All is fair in love and War

Max was shocked. With wide eyes he looked at Jenny and tried to determine whether he had heard her right. When the initial shock was overcome his expression turned more serious. If it had come to this, he might as well bring his plan forward and come right out with it. He looked Jenny right in the eyes and said, "Yes. I like you. I wasn't planning on telling you. At least not yet, but since you have asked me I won't lie to you about my feelings." Now it was Jenny's turn to be perplexed. Jason and Elizabeth had been right. How could she have missed it, when she was the one involved. Could she have wanted it to not be true so badly? He was the first friend she had made that wasn't part of Jason's inner circle and she had to spend so much time with him for school, which would become quite awkward if he had other intentions. So, from that perspective it wasn't so difficult to think why she might have ignored the signs. But now that was no longer an option. "But...Why? You should know by now that I am already engaged and to someone who could make your life quite difficult."

Trying to pass it off as a bit of a joke Max said, "Don't you know the charm of a forbidden love?"

"Well that charm can cost you and your family dearly. So, why would you still chose to like someone who is taken and can never be yours. Surely there are plenty of other pretty girls in our class. Why waste your feelings and time on me?"

It seemed that Jenny would not allow him to joke around now that the truth was out. So he turned serious again. "You know just as well as I do that you don't chose who you fall in love with. You caught my eye the day we met and I was instantly sold. If you think that any girl pretty can take your place, then you don't realize the charm you possess." He said with a saddened smile. "Besides, by the time I found out, it was already too late. I was already in too deep." Max stared into the distance for a moment before letting out a sigh. He looked back at Jenny and said, "Don't worry, I don't need you to like me back. I am just not ready to give up on you yet. There is no harm in me holding onto my feelings till I am ready to give up right? As long as I don't take things too far, there should be no harm in me liking you on my own. If you should ever reciprocate my feelings, then I will be ready with open arms. So, keep me in mind if that fiance of yours ever messes up."

Jenny frowned as she said, "Hey! How can you say something like that. How is there no harm in that. You are like a predator waiting for its prey to weaken so he can pounce."

Max chuckled. "Hey all is fair in love and war."

With a regretful smile and saddened eyes Jenny said, "It is and that is exactly why I have to do something before it's too late. I hope you understand that I can't accept your job offer now that I know this and we can no longer be friends either. I will see if someone can take over my class representative tasks unless you want an out?"

Fear struck Max. He knew that she wouldn't accept his feelings. At least not right now, but he didn't think that Jenny would completely cut him out of her life if he told her about his feelings. "Why must it be this way? Why can't we at least stay friends? Do you have to punish my honesty this harshly?"

Jenny didn't like it either but she couldn't take the risk of spending so much time with someone who had admitted feelings for her. That wouldn't be right. "I am not punishing you. It's just that I have learned a lesson, that I should have learned a long time ago. Men and women can't be just friends. Not unless they already have someone in their lives. So, maybe you and I should have the same deal I made with one of the friends I have in my life right now. You can come back when you have proved that you are over me or when you have found someone else."

"Come on Jenny. That isn't fair. I haven't done anything yet and you hadn't even noticed my feelings until your friend gave me away. Please, can't we at least stay friends. My feelings are my own and I don't have any expectations of you accepting them. I know that you are engaged, but a friend should be allowed right?"

Jenny shook her head. "I'm sorry. I am afraid that it's not. Not when I know that you have other intentions. I won't feel safe around you, so what kind of friendship would that be." With that Jenny got ready to leave when Max stopped her.

"Wait! Fine, we won't be friends for now, but at least don't give up your responsibility as class representative. At the very least we are classmates and we have worked well up till now."

Jenny looked hesitant. She was about to reject that idea as well when Max added. "Just try it. For the sake of our friendship. If I make you uncomfortable in any way shape or form, you can quit right away and I will take on the responsibilities of class representative on my own. If I should need a replacement for you at that time, I will take care of that myself as well. Please...Can you give me this chance...?"