Chapter 202: Breaking A Relationship When Max walked back into the classroom, it was as if the entire room had frozen in place. Every student turned toward him, their eyes wide with curiosity, confusion, and awe. No one said anything, not even Max. He strolled back to his seat like it was just another school day, like nothing out of the ordinary had just happened. Except... there was one thing different. He was smiling. Not his usual half-smirk or confident grin, but a full, wide, satisfied smile that stretched across his face. The kind of smile that made people wonder just what he knew that they didn’t. Even the teacher paused, glancing at Max as if he wanted to ask what had just taken place outside. But after a few seconds of internal debate, he simply chose to let it go and instead cleared his throat to make an announcement. "Due to the incident that just occurred," the teacher said, "the next lesson is canceled. Lunch break will be extended." The classroom instantly lit up. "Oh, sweet!" several students cheered, slapping high fives and whooping with excitement. It wasn’t the first time something unusual had happened since Max had transferred into their school, and they were starting to think that maybe, just maybe, Max’s presence was the best thing that had ever happened to them. As the students began rearranging their desks and enjoying the extended break, it didn’t take long for Jay and Joe to make their way over to Max. Without even asking, they pulled their chairs and desks close, forming a loose circle around him. "I still can’t believe what just happened," Joe said, shaking his head. "Like, seriously, I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming." "We just absorbed the entire Clapton alliance. And West Brinhurst," he continued, wide-eyed. "The Bloodline group now controls all of Brinhurst. All of it! I don’t think anyone’s ever done that before. Not in the history of Brinhurst... not even in all of Notting Hill City. Max, you’re going to become a legend. A local legend!" "Do you really think he cares about something like that?" Jay said, glancing at Max with a knowing look. "I don’t think Max is planning to stop here." He was right. Sure, to most people, especially high school students, taking over an entire district was the peak of notoriety. A status symbol no one else had ever reached. It was something that would be talked about for years in delinquent circles. But did the real power players care? Did the street gangs? The organized crime groups? The syndicates that operated behind the curtain? Not likely. High school territory wasn’t something that showed up on resumes in that world. Jay was just about to voice another thought when the classroom door suddenly slid open. Three girls walked in one after another, Abby, Cindy, and Sheri. They strode over with purpose, and without hesitation, pulled chairs from nearby desks. Although "pulled" wasn’t quite the right word, other students had already offered up their seats before the girls even asked. Everyone knew exactly where they were headed. ’Since when did those three become best friends?’ Max thought, narrowing his eyes slightly. ’Why does it feel like all the connections in my life are crashing together at once?’ He mentally ticked them off. Cindy, whose father was now managing his finances. Abby, the girl used as leverage to control his spending. And Sheri, his ex-fiancée from the Stern family. And somehow, all three of them were now friends? It was almost poetic. Or tragic. "What do you three want?" Joe asked, folding his arms. "Can’t you see we’ve had a busy day?" "When was the last time you were actually busy?" Cindy shot back. Joe frowned. "You guys have no idea what we’ve been dealing with. If you did, maybe you’d start showing a little respect." "Well," Cindy replied, "that’s actually why we’re here. What exactly just happened out there? Why did nearly everyone in the school walk out like they were part of some parade? And why did they all kneel in front of Max?" "I want to know too," Abby added. Her voice was softer, but there was concern behind it. "I know you’ve handled things before with the delinquents at school, and I know you sorted it out... but this time, with other schools getting involved... it feels like something bigger. Something more dangerous." "Are you doing something dangerous, Max?" Dangerous was an understatement. Max was involved with a street gang, had fought a mythical monster of a man named Hercules, and regularly got into fights with knife-wielding students. He’d been stabbed more times than he could count. But that was normal, right? For teenagers? His phone vibrated. Glancing down, he saw a message from one of his Rejected Corps contacts. [We need you this evening.] Without looking up, Max spoke. "Abby... if I said I was doing something dangerous, then what? Are you going to try and stop me?" "Why do you have to talk to me like that?" Abby’s voice cracked slightly. "I’m just... I’m worried about you. I know I can’t stop you, but can’t I at least care?" She looked down, then back up again. "Everything you do amazes me. And I can see that things are going well for you. I can see how happy you are. But just remember, if things ever fall apart... if it all comes crumbling down... I want you to know that you’ll always have a place to go." She stood up quietly, not waiting for a response, and began walking away. Cindy rose next, rolling her eyes. "I guess we can tell when we’re not wanted. I really thought our understanding was getting better, not worse." She followed after Abby. Sheri remained behind for just a moment longer. "You know she cares about you, Max," she said gently. "You could stand to be nice to her. You used to be. She was always by your side. Not me. Not Joe or Jay or any of the others. It was always her." And with that, Sheri turned and left too. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢 A long silence followed. "...Well," Joe said after a beat, "that killed the good mood. Triple slam dunk right to the face, man. They didn’t hold back." "I mean... I did think you were being a little harsh," Jay added. "Especially considering how nice you usually are to us. Is there a reason?" "She’s not involved with the Bloodline group," Max answered quietly. "And I’m the leader of that group. Which means anyone who’s close to me... could become a target. You guys know what this life means. She doesn’t. It wouldn’t be fair to bring her into it." Jay smiled. That was the Max he knew. Kind, even when he tried not to be. "I have a question," Jay said. "What’s your plan? I mean, really. Why are you expanding the Bloodline group so fast? Why get everyone to buy the merch, join the gyms, wear the uniforms?" Max’s eyes lit up. Not metaphorically, literally. Jay could almost see dollar signs shining in them. Max leaned forward. "Let me tell you my plan."