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“Instead of co to talk tocops, Max!”

His eyes bulged out of his head “Would you please keep your voice down”

My blood was boiling I wanted to shter, I lowered my voice

“You are a real jerk,” I spat “An asshole”

“And you’re selfish You’re not the only one on the planet You know that, right?” Max said, leaning forward

“The party wasn’t er was subsiding “My friends just wanted to cheer rump, maybe you’d be able to understand”

Max chuckled, and it rery “Some of us have responsibilities”

“You don’t think I have responsibilities?” I said, pushing ainst his chest as I stepped into his house

Surprise flashed in his eyes as he grabbed ain

“If I don’t find a job, I’ down around oal in life is toheat in my cheeks

We were only inches apart He wouldn’t take another step back Max was like a war him further into his house

“We all have it hard,” Max said “We’re all doing the best we can”

I softened but only slightly “Why can’t you see me for who I really am”

“Why do you care what I think?” Max said

“I don’t,” I answered quickly

Max looked down at his hand and let go of rump and I’m not that old”

“Why do you care what I think?” I said my voice soft as a feather

Max sed hard and took a step toward me “I don’t”

I didn’t understand as happening… what I was feeling We were oil and water We didn’tmore than Max to kiss me

8

Hope

The look in Max’s eyes changed The anger was gone, but it was replaced with so that made my heart race even more

“I should go,” I said, sucking in a breath that filledover here”

“Don’t,” he said as fire reflected in his eyes