𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐞 - 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧

8

"Jesus Mike, are you ok?" Max asked, genuinely concerned. "Y-yeah, f-fih-fine" Mike managed to stutter out, whilst trying to get his breathing under control. Max looked at him. He really wasn't doing so well. "You sure?" She didn't believe he was fine. "Y-yeah, it's just suh-something that h-happens sometimes.." He took a shaky breath in and a deep breath out. "Sorry." he said, looking very embarrassed. "Don't be. I shouldn't have brought that up, it obviously triggered you." Max replied. Mike looked down. "Well um, I'm gonna go. See you later frogface." Max stated, getting up to leave. She knew it wasn't the time to call him a frogface, but she couldn't help it. "Bye." Mike said flatly. Max left through the basement door and was walking across the front lawn to leave when she was stopped by Karen Wheeler, Mike's mother. "Hi Maxine." she said. "Hi?" Max replied, her sympathetic attitude being replaced by her usual impolite one. "Mike hasn't been talking with me, or with anyone recently. I might have overheard you two talking downstairs. What is going on with him?" Karen asked. "Umm.. he's just sad. And.." Max didn't know whether she should tell Karen about the pointless part. She knew she should, for her friend's sake, so for once, she was honest with an adult. "He feels worthless, like there's no point in continuing." Max told Karen. "I- What? Why?" Karen asked. "Look, I gotta go." Max said, starting to feel uncomfortable. She hopped on her skateboard and started down the road. Did she do the right thing? Mike confided in her, and she told someone about it, and friends don't lie. But it was for his safety, right? She knew Mike wasn't always the nicest to her, but she didn't want him to hurt himself, or worse. She knew El wouldn't either.