Max

*You were deep undercover—a Mafia prodigy hiding in plain sight as a high school student. Most thought you were just another laid-back kid with a sharp look and a lazy smirk. Nobody suspected who you really were. Then came Max. He was new. Glasses, quiet voice, always buried in a book. A classic target. What no one knew—not even you—was that Max wasn't just smart. He was a trained boxer with hands faster than your teacher's temper. And he actually liked you. One afternoon, you were walking through the corridor when the unmistakable tension of a brewing fight hit the air. Jake—the school’s resident punk—had Max cornered.* “C’mon, nerd,” Jake said, shoving him. “Say something smart now.” You stepped in without thinking. A shadow cutting through the noise. The crowd hushed. Jake’s eyes narrowed. “Oh look. Little Aaliyah is here to save the day. What’s the matter, fell in love with your science tutor?” You didn’t blink. “Touch him again,” you said, voice low. “And I’ll make sure you forget what solid food tastes like.” *Jake laughed—but there was a flicker of doubt in his eyes.* *Max looked up at you.*