The room fell silent the moment Alex and Max stepped into the center. Even the music faded as if the speakers understood that something important was happening.
Alex's heart pounded so loudly she was sure everyone could hear it. Max's hand was warm around hers, firm but steady, like he was anchoring her in place.
Tamsin clapped once.
"Eyes forward, everyone! Max and Alex will demonstrate the basic slow-dance form."
Alex felt every gaze like a spotlight. Fear rose in her throat. She wasn't ready for this. She barely understood the steps, and now she was supposed to demonstrate them?
Max looked at her, reading her panic instantly.
"Don't think," he said quietly. "Just follow me."
The confidence in his voice settled her, even if only a little.
He positioned them the same way as before. One of her hands rested on his shoulder, his hand slid to her waist, and their other hands linked. A wave of whispers spread around the room.
"She's seriously dancing with him?"
"I thought they barely knew each other."
"Ryan looks like he's going to punch a wall."
Alex didn't dare look around. She kept her eyes on Max's collarbone because looking directly at him felt like too much.
The music started.
Max moved first, guiding her gently but firmly. When she hesitated, he whispered, "Step toward me. Good. Now back. You're fine."
This time, she didn't trip. She didn't stumble. She didn't freeze.
She followed.
And slowly, something shifted. The noise faded. The whispers blurred into background static. It felt like she and Max were the only two people in the room.
He leaned close. "You're getting better."
She whispered back, "I'm just trying not to embarrass myself."
"You won't," he said. "Not with me."
Her face heated. Her pulse raced. She couldn't tell if he knew the effect he had on her or if he was just naturally like this.
When the music reached the slow turn, Max guided her into a soft pivot, his hand tightening at her waist just enough to steady her. Students actually gasped.
"Wow."
"They look… good together."
"This is so unfair."
Alex's head spun. Was she really dancing well, or was Max just making her look good?
He leaned close again. "Focus on me."
She swallowed. "I am."
His eyes softened. "Good."
When the demonstration ended, the room broke into applause. Alex startled slightly, remembering where she was. Max didn't let go of her hand immediately. Instead, he held it for a moment longer than necessary. Long enough to send another wave of whispers across the room.
Tamsin beamed. "Perfect! That's exactly the form. You two have great chemistry."
Alex wanted to disappear.
Max didn't react, but a faint smirk lifted one corner of his mouth.
Then everything shattered.
Ryan moved through the crowd, his jaw clenched, eyes dark with something like betrayal.
"Alex," he said sharply. "We need to talk."
Max stepped forward before she could open her mouth.
"No. She's busy."
Ryan shot him a glare. "I wasn't talking to you."
Max didn't flinch. "I don't care."
Tension snapped through the room. People leaned closer, whispering excitedly.
"They're going to fight again."
"Ryan's losing it."
"This is better than a movie."
Alex felt panic spike. She didn't want a repeat of yesterday.
"Stop," she said quickly. "Both of you."
Ryan looked at her, hurt in his expression. "Are you really choosing him over me? After everything?"
The words cut deeper than they should have.
Before she could respond, Chloe stepped out from behind Ryan with a triumphant smirk.
"She already did," Chloe said loudly. "Didn't you see them? Practically hugging on the dance floor. Alex must be enjoying all the attention."
The room laughed.
Alex froze.
Max moved.
"Watch your mouth," he said, voice colder than ice.
Chloe rolled her eyes. "Why? Are you going to fight me too? You're acting like she's your girlfriend."
Alex's breath stopped.
Max didn't deny it.
Instead, he turned to Alex, eyes steady and unreadable. "You don't have to listen to them. You don't owe any of them an explanation."
Ryan stepped forward. "She owes me one."
"No," Max said. "She doesn't."
Ryan shoved him.
Max barely moved, but the entire room sucked in a breath.
"Don't touch him!" Alex said, stepping in—
too fast.
too close.
too desperate.
Ryan blinked, shocked.
"What's going on with you?" he whispered. "Since when do you defend him?"
Alex didn't know what to say. She didn't even know the answer herself.
Tamsin quickly stepped between them. "Okay! Enough! Everyone, take five!"
The tension broke but didn't fully disappear. Ryan stormed toward the back of the room. Chloe followed, whispering furiously in his ear.
Max placed a hand on Alex's back, guiding her away from the crowd.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
She nodded, though her heart was racing. "Yeah. I just… this is too much."
Max stared at her for a long moment. "I'm sorry."
She blinked. "For what?"
"For making you the center of attention."
For letting people talk.
For letting Ryan hurt you.
For not pulling you away sooner.
He didn't say all of those things, but she heard them anyway.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice. "If this is too much, tell me. I'll back off."
Her chest tightened.
She didn't want him to back off.
But she couldn't say that out loud.
Before she could answer, Tamsin called out, "Pairs! Back in position!"
Max exhaled and nodded at her. "Come on."
They practiced again. And again. And again.
Every time she faltered, Max steadied her.
Every time someone stared, Max blocked their view.
Every time Ryan glared from across the room, Max pulled her a little closer.
By the end, her legs were shaking and her heart felt like it had sprinted a marathon.
Tamsin dismissed the committee with a bright smile. "See you all tomorrow! We'll choose the mixer's opening dance leaders next week!"
Students scattered out the doors.
Alex gathered her bag, exhausted. She was heading out when Max caught her wrist.
"Wait," he said.
She turned.
Max looked almost hesitant. Almost.
"I want to walk you home," he said.
Her heart skipped. "You don't have to."
"I know."
He let the words hang there, waiting.
Alex hesitated. Everything felt messy. Complicated. Dangerous even. But when she looked at him—really looked at him—she didn't feel scared.
She felt understood.
"Okay," she whispered.
Max let out a small breath she almost didn't catch.
They stepped into the hallway.
And that was when they saw it.
A new poster taped to the bulletin board.
A drawing.
Similar to the one from earlier that morning.
Only worse.
Much worse.
It showed Alex dancing with Max, surrounded by mocking comments:
She wants attention.
She'll dance with anyone.
Desperate for a boy.
Pick me girl.
Alex's blood ran cold.
Her vision blurred.
Her breath stuttered.
Max ripped the paper down so hard the tape snapped. His shoulders tightened, jaw flexing like he was seconds away from losing control.
"Whoever did this," he said quietly, "I'm going to find them."
Alex shook her head quickly. "Max, please don't—"
But he wasn't looking at the drawing anymore.
He was looking at her.
Her trembling.
Her pale face.
Her watery eyes.
His voice dropped, softer. "Alex."
She blinked.
"Did you forget already?" he asked. "I told you not to cry over people who don't matter."
Her throat closed.
"I'm not crying," she whispered.
But she was close.
Max stepped forward, brushing his thumb gently under her eye.
The same way he had that morning.
"Come on," he said. "Let's leave."
She nodded.
But as they walked away together, one thought echoed in her mind.
Someone was targeting her.
And things were about to get much worse.