Max groaned as his alarm went off. He rolled over and reached around to find it. Once he did, he slammed down the off button and sat up. The teen yawned, rubbing his eyes. "Dammit, I didn't die in my sleep..." he thought bitterly.

   He grunted as he got out of bed, already annoyed. He threw on a t-shirt, jeans, and his signature blue hoodie. He walked past the mirror, but returned to it a few seconds later.

   "Shit," Max whispered, staring at the mop of hair on his head. The boy really needed a haircut. He ruffled it a bit, trying to make it presentable.

   After ten more minutes, he was ready. He grabbed his book bag and finished off the coffee he made before trudging out the door.

   "It's a fifteen minute walk to school..." he reminded himself, checking his phone. 7:43, it read. He smirked. "I'll get there with two minutes to spare."

   "Max? Is that you?"

   Max's head snapped in the direction of the voice. "You've gotta be shitting me..."

   "Max! Remember me?" A late twenties David waved at him from the yard. The boy rolled his eyes. "How could I forget?" he muttered sarcastically.

   David was walking towards him, his smile wide. "Oh my gosh, you've grown so much!"

   He nodded, stealing a glance at his phone. "And you haven't changed a bit..."

   The red head noticed him look at his phone and gasped quietly. "Oh, I'm sorry! I'm holding you up, aren't I?" He waved the teen off. "Go on, I don't want you to be late! Education is important!"

   Max didn't have to be told twice. He was practically sprinting down the sidewalk just to make it on time. He skidded to a halt once he got to the red brick. He bent over, gasping for air. He checked the time.

   7:58.

   With a breathy laugh he stood up, speed walking into the building. In seconds, he threw what he didn't need into his locker and was rushing to class. He nearly tripped trying to stop in front of the classroom door. He sighed with relief and casually walked in. He slipped into his seat just as the first bell rang.

   "Talk about good timing," someone beside him whispered. Max looked up to see it was just Preston. "Thanks," he replied with a smile.

   His neighbor hesitated, but returned it.

•~•

   "Oh, by the way," Preston murmured as they walked into Ms. Sutherland's room. "Drama club meets every Wednesday."

   "Wednesday?" Max inquired, taking his seat in the back. "Why does that ring a bell...?"

   The auburn haired teen simply nodded and strutted up to his seat near the front. Shortly afterwards, Ms. Sutherland came in.

   "Alrighty, so today's lesson is how to make a character original and not a Mary Sue', " she chirped, turning towards the whiteboard. Max rolled his eyes and pulled out his phone. He went to the group chat and started up a conversation.

   "I hope you're asking your friends for help on the assignment," he jumped at the sound of Ms. Sutherland's voice next to him. He glanced up at her. "Jesus."

   She smiled at him at motioned towards the board. "Get to work, honey."

   Max shivered as the teacher walked away. "How did she...?" He shook his head and pulled out some paper, fighting off his worries.