phobia | elmax

advice

shortly after max and eleven's conversation, eleven had gone home.
max was relieved.
of course she loved having her best friends company around, but she really needed to think about what happened between her and el at the party.

it was just a kiss, but it didn't feel like just a kiss.

max was fixing her bed, when she heard a soft knock on her door.

"who is it?" she called.

the door opens, and she turns her head to see billy walk in.

"can i come in?" he asks.

"well, you already are." max shrugs, before finishing fixing her bed.

"are you okay? you've been kind of quiet since the party? did something happen? did someone hurt you? i swear to god if it was those girls again—" billy starts.

"no billy. i'm fine." max shakes her head, "nothing happened."

but billy was unconvinced, "are you sure max?"

"yes. it's all good." max looks up at billy and forces a smile.

billy watches her as she places the pillows on her bed.

max is confused when she still sees billy standing in her room, "are we done here? can you go now?"

"it's about eleven isn't it?" billys eyes narrow.

"what?" max gasps.
how'd he know, did someone tell him?

"judging by your reaction, i guess im right." billy says, sitting down carelessly on the bed max had just made.

"hey...if you mess up that bed, you're the one fixing it." max groans, her hands on her hips.

"so, you gonna tell me or what?" billy asks.

max sighs, she knew her brother would never let this go if she didn't tell him.

"okay." max takes a deep breath, "this may sound stupid, so don't laugh at me."

billy raises his eyebrow, waiting for her to continue.

"eleven told me she loved me last night. i'm sure ive heard her say it before, but it made me feel weird inside when she said it this time. i wanted to tell her i loved her too, but it wouldn't come out my mouth." max finally tells billy.

max waits for billy to laugh at her, but he never does.

"max, are you maybe scared to love?" billy asks in a serious tone.

"what? that's ridiculous." max denies.

max hardly knew what love meant, how could she be afraid of it?

"doesn't sound ridiculous to me. max, if you love eleven, you should just tell her it back." billy advises, "i knew you two would get together someday."

"what? we're not getting together? she meant it as a friend." maxs eyes widen.

"sureeee she did..." billy smirks, getting off her bed and walking out the room, "catch you later sis."

max was still in shock by what billy said.
there was no way eleven meant that she loved her that way, right?