Maxly in Love

Chapter 4

"How could he say that?" 

Max stood in his room looking at his roommates who were sitting on the bottom bunk of their bed. He was breathing heavily, and his arms were up towards the ceiling. He was fuming. Earlier today Bradley had come up to Max while he was practicing and rubbed his rejection in his face. Max stood his ground and told him off, and it seemed to work. Hopefully Bradley would back off. 

"Well, what did you do about it man?" Bobby asked. His hands were on his knees. Bobby was perched on the edge of the bed, two index fingers to his lips. He was hanging onto Max's every word nodding his head. "I told him off! I told him that he got everything he ever wanted, and that he didn't need another success. He doesn't need me." Max folded his arms and looked toward his window. Something stirred inside of him at the thought of telling Bradley off. Telling Bradley that he didn't need Max. He didn't know that it felt good. It was the first time he had ever fought back before. Max's dad had always taught him to fight with peace, and not hate. He moved his hands to wrap around his body suddenly feeling violently upset.

"Guys," Max started, looking at the other two. "I think I feel... bad."

"Bad?!" PJ and Bobby shouted. Max waved his hands frantically in front of him. "I know it sounds crazy but listen!" they were hovering above the bed, ready to pounce Max. "Just listen. I know I'm imagining things, but I think he looked like he felt- I don't know. Never mind." He wrapped his arms back around his body. 

"Max." PJ stood up. "You don't think he felt... bad, do you?" Max perked up. Of course he thought that. But Max was determined not to give him a chance. No one with real human feelings could treat someone like that and just walk away. No matter what, he didn't deserve it.  "No." Max responded quickly. "I think he felt triumphant. Bradley Uppercrust only finds joy in crushing people's souls and taking candy from babies." At that Bobby rolled over on the bed laughing. Max giggled. It occurred to Max the qualifying rounds of the X-games were in less than two weeks. Hopefully he could blow off some steam tomorrow. Thinking about the skate park made him think about Bradley. This put a pit in the bottom of his stomach, and suddenly he didn't want to talk about this anymore. He didn't even want to think about it. 

Max stretched, "Welp, I'm pooped. I'm gonna hit the sack." Bobby and PJ looked at each other, and then back at Max. "Are you okay buddy?" PJ asked. He had his head tilted to one side. "Yup, I'm great. Just fine. I'm just tired is all. Plus, we have our first day of classes tomorrow. We should get rested up for that." Max spun around on his heel and grabbed his pajamas off the floor. 

Max laid in his bed. His back to the room. All he could think about was Bradley's speckled eyes. The rest of what Bradley said had fallen away. There was just something about blue and tan speckles surrounded by chocolate brown that made Max lay completely still. He opened his eyes attempting to blink away the vision, but it was all he could see. The other day he had been so close to Bradley that Max could memorize each spec. 

Max rubbed his face repeatedly and sighed. This was stupid. The words Bradley said were stupid. His eyes were stupid. He rolled over on his back with Stuffed Bear laying across this chest and stared at the ceiling. Max listened to the peaceful breathing of his roommates. He defiantly wasn't going to get any sleep. So, he climbed out of bed, grabbed his board, and slinked out of their room. 

Their conversation from earlier in the day was taking up every inch of his brain. He needed to shake the thoughts. Bradley wasn't worth the energy he was taking up in Max's brain. His board hit the sidewalk and cruised. Max wasn't entirely sure where he was going, but he needed to go somewhere. Part of Max wished he had his dad. He would know what to do. He always knew what to do. But Dad was two hours away and Max didn't have a car. Max looked up at the stars as he pumped his board. 

In no time the scenery began to change in an unfortunate but familiar way. Big white and brick houses scooted past Max. Something kept pulling him here. He had his eye on one specific house. Max scoffed and rolled his eyes pushing the idea out of his head. What would he do if he stopped at the Gamma house? He had no reason to be there other than to look at Bradley and fume. He needed that energy for practice, classes, and the games. As he rolled past the house, he noticed one of the members sitting on the front steps with his head in his hands. It was Bradley. Bradley's head perked up and the two looked at each other. Bradley looked as though he wanted to shoot up and out at Max, but instead slumped back down into the steps of the huge house. His stomach set on fire. 

Max rode around a little longer before turning around for the dorms. When he arrived, Max was sure to open the door as quietly and as little as possible. Letting only a sliver of light into the room. He propped his board against the wall and slipped his shoes off. Careful not to fling them and make too much noise. The fire in his stomach was still alive, but only a simmer. Max clamored into bed. Grabbing Stuffed Bear and squeezing him tight. He wanted to squeeze the fire out of his stomach. Get out get out get out. He wanted his dad. Max groaned and rolled over. 

This was going to be impossible. 

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Thank you for being patient each week! I know this week was short, but next week will be exciting. Stay tuned and thank you for all of your support.