The next morning, Alex stepped into school prepared.
Or… she thought she was prepared.
She expected whispers.
She expected stares.
But she did not expect this.
As soon as she entered the hallway, students parted like she was some celebrity—or a walking scandal.
A group of girls gasped dramatically.
"That's her."
"She's the reason Ryan and Max almost fought yesterday."
"I heard Ryan confessed in front of the whole class!"
"No, no—Max confessed. He said he likes her."
"Who do you think she'll pick?"
Pick?
Alex wanted to disappear.
She hurried to her locker, heart racing—only to freeze.
Someone had taped something to the metal door.
A drawing.
Of her.
Crude.
Mean.
Mocking.
Alex's throat tightened.
Her hands trembled as she reached for it—
A shadow fell over her.
Max.
He tore the drawing off without a word.
His jaw clenched, eyes dark and dangerous as he crumpled the paper in his fist.
"Who put this here?" Max asked, voice low and deadly.
Alex swallowed. "I… I don't know. It's fine—"
"It's not fine."
She looked up at him.
He was angry.
Really angry.
Not the cold, controlled anger he usually showed.
This was different—
This was personal.
Max stepped forward, crowding her space, eyes searching her face.
"Did you cry?" he asked softly.
Alex shook her head quickly. "No."
He exhaled, tension easing only slightly.
Then he reached up and brushed his thumb lightly under her eye.
"Good," he murmured. "Don't cry over people who don't matter."
Her breath caught.
People were staring.
Watching.
Whispering.
But Max didn't care.
He stayed close—too close—until her hands stopped shaking.
"Come on," he said finally. "I need to talk to you."
But before Alex could move, Ryan appeared.
"Alex." He stepped between them, eyes red from lack of sleep. "I messaged you last night."
Alex's stomach twisted. "I saw. I… didn't know what to say."
Max scoffed loudly. "There's nothing to say."
Ryan shot him a glare. "This is between me and her."
Max took one slow step forward. "Everything that involves her involves me now."
Whispers exploded around them.
Ryan's jaw tightened. "Alex. Please. I need five minutes."
She hesitated.
Max's eyes locked onto hers instantly—dark, unreadable, intense.
"You don't owe him anything," Max said quietly.
Her heart pounded.
She didn't want to be the reason they fought again.
"I'll listen," she whispered.
Max stiffened.
For the first time, she saw something like hurt flicker across his eyes—
but it was gone just as fast.
He stepped back, jaw clenched. "Fine."
Ryan guided her down the hallway to an empty stairwell.
The moment they were alone, he exhaled shakily.
"Alex… I'm sorry."
She blinked. "For what?"
"For everything. For the rumors. For yesterday. For letting Chloe… for letting people tear you down."
Alex looked at him carefully. Ryan never apologized. Ever.
"But you said something yesterday," Alex whispered. "'I'm not losing you too.' What does that mean?"
Ryan froze.
Then he looked at her with eyes full of something raw and vulnerable.
"It means I messed up. I took you for granted. I thought…"
His voice cracked.
"I thought you'd always be on my side."
Alex's breath caught.
Ryan stepped closer.
Too close.
"I still want you on my side," he whispered.
Alex's heart twisted painfully.
He was too late.
Or maybe she was too confused.
Before she could respond, footsteps echoed behind them.
Max.
Standing at the top of the stairs.
Face unreadable.
Eyes locked on her.
On how close she and Ryan were standing.
"Time's up," Max said.
Ryan stiffened. "We weren't finished—"
Max spoke quietly.
Too quietly.
"If you want to keep talking," he said, "do it somewhere she's not crying."
Alex's hand flew to her cheek.
She wasn't crying—
But her eyes were shiny.
Max noticed before she did.
Ryan turned toward her sharply. "Alex—"
But Max was already there, pulling her gently—carefully—behind him.
"You ready?" Max asked her, ignoring Ryan completely.
Alex nodded weakly.
She wasn't ready.
For any of this.
But she wanted to be near Max more than she wanted answers from Ryan.
Later that day — Club Forms Distribution
A large announcement rang over the speakers:
"Autumn Mixer Committee sign-ups are now open!"
The hallway buzzed instantly.
Alex stopped at the bulletin board, scanning the list of roles.
Decorations
Publicity
Dance Committee
Music Team
Pairing Coordinators
Event Hosts
Max stopped beside her.
"You joining?" he asked casually.
Alex shrugged. "I never do. I'm not good at things like this."
"You should try," Max said. "Get out of your head a little."
Her heart warmed.
"What about you?" she asked. "Are you joining?"
Max pointed to the board.
Dance Committee – Volunteers Needed
Alex's eyes widened. "You? Dancing?"
Max smirked. "I can do anything if I want to."
Then he leaned close and whispered,
"So can you."
Her cheeks heated instantly.
A loud slam cut through the moment—Chloe storming past.
"Of course," Chloe snapped loudly, "the two of them are signing up together."
Alex's stomach dropped.
Max didn't even look at Chloe.
But he reached out and took the pen from the table, glancing at the sheet.
"What are you signing up for?" he asked.
Alex hesitated.
Max raised a brow. "Want help deciding?"
She nodded slowly.
He tapped the pen against the "Dance Committee" slot.
"I think you'd be perfect here," he said quietly.
Alex blinked. "Me?? I can't dance."
"Good thing," Max murmured, "you'll have someone to teach you."
Her heart nearly exploded.
Without thinking, she wrote her name beside his.
Students around them whispered loudly.
"Did she just join because of him?"
"They're definitely dating."
"Ryan's going to lose it."
Alex stepped back, flustered.
Max took the pen and signed his name directly under hers.
Then—he tapped the paper lightly.
"Our names look good together," he said under his breath.
Her cheeks burned hot.
Ryan, across the hall, saw the whole thing.
His face fell.
Chloe's smirk widened.
And Alex's heart dropped into chaos.