Hidden Hearts

02 - Seeing Him

Josh

Oh my god! I can't believe I just bumped into Max. Although I recognised him instantly, it doesn't seem like he remembered me.

Well, I guess I can't really blame him. With him having everyone's attention all the time, I don't think he would be able to remember anyone, especially anyone from high school. Yeah, we went to the same high school together.

I am a year younger than him and plus, college must have kept him busy to the point he can't even remember me.

But, I'm not mad or anything. I tend to forget things too so there's nothing worth getting mad at. In any case, he gave me his number to call him even though I already have his number on my phone. So, I decided to throw it away but something inside me told me not to and to check the number again.

I don't know why I had to but this feeling is just getting stronger and stronger by the second. Soon, I caved and looked back at the number and checked the number I had on my phone.

Whatever that is that had told me to check again was some sort of miracle as I realised the number on my phone and the number written on the paper were completely different. Why did he change his number? Did he lose his old phone or something?

In any case, before I forget, I dialed in his number into my phone before discarding the paper into the nearest trash can.

As soon as I did that, I headed into my dorm room and locked the door behind me. God, morning classes suck!

I had to wake up really early for this one but thankfully, my next one is in late afternoon so I had time to just unwind and relax. I guess the best part of college is that I don't have to wake up at 6 AM everyday just to go to school.

Honestly, I wasn't really expecting to bump into Max on my way back to my room. I didn't even know he lived in the same dorm building. It's not to say that I wasn't expecting him to be at Winterwake College. Even if he doesn't remember, he did tell me when we were in high school that he had planned to attend Winterwake despite it being out of state at the time.

Winterwake is a pretty prestigious college, probably the most prestigious since it is heavily funded by rich parents so their kids can have the best education money could buy.

It is by no means a private college but considering who the college aims to enroll, it mas as well be a private college. Although I don't exactly like the rich kids, I won't deny the fact that they are really smart and can cooperate just fine when needed to. It's just that they can be really snarky and annoying at times.

Now that I think of it, Max is also a rich kid but he isn't like them. After what happened in high school, I would've thought he'd be a cruel and sadistic asshole trying to get his revenge by hurting others. Instead, he decided not to stoop their level and became a silent guy who didn't engage anyone who tried to get his attention nor did he try and pick a fight with anyone. He changed physically but didn't change the way he is.

Which isn't a bad thing by any means. I would much rather he be a calm and kind man than an angry and cruel man. Considering his build, I don't think anyone like me would make it out alive.

Though, I don't know how I would've turned out if I was in his shoes. Maybe I would've ran away or maybe I would've ended it all right then and there. After all, there is only so much someone can take before they snap and do something that they regret. Even now, I don't know if he's being genuine with himself or if he's just putting on a mask to show to the world that he's fine. That he's a strong man that doesn't need help.

I don't know how to read body language or able to pick apart lies but when I talked to him back in high school, it always seemed like he is hiding something. Always seeming to be far away even when I was talking to him.

I don't know what has happened to him to feel like this but in the end, I was just a mere acquaintance to him. Being a year older than me meant he graduated high school before me and soon after, I was unable to ever speak to him again as he left for college.

From time to time, I did see his mum around town. She either went grocer shopping or even chatting with her neighbours. Oddly enough, during winter break and every other holiday, he didn't visit his home at all. I always wanted to ask his mum why Max didn't come home but I felt it was a bit insensitive to ask that plus, she usually had guests over during this time so I didn't want to make it awkward.

And there's also the fact that I've never been formally introduced to his mum so asking her about her son may seem a bit strange since she doesn't know me.

Because of that, I had to really work hard for my finals. If what he had said is true, he would be at Winterwake and if I managed to score really well, then maybe I could land a scholarship. And, that's what I did.

A scholarship into Winterwake College was given to me. Even if Max decided not to go here, I would've stayed here to study anyway. I mean, come on, this place is funded for the rich so might as well take the opportunity to study somewhere that clearly should be well maintained.

Even so, I wonder how long it would take him to recognise me. Though, I highly doubt it would be any time soon. Should I drop hints to him or should I just tell him outright? But then, he might not even be able to remember me at all and then I'd make a fool of myself.

Maybe, I can just start over and try to become his friend instead of playing a guessing game with him. That sounds like a way better idea. I doubt he'd be too thrilled trying to wrap his head around the fact that I know him from high school.

I look at the clock that hung atop the living room and saw it had been a few minutes past 9. Well, I still have a lot of time to just rest. Maybe I could just take a nap then head out for lunch when I wake up.