The atmosphere that surrounds me at this "party" is quite fake. The people seemed to be putting on some sort of show as if to prove something, he thought to himself. He watched her introduce her friends to him.
"This is Maxie. He's the room adviser on our floor at Glasgow," Abbey announced and clenched onto Maxie's arm as her two friends greeted him.
"It's nice to finally meet you. I'm Kent. You know, Abbey talks often good of you." He had a cunning smile and a smooth voice as he spoke.
"And I'm Erin," Kent's Jezebel interrupted, "yes, she most certainly has! You're in your final year here, correct?"
"...Yes," Maxie replied coldly. He knew she did not care. She was only trying to past time as the other pretentious party attendees destroyed their livers.
Abbey looked up at Maxie with such bright eyes. "I also told them that you're a geology major."
"We don't have many of those here. Usually we see only biology and chemistry majors. Good to see more- Oh!" Kent persisted, "Get this! According to a geologist, why is the world so diverse?"
Maxie just held his stance with the most apathetic expression.
After a small, awkward pause, Kent finished, "Because it's made up of alkynes of people!"
The other two girls laughed along solely to appease the man. Maxie could not bear any longer to be at this "fancy" party. He could not stand these type of people- heathens they were- but alas, they saw him as one of them. His appearance was well put together, and he always managed to compose himself regardless of the situation. Even though he thoroughly despised this crowd, he knew he'd most likely be stuck with them for the rest of his life.
After having to endure that treacherous party, Maxie and Abbey had walked back to Glasgow, their dorm.
"Here," Maxie said as he began to put his arm around Abbey, "I'll walk you to your room." Maxie led the way to the third floor. As he walked with her, he was hoping that she would not ask him to stay.
Once they arrived, Abbey turned around and said, "You don't have to stay. I know we have a curfew which is stricter on RA's." She glanced at Maxie as if expecting him to protest and stay, but Maxie did not budge.
He wished her good night and walked down the hall to his room only to be relieved that he was away from pathetic life forms. As he lied down in his bed, he heard a knock at the door. Who the hell could that be? All residents should be in their rooms, he thought. He quickly opened the door.
"Archie? What are you doing here? You can get in serious trouble, " Maxie frantically whispered.
"Oh, let's not get too hasty, now."
"I don't mean to come off as cross, but I will not hesitate to report you." Maxie's stern look glared at Archie.
"I only wanted to know how your night went with the lovely Abbey." The bitter sarcasm contained in Archie's tone managed to put a smile on Maxie.
"If you must know, it was rather awful. I find more personality in a brick wall than in those fools."
"Awe, since you had a shit night, why don't you come with me, and we can chill with my friends who actually know a good time?" The brawny Barbary suggested as he grabbed Maxie's slender wrist.
Maxie raised an eyebrow.
"Hang out with you and your child-like friends? Ha! I think not." He snagged his wrist back.
"Fine then," Archie leaned against the side of the door frame. "Maybe you can just chill with me?" Archie proposed in pursuit that the uptight lad would take advantage of his offer.
Maxie contemplated for a minute. He came around surely, although he was positive he would regret it.
"Hm, I suppose, but-" All of a sudden, he was cut off abruptly as Archie's lips pressed upon his.
Archie's vexatious personality was by some means alluring to him, although Maxie would have found the kiss more enjoyable if Archie did not taste of Doritos and cheap beer. Maxie pulled his lips off quickly and nudged him away.
"Don't do that."
"Oh, don't be so cross, love!" Archie retorted only to mock him.
The subtle grin that drew upon Archie's face and his soft, pale blue eyes made him a modern Don Juan. Maxie rolled his eyes playfully.
"Let's just go already."
"Of course, right this way!"
Archie led the way across campus to his dorm at Bloomsbury.
"Is anyone at the front desk?" Maxie asked.
"I don't know, but I wasn't stopped by anyone when I left earlier. Why you so worried?"
"I can get fired if the other RA's catch me breaking the rules."
Archie chuckled.
"That didn't stop you from letting me stay the night in your room last week."
"That's because I made sure the other RA's were off and away."
As they made their way to Archie's room, Maxie was wondering how he was going to tell Archie the he was leaving soon. I mean, he knows this is my final year here. He doesn't expect me to actually stay in Hoenn, especially here in Lilycove City, does he? He always tells me I've worked too hard to stay in this small region. Maxie couldn't get the thoughts out of his head, All right, I-I'll just tell him when we reach his room even if it's awkward. I'll make damn sure to do so. When they arrived at their destination, Maxie was about to lay the news on him, but as the dooropened, he was glomped by some beast. After he had brushed himself off and got up, he was clearly able to see the mystery creature. Maxie let out a gasp and swiftly closed the door.
"What is your poochyena doing here? You know Pokemon aren't allowed out of their pokeballs in the dorms! I mean, I understand you're not one to abide by the rules, but my goodness, your poochyena is rather loud and rambunctious!"
"But-" Archie lifted up his poochyena and snuggled her close to Maxie's face. "She's just a little cutie!"
Maxie got hold of his poochyena and set the small critter on the floor.
"Look, I have to telling you something-"
"Sure, anything."
Archie sat on his bed. Maxie refused to sit down with him; he did not want it to be a sentimental scene.
"You do know that this is my final year, correct?" The tone in Maxie's voice was strictly serious.
"Yea, I know, for your bachelor's degree."
"Yes," Maxie continued, "And I'm starting grad school in a couple months, so I can attain my degrees faster."
Archie did not quite understand where Maxie was leading to. He refused to think of anything horrible happening. He wanted to remain ignorant to the situation and stay within his cranial utopia.
"I see, but what's your point, Max?"
"My point is that I'm leaving for grad school."
"Leaving Lilycove or...-"
"Hoenn. I'm leaving Hoenn. I'm going to Unova."
Archie's face was blank and emotionless. He took his eyes off Maxie and looked down at his poochyena.
"Why there? What's wrong with going to to grad school here?"
"Too small. There are more opportunities in Unova. You know that, especially in Castelia City."
There was a brief silence between the two. Before the atmosphere became too maladroit, Archie broke the silence and asked,
"Are you going alone?"
Maxie hesitated to answer. He did not want to speak the whole truth, but he knew Archie would find out sooner or later. Maxie finally composed himself.
"No, I'm not. Abbey is coming with me."
"Why is she going with you? You don't even like her!" Archie was annoyed at Maxie's audacity to do such an action.
"I know I don't, but not only is she going to Unova for grad school, as well, she's also more...accountable-"
"Accountable?" Archie interjected, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well,...you see, Abbey...just knows what she's doing with herself. She has a plan and future. By staying with her, life will just be easier. People see us as a normal, perfect couple."
The amount of disgust that sat on Archie's face was unfathomable. He just could not believe what he had heard.
"And I'm just a bum?"
"No, ugh, you're just...not as reliable as she is. I'm always moving forward, focusing on my future. I don't want to wait around for you; I simply cannot. You focus too much on the present. That swell, I suppose, but not in the long run."
Archie remained dormant, refusing to say anything. Maxie sighed out,
"I'm going to leave, now."
Archie still had not budged. Maxie left and made his way back to his dorm. Throughout his walk, he could not help but to actually feel guilt. I know it's ugly, but it's the lousy truth. I'm not one to lie. He knows I wish I could be with him. He knows he's capable of applying himself and being progressive; he just chooses not to. I can't risk everything I've worked my ass off for. I don't want to let some mere human stand in my way. The guilt that surrounded Maxie was unbearable.
"Oh God, I feel as ridden with regret as Lady Macbeth. Next thing I'll know, I'll be sleepwalking, too!" He blurted.
When he came forth to his room, he reluctantly opened the door and fell lifelessly on his bed.
During the several months that passed, Maxie's and Archie's relationship deteriorated. They roughly spoke or interacted with one another. Less than a week after Maxie had graduated, he was already packed and ready to leave. Abbey came to his room that morning to speak with him.
"What are you in need of?" Maxie asked.
"I was wondering when we were leaving for Castelia City today."
"Sometime after noon. I suppose around 2:30 pm."
"Why don't we just leave now?" She giggled.
"I have a thing to do right now, actually. I'm about to be on my way."
"Oh, what are you doing? Maybe I can help?"
Maxie was caught off guard by her response and tried to come up with a vague answer.
"No, really, I'd rather you not. It's a one man job, and I'm more than capable of doing it myself. Thank you, though." He nudged Abbey a little to guide her out of his room. "Now, I really must go. I'll meet you under the gazebo by the science building at 2:30 pm, okay?"
Before Abbey could agree, Maxie left in a rush. He tried to get across campus as fast as he could without raising suspicion. He reached Bloomsbury and passed the front desk without being interrupted by any other RA. As he approached Archie's room, he started to feel a little anxious. Maxie knew Archie's roommate had left prior to that day; therefore, he at least would be able to speak with Archie in private. He sheepishly knocked on the door and waited patiently until the door had moved. When the door became ajar, Archie was abashed by Maxie's presence.
"What brings you here? I thought I was not worthy of your company?"
Maxie bit his tongue, preventing any rude rebuttals from escaping. He swallowed his pride and spoke,
"I'm simply here to tell you good-bye."
Archie laughed.
"And why would you do that?"
"Look, I'm not going to lie and pretend that you mean nothing to me. You mean a great deal to me, honestly. It's just that I'm at a crossroads and must pick the path that has the more opportunities for. This is a hit or miss situation."
"Well, Ali did say, 'Associate with people in such a way that when you have passed away they will cry for you, and while you are alive they will seek your company.'I guess you fall into that category, yes?"
"Yes, of course, hence why I'm here, but you know, you may spit out the Prophet's words when the sun is up, but once nightfall arrives, you become a mondestrunken Mike Campbell."
A genuine smile appeared on Archie. He could not help but to laugh at the truth.
"Yea, but you're quite the Brett Ashley yourself. You're just as lost as me."
Through thorough speaking and explanations, the slight animosity between them seemed to vanish. Maxie looked down to check his watch.
"I guess you have to go now, huh?" Archie asked.
"Yes, I need to get going. Abbey will become terribly irritable if I'm late in the least bit."
"I understand. She's a grade-A bitch."
Maxie giggled.
"Yes, ts' very true, but there's no turning back, now."
Archie nodded in agreement. Maxie was lost for words. He did not know how to exactly say good-bye. He'd never done it before. He feared his words would become loose and redundant and lack coherence. Out of awkward incentive, he held out his slender hand as if to give a handshake. Archie smirked. He grabbed Maxie's stiff hand and pulled him in for a hug. Maxie was not prepared for this. He was never one for close physical contact, but he did not mind Archie's hug much, although his small frame was still not used to Archie's strong stature. Maxie pushed his hair back behind his ears and fixed his glasses.
"Well, I-I really need to leave right now."
"Well, I guess this is good-bye. Don't lose yourself too much." Archie playfully punched Maxie in the arm.
Maxie looked at him with such glimmering eyes and a wide smile. Archie led Maxie out of his room and dorm. They walked along side each other and headed toward the science building. Archie looked over and down at Maxie.
"It's funny, we could have had such a damned good time together."
Maxied stopped right in his tracks and looked straight up at Archie.
"Heh, yes. Isn't it pretty to think so?"