The Usual... A Max Schneider Fan Fiction

Chapter One: Star Gazing

~ But with you... I feel again ~


Chapter One: Star Gazing


I huffed, plopping down on my couch two nights later, lounging across my best friend's lap. Lucas let out an amused chuckle, looking down at me.

"Well hi there," he spoke. I grumbled something in return, rolling onto my back and looking up at his blue eyes.

"I miss Daddy," I pouted, acting like a small child as I stuck out my bottom lip, crossing my arms. Lucas laughed a little, rolling his eyes playfully.

"Why don't you go see him the next time you get a day off?" he suggested, playing with my hair. I sighed, nodding my head slightly. I suddenly furrowed my eyebrows, looking up to my best friend.

"Did Max come into the shop while I was gone?" I asked. Lucas smirked, shaking his head.

"Nope," he told me, chuckling. "He didn't. I don't think he'll come in if he knows you won't be there."

I rolled my eyes. "I doubt that," I said. "He probably just couldn't come in. He probably won't come in tomorrow either."

Lucas scoffed. "Does he know you'll be working?"

I nodded. "Yeah," I said. Lucas grinned.

"I bet you lunch for the next three days he'll come in tomorrow looking for you," he said, watching me. I rolled my eyes again and sat up, looking at Lucas as I sat up and faced him.

"And I bet you my shifts for the next three days that he won't show up tomorrow at all," I said. Lucas spit in his hand, holding it out to me. I grinned and spit in mine, placing it in his and shaking it firmly.

"It's a bet."

* * * * *

I grinned, looking up at the clock. It was already nine, and Lucas and I's shifts ended in an hour. "It looks like you're about to lose this bet, Lucas," I spoke, wiping down the counter. My best friend rolled his eyes, before looking over my shoulder and smirking cockily.

"The night isn't over yet, sweetie," he smirked, his eyes flickering over to the door. I furrowed my eyebrows and turned, groaning as I watched Max slide out of his red leather jacket. He tugged on the sleeves of his thin black zip up hoodie as he strode easily over to the counter, sitting down at his typical place. Max sent me a smile, and I couldn't help but send him a smile back as Lucas just watched us.

"Hey, Simmy," he greeted me quietly, his smile growing. I chuckled softly.

"Hi, Max," I said. "Your usual?"

Max shook his head. "Not this time, baby," he said. "I came to see you."

I felt my cheeks begin to burn as I felt Lucas grin, making me gesture for him to leave Max and I in privacy so we could talk. "Oh?" I said, listening as Lucas walked away to take care of another customer. Max bit his lip and nodded, smiling sweetly at me.

"I was wondering if you'd let me take you around town tonight," he said. "I really wanna get to know you. I can take you home afterwards."

I smiled, despite the fact that I'd just lost a bet. "I'd like that," I said. "I get off in an hour..."

Lucas was suddenly by my side. "I can cover the rest of your shift if you want, sweetie," he said, smirking slightly. I smiled, looking at Max.

"Does that work for you, Max?" I asked. He grinned and nodded, checking his phone.

"That's perfect, baby," he told me. I nodded and took off my apron, shoving it at Lucas.

"I'll see you tonight, alright loser?" I teased my best friend. "Are you coming to my place again?"

Lucas shrugged. "Dunno yet."

I nodded. "Okay. I love you."

Lucas smirked. "I love you too, sweetie... Even more since you're buying my lunch for the next three days."

I rolled my eyes. "Bye, Lucas."

My best friend laughed, waving me off. I grabbed my phone and shoved it in the back pocket of my jeans, along with my wallet as I walked around the counter. "Ready?" I asked Max, walking over to the front door. Max grinned and nodded, following me and sliding into his coat. I grabbed mine and Max was quick to help me into it, pulling my hair from the neckline. I couldn't help the tiny shiver that ran through my body when his feather-light touch grazed the back of my neck, a tiny blush creeping over my cheeks. I grabbed my beanie and slid it over my head, wrapping my scarf around my neck and tucking it into the front of my coat.

"Here, lovely," he said, holding the door open for me. I smiled and thanked him quietly, stepping out into the freezing Chicago air. I shoved my hands in the pockets of my jacket, nuzzling into my scarf as Max came to my side. "Shall we?" he asked. I smiled and nodded, both of us beginning to walk down the semi-crowded street.

"How old are you?" Max asked, looking down at me. I laughed, as this seemed it was quickly going to turn into a two-way game of twenty questions.

"Twenty," I told him. "I'll be turning twenty-one next month." I paused. "How old are you?"

Max smiled. "Twenty-one," he said. "What's your favorite color?"

I chuckled. "Red," answered, walking closer to Max so we didn't get separated in the crowd. "I like green too, just not at the same time."

Max chuckled. "That's reasonable."

I laughed, pulling my beanie further down around my ears. "What do you do for a living?" I asked, watching him. He shrugged, avoiding my gaze.

"I'm an actor," he told me. "I did stuff for Nickelodeon and a couple other things here and there, a small part in a movie, and now I'm filming an NBC show... And I sing too."

I chuckled. "You sound busy."

Max looked back at me and smiled, shrugging sheepishly. "Sometimes," he said. "But I'm never too busy."

I chuckled again, letting him lead me along the streets. "What about you?" Max asked. "Have you co-owned the coffee shop since you got out of high school?"

I nodded. "Dad and I planned it out all senior year," I said. "I never really had the desire to go to college, and this just seems like something I'd want to do for the rest of my life. So Dad lives on the outskirts of Chicago, and I have an apartment, and we work together."

Max reached for my arm, keeping a hold of it to make sure he didn't lose me in the crowd. "What about your mom?" he asked. It took me a moment to answer, trying my hardest to ignore the little tingles his touch sent through my arm.

"Mom was in the military," I answered, carefully choosing my words. "She and Dad are..." I paused, thinking. "Separated," I decided, noting that it wasn't exactly a lie.

Max nodded, having not noticed the cautious way I'd responded. "Where do you live?" I asked, deflecting attention from me for a moment.

"An apartment, not too far from yours actually," he said. "I recently moved into one of my own. I was rooming with one of my costars, but I wanted my own place."

I nodded, watching as he led me across a street. "What kind of music do you like?" he asked, and I noticed he seemed to have a destination in mind as he pulled me through Chicago.

"A little of everything," I replied easily. "A bit of this, a bit of that... There isn't much I won't listen to."

Max nodded, smiling back at me. "Sorry I'm dragging you all over creation," he apologized. "I just really like this one spot... You'll see why when we get there."

I laughed, nodding. "So do you play any instruments?" I asked, intrigued. Max chuckled, looking back at me.

"Yeah," he said. "Piano, guitar, ukulele..."

I paused slightly. "I remember you bringing an uke into the shop a couple of times."

Max nodded and smiled sheepishly. "I love it," he said. "It's such a fun instrument..." He drug me around another corner, the swell of people around us thinning. "Do you play anything besides the piano?"

I snorted. "I can vaguely play the guitar," I said. "Lucas can play really well, and he's taught me a couple chords over the years."

Max looked at me and grinned, pulling me closer as he veered into a small park. "What do you like to do to pass the time?" Max asked me, leading me past some playground equipment and some swings sets.

I shrugged. "I play piano, I hang out with Lucas, I play video games. That kinda stuff."

Max raised his eyebrows. "Oh?" he questioned. I nodded, falling into step beside him. I watched him grin as we came to a huge pile of boulders, set there to mark the end of the park. He turned to me, pointing up. "Follow me," he instructed, before carefully beginning to climb the large rocks. I chuckled slightly, before doing as I was told and following after him.

"Oh wow..." I murmured, looking around. At the top of the pile was the most beautiful view of the stars, set brightly against the dark black color of the night sky. It was breathtaking, and I struggled to tear my eyes from the sight. "It's beautiful, Max..."

Max grinned, nodding slightly as he laid on his back, looking up at the dark sky, tracing the stars with his finger. I laid beside him, watching as slow clouds drifted across the dark, velvet night.

"Do you have any pets?" Max asked, propping himself up on his elbow beside me. I nodded, still watching the stars.

"A beautiful grey cat," I said. "He's the man of the house... His name is Storm."

Max smiled. "Really?" he asked. "I pegged you as more of a dog person..."

I chuckled. "Well, when I was younger I had this beautiful husky," I told him. "But he died when I was nine. I was devastated, and I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't get another dog until I'd fallen in love."

Max furrowed his eyebrows. "Why until you'd fallen in love?"

I smiled, meeting his brown eyes. "Because I knew if I was in love, then someone would be around to hold me and take care of me when the dog died, and I'd never have to face that kind of awful heartache alone."

Max was silent, before his face broke out into this breathtaking smile. "That's actually really beautiful," he told me, laying back down on his back. I let out a short breath of laughter, shaking my head.

"It was nine year old me trying to protect myself from being hurt like that," I corrected him. "It's such a stupid promise I made myself, but I can't bring myself to break it; I mean, I'd love to have another dog, but it's just one of those things, y'know?"

Max chuckled, almost humorlessly. "Yeah," he said. "I get it," he told me, and I got the feeling that he really did.

I remained silent for a moment, biting my lip, before looking up at him. "What's your favorite animal?" I asked, trying to lighten the mood.

Max laughed. "I really like monkeys," he told me, his eyes sparkling again. "Or any kind of primate really. What about you?"

I smiled. "I really love elephants," I told him. "I don't really know why, but I just really love them. They're so big and majestic and beautiful."

Max grinned. "What's your favorite time of year?" he asked next, watching for my answer.

I giggled. "I love winter and autumn," I said. "I love getting to wear hoodies and sweaters and beanies. They comfort me, and growing up in Seattle, it was cold a lot, so they remind me of home."

Max nodded, turning on his stomach so he could watch me. He stared at me for a long while, as if he was trying to figure something out. I eventually felt self conscious under his gaze, making me squirm slightly under its intensity. "What?" I asked, finally breaking the silence.

Max just looked at me, biting his lip, and I couldn't help but notice just how damn cute he was when he did that. "Is what you told me the other day true?"

I frowned. "What're you talking about?"

Max suddenly looked nervous scratching the back of his neck. "About never being in love?"

I sighed, nodding. "It was the truth," I told him. "I've dated and been out with lots of really great guys," I said. "But I've never been truly in love with anyone. A lot of guys just see me as friends."

Max frowned. "How's that even possible?" he asked. "You're interesting, you're beautiful, you've got such a sweet laugh... How can a guy not love you?"

I just sat up and shrugged. "They just don't I guess," I said. "I don't really mind. I know that a guy'll come along someday that'll love every part of me. Until then, I'm content with my friends and family, and my cat."

Max smiled. "I really admire that," he told me. I chuckled, pushing my hair from my face as I looked down at him.

"Can I ask you why you wanted to get to know me so badly?" I asked, watching for his reaction. Max slowly nodded, looking down at his hands.

"Well..." he said. "Something happened in the six months that I stopped showing up to the coffee shop. And that something caused me to stop laughing and smiling for a very long time... I guess you could say I'd slipped into a sort of depression." he paused. "But like I said the other night, you were the first person to pull a genuine smile out of me. You made me want to laugh."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "I'm not sure why," I told him honestly. "I'm just Symphony; nothing special about me."

Max frowned, watching me carefully. "But there is," he murmured. "I'm trying to figure it out."

I fell silent, focusing on the stars again. "Can I ask what happened?" I said after a minute, my voice quiet, tentative. Max didn't say anything for a long time, before looking over at me, giving me a small smile.

"Not now," he whispered. "But I promise that when I figure out what it is about you that entices me so much, I'll tell you what happened."

I smiled, nodding slightly, looking back up towards the sky. "I suppose I can agree to that."

Max rested his head in his arms, biting his lip slightly as he stared at me. "You really are gorgeous," he told me. "I've always thought you were beautiful, even when I came in six months ago. And you really do have a crazy sweet laugh."

I blushed slightly, quietly thanking him for the compliment. He smiled and nodded, pausing for a moment, before chuckling. "I guess with all this talk about waiting on the right guy, I can safely assume you're single?"

I nodded. "Are you?"

Max gave a tiny laugh, playing with his fingers. "Yeah," he said. "I've been kinda taking a break from the dating scene for a bit."

I furrowed my eyebrows. "How come?" I asked. He frowned slightly, and I nodded, understanding it must've had something to do with whatever happened six months ago. I shook my head slightly, before looking over at him again.

"What kind of books do you like?" I asked, deciding a subject change was necessary. Max smiled a little, looking up at me with sparkling eyes.

"I'm a sucker for a really good romance novel," he admitted. "Or any kind of really sweet story with a good message."

I laughed, gently poking fun at him for his choice in books, before both of us fell into a mindless game of twenty questions, just taking the opportunity to learn more about one another. It must've been close to three hours we spent into the night, listening to each other and just talking about the most random things. I wasn't sure why I was opening up to him so easily; I'd always been quite shy in the past. But there was something about the way that Max smiled, the way he spoke, that made me just want to be totally open with him... It was truly something else. In fact, it wasn't until my phone vibrated in my pocket that I realized how much time had gone by.

"Shit..." I murmured, hitting accept and pressing my phone to my ear. "Hello?" I spoke.

"Symphony Danielle Andrews!" I heard my best friend's worried tone yell through my phone. "I've been worried absolutely sick about you!"

I rolled my eyes, though Lucas couldn't see it. "Chill the hell out, 'Mom'," I said, checking the time and seeing it was nearly two-thirty in the morning.

"Are you alright?" Lucas asked. "I haven't heard from you in hours, sweetie."

I rolled my eyes, again. "No, Lucas," I replied dryly. "Max is actually a serial killer, and has seduced me; I'm lying naked in his arms right now. He has plans to chop me up into little bits later."

I heard Max's amused snort, making me giggle slightly as Lucas went silent. "You're not funny, sweetie," he told me, suppressing chuckles. "Are you coming back anytime soon?"

I nodded. "Yeah," I said. "Here in a minute."

My best friend sighed. "Alright, Simmy," he said. "I've fed Storm, and I'm heading up to my apartment for the night."

I smiled. "Thanks, loser," I teased. "Leave my light on, okay?"

I could picture him nodding. "Sure thing, sweetie. I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

I chuckled, hearing him yawn. "Alright," I said. "Goodnight, Lucas."

My best friend yawned again. "Goodnight, Symphony."

I hung up, letting out a small yawn myself, rubbing the back of my neck as the lateness of the hour began to wear on me. "You wanna start heading back?" Max asked, smiling softly at me. I slowly nodded, watching him sit up as he began carefully picking his way down the mound of boulders. I waited for him to get fully on the ground before beginning my decent.

"Careful," Max told me, watching me. I chuckled slightly to myself, before taking a sharp breath as I felt the rock beneath my foot give way, causing me to topple backwards off the pile of boulders, the ground rushing up to meet me.

I was suddenly looking up at the stars again, a sharp pain shooting through my ankle. I cried out as Max called my name, his feet running to where I laid sprawled out on the grass. "Shit..." I heard him mumble, and suddenly he was looking down at me, his face worried. "Are you okay, Simmy?"

I hissed in pain, slowly sitting up with Max's help. I shook my head slightly, looking down at my foot. "I twisted my ankle on the way down," I told him, gingerly moving it closer. Max frowned, carefully helping me slip my boot and sock off, letting him examine where I'd fallen.

"It's not swelling," he observed. "It doesn't look broken."

I shook my head. "I've broken and sprained it before, and it doesn't hurt as bad as it did then... It still hurts though."

Max nodded, helping me back into my shoe and sock. He looked up at me again, his features concerned. "Here," he said, offering me his hand. "Let me help you up."

I took his hand, letting him ease me onto my good foot. "Can you walk?" he asked, keeping a hold of my arm. I nodded, before taking a step and nearly collapsing. I would've too, if Max hadn't reached out and caught me in his arms. "I'll take that as a no," he laughed quietly, wrapping my arm around his neck and his own arm around my waist.

"Max, you don't-" I began to protest, but Max just shook his head and laughed, smiling softly at me.

"It's my fault you were up there, so it's indirectly my fault you fell," he told me, beginning to guide me forward. "I'm your ride anyway, remember?"

I fell silent, letting him help me hobble along. "Thank you," I said, quietly, feeling his arm tighten around my waist. Max shot me a breathtaking smile, nodding.

"Of course, baby," he told me, bringing me closer. I chuckled slightly, letting him guide me to the edge of the park, pausing before re-entering the swell of people... I would never understand why there were so many people out in the city at nearly two-thirty in the morning. "Uh..." he furrowed his eyebrows, thinking slightly, before biting his lip, turning towards me with a slight blush on his cheeks.

"I know this might be a little awkward," Max began. "But getting you through this crowd with you hobbling like this might take a while," he told me. "Would you be totally opposed to me carrying you?"

I felt a gentle blush creep along my cheeks, sputtering slightly. "I... uh..." I swallowed. "N-No..." I finally managed. Max smiled a little, bending a little and picking me up behind my knees, cradling me bridal style against his body.

"C'mon," he said, diving into the moving mass of people. "Let's get you home, baby."

I wrapped my arms around his neck for stability, and I took the moment to appreciate how damn good his skin smelled. He smelled woodsy and musky, with a little citrus, and it was really a soothing scent, only making me sleepier. I yawned again, resting my head against his shoulder as Max carried me down the street. He chuckled as he watched my eyes slip closed, his body rumbling with the movement. "You seem really tired," he commented after a couple of minutes of watching me fight to stay awake. I nodded slightly, my eyes fluttering closed, before opening sharply.

"Well," I teased. "Someone has had me up for the past few hours playing twenty questions."

Max laughed. "You can't deny you had a good time."

I smiled. "I can't do that," I agreed. "It was really fun."

Max grinned slightly to himself, shifting me in his grip as we drew closer to the coffee shop. "I would like to do it again," he said. "What would you think about maybe hanging out at my place one night this week? I can pick you up, cook some dinner..."

I smiled. "I'd like that," I told him. "Let me check with Lucas to see what night he can take my shift, and I'll get back to you."

Max smiled sheepishly and nodded, tuning the corner into the alley where we were allowed to park our cars when we worked. Max carried me over to a white SUV, unlocking it with a set of keys and setting me in his passenger seat. My ankle started throbbing harshly, making me groan slightly as Max settled me.

"Are you alright?" he asked. "Maybe we should take you to the emergency room..."

I shook my head, trying my best to smile. "I'll be fine," I told him. He frowned, slowly nodding.

"Alright..." he murmured, slowly backing up, shutting the car door and walking over to the drivers side. He climbed in and started the car, smiling to himself as he started on the way to my apartment building.

We got there about fifteen minutes later, and before I knew it Max was carrying me up to my apartment. I unlocked the door, pushing it open so he could carry me inside, setting me down on my living room couch. He turned on the lights before returning to my side, helping me get comfy.

"Do you need anything?" Max asked. "An ice pack? Something to drink?"

I chuckled and nodded slightly, pointing towards my kitchen. "If you could bring me a can of Sprite, you'd be amazing."

Max laughed, walking towards my kitchen. "I can do that," he said. "Do you have any Tylenol or anything? It'd help with the pain."

I thought for a moment, looking at him over the breakfast bar. "Yeah. In the drawer right next to the fridge. There's also a small bottle of peppermint oil, and if you could bring that to me too you'd be even better than amazing."

I heard Max's laugh as he came from the kitchen with the three items in his hands. He set them down in front of me as I smiled my thanks, reaching for the Tylenol and Sprite, downing two of the pills quickly. "What's the peppermint oil for?" he asked, pointing to the little bottle. I reached forward and set the Sprite and Tylenol back down, grabbing the oil and sitting back.

"It provides near instant headache relief," I replied, rubbing some on each of my temples. "It's something my mother used to do when she got real bad headaches... Plus, I just really love the smell."

Max cocked his head, closing his eyes and inhaling slightly, before smiling. "Yeah," he laughed. "Me too."

I laughed, and he did too, until Storm came out of hiding, mewing softly. I grinned at my beautiful grey kitty, clicking my tongue and snapping my fingers lightly. He came closer, slowly, wary of our new visiter as he ventured up onto the couch, jumping gracefully into my lap, nudging my hand and making soft noises. I laughed, scratching behind his ear and smiling gently at my kitty. "Hey, baby," I murmured to Storm, letting him come closer to my face in order to nuzzle his nose against my cheek. I giggled quietly, running my hand along his sleek fur.

"He's beautiful," I heard Max whisper, and I smiled, nodding.

"Don't be offended if he doesn't like you though," I prefaced. "It took him a year and a half for him to warm up to Lucas."

Just as I said that, Storm looked at Max and cocked his pretty little head, before mewing and approaching him, crawling into his lap and purring softly. I giggled slightly as Max began running his fingers along the cat's body. "He's such a little turd," I laughed. "Making a liar out of me like that."

Max smiled, falling silent for a few minutes, before speaking up again. "I guess I should go," he said. "Do you need anything else? Do you want me to help you to your room?"

I sighed, nodding sheepishly. "If you wouldn't mind."

Max grinned. "I don't mind at all," he told me, his words genuine as he shifted to pick me up again. "Just direct me to your bedroom."

I blushed slightly at the way that statement sounded, but thankfully Max didn't take notice. "All the way down the hall," I said, pointing. He nodded and carefully carried me down the hall into my little piece of tranquility. The room was painted a rich chocolate brown, with soft candles spread out everywhere. My bed was draped with beautiful deep reds, the floor a dark mahogany wood. It was most definitely my favorite room in the apartment, and I loved every part of it.

"Here you go baby," he said, setting me down on the bed. I smiled and thanked him, kicking my shoes off as Storm joined me. "Oh," he said. "One more thing before I go."

I cocked my head at him as he reached in his pocket and pulled out a sharpie, taking my wrist in his hand. He held my arm out, uncapping the sharpie with his teeth and beginning to write numbers across my forearm, in big, bold, black movements. I giggled as I realized he was giving me his number, playfully rolling my eyes as he finished and blew on it for a moment, helping it to dry.

"You could've just put it in my phone, ya know," I laughed. Max smiled and shrugged, biting his lip.

"But where's the fun in that?" he asked, pocketing his marker. His eyes sparkled, and I swear he took my breath away.

"I'll see you soon, okay?" Max said, smiling softly. I nodded, trying to return the smile as he walked towards the door of my bedroom. "I really did have fun tonight, Symphony," he spoke. I chuckled, nodding.

"I did too, Max," I said, honestly. "I'll talk to Lucas and get back to you tomorrow, okay?"

Max nodded and grinned. "Goodnight, Simmy," he said. "I'll lock your door on my way out.

I pulled my fingers through my hair, waving. "Thank you," I said. "Goodnight Max."

He gave me one last smile, before disappearing from my room, down the hall and out my front door, just as a question popped into my mind:

Was dinner at his place considered a date?

______________________________________

:D

Bonjour!

If you don't know who I am, my name is Casey, and I'm first and foremost a writer, singer, dancer, and a full time nerd.

And I will be your author for this story :P

If you already know who I am, I love you :-)

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Lol so here's how I work:

For every chapter you read, there will be a lyric at the very beginning. If you want to know what song it comes from, just ask in the comments.

At the end of every chapter, I'll have an authors note, and updates that're numbered. It is here you'll get a little insight into when I'll update next, a little bit about me and my life, and maybe a trivia question here and there. I recommend you at least skim this every time you finish a new chapter, just so you're in the loop :D

Oh, and I LOVE comments. They really make my day :3

That is about all for now. I try to update on a weekly basis, so I'll see you next week, okay?

I start school next week though, so maybe it'll be late. Maybe not. It depends ;D

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Bye darlings!

-Casey!