The Lost Island

Chapter Fourteen | Apologies From The Unexpected

After Ruth's announcement Jax walked off to Mason they never showed the key to Ruth. When Melissa stormed up to her.

"You won't believe Dylan." She huffed.

Max raised an eyebrow, "What about him?"

The sad look Dylan had last night fresh in Max's mind. "He completely lashed out at me last night and wouldn't let me talk to him"

"What was the fight about though?" Max prodded.

"I went on a date with Zack, while Alex was in the hospital clinic thingy. And apparently you were missing."

Max's nerves tingled at Melissa's complete disregard to her friends. All for a date?

Max and Melissa stood facing each other, their voices hushed but their anger palpable.

Max spat, "But what about us? What about our friendships?"

Melissa's eyes narrowed. "That's not fair, Max. I'm just trying to work through the issues."

Max snorted. "Issues? You mean like how you've been ditching us for Zack? A guy you just met?"

Melissa's face reddened. "That's not the point, Max."

But before she could continue, Max cut her off. "No, Melissa, you're the one who's putting men first. Like Zack. When will you prioritize your friends for once?"

The argument ended abruptly as Alex burst into the main hall, his face beaming with excitement.

"I'm back! I'm finally back!" he screamed, his arms open wide.

The group rushed to congratulate him, relieved to see their friend healthy and happy again. Max and Melissa's argument was temporarily forgotten in the joy of Alex's return.

But the tension between them still lingered, waiting to be resolved.

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The girls gathered in Melissa's bungalow, rummaging through her closet and dresser drawers in search of the perfect outfits for the bonfire.

Amy held up a flowy sundress, admiring herself in the mirror. "What do you guys think? Too casual?"

Melissa shook her head, tossing her a more elegant option. "Try this one, Amy. It'll look great with your hair."

Max, meanwhile, was digging through Melissa's accessories, her eyes scanning for the perfect statement piece. "Ooh, what about this?" she asked, holding up a chunky necklace. Gold with a purple crystal hanging from it in a half moon shape.

Melissa nodded, smiling. "That's perfect, Max. You'll be the belle of the bonfire."

As they dressed and primped, the tension between Max and Melissa was palpable. Their argument earlier still lingered in the air, but they both seemed determined to put it aside for the night.

Amy, oblivious to the tension, chattered excitedly about the bonfire. "I can't wait to see what Ruth has planned for us. I heard there might be music and dancing!"

Melissa smiled, her eyes softening. "I'm sure it'll be a night to remember."

Max rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "As long as Jax doesn't try to cuddle me again, I'm good."

The girls laughed, their earlier argument forgotten in the excitement of the evening ahead.

"What's up with that anyway?" Amy pried.

Max sighed, "I honestly don't know, I just have a bad feeling about the guy."

"Your flirting says otherwise." Mel quipped from the bathroom.

"What flirting?!" Max defended.

Amy chuckled, "Oh please," throwing on the dress Melissa tossed at her. It's stunning dark blue brought out her eyes.

The girls were nearly finished getting ready in Melissa's bungalow, trying on dresses and accessories. Max was digging through Melissa's jewelry box when the door burst open and the boys walked in.

Alex and Dylan led the way, followed by Jax, who stopped dead in his tracks as he took in the sight of Max. His eyes widened, full attention on Max in her sleek black sundress hugging her curves snugly. Curly hair loose on her shoulders. The purple highlighting her features.

Max, sensing his gaze, turned around, her eyes narrowing as she took in Jax's appreciative expression. "What are you doing here, Jaxon?" she asked, her voice firm.

Dylan grinned, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Hey, Max, I've befriended him. He's not so bad once you get to know him."

Max's eyes rolled, her arms crossing over her chest. "Great, just what I needed. Another one of Dylan's projects."

This was something that Dylan did often. Take in as Max would call "broken birds" and try to fix them. Make them part of the group. It always put her on defense. She never trusted easily.

Jax's face fell, his eyes hurt but quickly changed back to his icy expression. "Hey, Max, I'm trying to make amends here. Can't we just start fresh?"

Max snorted, her expression unyielding. "Save it, Jax. I'm not buying it."

The tension between them was clear, the girls' earlier excitement for the bonfire momentarily forgotten.

"Hey no fighting in my bungalow!" Melissa called, stepping out of the bathroom. Hair done up in a messy bun, fridge framing her face. Dark red and green sundress twirling around her.

Dylan's features softened, eyes seemed to glow in admiration. Max caught it quickly, but before anyone else could Dylan's walls went up. Turning back to the goofball look he has been wearing since the night she saw him on the beach.

It scares her, Dylan has always been open and clear on his emotions. She does feel terrible about the way she lashed out at Melissa. Knowing she's never been the type to put men before her friends but nonetheless she did, it was out of character.

But then again, aren't they all acting beyond themselves at this point?

Her face fell, before masking again. "I'm sorry Meli."

The group fell silent, words Max has never spoken before. At least not easily, especially not about something so small. Well at least smaller than burning down Alex's favorite limited edition comic book.

He'd never let them forget it.

"What's wrong?" Melissa question e breaking the silence.

"Nothing." With that Max left the bungalow, not looking back. All dressed up for a bonfire to celebrate the scavenger hunt win.

But then again nothing made sense, everything felt so confusing. So out of place. So lost.

Maybe that's why it's called The Lost Island.