Chapter 63 Aria
I never thought I’d be grateful for Max’s presence in my life, but sitting at my locker the morning after the cafeteria showdown, I found myself silently thanking whatever stars had aligned for him. He was leaning against the metal frame with arms crossed and that observant expression I’d come to rely on.
“You made quite the impression yesterday,” he said. “Avery’s not going to forget that.”
I rolled my eyes, spinning my lock with more force than necessary. “I’m sure she’ll make my life miserable anyway.”
He shrugged. “She’s petty but now she knows you won’t back down and that matters.”
I wanted to tell him he had no idea how much it mattered to me, that this wasn’t just a high school fight—it was survival and identity but I didn’t. Instead, I offered a small, awkward smile. “Thanks for saying that.”
He smirked. “I’m Max. I say it because it’s true.”
I shoved my books into my locker and rolled my eyes. “Right!”
Before we could linger, the hall erupted with the usual morning chaos and I glanced around and realized, as usual, searching for Sienna among the chaos.
“So,” he said, leaning casually against the locker next to mine, “what’s the plan for today?”
I smiled. “Dunno yet.”
Max’s grin was infectious. “Alright just don’t let Avery get to you.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Is this a now friendship thing?”
“Maybe a little,” he said, tilting his head with a grin.
I stared at him for a beat longer than I should have, realizing that, for once, someone was seeing me beyond the surface. Not as a target or rumor, and not as the girl orbiting Luca’s world.
“Okay,” I said finally, trying to sound casual. “So, we’re friends now?”
He extended a hand with easy confidence radiating through the gesture. “Friends. Totally against whatever Avery throws at us next.”
I took it, shaking firmly. “Friends then.”
The bell rang signaling the first period and we got separated as the hall flooded with students. Throughout the morning, I found myself noticing Max more than I had before not in the romantic way though but at a deeper level. At lunch, he slid into the seat across from me without a word, like we’d already established this was normal. “High school’s a battlefield. I’ve learned to spot the enemy before they strike.”
I looked surprised but tried to hid it. “That sounds like a lot of practice.”
“Decades of observing,” he said lightly but I caught the hint of seriousness. “People like Avery don’t change. You just learn how to handle them.”
Later that afternoon, as we walked out of history class together, he tossed me a pen. “You forgot yours.”
I caught it, grateful. “Thanks.”
“No problem. You need backup and you have it.”
“You know,” I said softly, “it’s weird. I feel like I can actually talk about things without worrying about gossip.”
He tilted his head, curious. “Like what?”
“Like classes, people and everything. Even Avery,” I admitted, almost laughing at myself. “It’s just easier with someone who actually listens.”
Max smiled. “That’s all anyone really wants, right? Someone who actually listens.”
I nodded, feeling lighter than I had in days.
“Listen,” Max said suddenly, serious now, “I know I’m not part of your world. I get that there’s stuff you’re dealing with that I won’t ever fully understand. But if you ever need someone in your corner, just to be normal, I’ve got your back and I know you wouldn’t talk about that intense makeout with Luca.”
He added that last part with a wink. I swallowed, feeling that rare mix of surprise and embarrassment. “Thanks, Max. I think I really needed that and yeah, no Luca.”
He shrugged like it was nothing but I knew it meant something. “It’s nothing. But also do not underestimate Avery. She’s going to try to stir things up, and if she sees you cracking, even for a second, she’ll pounce. And also, keep your relationship with Luca away from her.”
I frowned, thinking back to yesterday. “I won’t and I can handle her.”
“I know,” Max said, eyes flicking to mine. “But having someone watch your back doesn’t make you weak. It makes you smart.”
For the first time in a long while, I believed him. I didn’t have to face everything alone. And maybe, just maybe, I could finally breathe a little.
The rest of the day passed in a blur of classes and whispered warnings. Max stayed nearby when he could, giving subtle nods when I rolled my eyes at Avery’s friends or when I muttered under my breath at some ridiculous drama. By the time the final bell rang, I realized that having him in my corner didn’t just make me feel safe, it made me feel human like maybe Silverpine wasn’t only a place of chaos and danger.
Walking out of the school doors, Max fell into step beside me. “See? Nothing exploded today.”
I laughed, leaning slightly on the railing as we walked toward the parking lot. “Yet. Don’t jinx it.”
He grinned, that easy, comforting grin. “No promises. But for today? Victory.”
And for the first time in weeks, I allowed myself a small smile. The chaos wasn’t gone. The danger wasn’t gone. Avery would always exist, and Luca? Well, he was still Luca but having Max as a friend made me feel like maybe I could survive all of it.
He nudged me lightly as we reached the lot. “Same time tomorrow?”
I nodded, feeling that warmth in my chest again. “Definitely, friend.”
“Friend,” he echoed, and I knew that, for today, at least, I wasn’t facing the storm alone.
AUTHOR’S NOTE:
You guys, Max is such a sweet, grounding energy in the middle of all the Silverpine chaos. I want to know what you think: do you love seeing Aria get this normal friend vibe, or do you miss the ‘bestieness’ with Sienna? Drop me your thoughts cause I read every comment. 💛