Patience and Affection

#30 - ❝Drifting Shadows❞

Maxwell walked quietly alongside Rhiannon, Jaxxon, and Sébastien, his thoughts a tangled mess. The morning air was crisp, yet it did little to soothe the turmoil in his mind. Wayne had been distant lately, and it was starting to weigh on Maxwell more than he wanted to admit.

"Max," Rhiannon called softly, noticing his silence. "Are you okay?"

"Huh? Yeah, okay lang ako," Maxwell replied, forcing a small smile, but his eyes were clouded with worry.

Jaxxon, Sébastien's friend and a Law student, glanced at Maxwell before speaking up. "You don't look okay, Maxie. If there's something bothering you, we're here, you know?"

Maxwell sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's just... I don't know. Wayne's been acting weird."

"Dahil ba kay Lily?" Sébastien interjected, his tone casual but with a hint of concern. He had grown fond of Maxwell, especially since Rhiannon was so close to him.

Maxwell was about to respond when his eyes caught something up ahead. His heart sank as he saw Wayne walking with Lily, who was laughing at something he said. What made his chest tighten further was the sight of Wayne carrying Lily's bag.

"Wayne..." Maxwell muttered under his breath, his feet slowing down as his gaze locked onto the pair.

Rhiannon followed Maxwell's line of sight and her expression darkened. "Anong ginagawa ni Lily kay Wayne?" she asked, her voice laced with irritation.

"Probably the same thing she always does-sneaking her way into places she doesn't belong," Jaxxon said, his tone sharp. He had never been fond of Lily, especially given how she always seemed to cause trouble for his friends.

Maxwell stopped walking altogether, watching Wayne laugh at something Lily said. The sight felt like a punch to his gut. "I thought... I thought we were okay," he whispered, more to himself than anyone else.

"Max," Rhiannon began, stepping closer to him, "Wayne's probably just being polite. You know how he is. He doesn't want to be rude, even if he doesn't like her."

"Pero bakit ganun? Why does it feel like he's pulling away from me?" Maxwell's voice trembled slightly, his usual cheerful demeanor cracking.

Sébastien, usually more of a troublemaker, stepped in front of Maxwell. "Max, Wayne cares about you. I've seen it. But maybe he's just stressed or confused. It's not easy dealing with someone like Lily."

Maxwell nodded, but his eyes remained fixed on Wayne and Lily, now disappearing around a corner. "Maybe... but it still hurts."

Rhiannon placed a hand on Maxwell's shoulder. "Why don't we go get something to eat? We can figure this out together. Lily doesn't stand a chance if we all work together."

Maxwell looked at her, grateful for the support, but the weight in his chest remained. "Yeah, maybe that's a good idea."

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As they turned away from where Wayne and Lily had gone, Maxwell couldn't shake the feeling of dread. The connection he had with Wayne felt like it was slipping through his fingers, and he wasn't sure how to hold on.

They settled into their usual spot in the cafeteria, with Sébastien grabbing them drinks while Jaxxon and Rhiannon tried to lighten the mood with jokes and stories. Maxwell appreciated their efforts, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Wayne.

"So, Maxie," Jaxxon said, leaning back in his chair, "What's the plan? You're not just going to let Lily weasel her way in, right?"

Maxwell shook his head. "Of course not. I just... I don't know what to do. Wayne's the type who doesn't talk about his feelings much, and now, I'm scared if I push him, it'll make things worse."

Rhiannon nodded thoughtfully. "Wayne's a bit hard to read, pero he's also someone who values honesty. Maybe you just need to talk to him, tell him how you're feeling. Kung patuloy kang mag-hold back, mas lalo ka lang masasaktan."

"I know, pero what if he doesn't feel the same way?" Maxwell's voice was barely above a whisper.

"That's a risk you'll have to take," Sébastien said as he returned with their drinks. "But it's better than not knowing, right?"

Maxwell sighed, looking at his friends who had gathered around him with genuine concern and support. "You're right. I just need to find the right moment."

"Exactly," Rhiannon agreed. "And if you need backup, we're here. Hindi ka nag-iisa, Max."

Maxwell smiled faintly, feeling a bit of warmth return to his heart. "Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it."

As they continued chatting, the knot in Maxwell's stomach loosened slightly. He still felt uneasy, but at least he knew he wasn't facing this alone. And that, at least, gave him the strength to confront whatever came next.

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Later that evening, Maxwell found himself sitting in his dorm room, staring at his phone. Wayne hadn't texted him all day, and it only added to his anxiety. He knew he had to talk to Wayne, to clear the air and figure out where they stood.

He typed out a message, hesitated, and then deleted it. His mind was a swirl of doubts and what-ifs. He wanted to reach out, to bridge the gap that seemed to be widening between them, but he didn't know how.

Finally, he decided to keep it simple. He typed, "Wayne, can we talk tomorrow? I just... I need to clear some things up. Please?" and hit send before he could second-guess himself again.

The wait for a response felt like an eternity, but when his phone buzzed with a reply, his heart raced.

"Sure, Max. Let's talk tomorrow. I'm sorry if I've been distant."

Maxwell stared at the message, feeling a mixture of relief and nervousness. Tomorrow would bring answers, but whether they would ease his heart or break it, he didn't know.

All he could do was hope.

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