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The music's booming.
The dance club is filled with people, mostly students. Some sitting on couches, others take over the dance floor.
Max belongs to the first group, chillin' with his friends Bobby and P.J, the latter mainly talking about his cute little girlfriend, which should also be around here. But Max doesn't really care. Sure, Mocha is a great friend, all helping when needed and stuff. But hearing P.J. talking about her every day and hour is a bit annoying, even though he loves his best friend very much, platonically.
»And then when I gave her the flowers with the poem on the card, I got a kiss!«, the chubby boy beams, overjoyed and stunned.
»It was a kiss on the cheek, dude«, Max smirks, getting questioning gazes from his friends after P.J. and Bobby shared a seemingly knowing glance.
»Max-A-million ma dude, ma boy, ma bro«, Bobby intervened, throwing himself next to Max, so he could lay an arm around his shoulders, »Broski, you were a whole mess 'cause of Roxy«, he clarified getting an agreeing nod from P.J. »And?«, »You can't judge our lover boy over there«, he continued, getting another agreeing nod from P.J., pointing at him with his thumb. »I'm not judging, I'm just clearing things up«, »A simple kiss was enough to trigger your a-hyuck-laugh you inherited from your dad«, P.J. joins the conversation. »We were at highschool«, Max tried to defend himself, crossing his arms, playing it cool but also made an attempt to convince his friends to let go of the subject.
But it's Bobby and P.J. he was talking about, and knowing them, it was clear as day that they won't let go until they persuaded their friend.
»No excuse, bro. You did again after winning that shiny trophy of yours when this chick kissed your cheek for winning«, Bobby responded, a winning smile on his lips, still his Arm around Max shoulders. In his opinion, Max should simply accept his defeat.
»How do you even know?« Max asked, frowning his brows, knowing that his friends were busy with their matters. Precisely, P.J. was catapulted to another continent and Bobby was soaked in mud. So, how could they know?
»We saw it after the games, my dad was able to record it. Probably to make fun of me«, sighed the cat, answering Max's inner question. Suspecting that Pete must've said some things when he talked with his son, maybe to mock him but certainly also to make sure his son is doing well. At the end, he really does care for P.J., even though it doesn't always seem like it.
»You guys really are annoying«, the dog with the baggy style smirked jokingly, »aww, we love you, too, Max«, P.J. took the floor, while the two throwing themselves on Max, tackling him down, throwing their arms around him like maniacs, squeezing all the oxygen out of him. They fall in a lively laughter, even though when Max had the feeling that he's going to die when he doesn't get some air, asap.
But before he could say anything, a throat was cleared behind them. »Am I interrupting?« a voice rings in their ears. The two oafs looked up, finally releasing their almost suffocating friend, who coughed a bit to get some air in his lungs back.
A slim, yet kind of trained person appeared in front of them, eyeing the group with frowned brows assuming that they have also lost the rest of their sanity. »What ya want, pal?«, Bobby blurted out with narrowed eyes as he identified the person who interrupted their bro-bonding-hug. An unforgivable crime!
His counterpart swallowed the urge to say something cynic, instead he cleared his throat again. He clearly didn't know how he get into this situation. Preferably, he would have stayed at his dorm, studying for upcoming exams. But now he was here, standing in front of the freshman-group which defeated him at the games, only because Tank wanted him to do so and didn't let loose until he agreed under some complaints.
Right, we're talking about no-one else than the great, one and only Bradley Uppercrust III, himself. Yeah sure, in his dreams. Nonetheless, it was him standing right there, looking at the group, seemingly nervous about something, but the three friends couldn't tell what this 'something' was or could be.
»What's up, Brad?« Max greeted with his typical sincere smile, at the first sight as he gallantly jumped back to his feed. At the second sight, there was clearly a glimpse of slyness in his eyes, like he was cooking a plan or something. The question remained, what kind of a plan.
»Bradly«, the upperclassman corrects, making Max playfully rolling his eyes. »Should I add 'your highness', too?«, »well, only that is worthy of an Uppercrust«, Bradley responded with a slight grin, playing all neutral with a shrug and investigating his nails. »So, what's the matter? Why did you come over?«, Max asked with curiosity. After all, it doesn't happen very often that Bradley shows up, wanting to talk to the group. Well, this time it wasn't on a voluntary basis, either. Nevertheless, the situation bears Tank's signature.
After the fiasco at the games, the two were on good terms, again. Even though, Tank needed his time to give Bradley another Chance. But he could tell, the apology he received was sincere and that the smaller one really tried. This alone made his soft heart flutter a bit, in a Platonic way, of course. He would never have expected that Bradley would care about someone as much as he apparently cared about Tank. Although, he has yet not forgiven Bradley for everything, but they're working on it. After all, Tank is the first and only real friend, Bradley has left. Not that he addressed the other members as friends but it was nice being part of a group. Well, he still is a part of them but not as a president, anymore. The new one is Tank and he was also the one who insisted to let Bradley stay, if he would apologize to them and promised, that he would work on his behavior, and so he did. Even though he still had difficulties with apologies towards others than his parents, especially his dad. Sure, his dad cared for him and he admired him but his father also expected perfection in all matters. So it's kind of obvious that he wasn't that happy when he discovered Bradleys defeat against Max and his friends.
Besides, Tank insisted to help clearing things up with his former opponent. He also helped to identify the feelings, Bradley felt towards the skater boy. It makes all sense now. Especially the obsession he had and the gnawing feeling of guilt when he thought about the accident. Seems like he got a not-so-little crush on the goof-boy. Another thing his father wouldn't be really happy about. Not, because he was interested in a guy - his parents always had some suspicions - but because he was interested in the guy who defeated him at the x-games. Not to mention that in his parents eyes, this boy could never be worthy of an Uppercrust. He was below their league. Well, Bradley thought the same not a long time ago but fate pulled his strains and now he was there.
Max raised his eyebrow, which reminded Bradley that he was asked something. The brunet looked behind himself. There was Tank giving him thumbs up to encourage him. Bradley sighed and looked back at Max, taking all his courage to say the upcoming words: »I'm sorry«. Puzzled gazes were staring at him, making him even more uncomfortable, but he continued: »How the x-games went and all that. For the cheating and especially for the accident. I didn't mean to almost kill you both«, the brunet explained, still getting confused and into his soul staring gazes.
»Am I already that high?« Bobby was the first to break the awkward silence, »the not-so great king is apologizing to US?« the redhead blurted out, stunned. Looking at Bradley from head-to-toe, to make sure he wasn't dreaming or hallucinating. P.J. also was stunned and speechless, he never expected that to happen.
»Thank you, Brad«, Max responded, a big smile on his lips, showing his teeth gap, while his friends are now staring at him, they were sure that their friend must have completely lost his mind by now.
»Brad- you know what? Never mind. I could correct you a million times, and you wouldn't drop it, would you?« the rich boy sighed, seeing the winning smile from the Goof. Well, seems like he won another battle. Fine by him, it's exhausting to correct Max every time, guess he had to deal with the nickname and to be honest, it didn't really bother him that much when Max called him by that name. In fact, it was quite the opposite, he kinda liked it but would never admit it. »Soo, wanna hang some time?«, »Don't push it, baby goof«, Bradley warned, narrowed eyes staring the other boy down. »Aww, c'mon man. Wasn't that the reason for your apology?«, »Don't make a fool out of yourself, freshman. I don't need your accompany or something«, »but you want it«, Max winked, causing Bradley going all crazy internally.
*****
As the arguments went on, P.J. and Bobby decided to let the lovebirds alone. At that very moment P.J. saw Mocha and walked up to her. She scrutinized her boyfriend which pointed to Max and Bradley who where in a fight-and-flirt argument. At least it looked like this kind of conversation. »Finally, about time«, she sighed, P.J. looked at her with an asking gaze but before he could say anything, she pulled him to de dance floor.
In the meantime, Bobby enjoyed his time with some chicks, chatting about some stories and his assets, especially how his accident at the games was intended - it wasn't, though - because he wanted to help his friend gaining more self-esteem and kick the great X-games king's ass, while observing Max's and Bradley's conversation.
*****
For heaven's sake, how could someone with such a stunning and attractive appearance be simultaneously irritating and pushy? Not to mention Max's sincere and passionate character when it comes to things he likes, for example skateboarding. Bradley wasn't blind, he didn't invite the boy on a whim. He knows potential when he sees it. Max really is a talented skater and a worthy opponent, for sure. It's almost a shame that they'll never compete again, on official tournaments at least, since Bradley got banned from participating.
Also, Max's piercings didn't make it easier for Bradley, in fact, they complemented the appearance of the younger boy very much, making it more difficult for Bradley to control himself, not blurting out how much he really likes this doofus, it's annoying. Especially when the club lights made them sparkle in all kinds of colors, framing Max in a sea of colorful lights, like a painting that should be in a museum. It was stunning and a breathtaking view.
»Since you don't answer, I'll take your silence as a yes«, Max's voice interrupted Bradley's racing mind, which woke him up from his daydream. Bradleys cheeks were covered in a slight blush. Fortunately, no-one could see that because of the club lights, but he felt the growing heat. »Let's seal this new friendship with a dance!« Max suggests enthusiastically, he definitely noticed that Bradley was staring at him and he absolutely noticed the kind of gaze Bradley gave him while he was staring, causing a shiver down his spine. But not the uncomfortable kind of shiver. It was the kind of shiver which let the little butterflies in your stomach fluttering around. Goosebumps were spreading. But nonetheless, he addressed to the elder as a friend. Well, he didn't want to ruin everything by crossing a potential line.
Friendship, yeah, sure. Bradley thought with bitterness, but didn't show it to the outside. Sure, it didn't really surprised him that Max thought of him as just a friend or something like that. They barely really had talked to each other besides insults and provocations. But maybe their friendship could grow into something deeper, into something romantic, just maybe. Hope dies last. He just needed a way not to stay in the friendzone far too long. Couldn't be that hard, right?
»Freshman, don't push your luck. I'm definitely not dancing with you«, »pretty please?« Max bats his eyelashes pleadingly as he curls his mouth into a pout and looks directly into the blue eyes of his counterpart. Absolutely knowing what he's doing, he caused Bradley's heart to race, even more than before. »Do you do that every time when you don't get what you want?« Bradley smirked mockingly, but for the first time not nastily. It was the kind of smirk, when you're mocking someone but still has this adorning look in your eyes, letting affection show through. »Depends, now shall we?« Max answered, still grinning at the Uppercrust, shoving the question away. He just wanted to dance with the boy in front of him, trying to bond while having a good time together. And maybe he wanted to show that he felt more like friendship. »Why don't you dance with those friends of yours?«, »do you see them?«, Max countered, fortunately they disappeared a while ago, pretty much to Max's liking. He definitely adores his friends, but in times like that, he prefer to be alone the person he likes. Besides, he was pretty sure, that they left on purpose.
Bradley looked around and indeed, these doofuses aren't there anymore. How did they do that? Just a minute ago or so they were still there.
Max chuckles, judging by the look on Bradley's face, he definitely was wondering how Bobby and P.J. vanished in such a short time, he must say, it was kind of a cute expression. »You simply didn't notice. Mocha showed up and wanted to dance with Peej, Bobby tried to flirt around and seemingly got lucky« Max explains, he caught it out of the corner of his eye. »So, dancing, yes or no?«, »Urgh, fine but only if I have the leading role. As considerate as I am, I have to make sure you don't embarrass yourself«, another chuckle, »fine by me, if they'll play a slow song, I'll let you lead«, Max agreed, pulling Bradley to the dance floor, the latter let it happen. Both with anticipation running through their veins.
As promised, Max let the older boy lead when a slow song played, pretty much to his liking. He really wasn't bad with leading, but also had no arguments against letting Bradley take the leading part. When their hands intertwined, both of them felt an electric tingling from the touch. It was soothing. Only when the faster songs started playing, they woke up from their own little world, smiling like idiots, and started some harmless competing to see who got the better moves. Obviously, Max won. But Maybe not just because he got the better moves, maybe because at some point Bradley started admiring the sight in front of him and how easy it seemed to be for Max, pulling out those fluid and awesome moves.
And maybe, just maybe at some point, Bradley couldn't bear it any longer and pulled Max closer to him by the collar of his sweater. And perhaps he pressed his lips down on Max's, feeling the cold of the metal from Max's lip piercings on his own, which contrasted sharply with the rising heat Bradley's feeling. Max startled for a second, but then leaned in, enjoying the tingling sensation on his lips which is caused by Bradley's. Max wraps his arms around Bradley's neck while the other's hands are resting on the skater-boy's waist, pressing him against Bradley's own body. Their Lips are moving in sync, longing for those of the other. Only when they ran out of air, they pulled apart, but just as much as needed. Still holding each other and looking in their eyes, grinning like idiots with slight red cheeks, leaning forehead to forehead. So much for ”crossing lines“ and ”not staying in the friendzone far too long“.