"In that moment,
where sorrow and joy both sing,
He tasted like heartache, an eternal suffering."

*************

One month later...

Max's POV

It was a normal day. Based on your definition of normal, of course.

It started like any other day; the morning unfolded like a recurring script from the past month. I roused from my slumber at the crack of dawn, throwing punches at the bags in a desperate attempt to revive my lost vigor. With each round of my morning workout, I pushed my faltering body to the brink, determined to reclaim my lost stamina.

When my training was done, I took a shower, washing away the remnants of sweat and weariness, and I moved forward with my day, resolute in my efforts. I went to my classes, the time blending seamlessly into the mundane backdrop of my day. When the clock's steady hands struck five in the afternoon, I was back in the coffee shop, working with Valerie on her upcoming final project.

It was all okay and normal. Till it wasn't anymore.

I excused myself to the restroom midway through our tutoring session; The room had seemed to blur and sway, like a ship caught in a tempestuous sea so I sought refuge from a world suddenly too chaotic to bear.

I found myself within the dimly lit confines of the coffee shop's restroom, my reflection in the mirror similar to a haunting apparition. The harsh fluorescent lights overhead cast an eerie pallor upon my somewhat pale face.

I stood there, my senses swirling in disarray, and I could feel that something was wrong, but I couldn't pinpoint what it was. Desperation surged within me, and I grasped at the edges of the sink as if this cold, unfeeling porcelain could anchor me to reality. My fingers trembled as they sought to regain mastery over my quivering form, a desperate plea for control amidst the chaos.

My heartbeat echoed loudly in my ears, a thunderous drumbeat of my elevating pressure. It felt like a storm of electric energy coursed through my veins, urging the blood to rush to my head.

I gazed upon my reflection again, blinking through the haze, and there, on the pallid structure of my face, I watched as crimson droplets began to fall from my nose, each a poignant testament to my pain and staining the pristine porcelain below.

Amidst my blurred and disoriented thoughts, I fumbled for the faucet handle, desperately seeking the solace of water to wash and rub away the blood that stained underneath my nose. I clutched at the stream of water, splashing my face whole as if I could somehow force my body back into alignment.

This was just another chapter in a recurring narrative, an episode that had become bizarrely familiar. It was, in its own twisted way, my new normal. I was aware that one of the side effects of my meds was the relentless surge of high blood pressure, an unwelcome companion in my daily life. The persistent headaches, the perpetual dizziness that clung to me like an unshakable shadow, and the recurring nosebleeds, they had all become part of the routine.

Feeling slightly better and composed,  I dried my hands and face with a paper towel, before I existed and made my way back to our table. I settled into the chair beside Valerie, glancing at her laptop screen to check what progress she had made during my brief absence, all the while maintaining a façade of normalcy as if nothing had transpired.

I started to speak, advising her as I pointed at the screen, "You should consider adding the 'Materials and Methods' section right here—" My sentence was abruptly cut short as Valerie interjected, her words luring my attention away.

"Are you okay?" Her inquiry prompted me to turn towards her, my eyes locking onto the subtle tension in her brow, her gaze flickered over my face, lacing with concealed concern as she tried to analyze me.

I offered a hesitant nod in response, my voice a mere mumble as I instinctively rubbed the back of my neck. "Yeah," I admitted quietly, "Why?"

Her gaze remained steadfast on my face, the lines between her eyebrows deepening as she observed me closely. "You look a bit pale," she remarked softly, her worry etched across her features like a faint shadow.

My eyes grew slightly wide when she brought her hand to my face, her fingers resting on the side of my face, her eyes narrowing as she tried to inspect my eyes and face, almost like she had some type of X-ray vision and could see right through me. Taken aback, I pulled away from her, my throat bobbed and I turned the conversation playful, "Are you worried about me, Gingy?" I asked, adding a layer of tease to my tone.

She rolled her eyes and edged backward, "No, but as you can see," She turned her gaze to her stacked books, notes, and the laptop, "I have a project and a final exam left to pass this course, and I kind of need you," She turned to me, her eyebrow raising in mockery, "So, I can't have you dying before that."

I shot her a glare, "How considerate of you," I commented dryly.

She smiled in return, ever so sheepishly, "I know right," She turned her attention back to the screen, "Anyways, I still have the results and discussion part left," She pointed out, her gaze flickering to her phone when it lightened up, she read something over it and she cleared her throat before she added, "We can look at them later, I still have two weeks till the deadline anyway," She explained, "And I can finish the rest of the materials and method part tonight at home."

"We can give it a look right now," I suggested as I checked my watch. We still had so much time.

"Well, unfortunately, I am gonna have to cut our session a bit early today," She said, not looking at my side as she closed the laptop and started to scribble something over her notes, clearing out her to-do list for later.

"Why?" I asked, curious because she suddenly seemed to be in a hurry.

"I need to head out," She said, "Because I kind of have a date-"

A what? "A date?"

She nodded her head, ever so casually, her eyes still on her notebook and she kept writing down some shit as if she didn't just give me a mini heart attack.

My jaw tightened, "With a guy?"

The annoyance in my tone had her lift her eyes up, confused innocent lines etched her forehead and then she clarified, "Max, sweetie, just because I am repulsed by you, it doesn't mean I am not into guys," She said, "So, yeah, of course with a guy."

The fuck? And here I was building dreams thinking she was starting to like me. I thought I was winning her over, what the hell changed?

For god's sake, she had just slept in my arms that other day. Did she forget? Did that not mean anything?

Look at me; for the love of god, when did I become this much sappy and hopeless?

My fist clenched with a painful intensity against my thigh, a silent testament to the storm of emotions that raged within me. Each beat of my heart reverberated at an accelerated pace, like a drumroll of torment, as I grappled with an idea that clawed at my soul — Valerie with a guy, going out, sharing laughter, smiles, the intimate connection of holding hands, and gentle touches.

The mere notion of them kissing or sharing anything more intimate was a thought that scorched through my mind, an agonizing and vivid projection that I couldn't bear to contemplate.

Valerie gathered her stuff, she opened the front camera of her phone, checking her appearance and fixing her hair slightly before she grasped into her backpack and got up to her feet. I followed, still in denial of this, she must be playing some sick joke on me or something.

She faced me and smiled, "Thank you for today," She said, ever so sweetly.

My hand grasped her arm, stopping her, "Hold on," Here goes the room spinning out again, this time not as a result of my medication but more of my bubbling anger, "Who is he?"

Lines etched between her eyebrows, "Well, it's more like a blind date kind of thing," She sighed, shaking her head, "You know Tanya, well, he is her close friend and she is been trying to set us up for so long," She said, boredom took over her tone, her uninterested attitude toward this calmed me down just lightly, "His name is...Scott something," She said with scrunched eyebrows, trying to recall any detail about him.

She shook her head, "That's all I know," She added with a sigh before her gaze fell on my hand over her arm, almost like she just realized my tight grip.

Annoyance played over her expression, "Kidney boy, remove your hand before I break it," She said, ever so politely and I retreated my hand back, still struggling to slow down the fire licking underneath my chest.

She looked back at her phone, "Oh, he is here," She said in realization, "Gotta go, bye," She waved me hastily as she moved forward and walked out of the shop.

I followed her, I had to see myself who this fucking Scott something was. I pressed my palm over the glass door, pushing it open and I stepped into the cold air, my eyes trailing after her as she descended down the steps, pausing to a stop beside an ugly red Hyundai. Scott something went down from his ugly car, coming to Valerie's side, smiling ever so warmly and muttering something before they shook hands.

"Hey, Max, I've been looking for you," Cole's voice wasn't enough to break my trance, "I've been calling you for the last hour, where have yo...hey, are you even listening to me?"

My fingers instinctively curled into a tight fist, and the weight of Cole's hand resting on my shoulder was the only force that managed to divert my gaze. I turned my head to look at him, a perplexed expression mirrored on his face. He followed my line of sight, then said with a hint of mockery, "Isn't that your girlfriend?" But his voice shifted as realization dawned, and he continued, "Dude, why is your girlfriend getting into the pastor's son's car?"

"Who?" I asked with furrowed eyebrows.

Cole seemed to recognize the guy, "You know, he is...oh god, I forgot his name," He said, scrunching his eyebrows as he thought it through, "He is known as the uni's virgin boy, his name is...Ahh yes! I remembered," He said with a triumphant smile, giddy that he recalled that useless information, "His name is Scott...something."

My jaw clenched involuntarily, and I couldn't tear my eyes away from the scene unfolding before me. I watched as Scott led Valerie into his car, and they drove off to some unknown destination. The guy was...okay. He didn't look bad, nor good either. Still, here I was trying to shoot my shot for the past months and failing, and just like that, one blind date and she is out with him. How in hell is this fair?

Cole addressed him as the uni's virgin boy, but in this scenario, it seemed that I was the virgin boy over here.

Jealousy coiled tightly around my heart. It gnawed at my insides, it surged through my veins, making me feel as though I were being torn apart from within. This sucks. I don't like it. This sucks big time. I hate this feeling.

"Anyways, will you be available tonight?" Cole's question made me face him again.

I rushed a hand over my face, kicking myself back in, "Why?"

"My parents are out on business again, I am inviting the guys over, and even though you always refuse," He rolled his eyes in exaggeration, "I want you to come over, we miss you, dude."

Swallowing past the burn in my throat, I nodded my head, it seemed like as good a distraction as any, "Okay."

His eyes widened but he recovered quickly and smiled, "Yes, finally!"

I let out a weary sigh, "What time?"

"Let's say around 9 or 10, something like that," he replied.

I checked the time, and the mocking digits of 6:30 stared back at me, making me sigh heavily. I am gonna need another distraction till then, or else I will barge into their fucking date and kill someone tonight.

****************

Valerie's POV

He is a nice guy. Really.

He is smart. He is kind. He is all gentle and well-behaved.

However, despite his admirable qualities, I couldn't, for the life of me, establish a meaningful connection with him. It felt more like a task, and in truth, that's exactly what it was. If it hadn't been for Tanya's insistence, I would have never ventured into this dating scenario. For me, matters of romance and relationships had been firmly placed on the back burner. It simply wasn't the right time or place.

My focus was set on far more pressing priorities—Reneé's health, my education, and securing my sources of income. Nothing more, nothing less.

I had enough on my plate as it is.

I sucked in a deep breath. One night. I can handle one night only for Tanya's sake. She did me a favor once and I am okay to repay her with one little date.

I pressed my cheek into my palm, offering him a small smile as I tried to listen to what he was explaining, something about his little sister and their latest summer vacation. My gaze flickered over his face and to be honest, he was good-looking. I couldn't deny that. His hair was a charming shade of dirty blonde, softly tousled, and his eyes had a warm, inviting brownish hue. The structure of his face was chiseled and well-defined, giving him an appealing air of confidence and composure.

The old Valerie would've liked him. The old Valerie would've taken this a step forward and probably started a relationship with him. He ticks all the boxes.

But the thing is, this Valerie had sworn off all guys because she believed in the possibility that this good boy's façade could be just a lie.

Just like David.

He was the perfect guy...till he wasn't.

He was the monster disguised as Prince Charming.

Unwanted memories of him tangled through the web of my thoughts and I curled my hand over the hem of my cardigan, twisting the fabric within my grip.

"Well, why don't you tell me more about yourself," Scott suggested, offering me a polite, encouraging smile. I had been rather quiet, mostly listening to what he had to say.

I adjusted myself in my seat, contemplating his request. "Me?" I asked, my voice a touch uncertain, and then I cleared my throat. "Well, there isn't much to say," I began, a faint smile gracing my lips. "I'm just your ordinary girl. Nothing too exciting, really."

He probably sensed my disinterest in engaging him further because his expression dimmed slightly. I inwardly scolded myself, feeling somewhat insensitive, and made an effort to steer the conversation toward some common ground, attempting to fill the remaining time until the night's end.

"So, how did you and Tanya first meet?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation flowing.

His expression quickly reverted to its previous congenial state, and he recounted their childhood connection, having grown up as neighbors across the street from one another. The stories he shared about their shared past gave the impression that they were a far better match than he and I ever will.

As our food arrived, we resumed our conversation, munching on our meals. He posed questions, and I replied with brief, unelaborated answers. My defenses were firmly in place, standing tall and resolute, ready to repel any intrusions into my personal world.

Until quite recently, I kept my life shrouded in secrecy, and I found comfort in the anonymity it provided. The circumstances surrounding my father's death, my mother's unstable behavior, and my sister's condition remained closely guarded secrets, disclosed to nobody. Even Tanya, whom I considered a friend, was unaware of these deeply personal facets of my life. No one else knew, except for one guy. How he managed to coax half of my secrets from me will forever remain a mystery.

My eyes were on Scott as he ordered us a dessert, even though I refused but he charmingly said we could share one. My eyes may have been trained on this almost-perfect guy sitting across from me, but my thoughts wandered into the profound depths of a pair of green eyes that had been occupying my mind. Lingering worry still loomed as I recollected his recent state. Something was clearly amiss with him, but he consistently brushed it aside. Ever since he arrived at my doorstep, frail and vulnerable, he hadn't been the same.

My heart constricted with an overwhelming desire to reach for my phone and call him. I had to physically shake myself back to the present, determined not to let my concern take over. I forced myself to push aside the nagging worry and focus on the moment.

The relief washed over me when the date finally drew to a close. Scott gallantly settled the entire bill, despite my persistent attempts to share the expenses. He even offered to drive me home, and at that moment, I was too drained to decline his kind offer.

The drive was silent and I didn't care to initiate any type of conversation. I kept checking my phone for any new messages or phone calls but found none. When we arrived, I gestured for Scott to park a few houses away from my own, I couldn't risk getting into another fight with my mother again.

I went down and he followed, smiling as he said, "I had a really nice time."

Don't lie. Don't lie. Valerie, don't li- "Me too," I lied.

Goddammit.

At least, don't give him the impression that you want another date.

"Maybe we can meet up again soon," He suggested, hopeful, his eyes all innocent and round like a damn gold retriever.

I swallowed hard, "Uhuh."

He edged closer, his hand resting on my arm and he attempted to inch closer and kiss my cheek but I took an abrupt step backward, almost tripping over the rock behind me but his grip on my arm kept me in place. When he noticed my refusal, he respectfully took a step backward.

"Sorry-" He muttered.

"I am sorry," I interrupted, I felt the need to apologize, "I just," I rushed a frustrated hand over my face and added, "I just don't feel ready to date at the moment, you are a great guy and I don't want to lead you on, I am really sorry."

He forced on a smile and shook his head, "It's no problem, I kind of got the message."

I winced, "Was I that bad?"

He smiled and shook his head, "No, you weren't, at least I am glad to have met you, Valerie," He extended his hand forward and I placed my hand in his, shaking it and genuinely said, "Likewise." The world needs more respectful men like him, seriously.

"Just, he is a lucky one," He added, a small smile on his lips.

My eyebrows pulled closer, "Who?"

"The one occupying your mind," He said it as if it was that obvious.

"Take care, Valerie," Scott bid me farewell as he returned to his car, and I continued on my way towards my house. My mind so busy as it analyzed his last sentence. Gulping down, I couldn't resist the urge to pull out my phone and refresh my notifications, only to find nothing new, which elicited a frustrated sigh. I looked up from the screen, feeling all out of sorts only to suddenly come to a halt.

There stood the guy who had been occupying my mind for the past hour. His car was parked close to my house, and he was leaning against it, his intense gaze fixed on me, tracing my every movement. His face wore a persistent scowl, and my initial worry morphed into a deep-seated fear when I noticed the lights on in my kitchen and the movements within. I knew my mother was home tonight and god, I don't want to get scolded yet again.

He straightened up, and I quickly approached him, grabbing his arm and pulling him behind the car, hiding there. I whispered with exasperation, "What the hell are you doing here?!"

"Waiting for you," he replied, seemingly unfazed by my irritation.

I shot him a glare. "Look, this is the second time you've shown up unannounced. You're starting to come across as a creepy stalker."

He appeared unperturbed by my words and inquired, "How was your date?"

"What?" I retorted, my frustration mounting. "That's none of your business." I couldn't comprehend how he managed to transition from a source of worry to someone who made me want to punch his handsome face within a matter of seconds.

"Did you like him?" He persisted and I was about to kick and punch him.

"Max, get in your car and leave," I said, kindly threatening him, "And if you don't, I will use my pepper spray on you and kick you into the car myself."

His jaw ticked, "Why do I feel like I am the only one who gets this negative treatment from you," He grumbled out, "While you were over there, offering him smiles, being all nice, sweet, and whatnot," He grated, pointing at the direction I came from.

"Because he is a nice respectful guy, who doesn't interfere in what doesn't concern him," I grated out, "So, of course, I would be nice to him."

His rage seemed to only intensify by the second and he shook his head, "You are not going out with him again," He said, no excuse me, he ordered. I gaped at him, my frustration reaching its peak, "Who do you think you are to order me like that, huh?" I angrily pushed my hand into my bag and pulled out my pepper spray, ready to blind him.

Max's firm grip closed around my arm, preventing me from taking further action. "Valerie, don't act like there's nothing between us!" he exclaimed in exasperation. "Don't act so clueless, you gonna drive me mad," he added, his eyes reflecting a tumultuous mix of anger and hurt, like a forest battling its way through a hurricane, trying to preserve its roots.

"What's between us is just a friendship, Max—"

"No, no, it's not," he interjected, his voice unwavering. "First of all, I don't do friendships. Second, I don't sleep in my friend's bed," he added, his words causing my glare to harden and my jaw to clench.

"I already regret coming to you that night," I grated out, frustration and remorse evident in my tone. It had been a moment of vulnerability, and I couldn't help but berate myself for seeking comfort in his company back then. Stupid. So stupid.

"Now, leave, I can't deal with this, not here and not now," I was ready to walk but he stopped me, shaking his head, "No, Valerie, don't be such a coward and run away at the first inconvenience," He added and my eyes widened, "Oh, you didn't!" I shot out. Where the hell is my pepper spray?!

"Coward?" I shot back, offended at his insinuation, "Maybe it is not me, Max, maybe the coward is you, because I don't think you have enough courage to hear what I have to say."

His eyebrow raised, "And do you? Do you have the enough courage to hear what I have to say, Valerie?"

I retorted, "You know what, I don't have any obligations to stay here and listen to you," My frustration hit the roof as I turned to walk away. But in an unexpected move, he grabbed my arm, halting my escape, and swiftly spun me back around. Before I could react, his other hand cupped the side of my face, and his lips clashed with mine, stealing my breath and leaving me senseless.

A soft gasp escaped me as a surge of ecstasy washed over my body, all of my defenses crumbled when his lips met mine. His fingers, insistent and demanding, buried themselves in my hair, drawing me closer until our bodies were pressed tightly together. The kiss deepened, and a warm rush coursed through me, momentarily banishing the sadness that had weakened my knees. The overwhelming feeling of being on cloud nine was almost too much to bear.

Summoning every ounce of my strength, I pressed my palms firmly against his chest, and with all the power I could muster, I pushed him away, forcibly tearing myself from his embrace.

Breathless, I stared back at him with wide eyes. Chest heaving, he looked back at me with such raw vulnerability, like he was ready to hand me his weak heart and I didn't understand what I was feeling anymore. I wanted to hit him, to punch him, to rip him apart, to kiss him...

Oh god.

His hair was all tossed, the beautiful soft locks clinging to his beautiful, furious face, his jaw clenched tight with desperation.

Logic eluded me and I strode forward with furious steps. His eyes grew slightly wide and he seemed ready to receive my slaps and punches but I surprised us both when I grasped at the lapels of his jacket and pulled him down, slamming my lips back into his, sinking back into this messy situation.

Shock rumbled through his body but it took him two seconds to wrap me in his arms, kissing me back with the same furious intensity. This wasn't a sweet kiss. It was rough and angry, both of us commanding. Those flames licked and jumped, fueling the fire residing between us, and my tongue sparred with his, fighting a war we both were going to lose.

His hand roamed, cupping my neck, sliding down my shoulders and arms, his fingers tasting all of me in this fleeting moment we stole from the harsh universe. The sensation was too much for my heart and mind and a moan threatened to race up my throat. Max groaned and swallowed it down, then gripped me by the hips, lifting me slightly.

He slammed my back up against hard, hot metal. Pinned to his car, I gasped, his body towering, consuming, devouring me the exact way I knew he would. He closed his mouth over my bottom lip, sucking it hard and I became a trembling mess in his strong warm arms.

He felt almost familiar and right and totally, incredibly wrong but also so damn right, this guy that I didn't even know yet I was surrendering to him in ways I swore to never do again. This guy that I trusted and I am still trusting.

This guy, was he going to ruin me too...

He tasted like heartache, like the aftermath of a war waged within my own heart.

At long last, we broke the intoxicating contact of our lips, gasping for the life-giving oxygen that our deprived lungs craved. My heart seemed to be either throwing a raucous party in my chest, or it was on the brink of a silent revolution, poised for something new and unpredictable.

The adrenaline that consumed my whole being made me feel dizzy, hazy, and drunk. Drunk on such a sweet taste, one that could easily become a toxic addiction.

I slowly blinked my eyes open, locking my gaze with his, recognizing in his equally intoxicated eyes a mirror of my own ecstasy. It was a reflection of my inner turmoil, a realization that I had never experienced anything quite like this before. Never.

My past, my present, and my future, all got crumbled up, like a piece of paper I willingly threw away.

Max cupped my face between his hands, his thumb gently moving over my skin, tenderness in his eyes, lips as red and swollen as mine as they whispered, "You're making me lose my mind, Valerie."

A very small drunken smile lifted the corner of his lips, and his eyes revealed a shimmering vulnerability, inviting me to wander through the uncharted territory of his maze, "You taste like strawberries."

I tried to hide my smile but couldn't, "I thought you were allergic."

He smiled, his eyes on my lips as he spoke, "Still, I would keep kissing you till I go into an anaphylactic shock."

I shook my head at his silliness.

"I should go," I whispered.

He nodded, "I know."

"So, are you gonna let me go?" I pointed out how he had me all pressed and trapped between him and the car.

"I don't want to," He whispered before he slowly retreated his hands back from my face and edged backward, providing me the space to tear myself away from his car and onto the sidewalk. Oh god, I can't believe we were kissing at the side of the street. Oh god, I can't believe we were actually kissing.

What the hell did I do!

I could feel the heat rush into my face and Max's lips twitched, noticing the blush that painted my face and neck. I cleared my throat and tucked my hair behind my ear, licking my lips and I waved him a very fast flustered bye before I whirled around and started to walk away.

"Valerie," he called for me.

I paused and turned my head, the smile still playing over his lips, the lips I now know how they taste like, it was such a dangerous knowledge, "See you tomorrow?" He asked, trying to make sure I wasn't going to run for the hills.

I nodded, "See you tomorrow."

I whirled around and fastened my steps, running away till I reached my door. My hands trembled as I pushed the keys in and got inside, slamming the door behind me and I leaned my back into it, trying to breathe the normal way but miserably failed.

I attempted to process the overwhelming intensity of the moment that had just unfolded, grasping for its significance and grappling with the knowledge that I had dared to push past my self-imposed boundaries.

Amidst the chaotic whirlwind of my thoughts, the lingering, sweet taste of his kiss burst alive within me, and a foolish, blissful smile graced my lips. Like an idiot, I smiled. I couldn't resist bringing my fingertips to my mouth, savoring the phantom sensation of his touch.

Yet, the reality of the situation soon hit me like a tidal wave. I covered my face with my hands and shook my head.  I was in trouble. Big deep trouble.

*****************

Max's POV

I feel...happy. Giddy and stupidly happy.

God, I can't even remember the last time I was this genuinely happy.

Like a hopeless romantic, I can't seem to wipe the smile from my face. I leaned into my seat, pressing the back of my head against the headrest, and I brought my hands to my face. The sensation of her soft lips against mine lingered like a ghostly presence, and the sweet taste resided on my tongue. Her strawberry scent clung to me like a second skin. God, what is this girl doing to me?

The vibration of my phone pulled me back to the moment. My gaze fell on my phone, reading Cole's message as he asked if I am going to drop by. I had already made him a promise, so I texted him that I am on my way. With one final, longing glance at her house, I started the engine and drove away, a part of me resisting, tugging me back, yearning to remain with her.

Thoughts of her only consumed every working nerve in my brain and I didn't understand how fast I arrived at Cole's house. When I rang the bell, he was the one to open it, a stupid horn blower in his mouth and he blew in it, making disturbing noises, "Max is here, y'all!" He announced with a loud voice, still in shock that I had come.

I was too relaxed and happy to care for his antics, so I went along. I threw my arm around his shoulders as we headed inside, "You know what, Cole," I said with a smile, "I kind of missed you."

His eyes widened and he gasped, "Oh god, he is already drunk," He commented and I chuckled before I stepped into the living room and greeted the rest of the guys.

Cole cracked open a beer and offered one to me, to which I declined, "No, I won't drink." He responded with an eye roll and a grumble, "Alright, he's still no fun," he remarked, placing the tip of the glass to his lips and shugging half of it, "I thought the old Max was back."

We engaged in some video games with the guys, talking about everything and anything. Time seemed to flow effortlessly, making it easy for me to lose track of it.

It was all okay and normal. Till it wasn't, again. Just like earlier today.

The headache became too overbearing and even though I was sitting, the room started to spin around me, the dizziness swarming my vision. I felt so disconnected from the rest and I scrubbed a hand over my face, blinking once and twice in an attempt to keep myself steady.

"Dude, your nose is bleeding," Cole's words laced with worry. He was the only one to notice it. His eyebrows furrowed as he gazed at me before he looked around searching for a napkin. He handed it to me and I rubbed at the area below my nose, the crimson red covered the white material almost instantly.

"Where is the restroom?" I asked Cole, needing a minute or two away from the loud chaotic environment.

"You can use the one in my room," Cole said and I was already on my feet, heading up to his room.

I switched on the light and paused by the sink, clutching it for support as I felt myself teetering on the brink of instability. This time, the sensation was much more intense. Dizziness held me in its relentless grip, and the periphery of my vision was being gradually consumed by darkness. Breathing had become a struggle, my stomach churned uncomfortably, and I felt as if I were on the verge of collapsing.

I felt like I was going to fall to the ground but Cole's arm around my back kept me steady, "Max, are you okay?" He asked and I couldn't understand when did he get here, "What's wrong?" He asked as he led my way to his bed.

As I sat on the edge of Cole's bed, the dizziness continued to tighten its grip on me, and I felt increasingly lightheaded. My vision swayed, and the room appeared to whirl around me in a disorienting dance.

I rushed my hand over my face, "Cole-" I said, I wanted to say something, to describe what I was feeling but I was feeling but I don't know why my tongue felt like it was tied. I couldn't speak.

"Max, I know I will be a doctor in the future but I can't play doctor now, what's wrong?" He asked, worried and flustered, "Should we take you to the hospital?"

A cold sweat broke out on my forehead, and my breaths came in shallow, irregular gasps. My heart raced erratically, pounding in my chest like a relentless drumbeat.

The edges of my sight darkened further as if being slowly devoured by an encroaching abyss. Every sound around me became muffled and distant as if I were submerged in a sea of cotton.

The room seemed to sway one last time, and then, with a final, fleeting awareness of Cole's voice calling my name, my consciousness surrendered, and I was swallowed by the consuming darkness.

**********************************

My lil baby Max 🥺
He is my favorite among all the kids of this series.

I hope you liked the chapter!

See ya soon 👋🏻