Crazy

Chapter 25: Max: The Healer

I sat outside the counselor's office at school.
My principal had insisted that I had to see her, for help.
I didn't know the counselor's name, or hat we had a counselor.
Another girl sat in the waiting area with me.
She had short blond hair that framed her face, a large nose, and green eyes.
She was constantly spasming like, every thirty seconds or so.
The door opened and a boy stepped out.
I'd never seen him before.
He had long hair (for a boy), and it was brushed to the side. He looked quite muscular and menacing, but had soft, brown eyes.
He had dark jeans on, a white v-neck, and a leather jacket.
He was scowling, and came and sat down in the seat in the corner.
The counselor came out and looked at the boy.
"You and I have more to talk about young man." She said sternly.
He rolled his eyes, and looked at his feet.
The woman smiled, and turned to the jittery girl.
"Evie!" She exclaimed. "Come with me."
Evie stood up and walked in with the lady close behind her.
Once the door was closed, the boy pulled out a black sharpie marker from his pocket.
He took the cap off, then began drawing on the walls.
After he'd made a fair sized skull, I decided to speak up.
"Why are you doing that?" I asked.
He looked at me.
"Uh, because I want to and I'm preparing for my death."
"Your death?" I asked.
"Look here princess," he said. "I'm currently being hunted by a powerful demon, and I need something to do so people will never forget me."
I nodded.
"What are you here for?" He asked.
"My dad passed away, they're just making sure I'm okay. And I'm not."
"I'm sorry. But at least you have your mom. My parents died in a car accident three years ago."
"My mom died a few years ago."
"Sorry." He said.
He then turned and finished his overly detailed skull that had bugs and cracks covering it.
He recapped the sharpie, then threw it at the wall across from him.
I was taken aback by his lack of respect for the school property, then I went back to looking at my thumbs.
"You know, if I had my way, this school would be gone, and a game center would be here instead." He said.
I simply rolled my eyes.
"Ahh, the classic eye roll, we'd be great friends." He added.
He sat in the chair next to mine, then put his face right in front of mine.
"So why haven't I seen you before?" He asked.
"I dunno, maybe we don't have the same classes." I said.
"Hmmm, I guess so. So tell me about yourself." He said.
"What?" I asked.
He sat back in his chair.
"What are your hobbies, favorite things to do, your name?" He answered.
"My name is Alice. And I like to read sometimes." I said.
Almost immediately he asked.
"What kind of books do you read?"
"Uh, mysteries."
He nodded.
"I'm Max, I like to skateboard, annoy people, draw on things, watch TV, and pull pranks. And, just between you and me, I'm single."
He made a phone with his hand and held it up to his ear. Then he mouthed the words, call me.
I couldn't help but laugh, maybe we would be good friends.
"So, I had this crazy dream last night, I was in school, so it was already a nightmare, then, some teachers started chasing me with some giant rulers. I started to freak out, then I thought, man what did I do to make them this mad? Score!" He chuckled a little, then went on. "So I stopped in my tracks, waited for them to catch up to me, then laughed as they yelled at me. Apparently, I made the toilets spray water, and the stuff inside of them, at whoever was there when they flushed the toilet." He continued to laugh. "So today, and this is why I'm here, I made my dream come true." He doubled over laughing. " Principal Zander never saw it coming! But, they did threaten to expel me after they suspended me." He shrugged, then went on laughing.
I was laughing too. Mainly because I had seen Mr. Zander in the hall today, and he was soaking wet.
Evie walked out of the room.
The counselor walked out.
"Alice," she said. "Why don't you just go to class, we'll talk tomorrow."
I stood up, then began walking down the hallway.

Only one more class till lunch.

I walked into the classroom.
All eyes were on me.
My teacher nodded, and I sat down in my spot.
Today was just a free day, so I read.
The hour went by so fast, then it was lunch.
They were serving grilled cheese sandwiches in the lunchroom.
I decided that I wasn't very hungry then went and sat down in my usual spot next to Zoe.
Her and Skyler were the only ones there so far.
"Hey guys, I wanted to tell you something." Skyler started.
Zoe raised her eyebrows, and I gave her a questioned look.
"I'm dating Zeke now." She said.
"Cool." I said.
Zoe nodded, looking deep in thought.
"Hey, guess what." I said.
"Hmm?" Skyler responded.
"I made a new friend today."
"That's nice." Zoe mumbled.
As if he was summoned, Max plopped down in the spot next to me.
Zoe's eyes widened and Skyler took in a sharp breath.
"Hey Alice." He said. "Guess what, I tried really hard not to get in trouble last hour so I could try to find you." He smiled, obviously proud of himself.
Skyler and Zoe must have took it the wrong way, because Skyler said,
"Please don't hurt her, she doesn't heal very fast."
Max looked at her.
"Okay?"
He looked back at me.
His grin returned, and we sat in silence for a minute.
"Hey, another teacher got wet by my prank." He said.
He began to laugh.
Then Demetri decided to ruin our conversation.
"Hey Alice." He said, sitting on the other side of Max.
"Hi." I replied.
"Max isn't bothering you right?" He asked.
"Oh please! Just shut up and walk away Shadow." Max replied.
"Take your own advice and leave my family alone." Demetri spat back.
"I don't care if she's your family she's my friend." Max said, his voice rising.
Demetri stood up.
"Your friend? Don't you have enough minions that follow you around all the time? Your not adding her to that list." He said.
Max also stood up.
"Your unbelievable Shadow. Can't I have a conversation with someone, without you butting in?"
He shoved Demetri, then began walking away.
Demetri shoved him back, and Max turned around.
He looked angry.
I stood up and stood in between the two of them.
I grabbed Max's arm.
"Just walk away." I said.
He looked into my eyes.
He then nodded and walked out of the lunch room.
"Alice-" Demetri started.
"Demetri, go away." I said.
I walked to my spot and sat down.
"Max is bad news." Zoe said.
I sat there for a moment.
Then it hit me.
"But, when I'm around him, it's like I'm not an orphan anymore."
And it was true, he was helping.