Saving Max

Chapter 24

It's funny how a day can change things. One day everything can be perfect-or at least as close to perfect as life can be, but the next it's like you've found yourself in your own personal hell. That's how yesterday was for me. And now, a day later, it's only gotten worse. The longer I don't have the answers I need, the more anger and resentment I seem to hold. And the more anger I obtain, the more I feel like punching someone right in the face. Preferably Caden, but just about anyone will do. Right now, as my calculus teacher keeps draining on, I come to the conclusion that my fist colliding with his face will bring me some relief, too.

Adam is sitting next to me right now, whispering about some college application that I don't give two shits about. He doesn't seem to know how mad I am at him. Doesn't know how much I want to punch him in the face. Twice. Once for me, and the once for Katie. God knows she won't do it herself. I know there's still a part of her that hopes that he'll open his eyes and start putting some more effort and time into their relationship. To basically stop blowing her off. 

It makes me hurt on the insides because I'm not sure it'll ever happen, especially with the way he's talking now. All college nd no life. I just don't want her to get her hopes up. I'm not really all that good at putting broken pieces back together.

I'm not too keen on seeing her broken in the first place.

"I have to write three different essays for them, too, Bella. It's-" he whispers, his eyes wide as he speaks, trying to show me his oh so important problems, like the rest of us don't have the exact same ones.

At least he doesn't have a psychotic, deranged foster dad hunting you down to try and get his son back so he can continue using him as a punching bag.

"Adam, for the love of God, would you please stop with all your whining? Just fill out the damn thing and turn it in. There's no point in complaining. With all the time you waste whining you could be fixing all the shit you've caused with your girlfriend." I mumble to him, the bell ringing just as the words leave my mouth. Mr. Roberts yells something about the homework, which is just the next page in the textbook, before falling back into his chair, putting his head in his hands. I think he's pretty much done with his whole teaching thing. As I stand up and walk out I purposefully knock my shoulder into Adam, stalking past him down the hallway and to my locker. I only use it to store my textbooks, and am just making a quick pit stop to throw my calculus book back in there.

I turn around to see him walking towards me, a flash of red hot anger on his face. Adam is rarely ever angry, so he most be really pissed at what I had to say. All I can think is that it serves him right. He deserves to be a little riled up or being such an asshat to his friend and girlfriend.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" he asks, his voice sharp as a knife as he tries to cut through me, looking at me with squinted eyes like he's trying to decipher my deepest, darkest secrets. I think he's trying to be intimidating, and it's actually kind of funny. I think he's forgotten that I'm friends with Caden, and I'm sure there is nothing Adam can ever do to top some of the anger I've seen on Caden.

"Exactly what you think it does. All you ever care about now is college. As if you don't already know you'll get into your dream school. Princeton is calling your name Adam, don't even pretend it's not. Everyone knows you'll get accepted. I think you know that, too, but you just won't shut up about it, or even take some time to think about anything other than college. I'm pretty sure you've forgotten you even have a girlfriend. Or even friends, period. Do you know how long its been since we hung out? Or even talked? And I don't mean jus chatty, stupid little conversations in the hallways, I mean really talked, Adam." I sigh, opening up my locker, clinging to the edge of the door as I swing it open, my eyes looking into his, sad. Sad that I can see my friend slipping away.