Posting it here because Ao3 is down :)
They're complete opposites, one neat, one a mess- and they can't stand each other. Brad hates Max's smile, his eyes, the way his father supports him, did he mention he hates his smile? Most of all, he hates the...
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Get out! Max throws his pencil aside, cursing under his breath as he crumples up his papers. It's been a month now, two weeks more since they last spoke and all he can do is stew on what he said and play with the starter locs he had twisted. He had been writing apology letters, one after the other but none of them expressed what he really wanted to and it's not like he had the courage to give them to Brad anyway. He needed something bigger than Tank to get his attention back- speaking of Tank, Max's envy of him grew stronger day by day until it turned into a sizzling spite.
"Ready to go, Baby?" Tank asks from Brad's side, so comfortable he now walks into class when it's over just to walk back out with Brad! "I got that coffee you wanted."
As if he could get Brad's coffee order right-
"Hm, Really?" His brows curve into soft U's as Tank hands him the cup, lips pursing. "Did you remember-"
"Double-shot espresso with three pumps vanilla, 4 shots dairy-free cream, coffee foam layer drizzled with honey and cinnamon." Tank says with a smirk, staring right back at Max as if he's challenging him. "As if I'd forget something so important to you, Baby."
Stop. Calling. Him. That. Max feels like he's going fucking crazy being this close to them but he doesn't want to rush away, not when he's still figuring out what they are. He had Bobby and PJ ask around, do a little bit of snooping but their investigations came up inconclusive. They also told Max that this wasn't exactly healthy, but so what? Brad was his drug, his dopamine boost, and right now he was going through a terrible withdrawal. He knew Brad needed this time to heal but that didn't help him heal, it just hurt him more. Pathetic, he's lingering just to hear their conversation, addicted to the way his heart throbbed every time Brad spoke.
"If this is about that party you want to throw, I'm not changing my mind." Brad is oblivious to the ongoing showdown, too busy sweeping his papers into his bag. "I'm already on academic probation because of that stupid livestream, I don't need the dean on my ass over druggies and drunkards stumbling around."
"Come on, I'll make it worth your while." The way he touches Brad's arm makes Max's blood boil but he bites his tongue and turns away.
"Yo, Max!" Bobby greets him when he finally leaves his class, throwing his arm around his shoulder. "Rough day?"
"I hate that fucking red-head bitch." His brows are shading his eyes, diagonal lines on his scrunched face. "All gingers need to die."
"...Ouch." Bobby sighs and gives Max's shoulder a squeeze, "How about we go skating? A few rolls down the ramps always cheers you up!"
"I dunno, not in the mood-"
"Well I'm not about to let you go sulk so we're going. PJ's already there, he even has pizza!" Bobby's cheerfulness irritates Max's frustrations but he manages to smile. "That's the spirit!"
