The final bell echoed through the hallways, and students immediately poured out of their classrooms, their footsteps quick and loud against the polished floor. Max walked out with his backpack slung over one shoulder, weaving through the crowd until he stepped outside the school gate.
The Manhattan air was warm, buzzing with traffic and chatter from nearby street vendors. Max scanned the line of cars waiting along the curb, expecting to see the familiar black limo. But it wasn't there yet.
He sighed and leaned against the metal railing.
Barely five minutes passed before the sleek limo rounded the corner and pulled up beside him. The door opened automatically.
Max climbed inside and immediately saw his mother sitting comfortably on the opposite seat.
"Good afternoon, Mom," Max said.
"Good afternoon," Sophia replied with a gentle smile. "How was school?"
"It was fine. Actually… a lot happened."
As the driver started the engine and pulled into the busy street, she leaned slightly closer. "Tell me everything."
Max didn't hesitate. He started talking about missing assembly by a minute, getting to class first, his banter with Steven, the jokes with Moses and Elliot, and the announcement about the school competition. Sophia listened with full attention, nodding and reacting at the right moments—one thing Max always loved about her. She made everything he said feel important.
Halfway through his story, she suddenly remembered what Maximus had told her that morning:
Buy all the supplies needed for Max's birthday party. Don't tell him about the gifts. Keep everything a surprise.
The car pulled into a small shopping district in Midtown. Sophia tapped the glass between them and the driver slowed to a stop.
She turned to Max. "Wait in the car for a few minutes, sweetheart. I need to buy something."
Max watched as she stepped out, her heels clicking lightly against the pavement. Through the tinted window, he saw her walk into a party supplies store.
A few minutes later, Sophia returned holding several neatly packed bags. She placed them in the back seat before getting in again.
Max eyed the bags immediately. "Are those the materials for my birthday?"
"Yes," she admitted with a soft laugh.
His eyes narrowed. "Is my birthday present in there?"
Sophia smiled teasingly. "You'll just have to wait and see on Friday."
They drove off again, and Max continued telling her everything he hadn't finished earlier. But when he mentioned something unexpected—
"…and I told Steven I'd take first place in our class this year."
Sophia blinked in surprise. "You want to be first? Why?"
Max shrugged but looked determined. "Because he thinks he's unbeatable. I want to prove that he's not the only smart person in the class. Anyone can take first."
Sophia nodded slowly. "If that's what you want, then go for it. Just be sure you're doing it for yourself—not to fight with him."
"I know," Max replied.
"And the competition?" she added. "Are you joining it?"
"Yes," Max said confidently. "I want to try."
"Alright," she said, pleased. "Continue."
He finished the rest of the story, then paused before asking, "Mom, can you print the invitations for my birthday party? Put that it starts at 2 PM and ends at 6 PM. And write our address clearly."
"Of course," she said. "When do you need them?"
"Wednesday."
She nodded. "Alright. I'll have them ready."
When they reached home, Sophia later met Maximus and filled him in on everything Max told her—especially the part about the invitations, the competition, and Max's unexpected desire to top the class rankings. Maximus handed her money to print the invitations first thing the next morning.
Max, on the other hand, went upstairs, changed out of his uniform, took a warm bath, and slipped into his comfortable house clothes. He headed downstairs when he heard his mother call him for dinner.
The dining room felt cozy, the warm lighting reflecting softly on the polished wooden table. His plate was already served—rice and grilled chicken. Max sat down and began eating.
Moments later, Maximus walked in, his presence filling the room. He took his seat and started on his food.
"So," Maximus said, looking at his son, "everything you told your mother is true?"
Max nodded. "Yes, sir."
Maximus smirked faintly, impressed. "Good. That's nice."
They finished their meals in comfortable silence. Max took his empty plate to the kitchen, washed his hands, and moved to the living room. He turned on the TV for a while, flipping between channels, then later pulled out his textbooks and read for a bit—trying to keep his promise to himself.
Hours later, tired from the long day, he switched off the light in his room, crawled into bed, and fell asleep almost instantly.
Tomorrow, everything would begin again. But for now, Max rested peacefully, unaware of how drastically his world would one day change.