Chapter Text
It had been a few weeks since Bradley and Max started talking, most of the time it was them passing notes to each other in class but it was progress nonetheless. Max found a new type of happiness when he walked into the classes he shared with Bradley, and whether the brunette wanted to say so himself, the man could tell he almost felt the same. Even if he still tried to play it off as him still hating max. The other could see right through him. After the X-games ended, Bradley found himself in a heated argument with all his old friends, tank getting on him about all the damages he caused, not to mention almost killing his best friend. As many times as he says sorry, even begging on the ground for forgiveness, his friends still walked away. Bradley didn't blame them for a second. He knows it was an accident. That wasn't how things were supposed to go. But that's how things happen. He fully took the blame. Bradley hated himself for what happened, he'd do anything to go back in time and change how things went. But Because he couldn't, he now found himself alone 24/7, and he hated it.
Due to the incident, Bradley was immediately booted from the frat house, his new dorm being placed a few rooms from Max's, just his luck. The brunette thankfully never ended up seeing Max in passing, he figured it was because he was too busy with his friends to stay around his dorm. Bradley almost found himself at Max's door, wanting to knock, wanting to say something to him. But, soon chickening out and sprinting back to his room. He was embarrassed, but he didn't know why. That goof was a stupid freshman, and dumb kid that meant nothing to him. Pure garbage. So why was he so set on talking to him? Why did he want to be friends with him so much? Maybe he was just sick, yeah, that's it, he's just unbalanced. He's been so occupied with other things he's losing himself. That's why.
Bradley tried to push his thoughts of Max down, but honestly it wasn't doing much. So, instead of just ignoring him, hiding from him completely seemed the most helpful. At least he hoped. Plus he can just stop talking to max, yeah that's what he'll do. They've been talking for a few days, Bradley can just stop. He knew that freshmen wouldn't care and neither did he. Right …?
—-
The next day they sky sported heavy dark rain clouds, the forecast promising hard rain all day. Which made hiding from Max a hit harder. Walking into class, Bradley let out a quick sigh, trying to shake off whatever water landed on him, which was a lot. The male walked through the door and tried to scope out the best place to sit where Max couldn't bother him, ‘maybe in the first row?’ he thought to himself, ‘no, I'm in perfect view..the back row might be better,,’ he nodded to himself. Due to the harsh weather Bradley sported a black hoodie, something to cover his hair from the rain, he spent hours getting ready, and no rain was going to ruin it. Thankfully that gave him something to hide in. Bradley threw up his hood and walked to the back corner of the class, slumping against his seat, he then immediately covered his face in his arms.
Was it going to be hard hiding from Max, of course, but he wasn't going to let that guy take up any more space in his mind. Bradley then quickly looked up as he heard the bell ring for the next classes to start filling in. He watched each student walk in, some people walking in groups, others walking by themselves. Brad felt his eyes widened as they landed on that dumb idiot he's running from. His face immediately went flush as noticed Max's new haircut. It wasn't much different than how it normally looked, except for the sides being shaved, and the fluffy hair now being pulled up in a messy bun. Bradley felt his mouth go dry as he looked at Max's face, ‘ new piercings..’ his head felt empty, and his hands felt clammy. What was that stupid freshman doing to him, and why did it have to be him?
Bradley moved his eyes to the other piercings, instead of his normal lip hoops they were now black spikes which popped off his pale face perfectly. His tuff of black hair falling against his face as he laughed at something Bobby said. Bradley was in too deep, and he knew he was. All the feelings he's deeping with, it was enough to stress him into a heart attack, or maybe death. He honestly would appreciate the latter. Brad moved his hand into his hair and groaned to himself, his hand gripping at his hair, “someone kill me,” he muttered
“ I don't think that would be a good idea, Brad,” Bradley immediately craned his head, almost giving himself whiplash, he was so in thought he didn't even notice that Max walked over to him. The male looked down at him with a stupid smirk on his face. Of course he's smiling, he's so cocky after beating Bradley at his own game. He knew Max was living it up, “what the hell do you want,” Brad snapped, trying to sound mean, but it came out at a weak attempt. His voice cracked.
Max then pulled the chair next to him and sat down, “ oh well, you normally sit next to me so I was wondering if you're okay,” Bradley hid his face, the hood covering how red his cheeks got.
“ I'm fine, freshman. Now leave me alone,” he muttered, his head turning once he felt the hood come off, “ c'mon, Bradley, I thought we sorta patched things up, you've been doing good. What changed? Did I do something?,” Max's genuine concern hurt Brad, the fact that Brad could have killed him yet Max still stayed. He still stayed the same old nice Max he met from the very beginning. It was enough to make Brad sick, but in a good way. Bradley looked away, not wanting to make eye contact with Max, “ things are fine, I'm fine. I'm just dealing with some things,”
Max pierced his lips together, still looking at Bradley, “ hey it's okay, just know you can still talk with me, no matter what,” Max then placed his hand on Bradley's shoulder, his body tensing up. How could max be so cruel? Bradley was a bad person, he didn't deserve anyone's kindness, let alone Max's. So why was he so quick to forgive him, why was he so set on treating him like a real person. Why couldn't Max hate him like he hated himself? Without warning Bradley was pulled from his thoughts as he was dragged from his seat, “hey what the???,” it was Max, pulling him. Dragging him to his seat. Near his friends. Which made it very clear they hated Bradley. But Max didn't even care.
Bradley didn't even say anything else, he just let it happen, he knew if he tried to fight it Max would fight back. And in some weird way, he wanted Max to care. He wanted him to try, even if Brad knew he didn't deserve it.
Bradley then sat next to Max, his hands fidgeting on his hoodie stings, he quickly glanced over at Max, watching him talk to Bobby and PJ. He felt weird sitting with them, they were on two different levels, two different planets, but it was almost like Max didn't care. He wanted Bradley close even if he had to fight for it. Would he fight for Bradley if given the chance, the brunette really wanted to ask. But he wasn't going to.
—-
About 30 minutes into class, Bradley was busy scribbling down notes, trying to pay attention to the lecture instead of the male next to him. It sorta worked, his kind focusing on the words coming out of his teacher's mouth, even if there were absolutely dreadful to listen to. At this point he'd rather think about Max then learn about how paper changed the American work industry. Brad felt like he was about to die, and every second felt like it was going slower and slower. In his head he felt like Max felt the same way, maybe that's why he passed the other a piece of paper.
The male looked down at it, reading what Max wrote,
M: Are you also bored
Bradley looked at max, their eyes meeting, how long was Max looking at him. Why was Max looking at him? Why did Max look so pretty?
B: im so incredibly bored, I might die
Bradley quickly wrote before moving the paper back, putting his eyes back on the board.
M: Hey, I can't have my favorite loser dying on me, ;]]
Bradley looked down at the words on the paper, a winky face accompanying Max's words. Favorite loser, favorite. “Favorite” he muttered to himself, letting out a few blinks. Why was he feeling all mushy, why did Max have this effect on him. Bradley looked away, his hand covering his mouth. God he felt so warm. His pen circled the word “favorite” over and over again like he wanted to mentally remember it for later.
You're so cruel.
Bradley scratched that out
Don't mess with me like this
He scratched that one out too
B: You're annoying
He then sent the note back, watching as Max scribbled on the paper, his eyes watching what he was drawing. He then looked up, it was him. Max was drawing him. And it looked good. Great, so he lost to him and he can draw. What else is he hiding?
Max then passed the bite back,
M; Bradley, I know there's something up, do you wanna talk about it? Because we always can .
Bradley bit his lip softly, yes there was something up with him. He couldn't get that stupid idiot out of his head. It's been like that for months now, ever since they first met. Bradley felt a weird connection, and Attraction. Something he wanted to pursue. He wanted Max, he really liked Max. Bradley softly wetted his lips. His good plan of ignoring the other basically went down the drain once he was dragged over, and now sitting with him again. Their shoulders brushed up against each other. Bradley knew he couldn't keep anything from Max for very long, especially with how Max has been looking at him.
Bradley then ran his fingers through his hair, writing smaller as if he was embarrassed of anyone else seeing.
B: I'd like to say I'm doing okay, but Max, I'm struggling a lot. Could you possibly meet at my doors after class tomorrow, I feel like I just need someone to talk to.
Bradley then sheepishly pushed the paper away from him, his eyes squeezing shut, ‘ please say no please say no,’ he repeated in his head. Hoping that maybe something would come up for max. But unfortunately that wasn't his luck.
He watched the paper be pushed back into view, his eyes landing on what Max responded with,
M: Of course Bradley, I'll come over after class <3 We can talk about whatever you need
Bradley then shot up once the bell rang, immediately grabbing the paper before bolting out the classroom. He ran so fast he almost tripped on the trashcan near the door.
Max agreed to come to his dorm, it would be just them. Talking. So close to each other. What had he done..
He was so dead.