Could It Be Us? | Maxley

➳ 5

CHAPTER 5

Max

I should've stayed quiet, held my tongue when he talked about my piercings. Instead, I was stuck lowering the camera to get an angle I thought he might enjoy. Truly, it could have been far worse, perhaps in the end, the both of us enjoying teasing each other like this. What I should have done was text the girl who gave me her number. She seemed sweet. I could have fallen for a girl like that. If in this moment she was the one I was thinking about, I might have. Instead, I thought of Bradley.

Max

Image sent

A few slow minutes passed by. He hadn't replied. I shouldn't have given a damn if he saw the photo. Why was I out to please him anyway? Still, I wanted to send him more just to see what he would say.

Max

Image sent

Image sent

Image sent

Max

Are those okay for you, darling?

Selfish Idiot

Don't call me that.

Max

Did you like them?

Selfish Idiot

I won't say.

Max

That's cool, if you want me to send more just let me know. Yk, so you can hate on them or whatever.

Selfish Idiot

Thanks.

I realized he did like them. Why did that threaten a smile on my lips?

Max

If you want to see them in person, you know where I'll be.

I dug my teeth into my cheek. I had invited him over. It could have been the girl I invited over to feel my piercings. It wasn't, however. What was her name, even? I didn't remember. Why didn't I remember? That's right, I was thinking of Bradley. He fogged my memory of her speaking.

Bradley

Yeah, okay.

- - -

I waited with my knees puzzled to my chest. I hoped I'd hear a knock on my door, even if I knew who'd be on the other side.

Days passed with any contact between us. I went to classes, skateboarded, and I went to the cafe. He wasn't ever there. A part of me missed seeing his stupid face everywhere I went. The other part was glad I was finally away from him. Except, that part of me was small, and I wanted to see Bradley.

I woke up that morning, I did my usual things. I stretched my arms, dug through my dresser, changed my clothes, but something was off. It was quiet. Bobby and P.J made sure it was never this silent. They were always on about something, or, on something. They were a wild card. "You won't greet your guest?"

"AHH."

"Shut up! It's me," Bradley snapped. I looked at him with a bewildered expression.

"What-what are you doing in my dorm? I changed, why didn't you say anything, creep!"

He rolled his eyes. "So, you can see me naked and I can't see you in your super hero boxers, alright, Freshman." He crossed his arms over his chest. "Anyway, I came over to talk about those pictures." He sighed and walked back and forth nervously.

I couldn't help it, my foot started tapping the ground rooted from my nerves. "Just say it." He was blushing slightly. I thought for a moment he was embarrassed to be there. He dug his phone from his pocket and finally flipped it around. I looked down, my name was at the top of the screen. This was our chats. 'If you want to see them in person, you know where I'll be.' I laughed. "Yeah?"

Bradley tucked his phone back in his pockets. "Yeah." He looked away shyly.

Bingo. I guess I knew then why he played with my lip piercing. That bastard liked it. I led him to my bed, sitting him down on the outer side of the mattress. He shakely put a hand on my thigh. His hand was warm against my cool skin. He felt all of my piercings, tightening the grip on my thigh as he traveled.

He again, played playfully with my lip piercings. He looked at my lips, to my eyes, and back to my lips. "You make me crazy, freshman," and he leaned in and kissed me.

It was all too quick for me to react. "Bradley?"Tell him to stop, I thought to myself, except no words came out. I was flustered and at a loss of words. If we were in a different situation, I'd curse him out for even daring to touch me.

"Shut up," and he kissed me again. Maybe I was starting to like this new version of himself.

Although, there could never be any feelings towards each other another. Too much bad blood, too much blood shed. I guess, for a moment, I could forget all that he's done. I could let myself enjoy his lips on mine.