CHAPTER 6

Maxine held the resignation letter in both of her hands, feeling the gravity of its weight. She saw it as her final admission to the battle of work versus her own education. Her heart literally ached as she approached Mrs. Thompson, whose kind eyes held concern.

"Mrs. Thompson?" Maxine's voice shook. "I'm here to resign. Lately, I have had a lot of personal issues. My classes are so backbreaking and difficult that I cannot cope any longer."

Mrs. Thompson looked up from her desk with disappointment mingled in her expression. "Oh, Maxine, I feel terrible about that. I thought you were holding up well. What is happening?

Maxine swallowed hard, trying to hold it together. "My family was evicted a few months ago. We've been trying to get by, and I've lost so many credits from failing. I just need a little time to refocus and get back on track."

Her face softened slightly as she said, "I understand. If there's anything I can do to help or support in any way, let me know. I hate to see you go under these circumstances."

"Thank you," she choked on her voice. "I appreciate it. I'm really sorry for any inconvenience."

After she had quit and they exchanged some words of thanks, Maxine left the bookstore. The road to Hampton University was cold and unfriendly. The grandeur of the campus used to promise hope, and now it looked indifferent and far. Her rubber shoes slapped onto the street, matching the sound of the internal contradiction.

As she walked, Coreen caught sight and was walking toward her with her usual gang of girls. Her eyes locked onto Maxine, and she girded herself for the confrontation. Coreen's smile was as cutting as ever even as she walked up.

"Maxine?" Coreen's voice dripped condescension. "I didn't expect to see you here. Aren't you supposed to be dealing with your family problems?"

Her words packed quite the punch in the gut. Maxine struggled to keep a straight face. "I am here because I still have classes. I am trying to make the most out of everything."

Coreen's smirk grew stronger. "Well, that's swell. Here I thought that after all of this, you would sit to do something else. Maybe take care of your issues?"

A flush of embarrassment sprang into Maxine's neck. "I'm trying my best. It's not exactly easy but I don't seem to have a lot of a choice."

Coreen's eyes glittered with a mixture of some feelings. "I guess that's really wonderful. It must be so hard to handle everything. Do you even get any time for studying?"

Maxine's fists clenched at her sides, and she forced her voice to stay level. "That's what I can manage.

Coreen smiled with triumph as she turned on her heel, her small entourage following. Maxine watched her go, her blood beginning to boil. Coreen's condescension smarted, and she'd be damned if she let her see her squirm.

Maxine entered the room, found herself a seat at the back, and slowly collapsed into it, trying to disappear, blending with the background. Her peers seemed a long way off, somewhere in the distance, leading free and easy lives compared to hers. She pulled the hoodie closer around her, seeking comfort from the familiar embrace of the material.

The professor's voice cut through the fog of Maxine's thoughts, and she began to take notes. Her mind raced and pulsed with anxiety during the lecture, trying to grasp each word he said. Each class felt like only a small victory, though—a part of gaining control back in her life of chaos. She couldn't afford another bad grade.

Lunch was a relief when it did finally arrive, but Maxine didn't think it could help her make things any clearer in her head. She walked to the on-campus café, her way through the endless sea of unconcerned students who might as well have been walking through ghosts. She found an emptily free table and sank down, allowing the sandwich in her baggy to sit and settle with a plastic crinkle.

As she chewed, she observed a group of students who were whispering in her direction and glancing at her from time to time. To be gossiped about was not something new, but today it seemed to squeeze her in some new way. She sighed and tried to concentrate on her meal, thinking of her meet with Coreen.

A message buzzed her phone, pulling her back from her spiraling thoughts. It was from Sarah.

*Hey Maxine, just checking in. How's everything going?*

Maxine quickly typed a response. *It's been tough, but I'm managing. Thanks for checking in.*

Her answer came almost immediately. *If you need anything, just let me know. I'm here for you.*

Sarah's words were like a little ray of relief within the storm Maxine had on her. At least, there was somebody on this planet who truly cared, though everything was rising above their head.

The sun was now on its way to set; long shadows fell on the campus as Maxine walked to the science building. The afternoon had crept by, and with it went the bustling noise of the university ground. Her teacher had charged her with the duty of picking all books in the science room, a task she hoped to execute well to better her failing grades. She needed just two more points to pull her grade up, and every little effort would help.

The science room was dimly lit with towering shelves that were filled with textbooks and lab manuals. Maxine started sorting through the volumes, making sure to stack the books carefully as she placed them into her tote bag. Her mind stayed focused on the task at hand, desperately trying to rid herself of a few pangs of fatigue as she worked to clear her mind of the swirling thoughts of struggles.

Then it all seemed to shudder with the noise of a loud crash, as she bent forward with the particular heavy textbook she was going to pick up. It seemed as though she had missed a beat — her heart — and she was on her feet, turning towards the sound. To her shock, she saw Alph sprawled on the floor, his face bloodless and his eyes wide. The suddenness of his fall made her freeze momentarily.

"I've been looking for you," Alph said, getting up, his tone icy and matter-of-fact, his whole being cold, mysterious.

"I—what?" Maxine felt her cheeks flush; embarrassment mixed with surprise. She definitely didn't expect to see him here, and in this condition.

"Dad told me to wait for you," Alph explained with a tone that doesn't allow much argument.

And Maxine had just stared, pounding heart, trying to reconcile this image of him—falling in a science room—with the polished, aloof figure she'd seen all around campus. Hard to believe that this distant step-brother was really here, interacting with her in this way.

Maxine swallowed hard and tried to keep her voice level. "Well, I can walk, but thanks."

"And I'd appreciate it if you kept my name out of the conversation while you're at it," he said, nodding easily and sounding as if he were discussing the weather.

They worked in silence, of course, for a few minutes; Alph reached for the lighter books and stacked them, while Maxine went in for the heavier ones. There was an awkward tension in the air that was only increased by those errant touches of hands. It was an odd blend of knowing and not, like trying to remember a dream that was fading away.

They continued working; Maxine saw Coreen standing in the doorway, watching them, and her eyes did not avert for a second. The cold Coreen, not a fan of the situation at all, had her cold, unbearable stare cast on them, which was making Maxine's heart sink as she realized they were being watched by Coreen.

Her eye formed a scowl of unseen revulsion. She turned, stood and began speaking below her breath in a tone laced with poison to Leo, standing behind her.

"Would you look at that?" Coreen finally pronounced in disdain. "What the hell's she doing here with him?"

Leo turned his head to where Coreen was pointing to see Maxine and Alph. Disgust was grimacing all over his face like a tightly scrunched ball that could not believe what he was seeing. "Seriously, I thought she would go away," he mumbled. "And now she is going to get all cozy with Alph? What a farce."

Coreen sighed, sour-faced. "That is pathetic. She is always wanting to butt in when she is not wanted. Now she's only trying to ride on his coattails."

Leo's lips sneered. "She's got no breeding. Let's see how long she'll stay once everyone knows how desperate she is.

Their whispers were sharp and cutting, but Maxine was too engrossed in her work to hear them. She did feel the weight of their scornful gaze upon her back, though, and it made her even more aware of her awkward position with Alph.

"Are you sure you're all right?" Alph's voice cut through her thoughts; the concern was real, but it was nipped with his usual coldness.

"I'm fine," Maxine said, managing a small smile. "Just dealing with some people who don't understand."

Alph nodded, his face inscrutable. "Well, if you need anything, just let me know"

So this is the feeling of having a brother, far from having a brat sister after all.

Maxine accepted it and was grateful, although she did not know to what extent he could help in these complexities. By the wish that the support from her stepbrother would at least lighten the weight a little bit, she nodded with gratitude.

The books were finally set, and she glanced over her shoulder to see Coreen and Leo now getting away, heads close in whispered conversation. Whatever they said was lost in the distance, but the barbs of their judgment still drew blood. Her racing heart finally allowed the taking in of a large breath, the experiences of the day still leaving her unsettled, but she knew she couldn't let them get to her.

It had almost been calm in the science room after they left, simply a lull in the storm of feeling throughout the day. Pulling the last few books close to her, Maxine cast one more look about the room. She would be geared up for tomorrow; at least at this point, she would take her half-wins and small lulls in the fighting.