Almost is Never Enough | MIKHAIAH

8

Third-Person P.O.V.
Monday || 6:18am

The sunlight streams softly through the curtains, signaling the start of a new day. The room is calm and serene, a stark contrast to the busy day that lies ahead.

Max woke up first, taking a moment to watch Z sleeping peacefully at the guest room. A gentle smile tugged at her lips as she thought about the past two nights, how natural it felt to have Z there. She quietly close the door, carefully to not wake her, and started preparing for the day.

A few minutes later, Z stirred awake, blinking against the morning light. She looked around, momentarily disoriented, before remembering where she was. A small smile played on her lips as she thought about the unexpected turn her weekend had taken.

Max appeared in the doorway, a warm smile on her face. "Good morning, sleepyhead. Ready for school?" she asked playfully, holding out a cup of coffee.

Z stretched and sat up, accepting the cup with a grateful smile. "Good morning. I can't believe the weekend's over already. It went by so fast."

"I know," Max agreed, leaning against the doorframe. "But we have to face reality sometime, right? I was thinking we could head to school together. What do you think?"

Z's smile widened. "I'd like that. I'm just glad I don't have to face Monday alone."

The two of them got ready, the usual morning rush made more pleasant by their quiet, shared moments. As they stepped out of the penthouse, Max glanced at Z, who seemed a bit nervous about what the day might bring.

"Hey," Max said softly, nudging Z's shoulder as they walked. "No need to worry. We'll get through today, just like we did the last couple of days. We're here lang."

Z nodded, taking a deep breath. "Thanks, Ave. For everything. I really needed this weekend, more than I realized."

Max smiled, her eyes warm. "Me too. Let's go somewhere after the event
and just so you know, you're welcome at my place anytime."

As they approached the school, the morning sun casting long shadows across the pavement, Z felt a strange mix of emotions, nervousness about facing the day, meeting her ex, but also a comforting sense of companionship. She wasn't facing Monday alone, she had Max by her side, and that made all the difference.

--
Lunch || 12:52pm

After their meeting with their friends during lunch, Max and Z part ways to focus on their respective roles for the upcoming event. The campus is buzzing with activity as various groups start preparing for the big day.

Max heads to the music room, where her bandmates are already setting up. The room is filled with the familiar hum of amplifiers and the occasional strum of a guitar. As Max walks in, she's greeted by the others with a mix of enthusiasm and playful banter.

"Max! Ready for this event?" Wesley asks, sitting in front of her drumset.

"Always," Max replies with a grin, grabbing her guitar and joining them. "We need to make sure our performance is flawless. This event could be huge for us." Kai added.

As they start practicing, Max's focus sharpens. She's always felt at home with her band, and the thought of performing at the event excites her. However, every now and then, her thoughts drift to Z, wondering how her preparations are going.

Meanwhile, Z is in a conference room with the leadership council, surrounded by planners, spreadsheets, and lists. The atmosphere is serious but collaborative, with everyone sharing ideas on how to make the event a success.

"Okay, so we need to finalize the schedule and make sure all the logistics are in place," Z saiad, her tone focused as she addresses the group.

One of the council members, a tall guy named Jeremy, nods. "I'll take care of the venue arrangements. What about the guest speakers?"