Chapter 194

Max's POV

The sun barely began to poke its head out, the softly lit golden hues peeking from high windows into the art studio space. This was my favorite moment of day. Quiet, the world seeming as if it had all its possibilities right in front of it. I had this new piece forming in my head for weeks.

As I sketched, all the thoughts that were running back at me constantly were about Megan. There was something about this girl making me go further than the bounds. Lately, however, I had noticed a change in Lila. She had grown so very quiet, and it seemed like her eyes never smiled anymore. It was so worrying.

The door to the studio creaked open, and in walked Jake. He took a little time to look around before his eyes rested on me.

"Hey, Max. An early start?" he said while collecting his sketchpad from the nearby table.

"Yeah, just trying to catch this idea before it's gone," I said back, nodding in his direction. "What about you?"

"S