Max stood outside the airport, her suitcase beside her as she scanned the crowd. The warm breeze brushed against her face as she adjusted the strap of her bag, impatiently shifting her weight from one foot to another. Her eyes lit up when she spotted Astra approaching with a wide smile.
"Max!" Astra called, waving her hand excitedly.
Max grinned and walked towards her, wrapping her in a tight hug. "Took you long enough. I was starting to think you'd left me stranded."
Astra laughed. "I should have. Maybe you'd finally learn some patience."
They chuckled as Astra led Max to the car. As they settled inside, Astra started the engine, and they drove off towards home.
"So, how's everything been?" Max asked, stretching her arms.
Astra sighed, keeping her eyes on the road. "Same as usual. Your father's still the same. You know how he is."
Max scoffed, looking out the window. "Yeah, unfortunately."
Astra glanced at her. "Don't start a fight with him the moment you step in the house. Please?"
Max huffed. "No promises."
Astra changed the topic quickly, knowing where this conversation would lead. "By the way, Amigas is coming over for dinner tonight."
Max turned to her with a hopeful look. "Is Lucas coming with him?"
Astra shook her head. "No, he's out of the country for work. He'll be back the day after tomorrow."
Max felt her chest tighten but masked it with a nonchalant shrug. "Oh, okay."
Astra noticed her disappointment. "Max, you should really tell him how you feel."
Max scoffed. "Tell him what? That I've been in love with him since middle school, and he doesn't even know I exist? Yeah, that would go well."
Astra sighed but didn't push further. They soon arrived at Max's house, and as she stepped inside with her luggage, she was immediately met with a stern voice.
"What are you doing here?" Sebastian, her father, stood in the hallway, arms crossed.
Max rolled her eyes. "Nice to see you too, Dad. I'm here for the holidays."
"This is my house," Sebastian said coldly. "You weren't invited."
Max scoffed, gripping her suitcase tighter. "Last I checked, Astra lives here too, and she invited me. So, technically, I was."
Sebastian's eyes darkened. "You think you can just waltz in here like nothing happened? After five years?"
Max's jaw clenched. "I don't need your approval."
The tension was thick in the air. Astra quickly stepped in between them. "Okay, that's enough. Max just arrived. Let's not start a fight already."
Max exhaled sharply and stormed towards the guest room, slamming the door behind her. Astra sighed, giving Sebastian a pleading look before following Max.
Later that evening, Astra and Max were in the kitchen, preparing dinner. Astra glanced at Max, who was aggressively chopping vegetables.
"You know," Astra started, "you should really try to let go of this anger."
Max snorted. "I'll let go of it when he stops acting like I don't exist."
Astra rolled her eyes but let it go. As they continued cooking, Astra suddenly realized they were out of groceries. "Max, can you run to the store and grab a few things?"
Max nodded. "Sure, anything to get out of this house."
She grabbed her hoodie, pulling the cap over her head before heading out.
Meanwhile, Amigas arrived and greeted Sebastian politely before heading to the kitchen. He wrapped his arms around Astra from behind and whispered, "Let me do it."
Astra flinched, laughing. "You scared me!"
"Sorry," Amigas said with a chuckle, taking the knife from her. "Where's Max? I was looking forward to meeting her."
"She went out for groceries. She should be back soon," Astra replied.
Meanwhile, Max exited the grocery store, carrying the bags in one hand. As she walked back, she noticed a group of men harassing a young woman near an alley. She sighed, knowing she shouldn't get involved, but her feet moved on their own.
"Hey," she called out, walking towards them. "Leave her alone."
One of the men turned, looking her up and down. "Well, well. You're even prettier than she is. Maybe we should keep you instead."
Max clenched her fists, her blood boiling.
"I dare you to try," she said through gritted teeth.
To be continued...