sk8er boi.

He'd stuck to his meal prep, kept his portions on lock, and followed the workout regimen Dash had set up for him. But today was finally his cheat day. He had to indulge just a little.

And a supreme was his vice.

The smell of garlic butter and baking dough hung in the air, making the wait feel twice as long.

He shuffled forward with the line, head bobbing to Determinate by Lemonade Mouth through his headphones.

Someone stepped up beside him, saying something he couldn't quite make out. Judging by how quickly their lips were moving, they'd been talking for at least a few seconds before he noticed.

Max held up a finger in apology, paused his music, and slipped one earcup off.

⸻ 🌻 “ HELLO ⸻ ” SHE SPOKE GENTLY AS SHE GOT on her tippy-toes nervously.

“ Pardon me Mr. I am attempting to warn you about an immediate botanical concern?! ” She bit her lower lip as there head continued to bob. As she found her squinting smokey-quartzs looking up ⸻ as she sensed the magical-rustling where nothing of this caliber should be growing above them.

“ Excuse me! Your current location may become unsafe. ” As she was trying again as she was getting more nervous by the second. “ Please consider moving approximately one foot backward? ” Still no response? Really! While trying to catch someone's attention without touching them was harder than she anticipated.

Was this humans giant hearing-aids not working? As an mutated Mimosa Tree ⸻ Aura Optic ⸻  as it hung upside down from the ceiling ⸻ roots buried in the ceiling as trunk &. branches spreaded downward like an unfinished chandelier. Until they finally slipped one of there human hearing-aid device back. “ You are about to be struck by a tree. ” She said with the blunt force trauma of the Aura Optic that was about to hit them. As she was no longer watching there face ⸻ regardless of being blind as an bat without her glasses ⸻ the sound of the ceiling giving an dry ⸻ splintering crack.

With an sudden decision ⸻ she forcefully yanked the Mr. backwards by there clothes ⸻ as she hauled them out of the drop-zone as they man-handled them like they were one of her boys. Iron &. unrelenting force. As the mutated-tree snapped violently into full growth ⸻ growing downwards into the exact space they used to occupy.

 “ I apologize for manhandling you like your one of my own but ⸻ the alternative appeared medically unfavorable. ” She politely put as she let them go carefully. As she wouldn't be so sure she could pay for the medical-bill if they had been struck. While it would have been her fault.

“ You should get your hearing-aid checked. Its not working. ”

Max had actually been looking forward to the Summer Solstice Ball. His tux fit like a glove, courtesy of Daisy. She wasn't exactly thrilled that he'd paired it with his Air Jordans, but they were fresh out of the box, so she'd let it slide. The tie, though? Non-negotiable. If he was wearing sneakers, the tie had to go.

"Trust me," Daisy had said, leaving the top two buttons undone. "This'll end your dry spell."

He should've known it'd been a mistake telling Louie about his nonexistent dating life. Nothing  stayed  secret  with  that  boy.

When he arrived, he'd been thrilled the rumors about the silent disco were true. Pizza Planet had somehow landed a vendor spot, and the smoky aroma of pepperoni and baking mozzarella drifted through the ballroom. He'd already decided he'd grab a slice or whole pie after checking out the dance floor.

Instead, he found himself staring at a woodland pixie who'd just calmly informed him,

"You are about to be struck by a tree."

A sharp crack echoed overhead.

Max looked up just as the decorative tree ripped itself free from its planter and hurtled toward him. The trunk split with a deafening groan, branches whipping wildly through the air as guests screamed and scattered in every direction.

Splinters, leaves, and clumps of fake dirt rained down as the tree barreled toward him. Max stumbled backward, arms flailing as his heels lifted clear off the floor. Somehow, he caught himself before gravity could finish the job.

The tree crashed into the marble where he'd been standing scarcely a heartbeat earlier.

He just...stared.

His pulse thundered in his ears as the reality of what had almost happened finally caught up with him.

"T-thanks," he managed, eyes still wide with adrenaline. She'd just saved his life.

His gaze drifted from the shattered remains of the tree back to the pixie. Then to the headphones hanging around his neck.

"...These are headphones," he began, lifting one earcup between two fingers. "How did yo-"