GUM

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter 18 ~ Sleepless

Maxine

I'm inside my apartment right now and I couldn't stop thinking about what Stefan said earlier. I heard it loud and clear yet I'm still having a hard time processing it if I heard it right.

Did he JUST CONFESSED?!

I closed my eyes and tried to remember the memory.

(Flashback)

"Max?" Stefan called out to me.

"Yes, Stef?" I said as I faced him.

"I like you."

Did he just say he likes me? I must've misheard it. This is embarrassing. I need to stop assuming things. And why would he even like someone like me? It's impossible.

"I like you too, Stef. All of you. All of you showed me a whole lot of the world's other perspective and I'm so happy I met all of you guys." I simply answered to be safe and believe me that I really tried myself to make the moment less awkward although my face might look very red right now.

CHERRY RED. As in the color of washed RBCs I saw in the internet when I tried to search facts about blood banks.

I really need to stop assuming things. And besides, I'm still confused with what I feel towards him.

"I feel the same, Max. But what I meant was I wanna court you."

Did I just heard him right? He really does like me?

"If you'll allow me, Max, I wanna court you. I want to show you how much you mean to me and I want to be 'yours.' I'm not expecting you take this quick but in fact I'll respect your decision whatever it may be. I'll wait. I promise."

Please God, if this is a dream, wake me up this very instant. I don't want to be hurt all over again. As much as I don't want this dream to end, I want it to be over if this is a dream. I don't want to wake up sobbing, knowing that this is just a fantasy.