Love at first sight ?

As the sun was setting, he paused to look at her warm sun-reflected mesmerized eyes. Jane was shocked. The crowd was loud yet they both only heard each other's loud heartbeats. He stared at her lips and went to kiss her again. Before he could, Jane kicked his balls saying "What the f*ck". Bella started to laugh as Lucas prayed for the broken eggs. Max leaned his head on her shoulder in pain. Jane escaped his grip and started to run away. 

In the classroom, Jane and Bella were having a quick meeting regarding the current situation. Bella was suppressing her laughter.

Jane sighed saying "Just laugh all you want".

Bella started to laugh loudly saying "Bahahhaha...how...why...you ?".

"Shut up...why did he do that? Love at first sight ? " said Jane.

"Seriously? No way...most probably lust" said Bella.

Jane kicked Bella's leg saying "Seriously what do you think attractive enough in me? I am a flat chest, short goblin. And I am not that pretty girl who is like an angel and my voice come on".

Bella laughed saying "Yeah yeah".

Jane glared saying "You suppose to say comfort me saying I am pretty".

"Sorry, I don't lie, love. Think on the brighter side no one will come for your body" said Bella. 

Jane smiled saying "It's not making any difference. Is he trying to play with me?". 

Bella laughed saying "after that kick, I think he is trying to kill you now".

Jane sighed and went outside the classroom. Max was waiting for her outside. Jane's eyes popped out and started to run.

1 month later, Jane was walking sneakily and being cautious as she was contemplating "It been 1 month, why is he still following me? Did I kick too hard? Anyway, why did he kiss me in the first place...I just panicked. He must be hating me". Suddenly a hand tapped her shoulder from behind. She panicked and thought it was Max but it was Lucas. Lucas smiled and pointed to the front. The sandalwood scent was getting denser. Jane turned and looked at him. 

"It's been a long time..." Max gave a gentle smile. 

Jane panicked and started to run but Max grabbed her hand saying "No this time".

Jane smirked saying "It's my fault to kick but it was also your mistake to kiss me. Now can you stop".

Max patted her head saying "I didn't do this just to hear you apologize and you know it".

Jane deep down knows he wants her and not the apology.

Jane smirked saying "I am crazy. Better leave before it's too late". 

"Is this your act of rebellion?" said Max. 

Jane smiled and bit his arm saying "No this is...".

Jane escaped his grip and ran away smiling. Lucas was shocked saying "you okay ?". Max smiled saying "She looks like a hamster". 

The next day, Jane as usual started to run away from Max and this time, Max started to chase after Jane.

Jane shouted, "Why are you chasing me ?".

Max smiled and said, "Then why are you running ?".

Jane shouted, "I am scared of your smile ! I know it's fake".

Max paused and laughed.

Jane turned and looked hiding behind a pillar saying "This is true...".

Max smiled saying "I knew it !...I made the right choice" and started to chase again.

Jane ran up the school roof saying "I haven't accepted your proposal yet !".

Max said, " Did you say 'yet'? then-". 

Jane turned back shouting "What".

Max used this opportunity and speeded up to grab her arm and made her sit in his lap saying "Got you". 

Jane blushed saying "Leave me. What if someone comes ?". 

"That's all you think about not the fact that you are sitting in my lap ?". 

Jane grabbed his ears saying "Stop what do you want? Why are you chasing me?".

Max heard her grumbling stomach and gave her a sandwich saying "Tell me about you, family, yourself, everything". 

Jane looked with a doubtful eye saying "Why...? are you going to steal my identity ?". 

Max smirked saying "Steal you".

Jane was shocked and said "...Jane. 18. Graduating this year. Birthday May 19. Single dad. Mom died in a car accident years ago when I was 16. I have a twin brother 6 years younger than me. I am playing the role of mother now. I have lots of roles. I can't participate in this teenage love and stuff".

Max brushed the hair off her face while listening. Jane without realizing she was comfortably sitting in his lap and eating as he heard her out as if she were a kid. 

Jane continues saying "I overthink a lot, assume stuff. I dated a guy before my mom's death. He left me saying he wasn't interested in love and loved someone else. I do have a lot of insecurity. I am crazy so you look handsome you might get someone else. I am not living for myself. When Mom died, things were new to me. Dad came home late. The whole house was quiet...my brother was 12 years old. They knew mom wouldn't be back, yet they didn't trouble like other kids used to do. They helped me out and lot. At least for them, I want to live a better life and help them. My every action will affect them. What about you ?". 

Max smiled and patted her head saying "I am proud of you for being strong this long...". Jane teared up hearing these words thinking "... it's not like it's new to hear people telling me after knowing this but it felt different when I heard it from this guy". 

Max continued "About me..? I am Max. 17. Birthday Feb 16. I too have twin sisters. The parents are divorced and Father is sick right now. We chose to stay with father...Been taken care of by our grandparents. I am ambitious and stubborn sometimes". Jane giggled saying "I can see that".Max gently kissed her cheeks saying "And I do have friends but Lucas is the most who follows me around. And I do whatever feels right to me. I don't know who to give endless fountains of affection...I want to be treated right". Jane without realizing gave another half of the sandwich as they were talking about each other experiences in their lives. 

2 months past, Jane didn't run away from him. Instead, they got to know each other more and more. Yet they still didn't define their relationship. Bella and Lucas failed to point it out after seeing their friends smiling after a long time. 

On sports day 2, the Relay and 400-m race was held. AS Jane and Bella were busy preparing for the relay. The boys were preparing for their 400-m. Race was held simultaneously in two corners. As Jane was the anchor leg, she spirited with all her might. Once she reached the end and won 2nd place. She heard Bella screaming from one corner saying "Max vomited and fainted". 

Jane without realizing her leg moved on their own and ran to Max who was sitting in the room near the ground. Jane said, "Take him to the sick room-". Max grabbed her hands and pulled her too close saying " I am fine. Sit...your legs are shaking". Jane let out a huge breath of relief saying "...My hands are shaking too...I don't know why".Max smiled in pain saying 'You are falling for me". 

Max felt an unpleasant sensation and was about to vomit. Max groaned "Washroom". Lucas said, "That's too far away, let me go get a dustbin". Bella said, "Sir already took it for another kid....what should we do ?". Lucas ran out to search. Everyone panicked as Max's face turned pale. Jane squated before Max and showed her hand saying "Here".