AND THERE WAS ME

CHAPTER 2

Rueben's POV
  Friday rolled by really fast . And before I knew it , Max was barging into my office like an uncouth bustard.

"Hello to you too darling Maximilliun"
I said , my tone dripping with sarcasm  .
"No need to be so mean . Jeesh ! "
I laughed.
"What's up ?"
" ugh . Got tired of work so I decided to come wait for you "
"Aren't you the cutest. "
"Shut up ! Law is just really tiring"
" I remember  telling you that a couple of years back but guess who was so passionate ? "
"The passion is still there.  I guess I'm just growing old . "
" You're only 28 !" 
"Fair point. Fair point..." he mused , standing up and moving to the window .

"I miss  the old days  yknow, when we could party till we dropped . Pull stupid pranks on housemates .. I mean who would've  thought UCLA would've been that lit " 
I smiled as I reminiced those memories .
"I miss it too . But I guess we just grew up "
"Too fast . Someone take me back!! "
Laughing,  I shut down my computer  and stood up .

"Let's go"
"Sure thing "
Grabbing his keys from my desk , we both stepped out .

"Yo ! Dyou remember  where we're  going ??!"
"Of course I do"
"Which exit are we taking ?"
"Ummm the 8th ?"
"Fucking hell.  Get your ass in the car"
"No need for violence fam .  You got it . I'm moving" .
"I can't believe you don't remember where my house is ???!!!"
"We spent all out childhood playing in the barkyard to some point and video games in my room to another then throwing mad house parties when my parents weren't around and you've forgotten where the house is located ?!"
"I haven't been there in ages Max ! Chill out !"
"I'm not gonna chill out . I'm very very offended "
"Yo, it's not like you live there anymore"
"You know you're just making this worse right ?"
"You know we're bickering like girls right ?"

He fell silent. 
"Exactly  so shut up and drive us to your house " I replied , turning on the radio
"I hate you so much "
"Sure you do .It's pretty palpable " I replied , turning up the volume on the radio as Shawn Mendes'  there's nothing holding me back blasted through. 

After a few minutes of speeding on the freeway we branched off into a small community  ..

"Hey Max . I think I just remembered  the exit "
"Don't you fucking dare fam . Don't you dare "
He gritted out in mock anger .
I burst out in heart clenching laughter as we turned into the drive way of his old house .
As soon as he killed the engine , his mom , Grace , appeared  at the door smiling so so wide ..
"Oh my darling boys"  She whimpered as we got closer .
"It's so good to see you"  She said , Grabbing our faces with the palm of her hand  .
"It's good to see you too mum"
"Come in , come in !"
We entered the house and my heart suddenly  felt at peace  ... a peace I'd never thought I needed. 
Growing up , my parents were never really around it was always nannies.  So as soon as I was old enough  I was left at the Cocker's at the slightest opportunity  . Sometimes I'd stay for days or weeks non stop . I grew to prefer spending time there to my own home . I only used  to go there when I needed something or Max and I were running away from chores . So basically  , this was home .

Moving into the living  room I saw Sally   , Max's sister , seated in the sofa. I walked quietly towards her and clearer my throat .

"Oh my God! Its been ages "
She exclaimed  , jumping up to hug me
"I missed you too Sally" I replied  taking a seat beside her in the sofa

"So how is Oxford?"
"Is ? You mean was " she giggled.
"Wait . You're done ?"
"I am . "
"Wow . When did that happen?"
"Last year . "
"Forgive me Max never said anything  about it "
"Oh don't worry . He couldn't make it himself. I would've been here earlier but I spent the last year exploring  London until I exhausted  all my savings"
I chuckled
"Okay ,how about I take you out . Anywhere  you want . All expenses on me "
"Why , that does sound amazing. "
"Great!  Call me whenever  you're ready "
"I definitely will" She replied as I stood up and went to look for Max

I found him in the kitchen  with Grace .
Entering  , I took a seat on the bar stool as I joined in the conversation . Soon enough , it was time for dinner . I hadn't realised how much I has missed sitting around a table with lovely people . And for the first  time in a long time , I was happy .