24. Serendipity

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"I BET A GIRL would get hospitalized for checking out Maxwell McKenzie when he's shirtless. Holy blue balls, imagine sticking and eating a hot dog untop of his bare chest." Veronica exclaims with wide eyes fixed on Max on the field with other football players, and Maggie chokes on her milkshake, and coughs it out.

"Ew, that's gross."

"It's not, when you've had sex with food, you'd know what I mean. I got disvirgined by a cucumber." Ver says in what she thinks is an inaudible screech and I wince when everyone sitted on the bleachers with us snaps their heads at her.

Her words earns the intended frown from people.

"Shit. Shit. Shit." She curses under her breath with her cheeks heating up in embarrassment as she pulls her hoodie up to cover head.

"Y-you're crazy." Maggie stutters, totally amused.

"I'm not, Miss goody two shoes." Ver still manages to grumble a retort under her breath. "I'm boy crazed and I have new crushes every week, but I'd faint if I see a naked hot guy in reality. So yeah, a cucumber disvirgined me, not a huge one, it's the mini size one."

I snicker when I see Maggie blocking her ears with her earphones, from listening to Ver rant.

I return my eyes to the field to Max, just in time to catch his eyes.

All the air in the field gets sucked up in my  breath which gets hitched up in my throat, and my heart hammers heavily with loud thuds in my chest, when our gazes lock for a split second, and he looks away and passes the ball over to his teammate.

The impact of what just happened feels like a punch in the stomach.

There are people everywhere, but it's just his presence I felt.

He hasn't spoken to me since that day.

He hasn't spoken to me for seven days.

Why does it fucking hurt?

It doesn't make sense. He isn't someone I can feel safe with. And I always had it at the back of my mind that he's going to hurt me. I know.

And it hurts so much because I hadn't readied my heart for it.

He avoided me like I had the plague. Even the McKenzie siblings and Doris refused eating with us back at home. And I ponder if she and Dad slept in separate bedrooms because I never saw the both of them together.

So it was just Dad and I like old times. I barely acknowledge his presence or spoke a word or two to him because my heart felt sick.

The only times I saw Max was through my window when he went out with his bike.

I don't give a fuck about Dad or Max's Siblings anymore, or what they thought about I and Max. My heart swelled with even more love for him, despite it's sick.

I miss him, I miss him so much.

Letting out a sigh, I gulp and close my eyes when I feel and see tears clouding them.

The memory of how we first met came drifting in, at our parents wedding. His eyes where so clear and green, as glared at me on that day. He was so beautiful that it hurt just to look at him. And then he saved me from drowning, sneaked up letters into my locker, kissed me when there was a black out at Clinton's house.

The punch and the insults are only like a dream now.

I open my eyes when I hear murmuring from the crowd.

Confusion stuns my brain when the first person my eyes lands on is being lead to seat on the grass.

The match is at currently on pause, and Pacesetter Academy team has smirks on their faces because, the one person who is better than all of them together in combine is sitting on the flattened grass, neck and face completely red. He looks like he is out of breath as he pants and puffs.

His coach and few of the team stand around him, while the coach squarts, takes his boot off, presses and try to twist his ankle, but Mr Anderson stops when he cries out in pain.

"What happened?" With a bile transferring itself to my throat, I ask Ver who's in the midst of Maggie and I, and she informs me Max twisted his ankle.

"Just a nasty twist of the ankle, he can't go on with the game." His coach informs the murmuring LAHS students and the murmuring increases. Some even look like they want to cry, some has sad faces on as they keep Max's banner down, while majority hurl curses, face palms or shakes their heads in disappointment.

I even catch a glimpse of a triumphant smile on Tristan's face.

Forgot the asshole exists.

The pile of shit in human form told me yesterday, which was a Tuesday, that he knew something was on going between I and Max, and he was going to find what it is soon, and tell the whole school about it.

It's been four weeks and the whole school is now aware I and the Mckenzie siblings are step siblings.

Guess what I did to the retard?

I used all my four days frustration and anger and stomp on his foot.

And with the headache and cramp I always felt from the last day of my period, it made my mood even sour that I kicked him in the balls and the impact made him cup his balls, groan in pain, and knelt in front of me like he was begging me to date him again.

Students saw this and took shots of it, posted it on LAHS blog that he wanted in with me again. When school dismissed, I saw his fumming girlfriend slapped him on his cheek.

It served him right.

Returning my attention back to the field, I see Clinton and few Catzilla's place Max on the ambulance that was brought and Clinton murmurs few words to Max and pats his back.

I snap my head at the McKenzie Siblings behind me. They look completely white because color has drain away from all their faces.

Evans has his hands on his head as he keeps muttering. 'Shit. Shit. Shit.'

"He didn't look good enough to play, I told him not to play." Miranda is massaging her ankle that is placed untop of her lap as she let the tears flow. "I fucking hate this shitload in disguise of siblings telepathy." She sulks and Sam who I had't notice was absent came rushing in. He sits down and quietly place an ice pack on Miranda's ankle.

And that is when I know that Max and Miranda shares siblings telepathy because they're twins.

Miranda is feeling pains on the exact spot Max is. Can it be she feels it whenever Max gets hurt?

Sarah looks sick as she vomits into a near by trash bin. Evans has stops cursing and is slightly rubbing on her back with a worried expression on his face, as he looks over at his immediate younger sibling.

And when I return my eyes to Max, his gaze is full of need as he looks over at me. My eyes immediately snap at Clinton who's at Max's side, he has fear in his eyes as he directs them to Sarah.

Suddenly, he starts running away from the field towards the bleachers, that his coach yells his name.

What the fuck is going on today?

He rushes and jumps over the bleachers. The action makes females chorus high pitch flirtatious screams.

Why won't they?

He's the heartrob of the LAHS.

He carries Sarah in a bridal style, while the rest of the siblings, the whole school and Pace setter Academy students gapes at them. Evans on the other hand doesn't seem bothered by what's happen, as he looks longingly over at a clueless Maggie, whose mouth is still agape from what she just saw and had no idea she's being stared at. Evans quickly looks away from her when she turns to stare at his direction, because he is standing next to Clinton who he accompanies as he carries Sarah into the school.

I would've smile if I'm not lovesick right now.

But what is going on between Clinton and Sarah?

It looks like a lot is, as Sarah allows her head to rest on Clinton's chest for support and closes her eyes, while he looks down at her with genuine concern.

What he did even meant more than concern for his best friend's younger sister.

Mr Anderson, Catzilla's coach looks frustrated because it seems they are going to loose to the other team with the whole drama going on. His hair looks messy because he's taken his cap of to run his hands through them, as he puffs out heavy breaths and looks like he just shit on himself.

And Max, it looks like he's in so much pain.

Fuck!

"Wait up, Kate! Where the hell are you going?" Ver grabs hold of my sleeve when I make attempt to stand up.

I halt and sit back down, having no clue why I stood up in the first place. Something like jealousy tightens my chest, embeds and flows when I see Vivian holding Max's hand as he's being carried away.

My limbs are paralyzed with my butt glue to my seat as he lets her holds his hand.

The both of them look like the perfect sappy high school fucking sweethearts.

"Awwwn, those two look totally Amaze-balls together." Maggie coos, staring at them dreamily.

She is right. But why do I feel like pulling her hair for admiting what I hate as the truth.

It hurt.

I gulp and rub my sweaty palms together, fighting the strong tempting urge to cry.

It feels like I have a bad stinking luck with guys.

My friends, sensing my change of mood, because my face is sucker at hiding my emotions, looks over at me.

"What's wrong Kate?"

"I thought you did hate him."

"Are you guys on good terms now?"

"You look like you'd take out a gun and kill someone."

They are talking at once, and I look away from them, with questions like 'Have you ever missed someone that you hate them a lot? on the tip of my tongue.

And the more I hate him for making me miss him, the more I want him, because he makes me notice his every move, blink of an eye, laugher, smile and frown.

It's irritational, maddening and frustrating, that I want to pull my hair off my head and let out stridents like a banshee.

They have no clue of what happened between Max and I. And they'd never understand because they've never been with guys.

And if Max truly wants me, he'd come get me. He wouldn't let his mum, siblings and my Dad come in between us two.

He's a big big fool.

I grind my teeth hard till a sharp pain hit my jaw.

I start feeling insecure, wondering what the hell I've done wrong to be this obsessed with a human like myself. My step brother.

Where's the Max whose aim is at breaking rules? The boy who gets moved by nothing? Who always takes confident strides to reach for what he wants.

This Max that is being carried away, with the walking STD' of an ex fling clinging unto his arm, like he's her most expensive underwear. This Max has reduce himself to a little piece of dog shit.

He has fear running through his veins.

Who doesn't? My bitch of a subconscious fire at me.

Clenching my fingers into a hard damn fist, I jam it into my palm and Maggie squeals.

"Kate?" My friends call, shooting me worried and concern looks.

"I..." I gulp because I can't even form a sentence.

Rising to my feet, I take my heels.

* * *

I stand up from where I had been sobbing and stare into the mirror at my reflection.

I look pale.

Small.

Ugly.

I feel so vulnerable and completely alone.

Skinner, that my boobs are the only thing that has weight on my body.

Even my make up is smeared across my face with a variation of mascara, eye liner, foundation and wet tears.

I'm glad the door has a lock, or else, my friends would've barged in and see me in a state they'd never witness. They finally left reluctantly after I took a couple of minutes to convince them I'm fine and I need some time alone.

It feels like my whole world has crumpled because I had build it around Max within a few days, and it feels like I can't get my old life back. I can't.

But I can put on my defiant facade once again, and fool everyone that I'm fine on the outside, while I am dying on the inside.

I splash water against my face and wipe it clean with a face wipe.

After tying my long blonde hair into a tight bun that it almost hurt, I unzip my blue sweater, take it off and wring it around my waist. Then I run a black lipgloss over my lips this time.

Standing in front of the mirror again to check on my once ghost of an appearance, I realize I don't look like I was weeks ago before he came, but I still don't look like I did ten minutes ago.

I am putting on a see through red tank singlet which ends few inches below my navel, making me greatful for my flat stomach. Then the dark blue tight fitting Jean pants, my favourite black boots which generates noise and announce my presence when I take steps. And with the sweater hanging tightly around my waist.

I stand there, staring at the mirror, trying to assure myself Max isn't worth it, attempting to convince myself to let go and move on because he obviously doesn't care about me.

If the coward really does want me and cares about my feelings, which are getting sick with want, he'd come get me.

Flinging my backpack against my shoulder, I exit the females locker room and gasp when I see the said person leaning his back against the wall as if he's waiting for someone, looking so tall and unmercifully beautiful.

A second gasp leaves my mouth within the space of five seconds, when he looks away from the where he has his eyes fixed on, and directs them to me, as if sensing my presence.

Who wouldn't?

The sound of my boots alone draws attention and echoes on the walls, especially when the whole school halls are empty, with all the school occupants outside on the bleachers, watching the match.

The sight of him makes all my insides warm.

"Kate." He crooks.

And that's what it takes for me to come alive.

He's still on his white sports long sleeve jersey and my eyes lowers to the ground where his earlier twisted ankle looks a little bit swollen and black. He's barefooted.

"Max." I say, holding his gaze as if I'm not affected by him, attempting to barely acknowledge his presence. While on the inside, I feel more than relieved, but he still hasn't reduce to a cowardice asshole to me.

His eyes narrows as they do a once over at my appearance, and I let out a tottering breath when he gulps.

I'm glad I still have this effect on him.

He leaves the wall and slowly walks up to me, almost limping.

"Why are you here?" I ask, waiting for Vivian to show up, sneer at me, and cling unto his arm. But I don't see a single soul inside the school except the two of us.

"The match has to continue without me,"

"I know, it's going to be heart clenching on how the school best football player wouldn't go on the field for weeks."

"I saw you when you ran into the female's locker room, I heard your cries and screams after your friends left." He sighs. "I'm sorry you're hurting because of me, I'm sorry that I made you cry."

"What?" I stare at him, he stares right back. Stupid stupid green eyes full of need, and I look away feeling embarrassed.

He'd hear me cry, heard my screams, heard every fucking thing.

"That's none of your business." I snap, emphasizing each word with a poke of the middle finger on his chest. Because I never want him to see me as a vulnerable little girl. That's the last thing I'd want to be to anyone.

With his fingers ball into a fist, he bites unto it to hide the ghost of a smirk that appears on his face, while I hurriedly snatch my hand away, because touching him alone sent stupid sparks through my chest.

"I miss you...so much." He closes his eyes as he breaths the last two words after a sharp intake of breath, and I let out a big puff of breath. Because those darn four words set my insides on fire.

But he has no right to tell me he misses me, after completely ignoring me for what it felt like seven goddamn years.

With anger boiling inside of me, I attempt to walk away from him, because I know if I stay, I'd make a complete idiot of my self. And as I side step him with a huff and my chin raise up defiantly in the air, he grabs hold of my wrist and twirls me till I'm wrapped in his embrace.

He is hugging me from behind.

Because I'm so tiny like a kitten, and he's like a lion, he bends his weight and rests his head on my shoulder.

Tightening his arms around me when I attempt to pull away, I have no choice but to melt into his hug, drink into his masculine scent and sweat, I let my hands fall at my side.

"My mum hasn't spoken a word to your Dad since that shit screwed everything up. She's still mad at him for calling me a bastard. Told me to stay the hell away from you, because it's forbidden for the both of us to be together." He takes his hands off me and intertwines his fingers with mine. "I chose to listen to her, to let peace reign between our parents. But I knew all along that I'd never be the same again, after everything. Knew the moments shared could never be forgotten." He pulls his fingers away from mine again and wraps me into a hug, letting his warm breath fan my neck as he trails soft kisses on the unclad part of the creamy pale skin on my shoulder.

We hear the crowd cheering, but had no idea know which school had shot a goal.

We don't because we are so lost in the serenity of eachother.

"One look at you today, sitted on the bleachers, looking moody, unlike the spitfire I know, I knew I could never let go."

Letting my guard down of playing hard to get, I suck harshly in my breath and turn to him.

Standing on my toes, I tip my face up to him and kiss him.

He kisses me back, carries me up and cause my legs to wrap around his hard waist.

There is nothing soft and gently with the way he claims my mouth hungrily. And I like it, I like it this rough with him, even want more.

His hands move to my butt and cups them.

Happy and feeling stupid that a few words and touches from him can make me come to live, I yank my mouth away from the kiss, and pressing my head to his, I smile on his lips and say.

"Did you had blue balls while thinking about me, cause I know you did let your thoughts wander to me."

"Yeah, I did get the blue balls big time, but you're here to make it up to me."

With a smirk on my face, I look around me.

"Where?" I push my fingers into his hair, and he takes them off and press a kiss to them.

Giving me that huge boyish grin, he places a kiss on my lips first, before hooking my legs tighter around his hard well sculptured waist.

"The janitors closet, games gonna end in less than fifteen minutes."

To love is to take risks. A voice in my head reminds me.

Beaming at Max that I feel a slight pain on my cheeks, I see his expression mirroring mine.

And I know, that I'm willing to take risks with this male figure who'd turned my world upside down and into a complete new phase, rip my heart out, kept it locked up in a secret place. Where no one, not even me have access to, except him.