𝐆𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 [elmax story]

Chapter 7: Mood turned off

  Weeks were passing quickly. Max was getting close with all her friends, including Eric, too, even though he didn't join Max's and Victoria's group. Eric had actually stayed a little close to Max lately, he was liking this girl so much, she was wise, funny and beautiful. Max liked him, too, but not in that way, like Eric. Staying with Lucas, Jane and Will was part of the fun, all of them were cool and especially Jane, the artist member. Max had fell in love with her art, it was fascinating and unique.

The redhead was alone in cafeteria, probably the only one who had a break from classes. Victoria was having another lesson and couldn't be there. Max was bored, so she decided to get on Jane's art page and scroll through the pictures, watching at all those beautiful arts Jane had created. Max could see those enchanting posts again and again and she would never get tired.
"Hey, Ginger." - a familiar voice interrupted the girl. - "Busy stalking my stuff?" - Jane winked and sat in opposite of Max, placing her tablet on the desk.
"Jesus, you scared me! And no, I'm not stalking your stuff since it's a non private account, and because of you I'm obsessed with your stuff."
Jane had a soft laugh.
"I was joking. Well, I'm happy I'm meeting a fan in real life."
"And I'm happy I'm here with an artist like you."
"Well, I'm not famous."
"You will be, one day."
"Nah, it's boring dealing with people in real life."
"You'll get over it as soon as you get the fame and learn how to live with it."
"Maybe... I don't wanna think about it now. What you doing?"
"Stalking your stuff, basically." - Max showed her phone screen.
"Beside that, what you doing here all alone?"
"I finished a class and now I'm waiting until the next one starts. You?"
"Same here."
"Got any idea for the competition yet?"
"You keep asking for that." - Jane wrinkled her eyebrows but couldn't hide her smile.
"Hey! I'm just curious here."
"So, to quench your curiosity, my answer is: I don't fucking know."
"That's sad."
"You're the one who told me I have plenty of time to think about it. Now what?"
"Time's flying."
"We're in November. You're just impatient to see it." - the brunette chuckled.
"Yeah, what about it?" - Max rolled her eyes. - "You got me obsessed with it, now you gotta deal with it."
"I am."
"How?"
"If you'd be someone else, random person or whatever, I'd probably get up and leave. The fact that I'm not, means I'm dealing with your obsession."
"...Really?"
"Definitely."
Max felt her cheeks flushing, she didn't know why, but just by looking at her friend in front of her made her cheeks reddish suddenly.
"Well, um... thanks, I guess?!"
"You're welcome."
Max shyly smiled, same for Jane. They were always feeling good by each other's presence. They always had something to talk for, and the subject was always satisfying. After staying a bit longer in the empty cafeteria, both girls decided to take a smoke out in the school's balcony.

An hour later, Victoria joined Jane and Max after finishing her class, sitting next to them.
"Phew! What are you two doing in here, huh?"
"Just talking." - Max shrugged.
"I see you're talking, but for what?"
"Max can't wait to know what I'm gonna do for the competition."
"I'm not surprised, she keeps talking about that in the dorm, too." - Vic explained and laughed.
"I'm exposed." - Max blocked her face from embarrassment.
Jane didn't joke or throw a comment, she only giggled softly. She liked the way Max was caring about her art, it was cute of her.

***

Eric was waiting impatiently for the class to be over. He was two desks behind Max and couldn't wait to talk with her. Finally, the professor told the students they were free. Eric quickly stood from his place and walked behind Max.
"Hey."
"Hey."
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure. What's up?"
The blond boy waited until they walked out to the corridor and breathed deeply.
"So, we've been seeing each other for a month now. And... well, um..."
"Come on!" - Max chuckled as she noticed his mouth mumbling and hands shaking.
"I've been wanting to ask you if you wanna got out tomorrow... on a date?" - the boy quickly said. - "You don't have to answer now, I know this was unexpected, so I'm gonna wait. I'll see you around." - and he left pretty quick, without even getting a reaction from Max.
The girl was a little shocked and somewhat confused by Eric's behavior at that moment.

She walked inside her dorm but didn't find Vic there at the moment. Max really needed someone to talk. As she walked out in the balcony, the redhead recognized someone standing in the yard and smoking. She got out of her dorm and rushed to her friend who was standing outside all alone.

Jane was sat on a plastic chair, lost in her thoughts. A lot was in her mind. It was all interrupted when Max decided to join her.
"Hey, again."
"Oh, 'sup?"
"Finished for today." - Max sat next to her. - "Can I ask you about something?"
"Of course." - Jane nodded and position her attention on the redhead girl.
"You know Eric, right?"
"Yeah, your friend. What about him?"
"He asked me a few minutes ago if I wanted to go out with him."
"Oh..." - Jane had a surprised face. - "Really?"
"Yes, and he told me I could give him an answer when I was ready. What do you think?"
Jane didn't know what to say. In fact, she wasn't understanding why this situation and this question was bothering her. Something made her mood turn off.
"Well... if you feel like you wanna know more about him, go for it." - Jane shrugged indifferently.
"So... I should say yes?!"
"Nothing is stopping you, though."
Max didn't get it why her friend's mood suddenly changed, but she didn't pay a lot of attention to it, thinking her friend was only tired. Max only nodded and rubbed the brunette's shoulder before leaving her back with her thoughts.