Chapter 1

"Is it really okay honey?" Natalie Ferguson, Maxine's mom, asked with concern evident in her voice. "Mom, it's okay," Maxine said with a grin, groaning as she shoved the last suitcase into the trunk of the car. Maxine's parents had just divorced, a fact that sparked a number of changes in her otherwise idyllic life, including a change of schools. This was particularly a problem because Maxine had it so good at her old school. She was popular there, with her beautiful auburn hair and her sparkling brown eyes, and she was talented too. Everyone was in awe of her amazing voice. The divorce also meant they left New Jersey for the Upper East Side of New York, where her mother grew up with her grandfather. Maxine decided to stay with her mother after her separation. She didn't feel close to her father since he was always far away anyway. More importantly, she still couldn't get over the idea of ​​her father being with another woman. Mrs. Ferguson looked around her. "Where is your brother?" "Cuckoo!" a five-year-old boy jumped after her. "You scared me Alex!" her mother exclaimed, clutching her ******. "All ready?" she asked. "Yes," Maxine replied after securing Alex in her car seat in the back. "New York, here we go!" Mrs. Ferguson exclaimed optimistically as Maxine buckled her seat belt. "Yes, here I come," Maxine sighed sadly. After a couple of hours, they reached Crystal Life.

Condominium. His grandfather offered to help them in this place. It was twenty-one stories high, spanning 3,000 square feet along Fifth Avenue. As they got out of the car, they were approached by a large old man, probably in his fifties. Obviously, his hair was dyed black and he was wearing a majestic uniform. "The Ferguson family, I presume?" asked the old man in an accentuated voice. British, Maxine observed. "Yes, we are," Mrs. Ferguson replied, smiling at him. "My father must have told you we were coming." "Indeed," the old man agreed. "My name is Benedict, Madame. Please let me take things from him." Benedict gestured to the bellboy next to him, who prepared to collect his belongings. Maxine stared at her mother, curious if this was the kind of life her mother was used to. She absently followed her into the elevator, enjoying the luxury of the place. When they came down on the twentieth floor, she gasped as her feet stepped onto the elegant carpet. The walls were lined with elegant beige floral wallpaper. On every table in every corner of the hall were expensive vases filled with white roses. Maxine noticed that there were only three doors on that floor; a fire escape and two other doors that probably opened to the condo units. "Just put them here," Mrs. Ferguson ordered the bellhop. "We'll take them ourselves, thank you," she said as she tipped him. "That's us," Ms. Ferguson said to Maxine and Alex as she pointed to door 40. Suddenly Alex jumped up, jumped up and ran down the hall and stopped in front of the other unit, door 39. He called furiously. at the door until someone finally opened it.

A tall teenager with tousled blond hair and striking blue eyes peeked out from behind the door. He was wearing a black sweatshirt with the word SKY written on it, his body was slim and not overly muscular. He's cute, Maxine thought. Alex froze and hid behind Maxine. "Can I help you?" the boy asked in a deep voice. "Sorry if we disturb you, young man-" Mrs. Ferguson apologized, but Alex cut her off. "Hi I'm Alex!" Alex intervened behind Maxine. "Hey. I'm Todd," the boy replied, his lips forming a smile. At that moment, a sophisticated woman came out of the unit. "Todd, what are you doing?" The lady stopped and looked at Mrs. Ferguson. "Natalie ?! Is that you?" she demanded. "My, my, it's been a long time!" She laughed as he walked over to Natalie and kissed her on the cheek. Mrs. Ferguson smiled. "Janice! Janice Samuels!" The two women hugged and Mrs. Samuels motioned for Todd to help them with the family's luggage. Maxine was struggling with her stuff, when a deep voice said softly, "Let me help you with that." Maxine turned to see Todd bending down to help her. "Hey," she finally told her, extending her free hand in a handshake. She shyly looked at her hand as she shook it. "Maxine," she said, pulling away seconds later, her heart pounding. They carried their luggage into the living room where their mothers spoke enthusiastically, catching up. Maxine looked around her. "Whoa!" she exhaled. Both women did not seem to notice her presence. "So how is your husband, Mike?" Mrs. Ferguson asked. Ms. Samuels replied, "Lately, busy with work,

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