up and down, hugging Evan, while the Trig Monkeys groan in disappointment. Max slumps in his chair, looking thoroughly unimpressed with himself.

Phoebe smugly. "Told you I was greater than Max."

Max grumbling. "That was a trick question..."

Melanie shakes her head at him, trying not to laugh. She's still running on adrenaline, but she knows one thing—Max totally blew it. And she totally carried her team.

The crowd is still buzzing from the Algebrats' victory. Melanie stands off to the side, taking a moment to collect herself after carrying her team to victory. Max, hands in his pockets, saunters up beside her, wearing a smirk that's equal parts mischievous and defeated.

Melanie smiled. "Hey, Max."

Max grinning. "Hey."

Melanie folding her arms. "I just wanna say... I know you got that last question wrong on purpose."

Max mock gasp. "What? No, I didn't."

Melanie raising an eyebrow. "Yes, you did."

Max sighing, rolling his eyes. "Fine. I did. But only so I could get out of your class of nerdlings and back to my old one—y'know, numbers and stuff."

Melanie soft smile. "Well... it was still a really nice thing to do."

Max smirking. "Whatever. It's not like you knew the answer anyway."

Melanie offended gasp. "Yes, I did."

Max grinning wider. "No, you didn't."

Melanie frustrated. "Ugh! I knew you would ruin this moment!" She points a finger at him, eyes narrowing in mock warning. "And don't you dare say "No, you didn't," because you will regret it."

Max pauses for a beat, considering his options. Then—

Max grinning smugly. "No, you didn't."

Melanie shaking her head. "That's it." She turns to the crowd, claps her hands, and calls out. "Hit it, guys!"

Suddenly, the speakers blast upbeat dance music. The lights dim slightly as the rest of the students flood onto the floor, turning the gym into an impromptu dance party. Phoebe, Sarah, Evan, and even the teacher jump in, clapping along as the students start dancing.

Max looks around, confused, then back at Melanie, who's grinning triumphantly.

Max chuckling. "Oh, so this was your plan all along?"

Melanie grinning. "Maybe. Gotta celebrate my big win somehow."

Max shakes his head with a smirk, then finally gives in, taking Melanie's hand and pulling her into the dance floor. The two laugh as they join the others, the Math Bowl already forgotten as the gym transforms into a full-blown victory celebration.

Max and Melanie sit across from each other in a booth, each with a milkshake in front of them. Max sips his chocolate shake nonchalantly while Melanie playfully stirs hers with her straw. They've been teasing each other the entire time, the energy between them light and electric.

Melanie mocking. "I still can't believe you thought "eleventy-seven" was an actual number."

Max grinning. "And I still can't believe you looked like you were gonna pass out from pure math overload. It was like watching a robot malfunction."

Melanie laughing. "Oh, shut up! I was in the zone."

Max teasing. "Yeah, a zone of numbers and nerd-dom. Next stop: calculator appreciation club." Melanie rolls her eyes but can't hide her smile. She playfully flicks a bit of whipped cream at Max, hitting him on the nose. He blinks in surprise before smirking.

Max mock-offended. "Oh, you did not just do that."

Melanie grinning. "Oh, I did."

Max retaliates by swiping his finger in his shake and dabbing a bit of whipped cream on Melanie's cheek. She gasps dramatically before wiping it off, shaking her head at him. "You're such a child."

Max grinning smugly. "And yet, you still like me."

Melanie opens her mouth to fire back, but before she can, Max leans in. Without even thinking, she meets him halfway, and suddenly, they're kissing. It's soft, spontaneous, and completely unexpected. The teasing melts away, replaced by something warmer, something real.

After a moment, they pull away, eyes wide in surprise at what just happened. Melanie blinks, her cheeks flushed, while Max rubs the back of his neck, looking—just for a second—uncharacteristically shy.

Melanie softly. "Well... that happened."

Max smirking. "Yeah. And you kissed me back, so I win."

Melanie laughing, shaking her head. "You're impossible." She glances at her watch and suddenly panics. "Oh, shoot! It's late. We should head home."

They grab their milkshakes and start walking back to the house. As they reach the front door, Melanie turns to Max, her voice softer now. "I had a really great time."

Max grinning. "Well, duh. You were with me."

Melanie rolling her eyes, but smiling. "Goodnight, Max."

Max smiled. "Night, nerd."

Melanie rushes up to her room, still feeling the warmth of their kiss as she gets ready for the movie night with Phoebe.

Melanie and Phoebe are curled up under blankets, watching a movie together. A bowl of popcorn sits between them, and the glow of the screen lights up their faces. It's comfortable, familiar—just like old times.

Phoebe playfully nudging Melanie. "So, had to squeeze me into your busy schedule, huh?"

Melanie grinning. "Please, like I'd ever replace you. No one could."

Phoebe smiles, clearly appreciating the sentiment. They settle back into their movie, giggling at the cheesy dialogue.

The movie has long since ended, and both girls have drifted off to sleep, snuggled under their blankets. But outside the room, Max creeps down the hallway, a mischievous grin on his face. He quietly slips into Melanie's room, careful not to wake them.

He pulls out a marker and—without hesitation—draws a ridiculous mustache on Phoebe's face, then adds cat whiskers on Melanie's. He snaps a quick picture on his phone, stifling a laugh, before sneaking back out.

The camera lingers on the peaceful scene—Melanie and Phoebe sound asleep, completely unaware of Max's prank. The screen fades to black as Max's quiet chuckle echoes in the hallway.

Hey guys, here's the next chapter! God, I love writing this book! I feel like I've balanced the good and the bad between Melanie & Max. What do you think?