Two Days After Closing The Gate
Steve pulls up to the high school parking lot. Ugh. It's not an 'ugh, my head hurts' ugh. Just a regular 'ugh, school' ugh. He missed class yesterday because he was still tired from the day before. He slept all day waking up late afternoon to Dustin and Lucas bringing him homework from Nancy and asking him about Max. He worried thinking something happened while he slept the day away but it was just her out sick for the day and Nancy mentioned she saw her with him the day before. He's not sure how it happened but he ended up doing homework with the two boys and driving them home after. Mrs. Henderson even invited him and Lucas over for dinner. He got some baked goods from Mrs. Sinclair when he dropped off Lucas. Sleep and food. It was a good day.
And now, he's snapped back to reality. He kills the engine and gets out of the car. He spots Billy a bit further from him walking in the parking lot but he didn't catch a hint of red hair anyway. Weird. Maybe Billy dropped her off the middle school but he didn't really believe that. Not wanting to get involved but can't help himself, he walked toward Billy's car. Maybe he can find a clue or something. He's done more with less. As he peeked through the windows, he sees something that makes his blood boil.
That's Max's backpack and board on the backseat. Did that dick make her walk to school? Wait, no, there must be an explanation. Maybe Max has a new board and backpack and left this old one here. Maybe Max was supposed to go to school but stayed home again and they forgot to get her things out. Maybe Max is calling him right now on a payphone because he gave her his number and told her to call when she needs a ride but he's not there to pick up the phone. Shit. It's the third one, isn't it?
Thinking the worst, he ran back to his car and started a search party for one. He's gonna be late for first period but who cares? This is more important. Hoping he's wrong, he took the same route he did when he drove Max the other day. After a good amount of time driving, he spotted her. At least he thinks that's her. Red hair, though. Not that she's the only one with red hair in town but it's a safe bet that's her. The redhead didn't seem to notice Steve's car so either it's not her or Max just isn't paying attention. He goes past her a bit, does a U-turn, and made the car slow down enough so it's following her as she walked. This would be really creepy if it turns out this isn't Max.
The girl turns her head towards the car and their eyes met. It's her. It's Max. He found her. Yay. But something is obviously wrong. Her nose is puffy, her eyes red, and there are faint tear stains on her face. Steve's heart broke. Maybe it's the lizard part in his brain that wants to fix things with violence but he really wants to punch Billy in the face right now for how shitty he's being. Nobody deserves a brother like Billy. Especially, Max.
Max wipes her face with her sleeves smoothly pretending like it's just her trying to get a better look at the car as the window starts to roll down. It's been a shitty morning. She was too tired for school yesterday so Susan and Neil forced Billy to do things for her while she stays at home and now, she's paying the price. She's been pushed, growled at, and threatened with more than words before getting booted off the car. The dickhead didn't even give her her board or backpack back so now she has to walk, not skate, all the way to the high school before doubling back to the middle school.
"Hey, kid, need a ride?" Steve says trying to sound casual.
He came. He came for me, Max thinks. She can't believe it. No one has ever shown up for her like that. Not her mom, not her dad, and certainly not Neil or Billy.
"Nope," Max shoots back as she starts walking away from the car. She actively hides the smile forming on her face as the car starts to stalk after. She can hear Steve's exasperated ravings, rumblings, and cursing from the open car window. She's holding that smile off but it's a losing battle. Given her morning, she really needs that smile. She stops in her tracks and the car does too. She stares at the driver for a beat. Steve squirms from his seat and then she lets the smile she's been holding break through and it's the best she's felt this morning. A cop car goes past them and she gets in the passenger seat.
"Pulling teeth, Mayfield. I swear to God," Steve complains. He can keep swearing to God they both know he doesn't mean it.
"I'm sorry," Steve blurts as they drive away from where he picked her up. "I know I told you to call my number whenever and I'll pick up but, in my defense, I've probably left for school by the time you've called. If only I can keep a phone in my pocket."
"Don't worry you're off the hook. I wanted to call but I couldn't remember your number. I left it in my backpack," And I didn't know if you were serious. It's good to know you are though, Max replied with a smile. "What are you doing here, anyway?"
"Uh.. you needed a ride?" Steve answers slowly like he doesn't understand the question.
"How did you know I'd be here?" Max asks.
"Uh…" 'I was nosy and snooped on your brother's car' isn't really a good answer, Steve thinks as he pauses. "I saw your step-douche exit his car but didn't see red hair anywhere so I just…" That's not really a good answer either. He lets the sentence hangs in the air.
He looked for me? Max thinks slowly smiling, It feels weird. Someone giving a shit about me. It feels nice but then she remembers what time it is. School must've started already. She's late and now she's made Steve late. Her face starts to fall. She likes Steve, don't get her wrong, he could even be a friend but he already got beaten up for her, nearly got into another fight for her yesterday and now she's making him late for school. She doesn't want to be a burden.
Seeing her face fall Steve gets worried, "Did he…" he starts choosing his words carefully, "Do we need another trip to the nurse's office?"
"No, not this time," Max answers truthfully shaking her head. Verbal and emotional abuse is on the menu today. Nothing the nurses can help with.
"What's wrong then?" Steve asks confused while not convinced with her answer, "Other than the 'everything', of course."
"You're late for school," Max says flatly like it explains everything.
"So are you?" Steve answers back still confused.
"You didn't have to be late. You should be in class, not driving some random girl to school." Max explains.
Steve nods finally understanding, "I know, but some random girl needed a ride and I don't really like first period. Don't worry about it, okay? I got you through a demonic tunnel. A car ride is super easy, barely an inconvenience."
Max looks at him. Still unconvinced but Steve did sound genuine so she drops it.
"Were the tunnels demonic? I feel like demonic implies religion. Like they came from hell or something," Max says.
"Well, they did come from the government so close enough," Steve quips back.
It wasn't long until they get to the middle school. He goes past it and kept driving toward the high school.
"We'll swing by and get your stuff from the backseat of the car then I'll drive you to the middle school. If it's locked, I can either go get him from first period or smack his window with the bat. Your call," Steve jokes.
"How did you know my things are in the backseat?" Max asks curiously.
"How did I what now?" Steve replies feigning ignorance.
Max replies with a raised eyebrow.
"I may have checked Billy's car when I didn't see you and noticed your things there. I wanted to take it with me but I wasn't sure if he really did make you walk." Steve relents blushing slightly.
He snooped, Max thinks as a small smile forms on her face, "You're not stalking me, are you?"
"That's presumptuous of you," Steve shoots back earning him a small laugh from the younger girl.
"Wait, did I use that word right?" Steve asks earning an even louder laugh this time. A smile forms on his face as well.
Steve parks in the first spot he sees. Parking spots are rough if everybody else is already at school. They both exit the vehicle and approach Billy's car. As they get there, they give each other a look like they're asking the other a question: To break or not to break the window? That is the question.
Before a decision could be made, Max steps forward and tries the door first. It opens. Of course, the person who doesn't care about car safety wouldn't lock their doors. Way to go, laziness. Though a small part of Steve still wishes he gets to smash the windows in with his bat.
"Got it," Max announces as she gathers her things. "I can skate to the middle school from here. No worries, Steve. Get to class."
"It's fine. I've already accepted that I'll skip first period," Steve replies.
"Maybe I should skip first period too?" Max asks feigning innocence.
"Hey, no!" Steve answers quickly
"I won't skip if you won't." Max looks at Steve challengingly.
For a beat, they stare at each other before Steve sighs in defeat and grumbles, "Fine, I'll go to stupid first period."
A smirk forms on Max's face, happy with the win.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Dustin asked for a ride to school tomorrow. He and Lucas came over yesterday asking about you actually. They were worried. Anyway, I can pick you up again if your step-brother decides to be a dick but you'll have company tomorrow. I don't know if that's ok or if you don't want to answer any questions or –" Steve doesn't get to finish the question before Max jumps in.
"Yeah, that's fine. I'll try and find a bench or something to wait on."
"Okay, cool. Just hang around the car if you need a ride later, yeah?" Steve looks at her waiting for confirmation.
"I will." Max nods and gets on the board and looks at Steve. "I just wanted to say thanks. For everything," Max continues. This time leaving the last part in.
"No worries, kid. Just wanted to make sure you're safe," Steve replies leaving the last part in too.
They share a smile and a wave before Max skates towards the middle school and Steve walks into the high school.
Not a bad start to the day.