The Love Game

Chapter 4: Where Were You?

Max looked over at his carving. He had stayed up late into the night carving Magic Mike and a cowboy hat you could take on and off of the figure. Getting out of bed, he walked to the kitchen. Sophie was on the floor, and there was blood on the counter. Max went outside and got the hose. He came back inside. Turning it on, he sprayed Sophie and the counter. Sophie got up and scurried away like a spider on all fours.

He turned off the hose, put it outside, and then walked to school without lunch.

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"Hey, El! Where were you, buddy?" Max smiled, clapping Elliot on the shoulder. The taller guy adjusted his coat.

"Well. Yesterday, I was sick, is all. Just sick. Coughing, sneezing, whatever. I'm still a little sick. Maybe stay away from me today," Elliot suggested. I smiled. He was always being so considerate to others, even if it meant he would be alone.

"No," I said. "I have to make sure you are getting better!"

Elliot sighed and we walked to class.

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During Sarycozan history, the teacher began preaching Elantine. Everyone started bowing down. They talked about Rannu, some girl named Thieia, and some Mara person that they all seemed to hate. It was weird! I missed Meridia, where religion wasn't so complicated. I was sad that nobody else here recognized grand empress Armade as our one true goddess. My father, my mother, everyone at school, and everyone ever had been taught that the grand empress was the real god.

It had been disappointing when she died. Apparently she had lost her godly power long ago.

When class ended, me and Elliot snickered. "My name's Elantine, and I'm going to kiss my brother Rannu!! Hrrhggmphp!" he said, and that made me laugh. Ms. Goretz heard us and started walking over. Naturally, we got out of the class quickly.

Elliot frowned when Maven was outside the class, waiting for us. "Heyyy, Max! And Elliot. How are you two? You're good? That's good, that's goood..." he smiled.

"I did not say I am good, Maven," I frowned. "I am feeling good, though. You are just a good guesser is all." Elliot wasn't looking at Maven.

"I'm going to leave, Max." Elliot looked at me. Before I could say bye, he walked away. I dramatically turned around to watch him disappear into the crowd of blue, pink, green, and other colors of skin and fabric. I frowned.

Maven put his arm around me, smiling. "So, Max. So. What do you like? Say, are you free at lunch? We should sit by each other and get to know one another. I have been wanting to make a new friend!" he whispered into my ear. I was not sure I liked it, but I was glad because otherwise I wouldn't have been able to hear a thing he said in the noisy hallway.

"Er, Maven, I'm going to go to my homzikahn-science-forensic-geometrical class now. Goodbye," I said, quickly walking away. I felt very nervous.

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At lunch, I ended up sitting with Maven due to having nobody else. I tried to ignore him because he was rather annoying.

"Hmm. Max, Max, are you even listening? I thought you were rather nice! Students told me you were sweet," he frowned. Maven held my shoulders and shook me. I narrowed my eyes.

"What?! What do you want?" I asked, terribly mad.

Maven smirked. He always smirked when I was mad. It infuriated me. On top of my anger, I was hungry. I hadn't packed lunch. I looked away and tried to relax. I sighed as Maven noticed I had no food. "Max, I have a spare apple. Would you like it?"

I looked over. I did not like Maven, but I was very hungry. "Okay," I raised an eyebrow. I was very skeptical of his apple, but I bit into it anyway. To my surprise, it tasted fine. Hopefully it wasn't laced with anything.

Maven continued talking my ear off. I eventually tuned him out. When I finished the apple, I tiredly looked into the mesmerizing grey pattern on the table. I was so zoned out I did not realize Jacob and Dustin had walked over and sat down.

"Max? Hello? Are you there, sweet thing?" Dustin snapped his fingers. I blushed.

"Stop calling me things like that!" I grumbled, looking away from him. Jacob rolled his eyes and gave his friend a look.

The mysterious boy looked to me again. "So. Max, you know Maven? That's... Cool, I guess," he murmured. He never had much to say. He was starkly different from Maven. The annoying classmate always felt the need to talk off my ear. Jacob, however... He was quiet. That is what I liked about him.

Dustin looked over at Maven, and then to Jacob. "I am going to go find Sebastion. I forgot to bring money today," he said. He blinked. "Oh, Max, you're his friend, aren't you? Sorry. You must understand, though. You don't have much to eat either."

He then walked away to go find Sebastion. I frowned.

Soon after that, the bell rang, and I left lunch with Maven at my side, complaining about some stain on his jeans.

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When I got home, I checked my phone. I messaged Elliot and asked him if there were any tests. I really just wanted to hear from him. I hadn't been sitting by him at lunch lately, and we only had one class together. I saw Sophie lying on the kitchen floor again. I sighed, going to my room. My sister was so annoying sometimes.

a/n guys do u hvae an annoying sibling