Max walked me out to my car, leaning against it as I got inside. I was looking at the windows of the house, seeing snatches of people enjoying themselves. I felt my cheeks flush again as I looked to the kitchen window. Jake was there watching Max help me into the car.

“So you wanna come over for a movie?” he asked, looking down at me. I shrugged.

“Ok then, I’ll take that as a yes.” He grinned and went to his car. After he pulled out through all the other cars from the party scattered about, I followed them to his place.

Max’s place was my second home. When I walked in behind him, his mom looked up and smiled.

“I just went shopping earlier today, so you should be able to find what you want.”

Max went to get the movies, I went to get the popcorn.

After we’d chosen and settled down on the couch, Max poked me and muted the DVD .

“Ok, now you seriously have to tell me what was bothering you and why we had to leave the party so early.”

I sighed, but nodded.