stars will fall - byler

.24

Tuesday, August 3rd || 3:26 pm
STARCOURT MALL

-"will, what about this?" max jokingly asked from behind me, holding up the ugliest shirt i've ever seen
-"you're hilarious."
-"i know." she giggled while putting it back.
-"i think i have enough clothes for now." i commented while holding up two shopping bags in my hands.
-"school starts tomorrow! we've got to get you some new clothes for the new year. every summer before school starts my mom would take me on a big shopping spree and id get a whole new wardrobe!" she admired.
so did my mom. she loved buying things for jonathan and i, even though we asked her not to.
-"i'm sorry.." she rubbed my back, seeing the gloomy look in my eyes.
-"it's okay. i'm fine." i chuckled and continued helping her around the store.
she walked to the opposite end of the aisle and picked up a dress from the rack, holding it up to me.
-"this is cute, isn't it?"
-"not for me!" i shrieked.
-"obviously, dumbass." she laughed, putting it in her cart. i laughed with her as she nudged my hair and we continued shopping.

after we had left that store, we went down the escalator towards the food court. we waited in the long line for Orange Julius while holding our bags in our hands.
-"have you found a new job yet?" she asked.
-"no. but i did see a hiring sign over there." i pointed towards the subway in the food court.
-"ooh! you should get the job and give me free subs every time i come by." she grinned.
-"you wish." i nudged her.

once we had gotten our food, we sat down at a table and placed our bags down next to us.
as i was eating, i could feel max staring at me. i looked up and she immediately looked away, looking concerned.
-"is there something on my face, or..?"
-"no, no. i just have something to ask you." she began
-"okay.."
-"i heard you got kicked out of your dads."
my heart skipped a beat.
-"who told you that?" i nervously chuckled.
-"lucas heard from mike."

does she know i'm living with him? does she think anything weird of it? she already suspected mike and i, so did jonathan. does everyone know?
why am i so freaked out? i want my friends to know. i hate keeping secrets. but mike isn't ready to tell them yet, so i'm respecting his wishes.

-"who have you been staying with?" she asked.
just tell the truth and act normal about it. it doesn't have to be weird.
-"i've been staying at mikes." i casually responded, continuing to eat my food.
-"i'm glad you guys are friends again. that whole first month of summer was so exhausting." she groaned.

yeah, friends..

-"yeah, me too. things are finally starting to get back to normal."

we started to head up the escalator to leave, but then i remembered mike was working right now.
-"max, i'm going to use the bathroom before we leave."
-"want me to wait for you?"
-"no, just go start the car. will you take my bags for me?"
-"sure, hurry up." she took my bags and i watched as she walked out the doors. i walked back down the stairs and rushed towards the movie theater. when i approached the ticket booth, i didn't see mike anywhere. i checked my watch and saw it was almost 4:15. his shift doesn't end until 5, or so he told me.
-"can i help you?" an employee asked.
-"yeah, is mike here?"
-"no, man. his shift ended like an hour ago."

but mike told me 5.. did he lie to me? but why?
mikes been acting extra odd lately.. i think it has to do with his sister. they haven't been getting along recently especially since nancy and steve got back together. maybe he just wanted to get off early, i'm sure it's nothing.

...

i stopped my car outside max's house and parked against the curb.
-"i'll see you tomorrow morning, meet me in the parking lot." i waved
-"for sure, bye!" she took her bags and walked towards her door. i started heading the opposite direction and towards maple street.

when i parked my car in the driveway, i noticed mikes car was still not here. just the van, and he never takes the van anywhere besides shows.
so where was he? maybe he was shopping too and i just didn't see him.
the only car in the driveway with me was ted's, i realized karen wasn't home when i entered the house. holly was playing on the floor in the living room while ted was napping on his chair. i took my clothes towards nancy's bedroom, which was my room for now since she went back to boston for college a few days ago. it's a little girly but i'll survive, i'm still grateful for my own space. not that i don't like sharing a room with my boyfriend, but i need time alone sometimes too.
i checked inside mikes bedroom just in case he left a hint indicating where he went, but i found nothing.
i walked back to my room and plopped down on the bed, immediately falling asleep.

i slowly lifted my eyes open when i felt the warmth of mikes body wrapping around mine. when i fully woken up, i turned around and lightly shoved his shoulder.
-"where were you?"
-"what do you mean? i was at work." he chuckled nervously.
-"you weren't there when i stopped by around 4."
he closed his eyes and looked full of regret. what was he hiding.
-"fine, you caught me. i was going to keep this a surprise but since you're so nosy.." he reached for a bag on the ground and dug through it, taking a mixtape out and handing it to me.
on the sides it read "songs that remind me of you"
-"i was getting that ready for you."
-"really?" i gasped before hugging him tightly, wrapping my arms around his neck.
-"will, i can't breathe.." he laughed before i released my arms and pressed my hands against the side of his face.
-"why did you do this?"
-"well, i know how much you love music and i just thought you'd like this."
-"i love this! you're so thoughtful, i love you." i gushed and kissed his lips before jumping up and putting the mixtape in the radio.
the first song that played was We Belong Together by Ritchie Valens. i sat across from him on the bed and kissed his soft lips as we listened to the music in the background. his touch brought butterflies to my stomach as he kissed with such joy and warmth.
i cant believe i freaked out earlier, mikes the best boyfriend ever. he lied for a good reason.
i can't put into words how much i love him.