Those three words (Maxxie Oliver/Skins)

-12

I stirred the small metal teaspoon through the copper coloured liquid in a plane white mug, making sure to dissolve all of the sugar. The place was completely silent besides the commotion I was making in the kitchen.

I placed the cup onto the matching saucer before slowly and carefully carrying it into the bedroom.

Sheila averted her eyes to me instead of Sketch when I walked in. I kneeled down next to her bed and handed her the tea, making sure to not let go until she had fully grasped it.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Sketch asked from her spot at the end of the bed.

"Yes." I replied.

"How much?"

"What? I don't want money, I just think that doing this will help me cope..."

"It's not just some sick joke?"

"Sketch, for the last time, no! My mom's in hospital right now, and I'm used to spending most of my time looking after her. I just miss the feeling."

I nearly forgot Sheila was there, listening intently. "Thank you." She said and I smiled at her then looked down at my hands.

"Sketch, don't you have somewhere to be?" I asked, looking up at her.

Sketch looked uncomfortable, as if she didn't want to tell me.

"Maxxie mentioned he had rehearsals..."

"Okay, okay. But I don't even want to go." Sketch said as she played with the hem of the blanket.

"What? Why?"

"They don't need me anyway." She looked so disappointed and I couldn't help but feel bad for her.

"Of course they do. What if Michelle can't make it, or she's sick?"

"Darling, I don't want you to miss out on this." Sheila added. "Not because of me."

I touch Sketch's arm and smile. "You need to do this." I said.

Sketch looked at my hand on her skin, a look of contemplation on her face. I pull my away and rest it on my own.

"Alright, fine. But you need to make sure you give mum her medicine, okay?" Sketch stood up and I followed her out of the room and into the kitchen. She opened a cabinet and grabbed a beer-coloured bottle out. "Two of these at exactly six. No more than two."

I nod and take the bottle from her. "I'm so happy you're going." I tell her as if we are close friends. We are not. We are far from it.

Sketch doesn't smile. She barely smiles, I've noticed. But I don't take offence to it. I'm used to it by now.

"Rehearsals finish at seven. Call me if you need me." Sketch grabbed her bag from the couch and placed it over her shoulder. It was as if she was a parent and I was babysitting her child.

Once she had gone, I spoke to Sheila for the rest of the night, remembering at exactly six to give her the medicine. I managed to make her laugh a few times, which made me happy because I know how miserable life can be when you are bed-ridden. I managed to squeeze in a quick cleaning around the kitchen before Sketch came back, then went home. Home to Maxxie.

«»

Before I reached Maxxie's place, I stopped by my mine to check if my dad had come home. The door was unlocked when I entered, and the place was a mess just as we had left it. I checked my dad's room to see if he had possibly returned, but it was empty. However, all his things were still there making me wonder if he was planning on returning home.

I wasn't sure how I felt. I was relieved he was gone, even if it was temporarily, but I was devastated that he would leave his sick wife behind, someone who he apparently loved even if he didn't show it

He loved her more than he loved me, which explained the abuse. I could not shake the imagine if his face at the hospital out of my head. He truly looked heartbroken, and he was nice to me. Maybe this was a wake up call for him. Maybe life would be better for us after this event. Maybe mom would get the help she needed and be cured.

"Maxxie?" I called out as I entered Maxxie's place. Both his parents were out by the looks of it and I knew Maxxie was already back from rehearsals.

"In here!" He shouted from the bathroom.

I stopped at the door before I passed it. "Another shower? Really?" I scoffed, smiling at how hygienic he was compared to most people.

"Yeah, the first one was to relax me and this one was to clean me." He said.

The bathroom door opened unexpectedly and the steam from the heat hit my face. Maxxie stood in front of me with just a towel around his waist, his torso sun-kissed and lightly chiseled. It was still damp which irked me to say the least.

"Where have you been?" He asked, leaning against the doorframe.

"Dry your chest." I said as I poked it, making him glance down at it for a split second.

"With what?" He asked playfully.

"With a towel." I replied back.

"You mean, this towel?" He slowly reached for the towel around his waist and my eyes widened.

"Maxxie!" I exclaimed, laughing out of shock at the thought of him actually dropping his towel to leave himself nude in front of me.

He chuckled before turning around to grab another towel from the rack, both to my relief and disappointment.

"Anyway, you didn't answer my question. Where were you?" He followed me into the bedroom, wiping the back of his neck.

"Sketch's." I replied simply, dropping my things on the floor in front of the window. I gazed out and could see Sketch's lights still on.

"Uh, why?" Maxxie sounded confused behind me.

"I was helping her." I turned around and sat down on his bed.

"Why?" He slipped on black briefs before I could see him naked.

"Well, her mom is really sick like mine, so I just felt sorry for her." I tapped at my thighs, watching Maxxie move to sit down next to me on the bed.

"What, like a job or something?" He looked very confused. Maxxie really didn't like Sketch. He probably disliked her more than I did.

"Except I'm not getting paid. And it's part time, so it'll keep me busy." I shrugged.

Maxxie was silent for a few seconds, glancing at the floor and then back at me. He seemed to be determining whether he liked this information or not, not that it really mattered anyway because I would still do it even if he told me not to.

"You're such a cutie." He said before suddenly wrapping his arms around me so that I couldn't move my own arms. He squeezed me hard making me squeal and then fell backwards on the bed so that I was forced to fall with him, landing on top of him. He smelled like body wash and his skin was soft but firm.

"I know I'm amazing." I said, inches away from his face.

"You sure are." He let go of me and placed his hands underneath his head.

I used my own hands to hold me up so that I wouldn't crush him more than I already was. He stared at me with a small smirk and I felt both confused and excited. 

"What?" I asked finally after he stared at me for too long of a time.

"You're just beautiful, you know that? Inside and out."

I felt heat rise to my cheeks. "That was too cheesy." I said, resisting the urge to kiss him and then possibly ruin our friendship.

Maxxie let out a loud laugh. "Yeah, I agree."

It was silent between us again before I decided to end this strange interaction. I quickly planted a kiss on his cheek and then rolled off the side of him so that I was laying next to his chest.

"Good night." I said, digging my face into him and closing my eyes. I comfortably laid my arm across his waist. He did not move a muscle as I did.

"Night, Fi."