why so hot, Clara....🔞

Seven

Marlene’s stomach churned as Max’s invitation hung in the air.

A glance at Clara confirmed her worst fears.

The secret they’d carefully guarded was about to be exposed.

Taking a deep breath, Marlene plastered on a fake smile and approached the table.

“Hey, Max,”

she greeted, her voice tight.

“What’s up?”

Max gestured towards the empty chair beside him.

“Just having a friendly chat with Clara here. You join us?”

Marlene hesitated, her gaze flickering between Max and Clara.

Clara’s face was a mask of emotions – fear, defiance, and a silent plea for help.

Knowing she couldn't avoid the situation any longer, Marlene pulled out the chair and sat down.

The air crackled with tension as Max studied them both with suspicion in his eyes.

“So,”

Max began,

his voice dripping with sarcasm,

“what were you two whispering about before I interrupted?”

Clara opened her mouth to speak, but Marlene cut her off.

“Nothing, Max,”

she said,

her voice firm but polite.

“Just catching up on schoolwork.”

Max wasn’t convinced.

He scrutinized their faces, searching for any tell-tale signs.

The silence stretched on, heavy and suffocating.

“Look, Max,”

Marlene finally said, breaking the silence,

“is there a reason you want to interrogate us?”

“Just curious,”

Max muttered, frustration simmering beneath his carefully constructed nonchalance.

Suddenly,

the classroom door swung open, and a boisterous voice boomed.

“Alright everyone, settle down! Today we’re going to learn about the art of pointillism!”

The art teacher’s arrival provided a much-needed reprieve.

Max reluctantly turned his attention to the task at hand, leaving Clara and Marlene in a tense silence.

The close call, however, had brought their vulnerability into sharp focus.

After class,

they found themselves on the rooftop, bathed in the golden glow of the afternoon sun.

Berlin stretched out before them, a tapestry of bustling streets and historic landmarks.

But their focus was solely on each other.

“We can’t keep doing this,”

Clara whispered,

tears welling up in her eyes.

Marlene took her hand, her touch a source of comfort amidst the swirling emotions.

“I know,”

she said,

her voice filled with resignation.

“But what are our options? Coming out now could have serious consequences.”

Clara nodded, her mind racing.

Max’s suspicion was a ticking time bomb, and they had no idea how long it would be before it detonated.

“We have to figure something out,”

she said,

determination hardening her voice.

“A way to be together, without hiding.”

Marlene squeezed her hand.

“We will,”

she promised.

“But for now, let’s enjoy this stolen moment.”

They stood in comfortable silence, watching the sun dip below the horizon, painting the sky in vibrant hues of orange and pink.

The future remained uncertain,