Enemies to Lovers

The Next Day

I slowly wake up with a pounding in my head, groaning as I do. I roll over and see Max, cuddled up to me. My heart races in my chest as I look over at him. What happened last night for us to be cuddled next to each other? I feel my cheeks turn red as he begins to wake up. “Mmhm. Bradley?” He says as he looks over at me, his face a bit red as well. I look at him. “Y-yeah?” I ask, wondering what his reaction would be. “Do you remember what happened last night?” He asks as I slowly sit up. “I remember passing out here by myself after our fight, but that's about it.” I say as I look over and see my phone plugged in. “Did you do that?” I ask, surprised. “Hmm? Oh. Your phone? I must have if you didn't.” He says as he gets up from the bed, stretching with a yawn. I look at him as his top goes up a little bit. I look away and clear my throat. “Yes, well, thank you for doing that, but I should get going. I have to go look for a job and study for the next exam.”

 I get out of bed and grab my phone, unplugging the charger and handing it to him. “Thank you for charging my phone.” I say before beginning to leave the room. “You're welcome, and why would you need to look for a job? Doesn't your dad pay for everything?” He asks as I tense up, hoping he didn't notice. “Y-yes well, you see. He wants me to learn how to be independent and learn how to live on my own. Because he won't always be around to take care of everything for me.” I gave a fake smile to him, hoping he believed me. “Oh. Well, the place I work at is always looking for more people. We're actually understaffed right now. I'm working a shift tomorrow, so maybe I can call my uncle and see if he can give you an interview today. Just don't let him know you're hungover. He might not want that around the clientele.” He says as I look at him, confused. “Where do you work that has clientele?” I ask. “I work at a nightclub that my uncle owns. My dad works there too when he isn't coming to visit Sylvia and I here on campus. It's not too bad of a place, but you will be on your feet a lot, along with wearing a uniform.” He says as I scoff. “That can't be too hard.” I say as he looks at me. “You HAVE to be nice, though. Playing the daddy card for any reason will not work. So if I get you this interview, you have to impress him. He's an old timer who has seen a lot of things, okay?” He says as I nod at him. “Why would you want to help me? After everything?” I ask as he shrugs. “You seem like you could use a friend. I know what it's like to feel alone. That's why I'm thankful I have friends like Bobby and Pj. You're lucky to have Tank still staying by your side after everything.” He says as I sigh. “I know. I fucked up with him.” I say softly as I nod. “Could you give him a call for me? Please? I would greatly appreciate it.” I say as he gives a small smile back. “Of course. One second.”

He walks away and I can vaguely hear his conversation with his uncle. “Of course. Yes, he is someone I trust completely. He has amazing skills. He's really fast and can run around quickly. He won't be an issue. I promise.” I can feel my cheeks turn red from his praise as I smile a bit when I hear him say, “Thanks uncle Mickey.” Uncle Mickey?! As in, THE Mickey Mouse?! I couldn't believe that was Max’s uncle. He walks back over to me with a smile on his face. “Good news. He wants you to stop by later today for an interview. The place is called House of Mouse and it's only a few minutes down the road. I can take you if need be.” He says as I give a small smile. “I would appreciate that. I'm not exactly skating anymore, and I'm unsure if rolling up on a skateboard would be the appropriate thing to do to arrive for an interview.” I say as I look at him.

“Well, let me give you my number. Find a different outfit than that one because you wear that one like every day.” He says as I chuckle. “Okay, fair enough. I think I have something that could work.” I say softly as I look at him. I couldn't believe he was helping me. Not only that, but his uncle was Mickey Mouse? What are the odds of that? My now ex rival’s uncle was Mickey Mouse. My father had tried to make a deal with Mickey multiple times to try and somehow combine their two businesses, but Mickey always refused. My father never understood why he wouldn't want to make more money. Not that he needed it. It seems he had enough money anyway. I mean, EVERYONE knew that name once they heard it. 

I open up my phone and hand it to him so he can type in his name and number. After he does so, I take my phone back and see he put his name as ‘Freshman’ in my phone with some hearts on both sides. My heart pounded a bit as I shook my head. “I thought you hated me calling you that.” I say as he shrugs. “I'm kind of used to it now, Brad.” I roll my eyes, taking his phone and putting my phone number in with the name, ‘Bradley’ no hearts or anything. “Well, I should get back to my dorm and nurse this hangover before that interview. See you around four pm?” I ask as he nods. “It's a date.” He teases as my face turns red. “What?! No it's not! You're taking me to the interview!” He laughs a bit and I look away. “Oh come on, Bradley. You know I'm teasing. I'll see you later, okay?” He says as I nod, heading out and back to my dorm. All I could think of was how we were cuddled up to one another. It felt… nice. I hadn't been held like that in so long that I almost forgot what it had felt like. I wanted to be held by him again, but I knew thinking that was not only wrong. It was downright ridiculous. We have nothing in common other than our love for skateboarding. And yet, every time he smiles at me with that goofy ass grin, I melt a little bit. Ugh. The thought of all of this sickened me. I couldn't keep up this act of not liking him or not being disowned by my father forever. Eventually, I knew the truth would come out. I just wondered what he would think of me the day that it does.