The truth does not matter...

Nick saw everything play out and was impressed with Jason's restraint. He was about to interfere, when he saw that all Jason did was talk. Wanting to break the situation up before things started to escalate he walked towards the two of them. When he was still a few steps away he heard Max say, "None of my words are nonsense. Are you trying to tell me that you had nothing to do with what is happening with my family's company? Or are you just scared to face the truth?" Seeing that Max didn't know when to give up, Nick upped his speed to save him before they would both suffer. However, before Nick had a chance to step in, Jason had already pressed Max against the wall. With one hand he had Max lifted a few inches from the ground by the collar of his shirt. While Max struggled to break free, Jason narrowed his eyes and with a clenched jaw he responded, "What is happening to your family's company was something your father brought on himself. If you want to hear the truth, you should ask your father and stop pestering me. Now leave before I change my mind about showing you mercy."

Suddenly Max stopped struggling and with an evil smile on his face whispered with whatever breath he could force out through Jason's hold, "You may not be who did it, ...but I was never searching the truth... Because the truth does not matter, what matters is what Jenny is willing to believe." Jason's eyes immediately grew wide and he turned his face around almost instantly. When he did, he came face to face with a shocked, saddened Jenny not too far away from them. Jason's stomach dropped. Knowing he had fallen into Max's trap, Jason dropped him and released his grip. Intending to go over to Jenny and explain, but Jenny turned around when she saw that Jason had released her friend and walked away briskly while wiping away her tears of anger and betrayal.

Before Jason could follow her, Max grabbed hold of his arm while rubbing his throat. With a cough-like laughter he said, "Ha, ha, ha. And this is why they say that it is better to be smart than strong. Now tell me, what sounds more believable. That I provoked you and you fell in the trap of her sweet little friend who is working hard to gain her trust again and has nothing to gain from incurring your wrath. Especially now that I have an equally sweet girlfriend who I appear to love very much. OR that the big, intimidating fiance, who has been against this friend from the very beginning and whose father has suddenly started attacking his family's company, came to still some fear in that so called friend. Falling back into his old ways."

Though Jason didn't want to listen to Max's words, it felt like he was glued to the ground. His eyes frozen on the spot where Jenny had been standing. He couldn't get the look in Jenny's eyes out of his mind. She seemed so hurt and he didn't know how to explain himself or if she would even be willing to listen. With every word he heard Max say, he became more and more convinced that he had dug himself a grave he couldn't get out of.

Continuing his taunting laughter Max added, "And this right after you guys JUST fought about it and about your need to interfere in this friendship. Only to keep her friend away or kick him while he is already down. Good luck making her believe that it wasn't you in the wrong. Even she won't believe that your beef with me and my father's company being attacked are a coincidence.""

In Jason's mind Max's words had started digging into him deeper and deeper. He had planned this out so carefully and whatever he said was right. Now, just like Max said, no matter how you looked at it, he seemed like the bad guy. Even if it was for the mere fact that he had put his hands on him. No matter what he said it would sound unbelievable or like an excuse. But the mere thought of having another silent war at home made him feel horrible. So, for now he needed to try to save what could be saved no matter what, but not until he gave this pesky fly a word of warning.

Jason grabbed Max's shirt once more, without even looking at him and pushed him harshly against the wall before giving him a sharp glare. He brought his piercing eyes close and hissed at him, "This isn't over yet. Don't think that this means you have won or that you have a chance with Jenny. She is and will always be mine. So, you had best stop this stupid act of yours with that girl or else."

Though the both of them were still being surrounded by the other students who were in that hall at the moment the fight started, they were talking so closely to each other, that they couldn't hear a word that was being said. However, no one was brave or stupid enough to move closer or move away. Fearing that the tension in the air could make the focus of Jason's palpable anger move from Max to one of them. However, Jason was way too focused on Max to notice anything they did or the messages sent by Nick, who was doing everything he could to help his friend solve the messy situation he had gotten himself into.