Max

I get to science class early for the first time, to Mr. Hoover's surprise. I set my backpack on the desk and took a seat.

"What a surprise, Mr. Turner," Mr. Hoover said, "nice and early aren't you."

"Oh here." I pull out some of the homework I completed with Sally.

"Good work. I am glad Miss McDonaldson could help you with your work. However, you are still behind. I am going to give you one more week to completely finish what you are behind in. If you don't, I will keep you after school."

I nod in agreement. More students start to gather in the classroom. Charlie walks in, but Sally isn't with her. Lindsey comes in with a smile and comes up to me. I look away, not wanting to talk with her. But she went behind me and started to rub my shoulders.

"Max, you did so well, winning that game for our school. Don't think I didn't notice you kissing that bitch" Lindsey said in a toxically sweet voice.

"It's whatever," I say, hopping she would stop. I didn't want my diminishing reputation to get worse.

"I don't know what you see in that thing, but let me tell you. In this school, you will be forever known as the star football player with his ugly pet of a girlfriend." Lindsey voice was a low nasty growl. As she walked away, she elbowed my head.

When Carter entered the room, his face was downcast. His eyebrows were twisted in concern. He walked up to me and whispered.

"Dude, have you looked at the bulletin board?"

Before I could answer him, he pulled out a sheet of paper. The paper was the picture of Sally and me kissing. With captions at the bottom: 'desperate at 100'.

I groaned. "Who the hell did this?

"I have no idea. But a lot of students saw it. It's not only on the bulletin, it's been airdropped to everyone." Carter pulls up his phone, revealing the picture.

I feel anger rising up in me. Lindsey or Xander had to be behind this. Never thought my reputation will go down this badly because of her. Is this what she deals with a lot? How is she feeling now? No why am I think about her? No, I need to think about myself and my career. Even if it means my popularity in this school will go down.

The teacher clears his throat, signaling he is ready to start the lesson.

"It looks like Miss McDonaldson isn't here. Let's wait for five minutes," Mr. Hoover said, setting his watch.

When five minutes passed, there was still no sign of Sally. So, Mr. Hoover had me go find her. When I exited the room, I see Lindsey smirk. Does she have something to do with Sally being late? She better not be or I— What the heck am I thinking? Like I care about Sally's wellbeing. I shake the idea out of my head.

~•~
Sally

No matter how hard I scrub with a wet paper towel, the marker wouldn't come off. There was no way I was going to leave the bathroom looking like this. But I would be late for class. I hoped and prayed that if I was late, that the teacher wouldn't keep me after class. I had to go to theater practice for the big show in the spring. Maybe I could run to my locker and put on my gym clothes. But how could I get there without anyone seeing my exposed belly with the word 'whore' on it? I guess I will have to wait it out until the other students were in class. Ugh, I will be late for class for the first time.

I wait a few moments longer til I open the restroom door. I peeked around to make sure no one was coming. I walk swiftly with my arms crossed against my stomach. I am almost to my locker, when I bump into someone. Max.

Max jaw was tightened when he saw me, his green eyes burned like fire. "Sally, I was sent to look for you. What the heck happened? Who did that to you?

I wrapped my arms tighter around my stomach. "Nothing much," I reply.

Max ignores my answer as he pushes me to the side. "You can't go to class like that."

"I going to put on my gym clothes for the rest of the time."

Max furrows his eyebrows and shakes his head. "You will get in trouble for that, and you are already late for class."

"I don't really have a choice, do I?" I sigh.

"Here." Max takes of his letterman jacket and drapes it around my shoulders. "Take it, and zip it up."

"I can't take your jacket." I protested.

"Just take it you are not going to class like that."

I open my mouth to protest again, but Max helped me pull my arms through the sleeves and zipped up the jacket. 

"Whoever did that to you, I will have a long talk with them,' Max said, his voice was a deep growl.

 When I enter the classroom, I see Lindsey glance up at me with satisfied smile. The teacher, Mr. Hoover, just shakes his head.

"Well, well, Miss McDonaldson, did working with Max rub off on you, Huh? Is that why you are ten minutes late?" Mr. Hoover gives me a disappointed look. "I will let you off this time since you are my best student, don't you dare be late like this again."

"Yes sir," I squeaked out. Not bothering to tell him the whole story, in fear of Lindsey retaliating on me.

"Not only that, you are wearing your gym uniform. That is not quite appropriate for class time." Mr. Hoover added.

"What the heck happened?" Whispered Charlie.

I mouthed 'later' as I walk past her to get to my seat. I shake my head, not in a mood for any comments. If only Max knew what his ex did to me. I make myself mental notes in trying to stay far away from Lindsey. It takes everything in me to pay attention to the teacher as Lindsey stares daggers at me.

________________________________________

This lie is getting out of hand. Will Max come clean? Or is his ego too big?

Comment and like, I will see you in the next one.