New Age

Max

*Max Jackson's point of view, two months later*

I watched as she defeated all of her opponents throughout the training trials. Eventually, I will be her last opponent. If she makes it that far. As she sweeps her way across the arena, I can't help but notice how beautiful she is, and how much I'm dreading fighting her. She looks up at me from below, smiling. Her smile is the best part of her. It lights up a room, and makes my heart leap out of my chest. I smile back, she doesn't know I'm her last opponent. 

*Lyla's point of view, present day*

I wake up in the morning feeling worse than the day before. Cold gray eyes haunted my dreams, until they softened. Yesterday's events hit me like a tsunami wave, and I realize I'm almost late for my celebratory lunch with my friends. I pick up my phone to tell them I'm running late and see messages telling me what to wear. It was probably one of their weird matching obsessions. 

I put on one of my dresses after a quick shower and burst out the back door. We live near the street the restaurant is at, so I just walk the short distance. When I approach the restaurant, I'm happy to see my very large group of friends waiting for me. It was rare if we could get everyone together at once, and I was shocked to see everyone. After our greetings and hello-hugs, we went in to grab a table. 

"We're going to need a table for, uh, twelve... please." I laugh, nervously, thinking of all the destruction we're going to leave this poor waitress. 

When we're finally seated, (a few seating arrangements had to be made within the restaurant) everyone is either staring at me or shooting questions at me.

"Okay, guys, not to be rude, but shut up. Ok. I'm going to just tell you everything and if you have questions at the end I'll answer them." I proceed to tell them everything, starting from the morning of the ceremony and ending at the fight with my parents. I tell them how I can't say anything about how I knew I was supposed to be a Tracker, that would get me arrested. Confidentiality was huge in my new unit. I also leave out Max.

"What happens now?" Emma asks, she seemed like something was bothering her the whole time.

"Are you going to leave us?" Evelyn asked. That one hurt. I felt even worse. 

"Now we wait until my training starts next month. My family will be relocated to wherever the headquarters are. After my training is over, I have a week to visit with you all. After that, I have no idea." I looked at Maya, knowing that we've been through everything, and now I'd be leaving.

"But you'd still have your phone, right? So we can video-talk and message each other?" Belle asked. 

"I think so. It'll be monitored, but I'll try to keep in touch. I may not be here, but I'm not leaving you guys." 

"So it's like one big adventure right?" Ellie was saying as Macy cut her off, "Like the one we always planned." The conversation after that was light and airy, Macy's comment made everything real and serious. As we stood up to leave, I saw him. 

*Max's point of view, present*

I was hoping she'd notice me before it was too late. I was here waiting for my friend when she'd walked in. At first it was just her, and I meant to wave, but then a handful of girls around her age crowded around her. She looked beautiful, her wavy hair was falling down her back instead of being pinned up like the first time I saw her. As soon as she was called up to the front of the courtroom, my breath hitched in my throat. I've seen a lot of girls that were much more pretty than  her, but there was something about her I just couldn't help but admire. I thought I'd lost my chance when she and her friends stood up to leave, but then she finally met my eyes.

*Lyla's point of view, present*

Max was sitting just across the room. While my friends were leaving I decided to at least make myself known to him. Who knew what I'd be getting myself into when we went to train. I might be completely alone. I needed all the friends I could get.

"You guys go ahead, I'll catch up. Restroom." I waited for them to file out before making my way over to Max's booth. He was sitting a boy I didn't know but looked familiar. 

I didn't know what to tell him, but luckily he greeted me first.

"Hello, Lyla. This is my friend, Zachary." The boy sitting across from him. 

"Hello. I just thought it'd be polite to say hi. Since we're training together in a few months and all. Zachary, are you a Tracker too...?" my sentence ended abruptly with a cold stare from the boy. Odd. "Well, I uh better get going then. Bye, Max. Nice to meet you, Zachary." I turn to go but a hand grabs my elbow. 

"I'll walk you out." Before I could protest, Max was slowly leading me to the door.

"That was probably really strange and awkward, but I'll explain about Zach when I get a chance. I wanted to tell you, stay away from my brother. When we start training, keep your guard up. He's not who he appears to be."

"So who are you suggesting are the right people to stick by, then?"

"Me," he says with a smirk. we were outside now, getting closer to my friends. Olivia notices and draws attention of the other girls.

"Who's this, Lyla?" she asked.

"This is Max, he's my.." I trail off, not knowing what to say. Not my friend exactly, but neither an aquaintance. Thankfully he completes my sentence for me.

"I'm Max, Lyla's friend. Nice to meet you all." With that he gave a little wave and disappeared into the restaurant.