Blame

Chapter 17 (Her)

        When Max and Katie got back to their dorms, they were exhausted. They barely got five hours of sleep and the overwhelming events of last night still seered in their minds.

        "That was definitely a birthday I didn't expect." Max smiled at her friend.

        "I can't believe we got to spend so much time with Grizfolk." Katie beamed, taking off her outfit and taking out a plain t-shirt and leggings.

        "And Bastille for that matter." She added. Max didn't look up as she began taking out a fresh set of clothes as well.

        "I heard what Martin offered you. Will you be taking the job?" Katie asked slowly, not wanting to push any buttons. Max was silent, still mulling over it. 

        "To be honest, I don't really know. I still don't know if it's worth doing the job and having to deal with all of these emotions with Dan, you know?"

        "I mean you can take the job, since I'm sure you don't have any immediate options after you graduate. Just take a chance, Max." Katie said gently and then went into the shower room, shutting the door behind her, leaving Maxine to think about what her friend said. 

        She laid down on her bed, facing the wall. Thinking about the events of the past day. Her eyes were closed and she couldn't help smiling at the memory of Dan's touch. How good he smelled and how warm he was. Despite everything between them, she couldn't help loving him.

*        *        *

        "God, I feel pretty rough." Dan collapsed onto the sofa after doing several re-runs of the songs. Will sat beside him and motioned towards Max, who was on the other side of the room with Amy, looking intently onto a laptop screen.

        "So, you and Max?" Will raised his eyebrows at Dan and he shook his head.

        "Uh no, it's not like that."

        "Oh yea? That's not what it looks like from the side." Will continued pestering him.

        "I...I just went to her place after we ate, that's all. Nothing happened." Dan felt stupid justifying how he spent his day.

        "Aha, is that why you two came in in such a disheveled look? Like deer in headlights." Will chuckled. Kyle came into the room and took a seat beside Dan.

        "Ah piss off." Dan said, almost in anger. 

        On the other end of the room, Max was with Amy trying to focus on her work.

        "Did you oversleep again?" Amy asked.

        "Can you tell?" Max asked glumly, looking down at her wrinkled clothing.

        "I mean...you've had better days, for sure." Amy grinned and then looked across the room at Dan.

        "Looks like you two match this morning."

        "Oh please--," Max blushed and then Amy interrupted her.

        "Oh my god! You slept with him!" Amy yelped, a little bit to loudly this time. Heads turned their way and Maxine wanted to melt into the seat and disappear. Her face was red and hot and she glared at Amy, shaking her head.

        Kyle and Will looked at each other and then at Dan and burst out laughing.

        "First of all, no we did not sleep together. Well, I mean we technically slept together but we didn't...have sex. Second of all, shut the hell up and lower your voice. The guys give me a hard time as it is." 

        "Aha, I wonder why. First you kiss Dan and now...you're not too far away from tying the knot." Amy winked at her playfully and Max had the urge to hurt her. After a couple of minutes, she looked up and noticed Dan struggling to remain still. His buddies were having a field day with both of them. Max couldn't take anymore of the nonsense and joking and got up to clear her head in the hallway.

        She stepped out and seconds later, Dan was right beside her.

        "They're such little fuckers." He exhaled with annoyance, shaking his head.

        "You're telling me?" She let out a sarcastic laugh and looked at him. Max realized how much she wanted to kiss him and it was completely out of no where. He looked up at her with yearning eyes then in two steps he was right in front of her.

        "I really enjoyed last night." Dan whispered at her and her heart rate quickened. She took him all in and then at the same time they leaned in and their lips met each other. It's like after Max kissed him the first time, she couldn't get enough of him and neither could he. They leaned against the wall and then Dan looked up to see the janitor closet right beside them. She looked over and offered him a mischevious smile.

        They pushed their way into the small room, shutting the door behind them. Dan fumbled for the light switch but it only offered dim lighting, but he kind of liked it that way. Her hands were around his neck, and then in his hair. They've kissed before but not like this, not with so much yearning.

        He lifted her onto a small, crowded counter and Max wrapped her legs around his torso. She felt like a teenager at prom. She felt giddy and excited all at once; but nevertheless all of this felt so right.