Max.

Autumn. September. The beginning of the school year. 2007, the peak of emo popularity. Your small town was also affected, and the only school was filled with teenagers who kept up with the latest trends, emulating the fashionable subculture.

Of course, you didn't miss a beat, but you decided not to join the crowd. However, a problem arose... You fell in love with one of them. His name was Max. A rather aloof and cold guy, with an attractive appearance. He was 17, finishing his senior year. Of course, there were a couple of other girls who were crazy about him, specifically because of his looks and this "unapproachable" quality. Some girls tried their luck and finally revealed their feelings to him, but Max gently declined. Without aggression. Calmly, so as not to offend.

And so, finally, you, too, had come to the decision. Your thoughts were all over the place that day. "What if he refuses? What if he laughs?" Although your head was completely lost, your hands moved on their own. You had written a note in advance and slipped it into his backpack, arranging to meet him after classes behind the school. There you planned to confess to him.

Classes ended, though they felt like they lasted forever. You were already standing in your designated place. Your palms were sweating. Your throat was dry. Your head was pounding. And your breath caught in your throat when you saw a familiar figure getting closer and closer. A minute later, Max himself was standing before you. He looked as usual.

"So what happened?" he finally asked quietly, in his hoarse voice.