The Chess Club

Chapter 11

Roxie having no problem navigating her way around Jack's private family mansion, went over to the guest house area. It was a good thing that she memorized the house's blueprint before just in case she was forced to use another method to get Jack to review her proposition. She was looking around for the room that Max was being taken care of when she spotted Mr. Hiker the butler once again. Knowing that he would know where Max was, she asked him for where the room was. She thanked him and skipped her way towards Max's temporary room for the day.

Opening the door slowly as to not make a sound for what she didn't want to wake him up. She slowly peeked her head inside and opened the door only enough so that she could get in and closed it with a click. The room that Max was put in was the biggest guest room in the mansion. It was decorated classically with cream and soft yellow colors. The colors made the room look elegant and bigger than it already seemed to be. In the middle of the room lay a king sized bed with golden adornment that made it suitable for any king. However, the person who lay in the bed unconscious was a knight rather than a king. She slowly approached the bed. She took off her shoes and lay her body next to Max's. She stared at the ceiling that was painted pale yellow color. A sudden chill ran through her body seeing as she was still only wearing a tank top it wasn't a surprise. Max was under the covers and seeing no harm in it, she went under the covers as well.

Under the covers, Roxie could feel the heat that was coming from Max's body and it made her smile being so close to him. It was like old times when they use to curl in bed with each other after having had taken a bath together. Those were the memories that she held dearest to her heart. Looking at Max's sleeping face, she brushed his hair in her hands. It was so silky and soft against her touch, but it was still slightly damp. Laying on his left side, Roxie remembered the mischievous smile that he always seemed to wear in the old days. Remembering the even that separated them from each other, she hugged herself for more warmth. That was when her fingers felt a familiar rough presence on her skin. Tracing the little scar on her shoulder blade, she couldn't help the little giggle that escaped her lips. The little scar that was barely visible read, "MX".

That's when she heard a little groan coming from Max. Then a second one. Then suddenly Max started struggling in his sleep as he groaned as if he was in pain. He was sweating real bad and it looked like he was in pain. Roxie decided that it was time for him to wake up. She shook him so that he would wake up, but he didn't no matter how much, she called out to him, screaming his name. That was when Jack burst into the room and saw the struggling Max who's eyes were still now open, but seemed as if he was still in a sleeping state. His body was moving in rage and was struggling to get free from Roxie's hold that was starting to faze. Jack rushed to their side and helped with holding Max down. Having her hands free now that Jack was helping her keep him down. Roxie raised her right hand high in the air, took a deep breath, and let her hand fly down full speed across Max's cheek leaving a bright red hand print.

The sudden jolt of pain that he received was enough to wake him completely from his sudden chaotic phase. His body stopped all movement and he froze, his eyes wide opened. Jack hesitantly let go of Max and removed his weight on his body, Roxie did the same.

A few seconds past and Max stayed in his frozen state, just as Roxie was about to call out to him; Max sat up from his resting position. He placed his hand on the cheek that was still bright red from the impact. He turned his head to face Roxie's directly and then screamed, "WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?"

Jack couldn't help, but be astonished at this guy named Max's reaction. This fool felt the pain of that slap more than the pain that he must be feeling on his chest that was stabbed through? The insanity of the situation increased tenfold when Roxie screamed back in reply, "NOTHING." Then as if on cue both Jack and Max together shouted back at her, "NO, THERE IS." Roxie looked as if she was about to say something back at them when, Mrs. Ranks knocked on the door before letting herself in.

Shaking his head to get it in order, Jack looked at what Mrs. Ranks had brought them. She placed three mugs of hot chocolate on the nightstand. Then she moved away and went through the closet in the corner of the room. She brought back two hoodies with the logo that read, "Kingsly" She gave one to Max and another to Roxie. Roxie put it on immediately while Max still not really understanding the situation he was in, looked at it confused. When the maid looked down to his chest. He wondered what was wrong and looked down on his chest to see it wrapped up and what was left of his upper body was completely exposed.

Where'd my hoodie go?

Looking curiously at his wrapped up chest, Max decided to see what was under it despite the maid trying to stop his hands, but it was too late. The wrapping was off. The view of his chest with an opening the size of a medium circle that looked rather like a fresh wound, confused Max even more than he already was. He gently touched the wound and winced at the pain of it then a sudden sharp bolt of pain hit his head. He grabbed his head in both of his hands to cool the aching and closed his eyes as the things that had happened rushed back through his head.

Letting out a deep sigh, he calmed himself and opened his eyes. The first thing they met was the worrying gaze of Roxie Grey who was the main reason he had ended up with a hole in his chest.

This is just GREAT. She's looking at me with those eyes again.

Max put on the hoodie he was given by the maid who had already left and got out of the bed. He stood up slowly knowing from previous experience that the blood loss would make him faint headed if he made sudden moves.

Can't believe I lost myself in it again? So dumb of me.

Standing on his two feet, Max turned and walked towards the other two in the room. Understanding the look in Max's eyes that were telling her that she had some explaining to do. She sighed, and said, "I will explain after all of the members are gathered. Which is going to be at midnight tonight at the school." "and how did you set that up?" Jack asked. "You let me use your phone remember?" Roxie replied with an innocent smile.

There is still a lot of time. So maybe...

Not knowing if it really is the right thing to ask in the kind of situation they were in, but Max decided to go with it and ask anyhow. "Um, I think this is your house." Jack nodded with a yes. "If you don't mind, can I take a shower perhaps?" Jack laughed and slapped Max's back in relief, and replied, "Yeah sure. The bathroom is all yours. I thought you were going to ask me something super weird, scared me for a second." Max winced in pain and said, "I'm not like this girl." Jack laughed while Roxie pouted acting as if she was hurt by his words.

Max then excused himself from the room and went inside the bathroom that he locked after himself. The presence of the bathtub in front of him filled him with such joy and happiness beyond what anyone could comprehend.

I can shower properly after such a long time. Will remember to thank that guy.

He then prepared himself for a shower/bath of a lifetime.