Max and I

Chapter Three

Wayne moved in as quickly as I had found out. The next month, she was already packing up for the move.

"I can't believe about Wayne," said Elli.

But I didn't listen. I thought about Max. I hadn't seen him lately, because Mom busied me with cleaning the house for the arrival.

Wayne's room was a guest room. It was a large room, and we had already put up purple wallpaper, cleaned up and put everything there in my room, or sometimes in Elli's room. Then we added a new carpet, among other changes. The room was transformed completely.

"Don't go into Wayne's room. It'll make it messy," Mom told us.

I felt tired. "Can I go next door and see Max?"

"Why?" Mom asked. "Never mind. Go and read a book, or anything."

Gradually, more and more of Wayne's furniture arrived for her room. I liked the room. I looked so cozy, and it even had its own bath, all new and pink. I longed for that room. My room was messy and small. I wanted a new room. I liked new beginnings.

But Mom refused.

"You're really girly," added in Elli. "And what will happen if you did move in? The room would be buried with girl books, girl stuff, and girl bracelets. The room would be a complete mess." (Even though Elli said that, we still loved each other. It was just a sibling-like thing to do.)

"No it wouldn't, smart one," I retorted. When Mom heard that, she told me I'd be grounded if I said that again to Elli.

"He's saying I'm girly and my room is messy."

"Enough. Elli, a girl is a girl. Girls can have girl stuff, naturally, because they are girls. And Meg, I do think your room needs a nice good clean," Mom answered.

She went back to the kitchen. She always baked. Today it smelled of pumpkin-chocolate chip-blueberry tarts.

I took out my journal and drew a picture of Elli and me.

Then I took a walk outside. No one was outside. It seemed that everyone was playing sports now instead. I had played basketball last year, but I didn't think it was easy to understand it, so I dropped out in the middle of the season. I was bad at shooting and all basketball elements anyway. Then I thought, what is Max doing? Is he playing with a friend? Or is he waiting for me? I wanted to see him, but of course, I knew he cared nothing about me. He had just called me pretty...well, just because I was. He did not know I liked him.

I was surprised to see Beca out though. Usually the only thing she liked was texting boyfriends, as if it was very important. I didn't like her because she was so arrogant.

"Hi, Maggie Florie," Beca said. "What ya doin' 'ere?"

I answered, nervously. "I'm here just because," I replied.

"Could you please explain this? Would you like to see Max?"

"I wish that you didn't get in everyone's personal stuff," I answered bravely, when I saw him – Max, coming up the road. He was jogging.

"Leave Meg alone," he told Beca firmly.

Beca argued with him, since she was older. "Max, she was on our property."

"So? Who cares?" Max shrugged and walked away from Beca and I. He walked into the house.

I left, headed home, and didn't even go near Max or Beca's house that day.

On Monday, it was drama club again, but I went home. I felt worried. If I went near Max, he might tell Beca about it. Maybe she already did know about the Max and me crush.