2006
Though he knew Zoey had invited him here today as her friend, Max couldn't help feeling like her date due to the tux he was currently wearing. He also would have felt more like just a friend if he could keep his eyes off Zoey for more than thirty seconds. Though he considered that particular sin not totally his fault given what she was wearing. Zoey had on a light wavy dress with spaghetti strap shoulders and a v shaped neckline. The fabric was a deep aqua blue with a lighter coloured beaded accessory piece between the top and the wavy part of the dress. Apparently it was called an empire waistline which as far as he was concerned just meant it was higher up than a normal waistline so why didn't they just call it a high waistline?
Never before in his life had Max given a woman's article of clothing so much attention. It was just that the colour of her dress contrasted so boldly with the bright red of her hair he couldn't look away.
"Max," Zoey's voice popped his bubble.
"Yeah," he said, trying his best to pull his mind back.
"Oh so you are awake," Zoey laughed at him. "From that look on your face I thought you were sleeping." Max just went for the awkward smile and thankfully she seemed to think that was enough. "Not that I can blame you, I mean this wedding is super boring."
"I'm sure your brother doesn't think it's boring," Max replied. Every boring moment of this wedding was totally worth it to see Zoey in that dress, not that he had the nerve to tell her that.
"Well yeah of course, it's his wedding," Zoey answered looking at him as though he were thick. "I'm just glad the ceremony is over. At least receptions have food."
"Just as soon as it's served," Max agreed.
They were sitting at the long table at the front of the room though quite a ways from the happy couple. Mitch and Maggie were sitting closer to the newlyweds as they were expected to give toasts.
The reception was being held in a great hall with high ceilings and big windows. There were huge and rather lovely flower arrangements all over the room, but with Zoey's dress to focus on Max had barely taken note of the wedding decorations.
"I just wish we could try the champagne," Zoey said, loud enough for her parents to hear her.
"When you're older," both Maggie and Mitch said together.
"Yeah yeah," Zoey groaned.
"Do you wanna go walk around before dinner?" Max asked.
"I suppose," Zoey sighed. "I mean at least it would be something to do."
"Just remember to be back before they serve dinner," Maggie reminded them. Zoey agreed and, pulling Max along by the arm, left the table.
"We could go check and see if there are any cool features to the edge of the room," Max offered. "Like a decoration that isn't wedding themed so they covered it up." He stopped to stare at the ceiling for a moment. "This place seems kinda old like it could have some real stories to tell and not just about weddings."
"Or," Zoey said in a whisper looking back at her parents as if checking to make sure they couldn't be overheard. "We could go get ourselves some champagne."
"Bad idea," Max replied.
"Oh come on," Zoey continued almost in a pleading voice. "Just a sip. They won't find out."
"I'm not so sure," Max replied cautiously. "Sometimes I think when you become a parent you get this like sixth sense about when your kids are doing things they aren't supposed to."
"Chicken," Zoey grinned and then she was off and Max couldn't do anything but follow her.
They moved past tables and around chairs, as Zoey searched for an abandoned champagne flute since no one on the catering staff would actually give them alcohol. Max had just finished internally reassuring himself that she'd never find one, when Zoey's gasp of surprise spiked his anxiety levels.
She'd been right in front of him a moment ago, but now Zoey was nowhere to be seen. Max headed in the direction of her gasp and found himself standing in front of a huge flower arrangement sitting on a small table with a white table cloth.
"Max," Zoey's soft whisper came from nearby though he couldn't figure out from where.
"Yeah," Max whispered to the open air.
"Good I thought those were your shoes," Zoey's voice continued. "Get under here."
"Under where?" Max asked, confused and then he felt a hand touch his lower leg. Max just barely managed to contain his yelp of surprise as he realized exactly where she was. His leg was released and he walked around the flower arrangement and ducked under the floor length tablecloth and out of sight.
And there was Zoey, crotched under the table in that amazing dress of hers, holding up one full glass of champagne.
"Victory!" Zoey said. Zoey brought the glass to her lips and took a sip, then promptly made a face. "Gross," she said.
"There you had a sip," Max reasoned. "So now we can leave it here, go back to our table and no one will be the wiser."
"Oh no," Zoey grinned. "It's your turn." And she held the flute of bubbly amber liquid to him. Max took it though reluctantly. "Go on try it!" Zoey's voice was low in volume but full of excitement.
Max looked down at the bubbles before him. It didn't look all that bad and it actually smelled okay, but the moment it made contact with his mouth he understood perfectly the expression on Zoey's face a moment ago.
"Burns," Max commented, making a face.
"Tingles too," Zoey added. "My turn." And she took it back and had another sip and made another face. Then it was in Max's hand again.
"I thought you said one sip?" Max asked, raising his eyebrow at her, not that she could see that given how dark it was under the table.
"Oh come on," Zoey grinned. "It's not like we are each having one. A sip at a time, half a glass each. What's the harm?"
Max sighed, but complied. How could he say no to her? Besides he knew she'd do it even if he said no which would only result in her drinking the whole thing on her own.
They continued taking turns drinking the champagne until the flute was empty.
"How do you feel?" Zoey asked him.
"Fuzzy," Max replied.
"Me too," Zoey grinned. And then she leaned closer and rested her head on Max's shoulder. Max froze, afraid that she'd lean back if he moved so much as a muscle.
"Max," Zoey said softly. "You like being my friend?"
"Yeah," Max said with genuine joy. "I love it."
"Friend for life then," Zoey demanded. "No matter what the world throws at us, we're gonna be okay, right?"
"Right," Max agreed. "I'll always be here if you need me."
"I appreciate that," Zoey sighed softly as she moved even closer to him.
Max couldn't explain the feeling he was having even to himself. All he knew was that he liked Zoey being close to him. He liked that she let him put an arm around her as they sat there under the table, warm and sleepy from the champagne.
"Zoey," Max whispered, breaking the silence.
"Yeah," she mumbled.
"You look beautiful in your dress tonight," he said, unsure where he'd found the courage to say what he'd been thinking since he'd first caught sight of her tonight.
"Thanks," Zoey smiled. "Mom picked out the dress, but I got veto powers on the ugly one so it worked out."
"I highly doubt any dress could be ugly on you," Max continued. "You'd look beautiful in a paper bag."
"Would not," Zoey argued.
"Would so," Max replied smiling.
"Would not," Zoey argued again.
"Would so," Max replied, still smiling.
"You're so silly," Zoey told him. And Max could live with that. He squeezed her a little where his arm rested around her shoulders.
Max wanted to feel this way forever. He couldn't describe it and he didn't want it to end. But how long could Zoey and him sit under this table before the world made them move? Not long enough, Max was sure.
He focused on her slow even breathing, tuning out the general noise of the wedding around them. At that moment it was like nothing existed except for Zoey, like she was the whole world and Max just lucky enough to orbit her.
He wasn't sure how long they stayed like that, but eventually Zoey stirred.
"Max," Zoey mumbled, rubbing her eyes. "Why are we still under this table?"
"You just looked so comfy," Max smiled. "I hated to move you."
"I think I fell asleep," Zoey yawned. "But we should go back. They'll be serving dinner soon."
Slowly, reluctantly, Max complied, getting out from under the table and turning to check that Zoey was out too. When he finally stood up to get his bearings and figure out which direction the table was, Max saw him.
Standing there in front of them was Zoey's dad with his arms crossed over his chest.
"Daddy," Zoey said, with a hiccup.
"Hmmm," Mitch said slowly. "Flushed cheeks, distant expressions, guilty faces, either you two were making out under there or…" He stopped to move slightly closer and add, "you were drinking the champagne."
If Max's cheeks hadn't already been flushed from the alcohol he'd had gone red all over again at her dad's mentioning of their making out. Max had never so much as attempted to kiss a girl and he had absolutely no idea at what level kissing turned into making out!
"The first one," Zoey said confidently, but Mitch still looked dubious.
"Max's face gives you away," Mitch said.
"It was just one glass," Zoey whined, clearly switching to pleading as lying hadn't worked. "We shared it, hardly much at all."
"Ah but on an empty stomach," Mitch added. "Trust me it's enough."
"Don't blame Max," Zoey said. "It was my idea."
Mitch laughed. "Trust me," he said. "That was obvious." He placed a hand on each of their shoulders and began guiding them towards the table. "Food is what you tipsy kids need. They've already served dinner. And then your mom and I will decide what your punishment should be."
"I told you," Max whispered to Zoey as they walked. "Sixth sense."
Okay so I'm been updating this story super fast up until now because I actually had everything till now written before I started updating. This is where that ends. I have the next chapter a good way started but not finished yet. I still to keep updating regularly just not exactly sure about the how regularly anymore. The longest I've ever gone without updating anything is about a month but hopefully it won't be that long. Yikes!
Sneak Peek Chapter 5
Zoey giggled at him, but didn't have anything else to say on the topic. Books in hand and locker already closed, she turned to head down the hallway and he followed. "How are the college applications going?" she asked instead.
"Fine I guess," Max replied. "Still doesn't feel real though. I mean in what like three months we won't even come back to this school?"
"I know what you mean," Zoey sighed. "It's like we've been here forever and now suddenly they decide we can leave? Who made up that rule?"
"Crazy people," Max said. "That's who."
"And by that you mean adults," Zoey laughed. Max chuckled along with her. Reaching the intersection of the hallway, they had to go their separate ways to their first class.