𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲 [elmax story]

Chapter 1: The night club

The night had reached. The snow had covered all New York with its white cape making the place having a lot of grace. For everyone in Manhattan it was a normal night. Teens were home studying, or wandering around different areas, adults were back home or still working and the kids were staying watching TV while covering themselves with the woolly blankets. Well, that night wasn't that normal for someone. For Max it was a bad one. After getting into a big fight with the ones she called friends from college, they abandoned her, saying that she was useless and a worthless human being. Of course, Max felt awful and heartbroken hearing those words from her own friends; they were just using her for months. However there was someone who didn't betray her. He was called Nate, a dark haired, light skinned boy, taller than Max, his hair a bit long and messy.

Nate was Max's childhood friend since back in California. As the redhead girl moved in Hawkins after her parents' divorce, she still was in touch with Nate and they moved together to Manhattan for college (business management). They were living in the same building.

After the dramatic situation with her friends, Max and Nate both cut ties with them. Max was always the type of girl to get hysterical if someone offended her or even went as far to emotionally abuse her.

The redhead girl was on her room, getting dressed and trying to clear all thoughts from her mind. She wore a pair of yellow boots, blue jeans, white sweater and a blue coat. Jayden, her roommate, which she had a very good friendship with, was sat down studying. But she was surprised when she saw Max rushing outside angrily.
"Where are you going?" - Jayden asked worriedly.
"Out. Why?"
"Did something happen? You don't look well."
"I don't wanna sit here and think about what those fake ass bitches did to me." Max stated in a hurry.
"Who? Maddison, Annabelle and Josephine?"
"Who else?" - Max came back to sit with Jayden, facing her. - "You're right, they're not worth my pain. I don't know why I was accompanied with them, anyway. I'm so dumb."
"It's okay, forget it. They never deserved you."
"Thanks, Jay."
"You didn't tell me, where are you going? It's almost 9 PM."
"I wanna forget about what happened today, they hurt me in the most horrible way. I just... need to get out for a bit. Nate's coming with me. Wanna join?"
"Nah, you go. I don't feel like going out." - Jayden responded. She wasn't the type of girl to go out when it was late and especially when she had to study.
"Okay, well, see you later."
"Bye."

Max caught up with her best friend and together walked out of the building, walking around the Manhattan streets, which were never quiet. Teens in that area liked doing illegal things like smoking marijuana and driving fast.
As they walked for a while, Max stopped and was facing a poster on the wall. It was about a famous DJ who was invited in one of the club nights near Times Square, "The Copacabana Times Square".
"Nate!"
"Hmm?"
"Look at this. We should definitely go."- the blue eyed girl said as she pointed at the poster.
"You? Wanting to go to a club? Since when?"
"Ugh, come on! We both need the fun."
"Yeah, okay fine." - Nate nodded and walked straight ahead with his best friend, heading to the club.

As they were entering the building, the music was getting louder.
The two teens got inside, the loud music bursting inside their ears and making their heart beat like the music's rhythm.
  "It's cool in here." - Nate nodded while looking around.
  "Yeah, I agree. Let's get a drink."
The two friends approached the counter where was standing a tall brunette, with short brown hair hanging down at her shoulders, wearing the club's uniform: black shirt and black jeans. She approached them and greeted with a simple "Hello.". Nate ordered two glasses of Gin. The tall brunette prepared the glasses and handed them at the friends. Max was totally not in the mood. She grabbed the glass and pressed it at her lips, drinking the alcohol with big sips, making her throat burn.
  "Woah! What the fuck, Max?" - Nate chuckled and pressed his hand on her shoulder so she could stop.
  "Let me enjoy it!" - Max groaned and started drinking it again.
  As the friends stayed a while, during this time Max had three other glasses of Gin together with Nate. While Max was trying to forget about what happened, Nate was flirting with a girl who was next to him. The redhead rolled her eyes, annoyed while feeling her mind going around. She was feeling dizzy. But she didn't care, it was enjoyable.
  "Give me another one." - Max told the bartender who frowned her thin eyebrows.
  "Haven't you had enough?"
  "Oh c'mooon! Imma pay, give me another one."
The brunette bartender nodded and prepared another glass, handing it at Max. The redhead turned her head to see her friend walking away with another girl.
  "NATE! NATE!" - Max called him, but the boy was gone. - "Ugh! You'll pay Nate, you'll pay." - the redhead murmured to herself and started drinking again.

  After some time, Max was more than dizzy, not capable to hold her head up. She was looking around with her eyes half closed, trying to find Nate, but he was nowhere. Max laid her head down the counter, closing her eyes. The brunette bartender already finished her night shift and looked at the redhead who was laying on the counter, not knowing if she was sleeping or just having a good position. She sighed and headed at her, placing her hand on her shoulder, shaking it lightly.
  "Hey, are you okay?"
Max squeezed her eyes and lifted her head slowly.
  "What?" - she asked, lost.
  "You drank too much. Go home."
  "Where's Nate?"
  "Uhh, if you're talking about your friend, I don't know, he left some time ago."
  "That piece of shit." - the redhead grumbled and stood up from the long chair, standing on her feet. She lost her balance and the bartender grabbed her arms, holding her.
  "Let me help you. Where do you live?"
"Uhh, Columbia Business School."
The brunette only nodded and started walking outside the bar together with Max.                       

The bartender got inside a taxi and told the driver the address.

Minutes later, they arrived at school. The girls got out, the brunette holding Max as she was half asleep.
"Do you have a friend who can take you upstairs? I'm not allowed to enter the school, I'm a stranger."
"Hold on a second." - Max said with her drunk voice and pulled out her phone. She unlocked it but couldn't see a thing as her vision was blurry. - "Can you call Jay?" - she handed her the phone.
"Okay." - the bartender took the phone in her hands and found Jay at the contacts. As she tapped the phone icon, she gave it back to Max.
After some rings, Jayden opened it.

  "Max, where the fuck are you?"

  "Jay, come and get me. I'm outside."

  "'Kay, I'm coming."

Jayden rushed downstairs and opened the school's small iron door, getting out and approaching the two girls.
"What on Earth?" - she said, worried, while looking at her roommate.
"She drank too much." - the bartender informed.
"Yeah, thanks anyway." - Jayden nodded and took Max.
"It's okay, goodnight."
And the brunette left while Jayden got inside while holding her roommate, Max's arm around her neck.