Enemies to Lovers

Issues

Max's POV

I head back to my dorm after Bradley locks the door and sigh. I unlock the door and head inside. The guys were still awake and playing video games. “How was his first shift?” Bobby asks as I take off my shoes and everything. “He did great. Every shift of his will be the same as mine since we share the same class schedule. Which wouldn't be so bad if he didn't seem pissed off at me right now.” I say as Pj glances at me and the screen. “Why would he be pissed off at you?” He asks as I sit on the bed, changing into my pjs. “My dad was taking pictures of us and he called me Maxie in front of my dad. Bradley started laughing and I called him Brad. He told me not to call him that in public when it could ruin his reputation an-” “Oh you mean the reputation he ruined himself by losing to a bunch of freshmen and cheating? That reputation?” Bobby asks. “That's what I told him! He walked away to, I guess, cool off and when he came back, his face was pale white and he wore no expression. I was gonna talk to him about it but before I could, we got slammed with guests.” I say as Pj nods. “That's weird. I wonder why he was like that.” He says as I shrug. “I don't know. We didn't really talk much the whole ride back. He didn't seem like he was in a talkative mood.” I say as Bobby continues playing. “Maybe he heard something he shouldn't have heard?” Bobby says as I shake my head. “What would he hear? The villains are, well, villains. They talk about stuff like that all the time. They don't do anything because if they do, they're no longer allowed in the club.” I say. “Well, something upset him. Maybe you'll hear before your date with Roxanne.” Bobby says.

“Speaking of, she texted me earlier. She didn't call it a date. She called it a hangout. She also said she had something to tell me. I told her I probably had something to tell her as well.” I say as Pj pauses the game. “Don't tell me you're actually falling for that pompous asshole.” He says as I look at him, rubbing my neck a bit. “Oh no. No, no, no, no, no! He almost KILLED us, dude! Is his luscious hair and perfect smile making you forget that tiny detail?” He asks as Bobby looks at him. “Dude, relax. He's actually trying to change. I've seen it and Tank has told me he's going through a lot right now.” He sighs. “You're right. I'm sorry. It's just hard to forgive something like that. Not to mention, I have a lot going on right now. You know that my dad now owns the building the House of Mouse is in? He keeps trying to sabotage them in hopes of running the club into the ground.” He says as I shake my head. “Uncle Mickey won't let that happen. Trust me. He's always got a plan to fix things.” I say as Pj sighs, taking a hit from the joint Bobby had. “Stacey said that she's seen Bradley in the shop every so often, just reading and contemplating life.” He says as he takes another long hit from it before passing it to me. “I'm not surprised. Something is off with him.” I take a hit.

“What do you mean?” Pj asks as I sigh, taking another hit. I cough a bit and pass it to Bobby. “Like, he says his father wanted him to have a job to teach him how to be independent and all that stuff but when I first went to his dorm, he had a broken picture frame of him and his parents along with a letter. Then today, he has a bandage around his hand and plays it off like it's nothing.” I sigh and stuff my hands in my pockets. “I think… I think he's being abused. Or was being abused by his father. He also has scars on his body from a few months ago, and he's on depression and anxiety meds.” I say as I rub my neck. “Ms. Marpole told me to try and talk to Tank about him, but Tank won't tell me much. My dad said he's lucky to have a friend like me and…” I begin hyperventilating a bit. Bobby tosses me my anxiety meds and a water bottle. 

“For someone who tries to keep me calm, you sure work yourself up quite a bit.” Pj says as he shakes his head. “So, his father is abusive. That's definitely something I can relate to. Minus the physical abuse, obviously.” He says as I take my meds to calm down, taking a swig of water as well. “That's not all. He's afraid of even expressing himself in any other way besides what he was told to do or be. Like, he told me he's thinking of getting his ears pierced, and he said his dad has said that that's gay or something like that.” I say as Bobby holds his ear. “I'm not gay, right guys?” He asks as we look at him. “You're dating Tank, correct?” Pj asks as he nods. “Then you're gay.” I chuckle. “Not necessarily. He could be like me and be bisexual, dude. Out of the three of us, though, you're as straight as they come.” I say as he smiles. “Nothing wrong with that.” He says. “Of course not. Bobby and I used to think we were straight until we met Tank and Bradley.” I say as I chuckle a bit. 

I head to the kitchen and make myself a sandwich to eat. I grab Bobby's cheese whiz can and toss it at him. I hand Pj a bag of chips and smile. “I know you guys are gonna be as hungry as me.” I say as I begin eating my sandwich. They thank me, and for the rest of the night, we all talk about life and other things. In the back of my mind, I know something has to be done about Bradley. But what? It was hard to say. After we all eat and relax for a bit, I head to bed while the boys stay up and play the game. “Night guys.” I say as I lay down, yawning a bit. I curl up and begin falling asleep for class the next day. The last thought that went through my head as I fell asleep was, “Is that why he is the way he is? Because of his father?” Before my brain finally shut down and let me sleep.