Lady in Red [Max Mayfield]

[14]

"Max...I like you."

I hear Max's breathing stop. Mine does too. I feel like I can't breathe out. Why did I say that? She's going to hate me. I just ruined everything. What the fuck. Why? Why?

"Oh."

What does she mean "Oh"? I just told her my feelings and she replies with oh?

"Oh." I reply. What else am I supposed to say?

"Um, ok. Goodnight." She says before turning away from me. What the fuck.

I just ruined everything. Not only does disappointment rise in my chest, so does anger. this whole time, she's acted like she actually likes me. And then she pulls this? That's just not fair. I stand up, grab my blanket, and move to the floor next to Ben and Bev. I just feel uncomfortable sleeping next to her now.

I toss around for a while trying to fall asleep. I just can't. How could she do this? I'm not mad at her for not liking me back. I'm mad at her because she acted like she did. She lied about it.

I toss and turn for hours, still not being able to fall asleep. Finally, some time around five, I fall asleep.

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The sunlight hits my face and I wake up to my back aching from sleeping on the hard ground. I look around the living room to see that everyone except Richie, Lucas, Dustin, and El were awake.

I hear laughing in the kitchen so I get up and make my way there. Mike H stands at the toaster, making waffles.

"Goodmorning, sunshine!" Mike H says loudly.

"Morning." I mumble out "Where'd you get those waffles?"

"Went to the store this morning to grab a few things." Mike H shrugs.

I yawn and look around the room. Stan, Bill, Bev, Ben, Eddie, and Will are all sitting around the table. Mike W is putting a few waffles on a plate. I hear the sink running in the bathroom and the door close. Max walks into the kitchen and I'm immediately reminded of what happened last night.

I really hope it was just another nightmare.

Max looks around the kitchen and stops when she makes eye contact with me. We stare at each other for a bit before she continues walking to grab some waffles.

"Uh oh! Is the happy couple going through a divorce?" Mike W says with a frown. I wish that asshat would just shut up.

I roll my eyes but don't answer. Max doesn't do anything. Just ignored the comment. Mike W coughs and sets his plate down on the table next to Will.

I go over to the counter and grab a few waffles and move quickly out of the way to avoid Max. Before I can walk any further, she grabs my arm.

"Can we talk?" She mouths as I look back.

I shrug before putting my waffles down and following her out of the kitchen.

I follow her to my room and she closes the door softly before turning around.

"Listen, I'm sorry about last night."

"I don't know what you're talking about." I lie through my teeth.

"Alex, please" She pleads "Just let me talk." I shrug, trying to swallow the feeling of sobbing in my throat.

"Last night, I just wasn't expecting it. To be honest, it scared me" Max says "And I'm sorry."