Roommates (Maxley)

Chapter 6

"Multivariable calculus, my dear scholars-" His professor says with a smile yet he can't manage to hold one on his face. "-Is not merely a progression in mathematical theory but an expansion of our cognitive horizons."

What the hell is this man talking about? All Brad hears is "blah blah blah geometrical abstractions" and something about f of x, whatever that means. He can't focus, the numbers on the paper dancing around his mind but all out of beat. His pencil quivers against the paper, doodling answers he knows aren't right but what else can he put down? He has to write something or else it'll look like he's lazy. Come on, he took an advanced math class in highschool and it was easy, why is this so hard? Think, just think, it's all he has to do but his head aches with every thought. His hand pulls at his hair, lips pouted as he squints at his notes that aren't helpful at all. He can't even read his writing, most of his letters turned into doodles of...Max?! No, no, no, he quickly erases the hearted drawings until his paper has faded areas with smudged marks. Dammit, now the notes he did have were ruined. All of that studying was pointless in practice. He was doomed, he was going to fail another quiz, his father was going to disown him and blacklist him from the business. He wasn't good enough, his father was right.

"Want some help?" Max noticed his panicked face a few minutes ago but figured he should wait before asking. He's not even sure why he recognizes Brad's anxiety, he can just....feel it. It's like it radiates off of him, oozing from his invisible pores. "I mean, I'm sure you can do it yourself but-"

"I can't."

"What was that?-"

"I. Can't." Brad's voice is a bit louder but still a coy mumble, nibbling on his pencil to steady his nerves. Where's the machismo he usually carries? It's unusual to see him so...bashful? No, openly insecure, yeah that's it.

"Sure you can, just need it simplified." Max slides closer, "Is this okay?"

Fuck him. Fuck him and the way he casually puts his arm around Brad's shoulder, holding him close, making him listen to every word that leaves those pretty two-toned lips. Focus! He's taking the time to teach him and all he can do is stare at his lips? Seriously? It doesn't help that his mind keeps drifting back to that stupid dream, which has become a recurring nightmare that always leaves him on a damned cliffhanger! Stop, seriously, don't think about it now, not when he's so close!

"If I'm making you uncomfortable, I can move over-"

"No! I'm fine!" His laugh is shaky like his voice, "J-Just um...really into this math! Yes, it's all starting to make sense."

"Really?" Fuck him and that stupid tone he uses when he knows Brad is lying, "So can you solve one by yourself?"

"I said it was starting to make sense." Brad looks away, laying his head on his hands how he always does. Now that Max is looking at them, he sees how cared for they are, manicured and moisturized like a model's. They look soft, not that he planned to touch them, but he kind of wanted to. "It's rude to stare, Goof."

"That's rich coming from you, Uppercrust." Max laughs when Brad frowns, squeezing his shoulder as he pulls him closer. "Right, sorry, I meant Bradley Uppercrust the Third."

"Is my name funny to you?" He's warm, chest soft against Brad's back. Focus, dammit, he's only this close to check over his work, that's all. "At least my name isn't Maximilian."

"Whatever, Uppercrust." His lips are so close he can see his reflection in Max's lip rings, fuck they must feel so good- No! Focus! He has to focus! "Now you're staring."

"Yeah, because your stupid jewelry is distracting-"

"If you two are going to flirt, at least get past the first question." Their professor casually says while walking past their table.