Chapter 36 - Revival.

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 With concern, Maxine watched through the gap in the bushes as the Golden Twins, about a minute after Stefan's counter-curse had been swiftly cast, began to properly stand up and start to gain different expressions as the effects of the counter came fully into play. They were extremely angry - that was evident - and very convincing. Ava started shouting at her twin as she wiped mud off her face with both horror and fury and Avery's face was like thunder as he gripped his wand and turned around savagely, scanning the vicinity for their attackers. But, luckily for Maxine, Stefan had been spot on, and she and Theon were well concealed in the clump of tall ferns that clustered in the nearby copse. Holding her breath to stop her sighing with relief, Maxien watched the Golden Twins give up searching and turn to good, heading up the grassy slopes back to the castle. 

But, as Ava turned to follow her twin, an untimely disturbance occurred. Theon, who had been completely unconscious, awoke with a shout, causing Ava to jerk her head to stare hard at where the noise had some from and Maxine to clamp her hand over Theon's mouth as she watched the golden girl stare at them with horror. Not that Ava seemed to realise they were there, in the end, instead giving the bushes a long, hard stare then turning slowly to catch up with her brother. Maxine, relaxing her body, let out a sigh of relief and removed her hand from where it was clamped over his mouth before looking at the bewildered Theon awkwardly.

"Sorry." She said with embarrassment, pitching her tone low.

Theon looked at her in confusion and then sat up in a dazed may as Maxine crouched next to him. After an awkward pause, he looked at her with warm brown eyes and said with disbelief. "You saved me?"

To Maxine that was what she had been wanting to hear ever since she'd realised it had been an awful plan to dive in and save the boy. Because now that completely contradicted Stefan...it had been worth it. He was actually grateful. She stared at him for a second, then snapped out of it, rushing to answer.

"No - it's alright...I mean...we couldn't just stand there."

"We?" He queried.

"Me and Stefan....we came across you and the twins duelling..." She looked at him seriously. "Are you ok? I didn't expect you to wake up - by the looks of it you got hit by multiple stunners."

Theon gave a bitter laugh and moved to sit up properly. "Avery's not as talented as Spellcasting as you'd think. Not when he's in a temper, anyway." He looked around himself. "Where's my wand?"

Maxie hurriedly dug her hand into her pocket and produced it, Stefan having given it to her before his departure. "Here you go." She said less awkwardly, handing the object to Theon. But now, thinking of Stefan, she was reminded of his purpose of leaving. "Look - er - Theon - Stefan's gone up to the castle to fetch help...we thought we'd have to haul you back...but now..."

She trailed off, not knowing what to organise. But Theon, unwittingly helpful, solved her problems. "Look, I'm fine, seriously. I've just been stunned and though I'm a bit wobbly, I don't need to be dragged back." He laughed slightly and Maxine grinned and stood up as he also did so. "I reckon we should head back to the castle...Avery and Ava'll be back."

Maxine nodded, turning to look out onto the flat. "Ok. We'll have to try and find Stefan, though - he'll be heading down this ay so if we go back up the slopes we can show him you're fine and that we don't actually need to 'haul' you back." She said, adding humour to her words, for which she earned a smile for Theon.

"Sounds good...now we just have to get out of this jungle." He answered, peering through the bushes. Maxine laughed as he did so, finding herself grinning naturally. She  wasn't used to it but et herself go, strangely relaxed. Perhaps it was because Stefan wasn't there to remind her that this was a boy she should not trust.

"Don't worry - there is a way out." She bent down slightly and started to walk slowly beneath the branches, avoiding brambles and nettles as she found her way out. Theon followed behind her, giving himself a minute to relax, then starting a conversation immediately after they were out of it and had started walking up towards the castle.

"Er - Maxine - I guess I should thank you." He began in a cutely awkward way, rubbing the back of his neg with his let hand.

She turned round and smiled, still forgetting herself without Stefan around, pleased that he was acting so sincerely. "Theon, it's fine."

But to her surprise, he shook his head. "No, it isn't." He looked up at her from the side. "Look, Maxine, you don't trust me and neither do your friends. Yet you rescued me from what could have been another torturous occasion from the Golden Twins. Thank you. I mean it."

Maxine felt a warmth swell in her heart. He was right - she hadn't trusted him - because of what her friends had warned her of. But now...he seemed so genuine. And in need. He still thought that she didn't trust him, but now she had to out it right. But only you some degree. Stefan had to much of an influence on her and she wasn't ignoring him yet. Just going her own way with judgement.

"It's true; I didn't trust you. You can see why, because of you and the Golden Twins." She looked at him sincerely. "But Theon, I'm not saying I don't completely mistrust you. I'm just saying I have to keep my guard up. Alright?"

He nodded. "Of course I understand." He looked at her. "But Maxine...even if you chose to think this isn't true...I don't want anything more to do with Avery and Ava. I want to start anew and stop paying for their influence on myself and those around me."

"And I want to give you a chance." Maxine found herself saying. "But how did you get into a duel with them in the first place?"

His face darkened. "Money." He said savagely. "They wanted more."

Maxine looked at him in disbelief. "Seriously? Don't they know when to stop?"

He laughed bitterly. "No." His tone was dark but honest. "Because they're greedy, power-hungry physcos."

Maxine paused, looking at him with penetrating eyes. From what she could detect, the boy was sincere. His tone seemed honest and his face truthful. As if he hated them. Maxine opened her mouth, ready to speak, but then he cut in again, gesturing forwards as they came over the top of the slope.

"Look." He nodded his head forward and Maxine saw Stefan, Rose and Fauna heading their way. "Your friends." He turned to her. "I'll head off."

It was said in such a manner that Maxine let go. He knew exactly how to play her and got exactly what he wanted as he moved to walk off.

"Look, Theon." She grabbed his arm as he turned and pulled him back. "Theon, I'm willing to give you another chance, as I said. If you can prove yourself trustworthy, I'll accept you. Because I haven't condemned you like the rest of the school has."

Theon looked at her with an appealing and grateful look in his dark eyes. "Thank you, Maxie." He said sincerely. "You won't regret it."