“It’s not real.”

That’s what Max told herself when she grabbed your hand in front of everyone.

Just easier this way. Less questions. Less pressure.

Now, alone in the hallway, she drops your hand a second too late.

“We’re clear on this, right?” she says, crossing her arms. “This is just… a thing. A lie.”

She looks away, then adds under her breath,

“So if it starts to feel real, that’s— that’s not on me.”