"What is falling in love like? Is it like sleeping, slowly then all at once? Is it like eating your favorite food and wanting more? Is it like drinking the same drink for a week and you eventually get tired of it? Or is it something that will let the zoo free and cause a riot in your stomach, something that will make you start rambling gibberish, but I know that it's definitely something that will make your heart beat faster the moment you fall." - @Crush39

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Will you be my girlfriend?

Maxine giggled as she remembered Todd asking her that. They were officially together and it felt . . . odd. She felt a little different somehow. Maybe it was just she wasn't quite used to being someone's girlfriend. Let alone, Todd's girlfriend.

Good heavens. Todd Samuels was her boyfriend. It hadn't sunk in yet. It was too surreal. But she guessed this was her reality now.

When they arrived at Sky that Monday, Maxine was a bit uneasy. She feared what Todd's admirers would say. However, Todd had no intention of hiding the fact that they were together. In fact, when the Lamborghini was parked, Todd opened his car’s door for her.

Maxine’s forehead creased. “You don’t have to do that,” she said. She thought that it was weird for Todd to be opening the door for her.

Actually, everything that Todd did lately was very unlike him.

“You’re just not used to it,” he simply replied.

She couldn’t help but smile out of giddiness. She was really giddy about everything. She was still a girl, after all.

So how did the school find out they were exclusively dating? Someone took a photo of them kissing in the balcony at the Royal Ball last week. It was a single picture, but it spread like wildfire.

The moment they entered the Sky Main House, Todd took Maxine’s hand and held it as they walked down the hallway.

Maxine grew used to being stared at when walking down the corridor. However, she wasn't used to the way people were gaping at them. There were different expressions from everyone's faces. Most were awestruck, a few were smiling, some were sighing sadly, and others were impassive — that ‘others’ were senior girls and Michelle Jones.

Maxine actually had to endure Michelle’s angry stare for the entire homeroom. It didn't help matters when Miss Avery kept shooting Todd and Maxine a jubilant look that made them uncomfortable. It didn't take a genius to figure out that she must have heard about the news.

As soon as the bell rang, Maxine grabbed her things and got to her feet. She was already at the doorway when Todd gently grabbed her arm.

“Why are you in a rush?” he asked, slightly annoyed.

“I always hurry to my classes,” shrugged Maxine, avoiding his eyes. Why couldn’t she be a good liar?

Todd leaned forward. He raised a hand and lifted her chin, forcing her to look him in the eyes. He raised an eyebrow.

“No, you don’t,” he said. “What is it? Tell me,” he commanded.

Before Maxine could answer, someone piped in.

“Todd, why are you with Maxine Ferguson?”

They turned around and saw Michelle Jones shooting daggers at Maxine with the use of her eyes. Maxine had been expecting this. She knew how Michelle would react the moment she found out about them.

“Do I know you?” inquired Todd in a bored tone.

Maxine bit her lip as Michelle looked abashed.

“How is my being with Max any of your business?” continued Todd. Then, he added in a cold tone, “Glare at her again and I’ll make sure that you regret it.”

With that, he grabbed Maxine's hand and gently pulled her with him. They quietly walked down the hallway together.

Maxine thought about what Todd had said. So he saw Michelle glaring at her during homeroom, then? He was even rude to Michelle because of it.

Todd just protected her. As her boyfriend.

Oh, my. She wasn't used to this.

“You didn’t have to be rude to her,” she managed to say.

“She was glaring at you,” replied Todd indignantly.

“You glare at me,” pointed out Maxine.

“Not for real. Mine is more of an intense gaze. There’s a difference.”

“And what difference is there? Frankly, I don’t see it.”

“Are you defending her?” asked Todd in amazement.

Maxine shrugged.

He sighed. “I just don’t want to see anyone looking at you that way, alright?”

“What if I don’t care? It’s not like she’s gonna kill me,” she snorted.

“But she looked at you like she wanted to strangle you to death.”

“That’s because of you,” beamed Maxine.

Todd grimaced. “Why does that make you grateful? Aren’t you jealous?”

They left the Sky Main House to go to the Sky Science Discovery and Technology for their Trigonometry class. This was one of the classes they both shared, along with the rest of the gang.

“Why would that make me jealous?” Maxine snorted again.

“Because she's crazy about your boyfriend. She's envious of you.”

“And in turn, I should be jealous?” asked Maxine with a raised eyebrow. “It’s not like you have feelings for her. Do you?” she added looking suspiciously at Todd.

“You perfectly know the answer to that question,” he said, slightly smiling.

“Why wouldn’t you just answer it?”

“Because it’s a stupid question. And I know that you just want to hear how I feel about you all over again. I’m not dim-witted like you, Max.”

Maxine pouted. Todd laughed.

“I read your mind, didn’t I?” he grinned.

“Almost,” she murmured.

They climbed the front steps of the building. Maxine couldn't help but notice, yet again, the big bold letters above the doors, Sky Science Discovery & Technology House. It had always managed to get her attention.

“By the way, what did Josh Mantle told you at the Royal Ball?” queried Todd curiously, as they entered the building.

Maxine swung her head so fast. She didn't answer right away. She tried to think of ways to change the subject but she couldn't come up with any ideas.

“Is it about me?” guessed Todd.

Maxine's eyes widened. “No!” she said at once. But then she stammered, “Perhaps. Sort of. Maybe . . .”

Todd smirked.

She gave in. “All right, fine. Josh told me that no matter what happens, I should never confess my feelings for you.” She paused, frowning. “At first, I couldn’t understand him. But then, you confessed to me . . .”

“He wanted me to be the one to do it first,” concluded Todd, more to himself. Which meant, Josh Mantle knew how Todd felt. He might have known it from the start.

"Whoa! This is weird.”

Peter appeared behind them. Todd and Maxine looked at him for a moment then they ignored him and went on walking.

Peter pouted. "You know what I mean. It’s just very weird seeing the both of you walk together to class — holding hands. I mean, Todd freaking Samuels has gone cheesy!”

“I swear, Pete, if you don't shut up . . .” warned Todd in a low voice.

“You're no fun,” muttered Peter, pouting. “Well, at least it's not awkward. So are you guys undeniably dating?”

There was a moment of silence, before Maxine spoke.

“Yes.”

Todd only nodded.

“And do both of you absolutely admit that you’re attracted to each other?”

“Mm-hm,” hummed Todd, looking bored.

Maxine, on the other hand, blushed furiously.

“And you’re not ashamed of it?” asked Peter suspiciously.

“Of course,” answered Todd and Maxine automatically.

“Are you suuuuuuure?”

“Peter!” hissed Todd and Maxine in unison.

Peter laughed out loud. “I’m just making sure. Besides, why didn’t you tell us right away? Karl and I had to hear the news from Fei Stewart.”

“Why is it such a big deal to them?” scowled Maxine. She hated being talked about behind her back. Though, there weren't any bad gossip. Still, it was none of their business.

“It’s not like we announced it,” defended Todd. “We were gonna tell the gang by break time. But then, people saw the photo and decided to make it their business.”

“There’s no need to wait for break time. They want to hear about it now,” said Peter, nodding to Brian, Kim, Karl, and Jen sitting on their usual seats in the corner of the room.

Todd and Maxine quietly took their seats, while Peter followed suit.

“Aren’t you gonna tell us something?” Brian inquired Todd, grinning.

“Max?” said Kim, when Todd didn't answer.

Maxine looked alarmed for a moment. But then, she frowned in realization. Why did she had to answer the question? Shouldn't Todd be shouldering all the interrogation of their friends? After all, it was him who insisted of going public immediately.

“Ask Todd,” said Maxine. “He’s the guy.”

“You heard your girlfriend, Todd,” teased Peter.

Todd shot Peter a look. It didn't seem to faze Peter, though.

Damn brat, thought Todd.

He sighed and looked at the gang.

“Why ask?” shrugged Todd “You must’ve heard the tale already.”

“That’s the point,” replied Brian. “We’d rather hear it from you.”

“Exactly,” agreed Kim.

“Yeah,” nodded Karl.

Jen was the only one who kept quiet. She patiently smiled and waited.

Todd smiled a little, while Maxine pretended she was interested at the ceiling.

“We’re dating,” declared Todd.

“I’m sorry, but that was not very specific,” said Jen airily.

Brian and Kim grinned. Peter chuckled. Maxine looked at Jen with a raised eyebrow and a smile on her face. Karl stopped himself from laughing. Todd stared at Jen, expressionless. But Jen seemed oblivious to all of this.

Todd merely shook his head. “Maxine and I are together.”

“What do you mean by ‘together’?” asked Jen thoughtfully.

“’Together’ as in, exclusively dating.”

“Does that mean that she’s your girlfriend and you’re her boyfriend?” beamed Jen.

Todd’s jaw slightly dropped. Was she serious? No, of course she wasn't. She was Jen. She was only mocking him. He quickly closed it and looked at Karl.

“Karl, please,” he said exasperatedly.

Karl chuckled, turned to Jen, and said, “Jen, stop playing around. The poor dude had enough interrogation for today.”

“I was just having some fun,” giggled Jen.

Throughout the day, Todd and Maxine were talked about in Sky.

Todd didn’t seem the slightest bit bothered by any of this. He was cool and calm as though no one was looking at him. Maxine guessed that he was just used to it. However, she wasn’t. She was very uneasy about it. And he felt that.

When they reached their floor at their condominium, they stepped out of the elevator and stood outside the hallway, facing each other.

Maxine looked down, lost in words.

“Stop worrying, will you?” Todd told her.

“It can't be helped.” Her shoulders slumped. “I'm not used to the attention.”

“Music Clash is coming up. It'll divert their attention soon enough.”

Maxine's eyes lit up. “Oh, of course!”

Todd shook his head in amusement. “You're like a kid, being so excited over this.”

The smile on her face disappeared. She scowled at him, causing him to laugh.

“You're cute this way,” he grinned, softly pinching her cheeks.

She froze. Was this Todd? How could Todd be this sweet? It was like another person. And she was the one who got to see him like this. If truth be told, she felt honored.

“See you tomorrow,” said Todd suddenly, breaking the silence.

Without warning, he leaned closer to Maxine and gave her a quick peck on the lips. Her cheeks grew red in surprise and embarrassment.

Todd chuckled quietly and went to unlock his door. He turned to Maxine, who was rooted frozen on the spot where he kissed her. He waited for her to raise her head. When she did and their eyes met, he gave her his breathtaking smile.

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Aren't they cute? Hihi.

Update: Tuesday (December 3)