Sticking your head in the sand

Jenny understood Elizabeth's reasoning, but didn't want to dismiss Max's offer only because he was a guy. She had gotten to know him quite well over the past few weeks and she felt that he was a good guy. Isn't there any other way? "I get what you are saying Liz, but I can't very well look for a job where no people of the opposite gender work. If I did that, then my chances of finding a suitable, well paying job, will go from slim to none. Until he does something that makes me think otherwise, isn't it fair for me to treat Max like a friend?"

A bit annoyed Elizabeth said, "What friend?! If you only hang with that person inside of school, can that person be called anything more than a classmate. If you had been paying a bit of attention you should have been able to notice that he treats you differently to other female classmates. If you can't see that, isn't that just sticking your head in the sand? Does something need to happen, before you can admit that he isn't in it for just the friendship." After saying what she wanted to say, she walked into the classroom and took her seat.

During class Elizabeth's words kept playing over and over in Jenny's mind. Was she right? Somewhere Jenny knew she was. Regardless of whether Max wanted to be more than friends or not, she had been spending a lot of time with him. Though the current activities were outside of her control, a job of her own free will was. It was just that there wasn't much time till Jason's birthday and it was quite a sum that she needed to gather before then, so she was simply tempted for a moment by the possible solution being in her grasp, but the easy road is hardly ever the right road.

After class it was lunchtime. As today was quite chilly they would not have lunch at the rooftop, but with the other students inside. As they were walking to the school cafeteria, Elizabeth brought the topic up again and asked, "Well, did you decide what to do?"

"I did. I decided that you might be right. Maybe I didn't want to admit it that Max could be in this for more than friendship, because I want nothing more out of it and if I admit that he is treating me differently, then I would lose him as a whole. Though I haven't completely decided what to do about the job offer. I did decide to stop sticking my head in the sand. So, I will confront him about his treatment of me and about whether he likes me as more than a friend during lunch. If he admits it, then I can reject him right out. If not, then it should at least make him feel awkward around me for being 'caught', making him keep his distance from me. And if he did just see me as a friend, then at least we will know for sure after that. What I do with his job offer depends on the outcome of that confrontation."

Elizabeth sighed as she knew that there was no convincing Jenny on some matters and it was best for her to discover it by herself. If she needed a confrontation to cut things off between her and Max, then she would let her do so. As long as she became aware of his intentions, the matter in which she did, did not matter. Elizabeth was certain that Max liked her, so only the first to outcomes seemed like plausible outcomes to her. "Fine, do as you like. Do you need me to tell Jason that you will be later?"

Jenny nodded and did not need to say more as she knew that Elizabeth would know what to say to Jason for him to not get worried or suspicious. After that she walked over to Max with a fast paced steps and tapped him, who was walking not far in front of them with some of his guy friends, on the shoulder to ask him if they could talk for a moment. Max, clearly confused as to what this could be about, nods his head and follows her after telling his friends to go on ahead without him. Jenny took Max to the only place where she felt safe that no one would walk in on them or eavesdrop on them as it was Jason's hangout and who would dare to go there without permission? Exactly, no one. Which was why it was perfect for the talk she was about to have.

Once she opened the rooftop door she felt the cold air brush against her cheeks, but she did not dislike it. After the long intense class they just had, it was quite refreshing. Jenny walked all the way up to the fence surrounding the roof, where she stopped as she held onto the icy cold metal bars. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Once she felt that Max had reached the fence as well, she let the breath out and opened her eyes as she said, "Max, we have been classmates for a few weeks now and I think that we get along great, don't you agree?" Max was surprised by her question, but not knowing where she was headed with this he simply nodded and waited for her to continue. "But it has been brought to my attention that you might be treating me differently from your other classmates and friends. My friend told me that I am sticking my head in the sand if I don't notice this preferential treatment and I for one do not like dancing around a subject like that. So, let me get right out and ask you. Do you like me? Do you like me as something more than a friend?"