Could It Be Us? | Maxley

➳ 16

CHAPTER 16

Bradley

Seconds, minutes, hours, he was gone. Max wasn't coming back. Like an idiot, I waited for him. I did as he told me, but he didn't do as I told him. I looked so stupid waiting for him when I knew he wouldn't show up. I guess somewhere deep down, I hoped he'd come back.

"I'm not waiting anymore. I'll face everyone. I'll face my parents. Without Max."

I threw on a new shirt from my packed bag. There, Max's bag that I helped him pack. Tears threatened to fall, but I wiped them away and kept walking out the door. Fuck him, really. I changed who I was for him, sure, he made me better but it doesn't matter now, does it? Anger pulsed through every bit of my body.

I found my parents, they were chatting with two young girls. "Bradley, how nice of you to show up. Where's your ... friend?"

"He left."

My father actually grinned wider. "That's too bad. Well, this is Val, she's your age, Bradley. Why don't you two chat?" Whatever, I'd thought, I already pissed him off bringing that freshman with me, I could make it up by talking with her.

— — —

She was actually really easy to talk to. She and I were the same, people who never learned how to be kind. She admited that she wanted to change. I pondered telling her to do it for herself and not anyone else but I stayed quiet. "Let's not talk about all the sad stuff in our lives. Let's dance."

"I'm not sure you know this about me, I'm a damn good dancer."

"Yeah?" I nodded. "Show your skills off then, Bradley." She and I made our way to the crowd of people dancing. She and I fell into a rhythm. She put her head on my shoulder and I twirled us around. She whispered, "you're not too bad."

"I told you, didn't I? What, you didn't believe me," I laughed.

"I just had to see it for myself. I damn like what I see, though." She flipped my nose. "Twirl me around, Bradley." She was really helping me take my mind off ... him. I cuffed her hand in mine and spun her around. The others around us didn't seem to notice our laughter drawing louder and louder. We were having fun, I was having fun.

Maybe my father was right, maybe I could be happy with a woman. I could be happy with Val. She was everything I wanted when I was younger. What do I want now, though? "You're pretty," I whispered. It slipped off my tongue awkwardly. Nothing like that freshman and I. I could compliment him casually, with her, something was strange. There was a difference between us that was strangely evident. Still, there was truth behind my words. "Your eyes are beautiful."

"Oh shut it, Bradley," Val giggles. "Though, you have beautiful eyes too, Brad." Brad? I should have told her it's not reserved for her, I should have told her how that name disgusts me, I should have said anything, but I didn't. I spun her around one more time.

"Max," I gasped.