Chapter Text
Going into summer after being the great champion of the X-Games was.. interesting, to say the least. I mean with my new found popularity and all. Especially with my dad being an incredible help. Sarcasm, yeah. But he really was.
Of course, I’m happy for him graduating and all. But I’ve still got my ways to go in college. Let’s just say my first year was… eventful. I got to spend a lot of time with my friends doing something I love, skating. But there was also some obstacles, too. The most notable one being Bradley Upper-crust the III.
What a pretentious name, right? After the tournament, Bradley was friendless. Not like he had any to begin with, but I thought he and that huge guy, Tank, had somewhat of a connection. More-so out of any of his body guards that followed him around and beckoned at his every call. After Bradley left Tank for dead, though, that connection was severed.
Bradley was covered in bandages after the whole ordeal, but Tank was still his unbridled goon! Even though Tank wouldn’t follow his every command as much anymore, I presumed that Bradley had simply paid him to be his friend again.
Bradley exchanged money as it was, a piece of paper that held more status than value to him. Dust in the wind. He could use money just to get anything he wants, except a genuine connection with someone. Still, I felt bad for the guy. Sure, he got what he deserved, but I don’t think anyone deserves a life of loneliness. Even though the guy didn’t apologize. To me, Tank, my dad, or anyone else.
But still, I couldn’t stand seeing this guy, who I guess I still dislike very much, suffer so badly. So, me, being the goof that I am, decided to become his ‘friend.’
On a the hot summers day, I decided to make my move. The sun was sweltering, and I was sweating so much you could see the stains on my shirt. I was on my skateboard, and having passed by the Gamma house I decided to go see him, after much contemplation on how I would even begin to try and explain how I wanted to be his friend. I saw Tank and some other guys playing volleyball, but no signs of Bradley. My eyes moved towards there front door, and on the steps I saw Bradley in the flesh.
The cicadas singing their love ballads and sweat flying from shirtless guys, there he was; Bradley Uppercrust the III, in bandaged fashion, sitting on the steps watching his testosterone filled apes play some volleyball without him.
“Hey Bradley!” I said, and he looked at me. I was taken aback by his black eye, but I didn’t want to come off as rude, so I tried to pretend like it didn’t exist. I also tried very hard not to laugh looking at his sling and arm cast, that was signed with a many hearts. Damn, even as a total loser chicks still dug him. I saw the appeal, though, underneath all those bandages he was an attractive guy. Not like I’d ever admit that to him though.
“What do you want, Freshmen?” He said, completely uninterested and in a quite agitated tone.
I grinned, but my teeth still gritted underneath it.
“Do you ever get tired of calling me that, King Tut?”
He turned away, and buried his chin into his palm. Trying desperately not to make eye contact with me. After the tournament, we exchanged a few glances here and there, but other than that he pretty much avoided me like the plague.
“Whatever, Goof.”
I never knew his royal unlikeliest could be embarrassed. Let alone look so cute while doing it.
Not that I thought that! But his expression gave off that vibe.
I sat next to him on the curb, with him tensing up and scooting away slightly.
“Look man, I get you hate me or whatever, but can’t we just be buddies?”
He looked at me, kind of dumbfounded, but also with a look that said, “Are you high?”
“Listen, idiot, I respect you and everything for your win against me and my crew, but if you’re trying to ridicule me any further than you already have, then you can go screw off.”
I blinked. This guy seriously thinks everything’s an attack on him and his hideous ego! I almost got up and left, but I kept my composure.
“Listen Brad..-“
He flinched.
“Bradley.”
I continued.
“I don’t know why you think me trying to be your friend is me trying to humiliate you, but I’m seriously not. Can’t you find some merit in me trying to make amends when you clearly won’t man up and do it yourself?”
I stayed stern, but he looked away. I couldn’t read his expression and that frightened me a little. I didn’t want to upset him, but everything has to be an argument with this guy.
I grabbed his shoulder, gently as to not put him on guard more than he already was.
“Listen, I’m sorry Bradley. But I’m genuinely just trying to be your friend here. Can’t you accept that my kindness isn’t some front for any malicious intent?”
He looked at me, finally, and I pouted, perhaps my charm would rub off on him.
“Ew, don’t make that face. And get your hand off of me.”
He swatted my hand away.
“I don’t really believe you, but whatever. Your attempt to prove yourself should be able to amuse me, somehow.”
Still, no apology, but it’ll work for now.
We sat in silence for a minute, but hey, at least we’re making progress here!
“Well, um, I’ll get going now. That’s really all I wanted to say to you Bradley, I’m glad we can put the past behind us.”
“Especially you…”
I whispered under my breath as I stood up.
“Excuse me?”
“Nothing! See you later Brad!”
I could feel his annoyed expression even as I walked away with my back turned to him. I felt peppy the whole day. Bradley, even with his quirks, made me pretty giddy. In a weird way.. but at least we’re friends now! This relationship is gonna take some hard work, and great effort.
The next morning, I woke up to the sun hitting my face. I gotta invest in better curtains.. My roommates weren’t so pleased either by the sudden sunrise.
“Dude. Close the curtains!” Bobby shouted from his pillow.
Somehow, these things opened by themselves. I’m sure they’re possessed or something.
I got up to close the curtains again. But since I was already awake, I got dressed and headed out with my board. Checking my phone on the way outside, while putting my helmet and pads on, I noticed a couple of messages from a number I didn’t recognize.
“Hey.”
“Is Fhis Mac”
What?
“Sorry, typo. Is this Max?”
They were from a couple of hours ago, but I responded anyways.
“ya, this is he. who dis”
As soon as I put my phone on the curb, it buzzed.
“It’s Bradley.”
How did Brad get my number?
“oh, hey bradley. how u get my #???”
“Asked around at the Bean Scene. Might have payed that strange beret girl for it, but I forgot to ask you for your number earlier.”
I smiled, slightly, at the text. Does he use money for everything? And why is he up so early? I checked the time. It was 7:00 on the dot. Shucks, even I don’t wake up this early. Stupid curtains.
“Hello?” He sent.
I took more than a minute to respond. I guess Bradley’s used to having his texts responded to immediately. That made me wonder if he had a girlfriend. I’m sure with his good looks and charming aura he should have one.
“hey. do u have a girlfriend?”
Read.
.
..
…
Nothing.
Touchy subject?
“No.”
Yikes, that was a cold ‘no.’
“srry don’t mean 2 pry. just wonderin”
“It was a stupid question. But, do you have one?”
“nop. pretty single.”
Ive had my romantic encounters before, just none that I could make last…
“Figures. Anyways, I am free currently.”
“so”
“So.. would you like to go skating with me?”
“isnt ur leg like broken lol”
“It’s healed, idiot. Meet me outside the Gamma house.”
His weird cult house totally freaked me out, but I tried not to think about it, as lately I was trying to be less judgmental. I stuffed my phone in my pocket and rode over, waiting for him.
Watching him walk out, without clean bandages on was a sight for sore eyes. His hair could finally flow free and his muscles were out on display even though he wore that deep violet long sleeve. I shook my head. Am I thinking straight right now?
“Hey, your bandages are off dude!”
“Yes, Max.. I’ve noticed that, too.”
He said pompously.
“What, are you blind or something?”
I really wish I could knock his attitude right off of his bushy, but well built, egotistical, but suitable, eyebrows.
Again, keeping my composure and lit fuse intact, I just patted his back.
“Where to?”
“Let’s just ride around. The weather is perfect today. I’ve got to let my mane flow, of course. Maybe the wind will get the dirt out of yours!” He rode off in front of me and I followed suit.
We rode in silence for the most part until I insisted we stop for a quick ice cream break. I got some hot fudge and Bradley got… mint. We sat on one of those round tables with a parasol above it.
“Do you like the taste of toothpaste Bradley?”
“I’d enjoy it more if you shut up.”
“Hey! I’m your friend now, that means we’re equals doofus!”
“Doofus? Me? Well you’re an idiot!”
“Moron!”
“Bozo!”
“Pretentious dirt-bag!”
As soon as I said that I felt a cold piece of ice cream hit my cheek. It shouldn’t have come to this.. but we fought. With ice cream.
After, I wasn’t so proud. I was actually pretty excited to eat my ice cream. And now it was all over Bradley’s chiseled chin. I would still eat it from there, but he’d probably think I’m weird.. not that I wanted to do that, though.
“What is wrong with you freshman?!”
“Me? I asked an innocent question. And I’m serious about us being equals Bradley!”
“Unfortunately, I know that. But you’re seriously childish! Just can’t get the last word, can you?”
I stared at him. For the love of everything that is holy, I need him to shut up.
He sighed, and rubbed his temples.
“Okay, my bad, or whatever. It’s not like it was totally my fault,”
“But maybe a little.” He whispered, but just loud enough to where I could still hear him. Well, first step is admitting you’re wrong. He’s getting somewhere!
“Well.. thank you for admitting that.”
“Whatever. Don’t thank me.”
He almost looked defeated. Even though he wasn’t looking directly at me I could tell this poor puppy dog was sulking. Was he actually ashamed of his behavior?
I reached over and grabbed his arm.
“It’s whatever man. We’re friends, we can have fun like this!”
Bradley smiled at me, I think. I blushed. It was probably just a sunburn forming.
I choked seeing his reaction, and quickly pulled my arm back.
“How about we go over to the Bean Scene? Get a drink or two?”
I asked, almost too eager to spend more time with him, I could feel my tail wagging.
“Well, that doesn’t sound terrible. But I should be going.”
I frowned. Again, I looked too disappointed that he had to go. I pinched my thigh. I’ve got to keep it together.
“I’ve got a party to help set up back at the house. It’s one of our many summer parties that we host annually. You’re welcome to come if you’d like.”
“Oh, wow, sure! Can Bobby and P.J. come too?”
“Well, that invitation was reserved for one, but I guess you could bring a plus one. Or two. Anyhow, catch you later, Goof.”
Bradley skated away. He looked so cool. But, obviously, I looked cooler. I scoffed. He’s a total show off!
Later that evening I was sitting in my dorm, facing the mirror to make sure my hair looked okay.
“Are you guys sure you’re cool with going? I’m not trying to force you or anything.”
“Max. I don’t utterly hate the guy! I just don’t like him very much. Or at all.”
“Yeah Max, hate is definitely a strong word. But me and Bobby are so down to go! It’s our first real college party!”
P.J. And Bobby howled in excitement. Well, at least they’re on board.
As soon as we got there it was crowded. To think we were early too! So many people, I hadn’t even seen most of them before either. But even in a house full of drunk young-adults, I spotted Bradley from across the house walking into a room. Bobby and P.J. were already ‘mingling’ so I slipped away from whatever conversation they were having with the sorority girls and made my way over to the room that had a pool table where Bradley was positioned with an entourage surrounding him. Despite his big, jubilating, failure at the X-Games, he was still as popular as ever. Girls were attached at his hip, and I admit, I was a little jealous. Of him! Not the girls, obviously. He was in the middle of some, what I assumed, to be an incredible story and glanced at me. I waved and I swear, swear, he grinned. I didn’t want to interrupt him though, so I found and went over to a bar. Alone.
I ordered just a drink or two before he popped up on the seat next to me.
“Drinking all by yourself? I thought there would be some gorgeous girl by your side by now.”
“You would know all about gorgeous girls by your side wouldn’t you?” I sipped enviously.
“Haha, what? Is Max Goof jealous?”
“No.” I grumbled.
“Don’t worry, I’m all yours tonight Maxie boy!”
“Not what I meant.”
Bradley chuckled. I could feel my face heating up, but it was definitely just the alcohol getting to me. I ordered two more drinks. I’d drink myself blind tonight!
“Slow down buddy. I didn’t figure you were the type to be a heavy drinker.”
“Whatever… where are your groupies anyways?” I asked, looking around.
“They’re not my ‘groupies’, Max. Although I can tell they’re totally head-over-heels in love with me.”
I cringed, literally.
“Kidding, I could predict the disgusted look on your face before I said that. But seriously, they’re just girls. It’s not like I actually have any conceivable sort of feelings for them.”
I almost felt relieved hearing that. Then I just chugged down another glass and asked for another.
“Too bad you don’t have any luck tonight Max. Guess it’s just you and me freshie.”
I took another large gulp of my rum and coke. He needs to stop saying weird things. I’m worried this will be a long night.
LATER - (Not in Max’s POV)
Max is extremely drunk, stumbling over everything and being able to stand up on own two feet as his head hangs low like a rag-doll.
He falls onto Bradley and Bradley catches him, holding him up desperately as he tries to manage Maxs weight on top of him and leans him against his chest and his knee, trying to keep him standing steady before planting him on a bench right in front of the Gamma house.
“You’re so pretty tonight…-“
Bradley blushed, mostly out of confusion.
“-.. Roxane..”
His blush faded.
“Roxane? Does she even go here?”
Bradley sighs, unsure of what he should do with this drunk maniac.
Max grumbles still pressed up against Bradleys arm and lays his head down on Bradley’s shoulder.
“No..”
Bradley’s eyebrows raise.
“No what?”
“Roxane, is pretty.”
“Yes, I think we’ve established that Goof.” Bradley says whilst rolling his eyes.
“She’s pretty like the sun; and daffodils blossoming under its bright glisten.” Max chuckles in a drunken stupor.
Bradley winces.
“And Mona, she’s pretty like a cup of steaming hot cocoa on a winters morning.”
“Another woman? Max Goof, you player.”
“But Bradley!”
Bradley freezes.
“He’s gorgeous like a heap of roses. Charming like a stupid, up-tight prince. Gruffy as a big, dumb bear”
Bradley holds in a laugh.
“And handsome like.. like a man. I want that man. Ugh.”
Max pukes, right on Bradley’s shoes.
Bradley can’t even focus on the puke puddle just as much as he can comprehend what Max just said.
Someone bursts out the door of the dorms, and Bradley quickly pushes Max to the floor, inches away from his ‘piece of art.’ It was just some students getting away from the party, but they gave Max and Bradley a weird look before walking away.
Bradley sits back down, and promptly pulls Max back up on the bench.
“You.. God, I can’t even comprehend what you’ve just done.”
Max stays nonverbal. Merely falling asleep on Bradley’s shoulder again with puke still covering his mouth right before Bradley wipes it off with Max’s own glove. Bradley rubs his temple. He wasn’t getting more puke on him, apparently.
“Did you really just say that, you child? What if someone else had heard you say that. Jesus, the rumor that’d turn into.”
He trails off, looking at a flickering streetlamp just to distract himself. He looks at his shoes, then back at Max. He looks so peaceful sleeping, especially after the scene he just caused.
Bradley looks at Max’s un-attending hands. He grabs the one without any puke on it and grazes his fingers against it.
Is Bradley indulging in this little mistake?
Did Max really mean that in the way that Bradley thought, or is he simply flattering him?
Bradley sighs again and places Max’s hand on his cheek while holding it up. For a second, maybe, Bradley could pretend. Pretend that Max has some kind of romantic feelings for Bradley. And that Bradley feels the same, and they can be happy. Somewhat.
What would it even be like, them as a couple? Would they constantly argue? Or be so clingy they can’t go one second without the other? Bradley doesn’t know. Max definitely doesn’t know either. If only he was sober. Maybe a clear confession would put Bradley at ease. Or, if he remembers, an apology from Max. Stating that it was a mistake. But what does Bradley do now? What can he do?
His face heats up. All these possibilities and outcomes. Bradley is confused, and Max is blacked out drunk. This night couldn’t get any worse.
“Curse you, Max Goof. I think you’ve just about ruined my life.”
Max unexpectedly chuckles, although his eyes are still closed and the smell of booze still seeps from his mouth.
“All you’ve got is me now. Your royal uptightness..” he yawns.
Fuck.