The Ballad of Mark and Max

First day... First sight

MAX

Max woke with a start when her alarm blared at 7:00 that morning, Got Well Soon by Breton, one of her favorite songs was nice to wake up to. She sat up, stretched and rubbed at her sleep filled eyes. As she was waking up she recalled a dream she had last night. Shaking her head she thought... shit, what was that all about? I've never even met the guy and I'm dreaming things like that?! Her cheeks pinked and she felt a sudden rise in the temperature of her face. She got that funny feeling in her stomach again, but she pushed it aside she had to get ready to go. She hopped out of bed, grabbed her toothbrush and went toward the bathroom, Kate was already there and the two ladies exchanged a friendly nod. As they finished the agreed to meet in the cafeteria and walk to Jefferson's class together later that day. When she was back in her room, Max donned her outfit selected the night before. She ran her brush through her short hair making sure it was not entirely crazy and unmanaged. She looked in the mirror at herself and decided that she needed a little makeup. Pulling out her eyeliner she lined the rims of her eyes which really made her eyes pop, and put a bit of eye shadow on the lids making sure it's even across them. She also added a touch of mascara, she always thought it made her look more mature. Once satisfied with her appearance Max left her dorm, ready for her first day of classes at Blackwell Academy.

   MARK

Mark was jolted awake by his screeching alarm at 6:00am. Sluggish he reached across to turn it off. Once he managed to do so he sat up slowly, stretched and rubbed what little sleep he managed from his eyes. He got up went down stairs to his kitchen and turned on his coffee maker. Truth be told, Mark hated coffee, but it seemed to be the only thing that could give him the energy needed after a restless night. He just had to drown it in sugar and coffee creamer. As he was drinking his "coffee" he headed back up the stairs to his room. Slowly he stripped out of his pyjamas and into his attire he set out last night. He went to the bathroom to brush his teeth, noticing that his hair was out of sorts, he ran his hands under the faucet in his bathroom and wet his hair the best he could, then he shook his head to style his hair in his signature messy look. After he brushed his teeth, he looked at himself in the mirror took a deep breath and said "you can do this."

MAX

Max's morning went by relatively quickly and uneventfully. Before she knew it, it was time for lunch, she met Kate outside the cafeteria and the two walked in together to eat lunch. "How has your first day been?" Kate asked Max, "it's been okay, nothing spectacular has happened, yet." Max answered. "What about yours?" "About the same." Kate replied. After they gathered their meals the two girls walk around to find a table, idly chatting amongst each other.

MARK

Before Mark had realized the time he had already made it through half his day. Rather than go to the cafeteria and be around students, Mark had brought a lunch with him. Enjoying his quiet time, he slowly dug into his BLT sandwich and went over his lesson plan for his last class of the day. Using his laptop to shop for more cameras and equipment he can use around the school, he lost all track of time. Before long he noticed a presence at the door. Whomever it was made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up in anticipation. Immediately his senses were aroused. He slowly closed his laptop and began to look in the direction of the door...

MAX

Before Max was ready, her last class of the day was approaching, she and Kate tossed the remainder of their food and walked out of the cafeteria. "Oh shoot!" Kate exclaimed. "I left my backpack in my last class. I'll meet you in Jefferson's, okay?" She asked. "Sure Kate! I'll see you there." Max wandered off toward the main building of Blackwell. She went in, checked her schedule for the room number and headed straight for there. Just as she was about to step through the door, she froze, her senses were heightened and she got goosebumps up and down her body. She lowered her head so Mr. Jefferson wouldn't see the mad blush streaking across her face.

MAX/MARK

Mark caught sight of a slender young girl, standing in the doorway. He could see even though she tried to conceal it by putting her head down. He willed her to look up.

Max's eyes held the floor until she felt an intense gaze upon her. She slowly looked up and met the most beautiful brown eyes she's ever seen. Max noticed that he began to get up. She let out a barely audible gasp, but he seemed very aware of her.

Mark's silent willing came to fruition when his eyes saw the purest of blue eyes he'd ever seen. His body willed him forward to talk to her, he had to use a little restraint not to run over to her. Slowly he strode over to her his hands trembling slightly as he stuffed them in his jeans pockets. "Shit, when was the last time a girl had this effect on me?" He thought to himself.

As he got closer Max began to smell his cologne, it was a heady smell she knew she could get lost in. Her palms began to sweat and her cheeks heated with that telltale blush. "Fuck. Fuck. Fuck! He's getting really close to me! I hope I don't say something stupid! Stay cool, Max!" She thought erratically.

Mark stopped about an arms length from Max and in the calmest, most soothing voice he could produce he said, "Hello, I'm Mr. Jefferson, and you are?" He held his hand out to the young lady.

M-my name is Max, Max Caulfield, she introduced herself. Slowly she placed her hand in his.

As soon as their hands touched they both softly gasped, bewildered by what they were feeling within themselves. Neither could understand this instant attraction they felt. Max being only 18, had never had a serious relationship and Mark had just ended a pretty serious relationship a few months before when he decided to quit photography and teach. He never imagined someone could make him feel this way so quickly after a particularly bad breakup, especially a student.

They stood there with their hands clasped together for what seemed like an eternity, just looking at one another. Their breathing quick and shallow. Eventually Max slowly pulls her hand from his grasp, his fingers reluctant to release hers, held on until the last possible second. Max said in a very breathy, husky voice, "nice to meet you Mr. Jefferson." Mark replied "nice to meet you too, Maxine." Max perked up and said "Max, never Maxine." Mark smirked and replied "OK, Max."

Just as their intense first meeting had ended, Kate came walking in and gave Max a questioning look as she and Mark were just standing there silently staring at one another. "Max?" She said softly. Max snapped out of her daze and turned to Kate, blushing like a mad person, "oh, hey Kate. I didn't see you there." Kate looked confused, but nonetheless turned to the man in front of them to introduce herself. "Hello, I am Kate Marsh. Nice to meet you Mr. Jefferson." Kate said enthusiastically. "Nice to meet you too Miss March." Mark said as he shook her hand, but inside he longed for Max's hand in his again.