Bathroom (Max x Bradley) - Maxley

CHAPTER 28

The next morning I woke up to an empty bed. I sat up, looking around, trying to find where Bradley had gone too. When I didn't spot him, I got out of bed and went into the kitchen. There I saw Bradley, trying to cook something. When I looked closer at him, I could see he was reading the instructions out of the notebook with the receipts we created together. If I wasn't still mad at him, I would have given him a good morning kiss. Instead, I only went over to him and gave him a hug from behind, saying good morning to him.

He was pleasantly surprised by my affection, but he returned his attention to his cooking. I looked over his shoulder to see what he was doing. In front of him, I saw some eggs and ham. He was intensively reading the notebook and doing... an omelette? I chuckled. Of course he needed instructions for cooking something as easy as an omelette.

"Hey! Don't make fun of me. The only thing I did in the kitchen my entire life was eat. I never cooked nor showed interest when someone else was cooking before." "I'm not making fun of you, Bradley. I find it cute, to be honest. And it really matches your personality." He blushed at my comment, trying to hide his face while still trying to cook.

I let him be, not wanting to distract him any further. I sat at the nearby table, watching him cook. He struggled a bit, but when he gave me the plate with the food, it wasn't as bad as I expected it to be. The eggs were a little burnt, but they were still delicious. I ate up, my small portion not enough to actually make me full. I went back to the kitchen, tapping Bradley's shoulder in an embarrassed manner.

He turned around, looking me in the eye, wondering what I wanted. I gave him the plate, blushing a little, and telling him my request. "I would like to have some more... if it's possible." Bradley smiled at me and took my plate. He gave me a small portion of food on my plate, a sad smile on his face. "I'm sorry, but you can't eat more than that. You may feel good now, but if you eat too much, you might puke. Let your stomach adjust." "But I am so hungry!" He only nodded knowingly. "I know, sunshine, that's because your stomach ate real food for the first time in a week and likes it. That doesn't mean it's good for you."

I only signed, taking my plate and sitting on the table again, eating and glaring at Bradley who wouldn't give me more. He only chuckled, sitting down next to me and eating his portion. "I can live with you only hating me because of this. So, stop glaring in each your portion." His words had a sad tone to it, making me remember why I have been angry with him. Right.

We finished eating, the whole meal in silence, and afterward I left the house to go to the dorms to say goodbye to my friends who were leaving for Christmas break. I wasn't going home this Christmas, because my dad had to take the Christmas shift so he wouldn't lose his job. I didn't like his boss and I was mad at him for making my dad stay in the factory on Christmas evening, but there was nothing I could do. We would have our own little Christmas on New Year's, catching up.

When I got to the dorm, Bobby was still sleeping. PJ was already packed. "Why isn't Bobby awake?" PJ only shrugged, giving me a knowing look. "You know Bobby. He was probably smoking too much yesterday. His train leaves at three o'clock, so please make sure he wakes up at least an hour before the train departs. My train goes soon, so I have to go now. I'm taking Mocha home to introduce her to my dad." I felt sorry for Mocha. Pete was a tough guy. But if anybody could talk some sense into him, it was Mocha. I send her a quick prayer, and hugged PJ goodbye.

I sat in the dorm until noon, so I could wake up Bobby in time for his train. He wasn't even packed yet. As I woke him up, I could still tell he was a little high, so I let him do his own thing. I looked around the room, wondering what I would be doing for the next two weeks until the new year. I could skate more, and practise. But that would be a little hard with the weather. But what else? I could watch movies, but that wouldn't entertain me for that long.

In the end, I decided that I would practice drawing, just like Bradley taught me. I went out to eat something, remembering what Bradley told me about my stomach and big portions. I took a Turkey sandwich and an orange, hoping it wouldn't be too much to digest.

For the next few hours, I was at the Bean Scene, just watching the performances on the stage. The shows were all good, only one of the performances having something to do with Christmas itself. It was amazing how people could come up with such great ideas on such a short notice.

I was going home to Bradley, wanting to say goodbye to him before he left for Christmas break. Maybe even ask him how I should nutrition myself in the meantime. But I didn't make it that far. I got a call from Bobby as I was about to turn into the street of Bradley's resident.

"Hey, Bobby. What's up, man?" "Hey... Maxman. You have to help me. I didn't make it to my train on time. And I have to be home by seven, we're going to the church. And if I do not show up one time, I'm dead meat. The next train goes in two hours! Please, help me."

Bobby lived not so far away from here. A three-hour drive, maybe two and a half if one set his mind to it. His family was really strict about going to the church. They believed, that if they visited the church often enough, all of their sins would be eliminated and they could do whatever they wanted to in their free time. Bobby really adapted to this thinking, smoking and drinking every time he got, praying his sins away the next Sunday.

I looked at the clock. It was almost four. "Why didn't you call me sooner?!" On the other side of the line was silence, making me wonder if Bobby was even still on the phone. "Well... I was doing something-" "Bobby! I woke you up at noon! What were you doing?! You know what, I don't want to know. Give me five minutes, we will meet by my car."

I started running towards the main building where the dorms and parking lot were located. I got there on time, already seeing Bobby next to my car, relaxed.

"Are you not worried at all that you might be late?" "Nope. My life is a breeze..." I only shook my head in disapproval and unlocked my car. I sat in, waiting for Bobby to put his bags into the car so we could go.

The ride was long. I sped up so Bobby wouldn't be late. His job was to be the DJ of the car, playing songs we both liked, while I was the driver, thus I was the only one in our group who had their own car. But at the end of the first hour in the car, I regretted saying yes to driving him. He wouldn't stop yapping about his family and what he got them for Christmas. It was all nice and stuff, but I had to listen to his for two hours straight, almost losing my mind.

As we finally arrived at his house, I was relieved. He invited me inside to eat with his family and just say general 'hello' and such, but I didn't want you. I loved his family, but they were all like Bobby - yappers. When one started to speak, they couldn't stop. So, I declined and got on the road again, this time going back to college and actually trying to relax while driving.

But the silence was deafening. I even put on some music, but it didn't help. I still felt a void, not quite knowing where it was coming from. The music wasn't helping, silence was worst, so what was I missing? I looked over my car, scanning for any abnormalities. I didn't find any. But something about the passenger seat was not quite sitting right with me.

Visually it was alright, everything in its place, nothing missing. Yet I felt like something WAS missing. I thought about it for some time, the realization hitting me. Bradley. Bradley was missing. I missed him.

As I understood that my heart had longed for him since the break-up, another part of the broken pieces got glued back together, making the longing feel stronger.

I tried to get home as soon as possible, but when I arrived, it was almost ten PM, and Bradley most probably already left for Christmas break. When I got to the parking lot, I parked my car slowly, already knowing I missed the opportunity. I walked back home to the dark house, opening the front door.

Nobody was in the living room. I signed and went to my room to change into pajamas, sad that I didn't get the chance to wish Bradley Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year before he left.

I turned on the lights in my room, not seeing well in the dark. I jumped at what I saw in my bed.

What? Was my mind playing tricks on me? 

By the way, I need some music inspiration for one of my next works - a singer AU with Max as a guitar player who sang for the first time for Bradley. I need some music. Any ideas?