Realize (PUBLISHED)

Realize (20)

That weekend, the gang was happy that Todd and Maxine were acting normal again. In fact, Todd even offered to help Maxine make their song.

Maxine was thrilled.

“'Stay with me, I'll make you mine',” she sang, while she sat beside Todd in the Sky Studio.

Todd shook his head.

“No, that's not right,” he said. After a few seconds of being thoughtful, he added, “How about — 'Stay with me, I'll make you smile'.”

She stiffened. She had never heard Todd sing – and she was honestly startled.

Now, she could see why the others insisted them on singing together. Todd's voice was unbelievably heartbreaking.

“Well?” he asked with a raised eyebrow when she didn't say anything.

She could only stare at him.

“Is that good?” he asked again.

She forced herself to nod. And as if on cue to break the tension, Peter spoke up.

“Nope. Sorry to disappoint you, but really — it wasn't that good,” said Peter. It was hard to tell if he really thought so. “But can I make a suggestion?” he asked, his eyes twinkling.

Todd could see where this was coming.

“Fine,” he said, slightly grinning.

Peter cleared his throat, while everyone waited.

“'Stay with me, my honey bee'” sang Peter in a very low-pitched voice.

Everyone in the room laughed.

Kim went to the library in search for Brian.

When she got there, she saw freshmen girls giggling and huddling in a circle. It seemed that they were surrounding Brian. Kim moved closer to get a better view and she overheard what they were saying.

“I can't understand this diagram, Brian,” said a girl with blonde pony tailed hair. She bent down, leaning to Brian.

Kim huffed. “Can't Brian notice?” she hissed, glaring at the girls. “I'm here, Brie. Just waiting for you.”

Why? thought Kim. Why am I acting this way? Why not the year before last when we were still dating together? Why now that there's not a chance left? Why did I realize how I truly feel for him, just now? Last Thanksgiving, when we hugged . . . there was a connection . . . And from there, I knew. Didn't he feel how I felt that night?

Kim was deeply lost in thought when Brian interrupted her.

“Hey, why are you just standing there?” he inquired, lifting her chin up.

She jumped in startle.

“I — I don't know,” she stuttered. “Bye.”

With that, she left.

“Wait!” Brian called out for her.

But she was already too far to hear.

☺ ♪ ☺ ♫ ☺ ♪ ☺

“Yes! Just a few more lines!” said Maxine, stretching out her arms. “This song really tortured me.”

“Stop complaining,” Todd told her. “I came up with most of the phrases, so you don't have the right to complain.”

“That's only because you reject all of my suggestions,” she muttered.

“They're prosaic. Can you blame me?”