phobia | elmax

walk

after eating breakfast and getting ready, max and eleven walked to school together for the second time.
most of the walk was silent.

"max, you've been quiet all morning. what's going on?" eleven asks max.
"i'm just nervous about going back." max lies.

the truth is, max was worried about the things everyone would say about max and eleven.
it bothered her so much and she didn't know why.
why didn't it bother eleven as much as it bothered her?

"it's going to be fine, max. just make sure to ignore them this time." eleven softly reassured max.
"thanks." elevens words still didn't calm max down but she was still thankful for elevens input.
"no problem." eleven smiles.

they continue to walk in silence before a familiar figure comes running towards them.

"morning, el." mike smiles and kisses eleven.

max stands awkwardly.
when did these two make up?

mike nods max hello and max returns the greeting.

"hey, mike." eleven smiles.
"i missed you so much. why didn't you come over last night or this morning?" mike asks.

max pretends to gag but mike and eleven ignore her.

"i was sleeping over at max's." eleven explains.
"oh." mike says lowly as he looks towards max.
"is that a problem?" eleven raises her eyebrow.
"no of course not. i have to go but ill see you inside." mike kisses eleven on her forehead before running back to his friends.

max and eleven watch mike in confusion.

"what was that about?"
"i don't know. he's been acting so weird ever since the first day of school." eleven shrugs.
"and you don't care?" max asks.

eleven shrugs again.

"so you guys made up." max says quietly.

eleven furrows her eyebrows at max before speaking again,

"i guess. that okay, right?"
"yeah of course. as long as your happy." max forces a smile.
"i think iam." eleven sighs.
"you think?" max raises her eyebrow.
"yeah. im not as happy as i used to be but i still like him."

max wanted to ask why she doesn't love him anymore but she decides against it.
instead, they walk to the rest of their friends and patiently wait for the bell to ring.

~
max and eleven walked to their lockers to put their stuff away and go to lunch.
it was almost the end of the day and it went by pretty fast.
and even better, it was actually enjoyable.
no one was talking bad about them and the girls that did weren't at school.

"can you believe the day is already over?" eleven asks cheerfully.
"yep. first week of school is almost done." max smiles.
"this year is going well so far. i mean, it's only been 4 days and we are already invited to a party!" eleven squeals.

she stops when she notices max's sour expression.

"you really don't want to go, do you?" eleven chuckles.
"no but i'm still thinking about it." max sighs.
"just know i'm not forcing you to do anything." eleven reminds max.

max nods and tells eleven that she understands.

"let's go. with how fast this days going, don't be surprised if lunch ends soon." eleven says as she runs to the cafeteria with max.

~
it was finally the end of the day.
max and eleven were starting to leave after they got all their stuff out of their lockers.

"hey babe." mike runs from behind and pulls eleven into a hug.
"oh hey." eleven smiles.
"what are you doing tonight?" mike asks.

eleven looks to max and she shrugs.

"i don't know...why?"
"i was hoping you could come over for dinner." mike offers.
"i don't know." eleven sighs.
"please. we don't hang out anymore." mike pouts.

eleven looks over to max again almost as if she's asking for permission.
max nods slowly.

"okay." eleven gives in.

mike smiles and drags eleven away before she can even say goodbye.