I was sitting in my car, staring down at the steering wheel when the light came on. I looked over to my left and Max was climbing into the passenger seat.

“What happened?” he asked softly.

I sighed, looked down, and told him.

“I fell into the pool because I was backing away from Jake. He was going to ask me out, I think. I kind of ruined that. Then I was afraid to go back up where everyone would be looking at me and he dove in after me…Then I got out of the pool and ran away.”

Max sighed, shaking his head.

“What I don’t get is that you were backing away when you clearly wanted him to ask you out in the first place,” he said.

I shrugged.

“I don’t know what I would have said if he did, so I guess it’s better this way anyway. I’m going home to change,” I said with a sniffle, forcing a smile.

“Enjoy the rest of your party, I’ll see you later.”

Max shook his head.

“Nah, I’ll leave, too. We can watch a movie at your place.”

“What about Monica?”

“You’re more important, Jo.”