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"Max!" Chloe exclaims, darting towards the purple haired boy.
He turns around in surprise, not having expected Chloe to call his name. They weren't much of friends so it was unusual for Chloe to come running to him calling his name.
"I need you to date me," she said once she stood next to him, slightly out of breath.
Max looks at her with wide eyes and barely holds back a laugh. "Sorry Charming, you're not my type."
Chloe shakes her head, "No, no. Not actually. You're not my type either. But I know you like Luis and I like Red and well I saw them kissing so... let's make them jealous."
Max frowned, feeling a pang in his heart. Luis and Red were kissing? Does that mean they're dating?
He crosses his arms, "I don't even think Luis likes me like that. What makes you think he'll get jealous?"
Chloe shrugs, "I don't know if Red likes me either, but it's worth a shot right?"
"I guess," Max said, studying the girl in front of him. Chloe really wasn't his type. He was more into tall brunettes. And men.
The blue haired girl perks up and pulls out her notebook. She sits down at the table and flips to an empty page before writing 'Operation MRLJ'. Then she moved to writing 'ideas'.
"MRLJ?" Max questions, not understanding what the letters stood for.
"Make Red and Luis Jealous. It's the perfect name for our operation, don't you agree?" Chloe asks, a wide smile on her face.
Max blinks at her, there were definitely better names out there. But he didn't want to be rude so he half smiles back. "Yeah it's fine. So how are we going to do this?"
Chloe explains her thoughts then they write some ideas down in the notebook. The first idea was fake dating, which they checked off already.
The list was made with two check off boxes, one that they did it and one that it worked. Fake dating helped with other things they could use to make Red and Luis jealous, meaning they wouldn't have to flirt with some random person.
They were only able to come up with a few things so far, but hopefully they'd work. If not, they'd have to come up with new ideas. If nothing worked then they'd just have to burn this list and never try again.
- Fake date ✅☑️
- Flirt in front of them ☑️☑️
- Kiss in front of them (cheek preferably) ☑️☑️
- Be touchy ☑️☑️
It was quite small but it just may be enough. Max and Chloe looked over the list once more, trying hard to think of any other things they could do. Chloe taps her pencil against the table.
"Princess!" Red calls out, making Chloe jump and hurriedly close her notebook. Red walks over to her with a grin, sitting down in the chair beside her.
"I missed you. Where have you been?" She asked, leaning her hand onto Chloe's shoulder. Max gave Chloe an amused look before packing up his stuff and leaving.
Red didn't notice his presence nor him leaving, she was too focused on Chloe. Meanwhile the blue haired girl felt her face burn, her eyes darted down to Red as she had the overwhelming urge to kiss her forehead.
Chloe didn't respond so Red moved her head to look at her curiously, "Princess?"
"I've been here. Hanging out with Max," Chloe responded, gesturing to where Max was a moment ago.
Red's eyebrows furrowed as she looked over Chloe's shoulder, "Did you hit your head or something, Princess? There's no one there."
Chloe chuckled, rolling her eyes playfully, "No, No. He just left when you got here."
"Oh I didn't notice him." She said with a small shrug, snugging more into Chloe's shoulder.
Her warm breath was hitting Chloe's neck, making the youngest Charming's face flush the same color as her hair. Red wrapped an arm around her waist, "So what were you and Max up to?"
Chloe swallowed, hoping her thumping heart with slow. "We were just... talking." She said, purposely saying the words like one would when they were hiding something.
Red finally moved from her neck, making her breathe in relief and miss the warmth at the same time. She raised an eyebrow at Chloe, wanting to know what the tone was about.
"Is there something going on between you and Max?" Red questioned, her tone laced in an emotion Chloe didn't recognize. Her grip around her waist tightened, like Chloe was going to disappear if she let go.
Chloe's eyebrow quirks up and she tilts her head with a small smirk, "Why? Would it matter if we had something? I saw you kissing Luis."
Red huffs, looking deep into Chloe's eyes, "It was just a kiss. We aren't dating. Are you and Max dating, yes or no Charming?"
The younger girl swallowed the spit building up in her mouth. The way Red was looking at her was really making her feel something. "And I asked if it matters, Heart."
They stared into each other's eyes, almost challengingly. Red's eyes flicked to Chloe's lips, then she moved and let go of her waist. "No. It doesn't matter. I just wanted to know because I'm your best friend."
Those words hurt, even if they shouldn't. Chloe bites her cheek, trying not to show the hurt on her face. She forces a smile, "I'm hungry, would you like to go get something to eat?"
Red wasn't oblivious to the topic change, but she didn't comment on it. "Sure. You pick the place, Princess."
Chloe's heart fluttered.
— — 💪🎩
After he left the library, Max headed for his dorm.
But on his way he bumped into Luis, who helped him up with a smile. His hand wrapped around Max's and his biceps flexed as he pulled the other boy up. But it still looked like it took no effort, like Luis could just sweep Max off his feet.
Max was disgusted by his own thoughts. He didn't realize Luis was speaking to him until the boy started waving a hand in-front of his face, "Hello? Max?"
"Sorry I zoned out. What were you saying?" Max asked, now feeling embarrassed that he didn't listen when Luis was talking. It also wasn't good to make your crush feel like you don't pay attention to them.
"It's all good," Luis said, not minding as he rested a hand on Max's shoulder. "I was wondering if you wanted to hang out. Just us two."
If it was anyone else, Max would've slapped their hand off. But Luis was looking at him with those puppy dog eyes, begging the purple haired boy to say yes.
"I suppose we can hang out. As long as we do something fun." Max said, but he would've agreed to hangout alone with Luis if they were scrubbing dishes.
Luis beamed at him, bringing him into a crushing hug. Max immediately tenses up as he wasn't expecting it. The brunette pulled back looking a little sheepish, "Sorry I tend to just react when I get excited."
Max brushed it off, "It's alright. What would you like to do?"
Luis shrugged, "You pick. I wanna see what you do for fun."
Max suddenly felt nervous, thinking over what he does for fun normally. All the things he did suddenly seemed stupid with Luis looking at him expectedly.
The brunette seemed to notice his nerves and tilted his head, "It's no pressure if you can't think of anything. I have an idea if you can't think of anything."
Max half smiles, "Let's do what you have in mind."
— — 💪🎩/⚔️❤️
Max and Chloe started their check off list by holding hands as they approached Luis and Red in the courtyard.
Chloe loved physical touch, but Max wasn't one for it so he was a little uncomfortable. But he acted like he wasn't, like he wanted to be holding Chloe's hand.
Luis and Red eyes them as they approached, both their gazes dropping curiously to their hands. They both knew Max wasn't big on physical touch. Chloe was beaming, clutching Max's hand tightly.
"Hey guys! Would you like to do something together?" Chloe questioned, pretending to act obvious to the fact that Red and Luis' attention was on their hands.
Red looked at them suspiciously, "Sure."
Luis on the other hand is still focused on their clasped hands. Red nudges his arm and he snaps back, trying to pretend like he wasn't focused on the hands.
He was jealous.
"Yes let's do it," Luis said, looking at each of them to see if his response matched the question.
Max didn't seem to notice that he was jealous. He nodded and began thinking about things they can do.
When he looked at Red, he noticed something. She was subtle but the quick glances to their clasped hands and jaw clenches gave her away.
She was jealous.
They looked at each other and exchanged a smile, before Chloe turned back to the other two. "How about we go see a movie?"
Red spoke before anyone else could, "Sure how about we go see Supergirl?"
Chloe lit up, Supergirl has been her favorite superhero since she was young. "Yes let's do that!"
- Fake date ✅☑️
- Flirt in front of them ☑️☑️
- Kiss in front of them (cheek preferably) ☑️☑️
- Be touchy ✅✅
— — ⚔️❤️/💪🎩
When they get to the movie theater, Red loops her arm through Chloe's once she gets out of the car. Chloe smiled widely at her, leaning her cheek against her shoulder for a moment.
Red stays clinging to her arm even as they get tickets and food and drinks for the movie. Chloe doesn't mind though, in fact she quite enjoys the touch.
Luis pulls Max next to him once they sit down and Red quickly sits on the other side of Max. Chloe sits beside her, reclining her chair and getting comfortable.
The arm piece between her and Red's seat gets lifted and the redhead snuggles into her side. She wraps an arm around her, resisting the urge to kiss her forehead.
Red may be cuddling with her, but that didn't mean it was romantic. Kissing her forehead would be taking it too far. Chloe had to be sure Red felt at least a little something for her before she did anything like that.
"Are you enjoying the movie?" Red whispered in Chloe's ear halfway in. Her breath caught audibly, luckily hidden by the loud movie.
She swallows, "Yes. I really love it. Are you enjoying it?"
Red nods, "Yeah it's really good."
After the movie, Red clung to Chloe's forearm again. She was quite possessive over her arm and didn't let Chloe stand near Max. That was suspiciously jealous behavior, but Chloe didn't rule out it being platonic just yet.
Luis drove them home, talking a lot the whole car ride. At some point he 'accidentally' put his hand on Max's thigh and let it sit there for a minute. Then he apologized, and played it off as an accident.
Chloe knows it wasn't, no way could you just accidentally leave your hand on someone's thigh for a whole minute. Red shifts after a bit later, her hand landing on Chloe's thigh.
The blue haired girl's breath catches, trying not to look at Red so the hand doesn't leave. When it does, Red leans close and whispers in her ear. "Oops. Accident."
Chloe practically shuttered. There was no way Red wasn't flirting with her.
— — 💪🎩
Chloe and Red are dropped off at their dorm first since it's closer. They cling to each other as they walk in.
"I'm surprised you and Chloe seem to have something. I would've thought they'd be dating by now," Luis said, gesturing to where the girls just disappeared into their dorm.
Max shrugged, "I don't know. Emotions are weird I guess. Plus the two of you kissed, didn't you?"
Luis looks at him in surprise, then chews his lip. "Oh you know about that? Well... it's not what you think."
Max gave him a look, "Then what was it?"
Luis sighed, "Listen that was just to make Chloe jealous. Red wants Chloe, not me. I don't want her either."
Max looked relieved, then he eased in his seat. "Well good because I don't want Chloe. She wants Red, we did that to make her jealous."
Luis turns to him, grinning, "And I'd assume that was your idea?"
Max shook his head, "No surprisingly it was the perfect princess's idea."
On the way to the boys dorms, Luis put his hand back on Max's thigh. This time he didn't remove it or call it an accident, he just didn't say anything about it.
He parked the car outside of Max's dorm then looked into the other boy's eyes. He chewed his lip nervously, "Hey would you want to stay at my dorm? My roommate is going to be out for the night."
Max eyes flickered down to his lips, before quickly darting back to his eyes. "Sure I guess."
The car turns back on as Luis turns the key then he drives to the other side where his dorm is. He parks in his spot and gets out, waiting in the front of the car for Max.
Luis leads him inside, locking the door behind them. They both kick off their shoes and Luis goes straight to his bed. He pats the space next to him, looking at Max expectantly.
The purple and black haired boy listens and sits down next to him. Luis smiles, a huge dorky grin that spreads across his whole face. "So you can sleep in my bed and I'll sleep in my roommate's bed. But for now we'll just sit in my bed, okay?"
"Yeah... your room your rules," Max said, scratching the back of his head. In doing so he accidentally knocks his hat off.
Before he could pick it up, Luis scoops it off the ground and puts it on his head. Anyone else, Max would've punched square in the nose, but he can't help but admit Luis looks cute with his hat on.
Immediately he shuts that thought down and takes his hat from Luis' head. If it was Hazel, he would've threatened her, anyone else he would've punched. But he didn't say or do anything to Luis, he just set his hat down on the bedside table.
Luis reaches out and ruffles his hair. Max glares at him, "You're already on thin ice Madrigal. Don't push it anymore."
The brunette swallowed, feeling himself harden a bit at the other boy saying his last name. He quickly gets comfortable in his bed, pulling the blanket over him.
"Let's watch a movie, yeah?" He questioned, tilting his head.
Max raised a brow, "But we just watched one."
Luis shrugged, "So? What's wrong with two movies?"
Max shrugged back, "Alright fine."
— — ⚔️❤️/🩷
Chloe is first to wake up like usual.
She gets ready and pulls her hair back, stopping for a moment to look longingly at Red. Then she slides on her sneakers and leaves the dorm, walking to her usual running path.
She feels peaceful as she runs; her feet patting against the ground, wind blowing through her hair. The rising sun is warm against her skin, keeping her from being cold from the chilly air.
Chloe stops at a water fountain for a few minutes, gulping up the water. She pulls back and wipes her mouth, checking her watch to see how many steps she'd taken.
"Hey Chloe!" Pink exclaimed, appearing out of nowhere.
Chloe jumped, startled by the sudden noise. "Merlin! Pink you scared me!"
Pink smiled sheepishly, "Sorry Chloe. Anyway I asked my sister if you guys were dating, because your like obviously in love with each other, and she kept denying it. So admit that you're dating."
Chloe tilts her head down a bit, feeling her face flush. "We are not dating."
The younger girl huffs, glaring at Chloe. "You're either lying or you're both in serious denial."
They stare at each other for a minute after that. Before Pink deflates, sighing. "Oh my hearts we have so much work do to."
"Huh?" Chloe questions, but doesn't get to say anything more before Pink starts dragging her somewhere.
"Pink! Wait!" Chloe called, trying to get the girl to stop pulling her. But Pink ignored her, continuing to drag to an unknown location.
Once they finally stopped, Pink whipped around with a smile. They were in front of Red and Chloe's dorm.
"Okay! Go confess!" Pink said cheerfully, gesturing to the door.
Chloe feels her cheeks heat up and she lets out a little squeak, "No! I'm not prepared to do that. I have a plan."
Pink pouts, wanting them to get together already. She's tired of watching them hopelessly pine after each other. She just wants them to date and be happy.
"What's your plan? Maybe I could help?" Pink offered, making her perk back up.
Chloe shakes her head, rubbing the back of her neck. "It's not something you can really help with. Me and Max are fake dating to make Red and Luis jealous."
"Max likes Luis?" Pink questions, her smile widening.
Chloe nods, confused by her sudden excitement. "Yeah he's had a crush on him for a little bit. We're helping each other."
Pink squealed, "Two cute couples! You guys need to get together already, it's sad watching you pine for each other. Tell Max if he needs help that I'm here."
Chloe's doesn't really think Max is going to take Pink's advice but she nods anyway. Pink skips away and Chloe's left in front of her dorm, just standing there for a moment.
She was a bit surprised by the switch up but blinked and knocked herself out of it. The door opened before Chloe could even grab the handle.
"Hey Chlo. Was someone out here? I heard voices," Red questioned, pushing her hair out of her face.
Chloe couldn't help but smile at the sight of Red looking sleepy. She just looked so cute.
"Hello? Earth to Charming," Red said, gently grabbing her face. Usually one would wave in a hand in front of the other's face, but Red would use any excuse to touch Chloe.
The blue haired girl flushes, "Sorry, yes, your sister was. She was talking to me as we walked back to the dorm."
Red hums, still not pulling her hand back. Chloe nestled into the hand subconsciously, her eyes flickering to Red's lips. She quickly swallows and looks back into her eyes.
"Come into our dorm now. You owe me cuddles for waking me up." Red says, letting go of Chloe's face and instead grabbing her forearm.
— — ⚔️/🎩
Chloe texts Max to meet her in the library.
She's there waiting for him, pacing back in forth. Her notebook with ideas is open on the table, 3 of the boxes checked off.
Max walks in to the library, going straight to the table Chloe's pacing at. He looks at her with a raised brow, immediately making her freeze in place.
"Sit down," Chloe said, pulling the chair out in front of her notebook and sitting in it.
Max follows, sitting in the chair beside her. "If this about the fake dating thing... I told Luis. But we can keep doing it for Red if you want."
Chloe looked at him with shock, "Max! What was the whole point of doing this if you don't follow through?"
"I think I have a chance. Without the fake dating. That was just getting in the way." Max explained, looking longingly in the direction of Luis' dorm. "He actually held my thigh on the way to his dorm, and didn't say anything about it."
Chloe immediately smiled widely, "Ooo he likes you."
Max gives her a deadpan look, "Are we in elementary school?"
Chloe playfully rolls her eyes, "It was just a joke. Have some joy and whimsy in your life."
Max sighs, "Why do I hang out with you again?"
"Because we're are both pinning for a girl and a boy who I caught kissing. Then we agreed to fake date to make them jealous but you told Luis about it." Chloe said, poking a finger into her chest.
Max grins, "Oh and I didn't tell you the best part. Luis and Red kissed to make you jealous."
The blue haired girl's eyes widened. She really wasn't expecting that. Now that she was really thinking it through though, it made sense. Red had never shown romantic desire in him before nor after the kiss.
They are both quiet for a moment, then Chloe slowly starts forming a plan in her head. "You told Luis about our plan, so we should make a new one. A different one."
"What new plan should we make?" Max questioned, confused on where Chloe was going with what she was saying.
"Well we know they both like us back. And while it's scary... I'm tired of waiting. So let's confess!" Chloe said, a beaming smile on her face.
Max turns pale after she says those words, "Confess?"
— —💪🎩
Max shifted back and forth nervously, fidgeting with the flowers he was holding.
Chloe helped him pick them out. He wasn't sure he wanted to get flowers, but Chloe suggested getting them from Luis' homeland. Max got them special ordered and then got then delivered today.
He was nervous but he wanted to make sure the brunette could have his flowers as fresh as possible. So, here he was about to confess to Luis. Chloe was hiding nearby, giving him a thumbs up whenever he looked at her.
Luis arrives right on time, the leaves and sticks crunching under his feet as he walks toward Max. His usual beaming smile is on this face but a bit softened, his special Max smile.
"Are those from Colombia?" Luis asked, his smile widening.
Max chews his cheek, "Yes, here you go." He holds out the flowers to Luis, trying to build up the confidence to confess.
Luis takes them and smells them. "So what did you call you me here for?"
Max takes a deep breath, "I have something to tell you." Since he no longer had the flowers in his hands, he fidgets with his fingers.
"You can tell me anything," Luis reassures, seeing how nervous Max is. He steps closer to the shorter boy, "You don't have to be so nervous Max, it's okay."
Max refuses to make eye contact, "Would you... um... g-go... out with me?" he mumbles, looking at the ground.
Luis looks confused, "Sorry I didn't catch what you said."
"Would you go out with me?!" Max spits out, slapping a hand over his mouth after the words spewed out. He jolts back in surprise, biting his cheek until he tastes blood.
They both look at each other, Luis not expecting the confession and Max not expecting the words to leave his mouth like that. Neither say anything for a moment, making Max shift uncomfortably.
Luis' shocked face fades away and it's replaced by a big goofy smile, "Of course I'll go out with you, Max. Just to confirm you do mean as a date, right?"
Max gives him a deadpan look, "Why would I be asking you to go out with me in a pretty spot, with flowers, if it wasn't a date?"
"Right," Luis says, scratching the back of his neck as his face flushes in embarrassment.
Chloe leaves the bush and walks over to them, "Congratulations!"
Luis jumps, not expecting her to suddenly jump out. Max isn't surprised, he saw her leave the bush. She looks between them, "I have to go confess to Red now."
"Finally," Luis says, stepping closer to Max.
Chloe waves then disappears down the path, going to grab her flowers for Red. Max and Luis were left alone together, unsure what to do now.
"I should put these in water," Luis says, holding on the flowers. "Would you like to come back to my dorm with me?"
Max nods, "Sure."
— —⚔️❤️
Chloe gets back to her dorm after only a few minutes of walking, a record time for walking.
She just wanted to get here fast since Red will be out of art club soon. Her flowers were currently sitting on Chloe's bed, waiting to be given to Red.
Chloe ordered them from Wonderland, Red's favorite flower, a bouquet of pink-spotted tickler roses. She sniffs them and laugh as they tickle her chin.
Now that she has the flowers, she just has to head down to her planned spot. Red would be back in the dorm soon and find the note she left earlier, then she would head down to where Chloe will be waiting.
Although she's 99.9% sure Red will say yes, she's still really nervous. She keeps switching the flowers between her hands and wiping her palms because they're getting too sweaty.
When Chloe gets the planned spot, she paces back and forth, trying to calm her nerves before Red shows up. She already has the words planned in her head, she just needs to speak them.
A few minutes pass; Red should be at the dorm by now. Chloe has about 10 minutes before she shows up, unless she runs. But Red isn't really a runner so Chloe doubts it.
The expected ten minutes pass and Chloe can see Red's hair through the trees. She gets to the spot with a smile, looking around at the lights. "What's all of this?"
Chloe holds out the bouquet, "Red of Hearts..." she trails off, taking a deep breath for confidence, "will you go out with me?"
A slow smile creeps up on Red's face. She walks towards Chloe, grabbing the bouquet. "Of course I'll go without you, princess. You're quite charming after all."
Chloe looks at her exasperated, "So you can make puns but I can't?"
Red pulls her forward by her waist, "Yes. I'm a hypocrite, mi princesa." She leans forward, her hands going up to cup Chloe's face. "Will a kiss make up for it?"
Chloe doesn't answer, instead she just grabs Red waist and kisses her. They both feel the fireworks explode in their chests. Their lips smacking together feel like sparks fueling the raging, hungry fire in their core.
The kiss was an addiction, once they experienced it they wanted more. Chloe held Red's waist tighter, kissing her desperately as she breathed heavily.
They were both out of breath but didn't want to split, it just felt so good to kiss. Red liked this way more than kissing Luis, but that was only a show to make Chloe jealous, so it made sense.
Red finally pulled back, unable to take the suffocation any longer. She was breathing heavily as she pulled back. Neither of them open their eyes, but they both lean forward and rest their foreheads together.