⤹˚˖♬ — ❝ 𝐓𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐝, 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐟 𝐈 𝐠𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐚 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝! ❞

Seated anxiously, Max awaited his turn with the principal, his dread mounting as PJ concluded his meeting. Miss Maples, the secretary, hummed cheerfully as she typed away on her typewriter, the clatter of keys and the rhythmic ding of the carriage piercing through the tense silence, occupying Max's troubled thoughts.

"Oh, man…"

He sighed heavily, running a hand across his face in frustration. At the opposite end of the row of chairs, Bobby entertained himself with cheese spray, chuckling to himself. Max felt a sinking hopelessness, burying his face in his hands, wallowing in self-pity over the stunt he had pulled. What would his dad think if he found out?

You entered the office, arms laden with papers, wearing a begrudging expression as you walked. Your impatience with delivering papers to the staff room for your English teacher consumed your attention, causing you to overlook the presence of the boy behind you.

After fidgeting for Miss Maple's attention at her desk, you turned around and noticed Max's despondent posture. Your heart skipped a beat, recalling his performance earlier this morning. Taking a chance, you cleared your throat to get his attention, but he remained unmoved. Nervously glancing between Miss Maples and Max, you tentatively reached out and tapped his shoulder. Startled, Max jerked upright at the unexpected contact, causing you to drop the papers and books you were carrying.

"Um, hi. Sorry about that…"