opposites ; max stanley

tire swing

tuesday, june 27th
11:13pm

the walk home from my job was longer than usual. possibly because it was a tiring day? maybe because i didn't get much sleep last night? maybe because of something else. i didn't quite mind it, though.

there was a slight drizzle, it was hard to see unless you looked directly at the dim street lights or the small puddles forming on the concrete. i live in brooklyn. right now, at least. i'm usually all over the place, never really stop travelling. but i've been here for longer than i meant to be. it's already been about 5 months - it's strange for me to stay in one place, i end up, kind of, losing my mind.

i am 19, 20 in a few months. live on my own, in a decent sized apartment in cobble hill on wyckoff street. it's only about a 5 minute walk from my job to my place, but it really does feel like i've been walking for hours.

i pull out a pack of marlboro reds from the pocket of my shitty, old, patched up jacket, pulling a cigarette from the box with my lips, too lazy to be bothered to use my other hand. patting my pockets, nearing closer to my building.

did i lose my lighter? again?

sighing, i continue dragging my feet. that is, until i spot a boy leaning against the wall of my apartment building, a smoke between his lips as he seems to be scrolling through his phone.

"excuse me, sir?"

he looks up, thick, fluffy brown hair falling in front of his face as he did so. he smiles at me,

"yes?" he asks, some accent rolling off his tongue. british? australian, maybe? cute, i guess.

"do you have a lighter i could borrow? i think i might have lost mine, again," i say, letting a quiet chuckle escape my lips. he nods and pats around his sweater pockets, pulling out a bright yellow lighter after a few seconds. i grabbed it and lit the cigarette that had sat between my lips for, at least, a couple of minutes by now.

"thanks," i murmur, taking the first drag and handing his lighter back to him. he smiles, and nods once in response.

we both stand against the wall, in nearly, complete silence. nothing to be heard other than the quiet rain and the occasional exhale or cough from one of us.

should i talk to him? god, i'm so uncomfortable around people. what if he think's i'm super strange or something, for talking to him?

my thoughts were interrupted by his voice;

"what's your name?"

"y/n. yours?"

"max." he smiles again, looking over, and down at me.

i return the smile, he must be at least 6' tall.

i was only, i don't know, roughly 5'. 5'1 if i'm lucky.

"what are you up to tonight, then? i mean, i know the night is already almost over. but i thought i may as well ask." he asks, chuckling.

pursing my lips, i think. what am i doing tonight? probably nothing, other than climbing in bed and watching some movie. just like any other night.

"probably nothing too exciting. make food, watch a movie, go to sleep. the usual routine." i explain, clearing my throat before speaking.

max nod's, "sound's like a nice time. i have to edit videos. in fact, i should probably get to that, now. if you don't mind me asking, what apartment number do you live in? maybe we could hang out sometime soon? i don't have too many friends that live close by."