The One

The One (28)

- Steve -

The headaches were back. And they worsened.

My phone rang, adding on to the throbbing pain in my head. I took it out of my pocket and flipped it open.

"Hello?" I said, getting up to get some painkillers.

"Steve?" The voice on the other end made me sigh.

"Mum? Why are you calling?" I kept my voice lighthearted, but I knew the reason she was calling.

"Steve, we can't put it off any longer. You have to make a decision soon. We're concerned about your condition and frankly, your father is threatening to go all the way to San Sebastian to drag you home."

This caused a small smile to appear on my face. My father was a stubborn man, rash and reckless, while my mum was always cool and composed. I guess that's how they fit each other so perfectly.

Then the headache hit me without warning again. Only this time, it was much worse. It was like someone was in my head drumming against my skull painfully. I gasped in pain as I dropped my phone and it clattered to the floor.

I held my head in my hands, trying to make the headache go away. I hated this. I hated not being to live like a normal human.

Finally the pain subsided and I picked the phone off the floor. "Steve? Steve? Are you alright?" My mum's voice was panicked.

"Yeah, I'm okay Mum," I assured.

My mother sighed on the other end. "Steve, you know your own condition best. You have to do this," she insisted.

"Mum..."

"I'm not listening to you. You have one week to sort out your problems there. I'm coming over to bring you home next week."

"But - "

Beep, beep, beep.

I stared at my phone in disbelief.

She fucking hung up on me!

I sighed. Then I got up. One week was all I had.

I made my way to Maxine's room. She'd understand. Well, at least I hope.

She's Maxine Harrison after all.

---

~ Maxine ~

I crashed on my bed, sighing.

I felt so lonely.

Everyone had a partner. Fel had Steve, the twins and Philip and his cousin, and the rest of them.

Hell, even that bitch Andrea had Damien.

I sighed again. What was the use of being so popular if you can't even have a guy to talk to?

Gosh, I sound like some despo whore right now.

"Maxine?" It was a male voice.

I brightened up at the voice. Maybe I wasn't so lonely after all.

Then Steve came in and my hopes fell. He was off limits. Yeah, he might be hot and all, but I've seen my fair share of guys.

Because firstly he's already hopelessly in love with Felicia, even though the both of them are so freaking blind that they can't see it. And secondly, he's younger than me.

No offence to girls who go for younger guys or guys who go for older girls. Everyone has preferences, it's not a crime and besides, as they say, love has no boundaries.

"Steve? What are you doing here?" I never expected Steve to be here, honestly. Well, at least not alone. Even if he was finding me, he would be with Lil Cousin or something.