Not Letting Go

Chapter 8

Max never texted. She looked at her phone several times and thought about messaging Kate, but stopped herself every time. In between her indecision Max vainly tried doing homework, but did not really accomplish much. She was constantly glancing at the door and having distracting thoughts. This was how most of her night went until it was just past 9:00 PM when there came a knock. When Kate's gentle voice identified herself, Max opened the door. The brunette paused a moment before addressing her friend when she saw the blonde holding a pillow and a blanket, along with a bag of various things. Kate was dressed in her pajamas, off-white pants with a pale blue trim and a plain white t-shirt.

"Did we...um, plan this?" Max asked in confusion.

"No, but this is the plan from now on until you don't need it," Kate said playfully.

"Umm, I don't know about this..."

Kate sighed in minor frustation before saying, "Tell me you don't want me here without lying and I'll go."

"I-" Max began and paused, looking off to the side.

"That's what I thought," Kate said cheerfully as she gently pushed her way in.

Max struggled for words for a moment as she closed the door behind them.

"Did you say this is the plan from now on?"

"Uh huh," Kate confirmed as she placed her belongings on Max's bed.

Max began to protest, "But..."

Kate had sat on the mattress and Max couldn't help but stare at her lithe form as her friend lay down, stretching her slender body before turning to look at her. Max forgot what she was going to say.

I'm too weak. I can never say no to this girl.

"Um, never mind." Max sighed "Okay."

"Glad you've accepted it. So...looks like you've been doing some school work?" Kate said, now sitting up again.

Max turned back to her open book and laptop, and the mess of snack wrappers surrounding it. As she picked them up to throw away she said, "Yeah...well, no. Not really. It's been hard focusing."

"Oh...did you want any help? Not sure I would be that useful, but I could try."

"You're sweet, but no...that's okay. Thanks though." Max returned from tossing the trash into a small bin and then came back to close the laptop and book.

"Hey, Maxine?"

Max gave Kate an odd look and then smirked before saying, "Max, never Maxine."

"I just wanted to try it out. Why don't you like your full name?"

"I don't know, just doesn't feel like me. Well, if you're calling me that, then I'll call you Katie. How do you like it now, Katie?" Max playfully added.

Kate smiled warmly. "Hmm, I actually do like that. But I think I'll keep calling you Max."

Max's good-natured bravado deflated under her bashfulness, hearing Kate's reply.

"Oh, okay then. I guess...you'll be, uh, Katie now," she said, stumbling a little over her words.

"Just for you though."

Max's heart skipped a beat. She gave a nervous smile and searched for something to do instead of just standing there and showing how flustered she felt.

God, help me.

She took a few faltering steps before going back to her book and laptop. Now with a purpose, she calmed down and took them to their proper places. Book in her bag and computer to her desk. The brunette glanced over to Kate who appeared to have been watching her the whole time.