Serendipity.

5

The pack of cigarettes was almost empty as Max couldn't seem to stop herself from consuming them all. After a long week, she always needed a source of dopamine. And without a person to relay on, she would stick to smoking as much as she could.

The park was oddly loud: The swings were creaking, the air was whistling through the trees, and a faint sound of what she confirmed were steps filled her surroundings. The last one didn't worried her as it used to, assuming who was the responsable of them.

"You are supposed to run or do something if you hear steps coming at you," Matt said with a playful tone, sitting on the floor in front of Max.

"Then how am I supposed to make new friends?"

"This doesn't exactly look like a place to froll," he laughed.

The way that Matt always seemed to be at ease, even when they've seen eachother just a couple of times, was fascinating for Maxine. His broad shoulders and confident steps had everything to make him look intimidating, but the way he carried himself irradiated peace. They've been texting a bit since they talked on the library to finish some of Max's essays, which usually ended on how Matt was a "huge fucking patience genius", and Maxine a "Losing
-my-shit person".

"I thought I wouldn't be seeing you around here again," she was lighting another cigarette.

"Neither do I," Matt observed her, frowning when he noticed the dark circles on her eyes, and the way she couldn't stop moving on her spot. One of her hands was playing with a white lighter, and her legs were shaking a little. "Are you okay?"

Max looked at him, and noticed the doubt in his eyes. It wasn't pitty, which she appreciated. It was more like curiosity, or concern.

"Yes, I'm fine. Why?"

Matt decided to omit the obvious physical signs that she wasn't fine, and mentioned something less detailed instead.

"You hands are shaking, Max. A lot," he took the lighter from her hand, slightly brushing her skin. She was freezing. "I'm aware that we have only known each other for a bit more than a couple of weeks now, but you are not fine."

Max sighed, and put out her cigarette. "I think I smoke too much," she said with a tiny sad smile.

"Is smoking your problem, or is it how you're dealing with it?" Matt got closer carefully, trying not to overwhelm her. He extended his hands, offering them to Max, who accepted them gladly.

Matt took her hands in his, warming them up. His gaze never left her sad expressions, and Max's gaze never left their hands together. It was oddly calming, for both of them.

"If you want to talk about it, I'm all ears. If you don't want to talk at all, we can sit in silence as much as you need. If you want me to leave, I can do that, too," Matt offered, looking at their hands too.

"Can we stay like this?" She said, moving forward to put her head on Matt's shoulder.

"Sure, darling. We can stay."

Maxine felt lulled by his scent, feeling a bit better now. "Maybe we could go to the coffee shop tomorrow."

"The one from last time?" He asked softly.

"Yeah. I like that one. Can you come with me? Maybe at 9?"

He nodded. "I'll be there."