An Epic Goofy Movie

Just One Night

    "You sure you don't want this movie?" Bobby asked putting the VHS in the basket anyways.
    "What if it scares the girls?" Max asked, imagining a scared Roxanne jumping into his arms. His smirked. "On the other hand, grab part two as well."
    "My man!" Bobby exclaimed. "Planning the moves."
    "Not so much. I do miss her Bobby. But she has a boyfriend and I'm trying to get my life together." He sighed. He still felt bad about ending things with Jasmine. They had been together for two years. It was weird not being with her.
    "I wish I was going with you guys." PJ said, adding a bar of chocolate to Bobby's basket. "But Mocha has her art presentation today, and I promised I would go."
    "Your girl comes first." Bobby said "Don't you forget it."
    Max felt a pang of guilt as he knew all too well what Bobby was talking about. He wouldn't be in this mess if his stupid 18 year old self would have just remembered that bit of advice.
    "I know. I just want us to hang out all together. Like the old times." PJ said.
    "Stop by afterwards. It won't take that long right?" Bobby asked. "We are going to watch two movies!"
    "Hopefully not. And bet! I'll ask her if she wants to come. I'm pretty sure she won't mind." PJ said
    Max caught someone staring their way. He turned and saw a short haired brunette walking behind them, her attention rapidly moving to the romantic tapes next to her. Her cheeks were burning a slight pink. He shrugged.
    "Who is that?" He asked PJ
"Who man?" PJ asked, looking around. "Oh, her. She went to high school with us. I can't remember her name right now. Why dude?"
Max shrugged. "I just felt like she was - I don't know- following us."

"Stop with the paranoia, it's too early for all that." Bobby said calmly. "Well, let's get moving. We can't have the ladies waiting."

Max took one glance back at her and decided that he was probably just making things up in his head like he always did. They made it to the checkout area, but he couldn't help but feel that their were eyes following him. He said nothing, and followed the guys out of the store.

They made it to Roxanne's house and Max couldn't help but feel uncomfortable. The butterflies in his stomach were eating on his insides, more painful than the pain on his leg or arm combined. He took a deep breath, walked in and literally felt his heart drop when he saw her sitting on the sofa, her red hair in a loose braid, smiling up at him. He could see no one else, hear no one else. She was beautiful.

She was holding to her knees, barefoot, wearing a black t-shirt. She had no makeup on, her dark brown eyes sparkling up at him. Happy to see him. He knew she was. He hadn't seen her look at him like that since.. since high school. How funny it was that he had ever let her walk away. How he never questioned to look for her, to wait for her. What was he thinking?

"Max?"

He blinked, and saw her calling his name.

"I'm sorry, yes?" he asked, hopping over to her.

"Thank you for looking for me. I'm sorry for all the trouble." She said.

"No problem." He responded. "Mind if I sit next to you?"

She shook her head.

"So what are we watching?" Stacey asked as Bobby took out the movies. "It better not be something scary Robert."

"Max did it." Bobby said quickly.

"Aww Max you know I'm afraid of those." Stacey groaned. Roxanne giggled.

"My fault," Max responded. Bobby gave him a small thumbs up from behind his back. "Guess you're going to have to watch it now."

"Don't worry babe, I'm here." Bobby said moving his eyebrows up and down.

They began to watch the movie, but he couldn't really concentrate. Just knowing that she was there next to him, their arms touching, made him nervous. He wanted to look at her, but he dared not to. He understood that they couldn't be together. That part of their lives was over.

He grabbed another slice of pizza instead, wanting to do something with hands to keep busy. He felt her jump as something scared her on the screen. He looked over at Bobby, who had Stacey in his arms.

Roxanne's leg was shaking, a habit she did when she was anxious. The movie was terrifying, and the fact that Max was next to her didn't help. She longed to grab onto his arm like she used to when they were kids. It bothered her how her body didn't forget his, how every motion he took, her body picked it up. She knew he was trying to look busy, eating slice after slice. What was going on in that head of his?

Another jump scare. She closed her eyes shut, her heart racing. She felt him grab her hand and squeezed it. That touch alone sent sparks up her back, the shock if it all making her forget to breathe. He didn't look down at her, which helped her nerves. She squeezed back, appreciating the small gesture of comfort.

For one night she was going to allow this. After four years she finally felt a sense of relief wash over her. Was this what she was missing? Him? Her heart didn't hurt anymore. The sharp emotional pain she carried with her all these years seemed to have disappear. She was surprised at how easily all her troubles just lifted away with the touch of his hand.

His thumb traced patterns on the back of her hand, making her close her eyes, remembering better times. How she longed for more. If a touch could make her feel so complete, how would a kiss feel?

She blushed at the idea. What was she thinking? What was she doing? She had to go see Tony later too. She didn't want to. She wanted to stay here with Max all night. Just for one night. She wanted to pretend that everything was okay, that her heart wasn't broken in ten different places, healed by only time. She had to carry that weight around her for so long that she dreaded knowing that once this was all over that pain would come back.

But she couldn't and she wouldn't. She wasn't a stupid teenage girl in love. She was a woman who saved herself, despite all the pain she felt. She wasn't going to add more to what she already felt for him. Her and Max could never be.

She let go of his hand, expecting him to react, but he didn't. She got up, and smiled down at him. Bobby and Stacey had fallen asleep, the movie still playing. She could feel the tears forming behind her eyes but she swallowed them down.

"I promised Tony I would go see him." She whispered. That was all she could manage. She walked past the sleeping couple on the other sofa, grabbed her sweater and car keys and opened the door. She heard Max's footsteps behind her.

He closed the door behind him, both of them standing in front of her house. The autumn air was blowing leaves all around them, making her grab onto her sweater tighter.

"Did I make you uncomfortable?" He asked. "I apologize. I noticed you were scared. Old habits I guess."

She couldn't say anything. She knew if she would, she would spill her heart out to him. It hurt to breathe. That pain she had been suffering with had come back, stronger than before. She knew it was Max who was the cause, and was the only cure.

"Roxanne?"

She tried to smile, but her tears fell down. She wiped them with her sleeve.

Let me see inside your heart, please. Max thought as she stood in front of him, looking vulnerable. His heart her for him, for him and for everything. He wanted nothing more than to hug her, tell her it would be okay, but if she didn't say anything to him, how could he help?

"Roxanne?" He asked again, taking a step closer to her. She stepped back.

"I-I'm okay." She said, her nose pink. "Please let them know that I went to see Tony. Stacey knows already. I'm probably going to stay there tonight. Thanks for coming over."

Her voice was trembling. He ran up to her and hugged her, feeling her shoulders tense up under him.

"Don't say nothing. If you have to cry, please do. I won't ask any questions. I'll be here for you, always. Whatever it is, I'm here for you, Roxy." He whispered to her, feeling her breakdown under him.  He patted her head, feeling his own tears come down.

*Author's Note*
Hi everyone! Sorry for the long wait on this chapter. I've been so busy, so I decided to do some artwork for this one. The drawing is mine, I made it :) Hope you guys like it. Let me know what you guys think of the story so far, and if you enjoy the chapter pictures! It takes me some time to draw them, but if you like them I'll try my best to continue to add something for the pictures. Love you all!

Best wishes,

Silvia