Flesh and bone wrapped up in skin They say they know what I can feel
Kept alive by oxygen
But right now breathing is so tough.
And time will find a way to heal
But right now time is not enough.
Gabrielle Aplin - Evaporate
Maxi walked down the hall, books in hand, heading towards the English classroom so she could have her first tutoring session with Vernon. Boyd. She'd need to remember he didn't like to be called by his first name. Boyd. Boyd. Boyd. She repeated, beating it into her head. She was near the door, when she heard her name being called behind her.
"Ms. Taylor! Ms. Taylor," she turned, finding the school secretary behind her. "Can you deliver this to Mr. Harris please? You appear to be heading that way."
She wasn't, not really. It was a floor up, and back a few rooms. "Of course. I'll do that right now." She took the envelope, accepting the thanks from the kind lady and turning to continue on her way. She walked into the classroom, dropping her book bag off at the front desk and walked back out. She saw Boyd walking towards her, definitely not appearing to be very happy with his destination.
Maxi placed her brightest smile on her face. "Boyd! Just in time. I just have to run a note up to Mr. Harris and I will be right back. Go ahead and get out your book, and I'll be right back."
He just shook his head, entering the classroom. Maxi quickly ran up the stairs, and entered Mr. Harris' room. He was sat at his desk, writing things down.
"Mr. Harris? Mrs. Brown asked me to deliver this to you," she stated, placing the unaddressed envelope on the desk. He didn't bother looking at it, just nodded at Maxi.
"Thank you Ms. Taylor."
"Welcome," she said, stepping back out of the room. "Have a good night."
Maxi returned to the English classroom, to find Boyd sitting at the desk beside the one with her stuff on it, head on his desk, book nowhere to be seen.
"Did you bring the book?"
He looked up, "What? Oh, book. Yeah, it's right here."
He pulled it out of his book bag, sitting it on the desk and his bag on the floor. "I don't think I really need tutoring. I know all the stuff, I just don't really have a desire to do the work. It's really not that big of a deal."
"I get it, but could it really hurt to do the work?"
"Yeah, actually. The more time I spend doing homework, the less time I have to do actual work. I have a job, at the ice rink, and could be there working right now."
"Why do you need to work," she asked, taking the seat beside him, placing her book bag on the floor and giving him her full attention.
"That doesn't matter. I just do, and I'd prefer to be there, then here." Maxi made sure to not take that personally.
"Look, Boyd, I get it. No one wants to be at school, to have homework. But it still has to be done. The faster it gets done, the faster we can get back to the other things we want to be doing. Ok?"
Boyd just kind of shook his head, but opened his book anyways.
"First, why don't we get to know each other? Learn a little bit about each other? I'm assuming your 16?"
Boyd set his book down, "Yeah, you?"
"Still just 15. I still have a few months till I turn 16. I'm one of the youngest in our grade, just a baby."
Boyd's lip turned up at that, a hint of a smile appearing. "Do you have a car? Or is that why you work?"
The smile disappeared. "No car, not why I work. Let's just get this over with."
"Well, wait. I still have a few questions," she said, a laugh in her voice. "Do you have any siblings? Or are you an only child?"
Boyd's face completely dropped, and it was with that expression, that Maxi remembered a few years back. A young girl had gone missing, while with her brother at the park. They had never found her. Maxi placed her hand on Boyd's arm, giving him a small squeeze.
"I'm so sorry. I wasn't thinking. Let's go ahead and get on with the studying."
Boyd just nodded his head, opening his book.
For the next hour or so, the two discussed the book, plotting out what Boyd's report would be based on. They'd made a list of the points he wanted to make, and would start on the rough draft next week. The two loaded up their things, and exited the classroom.
"Can we give you a ride home, since the buses are gone already," Maxi asked Boyd as they reached the doors.
Boyd held the door open for her, gesturing for her to go first, "No, my mom's here. Thanks though."
"No problem! I'll see you at school tomorrow, okay," she asked, walking towards Renny's truck.
"Yeah, tomorrow," Boyd said, getting in his moms car.
~~**Anchor**~~
Maxi walked to her locker, looking down at herself. She'd dressed in a hurry, a simple collared dress with tights and heels. She checked her bag, making sure she'd put all the homework from the night before away, and rushed to class. She had spent her entire night split between talking to Lydia on the phone about how weird Jackson was being, and the rest of the time doing homework.
Around 11 she'd finally finished all her work, and told Lydia that she was ready to go to sleep. Lydia had then in turn made it seem as though Maxi had been keeping her. Times when the two were having issues, she swore were more stressful on her then them.
She met up with Lydia as they walked into English, right behind Scott. Maxi watched as Lydia beat him to the seat beside Allison, then gave him an apologetic look as she took the seat behind her.
"Try another row, sweetheart," Lydia said, stopping Scott from sitting down.
She tried to ignore them, as Scott said some stuff to Allison, but her attention was drawn up to them when Allison appeared upset and ran out of class. Maxi and Lydia shared a look, watching as Scott ran out after her.
"Should we go after them," Lydia asked, leaning back.
"Probably not, since class is going on right now," Maxi answered, nodding towards the front where their teacher was talking. They both looked towards the door when Scott entered again, noticing that Allison wasn't with him.
"What did you do," Lydia asked, turning around. Before Scott could say anything, the teacher was calling for their attention warning them that another warning would result in detention. Maxi gave Lydia a pointed look, letting her know she was not getting another detention. The rest of class passed with no more interruptions, Maxi thankful for that.
The rest of the morning continued by much the same, but everyone seemed to be on edge. Allison and Scott, due to the breakup, Lydia and Jackson, due to their always ongoing issues. Finally lunch time came around, and Maxi hoped that they could just sit and talk and relax. She chose sitting with the girls, knowing that sitting with Scott and Stiles could cause some issues in her friendship.
She saw Stiles take his spot beside Scott, and it seemed like things over there were about as stressful as they were over here. Allison wasn't talking, Lydia wouldn't quit talking, and Jackson was... Jackson was mean mugging Scott. And possibly talking to himself.
"What are you doing," Maxi asked, after watching him for a few moments. He jumped, turning towards her.
"What's it matter to you," he asked, getting up and taking his tray with him. Maxi rolled her eyes, but turned back to her friends and the one-sided conversation that had finally been joined by Allison. They were laughing about something Lydia said, when suddenly a loud clatter came from Scott and Stiles' table. All eyes turned their way, unsure of what was going on. Stiles, seeing that they were looking, gave a smile and a small wave, before going back to Scott.
~~Anchor~~
Lydia and Maxi sat in class, listening to the teacher as he drowned on and on. Suddenly, Lydia grabbed her phone, it vibrating in her purse. Maxi watched as she read it and could tell immediately that it was not a good text. Without saying anything, Lydia handed her the phone, crossing her arms as she read it to herself.
Jackson had broken up with her. Maxi gave Lydia the phone back, and waited til class was over. As soon as the bell rang, Lydia was up and moving. Maxi quickly followed, hoping this wasn't going to end as badly as it seemed to be going.
Right away, Lydia found Jackson, "Jackson! This little text, not funny."
Jackson laughed smugly, "Oh, I wasn't trying to be funny. If I was, I'd have put a haha at the end. See, no haha."
Lydia, began to read the text back to him, "Lydia, please give back my spare house key at your earliest convenience, as we are no longer dating."
Jackson, cold and uncaring, "You didn't lose it did you?"
Lydia stepped closer, "What the hell is this?"
"Well, Lydia in preparation for some big changes, I decided to drop some of the dead weight in my life. And, you're just about the deadest."
Maxi gasped, shocked by just how harsh and mean Jackson was being. She'd have to have a few words with him, no one treated Lydia like this and got away with it.
Lydia, now whispering, "Are you breaking up with me," the pain evident in her tone.
Jackson smirked, "Dumping, actually. I'm dumping you." He laughed, smirking down at the girl, before trying to walk off.
Lydia grabbed the sleeve of his leather jacket, stopping him from moving. "Dumped. By the Co-Captain of the lacrosse team. Wonder how many minutes it'll take me to get over that," she said, her confidence back in her tone.
Jackson just shrugged, blew her a kiss, and went on his way.
Lydia watched him, shock still rolling off her. She finally shook herself out of it, yelling after him. "Wait, seconds. Seconds!"
Maxi, walked up beside her, and linked arms. "Come on, let's go. We don't have time for him."
She steered her in the opposite direction, walking her to her last class. When they got to the door, Maxi stopped her.
"You gonna be alright?"
Lydia scoffed, throwing her hair over her shoulder. "I meant what I said. I'll be fine, with or without him. He's nothing special. This means nothing. He'll be begging me to take him back before long, just wait and see."
Maxi nodded her head, placing a hand on her friends arm. "Either way, I'm here no matter what. Whether you want to laugh, cry, get angry. I'm your girl, ok?"
Lydia nodded as well, "Thanks but I am really fine. I'll see you at the game tonight," she said, turning and going into class. Maxi watched her go, then headed off to her last class. The one she shared with Jackson and Stiles. This would be interesting.
~~Anchor~~
Maxi had a hard time paying attention in class, due to two different reasons. One, was Stiles, in the seat beside her, hardly able to sit still. He kept bouncing his leg, tapping his pencil, or just rummaging through his stuff.
Maxi slapped a hand down on his desk, causing him to jump and turn to face her. He gave her a big smile, which dropped when he saw her face. He gave a small wave, leaning closer.
"Sorry, am I bothering you?"
"I think you're bothering the entire class. What's up?"
Stiles looked around, making sure no one was listening.
"I have some information, that might give me more information, but I need help getting to that information."
Maxi scrunched her face in confusion. "What?"
Stiles rubbed at his neck. "The information, isn't easily accessible, if you know what I mean."
"Gotcha. So how are you going to get it?"
Stiles looks down at his hands, then back up at her, "I was thinking about asking Danny."
Maxi's eyebrows shot up. He couldn't know.
"Why would you ask Danny? What's Danny going to do? He has no way of helping you," she stumbled out of her mouth.
Stiles laughed quietly, "Well, you are definitely not a good liar. I'm the Sheriff's son. I have access to things. I know that Danny can help me. I just don't know IF Danny will help me. He really has no reason too."
Stiles got a hopeful look on his face. "Maybe you can help me and get Danny to help me out!"
"Stiles, I don't know. He kind of quit doing that stuff, after he got in trouble. I'm not sure if he'd be willing to do it, even for me. You'd be better off just asking him, maybe challenge him a bit?"
"I gotcha. He's coming over after school today, to work on lab work. I'm just going to ambush him, see how that goes."
Maxi smiled, turning back to the front of her desk. "Good luck, let me know how it goes, after the game you're playing in tonight. I still gotta get home and finish your sign."
Stiles' face turned multiple shades of red. "You're still doing that?"
"Of course. First game, first line. You totally deserve it."
They shared a smile, before they both turned back to the front.
The second thing distracting her quickly came back into play. Jackson. Sitting one chair up and over, flirting with the girl in front of Maxi. Maxi rolled her eyes, but kept her mouth shut. She'd have her moment as soon as class was over.
~~Anchor~~
The final bell rang and the class poured out. As soon as she hit the door, Maxi was calling Jackson's name. He didn't stop at first, but after the third yell, he must have realized she wasn't leaving him alone. She could feel Stiles behind her, probably wondering why she was willingly tracking down Jackson of all people.
The two stopped in the middle of the hall, face to face. Both did not look happy, and that alone was causing people to stop and stare.
"What the hell is your problem? Why would you do that to Lydia? After everything you two have been through, you dump her through a text?"
"You know, when I told her I was trying to get rid of dead weight, I really thought that by getting rid of her, I'd be getting rid of you as well."
"Oh trust me, after this you will not have to deal with me again. I just want to know what's suddenly changed, why you suddenly have deemed yourself too good for Lydia, when we both know she's been too good for you all along."
Jackson's face grew angry, and he took a step closer. Behind her, Maxi could feel Stiles step closer as well. It was sweet, that he thought she needed help and was willing to provide it, but she had this handled. She was not, in the least, scared of Jackson Whittemore.
"Listen up, Maxine. Lydia is not better than me, nor has she ever been. I just realized I'd been dating below my level and it was time to step up my game. Lydia just happened to get caught in the crossfire. She'll be alright. Remember, seconds to get over me."
Maxi scoffed, crossing her arms. "And just what brought this on?"
"I found someone better."
Maxi stopped, thinking of all the time that Jackson had been spending with Allison. She laughed. "You don't really think you have a chance with her do you? You really think she's going to go from sweet and innocent Scott to you, school jackass? Trust me, I know her and she has better taste, higher standards than that."
"Please! Scott McCall is nothing but a loser that hangs out with losers, and will never be more than a loser."
Maxi once again felt Stiles getting ready to intervene. She put a hand up, letting him know she had this under control.
"Jackson, give it up. Just realize that you messed up, and fix it before it's too late and Lydia realizes she doesn't need you." Maxi could see the anger on Jackson's face, feel it flowing off him in waves. He was not happy. Maxi felt a hand grip her upper arm, trying to steer her away. Stiles too knew that with the amount of anger Jackson was pouring off, he was going to blow up. Maxi didn't care. It was time that Jackson realized he couldn't just hurt whoever he wanted, without there being repercussions. He'd screwed up and it was going to cost him the only good thing in his life.
"Maxi, we should go. Come on," Stiles said, trying once again to pull her away. Before she could say anything else, Jackson spoke.
"Aw, look at you two. What a perfect little couple. Tell me, do you two sit and bond over your pathetic mothers leaving you? Do you sit and," before Jackson could finish his sentence, Maxi was in motion. She pulled her arm from Stiles' grip, and swung, slapping Jackson right across the face.
She took a step closer, lowering her voice. "Don't you dare. Don't you dare talk about our mothers. You are a disgusting slime of a person. Lydia is better off without you, and I am going to spend every day reminding her of that, so that when you do come crawling back out of your hole, she just laughs at you."
Maxi stared him down for a moment, before turning on her heel and walking off. She didn't even wait to see if Stiles was behind her, she just marched off, head held high.
~~Anchor~~
Maxi was so upset, that she didn't even wait for Stiles. She just went straight to her brother's truck, climbing in and slamming the door. She knew Jackson was an asshole, didn't expect anything different, but she still was surprised by him and his jerkiness sometimes. She was just so mad, that she had let him get to her. She had never hit someone before, if you didn't count her brother of course, and she was almost disappointed in herself for letting it get that far.
She was so lost in thought that when there was a knock on the window of her door, she jumped. She turned, seeing it was Stiles. She opened the door, getting out and standing beside the truck.
"Hi."
"Hey, you alright," Stiles asked, concern written across his face.
She smiled, appreciating his worry. She put her hand on his wrist, giving it a small squeeze. "I'm okay, thanks for checking on me. You didn't have to."
"Yes, I did. You stood up for me, even though you didn't have too. I definitely had to check on you."
"That's sweet, but I'm okay. I should be used to it by now, ya know? I don't know why I expected anything different. It's Jackson, he'll never change. He loves to throw that mommy shit in my face."
They both gasped, "Did you just?"
"Cuss? Yes it happens. He just makes me so mad. Sorry."
Stiles laughed, stepping forward and pulling her in for a hug. She immediately wrapped her arms around his waist, enjoying the feel of his chest against her cheek. He rested his chin on top of her head, rubbing her back gently. She could get used to this. After a moment, she came back to her senses and stepped back.
"Stiles, you need to go. You have a game to get ready for, and isn't Danny meeting you at your house?"
Stiles stepped back as well, "Crap! I gotta go. See you tonight," he asked, running backwards.
"Yes, I'll be there. Sign waving!"
He waved and ran to his jeep. Maxi couldn't wait to see him play tonight.
~~Anchor~~
For the next couple of hours, Maxi and Gabi sat on her floor, markers, glitter, and glue strung all around them. Maxi was making a sign for Stiles and Gabi was making a new one for Danny. When Maxi finished the Stiles one, which turned out pretty amazing she might add, she decided to make another one, one for Scott. She knew he was going through some hard times, and just wanted him to know that not everyone was against him right now.
When it finally came time for the game, the family loaded up in the truck and made their way to the game. Renny had already been there for a few hours, warming up and getting ready, and he waved when he saw them. They took a seat behind the Argents, Maxi making sure to sit as far away from Kate as she could. When Allison saw the sign for Scott she smiled.
"You made Scott a sign, that's nice of you."
"Thanks. I wasn't sure if it would upset you or not, but I just don't want Scott to think everyone hates him, ya know?"
"No, I get it. I don't hate him, I hope it doesn't come across that way. I'm just really confused and don't know what I feel right now, ya know? I just don't want to lead him on or give him false hope until I know for sure."
"Allison, I understand. You don't have to do anything you don't want too. And Scott doesn't want you to do that either. He just wants you happy, and safe."
Allison and Maxi shared a smile, before Allison turned back around. Maxi scanned the sidelines, looking for Stiles. He was nowhere to be found. She pulled out her phone, sending him a quick text, asking where he was. No answer. She kept watch, seeing his Dad show up, and waving him over to sit with them.
"Have you seen Stiles," he asked as soon as he took his seat beside Hank.
"No, I haven't. I just text him, but haven't gotten anything back."
They both turned, looking to the field.
Where could he be?
Holy Cow, this took forever. I am so ridiculously sorry! Things have just been super hectic.
Hopefully, you guys enjoy this and I'll get the next chapter out soon enough.
I am so ready to be done with S1 and onto S2!
Thanks to everyone that has read, reviewed, favorited, etc.
Thank you for waiting and sticking with me, it means the world!
Here's to a four month hiatus, and the hope that I can finish S1 soon.