[Author's POV]A flash of red and white was the only thing Max saw as he stepped on the brakes almost immediately, freezing at the sound of a thud. What just happened? he wondered, his hands glued to the steering and his eyes widened in shock and fear.Still he forced himself to walk out of the car and check who or what he just hit. As the rain poured down on him, Max was shocked to find Allison lying just mere inches away from his car. It would seem that he didn't hit her after all but just what had Allison been doing outside in a downpour like this?That was however a question he would have to know the answer to later.Quickly he scooped her up into his arms and rushed back to his car, carefully placing her in the passenger's seat beside him. He decided not to take her to an hospital but instead to his home where his family doctor could attend to her.While he drove, he was careful not to drive too fast and paid attention to the road

"So that's basically the summary of everything that happened. I hope this doesn't change your opinion about me," I added silently after I was done narrating. My head was bowed so I was looking directly at the tray of food on my lap while I waited for Max's response."Allison, why would you almost getting raped change my opinion about you?" Max questioned softly and I looked up at him, holding back tears again. "I don't know. Maybe you'd think I was stupid for ever allowing a drunk old man into my house or maybe I wanted it to happen. I really didn't. I'm not some slut. Ugh! It's all just too much." I buried my face in my hands, overwhelmingly embarrassed just thinking about it.Max chuckled and said, "Allison, look at me.""I don't want to," I answered, my words muffled since I was still hiding my face."Allison! Come on. Do it," Max prodded. Slowly I looked up and locked eyes with Max's warm brown ones. He cupped my right cheek and caressed my face while

After a very fun weekend spent at Max's home, I found myself walking down the halls with Max by my side on a bright Monday morning. Everyone kept staring at us just like they had been since Max brought me to the dance as his date and based on the number of stares we'd gotten in the parking lot, I knew it'd probably spread around the school that I'd spent the night at Max's home. Max didn't seem to mind the stares. In fact, the only thing he seemed concerned about was making sure that I was okay walking with my cast. I met up with Nellie by my locker and after Max left us, we continued the conversation we'd had been having the day before.Well, she continued it. I wasn't particularly interested in having the conversation."I really don't get why you don't want to report what happened to you to the police. You would rather the culprit walk free instead of making sure he doesn't get the chance to do it to somebody else again?" she queried.

Hours later, Nellie and I were on our way out of the school and we ran into Max. At that moment, it suddenly occurred to me that I hadn't seen him all day. "Hey you guys. Where are you ladies off to?" he asked, fixing both of us a warm smile. "We're going over to her place. I'll be spending the night there," I informed him. His face instantly fell and he furrowed his brows. "Is that okay with you, Max?" "No no. It's okay. It's just– I was actually planning on taking you out. Like on a date," he divulged slowly while running his hand through his hair at the same time. "Oh, it's no problem then. What we have to do can wait." Nellie was already handing me over to him but I wasn't about to leave my best friend for a guy again. "Actually, it can't," I cut in with my mind made up. I turned to Max and inquired, "I'm sorry, Max but I already have plans with Nellie and I don't want to back out. Can what you have planned, like wait? Maybe till tomorrow?

Despite knowing where everything had been leading to after seeing the message, it still didn't lessen the surprise and shock I felt on hearing Max's question. My eyes widened so much, I feared they would pop out of their sockets and I could only gape at Max.Girlfriend? As in his girlfriend? But he was Derris' friend and a superstar! He could have any girl and he was choosing me?! What kind of backwards universe did I wake up in? How could Derris apologize to me after I talked back and just hours later, Max was asking me of all people to be his girlfriend— all in the span of one day?! One day!!!Holy crap! I must be dreaming, right? I had to be! None of this could be real. It just couldn't!I stepped back until I reached the barrier behind me and gripped the basket for support. It was basically the only thing keeping me from falling off the hot air balloon and from falling to my knees. I snuck a peek and even now, I could still see the message in the park