CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

MAXINE

I stood in the practice room, my eyes fixed on Klaus as he demonstrated yet another technique for focusing my strength. I had been trying for what felt like hours, but no matter how hard I concentrated, I just couldn't seem to get it right.

Klaus's expression was stern, his eyes critical as he watched me struggle. "Again," he barked, his voice like a whip.

I took a deep breath and tried once more, but my strength surged out of control, sending the training dummy flying across the room. Klaus sighed, his expression unimpressed.

"You're not even trying, Maxine," he said, his voice dripping with disdain. "You're just going through the motions, expecting everything to come easily to you. But it doesn't work that way. You have to focus, to discipline yourself."

I felt a surge of frustration at his words. Didn't he understand that I was trying? That I was giving it my all, but it just wasn't working?

"I am trying," I snapped, my voice rising. "But you're not helping. You're just standing there, criticizing me, not even trying to teach me."

Klaus raised an eyebrow, his expression unyielding. "I am teaching you, Maxine. But you're not listening. You're too busy feeling sorry for yourself, expecting everyone to cuddle you and tell you how wonderful you are, treat you like some princess, maybe that worked when you were still normal but now it's different, you need to put on your big girl pants and face the real world."

That was it, I'd had enough. I felt a wave of anger wash over me, and I turned on Klaus, my eyes blazing.

"You don't like me, do you? Like how much do you hate me?" I spat as an emotionless smile followed from his lips."This is the kind of entitled behavior I am talking about, so me pushing you to do better is me hating you? How inept can you get?" He walked towards the other side of the room and I followed

"You don't think I'm good enough, that I'll ever be good enough. That's why you're being so hard on me, why you're not even trying to help me. You just want to see me fail, to prove to yourself that you're right about me."

Klaus's expression didn't change, but I saw a flicker of something in his eyes, something that looked almost like satisfaction.

"Do I like you? No. Am I pushing you to be better? Yes. I'm pushing you, Maxine, because I know you're capable of more," he said, his voice calm but mixed with frustration. "But if you're not willing to put in the effort, then maybe you're not worth teaching."

That was the final straw. I turned and stormed out of the practice room, slamming the door behind me. I didn't stop until I reached my room, where I collapsed on the bed, feeling angry and frustrated and defeated.

Why did Klaus have to be so hard on me? Why couldn't he just try to understand me, to help me? I felt like I was all alone, like no one was on my side.

As I lay there, feeling sorry for myself, I couldn't shake the feeling that Klaus was maybe right. That I wasn't good enough, that I would never be good enough. And that thought was the hardest to bear of all.

***

I lay on my bed, feeling the weight of my frustration and anger bearing down on me. I couldn't believe Klaus had spoken to me like that, like I was some kind of inferior being. I felt a lump form in my throat as I thought about his words, about how he didn't think I was worth teaching.

As I lay there, I heard a soft knock at the door. I didn't respond, hoping that whoever it was would go away. But the knock came again, this time a little louder.

"Maxine, can I come in?" It was McKenna's voice, soft and gentle.

I hesitated for a moment, then nodded, even though I knew she couldn't see me. The door opened, and McKenna slipped inside, closing it behind her.

"Hey, I heard you and Klaus had a bit of a blowout," She said, her eyes scanning my face.

I nodded, feeling a tear roll down my cheek. Mckenna sat down beside me, putting a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"What happened?" She asked, her voice full of concern.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm down. "Klaus was being his usual critical self," I said, my voice shaking. "I just got so frustrated, you know? I feel like I'm trying so hard, but I'm just not good enough. Besides I told you it's a bad idea to put us on the same team."

McKenna's expression softened, and She pulled me into a gentle hug. "You are good enough, Maxine," She said, her voice full of conviction. "You're an incredibly powerful and talented individual. Klaus just...well, he has his own way of doing things. Sometimes that way can be a bit...prickly. He knows what you are capable of that's why he is pushing you to become the best."

I laughed, feeling a small smile creep onto my face. "Prickly" was one way to describe Klaus.

McKenna pulled back, looking me straight in the eye. "But seriously, Maxine, don't let Klaus get to you. You're better than that. You're strong, and capable, and you deserve to be treated with respect."

I felt a surge of gratitude towards McKenna, for being there for me, for believing in me. I nodded, feeling a sense of determination wash over me.

"You're right," I said, my voice firm. "I am strong, and capable. And I'm going to prove it to Klaus, and to myself."

McKenna smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "That's the spirit, Maxine. Now, how about we get out of here and grab some dinner? I'm starving."

I laughed, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. Maybe, just maybe, things were going to be okay after all.