Stick Together (A Max Goof Love Story)

Chapter 22

The two college freshmen were sitting inside one of the small diners that the campus had. While they were waiting for their food, Nicole told Max about the boy who was mentioned earlier, Justin.

"So you two are broken up." Max stated, and took a fry from their shared batch.

"Well, not exactly." Nicole responds with a shrug.

Justin was one of the first few friends she made at school during her time in New York. They sat at the same lunch table, had some of the same classes, and they would sometimes talk over the phone outside of school. During one of their conversations, Justin had accidentally let it slip that he may or may not have had a small crush on her. After his confession they both hung up on each other, and didn't talk for the rest of the day, which gave Nicole time to think some things through.

There were good things about Justin. He was nice, funny, and he was a great listener. He really was a good friend. But that's all she saw him as. A friend.

At least, that's what she thought she saw him as, since she still wasn't over a certain boy. But, she kept forcing herself to keep him out of mind.

You really need to get over him.

With that in mind, she started dating Justin.

Well, she didn't want to exactly call it dating, since she still wasn't so sure of her feelings. But they did hold hands, hung out after school, and even shared a few kisses.

Max wanted to punch something when she told him that.

But after a few months, Nicole realized she was starting to think about Max more and more, even when she didn't want to. She also started comparing Justin to him. Every time she did this, she would get mad at herself.

Stupid girl! Max has Roxanne, you need to get over him!

It was at this moment she realized something else: She was using Justin. She feels horrible about lying to him and pretending to reciprocate his feelings, but now she practically hates herself for using him just to get over another boy. She finally accepted the fact that she still wasn't over Max and wouldn't be for some time.

The very next day, she told Justin the truth, and they haven't talked to each other since. They would sometimes pass each other in the hallways, and whenever they would make eye contact, he would send her a scowl. She wasn't hurt by his actions, she knew she deserved it.

Max raised an eyebrow at her, and slightly leaned closer to her from his side of the booth. "What do you mean 'not exactly'?"

Nicole rolls her eyes. "I already told you, we weren't really dating."

"But you guys were doing everything a couple would do. You held hands, went out on dates, and you even, ugh, kissed." His lips curled up in disgust like the word left a bad taste in his mouth.

She snickers. "Why are you and Brad so against the idea of me kissing a boy?"

I'm against it for a different reason. Max thought, somewhat a bit bitterly. He shrugs.

"I guess we can't help it. Us boys are always over protective of the girls we care about."

She sends him a small smile. "Well, still. I didn't have the same feelings for him that he had for me."

"Then why did you start dati- excuse me, not really dating him?" He asks, narrowing his eyes.

"Well," She started rubbing her arm again. "I-I was trying to get over.." She didn't want to finish her sentence.