Chapter Text
College had been rough. Especially after the X games, the rivalry between Max and Bradley hasn't weakened, only gotten more and more competitive. Bobby and PJ have been doing their own thing for the past few weeks, but Max can't help but feel off about everything..
As Max is leaving his last period class after barely coming up with an excuse as to why he hadn't completed his homework for his professor, he sighs. Wanting nothing more than to collapse in his bed in the shared dorm room between him, Bobby, and PJ. As he's walking through the door, he suddenly lunges forward, collapsing on the floor. He looks up and sees Bradley, as in Bradley Uppercrust the III. After Max had done the math and realizing Bradley had tripped him, he hears him chuckle, "I thought you were more swift on your feet, Max, considering your talent in sports." Max huffs in annoyance and gets up. Brushing off his clothes.
"Well, Bradley. Maybe if you watched where you were going for once instead of expecting everyone to bow at your arrival, you'd be more careful."
The two glare at each other for a moment before getting interrupted by a fellow student trying to enter the classroom they were currently blocking. Max apologizes and moves over while Bradley rolls his eyes. The two look at each other for a moment again before Bradley lets out a chuckle, "Well. I have things to do. See you tomorrow, freshman.." He says the last part mockingly before walking away, their shoulders knocking together in friction. Max grumbles before walking away as well, heading to the dorm room as planned.
After Max had taken a peaceful nap, PJ and Bobby returned with food, an extra cheesy pizza with plenty of toppings. Just how they all collectively agree on being the best kind. After eating , Max gets an email from his professor.
"Dear Mr. Max Goof, I've noticed your grade has slightly faltered in my class during the past few weeks. You've expressed to me already how you've forgotten after-school assignments or just hadn't done them. In solution, I am assigning you a temporary tutor for a month until noticeable improvement. I wish you the best of luck!
-Mrs. Quinn
After finishing reading the email, Max groans.
"Are you kidding me?" Bobby looks over at him, his usual silly grin plastered on his face.
"What's up, Maximilian?"
"Mrs. Quinn just emailed me about getting a tutor, and she already assigned it!" Bobby sighs
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, Maximus.. Haven't you learned to respect your elders? Mrs. Q is just tryin' to help ya, man! Don't sweat it.. I'm sure this tutorer will be gone by no time." He bites into his pizza after finishing his small lecture, Max rolls his eyes and chuckles before PJ speaks up, "Max, why haven't you done some of your work anyway? Usually, you're a pretty good student despite skating more than studying."
Max sighs.
"I just don't have much interest for it, I know - It's not supposed to be about that. But still.. I've been kind of distracted." PJ raises an eyebrow, "By what?" Max grumbles before replying, eating some pizza.
"Bradley! He's been constantly bothering and picking at me, I don't give a shit- but it's getting kind of annoying.." Bobby chuckles,
"Really? It's been so long since the X games. I thought that was the end of it?"
"I don't know - I did too, but I guess not. Bradley just doesn't let some things go." Bobby laughs a bit,
"No kidding! That guy is so uptight all the time! He's gotta let loose someday before he erupts." Max smiles and looks around their dorm for a moment before drinking some of his soda. "I guess.. Thanks, man," Bobby gives him a thumbs up,
"Don't mention it, my man. Just doing friendly duties!"
The following week, Max goes to the designated location in the library that Mrs. Quinn had informed him about after class. As he looked around, he saw a few students scattered about in the room. He smiles over at Ms. Marpole is sitting at her desk before feeling a sudden tap on his shoulder. The person behind him lets out a familiar irritated sigh. "Max.." Max looks behind himself and sees Bradley, causing his eyes to widen in surprise and slight irritation, "Bradley?! What are you doing here? And why are you wearing glasses..?"
Bradley blushes and grunts in annoyance, "That isn't important! What is important is this. Why are you sitting here?"
"I'm getting tutored today, yeah, I know - make fun of me all you want for not being 'a perfect little rich boy'. But -" Bradley interrupts him,
"Wait- you're getting tutored today? Here?"
"Yeah...? I just said that, dumbass." Bradley glares at Max for that last comment before speaking up again. "That isn't possible, I'm tutoring today for extra credit." Max looks at him, surprised for a moment before huffing.
"Shit... You know what this implies, right?"
"Yeah, obviously, Goof. I'm not slow, unlike you - why are you failing communications anyway?" Max glares at him,
"I'm not failing! I just missed a few classes and some homework.. It isn't a big deal!"
Bradley smirks and rolls his eyes.
"Yeah, sure. Whatever you say, freshman." Max huffs,
"Wipe that stupid ass grin off your face and sit down already."
After a few minutes of their studying, Max looks over at Bradley, who is looking down at his notebook. "So... Seriously, what's with the glasses? Is this a permanent thing that recently happened?" Bradley huffs,
"No, It isn't permanent. They're just reading glasses." Max chuckles,
"Okay, grandpa." Bradley glares at him.
"Shut the fuck up freshman." Max chuckles before reaching over to Bradley's face, he flinches and looks at him. "What the hell?-"
"Dude, calm down. Just let me see this." Max takes the glasses and puts them on, slightly laughing. "So? What do you think?" Bradley glares at Max for a moment before grumbling, slightly blushing as he snatches them back.
"You look like someone who regularly gets stuffed into lockers." Max laughs,
"Oh- says you! You're a total nerd already!" Bradley gasps, half joking, half serious,
"I am not a nerd!! I just work hard!"
"Oh, like how you 'worked hard' to win the X games all those times when you were actually a little cheater?"
"That wasn't cheating, that was.. Taking the opportunity for advantage." Max chuckles,
"Yeah, keep telling yourself that.." Bradley huffs and continues studying.
"This is absolutely insufferable. Why did she knowingly assign me to you?!" Max looks over at him again before shrugging.
"Well, she probably noticed you being a nuisance in class and thought this would help." Max chuckles as Bradley glares at him.
"I'm no nuisance. You're just annoying,"
"Oh, I'm the annoying one?"
"Yes, you are." A moment of silence follows behind their slight bickering after they finish interacting. Max glances over at Bradley a few times, huffing and rolling his eyes. This was going to be a long month..
A few weeks later, after many irritating tutoring meetings and conversations with Mrs. Q about progression, Spring break arrives. And the college seems to almost completely empty. As Max rides along the street on his skateboard, looking at the sunset. He notices numerous groups of people around the Gamma's frat house. Max stops his board and walks over, tapping a larger guy's shoulder. "Uh- scuse me, what's going on?" The guy turns around and chuckles,
"Oh, just a lil' spring break celebration. It's happening tonight! Open invite, you can come if you want little man." Max smiles before replying,
"Well... I'm not a big fan of the Gammas, but I'm sure it'd be fun to party with my friends a bit!" The guy gives a thumbs up before continuing to talk to some girl in yoga attire in front of him, Max looks around at the Gammas house before riding away back to the dorms.