Enemies to Lovers

Humiliation

My heart raced in my chest as I watched Bradley leave to go back to his dorm. His reaction to me jokingly saying it was a date was… interesting, to say the least. Especially coming from a guy who supposedly hated me and practically wanted me dead. Something still seemed off about him, though. He tensed up when I asked about his father paying for everything. Then I remembered that he did the same thing when Ms. Marpole asked him how he was doing. Something was going on. My best bet was to take her advice and ask someone close to him. Someone like Tank. I put my shoes back on and walk out of the room, my head pounding. I groan a bit as I smell bacon coming from downstairs. I walk downstairs and head to the kitchen. I see Tank and Bobby making breakfast together. I look at them, confused and walk over.

“Well if it isn't the Goof boy!” Tank says with a hearty laugh as Bobby smirks. “How'd you sleep last night, Max?” He asks as I feel my cheeks turn red. “Fine. Why do you ask?” I say as Bobby pulls out his phone and shows me the picture. “I went upstairs to check on you and found you cuddled up with the enemy.” He teases as my face turns a deep shade of red. “H-he wanted someone to stay with him, so I did. No harm in that.” I say as I begin recalling last night's events, now that I was a bit more sober. “Sure he did.” Bobby says before returning to breakfast. I roll my eyes and punch him in the arm. “What are you doing here anyway?” I ask as he looks at me, confused. “I wasn't gonna leave my buddy here by himself.” He says as I chuckle. “Let me guess. Pj left early and you forgot your key back at the dorm again, didn't you?” I ask as his cheeks turn red now. “Something like that.” He glances at Tank, who gives him a big smile.

“Tank, I have a question for you.” I say as I sit down nearby. “Fire away, Max.” He says as I sigh. “Is Bradley doing okay? He just told me earlier he needs a job because his dad wants him to learn responsibility and to fend for himself. He tensed up when I even mentioned his dad.” I ask as Tank sighs. “He's… going through a lot, right now. If he allows you to be there for him, then try to do so. It's not my place to tell you exactly what's going on with him. Otherwise, I would.” He says as I nod. “That's understandable.” I say as I rub my head a bit. “Headache?” Bobby asks as I nod. “I told you not to drink too much, man. Thankfully, your shift is tomorrow and not today.” “I know. Bradley has an interview later today, though, and hes hungover as fuck. I'll be driving him there.” I say as Bobby chuckles. “Max and Bradley, sitting in a tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G.” He begins singing that song and Tank joins in eventually. “It's not like that, you guys.” I say as I look away, embarrassed. “Bro, have you SEEN the way that man looks at you? One way or another, you guys like each other. You just need to face the facts. Especially after last night.” Bobby says as I rub my neck a bit. “You guys got any tylenol?” I ask as I look at Tank, ignoring what Bobby just said. “It's in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom.” “Thanks.” I say before heading to the bathroom.

I shut the door behind me and look at my face in the mirror, my heart racing a bit. I open the medicine cabinet and pull out some Tylenol. I find some medication with Bradley's name on it and look at it. “That's antidepressants.” I mutter softly as I put them back. “Why doesn't he have these with him?” I mutter to myself as I take the Tylenol with some water from the tap and head back to the kitchen. “Bradley has depression too?” I think to myself as my mind begins to race. What did this mean? And why was I so hung up on someone who tried to kill me? There were a million things going through my mind when Bobby snapped me out of it. “Dude, are you okay?” He asks as I look at him. “Hmm? Oh yeah. I'm great. Never been better.” I give a fake smile. Bobby knew something was up but didn't want to press me on it. “You find the Tylenol?” Tank asked as I nod. “And then some.” I say softly as he looks back at me. “Oh shit. I forgot about those.” He says softly before sighing. “At this point, those are expired. He'll need a new prescription if he doesn't have one already.” He says before calling Bradley to ask about it. He leaves the room and Bobby looks at me, confused.

“There's meds in the bathroom for Bradley. Like the ones I take daily?” I say as he nods and doesn't say anything else. He couldn't believe it either, it seemed. Tank comes back and nods. “He says he has one already, thankfully. I'll probably check up on him later.” He says and I nod. “That's good. What dorm is he in?” I ask as he smiles. “Oh he's in building A, dorm 15.” I look at Bobby and then him. “That's not too far from where we are.” I say as he chuckles a bit. “Well, it'll be easier to pick him up later then, now won't it?” He asks as I nod. “That's true.” Breakfast is served and everyone comes down from their rooms to eat. I eat as well before grabbing my skateboard and heading out. “I'll see you guys later. Thanks for breakfast.” I say softly as both the boys made kissy noises at me. I roll my eyes and head outside.

I couldn't help but wonder what Bradley was all going through to have depression medication. I began skateboarding my way back to my dorm and all the memories from school came flooding back. I was always bullied and laughed at in high school. Even the year I decided to impress Roxanne, my sophomore year of high school, I was laughed at. I didn't get bullied as much after that but it definitely didn't make matters any better. As all of these bad memories came flooding back, it reminded me of how Bradley must currently feel; alone and with no friends, a laughingstock of the school. I had to find a way to help him. One way or another, I was determined to be his friend, and do what Bobby, Pj and I all did for each other when we were younger; be there for him. I didn't care what the guys thought. Maybe I did like him a little bit, but even if I did, we had nothing in common. Besides, I had a date coming up with Roxanne soon. I wanted to see how that would go first. I'm just hoping I don't screw it up somehow.