Keeping Secrets

Old Friend

PEYTON

The first couple of weeks of college went as expected. I was on time for every class, kept my head down, and did all the required work. That had been my motto during high school, and it seemed to be working in college, too—so far, at least.

The only disruption to my routine was Max. He somehow managed to wiggle his way into my safety net. It started when I ran into him in the cafeteria. Like literally. I'd been hurrying to grab the last plate of chicken nuggets and fries. Max had been standing nearby—which I didn't even notice because I was so focused on the food. He took a step away from the water cooler and I plowed right into him. Because why wouldn't I? Why wouldn't I be the one to make a scene, again. In the cafeteria, no less?

So much for keeping my head down and staying out of trouble. Thankfully, nothing happened to Max. At all. It was like hitting a brick wall, although warmer and a bit softer. I bounced right off him and was heading for the floor when Max's lightning-quick football reflexes kicked in and he grabbed me before I made a complete fool out of myself.

"Wow QB, what's with the rush?" he asked with a big grin. That kind that displayed perfectly white teeth and made girls' hearts flutter. Yeah, I totally got why he was one of the popular guys on campus, even at a school the size of ours. He was definitely both attractive and ridiculously charming.

Oh, um... the chicken nuggets..." I muttered, gesturing toward the now-empty display behind him like some six-year-old." As the embarrassment swept over me, I felt my pulse quicken. I knew I was blushing, badly. I'd just admitted that I'd been running to get chicken nuggets, and not just in my head either. Oh, no, I said it out loud.

Max chuckled and nodded toward a guy in a "Chess Is Life" t-shirt who was walking away with a basket of the fried goodness I'd had my eye on. "Looks like you missed out. Sorry about that, QB."

"Oh, uhm..." I straightened up and brushed my hair out of my face, all while wishing the 'Chess Is Life' guy would fall on his face. I sent an evil glare to his back as he disappeared near the exit, but then I immediately felt guilty for wishing ill will on a guy just for scoring the food I'd wanted.

PMS-ing was truly awful. I was acting way weirder than normal.

I took a deep breath and tried to get myself together, hating how awkward I got around guys. Especially attractive ones.

"Come on, I'll get you lunch," Max offered.

I must've looked truly desperate if he felt the need to take pity on me, which didn't make me feel any better.

"No... that's okay."

Max's expression softened. "It was my fault you missed out on the chicken nuggets. How about a burger, or maybe some pizza instead?"

"You don't have to do that."

"I know," he said, nudging my arm playfully with his elbow, "but I want to. Come on."

And now I was nervous and frazzled for a whole other reason. Max was getting me lunch. I could practically hear Becca in my head telling me to take the opportunity and ask about the party. But instead, all I said was, "okay... thanks."

"Which one?" he asked, still grinning, his bright blue eyes locked on my undoubtedly flushed cheeks.

Clearly, the awkwardness wasn't going away. I swore internally to get my shit together.

"Either, I guess," I mumbled.

"Okay, QB, pizza it is."

And so, pizza it was. Max and I ended up eating together in the crowded cafeteria, squeezed in at a small table across from each other. We only had about ten minutes before our next classes, but it was nice nonetheless, and I managed to stay at least somewhat normal.