Not Letting Go

Chapter 10

When Max reached Blackwell, she took a detour from her room to make a stop at the nearby cafe Kate had gone to before, The Hot Spot. It had been too long since her last coffee fix. Max knew that she could and should get food there too, but also knew she wouldn't, even if she couldn't even remember the last thing she ate. Too much was going on for her to realize she had a problem.

She hovered at the door, worried about who she might see, and just wanting to get back to the safety of her room. After debating with herself for several moments, the brunette relented that it would be quick and followed someone else in when the door opened.

Max got in line and already regretted not going straight to her room, but leaving suddenly would feel more awkward than staying. When someone stepped in place behind her, she knew she was stuck with her decision. Max glanced at her phone, and saw with disappointment that she still had no text from Kate. The anxious brunette perused the ads and announcements against the wall next to her and took one flier, folding the paper and slipping it into her bag.

When she was able to move forward, Max was now able to see around a corner and so she gave a glance. The girl shared a startled stare with Victoria Chase who sat at a table, uncharacteristically alone. They both froze in the moment. Victoria tried to recover, a smile seemed to creep up uncertainly, but then was replaced by her usual smug expression, but then was quickly again switched with a look of guilt and then she turned away. Max was unable to think and could only watch as Victoria struggled with her reaction. When the blonde turned away, Max finally processed through her thoughts and made a decision. With a laser focus, she left the line and went straight to the other girl. Victoria had turned forward again when Max was almost at her table and so met her gaze with even wider eyes than their first look. The typically confident girl seemed ready to bolt.

"Victoria," Max said.

"Oh...hey, Max..." Victoria was trying to not show her fear, but wasn't putting on an arrogant show to hide it. The brunette knew then she made the right decision.

"Can we...talk?" Max said, ending a little less bold than she started.

"Uh yeah...sure. Have a seat."

"Actually...private would be better."

"Oh...uh, yeah...Let's go to my room."

Max just nodded. Victoria paused a moment to be certain the other had agreed and then said, "Okay, let's go, I guess."

She led the shorter girl out of the cafe. Max looked back once, a little disappointed in missing out on coffee. It would have to wait.

They walked most of the way in silence. Max could tell it really bothered Victoria, but the blonde appeared too afraid to start the conversation. As they approached the building she finally worked up the courage and said, "So, Max. What did you...um, want to talk about anyways?"

"I need to ask you something."

"Okay..."

"Let's just get to your room."

Victoria opened her mouth as if to speak, but then closed it. She was not used to this confident Max who seemed like a girl on a mission.

They finally got to Victoria's room a couple minutes later. She opened the door and closed it behind Max who immediately sat on the bed. The brunette was looking downward as if she just ran out of determination when she reached their destination.

No one spoke for several awkward moments and so Victoria said, "So...we're here," waving a hand in the air.

Max sighed and after a pause said, "Look, Victoria...we have a lot we should probably talk about someday, but today...I need advice."