Fluctuat nec Mergitur

Chapter 11

*Max's POV*

I didn't sleep, or at least not nearly enough, for the third night in a row. I got up extremely early, which was better than laying on the floor for hours more. It's okay. I can pretend like I have things to do. I already practiced guitar for an hour or two yesterday.

I made up my mind to just clean the house, without being too loud. It took me a few minutes to find the sparse cleaning supplies, and then got to work.

*

*Christina's POV*

"Listen, Max, I'm sorry I've been so mean to you and Lauren lately." I walked into the living room carefully. Max turned around, holding a pen.

"Okay." She looked at me skeptically, sounding unsure.

"I mean it." I sighed, coming closer to her chair. "I'm letting stress get the best of me."

"Yeah." She said suspiciously.

I held my hand out. "I really mean it." She didn't reply, just gazed at me. I'm not sure what she's thinking. There was an awkward silence for a minute.

"How's school?" I asked, even though I already know the answer.

"Not great." She tapped the pen against the arm of the chair.

"What about it?" I actually don't know. I could guess, but I haven't experienced it.

"Everything." Max looked at me like it was obvious.

"It can't be that bad." I think it might have been an attempt at optimism. I'm not sure.

She laughed wryly. "Yeah right."

"Really, what's so awful?" I was slightly concerned.

She just pulled at the star on her jacket, giving me another look that said are you stupid?

"How about this? Give me one of your shirts and I'll give you one of mine, and let's go for a walk." I was struck with an idea. I ought to know what she feels like before I go talking about it, right?

Max sighed.

"Come on. I think part of my problem is that I don't go through what you do." I pleaded. That, and I really need to get over myself.

"Fine." She led me to the room she shares with three other of my siblings, tossing me a random shirt. I held it up. It was a plain white t shirt with the numbers 98 on the back and the same old star up in the corner. I gave her one of my shirts that said simplicity and went to put it on.

The shirt actually fit a bit loose. Max was waiting on the outside the door, and I led her outside. I don't know if this will work because I don't look the part, but I'm sure nobody will care.

Lauren stopped me before I left the house. "What are you doing?"

"I think I could keep myself together better if I do this." I said awkwardly, shifting on my feet, having second thoughts.

"Well, are you sure you don't want one of my shirts? You don't really, uh..." She pointed at the star.

"I know, I don't look like Max." I was now doubting my plan, but I had to follow though at this point.

"You also look a little old to have been born in 1998." Lauren joked. That's true, I guess.

"I think I'm good." I looked at the star.

"Are you really sure you want to do this? I really don't want you to get hurt." Lauren was suddenly worried about me. A few days ago, I was terrorizing her. That's what family is for, I suppose.