Out of Time

Chapter 14: Nectar

You always have something to sing about.

"So, I wasn't aware of having this assignment assigned due to my absence. But y'all are already looking at me expecting that I have something to sing." Marshall mumbled.

"Of course, you're Marshall!" A guy from the back shouted made everyone laugh.

"I know." He winked and his rosy lips formed into a sweet and intimidating smirk. "This song is for someone I like." His eyes wandered around and spotted Azriella's seat.

"Even though she avoids me a lot." Marshall coughed; he grabbed the small string instrument from the girl who's in front of him. "Borrow." He smiled.

Azriella kept reading her book and didn't bother to look at him. But her ears were fully aware and listening to everything that comes from his flowery mouth.

"I mean I hate him but you don't, I don't hate you so I would probably like to see him right now if I were you." Zach used his elbows to move her book away from her hand.

Azriella sighed and lifted her head while rolling her eyes inside her eye cap. "What?" She responded as she glanced at him.

Marshall's lips rose to a little smirk when Azriella's eyes met his. "Song by never shout never."

He flattened his ring finger on the fourth fret of his instrument and his index finger on the fourth string to do an Eb chord and started to sing Trouble - Never shout never.

His head rose and their eyes met the second time.

**

Voices from the students chattering whirled inside their room while walking their way outside the door when Max spotted the three heading their way out.

"Uhm hey, Can I take her to lunch?" His voice panted.

"Yes of course." Eli quickly responded and shrugged Azriella pushing her to his chest, "Go on we'll see you later." She giggled.

Azriella stopped herself using her feet from falling onto his arms.

"But—" Before Zach can finish his sentence Eli mumbled and grabbed his wrist away from them.

"Hey." Azriella stated without looking at his hungry bright eyes.

"Time flies so fast, later will be our last practice for the competition." He chattered.

"You pulled me away just to tell me that?"

"I still don't understand why you avoid me that much, maybe it's because of the reason why did you reject our band or whatever." He chuckled away. "So this may sound very random but I want to be your friend."

"Why are you so obligated on knowing the reason where in fact it's none of your business, is someone threatening you or asking you to ask me?" Azriella rolled her eyes and proceeded inside the cafeteria.

"Just give me a chance."

Azriella looked at him with her left eyebrow raised, "Is it really necessary?"

"How come Zach can be your friend and I can't?" He gave a slight emphasis on the word friend he stated.

"What is it for you?"

"Nothing." He took a sip on his drink and looked away.

"Good because you sounded jealous."

His eyes wandered around but kept their distance from her eyes.

Until he gathered himself back. "Bond matters, that was Christine said." Max laughed and took a bite of his sandwich, "Okay let's have a deal." He said while his food gargling around his mouth.

"You call these interrogating kinds of stuff a bond?" She rolled her eyes. "Plus, I don't do deals."

"Just give me the chance to let you know some good stuff about my enchanting life, then after the competition ends you still hate me that much. Then I'll be better off of your life." Max proposed.

She rolled her eyes off, "You'll just waste your time."

"I'll prove you wrong." He bubbly smiled. "I know you hate being wrong so..." He taunted.

"Deal."

"Okay!" He exclaimed.

**

"Heard your birthday is coming?" He interrogated while walking down the corridors towards the music room.

"Yes." Azriella responded.

"Do you have any plans at all?"

"I don't actually, I just want to eat as much as I can then go to sleep."

"Lame." He spoke and went on his way to grab the doorknob. He went in and slammed the door on her face. "Sorry." He threw a peace sign as he opened it again.

"At least you have the gut to re-open the door and say sorry." She rolled her eyes.

"Hey hey hey my pretty golds!" Christine shouted. "I hope you heard that that'll be our last practice for the competition."

"Don't worry you guys, your voices are spectacular. We only have one thing to practice about." James declared, "Your interactions."

"Eye contacts, body contacts, or let's just say sparks. I need you to shine, not just your voice but your chemistry." Christine acted and did the sparkle thing with her bare hands on air.

Max's lips curved into a little smirk, "I guess it is really necessary to be friends after all."

"Yeah, luckily you already lost your pride and told me how miserably you want to be my friend." She whispered in a very taunting voice.

"But don't worry, you both seem naturally sparkly, we just have to work it out." James giggled, "And please stop denying it, I can see our past selves in the both of you."

Azriella coughed and take the initiative to gag, while Max kept chuckling from her side.

"Come on chop chop, we have to work that chemistry." Christine stood from her chair and clapped her hands.

Max's hand landed on Azriella's head; he wiggled his hand on the top of her head making her half bun messier.

"You're getting too comfortable Mister, for the record I still—" She stopped and retreated her hand.

"Still what?" His lips formed into a taunting smirk.

She rolled her eyes and walked away, "Still hate you!"

"They are just like us when we are on the same page." James whispered from Christine's nape.

"So, our friends are really telling us the truth back then." Christine's lips curved into a little sweet smile.

"He's a bumblebee drunk on the nectar of bleeding hearts." They both said.