Max and I went to the parking lot with our arms still looped. We noticed some of the faculty's gazes on us and I couldn't help but send a wink at them out of nervousness. He laughed at me all the way to the lot that I almost kicked his shins.

I stood beside my car and asked Max, "Uh, are we bringing both our cars or?"

"You can leave your car here so I'll have a reason to bring you home and pick you up tomorrow," he replied with a wink. I had to look somewhere else or he would have witnessed how fast I could change my colour. My chest was constricting and I didn't know why. Okay, maybe it was because of this adorable guy right there.

I shrugged my shoulder in response. I was afraid I would squeak if I even utter a yes so instead, I let him open the door for me and I slid inside. The smell of citrus invaded my nose and I gulped. I never liked this scent in my car, it caused disaster. The last time I was in a citrus-scented vehicle, I ended up redecorating it with my vomit. Gross.

Max hopped on the driver seat. Before he pulled out of the lot, he frowned when he looked at me. "Are you okay?"

"If the definition of okay is being so anxious about puking that the side-effects of your anxiety are also vomiting, then yes, I think I'm okay," I replied quickly. My voice raised a notch per word and he frowned.

"What's the matter?" He was looking around, probably trying to find the source of my distress. I kept my gaze on the orange pine tree hanging from his rearview mirror, sucking in the breath that I wanted to let out so badly. He must have noticed since he snatched it so quickly his hands were a blur and threw it right outside his now opened window.

Fumbling with the button on my side, I said, "Please let me open the window."

He only chuckled in response and drove out of the school.

We arrived at the old cinema and I was too ecstatic that I bolted out of the door before he could even stop the engine. I could hear his boisterous laughter as I went to the ticket booth and stared at the posters in awe. My eyes probably shone brighter than the incandescent light above.

The old cinema, which was popularly known as the Sunset Views, stood intimidatingly yet gorgeously in the outskirts of our town. With the building painted in gold and silver, the vintage marquee shone in pink and blue neon lights. I grinned widely at Max who caught up to me.

"So, what do you want to watch?" he asked.

Checking out the posters, I got myself torn into three. The cinema was viewing my three favourite noir films ever. The posters of Psycho, Schindler's List, and Sunset Boulevard peeked at me seductively and I turned to Max for help.

"What's up?" He blinked at me and I instinctively held his sleeve.

"I don't know what to choose," I replied a bit too fast. My voice sounded forlorn even to me and my eyes were probably wide as saucers. He laughed at that.

He held my hand and turned his attention to the little signage posted on the booth. I watched him with anticipating eyes as he rolled his heels against the pavement. My eyes drifted towards his face as his tongue swiftly licked his lower lip. I gulped at the sight and a million thoughts ran through my head. Thoughts that involve a lot of kissing, a bed, and clothes strewn across the floor of his bedroom.

I got out of my trance, you know, that part where he was going downhill and... yeah, you got the drift, when he poked my cheek. "Are you okay?"

I nodded and he pointed at the Psycho poster. "You good with this?"

"Yep," I replied happily. I then noticed that my hand that was on his sleeve a few moments ago was now intertwined with his and I let out a squeal. He peered at me, probably bewildered. And I could only laugh awkwardly, hoping he would not catch on.

He shrugged his shoulders. He squeezed my hand and said, "We still have two hours before the next show. Let's go grab something to eat?"

Before I could answer, he pulled me with him and we were walking down the street. The sun was almost setting. The moon was already visible, lamp posts were lit up, and the shops turned on their lights of various colour. It was hot and humid in the morning so the cool breeze that swept past us was refreshing. However, only a thin white blouse kept me warm. Which wasn't helpful at all.

I rubbed my clothed arms, letting go of Max's hand. I caught him peeking at me, eyes shone curiously as he gave me a small smile. "Cold?"

"Like the fucking freezer," I answered honestly.

He bellowed a laugh and opened the buttons of his plaid shirt. He pulled off the offending clothing and I had to look away from the sight of his toned arms which was visible even with his white shirt on.

He handed me his plaids and I took it. "It's not much but it'll help."

He quickly frowned and flicked me. He was all serious and I could not decide if I like it yet or not. He was about to say something, his lips were parted but then someone had to call my name. A voice I was accustomed to and I grunted.

I didn't dare turn back to check on the guy. Instead, I kept my gaze focused on Max who was now glancing at me worriedly. I smiled, though I didn't even bother showing how annoyed I was at this predicament. So probably it came more of a grimace.

"What's going on?" he whispered. He wrapped his arms around my waist and I sighed in content. I could smell his perfume and I was in heaven. I could stay here for hours and I wouldn't have any complaints. Just maybe he could hug me more tightly?

I blinked back to reality when the annoying guy called my name for the millionth time and I slowly turned back to him.

Timothy Howards stood a few meters away from me and still looking as handsome as the last time I saw him. His blond hair was messy and his blue eyes stared into mine as if he could see the deepest part of me. He was wearing his usual green Letterman jacket paired with black jeans. He was sporting his trademark smirk as our eyes met and I shivered.

I whipped my head back to Max and muttered a curse. Even without looking up, I could imagine the taller guy's amused grin. I sent him a glare and whispered harshly, "That shit is my ex!"

His mouth went "Oh!" and he whipped out a scowl of his own. "He's the one who cheated on you, right?"

"Yes, that one. He-"

A cough stopped our exchange and I was forced to look back at Timothy. I tried smiling, I really did, but the sight of him sent a shot of pain on my chest. I couldn't understand why, I knew I moved on but when I saw him, I wanted to scream and kick the guy. No joke.

"Hey, Tim," I said, letting go of my hold on Max to wave at him.

Scratching the back of his head, Tim bowed his head as if he was checking his shoes. "Look, I just want to apologize for what happened. I know it's been years but I still feel guilty about it. You don't deserve that." He finally managed to look me in the eyes and I was already shaking in frustration. I wanted to do a lot of things to him. Not all ended up with him getting hurt. And I felt so fucking pathetic now.

I sensed Max standing straighter. I regarded the steps he took forwards and closer to Timothy. His eyes never left him and I called him out. "Max. Max! What are you-"

"Stay behind me, sweet," was Max only reply as he moved closer to the blond.

They were now chest to chest and I would have giggled if I haven't been reminded about Timothy's... violent instances. Even though Max was obviously way taller than the blond, the latter made up for it with muscles I remembered so vividly. Tim was frowning while Max was barely able to maintain the glare he had.

My ex-boyfriend stepped to the side, a fleeting glance on my way was given. Max followed and blocked his way again. They did this for a couple more times until Timothy all but growled. "What the hell is your problem?"

"You," Max replied nonchalantly. I could see how Tim clenched his fists and I gulped. Bad memories crawled back from the deepest pit of hell. Even though it took everything on me to pull back the taller guy.

"Come on, Max. Let's just-"

"Who is he?" Timothy half-screamed, the passersby were turning in our direction that I had to bury my face on Max's back.

I didn't bother answering, instead, I walked back with my arms full of a gaping Max. "Bye, Tim. See you around. Or not."

And we were gone.

It took exactly 90 minutes and five scoops of ice cream before Max's rant ended. I listened to his rambling the whole time, amusement and gratitude were going to burst out of me any minute. He was so frustrated that his face was all pink. His words were mumbled as he took spoonfuls of the dessert and all I could do was laugh.

A random garble escaped his lips and I chuckled. He swallowed and glared at me. "What?"

With a shake of my head, I replied, "Nothing."

"You're laughing at me."

"No."

"Yes, you are."

Wasn't able to stop myself, I reached out and pinched his cheek. "That's because you're adorable."

Before I could retract my hand, he captured it with his. He kissed the back of my palm then winked. If I was not in love with him, I sure as hell now. I hid my anxiety behind a laugh and he stared at me with a certain glint in his eyes that made me lean forwards.

He was leaning in, too but I had half a mind to stop everything because I was such a coward. Instead of kissing him like I wanted to, I hollered for the waiter to get the bill. I could feel the weight of his gaze on me but I refused to meet him halfway. I wasn't ready, was I?

He grabbed the bill and handed the guy his card. Silence ensued between us even until the waiter returned for our receipt and Max's credit. I stood up before him and ran out of the establishment as fast as I could. I didn't want to wait for him but I couldn't exactly fly out of the place either.

So, I stood outside and waited.

Which was more or less a bad idea.