8: Awkward

"Well, this is awkward" Liz commented, dusting herself off from the floor.

"Not helping" I said, clenching my teeth.

"Rosie?" Max spoke, interrupting our little argument.

"Hey Max, how you doing?" I grumbled as I got up off the floor.

"Are you okay?" Max asked, giving me a hand up off the floor.

"Yep, I'm fine" I replied, my face heating up ferociously.

"I'm fine too" Liz shouted, but Max paid her no attention.

"I'm sorry, I don't know what just happened there" I said.

Max chuckled "Don't worry about it. As long as you're okay"

"I'm fine" I told him once again, looking over to Liz for help.

"I'm going to pay for this dress. I'll meet you outside" Liz smirked and left me on my own with Max, squirming on the inside.

I chuckled, scrambling to find some sort of conversation to dissipate this awkward silence. "It's been a while" I started, pursing my lips. As much as I wanted to run away at this very moment, and kill Liz for leaving me alone with Max, I didn't want to seem rude, especially since we had already made a scene on the shop floor.

Max smiled "Yeah, it has been. Sorry I've not messaged you. Its just been crazy at work and- "

"Don't worry about it" I shrugged off. It wasn't like we had a bad break up or anything. We just went our separate ways after college and decided to remain friends. But he was still an ex which still made things awkward. "Do you work here?"

He nodded, giving a sheepish smile "Yeah, have been all summer. Its been difficult finding a job"

"I know how you feel" I nodded in agreement.

"How's your job hunt going?"

"I actually just got a job offer. I'm starting next week"

"Congrats, that's great to hear"

"Thanks Max. Don't give up on your job hunt. I had to apply for a million jobs before I eventually got one"

Max scoffed "I'm not so sure about that. Having studied graphic design, it's difficult to find a job in that area just now"

"You'll find something, don't worry about it. At least you've still got a job in the meantime"

"I suppose, but it's not exactly what I want to be doing" Max sighed.

"But think of the employee discount. Think of all the dresses you could buy" I exclaimed, looking around at the array of gorgeous dresses around the store.

Max raised his eyebrow "For some reason, I don't think I would look good in any of those dresses"

I laughed, loving how the awkwardness between us had now dissipated.

"Well, I better get back to work. But I'd really love to catch up sometime"

"Sure, that'd be great" I smiled.

"Cool, I'll message you" he smirked, before going back to his work.

I somehow doubted he would message me, seeing as he had ignored my previous messages at the beginning of summer, but for some reason, I was still glad to see him.

True to his word, he messaged me a couple of days later, asking if we wanted to meet for a catch up. We decided to meet up at the local park, seeing as it was a nice day. I lay on the grass, letting the sun hit my face, sitting underneath my picnic blanket. I had also brought along a basket with some food, seeing as it seemed like picnic weather.

As soon as I walked out of the store that day, Liz demanded to know everything. I obviously told her how I felt about the whole thing, how I enjoyed our time together at college but was happy with where we were now. Liz believed things happened for a reason and believed my meeting Max after all this time was not a coincidence, that we were meant to be together. I didn't know how I felt about that.

As glad as I was to see Max again, I didn't believe we were meant for each other, and told Liz as such, but she still believed we were meant to be together.

"Hey" A voice said, appearing beside me. I looked up, squinting at the sun as I met Max's smiling face.

"Hey Max" I smiled at him as he sat down beside me.

"I see you've brought a picnic. Great idea" he grinned, peeking inside the basket.

"And there's a lot of water in there. Hydration is key in weather like this" I pointed out.

Max laughed and took a bottle of water out for himself. "I'm so glad the weather stayed nice for today"

"Yes, perfect weather for a catch up" I laughed. All around, people milled about. Children's laughter filled the air, birds chirped as they flew around. It felt as if every inch of the park was occupied by sunbathers, all taking this opportunity to perfect their tan.

Max sighed "I've been meaning to text you all summer, it's been crazy-"

"Don't worry about it" I assured him "I wasn't expecting you to be messaging me every single day. Maybe when we were together, I would have but not now that we're not together"

Max pursed his lips, as if in thought. "I guess you're right. But it was still bad of me not to reply to your messages"

I chuckled "All I did was check up on you to see how you were doing. It wasn't like I was asking to get back together or anything"

"Would you want to get back together?"

I blinked my eyes in shock, not expecting the question. It was something Liz had asked me and something I had thought about since we last saw each other. And to be honest, I still didn't have an answer.

"Your silence is very reassuring" Max laughed.

"Sorry". I felt guilty that I couldn't give him an answer. "I don't think I'm in the right headspace to be thinking about relationships right now. All I've been thinking about is trying to get a job and now that I've got one, I'm worrying about the future and how to be an amazing adult"

Max laughed "Don't worry, I understand. But just to be clear, I'm still available if you do change your mind"

I could feel my face heat up, and not just because of the sun. I laughed, hoping he didn't see how much his words affected me. "I'm surprised you haven't moved on already. I'm pretty sure when we first started college there was that girl, what was her name, oh, Leyla, yeah. I'm sure she used to follow you around trying to get your attention. I thought she would have made her move"

Max smirked "I don't know what you're talking about. I don't know anyone named Leyla"

I raised an eyebrow "I'm sorry. I must be mistaken for I'm certain there was some very pretty girl you've been posting pictures with on your Instagram all summer"

Max chuckled "Is that a little jealousy I hear in your voice?"

My face flared up at my confession, as I realised too late what I had blurted out "No" I scoffed, playing it off. To be honest, I was partially telling the truth. It was Liz that spent most of her days on Instagram. She would, however, update me on the on goings of other people's lives, including Max's. "I don't care what you're doing in your life or who you decide to go out with. I'll be happy for you whatever you do with your life"

He smiled at me, not responding with words. His blue eyes shone brighter in the sun, the reflection of his black hair glinting against the sunlight. His tattoo sleeve showed underneath his short-sleeved t-shirt. It was easy to see why I, and probably lots of other girls on campus, fell for him, with his charming and easy going looks. It also helped he was a really nice guy.

"Are you excited about starting your new job?" Max asked, taking the topic away from him, or us, or whatever the conversation was about.

I nodded "I think so. It's just such a big change. What if I mess up?"

"You won't mess up, you'll be fine. You'll get used to it eventually"

"I don't think I'll ever get used to waking up early every day for the rest of my life. I'd never thought I'd say I miss the college life of waking up late for all my lectures" I laughed.

"You were lucky all your lectures were in the afternoon, all mine were in the morning"

"Which I now envy you for. At least they prepared you for the nine to five life. I have no idea how I'm going to wake up on time to get up at nine"

"A lot of good that did me. I can't even get a job right now, so they basically prepared me for nothing"

"You'll get something. How's life in retail anyway?" I asked.

"Its been so busy since summer started. But, to be fair, time does pass by quickly, so I can't complain too much. At least I'm getting some money coming in to keep me going until I find myself a job"

"Suppose you've got to look at the positives." I said, getting up from my spot to grab some chocolate from the basket.

"I see you still love your chocolate" Max laughed.

"Something I will never give up is my chocolate" I said, greedily eating the bar in my hand.

Max shook his head and squinted his head up against the sun "Do you remember when we first met?" he asked.

I smiled at the memory. I had an assignment which was due the next day and had still to finish. I decided to ask for a friends help, who was also coincidentally called Max. For some reason, I didn't have his email address to hand, so I had to look up the student database. I was so stressed out, that I didn't realise I had selected the wrong email and instead sent the email, pleading for help on this assignment, to the Max that sat beside me now. It went a little something like this.

From: Rosie_K

To: Max_S

Hey Max,

I know you're probably the best person to ask about this topic as you aced that presentation last week. Can you please help with this week's assignment about the material and sales variances question? I just can't get my head around it.

Please and thank you

Rosie x

p.s. sorry, I know it's last minute. I've just been bogged down with all the other assignments due this week.

From:Max_S

To:Rosie_K

Sorry, I don't think I can help you out with that. That sounds super complicated and I don't think I want to know what its about, lol.

However, I can tell you all about graphic design, seeing as that's what I study.

Btw, just in case you haven't guessed, I think you sent this to the wrong Max, lol.

From,

The Wrong Max

From:Rosie_K

To:Max_S

Aaaggghhhhhh, I'm so sorry. I can't believe I've just done that (facepalm). I had to go to the student database to find my Max's email, but I obviously wasn't paying attention. I'm such an idiot. I'm so sorry.

A very apologetic Rosie x

From:Max_S

To:Rosie_K

Ha-ha, don't worry. It gave me a good laugh, totally brightened up my day. I hope you managed to finish your assignment in time.

A very happy Max

From:Rosie_K

To:Max_S

I managed to get it in the nick of time. I didn't have time to ask for Max's help, so I just winged it. I'm just hoping it was good enough. It makes me wish I did graphic design instead, except, I'm no good at drawing so I'd probably fail that too, lol.

A very worried Rosie x

From:Max_S

To:Rosie_K

Oh, graphic design is so much more than just drawing. How about we meet up sometime and I can tell you all about it? And I'm sure you can tell me all about finance, although I'm pretty sure it won't be as exciting and less confusing than graphic design.

An excited Max

And that was how it started. It still embarrasses me to this day that I had sent an email to the wrong person. But in some ways, I'm glad I did because it brought Max into my life. Even though we weren't together anymore, I still had all the good memories we shared together.

We met up not long after those email exchanges and we did indeed discuss graphic design and finance. We met up a few times after that and got on so well.

I nodded my response "Yeah I remember. We met up at the coffee place on campus to discuss all things graphic design"

Max laughed "That memory has been popping up a lot recently in my mind. I can't stop thinking about it. "

I blushed, not knowing how to react to that confession. I couldn't just admit to him that I hadn't really thought much about that day, at least not as much as he was admitting.

"I've baked some cupcakes. Do you want to try some?" I said awkwardly trying to change the subject.

Max chuckled, knowing I was changing the subject and took a cupcake. Was there more he wanted to say? There probably was but having just shot him down in the most awkward way possible, he wasn't going to say anymore on the subject and for that I was kind of glad. I had lots of other things to be worrying about just now. The last thing on my mind was whether or not I wanted to get back with Max.

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There was supposed to be actual email addresses during the email bit (fake ones, obvs) but they weren't showing up on the story so had to just add the first part of their email addresses, lol.