All She Ever Wanted Was Him.

First day of school at Bluebell High, Max Tigers sighed as he walked past the school’s entrance. He felt awkward as some students, mostly girls, stared at him while the rest of them completely ignored him which he rather preferred since he was trying to blend in; either eagerly beeping on their cellphones or they were at their lockers. Max began to walk faster as the bell was rung for the beginning of classes, after being briefed by the principal, Mr Johnson Black, in his office and being handed the school’s rulebook and other accessories About crossing the corridor, he bumped into a girl who apparently had been running. The girl, who was a brunette, wore a pink shirt that exposed her midriff, high waisted jeans and denim Nike sneakers. Books in her hands went flying in the air; some hitting the both of them before finally falling to the ground. “ Aaaargh! Are you blind or what? Can’t you watch where you are going to?” The girl asked, bending down to pick her books. Max bit back his sharp retort, having learnt from experience; living with his twin older sisters, never to provoke girls especially beautiful girls like the one in front of him. “ I’m sorry about what happened earlier. Guess I was a bit lost.” “ Whatever!” Seeing that the girl was already pissed off, Max decided to try another means of approach. “ The name is Max, Max Tigers , by the way.” The girl let out an exasperated sigh as she replied. “ Jade Morgan.” Max’s name struck her but Jade couldn’t place it, couldn’t remember where she had heard it. And for some reason, it sounded awfully familiar. “ You’ve got a really nice name.” “ Thanks. “ Turning, she raised her head to see the stranger who had bumped into her. Jade found herself string into bright blue eyes that reminded her of the ocean. She took in the dark wavy hair, drop dead handsome face, cute smile, tanned skin and perfect abs that showed clearly from the tight white shirt which he wore. The white shirt clung to his lean, muscular frame like it were a second skin and emphasized his fit body. He wore a black leather jacket over the shirt which she thought had to be a designer’s original with deep blue jeans and Adidas sneakers. She quickly caught herself as her mind began to fly away with ‘Wild thoughts’. Max noticed her staring and decided to flash her his ‘cool guy’ smile, displaying an excellent set of strong white teeth which floored her, then she made a conscious effort to shut her mouth and surreptitiously check for drool at the corners of her mouth. It made her blush to think that she had been caught gawking. Then she remembered. Maximilliano Sanchez Tigers a.k.a Maxy. “ Oh My God ! “ She cried as memories of her childhood she had long forgotten flooded her mind. “ Maxy!” Max frowned, then said. “How do you know that name?” “Max, it’s me. Uhm....do you remember the girl who you acted Romeo and Juliet with back in Middle school?” She asked, excitedly. “No.” Max answered, still unable to recognize her. “What about your childhood bestie, the girl who always had her hair done in ponytails?” “Jade, is this really you?” “Yep, it’s me.” “Now, I recognize you. You still twirl your hair when you’re excited.” “So what are you doing here?” Jade asked. “It’s a long story. I’ll fill you in on it later. Let’s just say that I got transferred.” “From which school?” “Still as inquisitive as ever. Well, I got transferred from Olympic High.” “Wow! From what I’ve heard that school’s great,so why’d you leave?” “Whoa!!!! Enough questions already.” Max exclaimed, with a grin. “Sorry.” “By the way, something’s been bugging me.” “What’s that?” “How did you recognize me so easily?” He asked, curious. “Oh! That?” “Yeah.” “Your smile. It’s still so cute.” “Awww....thanks. That just boosted my ego.” “Well, that’s good for you.” Jade then added. “Do you know that the whole school’s buzzing with rumors of you joining us here at Bluebell High which are now true. In fact....” Rummaging through her bag, Jade berated herself for being disorganized. After finding her phone, she brought it out, logged into the school’s website ( gossip column ) and showed him a recent picture on it which was his. “Geez! I didn’t know I was already that popular.” He said, after seeing the number of likes and comments the picture had. “Yes, you are. But make sure to keep away from two people.” "And who are they?" "Amber Graham and Emily Stark." "Why? What's wrong with them?" "Amber is the richest, most popular and, according to her sidekicks and group of friends I like to call fans, the most beautiful girl at Bluebell High." "Really?" "Yes." "Gosh! Like she's the queen bee." "Guess you could say that." "But hold on a sec, is she really that beautiful? Because I've seen some girls here and they are..." "Boys!!!" "Just teasing. So what's up with Emily?" "She's the chief editor of the school's newspaper." "So?" "She goes crae crae crazy when she meet a new handsome boy." "Really?" Max said, with a glint of mischief in his eyes. "What?" "So I'm handsome, right?" Jade rolled her eyes, smiled and then said cheekily. "Maybe a little." "Ok. But seriously, is she really like that?" "Sure as hell." "Yikes. Gat to watch out for myself." Suddenly, Max said. "You're still as beautiful as ever, Jade." Jade blushed and took refuge in picking her books up, then she raised her head and arched a brow. "Guess that didn't come out right. You probably already know how beautiful you are. But, hope we can still keep on being friends?" Jade's mouth felt dry. Max was lean, tall, handsome and clearly any girl would love to be friends with him. She began to feel herself unfurl at the unaccustomed warmth of male appreciation. And there was no guilt. She had no boyfriend, was a free girl. Not that it would go that far. Although why not? Why shouldn't it?said a tiny voice inside her head. "I believe we still are-Max." She said, smiling. Grinning like a wolf, he moved for the kill. "Then, can I have your number? " "No." She said, curtly, the smile gone from her face. "Why?" "Cuz, I...." Because, I'm afraid that I'll fall in love with only to get my heart broken again, she thought. "You what?" "Nothing." "Please, if you still consider me your friend." "Fine." She said, a bit too loud. Ears of nearby students pricked up at the sudden sound, hoping to chance upon a sizzling piece of gossip to spice up their day. Finally, Max thought. Jade quickly but quietly called her number while he dialed it on his phone. Immediately, she heard someone call out her name. "Jade!!!" "Hi, Kristen. What's up?" Jade asked, having turned back and waved her over to where they stood. "Hi." Kristen replied. "Jade?" Max said. "What?" Jade answered. "Don't you think you should introduce me to your friend?" Max asked. "Oh! Sorry....my bad! Max, meet Kristen Morey, my best friend. Kris, Max Tigers, my childh...." Jade said before Kristen cut her off. "Wait, let me guess," she said. "You're the new kid, right?" "You are...." Max replied as Jade arched a brow. "Finally, Jade, I get to meet the new kid who turns to be your mystery friend." Kristen said, ignoring the silence. "Kristen, I want you to stop calling me the new kid, it makes feel little. And who said that I was a mystery?" Max pleaded, grinning at the both of them. Kristen and Jade pointed at each other really quick. Max groaned." God! Why did you have to surround me with such beauties?" Jade could have sworn that Kristen, bad-ass Kristen, actually blushed. "Well, that's cute, but sorry to be the one to break up our little get-together or should I say reunion but I hope you guys realize that we have classes." Kristen said. "Omigosh! I totally forgot, thanks to Max here." Jade replied, winking at Max. "Jade, we're fifteen minutes late for History classes." Kristen said, after checking her phone. "Mr Pascal is so going to kill us." Jade replied. "So, what are you having, Max?" Kristen asked. "I think I'm having Biology." Max answered. "Then, if I was you, I would start running fast." Jade said. "Why?" Max asked. "Mr Dickens is the most dreaded teacher asides the principal." Kristen replied. "Oh! No!" Max said. "Oh! Yes!" Jade replied, smiling. "Bye, gotta go." Max said, kissing Jade on her cheek in a hurry." Don't wanna get into trouble on my first day here." "See you around." Jade replied, mortified. "Bye," Kristen said, as she watched Max run." Now, Jade, let's get to class." "Kris, I know that look." Jade said when she noticed Kristen smiling. "What look?" Kristen asked, feigning ignorance. "Besides, you've got to tell me everything that happened before I saw you both. Mind you all the juicy details." "There's really nothing to fill you in on." Jade replied as they began to walk towards their class. "Really? " "Yes, besides, it's not like anything happened." "Are you sure?" "Of course." Jade and Kristen continued walking, the initial excitement of the reunion fading slightly as the reality of their tardiness sank in. “So,” Kristen began, a playful smirk returning to her face, “this ‘Maxy’… you two were really close as kids?” Jade tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, a faint blush still lingering on her cheeks. “Yeah, we were inseparable. Did everything together. Built forts, climbed trees, even put on ridiculous plays for our parents.” “Romeo and Juliet, huh?” Kristen chuckled. “Sounds intense for middle school.” “Oh, it was wonderfully dramatic,” Jade said, rolling her eyes but smiling nonetheless. “Lots of exaggerated sighs and longing gazes. We thought we were so grown-up.” “And then he just… disappeared?” Kristen prompted gently. Jade’s smile faltered. “Pretty much. His family moved suddenly. He didn’t even get to say goodbye properly. I was devastated. We promised to stay in touch, but you know how that goes with kids.” “Yeah,” Kristen said softly, understanding in her eyes. “Life happens.” “It’s just… weird seeing him here,” Jade continued, a thoughtful frown creasing her brow. “He’s so… different. Not that he wasn’t cute back then, in a little-boy kind of way, but now…” She trailed off, a hint of awe in her voice. Kristen raised an eyebrow, a knowing glint in her eyes. “Now he’s ‘drop dead handsome’ with ‘bright blue eyes that remind you of the ocean’ and ‘perfect abs’?” she teased, quoting Jade’s earlier observations. Jade playfully shoved Kristen’s arm. “Oh, shut up! I was just… observing.” “Observing very closely,” Kristen added with a laugh. “And you got his number already! You didn’t waste any time, did you?” Jade’s cheeks flushed again. “It’s just… as friends! He asked, and I didn’t want to be rude. Especially after all this time.” “Uh-huh,” Kristen said, drawing out the syllables. “And the fact that he’s suddenly gorgeous had absolutely nothing to do with it?” Jade sighed dramatically. “Okay, maybe a little. But I’m not expecting anything. It’s been years. People change.” “True,” Kristen conceded. “But some connections are stronger than time. You two clearly had something special back then.” They reached the door to their History classroom, the sounds of Mr. Pascal’s droning voice already audible from within. “Speak of the devil,” Kristen muttered, glancing at her watch. “Fifteen minutes late. He’s going to have our heads.” Jade took a deep breath. “Well, at least we have a good excuse now. Blame it on the incredibly handsome blast from the past.” Kristen grinned. “Definitely playing that card.” They cautiously opened the door and slipped inside, hoping to minimize Mr. Pascal’s wrath. All eyes turned towards them, and Jade suddenly wished she could disappear. “Morgan and Morey,” Mr. Pascal said, his voice dangerously calm. “Care to explain your tardiness?” Before either of them could formulate a believable excuse, a voice piped up from the back of the classroom. “They were helping me find my way, sir. I’m new here, and I got a little lost.” Jade and Kristen turned to see Max leaning against the doorway, a charmingly apologetic smile on his face. Every girl in the class seemed to melt a little at the sight of him. Mr. Pascal’s stern expression softened slightly. “Ah, you must be Max Tigers. Welcome to Bluebell High. While I appreciate your honesty, being late is still unacceptable. For future reference, the school map is available in the principal’s office.” “Yes, sir. Sorry, sir,” Max said, his gaze meeting Jade’s for a brief, knowing moment. Mr. Pascal sighed. “Alright, just take your seats. And try to catch up. We’re discussing the French Revolution.” Jade and Kristen exchanged relieved glances as they hurried to their usual spots. “Smooth move, Romeo,” Kristen whispered, nudging Jade with her elbow. Jade couldn’t help but smile. Maybe having Max back at Bluebell High wouldn’t be so awkward after all. In fact, it might even be… interesting. Meanwhile, across the hallway, in the bustling newsroom of the school newspaper, Emily Stark was hunched over her computer, her fingers flying across the keyboard. The gossip column on the school website was her domain, and it was currently buzzing with the arrival of one Maximilliano Sanchez Tigers. She’d already compiled every tidbit of information she could find about him – his transfer from Olympic High (a school known for its star athletes), the rumors of his family’s wealth, and of course, the numerous photos that had already surfaced, showcasing his undeniable good looks. “This is gold,” she muttered to herself, a predatory gleam in her eyes. “The new heartthrob arrives at Bluebell High. Exclusive interview, coming right up.” She leaned back in her chair, a mischievous smile spreading across her face. Jade Morgan’s name had popped up in a few of the comments on the gossip column, something about knowing him from before. That could be an interesting angle. Emily’s gaze then fell on a framed photo on her desk – a picture of her and Amber Graham, arm in arm, both radiating confidence and popularity. Amber, the undisputed queen bee of Bluebell High. Emily knew Amber wouldn’t take kindly to a new male student stealing the spotlight, especially one who seemed to be generating this much buzz. “This is going to be fun,” Emily whispered, already formulating her strategy. The arrival of Max Tigers had just made her job a whole lot more exciting. And she had a feeling it was about to stir up quite a bit of drama at Bluebell High.