The Interlude

Now we come to the void. A year and a half where I didn't have school, didn't have responsibilities, and didn't have anything I had to work towards. I spent the first 6 months detoxing from school. I did nothing productive, and talked to no one.

After a little while I started to feel better. I started writing again. I made a Youtube channel. I got a job. I applied to colleges.

I took some religion classes at local university. Every Tuesday night at 5:30, I would pull into the parking lot. One day I saw him.

I though it was Max. But why would Max be here? He's not in college. That doesn't make any sense. It's just gotta be someone who looks like Max.

But the next week, I saw him again. And then I saw someone else I recognized. All of them were kids from my grade. What?

Then I realized where I was. The building my class was in was right next to the pool. Max did swim. Ohhhh. They must get out right as my class starts. That makes so much sense!

One day I decided that I was going to apologize. And I was gonna do it the next Tuesday. So that day I came early for class and waited in the parking lot. Everyone started leaving the building, but I never saw Max. Eventually I had to go inside for my class. Of course the one day I decide to do the right thing Max isn't even there.

So I went on with my life. Swim ended the next week, so that chance was blown.

But because my life is my life, I saw him again.

Max wasn't just on the swim team. He also did theater. And he was good. Really good.

One of my friends told me I had to go see the winter musical since she was in it, and if I didn't show up, she was gonna be mad. So I went. And Max was one of the main characters. I'm not gonna lie, I don't really remember the plot. This was an excuse to stare at Max.

After the play was over, I went out to say hi to my friend. She talked to me for about 2 seconds before going to talk to others. I sucked in a breath and walked over to Max.

He was talking to a friend, who motioned towards me. Max turned around, and looked surprised.

"Hey Max. You did really good!" I said. I could feel my face getting red, like it does when I'm nervous.

I remember what happened next in perfect clarity.

He smiled, and said, "Thanks Rosemary!"

Then he gave me a hug.

Now, I'm a tall girl. I'm 5'8". Most of the time, hugs are an awkward thing. But this one felt perfect. And it was too short.

Because I'm an idiot, I smiled and left. I didn't try to start a conversation. I just left.

I went home and decided that for real, I was going to apologize, and it was gonna happen soon. As in, tomorrow.