Empire of Nothing

Nova didn't like surprises.

They made her feel out of control — and for most of her life, control was the only thing she had left. Emotions were unreliable. People even more so.

So when Ethan started being slightly less robotic and more… aware of her, she was already suspicious.

And when Max started acting weird the next day?

She was ready to call the paranormal hotline.

She found him in the game room.

Alone, which was rare.Not gaming, which was rarer.Sitting on the couch, staring blankly at the TV, a controller untouched on the cushion beside him.

Nova walked in slowly, folding her arms. "What happened? Your joke machine run out of batteries?"

Max didn't look at her.

"Are you here to stab me or something?" he muttered.

Nova raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"You've been glaring at all of us for weeks. I just figured it was my turn."

"I don't stab. I just leave people alone. It's a lost art around here."

He gave a tired smile. "You don't really leave anyone alone. You just stay so quiet, it makes people uncomfortable."

"I'm not here to entertain you."

"Never said you were."

They sat in awkward silence.

Then Max finally said, "I saw Ryder yelling at Leon this morning."

Nova tensed. "Why?"

"He's mad that Leon's letting you have so much freedom."

Her voice was cool. "Because I went to a sleepover?"

"Because you're not… miserable, I guess." Max shrugged. "It's like, the more normal you act, the more it drives him insane."

Nova looked at him. "You think I don't want to be miserable?"

"No," Max said, finally turning toward her. "I think you're the only one here trying not to be."

Nova stared at him for a long moment.

Then asked quietly, "Why are you telling me this?"

He leaned back against the couch. "Because I think I messed up when you moved in."

She said nothing.

"I thought it'd be easier to ignore you. That if we acted like you didn't belong, maybe you'd leave." He ran a hand through his messy hair. "But you didn't."

"No," she said softly. "I didn't."

Max looked at her. And for once… there was no sarcasm in his face. No grin. No deflection.

Just guilt.

And something that looked a little like regret.

"So… yeah," he said finally. "I'm not going to be Ryder. And I'm not going to pretend I didn't screw up. But maybe I could—" He fumbled for the words. "Start over?"

Nova considered him carefully.

Then: "Bring me chocolate, and I'll think about it."

He blinked.

She smirked. "I hold grudges. You'll have to bribe me."

Max let out a breath and smiled. "Noted."