A couple of months went by and the group of boys all seemed to be getting along nicely. They soon got to know each other's dreams and hopes in life. Cody wanted to become some big singer one day. Zach and Dan wanted to start a local band or do something involving their instruments. And then there was Maxx.
Maxx had his head so high in the clouds think of what could be, that he didn't even hear literally all three (3) of the others snapping and clapping in his face. His dreams were to remain a secret from the others.
Zach was the one to snap him out of the daze by screaming into his ear. Not loud enough to hurt him, though. The group laughed it off and Cody dared to ask, "Maxx, you never told us where you want to land in life."
"I dunno," he shrugged with a smirk, "somewhere doing something, I guess."
The other boys groaned in unison. All three (3) began to joke around and try to guess what it was he wanted to do. Agreeing on one future job, they said Maxx wanted to be a pornstar. Maxx choked on the air as the rest got up from where they were in the park.
Under a big oak was where the group usually met up after school. Sometimes to do schoolwork and other times just to catch up with each other and home life. The tree always casted the perfect shadow over them that made them feel like they were in another realm.
Dan checked his phone and glanced at the time, he needed to head home for dinner. Zach did as well and he needed to desperately try to finish an English paper that he didn't start on. They all said their goodbyes and promised to meet up in the morning.
Cody rolled over onto his stomach to look at Maxx. The platinum blond was mesmerized by something moving off into the distance. So, Cody took this time to study all the features of Maxx. He smiled to himself with a blush as Maxx suddenly turned his head to look at Cody.
"What were you staring at?"
Cody chuckled, "Oh nothing. You know, I really like your nose. Wait that sounds weird. I just love how it turns upward a lil but at the tip. It's adorable."
"Oh really," Maxx smiled, "well, I absolutely adore the color of your eyes. They remind me of small electric blue nebulas that hold endless amounts of wisdom. You have secrets hidden away in there, I can tell."
"Trust me, I'm an open book."
Maxx raised a brow at him then laid down besides the brunette. They stayed like that in comfortable silence for a few minutes. The sun was finally setting somewhere in the distance, but they could care less.
Out of nowhere, Cody sat up and looked at Maxx. He proclaimed," I'll prove it. Ask me anything you want."
Now that got Maxx's attention. He sat up and sat criss-crossed across from Cody. There was a ghost of a smirk on Maxx's face and the other boy questioned if he should have said that. He pushed any worry to the back of his mind.
"Where shall I start.. hm," Maxx tapped his chin,"I'll start off easy: what is your biggest fear?"
"Any kind of venomous animal, keep them away from me. Especially snakes."
"Have you ever intentionally hurt someone you love?"
"I once hid my sibling's favorite toy when we were younger because they took my cheerios. Other than that, nothing that I can remember."
"Have you thought about dating someone recently?"
"Yes."
"Interesting, you'll have to tell me the lucky gal later."
"It's not a girl, dumbass."
Maxx pretended to look offended. He continued in an overdramatic voice, "me?? A dumbass? This is real bullying, Cody Carson!"
"Sorry, babe, you're rudeness must have rubbed off on me. You done played yourself."
"Touché. So, if it's not a girl, I'm assuming either a boy or some non-binary folk?"
"He is a boy and, I mean, we are pretty close. I'm decent at hiding emotions so he probably just never caught on. Hoping he will soon, though."
"Do I know him?"
"More or less."
"Hm. This is becoming a guessing game, let me get comfortable."
Maxx laid back down, but rested his head on Cody's thigh. He was looking up at Cody when he realized the rose tint on his cheeks. Smiling, he knew who it was and was going to milk this out as long as he can.
"Does he hang around with us sometimes?"
"I guess."
"Classes?"
"A few, he never shuts up in them. Gets frustrating after a while."
"By any chance, is he blond? Like, almost bleach blond?"
"Uh,, yeah."
Cody began to softly run his hands through Maxx's hair. Focusing on how the wind blew the branches of the oak, he answered Maxx's questions. He knew that Maxx was messing with him and already had who it was.
"Is he a badass that picks up all the dudes while wearing a worn-out leather jacket?"
"Oh shut up, you know who it is!"
"Indeed I do, and the feelings are mutual."
Maxx looked up toward Cody to see a hug smile plastered across his face. He looked down at Maxx and they both giggled from their foolishness. The conversation was about to pick up again when Cody's phone rang, startling both of them. He answered it then huffed once the line went dead after a minute of talking.
"Hey, I gotta go home. It's pretty late and parents are worried I'm out doing god knows what."
Maxx sighed, "Yea same, my mom will have my ass on a silver platter if I don't get home before 11:00-ish."
The two stood and awkwardly waved goodbye as they separated towards their own houses. Cody jabbed his fist in the air triumphantly before laughing to himself. He's been meaning to confess that to Maxx for ages now, although, he didn't expect it to be in such a peculiar way.
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my heart goes out to families and anyone effected by what happened in manchester.
excuse any typos x
