Chapter 4: Maxine

I haven't slept a wink since the moment Hans and I started our really pathetic contract.There are only three conditions that I have to fufill before prom and that is tutor him ,peck his nasty cheek every day and make sure that every girl stays away from him.If I do these then he won't have to rat me out.

Everytime I think of the way my lips felt against his skin makes my blood run cold.The way his green eyes were filled with amusement as I begged him not to do anything to embarrass me.He always tortures me but this is next level and I will probably die unhappy in my life.

"Back to earth Max! "Olive snaps her fingers and I smile nervously because I wasn't listening to a word she was saying.

"Were you even listening to what I was saying or you were just zoning out like usual,"she snaps at me

"Trust me I wasn't doing that "I defend myself. I was just thinking of how what I'm going to do to save myself from the clutches of my bully but I leave that part out.

"Yesterday,you told me that you were planning to say something to Ethan. Did you actually do that? Even after the whole thing of him kissing another girl ? "She talks and I grumble under my breath.

"I changed my mind ,"I answer quickly and Olive gives me a sympathetic look ,"it's just a crush after all."

"I'm really sorry I wasn't there to talk to you about that.Our principal summoned me and I was busy but I'm all ears now "she clasps my hand and I shake it off.

I'm silently wishing that I could just tell her the whole truth but I don't have the guts to spill everything out. Hans will never forgive me if one more person knows that we are in a fake relationship.

"Seems like someone is mad ,"Olive stares into the far corner of the cafeteria.I turn my back to see Amber and her two friends by her side walking towards us.

"Why she is coming towards us? Did you do something to her ? "Olive asks me and I shake my head.

There's no way she saw me with Hans that quickly. We barley even talked to each other today and I made sure I avoided him all morning until recess.

I physically cringe as she plows through the room with her squad trailing her, heading straight for us. Amber whips her blonde hair back and bangs her fist on the table. I shoot a look at Olive, who’s already staring back at me with a silent what is happening expression. There is literally no one worse to run into than Amber.

"Who are you ? "She smiles through her teeth and Olive almost loses it but I beg her to calm down with my eyes.

If anyone didn't know that Amber was mean then they would be mislead.Her pouty lips and pretty face really cover her personality.She is the prettiest and most popular girl in our school.Her father is the mayor of our town and a big sponsor of our school. No one has the guts to put her in her place.

"S-sorry"I end up stuttering and her sidekicks snicker behind her. The cafeteria that was loud is now silent. No one is moving and everyone's eyes on me. I just want the ground to swallow me whole right this second.

"I asked you a simple question? ""She says and my cheeks flame up.

"Maxine,"I silently answer and she cringes s her face in disgust.

"Talia ,"she turns her face to the girl by her left side who is holding a cup of juice ,"hand me that."

Talia look hesitant but quickly obeys her. Amber takes the cup and dumps the whole juice on my head. The cold orange liquid runs down my face and my shirt.Some people start gasping and while others are laughing at me.Olive stands up but I shake my head. This is my life and I'm used to it. Speaking back to people like her only makes things worse.

"I heard you were trying to get close to Hans yesterday"she folds her arms ,"This is my first and last warning.Stay away from him or else this won't be the only thing I do."

I'm completely speechless and frightened. Amber looks down on me like I'm a disgusting creature that needs to be put down. The only thing I need to do is get away before it gets worse. The moment I stand up from my seat , I trip on something and fall face flat on the floor.

"Max are you okay ? "Olive stands up and I raise my head .

"Oops ,"Amber giggles and the rest of the girls laugh with her ,"It seems like you couldn't see where you are going.....pig "

The floor beneath me is blurry and it's not because of my bad vision but the tears threatening to fall. I reach out my hands to grab my glasses but Amber steps on my hand with her pink heel.I squirm from the pain when I try to retract my hand.

"I know you ,"she bends down to my level ,"I see you chasing after Hans all the time and it irks me. Yesterday was just an example.You are going to hell!"

I don't have the will to tell her that I'm not the one chasing after him but he is the one who bullys me. He has beeing tormenting me since childhood and there's nothing I like about him.

"You are clearly mistaken,"I say but she ignores me and bends down.

"Crybaby. I’m done talking to you." Amber raises her hand, fingers curled ready to slap me right across the face.

I squeeze my eyes shut, bracing for the impact.But instead it never comes.

"What are you doing Amber?"A deep and familiar voice growls

Amber’s wrist is caught in a firm, familiar grip.Standing between us.Towering over both of us is Hans. His expression is unreadable, his voice low and steady as he looks straight at Amber.

Olive is frozen in her spot.The cafeteria is dead quiet as they watch Hans stare down Amber like he is about to rain fire down on her. Amber's two friends are standing back with fear written over their face.

Hans' presence is alone is strong enough to command the room.With his hands in the packet and black shirt that covers his arms.Amber steps away from me immediately and smoothers her skirt and fixes her hair.

"H-hey Hans ,"she says shyly ,"W-wht are you doing here? "

"I asked you a question,"he says ,"What are you doing? "

"Well ,"she rolls her eyes "I was just teaching this girl a lesson.She doesn't know her place."

Hans sighs and quickly bends down to my level.I shut my eyes waiting for him to say something humiliating but nothing happens. Everyone gasps including Amber herself.

"Are you okay ? "He looks at me tenderly and I have to remind myself that he is pretending.

"I'm fine ,"I answer.

"Your glasses,"he hands them to me and I slowly open my eyes and grab them quickly from him.This is the most shameful moment of my life. I just wish the ground would swallow me whole this instant.

Hans will probably use this moment to bully me for the rest of my life. I don't even know how I can come out of it. He already hates me so much and then I have to deal with the consequences of Amber.

"Can you stand up ? "Hans speaks in a husky voice and I nod my head slowly.

I try to stand up but my legs give out the minute I get up.Hans rolls his eyes and helps me up. His hands are warm and huge.My cheeks flame in embarrassment when he manages to get me on my two feet.

"What the hell are you doing? "Amber snorts ,"I'm your girlfriend and you are helping her!"

"Amber ,"Hans glares at her ,"She's my girlfriend."

"Hans ! "Her chest rises up and down ,"You are joking! You can't be serious right now.This fat ...."

"Hey hey ,"Hans grabs her arm and Amber pales in fear ,"Don't insult her infront of me and everyone. Clearly you lost your damn mind because I don't remember us dating."

"You can't be serious"Amber hisses,"You are clearly playing with me! "

Hans stays silent and rolls his eyes again. That lazy look in his eyes is the final nail in the coffin because Amber is now losing her mind.

"You will be begging for me when you realize that she isn't enough for you ,"she sneers but her eyes are focused on me ,"I won't believe that you two are dating! "

And with that statement, the school’s Queen B and her minions march out of the cafeteria arm in arm. Everyone instantly goes back to whatever they were doing, acting like the whole thing never even happened. I glance at Olive, who looks completely shell-shocked.

"What were you doing here alone ? "Hans glares at me and I almost shrink away from him,"You are such a pain !"

He pulls off his shirt and throws it at my chest. The instant smell of his cologne brings a strange sense of comfort, and I cringe at myself for even letting that cross my mind.

"Don't forget your girlfriend duties," he calls out before leaving the room.

Olive looks at me with an expectant look and I know that I have alot to explain to her ,"What the hell is going on ? "