Enemies to Lovers

Nightmares

Bradley's POV

“CHEATING?!” My father yelled out before punching me in the face, giving me a black eye. The blow to the face pushed me back into the china cabinet, the glass cabinet doors breaking upon impact with the shards falling to the ground right after. “An Uppercrust doesn't cheat. And if he does, he doesn't lose!” Another smack across the cheek, powerful enough to throw me to the ground on the glass shards, cutting my hands on impact. I had just finished a shower when my father had dragged me out of the bathroom to punish me. To say he was upset was an understatement. The sounds echoed the room as I lay on the floor, powerless against my father, who was holding a glass of whiskey in one hand and nothing in the other. I look up at my father and feel my heart race. “I was sure I would win! How could I have known I would lose?!” I yell back only for him to throw his glass at me, the shards cutting into my stomach and arms. “That's not the point! Do you know how many lives were at stake? How many people could've been killed by those little stunts of yours?! Our reputations would be ruined!” He yelled back as my mother watched, without so much as a word. What could she say? She was pregnant, after all. Father would get his redo child like he always wanted. “You're a disgrace to the Uppercrust name! A faggot and a stain! I wish I never had you!” He yells again before throwing me outside with nothing but some of my clothing and things I purchased over the years. “Get out! We never want to see you again! You're a disgrace! You hear me?! A disgrace!” He yelled out as I got on my skateboard and rode off, since my car had been taken away by him. By the time I had gotten back to the college, it was raining. I returned in time to be kicked out of the Gamma house and my things on the sidewalk. I had to lug everything to my new dorm one by one as everyone laughed at me.

“Ah!” I shoot up from my bed and groan, drenched in sweat despite it being cold in my room. “Just another nightmare.” I mutter as I sigh. “Maybe one day, like my father, they'll go away, too.” I say as I check the time on my phone. The clock read five fifteen. “Ugh. I may as well get up for classes then.” I mutter as I get out of bed, wearing a striped long sleeve shirt with pants to match. I head to the bathroom and strip down to nothing, turning on the shower and getting in. I begin washing my body and trying to get that day out of my head. I had gone to the hospital shortly before going to my father's. I was there for only a few weeks before going to my house for a meeting with my father. By that point, he knew about everything that had happened. I had just barely finished my shower when he dragged me out by my hair. I run my hand through my hair, feeling how shaggy it is. I grab onto it and shake my head. “That needs to change.” I mutter softly. I didn't want anyone to be able to grab my hair and throw me around like that again. 

I washed my hair and body and finished my shower after a while. I get out and head over to my dresser, grabbing out my usual outfit. “When I get my first paycheck, I definitely need to go clothes shopping.” I say softly as I change into it, brushing out my hair. I grab my messenger bag, my glasses, wallet, and keys before heading out the door to the coffee shop to grab a quick coffee and sandwich. I didn't feel like cooking today and figured I could treat myself a little after getting a job. Granted, I wouldn't have gotten it without Max's help. I could have invited him out, but I felt I should distance myself for now. After all, I already feel I've made a fool of myself enough as it is. Not as many people stare at me as I walk down the street and to the coffee shop. I walk in and get into line immediately, looking at the menu to decide what I want. 

“Hey Bradley.” I hear a familiar voice say as I turn around and see Stacey, Pj's girlfriend. “Oh. Hey, Ms. Mochachino. To what do I owe the pleasure?” I say with a small smile on my face. Her expression is one of shock. That was new. “I just wanted to say hi and see how you were doing.” She says, recovering from her shock. “You're not normally this nice and chipper.” She says as I order my coffee and sandwich, paying for it. “I'm trying to become a better person.” I say as she chuckles. “So I've heard. That's the talk of campus, actually. That's why I came to talk to you.” She says as I turn to face her with a confused look. “What do you mean? Why would it be the talk of campus?” “You didn't know? Any time someone talks down on you, Max has been defending you.” My heart skips a beat. “Why… would he do that?” “Beats me. Maybe he likes you.” She teases as I am given my coffee and sandwich. 

“Yeah right. That boy is as straight as they come. Why would he like me?” I ask as she smirks. “Oh please. Pj is as straight as they come. Max and Bobby, on the other hand, are not. I've seen the way he looks at you with that goofy smile and how his eyes light up like the fourth of July.” My cheeks turn pink as I find a place to sit. “There's no way that's true. Why would he smile at me? I almost killed him like four months ago! I almost killed his dad and so many others.” I put my head in my hands and looked down. “He's forgiven you for that, hasn't he?” She asks as I slowly nod. “Then why can't you get past it? If that's not who you are anymore, then move on. Here.” She pulls out a piece of paper. “It's a number for a local psychologist that I think you should see. His name is Professor Ludwig Von Drake. I've heard he's a decent guy. Maybe he can help you move past these issues you're having about the X Games.” She says as I stare at the card. That's not the only thing I needed help moving past. “I'll check him out sometime. Thanks, Stacey.” She smiles back at me and walks away. 

I put the card in my wallet and drank my coffee, looking out the window. I take a bite of my sandwich as I reminisce about how Max and I first met. I could've been nicer to him and maybe allowed his friends to join the team. But we only had one spot. I sigh and finish up, throwing my trash away and grabbing my things. I head out the door and to campus. The campus was buzzing with gossip, it seemed. I ignored it as I normally did and headed to class. English wasn't too bad of a subject, in my opinion. It was actually one of my favorites since we got to talk about all kinds of literature. I sit in my usual spot by myself and begin pulling out my book and notebook, along with a pencil. I pull out my reading glasses and put them on.

The professor walks in and begins teaching immediately. Despite trying my best, I can't seem to focus on class. My mind is everywhere. What did she mean by ‘how he looks at me’? And why would his eyes light up when seeing me? It didn't make sense. Why would he like me at all? Before I knew it, I was doodling in my notebook, not fully paying attention to what I was drawing. I glance down at my notes and feel my cheeks turn red. I was drawing Max! I wasn't even all that good at drawing, but somehow I was now?! Ugh. I turn to a different page and begin taking notes, focusing on class once again. Before I knew it, the bell rang, and I began packing up, looking down. “Hey Princess.” I hear someone say. I look up to see Max looking down at me. I feel him pull on my hair and grin, making me look up at him. I groan as I look into his eyes with a look of fear. “Why would I EVER like someone like you? You're a villain! Scum on the bottom of my shoe. You're not worthy of love. Especially not mine.” He laughed before throwing my head down onto the desk, and just like that, I woke up.

My heart races in my chest as I feel tears streaming down my face. Class was over, and almost everyone was gone. I quickly gather my things and rush out of class, praying that nobody saw me. “Bradley?” I hear Max say as I walk past without a word to him. I needed to get out of here. I couldn't let him see me like this. I walk out of class and off campus, pretending to be in a hurry. When I was sure I was far enough away, I texted Max. “Hey, sorry about that. I just really wanted to get a head start on that homework that we were assigned. I'll see you in a bit so you can do your laundry.” I send the message and sigh, making it back to my dorm in time. I close the door behind me and slide down it afterward, moving my knees to my chest and beginning to cry. This was bad. I had never had a dream like that before. They were beginning to get worse. I pull out my wallet and look at the number for the psychologist. I guess there's only one way to find out if this guy was actually a quack or not. After all, it couldn't get any worse, right?