A Criminal Kiss [Max Verstappen]

chapter twenty nine

Max P.O.V

The school was quiet, save for the scratch of my chalk against the board. Normally, the act of planning lessons
helped clear my head, but tonight my thoughts were too loud. Every sentence I wrote dissolved into memories of her—Annalise.

Her voice still echoed in my ears, soft and urgent. The way she'd asked me to run away with her felt like a plea I wasn't sure I had the strength to deny again.

I pressed the chalk against the blackboard a little harder than necessary, trying to drown out the image of her eyes brimming with hope and frustration. The door creaked open, startling me. I glanced up to find Thomas standing there, his face set in that determined way he wore when he had something important to say.

"Thomas," I said, setting my pen down. "What are you doing here? It's late."

He stepped inside, his small boots clunking against the floor. "I wanted to talk to you."

I frowned. "About what?"

He hesitated, his hands fidgeting at his sides. "I... overheard you and that lady the other night."

My stomach sank. "What exactly did you hear?"

"Enough," he said simply, his eyes meeting mine.

"Thomas, that conversation wasn't meant for you." I leaned back in my chair, already dreading where this was going.

"I know," he said quickly, walking closer. "I wasn't trying to listen, I swear. But you weren't exactly quiet." His voice softened, but his gaze didn't waver. "And I think you're about to do something really dumb."

I blinked at him, surprised. "Dumb?"

He nodded, crossing his arms over his chest like he'd just handed down an indisputable verdict.

"Thomas—"

"No, listen," he interrupted, his tone unusually firm. "I'm not saying you shouldn't like her. She seems nice. And I guess she likes you, too."

I didn't respond, unsure of where he was headed.

"But running away?" Thomas's voice rose slightly, incredulous. "You're always telling me not to do things just because they feel good in the moment. To think about the consequences. Isn't this the same thing?"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "It's not that simple, Thomas."

"Why not?" he shot back.

"She's..." I paused, searching for the words. "She's not happy here. She's being forced into a life she doesn't want. And... I—"

"You like her," Thomas finished, his voice softer now.

"I love her."

"Oh."

The truth of it was like a punch to the gut. I'd been avoiding saying it aloud, even to myself.

"Yeah," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I love her," I repeat.

Thomas's face softened, but he didn't back down. "Then why would you ruin her life by running away? And ruin yours too?"

I stared at him, stunned.

"You've worked so hard for everything you have," he continued. "The school, the respect of the town, everything. If you leave, all of that's gone. You know that, right?"

"I hardly have the repair of the town—I can hardly put food on the table Tom."

"You know what I mean," He says softly.

"Well, that all doesn't matter if I can't be with her," I said, my voice rising despite myself.

"I think it matters to her," Thomas said quietly.

I froze, his words sinking in.

"What do you mean?"

"She's the one who got me into school, Max. She didn't have to. She did it because she cares about people like us. People who wouldn't have a chance otherwise."

I swallowed hard, guilt twisting in my chest. Of course I knew Annalise had used her influence to help Thomas, but hearing it from him... it was a reminder of just how much she'd already sacrificed.

"She's trying to make things better here," Thomas went on. "For me. For other kids like me. And if you run away, she won't be able to do that anymore. She won't be able to help anyone."

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the desk as my head dropped into my hands. Thomas was right. Annalise wasn't just running from her life—she was trying to change it. And what kind of man would I be if I took that chance away from her?

But the thought of staying, of watching her marry someone else... it felt unbearable.

"Thomas," I said after a long moment, my voice low. "What do you want me to do?"

"I want you to think," he said simply. "About what's best for her. Not just what you want."

The honesty in his voice cut through me, sharper than anything he'd said before.

I sat there in silence as he turned to leave, his small frame seeming taller somehow as he walked out the door.

Once he was gone, I sat back, staring at the ceiling.

"I love her," I whispered again, the words feeling both freeing and damning.

But if I truly loved her, I couldn't let her throw everything away for me.

And that thought burned more than anything.

But I needed her.

I needed to see her.

I needed to tell her how I feel, even if she truly does hate me.

-
-
-

thanks for reading :)
sorry it's so short, but get ready for the next chapter...
874 words