Chapter 6: The Great Club Room Makeover

Max had finally managed to gather enough courage to ask Chloe for help in decorating the LGBTQ+ Allies Club room. After all, who better to add some flair than the girl whose style he admired?

They agreed to meet at the club room after classes. As Max walked in, he took a moment to appreciate the space: dull walls, old furniture, and a faint scent of something that could only be described as "mystery." But he was determined to make it pop with color, just like his rainbow shirt.

When Chloe arrived, her bright energy filled the room. "Wow, Max, this place really needs some help! It looks like a sad little potato just waiting for a makeover!"

"Hey, it's not that bad! It has potential! Like… a potato with a great personality!" Max replied, grinning. "You just have to believe in it!"

Chloe laughed, shaking her head. "Alright, Mr. Potato, let's see what we can do. Got any ideas?"

"Uh, maybe we can add some streamers and posters?" Max suggested, trying to sound more confident than he felt.

"Perfect! But first, what's this?" Chloe asked, pointing to a stack of books in the corner.

"Oh, those are just some novels I've been reading," Max said casually, hoping she wouldn't notice the prominently displayed Boys Love novels sitting on top.

Chloe picked one up, her eyebrows raising in surprise. "Wait, are these BL novels?"

Max's face turned a shade of crimson. "Uh, well, you see… they were just left here by the previous club members! I'm just… borrowing them for decoration purposes!"

"Uh-huh. Sure. Just like I borrowed that extra slice of pizza last night," Chloe said, smirking. "So, are you like… into this stuff?"

Max felt his heart race. "No, I mean—well, I appreciate it! I'm totally open-minded! But that doesn't mean—"

Before he could finish, Chloe interrupted with a grin, "Oh, so you're saying you're not gay? Because I was about to ask—"

"I'm not gay! I mean, I'm definitely not against it—"

Chloe's eyes lit up with mischief. "Wow, that's good to know! Because I'm actually a lesbian!"

Max's heart plummeted, feeling like someone had just pulled the rug out from under him. "Oh… well, that's… great?" he managed to say, forcing a smile as he processed her words. "So you like… girls?"

"Surprise!" she chuckled, playfully nudging him. "But don't worry, I'm not here to steal your heart. I'm more into, you know, actual girls."

"Great! I mean, fantastic! Just what I needed—confirmation that my heart is a pancake on a Sunday morning," Max replied, trying to laugh it off, but feeling a little deflated. "Just when I thought I was making progress!"

"Hey, it's okay! I'm flattered, but I think we're better as friends," Chloe said gently, her eyes sparkling with empathy. "Plus, I wouldn't want to mess up your sparkling personality!"

"Yeah, the glitter bomb effect seems to follow me everywhere," Max said, scratching his head. "At this rate, I'm going to need a hazmat suit just to walk around campus."

They both chuckled, easing the tension. "So, are you going to be okay?" Chloe asked, her voice softening. "I mean, I know it sucks."

"Honestly, it's like trying to bake a cake with no flour. Just disappointing all around," Max replied, crossing his arms dramatically. "But I'm fine! Just a little battered."

Chloe reached over and lightly patted his shoulder. "Well, if it helps, I think you're a great guy. Just not in that way. And who knows? Maybe someone out there will see you and go, 'Wow, look at that sparkling potato!'"

"Or maybe they'll see me and think, 'Oh look, a human disco ball!'" Max said, pretending to spin in place, arms outstretched.

"Exactly! And if I were into guys, I'd totally say yes to that!" Chloe laughed, shaking her head.

As they continued decorating, they bounced ideas off each other, transforming the bland space into a riot of color and life. Chloe hung streamers while Max focused on positioning the BL novels as if they were high art.

"Maybe I should write a review," Max joked, holding up one of the novels. "A Heart-Wrenching Journey: Better Than My Last Date."

Chloe burst into laughter. "I think you've found your calling! A critic for the ages!"

"Or maybe just the confused kid trying to figure it all out," Max said, shrugging. "But hey, at least I'll be the most interesting potato in the room!"

By the time they were finished, the club room sparkled with an array of colors. Max stepped back and admired their work. "You know, maybe this place doesn't have to be a sad little potato anymore. It could be the life of the party!"

"Exactly! Just remember to embrace the chaos, like you did with that rainbow shirt!" Chloe replied, a grin spreading across her face.

As they packed up their supplies, Max felt lighter, the earlier conversation lingering in his mind but no longer weighing him down. Maybe heartbreak was just a part of the process—like glitter, it could stick around, but it didn't have to define him.

"Thanks for helping me out, Chloe. I really appreciate it," he said, smiling genuinely.

"Anytime, Max! Just promise me you won't let a little glitter get you down," she winked before heading toward the door. "And if you need more help, you know where to find me!"

"Yeah, just follow the trail of sparkles!" Max called after her, shaking his head with a chuckle.

As he left the room, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. Heartbreak was just a pit stop on this wild journey, and he was determined to keep moving forward, one colorful day at a time.

End of Chapter 6

---