Reintegration program - Elmax

Chapter 9 : Alarm

- Nothing, pouted Bev.

- You're judging me, I can see it in your eyes! But, I'm sorry, she kept proving me every day that I'm right!

- I'm not mad at you Max, your parents' robbery totally ruined your family, I can understand.

- Oh...ok, why are you here then!?

- I heard Jane yelling, I was wondering what happened.

- Nothing more than usual, sighed Max. Look, I really tried to treat her correctly, but she kept acting like a cunt! I'm done, I don't wanna talk to her anymore.

- You don't have to! But it's always you who provoked her when she is talking with me or Melissa! stated Bev.

- Pardon!? Can you repeat that!?

- I'm sorry but when Jane was late on Tuesday, they were arguing and it's you who intervened!

- We were in class! I wanted to listen to the class!

- Yeah, whatever!

The two redheads both looked away, wanted to calm down. Max didn't like when Beverly was mad at her, she was always feeling shitty for making her friend feel this bad.

- You're mad? asked softly Max.

- No, sighed loudly Bev. It's just, I don't understand why everyone thinks it's wrong to give a second chance to someone, we all need a second chance, if you were at their place, you would want this second chance, but no one gave them the opportunity or encourage them to do the right thing this time, imagine how they feel right now. I mean, if we reject them when they need us, are we the good persons in this story? Are we better than them?

Beverly looked closely at her friend. She was sure her words would make her think deeper, she could see in her eyes that she knew she hadn't acted right with them.

- I don't ask you to be friend with them, but...to talk to them normally or ignore them, they wouldn't feel less like excluded.

- (sighs with her mouth) I'll see!

It was with a smile that Bev thanked her. Max playfully shacked her head. The two girls began to walk in direction of their, well, first class of the day. Max, for the first time, felt a bit guilty toward the ex-prisoners, especially with Jane, she never showed her any forms of sympathy, and she was understanding what Bev meant when she talked about second chance, her mother never gave her father a second chance after the robbery, and it ruined everything. Now, she wasn't sure who was at fault for this.

The rest of the day passed normally, the three girls went in sport relaxed, ready for their last period. Every girls were in the locker room, chatting and laughing. Especially about Bev slapping Mike.

- That was awesome! told happily Jenifer. I don't know why you did that but it was the coolest thing ever!

- I'm sure if you know why, you won't find it cool, stated Max.

- Why?

- Because she was defending Jane.

- This garbage!? Why do you do that!?

- Because no one else does! replied firmly Bev.

The room was now quiet. It was the incomprehension which replaced the laugh. At the same moment, Jane entered the locker room. The girl had a million cold eyes turned to her, like if they were waiting for her to do something wrong.

- What!? 'Wanna my picture!?

The other girls looked at each other before chuckling and leaving the locker room, letting, Clara, Bev and Max with her.