It's All Just Chemicals

Five

Song: "Crash Into Me" - Former Vandal

"We had sex."

It took a moment for those words to sink in. They hardly made sense to him. Wasn't he good enough for Cody? Sure, they had sex with other people, but this was different. Normally, when they did, they'd do it together. Cody didn't even ask. Maxx didn't even know who it was. He didn't know.
He tried to tell himself that it was just the drugs that made Cody do it, but what if they didn't? What if he didn't do enough? Did Maxx not satisfy him anymore?
Maxx shook his head as a new wave of tears began to fill his eyes. He sat up, ruffling his blonde hair before he finally spoke.
"I have to go," was all he could brokenly mutter as he stood up, exchanging his dirty t-shirt for a cleaner one.
"Wait, Maxx, no..." Cody got off the bed, taking a few steps toward Maxx. "I didn't... I wasn't planning to do it, I swear. I just... I don't know what happened..." He looked down at the floor, ashamed as he rubbed his arm anxiously. Maxx flinched at that, seeing Cody so regretful and so disappointed in himself. He wanted to rush over to him and tell him it was okay. But it wasn't okay, so instead he pulled his jacket on and started to walk away.
"I just... I can't be here right now..."
"Maxx, please. I'll do anything. Don't go..."
Cody walked toward the younger boy, tears threatening to fall from his eyes. Maxx turned around as he neared him, his body shaking almost as much as his voice.
"I-I really don't want to be here right now, Cody. Please, just... Just let me think about this..."
The younger boy swiped at his eyes with a sniff before heading for the door again.
"I'm sorry, Maxx..." Cody watched as his boyfriend opened the door, his heart pounding. "I love you..." His voice cracked as he stood there watching Maxx and waiting for his next move. Maxx paused for a moment and glanced back at him, hurt still in his eyes, but with a shake of his head, he walked out of their room and out of their apartment, closing the door gently behind him.

Cody sighed, wiping at the tears on his cheeks before beginning to take his shirt off. His hair was still wet from his shower earlier, but he wanted to take another one. He needed it. He was an adult,- for the most part- and he could make his own decisions. He was going to take another shower. Hell, maybe even a bath. Maybe it would wash away all of the things he was feeling. Of course, he knew it wouldn't, but he began to run a bath anyway. As water filled the tub, he snatched a large bottle of tequila from the liquor cabinet and made his way back to the bathroom.

Maxx walked briskly along the sidewalk, no idea as to where he was headed, and no intention of going anywhere in particular. He just needed to move, to get away, to think, but the longer he walked, the more jumbled his thoughts became, and before he knew it, he was sitting on a street bench, texting Jack with shaky hands.

To: Jackaboy:
'Hey man are you free right now?'
'I could really use a pick me up'
'And a ride lmao..'

From: Cody ❤:
'im so sorry'

From: Jackaboy:
'yeah man'

From: Cody ❤:
'ill give u ur space'

From: Jackaboy:
'everything alright?'

From: Cody ❤:
'just know that I love you so fucking much and id never hurt u intentionally.'

Maxx's thumbs hovered over his keyboard as he read Cody's messages, hesitating a moment before switching back to Jack's.

To: Jackaboy
'Not really but no worries man'
'Can you pick me up soon though?'
'I'm near Burnham Park rn'
'It's cooooooold'

From: Jackaboy:
'yeah ill be there in 5'
'we're just leaving from getting la pizza'
'better b ready to talk tho. Alex won't let u in the car if u don't tell him at least SOME of what's up. 😆'
'we're jk btw u don't have to'
'we love ya Maxx'
'Cody too'

To: Jackaboy:
'I love you guys too haha'
'And you better share that pizza'
'I'm a hungry boi'

Jack pulled over next to the sidewalk near Maxx about five minutes later, Alex rolling down the passenger seat window.
"Get in loser, we're going shopping!"
"Really?" Jack looked at Alex, amused.
"Yep."
"Nerd."
Alex hit his boyfriend's arm playfully, letting go of the warm boxes in his lap and laughing. Maxx smiled at them and stifled a giggle as he climbed into the backseat, the aroma of pizza washing over him.
Jack began driving again, Alex turning to face the blonde.
"So, what's happenin'?" he asked.
"I dunno.." Maxx smiled nervously, leaning back against the seat. He hoped his eyes weren't still red from crying so much. "It's nothing major, man. Don't worry about it."
"What, did you and Code get into a fight or somethin'?" Jack questioned, stopping at a red light while Alex snuck a piece of pizza out of a box and gave it to Maxx who took a bite before responding.
"Kind of... Yeah."
"Shit," Alex gave him a sympathetic smile. "Well, you can stay with us for however long."
"Yeah-" Jack started driving after the light turned green only to slam on his breaks as a car ran the red light.
"Jesus fucking Christ! Fuckin' asshole! You guys okay?"
"I'm fine. Jesus..." Alex held the pizzas tightly, his voice a bit panicky.
"Yeah..." Maxx gave a small sigh. "Let's just get to your place before la pizza gets hurt."

Arriving at the rundown apartment building, the three walked inside. Jack unlocked the door before opening it and letting the other two boys inside. Immediately, they all headed for the kitchen, Alex getting out paper plates and napkins while Jack pulled out two cases of beer. They took their supplies to the living room, dumping it on the coffee table. Plopping onto the green couch, they slapped slices of the greasy, triangular food onto their plates and popped their beers open.
"So," Jack began, taking a sip of his beer. "What movies do you guys wanna watch?"