A Maxley Story

Chapter 6

Max pushed open the door to his dorm room and was immediately greeted by a thick cloud of smoke. The familiar scent of weed hit him as laughter erupted from the three figures on the floor. Bobby, PJ, and Bea turned to him simultaneously, their faces lighting up.

"Maxie!" Bobby cheered, waving a half-empty bag of chips. "You're just in time, man."

PJ gave a lazy salute, and Bea, ever ethereal, tilted her head, smiling like she held a secret.

"The prodigal son returns," she said with a flourish. "From the world beyond you roam, to the smoky comfort of your humble home."

Max chuckled, shaking his head. Most of Bea's poetry went right over his head. Looking around, the room was completely hotboxed. He waved a hand in front of his face, trying to clear the air to no avail.

"Seriously?" Max groaned. "Our RA's gonna kill you guys for this."

Bea lifted her eyebrows, her eyes twinkling. "Fear not, for he is a man of green," she mused, her words lilting. "He sells the dream, unseen."

Max blinked, surprised, then burst out laughing. "Wait, you're telling me our RA is your weed dealer?"

Bea's smile deepened. "Indeed," she replied with a shrug. "The balance is struck, the fate is sealed. Your RA's heart, long ago I've healed."

Max shook his head, grinning at the ridiculousness of it all. "That's sick!"

PJ, sprawled out lazily on the floor, shuffled a deck of cards between his hands. "It's summer, dude," he said, his voice slow and relaxed. "Most of the dorm's already gone. I think we're in the clear."

Max conceded the point with a shrug. "Alright, what are you guys even playing?"

All three answered at once.

"Poker!" Bobby exclaimed.

"Rummy," PJ said at the same time.

"Spades," Bea murmured, her voice floating like a soft melody.

They all paused, glancing at each other for a second before bursting into laughter.

"Go Fish it is, then," Max joked, taking a seat beside them. Bobby passed him the bong, and Max took a hit, the familiar burn settling into his lungs before he exhaled a cloud of smoke that blended into the haze already hovering over them.

They fumbled their way through the game, more distracted than anything. The cards became an afterthought as PJ turned to Max, a lazy grin on his face.

"So, what've you been up to all day?"

Max hesitated, but Bobby, always quick to jump in, smirked. "Oh, I know. Maxie-boy's been with a lady."

Bea's eyes sparkled with curiosity, leaning forward as her voice took on a teasing, sing-song rhythm. "Ooo, who might she be, this maiden fair? Do tell us her name, if you dare."

How does she do that? The way she talked always reminded Max of a Dr. Seuss book.

Max held up his hands in mock surrender, laughing.

"What is this? An interrogation?"

"We just wanna make sure you're not hiding anything," Bobby teased, giving him a playful nudge. "I am letting you borrow my van, after all."

"Alright, alright," Max chuckled. "I was helping a friend move. We swung by the Gamma house, hung out for a bit. There was volleyball, beer pong, that kind of thing."

Bea's smile faded slightly, and she cast him a thoughtful glance.

"Oh boy... making friends with the Gammas, are we?" Her tone was skeptical, her words slower, as if choosing them carefully. "A house built of pride and glass. Beware the cracks, should you trespass."