Ch 9

Max had brought some boxes from her car to her dorm room. Setting the boxes down, she opened the door with the key card she got at the front desk. Dropping the boxes on the ground, she looked around the room. There was a bed in the middle of the room up against the wall with two side tables on each end. In the opposite side of the room there was a desk and a chair. She had walked passed the bathroom, which was near the door. Opening the bathroom door, she saw the shower. The sink was in her room, and the counter was a good size for her stuff.

A knock came to the door, and Max opened the door to see her sister and her husband with some of her boxes. Max stepped aside and let them in to place her boxes on the floor. "Thanks i really appreciate the help sis and Derek."

"It's no problem Max. I wouldn't miss this for the world. I'm really proud of you if I haven't said it before."

Max smiled. "Thanks Alyssa. So, are mom and dad coming?"

"They should be here soon," said Alyssa. "You know them. They aren't exactly early risers. Anyway, what about McGinnis?"

"He's at Gotham City Community College registering for classes. He'll be by later."

Alyssa couldn't help but notice her little sister smiling. "Something is different about you."

"What are you talking about Alyssa?"

"You seem happier then usual, and I want to know what it is."

Max sighed. "Fine I know you too well you won't let it go until I tell you. Terry and I are a couple."

"Oh my God!" Alyssa screamed. "I knew it! Oh I'm so happy for you sis," she said as she hugged Max and then pulled away. "Tell me everything!"

"Alyssa I'm not even done moving into the dorm and why would I tell you anything?"

"Well we're sisters and if you don't tell me, then guess who gets to tell mom and dad," smirked Alyssa.

"You're so evil Alyssa," said Max. She sighed. "Fine I'll tell you later but right now I want to get moved in, get my books for class, and get my ID."

"You've got yourself a deal Max."

When Max was all moved in, Alyssa and Derek relaxed on the couch as Max unpacked her stuff and put them in their proper places in the room. When she was done, she looked around the room once again and smiled.

"It looks good sis. It looks especially nice for when Terry comes by later," Alyssa smirked.

"Alyssa!" Max blushed. "You know I'm not like that."

"I'm just teasing you. I'm sure McGinnis is nothing but a gentlemen towards you."

Terry had just come from registering for classes at the college computer lab and went to get his ID. Afterwards he made his way to the lobby and spotted his mother and brother at the college gift shop. He could see his mom looking at sweatshirts and made his way over.

Mary McGinnis smiled as she spotted Terry coming this way. "Hi honey," she said as she held a sweatshirt over her body that says 'My Son Goes to Gotham City Community College.'

"I don't know about that sweatshirt mom."

"Oh nonsense I'm just so happy you're continuing your education. I know you're not exactly sure what you want to do, but I'm sure you'll find your way here."

"I hope so mom."

"I know so Terry. You've come a long way from your gang days."

"I lost my way for a while mom with the divorce and everything, but I'll try to make you proud of me, I promise."

"I'm all ready proud honey," she said as she hugged her son.

"Thanks mom."

"So, have you heard from Max?"

"Yeah, I'm going by the university later," he smiled.

"Well I'm glad you two are still concentrating on your friendship. So many people leave high school and forget their friends."

"She's someone I would never be able to forget mom."

"You got that right. She's your only cool friend," said Matt.

"Whatever twip."

"Is there something you want to tell me Terry?" asked Mary.

"Well," he smiled, "now that you mention I think there is something."

"What is it?"

"Max and I are together."

"I'm happy for you two," said Mary. "She's a good one Terry so treat her right."

"Believe me I know mom. I promise I will."

"So she's part of our family now?" asked Matt.

"Honey it's too soon for your brother and Max to even think about marriage."

"Mom's right," said Terry to his brother, "but anything could happen in the future. I hopeful that everything will work out."

Making her way back to her dorm room, Max couldn't believe she had told her sister about how her and Terry got together. She didn't know why her sister wanted to know so bad, but she had to admit it was nice to have someone to talk to besides Terry. When she turned the corner, she saw a familiar face waiting by her door and her heart skipped a beat.

"Terry," she said.

"Hey Max," he smiled.

'God his smile is killing me. I really need to get a hold of myself. It's still Terry.' She smiled back at him. "So, how's community college?"

"I'm sure it's not as exciting as university life. I got my ID and enrolled in classes. I start next week."

"You're on your way to becoming a real scholar McGinnis."

"Well I don't know about that but I'm sure you'll do great things here Gibson."

Max let Terry inside her dorm room as she closed the door and dropped her books and school supplies onto her desk. She turned around to see Terry looking around the room, and she couldn't help but look him over. She blamed her hormones.

"It's very schway. The room all ready looks like you."

"That is the idea. I mean I'm going to be here for a while, so I might as well make myself right at home," Max said as she sat on her bed. When she felt a dip on the bed next to her, she realized that Terry had sat down beside her. Suddenly she felt hot and nervous. 'It's no big deal. He's just sitting on my bed. He's sat on my bed bed before. Oh why does everything have to be so different?' she thought and then felt something else as Terry held her hand.

"Max, are you all right? You seem more in your head than usual," he smiled teasingly.

"I—I'm just not use to this Ter. We've been friends for so long and now we're a couple. I'm really happy about this, but I'm also kind of scared."

"I feel the same way Max, and we're in this together. We don't know what the future holds, but I want to be with you Max for as long as we can be."

Max squeezed his hand and smiled. "You better not be asking me to marry you McGinnis."

"Not today," Terry joked. His face changed and then he smiled. "Someday though."

"Oh?" Max smiled, "and just how do you know that?"

Terry leaned into her body, his lips inches away from hers. "Just a feeling," he said as he held her face in his hand and kissed her lips.

Max responded to his kiss as she wrapped her arms around him. When she felt his arms around her, she felt safe and loved. She knew she wasn't alone as long as she had Terry, and it brought out a passion in her as her tongue made its way into his mouth. When his tongue came into her mouth, she felt sparks.

"W—wow," said Terry after they separated lips and Max smirked at his reaction.