Chapter One: I'm Gonna Miss You

401 23 20
                                    

"Maximum!" you yell as you lean against Max's shoulder while the two of you walk home from school. "I'm gonna miss you."

Max sighs as he pats your shoulder. "I told you not to call me that."

You shake your head whilst rolling your eyes. "Not gonna say anything sincere, Maxy?" you ask sarcastically.

"Not that either," Max says, annoyed. "Where do you get these names from?"

"The forbidden realm of my mind," you answer while doing jazz hands. "Once you enter, you can never escape."

Max looks at the sky and extends his arms whilst pretending to beg. "Don't make the same mistake I did!"

You manage to chuckle a pitiful laugh whilst gleaming a small smile. The smile slowly fades when Max stops dead in his tracks.

"Call me everyday, okay?" he quietly asks with a hint of plead in his voice. He doesn't even look at you and instead, stares directly at the crumbling sidewalk.

It caught you so off guard that you stand in utter disbelief. You try to look at his face. At that moment, you realize that he's about to cry.

"Come on, Max," you try to reassure him by giving him a side hug. "Don't cry. I'll never, ever, forget you, okay?"

He manages to say a pathetic "okay" before giving you the most breathtaking hug. Literally.

You struggle to breath as he crushes you in his arms. You smile as you hug him back. After a few seconds, you playfully push him back.

"Stop being so dramatic, Max-ermind," you remark emphasizing the clever nickname you though of.

He wipes away his waterworks and rolls his eyes. "Shut up."

There was a long pause as the two of you awkwardly walk down the silent street. The sound of shoes dragging across the pavement fills the god forsaken air. You flutter your eyelashes in an attempt to entertain yourself. Max turns his head to look at you. He clears his throat, ready to start a conversation.

"So, um, where are you moving again?"

"California. That place in the west, I think."

"You're terrible at geography," he remarks while shaking his head.

You stick out your tongue. "So are you, Maxy-Poo."

"Hey, that rhymed," he says, pretending to be amazed.

You snort. "Ha ha. Bravo, Maxy."

He bows down. "Thank you! I'll be here all week."

You clap, playing along. "Again! Again! Do it again!" You cheer.

The two of you burst into laughter, punching each other's arms as a form of punishment for the smart remarks. Both of you calm down a bit and continue to walk down the path.

You guys stop at the giant tree in front of your house and set your backpacks down. The long branches extend outwards towards the front yard and goes on towards the street. The branches were covered in big, green leaves, blocking the heat of the sun from hitting the two of you. You both lay down on the grass and close your eyes.

The cool summer breeze brushes lightly against your pale faces, sending waves of tingles down your spine. You open your right eye to steal a quick glance at Max. He smiles, his eyes still closed. His hands were on his stomach. The position he was laying in made him look like he was asleep or even dead in a permanent smile.

After a good long minute, you both open your eyes and sit up.

"So you know who's gonna be buying the house?" he asks as he points his thumb over his shoulder.

"Yeah," You reply sorrowfully as you take a hair tie from your wrist and begin to tie your hair into a ponytail. "An elderly couple."

He bites his lip and stands up.

Max rolls up his black long sleeve shirt and ruffles his hair. "How do I look?"

You shoot a look of disgust. "Horrible. Absolutely disgusting."

"No. Really," he says widening his eyes, expecting an answer.

"Um, good I guess," you answer, confused. "Why?"

He pretends to straighten up his collar, even though he was was wearing a V-neck.

"Got to impress the old folks," he says.

You snort again. "Funny."

"No, I mean it," he playfully winks.

You nervously chuckle. "You won't meet them until next week when we're gone."

"Still."

"Alright," You say. "You look amazing, Maximum."

"Thank you, Button, " he thanks.

You cross your arms sternly. "You know that I only let my mom and my grandma call me that."

"I know," he sits down next to me and leans against your shoulder.

An awkward silence fills the fresh air as the two of you sit under the tree. The branches sway as the gentle breeze pushes them into a sad dance.

"I can't believe you're moving," his voice cracks with despair, breaking the silence. "And in the middle of seventh grade, too!"

"I know right?" You agree. "I'm gonna miss Mrs. Johnson."

"And Mr. Ayres?"

"Duh," You reply. "He's an awesome science teacher."

Awkward pause.

"Melanie and Shane are gonna be heartbroken," he adds.

"Definitely gonna miss them. They were good buddies. I'll try to keep in contact with them."

You sigh after a long and heartbreaking pause. "I'm gonna miss you, Maxy."

Max sits back up and bites his lip. "I'm gonna miss you, too, Button."

~~~

PLEASE COMMENT AND ADD TO YOUR READING LIST FOR CHAPTER TWO!!

Forgive (Mithzan X the reader)Donde viven las historias. Descúbrelo ahora