Work Text:
Bradley sat on the sidewalk by a park, the night sky filled with dark clouds that were drizzling rain.
He had just received a call from his father, telling him he was cut off. His father had decided since he had lost the X games, he didn’t deserve the financial help he was giving him. His father spat insults through the phone on how much of a failure he was, and that he didn’t want to ‘waste his money on such a disappointment’
Bradley shoves his flip phone into the pocket of his khakis and yells out in anger, pulling his knees towards his chest and grabbing at his hair.
He could feel his face heat up quickly, hot tears pricking his eyes, falling down his face. He roughly rubs at his face, trying to hide his weakness.
The sound of wheels rolling down the pavement became louder until they stopped.
He hears a skateboard scraping at the ground.
“Brad? What are you doing here?”
The voice has a hint of shock and concern.
The voice belonged to Max Goof. Bradley didn’t lift his head from his hands, that were wet with frustrated tears.
“Leave me alone, freshman.” He spat.
Max stands in front of him on the pavement, looking down at his balled up figure.
He lets silence fill the interaction, rain starting to pour harder.
“Are you okay?”
A fire ran through Bradley at his question, rage bubbling up until it reached his throat.
“Why the fuck do you care? You beat me fair and square. You’re better than me, and you FUCKING know it.”
He stands up to meet the worried gaze of the black haired boy in front of him, his own face filled with rage and hurt.
“I don’t think I’m better than you, Brad. I’m worried about you. I don’t think you’re a bad guy.”
He gives him an incredulous look, dumbfounded by his statement.
“Don’t say shit like that. Even I can admit that I’m an asshole. I didn’t deserve anything I was given. Clearly, because my dad just cut me off.”
He feels more hot tears roll down his face, making him to look away from his rival.
He didn’t mean to say that last part about his father. In his vulnerable state, he couldn’t seem to stop any of the shit that was coming out of his mouth, spilling over like an overflowing glass.
Max tilts his head to try and catch Bradley’s gaze.
“Dude.. he did what?”
He doesn’t give him eye contact, still looking away and down at the pavement.
He sniffles, anger still making his body feel like it’s on fire.
“He cut off the money. He isn’t going to be giving me any financial support for college anymore.”
Max’s eyes widen at this. His heart gives a slight ache. He knew Bradley had treated him horribly in the past, but he still felt sorry for the guy. He turned into an outcast ever since he had beat him in the X games. Everyone snickered and whispered about him on campus whenever he was seen. The Gamma Mu Mu hadn’t kicked him out, but removed him as their leader, making Tank their new president. The Gammas either give him the cold shoulder, or pick on him whenever he’s around.
“That’s horrible, man. Are you gonna be okay?”
Bradley heaves a sigh, exhausted.
“Yeah.. I should be. I mean… if I fuck up even once, the Gammas will kick me out. So I’ll just be sure to not be in anyone’s way. And I can just.. get a job, right?” He gives a humorless chuckle. He never worked a job due to his family’s wealthiness, but he had already been humbled plenty the past two months, he didn’t really care anymore.
Max still gives him a grimace of a concerned look.
“Yeah… right.”
They looked at each other wordlessly, the down pour of rain with the occasional thunder evident in their silence.
“Why do you not hate me? You have every right to ignore me… or beat me up right now… but you’re not.”
The way Bradley looks when he asks Max this breaks his heart.
His hair wet and disheveled, his clothes dampened from the rain and tears. The rich frat boy persona completely broken down. He wasn’t even trying anymore.
“Because that’s not who I am. I wasn’t raised to hate others. I can tell underneath it all, you’re just someone who wants to be himself.”
He sighs.
“Bradley, I’m sorry about the situation you’re in. It truly sucks. I think maybe we could… start over? Only if you want to, if you want I can just ignore you and never talk to you again.” Max shrugs, putting his hands into the pocket of his hoodie.
Bradley looks him in the eyes, clear disbelief taking over his facial expression. Nobody has been nice to him in a really long time. He didn’t think he deserved true kindness. He was willing to suffer through his karma until the day he died.
He’s stubborn to talk now that his rage has simmered down, sadness and mournfulness replacing it.
“I would like to start over. I’m… sorry. For everything. You didn’t deserve anything I did to you or your friends.”
Max slowly nods, a small smile growing on his face.
“I forgive you, Brad.”
Silence settles over them once again. Max looks away to look at the street and sky behind him.
“You better not tell anyone about this, freshman.”
He looks back at the brown haired boy, chuckling.
“I won’t, I promise. Catch you later, Brad.”
Max puts his skateboard to the pavement, looking back at him before skating away.
Bradley stands there in the rain, kind of dumbfounded by the interaction. He never could have imagined this happening.
He dusts himself off, shaking his head to himself.
He walks in the opposite direction on the sidewalk, heading to the Gamma house.
A lot ran through his mind on his walk home.
Maybe this fresh start will do him good.