Max checked his phone, and saw that it was almost five o''clock giving him a couple of hours to get home, get changed and head to city hall for the meeting.
Once he was back at the orphanage he didn''t have to go out of his way to avoid Mrs. Finch or the other children since it was about time for dinner. He took a quick shower to get rid of the dirt, and sweat that had accumulated through the day, and especially from practice. Afterwards he carefully chose his clothing, the final piece being a large hoodie.
Leaving the orphanage, he caught a glimpse of Caleb sitting alone at dinner looking rather glum. In Max''s mind he did all he could for the boy, and hoped Caleb would come up with a new plan that didn''t involve running away, or if he were to run away he hoped that it had the backing of a well thought out plan. Max considered whether or not he''d go looking for Caleb again if he decided to leave the orphanage, but he quickly dismissed that thought and stepped back out into the rigid cold that was Eden city in late Autumn.
Under normal circumstances Max would''ve walked to city hall, but he didn''t have the time, so instead he made his way across the railroad tracks heading to school, and then he waited at a corner just across the street at a bus stop.
Max used the bus often to get around Eden Springs, usually when he didn''t feel like walking or if he had to go somewhere out of left field. He had the schedules memorized by now, and as he expected he''d arrived just in time for the 6:30 PM bus. The vehicle slowed to a stop, and Max hopped on paying his fare.
The bus had about a dozen or so people on it, and a handful of them were students that Max recognized, but there were also what looked to be protesters, and some of them were carrying signs.
He took a seat in the middle, and looked out the window, admiring the fog as the bus pulled away.
Max listened in on some of the bus chatter, many of the protesters were upset with how the city was handling its less fortunate districts, and its tackling of organized crime. It was an issue in Eden for years, but Max didn''t pay it any mind, as long as he got his bag he could care less about what the protesters thought.
Due to the weather Max wasn''t expecting a large turnout at the square, but if the sun was out he''d have to take extra precautions to avoid being seen.
Raguel had once told him that the Archangels presence on this side of town, but it was more lowkey than in South Eden. Additionally, it was usually the higher-ranking members of the gang that watched over this territory. Eden had six distinct districts, where Max was from was generally referred to as the Slum or South Eden, identifiable by its dilapidated housing, and rugged infrastructure – it''s also where most of Eden''s homeless lived. Then, where Eden high was located was often called Wavecrest due to its popular beach front, and residential area, and then there was the district Max was on his way too, Hightown, a place home to the Eden police force, political world, and most of its affluent citizens.
The route to Hightown included a few stops, one of which being the corner of 3rd, right across the street from the Eden General store ran by Mr. Luis. As it rolled to a stop Max saw a girl step onto the bus, and pay the fare. Afterwards she looked down the aisle as if she was studying it, her face astute, and still, there was something familiar about it, but Max couldn''t put his finger on it. Then she caught sight of Max, and seemed to sigh before making her way to his seat.
"Why are you staring?" She asked annoyed.
It was Ava, Max realized it as her green eyes came into focus. He''d only known her for a day, and yet he felt like he was seeing her in a completely different light. She wore a winter running vest, and tennis shoes, a far cry than her formal attire. Additionally, her hair was up in a ponytail with bangs drooping slightly above her forehead, judging from her outfit, she''d been jogging.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
"Sorry, I just didn''t recognize you." Max said.
Ava brushed the comment aside and sat next to Max without hesitation. "As suspected, business is slow in the evening, hardly any customers at all, and no employees aside from Luis himself. I''ll continue to monitor until Friday."
Max had instructed Ava to keep watch over the general store after school for the rest of the week. In truth he would''ve preferred to give grunt work like that to Draco, but he couldn''t trust him with that sort of thing, and Ava probably knew that. To avoid suspicion, it looked like Ava opted to survey the store by jogging around the block. There weren''t any parks or resting areas nearby, so it wasn''t a bad option.
"Got it." Max said. "You know, if you enjoy running you could join the track team."
"Are you saying stupid things intentionally or on accident?" Ava said staring daggers at him.
"Maybe I just want to see how you''d react. Considering how you accosted Kacey when she asked you about cheer-leading I thought your answer might be interesting."
"So intentionally then, got it. You find weird things interesting Red." Ava said crossing her arms, leaning back in her seat.
"Can''t deny that." Max said. "I also find it interesting that you''re taking the bus home. I thought you lived in South Eden."
"Who said I was heading home?" Ava asked. "Maybe I just want a nice, and refreshing drink from the Corner Café in Hightown."
"You don''t strike me as someone who frequents café''s."
"I also didn''t strike you as someone who runs in her free time."
"Touché."
Max leaned back as well, his eyes veering out the window into the fog. In truth, Ava''s company was welcomed even if it was somewhat hostile. There was a modicum of sass in her tone, but Max knew that under it was respect, so he didn''t mind as much. Ava also gave him the impression that she was someone who''d be honest with him, and he appreciated that.
"I''m surprised you haven''t asked me where I''m going." Max said earnestly.
"You wouldn''t tell me if I did, and I''d prefer not to waste my breath on meaningless questions."
After several minutes the bus passed a sign that read ''Now Entering Eden Springs Hightown District''
And it was accompanied by large skyscrapers overhead, the largest of which was the Sinclair building, the headquarters of Sinclair Innovations, a leading technology company in the state. There were towering hotels, and banking institutions encircling the district.
Between the towering skyscrapers was where most people spent their time. It was downtown Eden Springs with various stores, café''s, and numerous activities. Despite the weather there were numerous people out and about, walking up and down the sidewalks, crossing streets all dressed in winter attire. The streetlights, and neon signs of the local businesses shined through the deep fog. Through the bus windows Hightown looked like a half-finished watercolor painting drafted on a thick wooden canvas.
Max turned around glancing at Ava who was staring out the window on the seat across from them.
"You could switch seats you know." Max said.
Ava sighed again, as if Max was once again saying something incomprehensibly stupid.
"We''re supposed to be friends right? At least that''s the relationship that''s been attributed to us. If I sat away from you it''d look odd, and I don''t want anyone asking questions."
"You must really hate confrontation." Max remarked. "Well, both of us getting off the bus at Hightown together of all places is bound to start some rumors."
"Another good reason for me to have left a bad impression it seems." Ava said. "They''ll bother you with the gossip, and won''t even think about approaching me."
"Guess being a cynic has its perks." Max said as the bus came to a rolling stop.
"You''re a cynic too, idiot." She said. "You just make an effort to conceal it."
Max followed Ava off the bus, but afterwards they went their separate ways, Ava crossing a busy intersection without as little as a goodbye.
Max watched her disappear behind a crowd of other locals crossing the same street. He stood at the bus stop for a moment, and looked up at the skyscrapers that were only a couple blocks away, their crowns poking through the clouds. He took a few steps back, and put on his hood as a group of kids emerged from the fog to his left, joking, and yelling before disappearing into another misty embrace to Max''s right.