By the last period of the day, Alex felt drained.
The confrontation in the hallway kept replaying itself in her mind—Max stepping in front of Ryan, Ryan shouting, the entire school staring. It had been too much.
Now everyone was talking.
Half the class believed Ryan confessed.
Half claimed Max and Alex were secretly a couple.
Some said Alex was playing both of them.
None of it was true.
But rumors never cared about the truth.
When the bell rang, Alex packed up slowly, hoping to disappear before anyone noticed her—
But Max was already leaning against the classroom door.
Again.
He didn't say a word.
He just lifted an eyebrow like he'd been waiting all day.
Alex swallowed. "You're here… again."
Max shrugged. "You look tired."
Something warm fluttered in her chest.
He noticed again.
"I'll walk you home," he said simply.
She blinked. "Okay. But you don't have to—"
He cut her off with a soft scoff. "I want to."
Her heart tripped over itself.
As they walked out of the school building, the sky was a soft sunset orange, and the evening breeze made everything feel strangely peaceful—despite the chaos earlier.
Students still whispered as they passed, but Max didn't even glance at them.
He walked close enough that his shoulder almost brushed hers with every step, his hands tucked into his pockets, jaw relaxed.
Almost like he belonged at her side.
Halfway down the road, he finally spoke.
"You shouldn't let him get under your skin."
Alex looked down. "Ryan wasn't trying to hurt me."
Max gave her a look. "Alex, he pushed me."
"That doesn't mean—"
"He pushed me because of you," Max said, voice lower, calmer. "I don't like anyone touching me. But I didn't hit him. Because you asked me not to."
She stopped walking.
So did he.
"You… listened?" she whispered.
Max turned to face her fully.
His eyes softened.
"You touched me, Alex," he said quietly. "Do you know how hard it is for me to lose my temper when someone touches me like that?"
Her breath hitched.
"Maybe you don't realize it," he continued, voice deepening, "but you get to me. A lot."
Alex's cheeks flamed. "Max…"
He looked away suddenly, as if he'd said too much.
"Forget it," he muttered, stepping ahead.
But Alex moved with him.
"I don't want to forget," she said softly. "I just… I don't know what any of this means."
Max slowed until she caught up.
For a moment, they walked in silence.
Then he asked, "Are you coming to the Autumn Mixer next week?"
Alex blinked. "The school event? I've never gone."
"You're going this year."
She laughed nervously. "Says who?"
"Says me."
She stared at him. "You want me to go?"
Max looked at her with a small smirk. "Yeah."
Her heart thumped loudly.
The Autumn Mixer was one of the biggest school events—music, lights, students dressed up, dancing under the decorated gym ceiling.
A perfect place for drama…
and romantic moments.
"Will you… be there?" Alex asked before she could stop herself.
Max's smirk softened. "If you go, I go."
Her heart fluttered uncontrollably.
They reached her street far too quickly.
Alex slowed. "This is my house."
Max nodded, but he didn't walk away.
He stayed right there.
Watching her.
Studying her.
"You should rest," he murmured.
"I will."
"And don't think about what happened with Ryan. It's done."
"Max… he's not a bad person."
Max didn't reply immediately.
His jaw tightened—just a little.
Then he stepped closer.
So close she had to tilt her head to meet his eyes.
"I'm not asking you to hate him," Max said softly. "I'm asking you to stop letting him decide how you feel."
Alex froze.
Those words hit her deeper than she expected.
For years, Ryan's approval, Ryan's attention, Ryan's mood… all of it shaped her daily life.
And she never even realized.
But Max saw it instantly.
"Sleep," Max murmured, stepping back. "I'll see you tomorrow."
And then—
He reached forward, brushing a single strand of hair off her cheek.
His fingers barely touched her skin, but the warmth shot through her like electricity.
Alex's breath caught.
Max's expression shifted—softening, darkening, something unspoken flickering in his eyes.
Then he pulled his hand away quickly, almost like he regretted letting himself touch her at all.
"Good night, princess," he whispered.
He turned and walked away, hands shoved in his pockets again—but his shoulders tense, like he was holding himself back from turning around.
Alex stood frozen in place, heart pounding like crazy.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket.
A message.
She pulled it out.
Ryan: We need to talk tomorrow. Please.
Her chest tightened.
Before she could reply, another message popped up.
Ryan: I'm not losing you too.
Too?
What did that mean?
Alex stared at the screen, confused—and then her eyes drifted down the street.
Max was still walking.
He hadn't turned back.
Not even once.
Her heart ached in a way she didn't understand.
Between Ryan's guilt…
Max's protectiveness…
And the entire school watching her every move…
Her quiet, simple life was gone.
And she had no idea whether her heart was breaking—
or finally waking up.