Blame

Chapter 3 (Her)

        Max stumbled through the groups of people, running into broad shoulders and sharp elbows. At first she attempted to apologize and squeeze in a few "excuse me's" but soon it was fruitless, so she tried harder to push through the walls of humans. The music seemed to be beating from inside her head and all of a sudden she felt light-headed. She needed fresh air and she needed it now.

        Where the hell was Martin and the rest of the guys? She thought with utter desperation trying hard to look through the crowds. Everyone was blending in and her vision was becoming fuzzy. The room was closing in on her and she felt the alcohol rising up from within her. In the next moment she felt a tight grip on her elbow, and someone pulling her away. Max couldn't even resist, there was no self-will. Soon she realized she was led outside.

        Bursting through the doors, she allowed the fresh air to settle in and tried her hardest to not vomit. She kneeled against the cold, brick wall and closed her eyes, focusing on her breaths.

        "You're not much of a partier?" A British voice spoke up above her and Max recognized it as Dan's.

        "Oh god no. I don't understand why this is a thing." She said, still with closed eyes.

        "I saw you struggling in there, so decided to rescue you." Dan chuckled , also a little tipsy himself.

        "And I have to report to Martin first thing tomorrow morning...,"

        "Oh don't worry about it. I'm sure he'll let it slide. I mean we are celebrating Woody's birthday, so he understands we're gonna go a little bonkers." Dan said. As if on cue, a group of obnoxious girls stumbled out of the pub screaming and laughing about something.

        "God, why so loud...?" Max moaned and buried her head in her arms. 

        "Alright, that's it. Let's go." Without another word, Dan grabbed her shoulders and helped her up. Max wasn't quite stable on her own, and almost fell over but he swiftly wrapped his arm around her waist, giving her suppost.

        "Uh, you okay there?" He chuckled and she looked up at him. Max furrowed her brows because all of a sudden she realized how good he smelled, which was an incredibly creepy thing to think about, but in her drunk stupor, she wasn't even phased; his eyes were dark in the night, but even their blue spark were visible.

        "I think so. Where are we going?" She asked.

        "I'm taking you to your hotel; if you stay any longer you might pass out." Dan replied and began leading her away. The only thing Max could clearly remember was his firm hold on her waist and how warm he was. 

*        *        *

        Beep. Beep. Beep.

Max opened her eyes and realized it was all a dream. She turned off her alarm, but the remnants of the sweet flashback remained. She rubbed her eyes and sat up. Katie was already up and working on her hair in front of the mirror.

        "Good morning." She smiled at Max who returned with a small wave. Today was the first day of classes and she couldn't help feeling a little apprehensive. She knew it was going to be good for her; she needed a distraction, a good one. That dream about Dan wasn't doing her any good, she knew.

        It took about thirty minutes, but Max finally got ready and the two girls went downstairs to catch a quick breakfast before class. They discussed their schedules and Max was pleased that she could keep her mind off of him at least for the time being. Today was going to be a struggle but she needed to try her best. 

        "Good luck!" Katie smiled at her as they parted ways, each going to their appropriate buildings. Max's first class for today was Sociology, and it didn't take her long to find it and an empty seat. And that was her day. Hour by hour inched away from her and finally it was lunch time.

        She knew she was making progress, until she received a phone call.

        Max stared at her screen, not really sure why Kyle's name lit up. Why was he calling her?