"I'm breaking up with you."
Max can still see her text as he closes his eyes. Ever since he read that text, he's either been holding back tears or sobbing in his room.
He couldn't deal with the looks of pity his family gave him as they saw his lips quiver, eyes shining with unshed tears. It was an unspoken rule now in his house to not speak her name.
Max hadn't been out since she broke up with him. It's been two weeks and the sun hasn't reached his skin yet. The blinds were shut tight and the only light that reached him was from his lava lamp.
He couldn't figure out what he did wrong! He had been nothing but a gentleman - at least to her - since they first started dating on game night. He had shown her his insecurities, his fears, the things he loved, and he had almost revealed to her that he was a villain.
For the longest time, he thought they were soulmates. (He would never admit that to anyone else). She had shoved those thoughts right back at him when she had the audacity to dump him with a damn text message.
He had loved her damn it! Or...did he? Max hated to think that in a way she was just comfortable to be with, because she wasn't! He fell for her and everything that she had to offer.
Max made his way upstairs, black sweats and ripped shirt baggy on his tired body. His now customary tissue box in one hand and his phone in the other. It was rare now that the boy didn't carry the two items. Maybe she would call and ask for him to take her back.
Phoebe watched her brother from the kitchen, a sad expression on her face as he sat curled up on the couch, eyes bloodshot from hours of sobbing over his ex-girlfriend.
She hated to see him upset like this, not even her falling yesterday in school had made him laugh. He had walked right by her, his eyes covered with black sunglasses as he kept his head down.
When Max stood up again, Phoebe made the decision to take him out to cheer him up. "Max, take a shower and get dressed. I understand you're sad, but you need to go out and have some human interaction." She said firmly, cutting him off as he began to deny her offer. "I won't take no for an answer. I hate to see you like this, Max. You can't let yourself go like this..."
Seeing his sisters pained expression, Max sighed. One day out wouldn't be the end of the world, right? With a small nod, Max went down to his lair, thinking of how good it would feel to take a hot shower.
Max looked around the mall, his eyes surveying the large building filled with brightly colored stores. Phoebe was beside him, talking animatedly to him, but he wasn't paying attention. Before he could even realize what was going on, he could feel his chest burning, the stench of coffee reeking from his clothes.
He growled, his eyes ablaze. "Watch where you're going!" The voice gasped, their cheeks burning red. "I-I'm so sorry!"
Max looked up, his eyes softening as he looked into the deep green eyes of the boy standing in front of him. "Oh! It's fine, accidents happen, I guess." Max said with a chuckle, a blush making its way to his cheeks.
"I'm such a clutz, let me get you a new shirt." The boy said, embarrassed as he watched Max gaze at him.
"Yeah, that'd be nice." Max mumbled, turning to Phoebe and making a 'go away' motion in her direction. Phoebe stared open mouthed as she watched her brother walk away with this boy. She knew that look in his eyes and with that information, she knew the next couple weeks would be a wild ride.
"I'm Max, by the way." Max said smoothly, walking away from his sister as the mystery boy led him into a men's clothing store.
"I'm Reese." The green eyed boy said with a smile. "I'm really sorry about spilling coffee on your shirt. I was in a bit of a daze, a lot has been going on in my life this past couple of days."
"Mind talking to an almost stranger about it?" Max asked, picking up a cheap black t-shirt and heading up to the register. "Maybe we could get a slice of pizza?"
Reese smiled at Max as he took out a five dollar bill, handing it to the cashier and taking his change back. He handed Max the shirt, a smile on his face. "If it's not too much of a bother. I noticed you were here with someone though...?"
Max waved it off, rolling his eyes. "That's just my sister, Phoebe. She took me out of the house because I've been there ever since Alli-" Her name died on his lips as he looked down, taking a deep breath. He looked back up at Reese, a fake smile plastered on his face. "It's not a big deal, let's head to the food court."
Max walked out, leaving Reese to stare at him from behind. Maybe Max would eventually talk about it with him, but he was quick to notice that the name brought the other boy sadness. He didn't plan on bringing it up again anytime soon with Max. With that thought in mind, Reese ran to catch up with Max who was long gone from the store.
"So what's got you so down?" Max questioned as they sat down at a table, pizza slices in front of them.
"I came out to my parents a couple of days ago and they weren't very happy with the idea of me being gay." The green eyed boy said, avoiding Max's gaze as he felt tears gather in his eyes. He blinked them back and cleared his throat.
"They threatened to kick me out." Reese said with a shrug, his shoulders falling as he looked at his slice of pizza. "I've heard stories about parents kicking their kids out because they're gay, but I never thought my parents would do such a thing to me."
Max looked at Reese with a look of sympathy as he swallowed the piece of pizza in his mouth. "Damn, I'm sorry, Reese." He said with a frown, patting his newly acquired friend on the shoulder. "If they do end up kicking you out, which I hope they won't, you're more than welcome to stay with me. I know we just met, but I think we're going to be very good friends."
And for the first time since Allison dumped him, Max felt a small piece of hope tug on his heart.
Every time I say I'm done writing stories, I'm not done ha! Well, welcome to "Almost Strangers".
I've never been an author that really forces people to review, but reviews are very much appreciated. The more reviews I receive, the more likely I am to finish a chapter considering they're great motivation.
I refuse to hold chapters hostage for a certain number of reviews though.
REVIEW and tell me what you thought! This will be a multi-chapter story and I hope you guys enjoy!
-UnaverageWriterFreak