Stone Cold

Chapter One

Max didn't like him. Just from watching him.  She had issues with every part of him. There was the way he moved, talked, breathed, and lived. And then there was the small detail that was truly out of his control, but still made him absolutely despicable. His older brother, James. James was in prison now, of course. But just looking at Ben, the little brother who'd been fifteen when it had all happened, it pissed her off. He looked like James, just a little. Not enough to get them confused, but they were obviously brothers.

    It'd be easier to get over her hate for him if he didn't work at the Starbucks that was three blocks from her house. What was she supposed to do, go miles out of her way just to avoid seeing his smug face? She almost wanted to.

    From the table Max was seated at she could see him working behind the counter. He smiled at costumers as he took their order. He always asked for their name's spelling, always got it right. He apologized for any mistakes, and apologized for mistakes that weren't even his own. Such a pristine, perfect, polite boy. If she cared about him, she'd feel bad. He was a talented hockey player, but had been bullied off the team once James had been convicted. All his friends had left him. He was treated like he was guilty. Guilty by relation. If she was fair, she'd give him a chance. Just because James was a monster, didn't mean he was. But then again, something had gone on in his house to make his brother snap, so who was to say the same wouldn't happen to him?

    Max stood, and got in line. She counted the people in front of her, and realized she'd end up at his register. Did she want that? It'd be easy to let the woman behind her go first. But she sort of wanted to make him look at her. She wanted to see his costumer service smile falter and fade, and she wanted him to look not only sad, but sorry. Sorry for mistakes that weren't his own.

    It was her turn to order. She didn't speak. They just stared at each other for a moment. "Max," he said slowly, carefully. She clenched her jaw. He fidgeted for a second. "I'm not him. Don't treat me like I am."

    She stared him down for another second or so, enjoying his discomfort. "I'll take black coffee. Dark roast. I want it in a French press."

    He frowned. "We have dark roast already brewed, a French press would take ten or so minutes to prepare–"

    "I know," Max smiled. "I like the way the press tastes. And I know policy. You can't say no."

    He sighed, before plastering on what had to be the most artificial smile she'd ever seen. "Of course, I'd love to make you a French press during our afternoon rush. That's so convenient."

    Max wanted to laugh, but didn't want him to think she was impressed or anything.   "I want your employee discount," she said. He started to speak, surely to tell her he wasn't allowed to do that. "Although I wouldn't say it would even much out. My sister's still dead."

    Ben looked at her for a long moment, tears were forming in his eyes. "It's almost been a year, Max. I have no friends, my family legally changed our last name, and my parents hate me. You pushing me around won't affect me much. I've already been pushed too far."

    "I want it for free, then."

    He wiped at his eyes, and when he looked at her again the tears were gone. He looked a little angry. "Whatever makes you happy."

XXX

    Ben got off his shift a half hour early, because they were overstaffed. He hung up his apron and got a flat white to go. He didn't have anywhere to be the rest of the day. Usually he'd go to the library, or just go home. Neither felt right, though. The encounter with Max had shaken him up. He felt disgusting and guilty. For what? Sure, maybe there were signs with James that he'd missed. Signs that could've stopped so much pain. But he didn't think it was right that he was punished for what his brother had done. People seemed to think he'd been in on it, but just hadn't been caught.

    He took the bus to work, but because he was a half hour early, the one that took him to his street corner wouldn't arrive for a bit. He stood on the sidewalk for a moment, just sort of thinking. He wished Max would just let him talk for a few minutes. She didn't know half of his side of the story. He wished she'd look at him and actually see him for who he was. And who he wasn't.

    He thought for a moment, before pulling out his phone. He had her number. She'd surely deleted his, but even if he hadn't, he had a new one. His last number was too public. He got too many threats.

    He bit his lip, before finally just deciding to go for it.

    Ben: Hi Max. Can I ask you something?

    Seconds passed. He already regretted sending it.

    Maxine: Who's this?

    Ben: I'd like to stay anonymous. But we know each other. Trust me.    

    Maxine: Why? What do you want?
   

Ben: I just need someone to talk to.

    It wasn't a lie.

Hey there! I hope you enjoyed the first chapter to Stone Cold. I'm super excited about this story, and I hope someone else is too!!!

What do you think Ben's brother did? How did Max's sister die? Do you think Max and Ben were together before everything fell apart?

Leave a vote and a comment if you want an update! ;)

until next time,

violet