laugh. Yeah, she truly had no idea what had happened.
– Yeah, you were pretty unlucky l say, – Hannah said, with concern for Max. – Hope you are okay after… – That incident with Nathan. – Sorry about that, by the way, Caufield.
– That's okay, not your fault. – You and Warren actually saved me and my friend's asses, – Max said quietly and awkwardly.
The girls walked together for some time, and didn't say a world to each other. Hannah looked over and saw Max's face. She realized, that Max was clearly uncomfortable with her.
They exited the school, as it was clear that they will ditch the remaining lesson, and go to the next one. Suddenly, Hannah stopped and looked at Max.
– Hey, Max, l just remembered what l wanted to ask you. – Hannah said with a pretty smile, hoping to make Max talk.
– Yes?
– You know, yesterday… – Or l can easily say – today, l was chilling with Chloe. – Hannah said and Max raised her eyebrow.
– Chloe was hanging out with you? – There was a clear doubt in Max's tone.
– Yep. – Aaand… – I say most of the time, she was talking about you, Max. Max was looking at Hannah over and over. Suddenly, she said:
– Hannah… – Can l take a pic of you?
Hannah looked at Max and raised her eyebrow. This girl was even weirder than Rachel, but for some reason, Hannah felt… Safe near Max. This girl reminded Hannah of Nathan – exactly the same level of social awkwardness and detachment from reality.
– How can l refuse? – Hannah said and posed. Max took out her Polaroid and took a photo.
The photo came out, and it looked pretty cute, but was a little "old school".
– Thanks Hannah, you look… – Like a million dollars, – Said Max and hid her camera away.
The girls awkwardly laughed, but Max quickly shut up again. She put the photo in her bag.
– So Max, – Hannah said. – If now we have the same friend, do you want to chat sometimes?
Instead of replying, Max shook her head and suddenly, she turned and walked away from Hannah.
– Uhm… – Sorry, l have classes. – Max quickly ran off and left the confused Hannah standing near the bench.
– Han, you are the biggest idiot on planet Earth, – Hannah was thinking. – Ugh, l knew that l needed to leave her alone!
This whole talk felt unnatural and stupid. Hannah felt stupid and shallow, for allowing herself to be so pushy.
She got to the class, and couldn't stop thinking about Max and Chloe. She barely listened – Victoria even threw a paper at her, that stated:
"Han, are you high? You look like a fucking zombie today"
– Miss Chase, please do not disturb the class! – Ms Grant, the math teacher said. – That's enough that l had to take your phone away, please do not disturb the other students. Victoria only mumbled a fake "sorry". Still, it was a good wake-up call for Hannah, and she want back to solving math.
When math finally ended, both Hannah and Victoria went to the lockers together.
– Really Victoria, you saved my butt from that angry English "mob" teacher. – Thanks, – Hannah said with a fake nice tone. She knew it would get Victoria in a good mood – she so enjoys being praised.
Victoria laughed.
– Well, you owe me now, prettyface, – Victoria winked and Hannah rolled her eyes. Ugh, she can be pretty annoying sometimes (or all the rime, if you are the "wrong" person).
When they were standing near their lockers, Victoria got into Hannah's face about her nightwalk:
– Really? – No "hot night" with Nathan? – Victoria sighed, sounding pretty disappointed, when Hannah told her the truth about her night runaway.
– I was kinda hoping you two finally smash or date already. – All this cute cuddling and sleepovers has gone on forever. – Seriously guys!
Hannah rolled her eyes even harder.
– Who will be perfect for each other? – Hannah suddenly heard Nathan's voice. Victoria turned and winked.
– How are my favorite girls doing? – Nathan jokingly asked and Hannah waved.
– Kinda good, except for the time when l had to cover up for our Nintendo girl, who overslept to 11am, and when she was acting like a goddamn zombie on the math.
– Ugh, Victoria, when will you stop make fun of my 3ds? – Hannah acted a little offended. – My 3ds is my life, and you know that!
Victoria let out her favorite "posh" laugh, and they all laughed like that, even Hannah.
– Well, l came here to collect you, – Nathan said. – "Cola time", remember Han? Hannah nodded, and prepared to leave.
Victoria winked again.
– Okay, you go have fun, but l've got a photography assignment to study! Hannah knew it was bs, as most of Victoria's assignments are done by her "slave" – Courtney Wagner. Hannah turned, and saw Victoria giving her the sign of luck and love. She rolled her eyes and focused her attention on Nathan.
On the way to the benches, Hannah suddenly received three messages: 2 from Max Caufield and the other one from Chloe:
Max:
Hello Crimsen. Sorry for running off, l behaved like a complete asshole. Sorry.
Chloe promised to collect me in the middle of the day, hope we meet again.
Chloe:
Haha. Max just told me how you both were complete losers who didn't know how to talk. Se, l told you you'll both get along. In the noon, l'm going to take Max with me and save her from those boring-ass lessons. You comin' with us?
Hannah had a good laugh, and typed in the answer:
Will do. Not now though, can't ditch Nathan. See ya ))
Nathan suddenly came back and looked over Hannah's shoulder.
– Who are you texting? – He asked.
– No one. – Just some girl on the internet, – Hannah quickly said, and Nathan shrugged it off.
After some more time, Hannah saw Max exiting the building and waved to her. Max returned the gesture – it looked like she was embarrassed of her actions this morning, but still – it can be anything else.
Nathan immediately looked who has Hannah's attention and noticed Max. Nathan raised his eyebrow. He still had to got to the lessons, so he ignored the signs.
– Thanks for the time Han, – Nathan patted her on the head and left, while he glared at Max on his way.
Hannah's phone beeped. It was Chloe.
I'm here, see you both right now
Hannah got up, and saw Max awkwardly standing near, clearly being either shy or embarrassed.
– Hey Max… – Hannah said, but Max only waved again and want to the direction of Chloe's truck. Chloe was already smoking, and signaled them.
– Well, well, well, – Chloe sarcastically said. – I see you two losers got familiar with each other.
By these words, Max became red and Hannah also a little.
– Okay lovebirds, get in, – Said Chloe, and both Max and Hannah got in. Hannah decided to sit in behind seats, while Max and Chloe took up the front.
– The next step is the rock beach, prepare! – Chloe declared and hit on the gas with double force. After this, her truck, by the couple of sends, drew on the light speed and all girls inside were talking.
Chloe managed to low her speed, and now, the truck was slowly riding across the road to the "rock beach". Hannah noticed Chloe and Max holding hands and genuinely smiled.
– Hey Hannah, l wanted to apologize in person now for… – How l acted this morning, – Said Max.
Hannah just laughed.
– No worries Max. – She said. – I get it, and l get you, so everything is cool now. Chloe nodded in approval.
– So, no snotty fucking drama anymore? – Cool! – Said Chloe excitedly, and suddenly stopped the truck.
– We are here, – Chloe said and the girls got out.
After some intense rock climbing, they managed to get to the best part of the "rock beach". They sat around, and Chloe even brought some wine.
– So Hannah, l'm safe to say that you are a 10/10 fashion model, or the least – a photo model. – That pic was the coolest, – Max told Hannah with a smile. Chloe patted her on the shoulder and whispered something funny, as Max laughed.
– Well… – I've got a 10/10 quality experience with photoshoots, – Said smiling Hannah, while still trying to resist Chloe when she was offering (or forcing) some booze into Hannah, but Max stopped her.
– So, Max Caufield… – No plans to upgrade your camera? – Hannah said, with Max rolling her eyes.
– My little camera is my baby. – To hell l'm replacing it.
Chloe side pushed Hannah.
– Well, our Mad Max has the camera as her baby, Hanna-Banana has her "console" as hers. – That leaves me… – My weed as my kids.
The trio died laughing.
After some time of hanging out, Max took Hannah aside, and whispered:
– You know, "Hanna-Banana", l never actually thought that members of the Vortex Club can be anything than toxic. – Well… – I think you are beginning to prove me wrong. – Max patted Hannah and got back to her place on Chloe's knees.
Hannah looked over at Chloe and saw couple of small gestures aimed towards Max. With Max by her side, Chloe looked and felt... Calmer. Hannah didn't know what magic Max used, but, with her by Chloe's side, Chloe was clearly a little more nice.
– She is really a "Wizard Max", – Hannah thought and got back to chatting over with Max and Chloe.
