Between Classes and Kick-flips

Max's Dilemma

Winter break was a welcome respite for students at College. The campus, usually bustling with activity, had quieted down, leaving Max and Bradley with more time to reflect on their new "friendship". While most students were off enjoying their break, Max and Bradley continued to see each other, their partnership extending beyond the confines of academic projects.

One chilly afternoon, Max found himself alone at the Bean Scene. The only people there being a few theatre kids and the baristas. The place was cozy, filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the soft hum of holiday music. Max was absorbed in his work when Bradley walked in, looking as casually stylish as ever.

"Hey, Goof," Bradley greeted, sliding into the seat across from Max. "Mind if I join you?"

Max looked up, slightly surprised but pleased to see him. "Sure. What's up?"

Bradley settled in with a hot chocolate, his demeanor relaxed and casual. "Just figured I'd come by and see that you're not dead yet. You've ditched the library as your study spot I see".

Max snorted with laughter. As they chatted, Max found himself increasingly drawn to Bradley, seeing him in a way he never really saw before. The way Bradley listened intently, the subtle warmth in his voice, and the way he laughed at Max's jokes—it all made Max's heart race in a way he hadn't fully acknowledged before.

Their conversation flowed easily, and as they talked about their holiday plans, Max noticed that Bradley seemed genuinely interested in his life beyond the surface level.

"So, any big plans for the holidays?" Bradley asked, taking a sip of his hot chocolate.

Max shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant. "Not much. Just hanging out with family and maybe catching up on some reading. What about you?"

Bradley's eyes twinkled with a mischievous glint. "I'm heading to a ski resort with my family. It's going to be a mix of relaxation and pretending to be sophisticated."

Max chuckled. "Sounds fancy. I hope you enjoy it."

Their eyes met, and Max felt a familiar flutter in his chest. He quickly looked away, trying to focus on his work, but the feeling lingered. The more time he spent with Bradley, the harder it became to ignore the growing attraction he felt.

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Over the next few days, Max tried to push his feelings to the back of his mind, focusing on his tasks and spending time with friends. However, every encounter with Bradley only seemed to intensify his emotions. They continued to hang out, and enjoying each other's company, but Max struggled with the internal conflict of his developing feelings.

One evening, after a movie night at the Gamma house, Max found himself alone with Bradley on the couch, the others either having gone home, or moved into the kitchen to eat pizza. The movie had ended, and they were sitting in comfortable silence, the room softly lit by the glow of the Christmas lights strung around the window.

Bradley turned to Max, his expression thoughtful. "You know, this has been really nice. I didn't realize how much I'd actually like having you around over the break."

Max's heart skipped a beat. "Yeah, it's been good. I've actually enjoyed spending time with you."

Bradley's gaze lingered on Max, and for a moment, the atmosphere felt charged with unspoken emotions. Max could feel the intensity of the moment, and he found it hard to focus on anything other than the way Bradley's eyes seemed to search his own.

Before Max could react, Bradley leaned in slightly, his voice barely above a whisper. "Max, there's something I need to—"

The moment was interrupted by the sound of Bradley's phone vibrating on the coffee table. Both of them jumped, and Bradley's eyes quickly darted away, breaking the tension. He picked up the phone and glanced at the screen, his expression shifting to one of mild frustration.

"Sorry about that," Bradley said, his voice returning to its usual tone. "I guess I've got to take this."

Max nodded, trying to mask his disappointment. "No problem. I should head out anyway."

As he stood up to leave, Bradley looked up, his expression a mix of regret and something else Max couldn't quite place. "Hey, Max. Thanks for tonight. I really mean it."

Max managed a smile, though his heart was heavy with confusion. "You're welcome, Bradley. It was fun."

He left the Gamma house, his mind racing with conflicting emotions. The evening had been filled with moments of unspoken connection, but the sudden interruption had left him feeling unsettled. As he walked home, Max wrestled with his feelings for Bradley, unsure of how to proceed.

Back at his dorm, Max sat at his desk, staring at the Christmas lights on his small tree. The festive decorations seemed to mock the turmoil inside him. He had never been aware of his feelings for Bradley until now, and the recent developments had made them more difficult to ignore.

He was caught between the fear of ruining their newfound friendship and the desire to acknowledge the growing attraction. The more time he spent with Bradley, the clearer it became that his feelings went beyond mere friendship. But how to approach it, and whether Bradley felt the same way, remained uncertain.

The next day, Max decided to talk to PJ and Bobby, who had always been a good backup for him to vent his wreck of a love life to and for his emotional dilemmas. They met at the Bean Scene where Max poured out his heart.

"So, you're telling me you've developed a crush on Bradley Uppercrust?" PJ asks, his eyes wide with curiosity. While Bobby is almost crying with laughter. 

" You and Mr Rich Snob Uppercrust. No way, there's no way, a suave dude like you, could be with some whacky vibe killer like Bradley!" Bobby complained.

Max sighed, stirring his coffee absentmindedly. "I don't know what to do about it. We've been getting closer, and I'm a literal puddle whenever hes around."

Mocha Chino, PJ's girlfriend walked up to Max "Let me be honest with you my friend, it sounds like you're in a tough spot", she clicks her fingers, "My advice? Be honest with yourself and with him". She swoops in, kissing PJ on the cheek before moving off to join the other theatre kids. 

Max considered her words, turning back to Bobby and PJ. "But what if it messes everything up? What if he doesn't feel the same way? We've just got to this stage, if anyone finds out about this, ill be done for".

PJ and Bobby continued their arguments. PJ more positive than Bobby's, who's idea was to "accidentally" push a piano down the stairs onto Bradley, and then his problem would be fixed. 

Max took a deep breath, feeling a mixture of gratefulness, even though his friends were, in terms of smartness, morons. They still did their utmost best to come up with things. He decided he was going to keep his feelings in, he wanted to survive at college without being bullied.

As the days passed, Max found himself contemplating the best way to approach the subject with Bradley. He wanted to be honest about his feelings but also respected the delicate nature of their friendship.

The winter break was drawing to a close, and Max knew that time was running out. He needed to make a decision and face the possibility of either opening up to Bradley or letting his feelings remain unspoken and goddamn he knew this coming semester would be a whole damn situation.

more stuff coming soon I promise, its deffo going to be slightly slow burn, but within the next chapter some spice will come <3