Confusing Earth - Chapter 33: Invitation

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Chapter 33: Invitation

Max leant on the lockers and sighed. Across from him, at another set of lockers, Sara was getting stuff out of her locker. His Green Eggs and Ham spurred confidence had disappeared like water evaporating in the heat once he had returned to school.

He wanted to ask her out. He wanted to be the person who is courageous and has enough guts to ask her out. He saw her when he closed his eyes. Whenever he thought he was ready though, doubt and fear would consume him and he just couldn’t bring himself to do it.

It was like there was this other creature inside of him that didn’t want him to do it that would rear its ugly head every time he got close.
The creature would switch his brain off and make it impossible for him to think or talk clearly.

Max got a real shock when Sara walked up to him.

Sara was holding something.
“Hi” she said. Max looked at her silently. He shortly became uncomfortably aware that he had been silent.
“O-kay” said Sara, “I have an invitation for you. For my birthday party.”
The creature consumed Max as he struggled to comprehend that she was talking to him and that a response was required. Finally he said something.
“Birthday party?” he said vaguely.
‘Was that all you could manage?’ he thought to himself, ‘That was pathetic’.
“Yes, it’s the weekend after next” said Sara.
Max pulled himself together.
“Okay cool, it sounds like fun” he said, taking the invitation from her.
“Okay see you then if not before” said Sara, “Anyway, I had better get going. I have two more people to give invitations to before class starts.”
“Okay” said Max, “Bye”.

Max watched as Sara walked off. He put the invitation up to his face. It smelt nice, like she had sprayed some pretty smelling stuff on it. He could not work it out. It was different with Sara now than it was when they talked on the grassy field that day. It was even different to the day he fought her ex. Max felt more awkward, like he really was the dunderhead her ex had called him. Max now had trouble expressing any thoughts to Sara, let alone his feelings towards her.

And Sara – she seemed even more perfect than she did before. Everything about her was perfect.

Max hated the human condition at times. He was sure his awkwardness around her was part of him becoming more human and feeling more human emotions. He wished she could just be the level of perfect she was before and that he didn’t have this creature consuming him whenever he was with her. Then he could still talk to her at least. He could enjoy being with her because he won’t lose his mind.
Then he remembered the invitation. ‘What’s a birthday party?’ he wondered.