Chapter Text
They can’t kick him out, he owned the place. He owned all of them.
As his ass hit the asphalt in front of the Gamma house, these thoughts were immediately knocked out of him. His former ‘brothers’ looked down on him, gathering at the front door frame menacingly. Before they had the chance to have the final word, he was already on his way to the skatepark.
The breeze that wrapped around his limbs as he rolled down the street was refreshing; peaceful. The consistent crackle of the pavement under his wheels was his own form of meditation. At least he still had his board, if anything. Well, with his fathers’ sort of connections he could get a decent place to stay, but he would miss the parties.
Actually, fuck them. He could party anywhere. Practically every place he went a crowd followed. At least, that’s how it was. Now, people would follow him with their eyes just as before, but their spiteful squinting gave a look of disdain. They uttered his name rather than calling out, they turned their heads but never kept eye contact.
Wanting to make himself seem willingly isolated, he headed to the library which would be empty at this time of afternoon. If they wanted to play that game, fine. He would do better without them anyways.
The ‘standby’ screen was the bane of his existence. The stupid schools’ outdated computers took 5 whole minutes to boot up. Looking at the shelves above him, he scanned through niche books on computer manuals and electronics. As his eyes panned down to the screen again, the reflection of a face over his shoulder made him jump and turn behind him. Even after taking everything away from him, Max was still persistent, for what? he didn’t know.
His face scrunched up as he let out a barely concealed snort.
“What do you want?”
“I thought someone as intellectual as you didn’t need to study.”
“I thought someone as incompetent as you wouldn’t know you had to.”
Rolling back and forth on his heels he kept eye contact. Bradley stared back impatiently. What else was there to say? Could he piss off now?
“So, whatchu workin on, mr perfect?”
“Piss off, Freshman. Just because you’re failing this semester doesn’t mean you have to bring me down with you.” The computer finally booted up.
Nonchalantly taking a seat next to him, Max smiled. He had felt bad about the whole situation for some reason, even if it was Bradleys actions that made everything turn out the way they did. Dad always said to look for the best in everyone, plus he seemed lonely lately. Bradley would never befriend him after one chat, so he had to break him in.
“I never caught what major you’re doing?”
“Oh my god, please go pestering someone else.”
Max looked expectantly at him.
Sighing, Bradley caved. “Finance. Now I better be off now.”
Without turning the computer off, he grabbed his textbooks and quickly scooted around to a quiet aisle. Cook books. Max wouldn’t think to look in this aisle.
“Finance, huh? Didn’t your dad do the same? I saw his name on a plaque in the lobby.”
Without saying a word Bradley spun on his heel, making his back face the nuisance. After an awkward beat, Max finally piped up again.
“Okay fine, I heard you got kicked out of the Gammas. I thought you could use some company.” He smiled warmly as Bradley turned back with a sour face.
“I never needed those idiots, and even if I was wanting company, why would I ever choose you?”
With this, he headed for another aisle, hoping the other would get the message.
“Weeell maybe you could do with some new friends.” He peered around the corner cheekily.
“Stay out of it! Since you’re so famous now, you could talk to anyone.”
Alarmed now, Bradley feared he would never escape. He can’t leave on his board, god knows Max could outrace him any day. Knocking some books off the shelf ‘accidentally,’ he quickly made a run for it to the corner of the library. Max would have to pick them up, the librarian was basically his stepmom now anyway. Content with his diversion, he started browsing the shelves.
From across the room a ruckus began to spread amongst the shelves. That better not be Max.
Hearing that familiar bump of a skateboard approaching, Max zoomed past looking the other direction. He was safe, for now. Hearing Ms Marpole chew him out after another minute of searching cleared his mind.
Why did Max even care that much?? Was it some charity work that he felt he had to do?? Some sort of pity party? Pathetic. He didn’t need anyone, and he especially didn’t want to be seen with the guy who beat his ass last year.