It's Never Over | Madwheeler

7. I'm Bitter But I Swear I'm Fine

Chapter Playlist

1. Caught in the Middle: Paramore
2. Somebody Else: The 1975
3. Afterglow: Taylor Swift

Max thought it would be best if Mike did Bryces work induction, similarly to the interview she felt as though it was the responsible and more professional thing to do. Max and Bryce had spent the morning sharing secret looks from opposite sides of the room which Mike pretended not to notice, he didn't want to come across bitter and certainly didn't want to spoil things for Max.

Bryce: So when are we going on our next date?

Bryce had appeared behind Max who was sorting the Horror film section, she was surprised but pleased he had come over to talk to her.

Max: Well when did Mike say you could have your break?

Bryce: 12 o'clock, same as you.

Max: Well that's convenient.

Bryce: Very.

Max was surprised Mike had allowed Bryce to go on break at the same time, she wasn't sure why but she sort of assumed he'd attempt to keep them apart as much as possible.

But again, she wasn't sure why she thought that and she wasn't sure why she was thinking about it at all.

Bryce: What's on your mind?

Max: Oh nothing, I'm glad we're hanging out.

Bryce: Is there anywhere nice to sit around here?

Max was glad Bryce didn't question her further. In truth she was feeling slightly distant, she couldn't stop thinking about Mike. She didn't think things would change that much with Bryce becoming employed at Family Video but she suddenly felt as though everything was slipping out of her control. She had barely spoken to Mike all day and now she was going to be in such close proximity with Bryce regularly and it all just felt a bit intense. She already missed bickering with Mike over whether they should order by alphabet or time era or both, she missed their conversations when waiting around for customers, she missed their disagreements over where they should hang posters and who should go out and get them lunch. The funny thing was she was missing things that were regular occurrences until that morning.

Was Bryce really going to change things that much? Or did Max just want Mike to herself?...

Bryce: Hawkins really isn't so bad.

Max: It can be okay I guess, it just doesn't feel like home.

Bryce: No?

Max and Bryce sat on a bench in the town park, looking out at the trees and dog walkers who passed by.

Max: Ive lived here for over five years and I still don't really feel like I fit in.

Bryce: Where did you live before?

Max: California.

Bryce: Wow okay big change.

Max: Yup. And I mean don't get me wrong of course I'm used to living here and it's not all bad but I still feel like I have more bad memories here than good ones.