The Morning After

 Leah's eyes fluttered open, the blaring alarm pulling her from the depths of sleep.

"One more minute" she said.

"There are no more minutes." She heard a masculine voice. Weird. It wasn't her father's voice.

"Do you have a problem coming to my house?"

"Nooh."

"Then let's go"

 Oh my god! Leah's eyes opened up as she wished everything was just a dream and she was in her room. Leah blinked, disoriented. Where was she? The room was unfamiliar, and the scent of lavender hung in the air. Panic surged as she realized she wasn't in her bed. Her gaze landed on the man standing by the door, and her heart plummeted.

"Finally decided to wake up?" Leah's world came crashing down as she saw Max.

 Play It cool, play It cool.

"Why did you feel so lonely that you wanted me to wake up Maxi?" she quipped, trying to mask her unease. She had a pounding headache, her mouth was dry and her stomach was churning.

"Maxi?" he smirked.

 Okay, let's recap. She'd gotten drunk—reasons unknown—and somehow ended up here, in Max's house. They'd fallen asleep in the same bed. Playing it cool was officially out the window.

 "Please tell me we didn't- you know do 'It'. " Leah blurted out, her cheeks flaming.

Max hummed, avoiding her gaze, and then turned to leave the room. Panic surged anew.

"No, no, no!" Leah scrambled out of bed, racing after him down the stairs. "Maximilian!"

"Didn't know you were this eager to be near me." Max teased, leaning against the kitchen counter.

"Says the guy who took me to his house!"Leah countred. "Anyway just tell me. And don't you dare ignore me!"

"Tell you what?" Max's expression was infuriatingly blank.

"Are you a fish? Cause you definitely have the equal brain cells of a fish!" Leah huffed, frustration boiling over.

 Max's lips twitched, and for a moment, Leah forgot her embarrassment. There was something about him—something that defied reason. Maybe it was the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled.

Max's gaze softened. "Leah," he said quietly, "we didn't do anything. You were drunk, and I brought you here too because you didn't want your dad to find out. That's all."

Leah's relief was palpable. "Oh. Good. Great. Thanks."

Leah went down the stairs and sat down on one of the chairs as Max was preparing breakfast.

Max's hand brushed hers as he was putting her plate in front of her, and she felt a jolt of electricity. "But," he added, "if you ever want to, you know, do 'It,' just let me know."

Leah's cheeks flamed again. "Maxi, you're a real asshole."

He grinned. "And you're unforgettable."

 Maybe trusting Max wouldn't be that bad. After breakfast, she would ask him about his future plans and in return tell him she wants to create a less dangerous environment which would ultimately require getting rid of the four gangs or reuniting them and putting a trusted sane, person as their leader.

 If the talk goes well, Max will probably be the leader of the newly united gangs, of course, she assumes he wouldn't want to get rid of the four gangs.

 Leah's reverie shattered as a steaming pancake landed on her plate. The aroma enveloped her, pulling her back to the present. Max's voice cut through her inner turmoil, urging her to eat.

"Eat It While It's Hot"

 As she glanced up, she met Max's gaze—a warmth in his eyes that mirrored the heat of the food.

 With a hesitant smile, she picked up her fork, ready to taste the pancake.