News of Peter Maximoff's fall from grace could never avoid the attentive and gossipy ears of the journalism majors in a DC community college. Soon enough, the news reached a certain Andrew Kaufman. He usually never kept up with sports but a scandal at this degree could get the attention of anyone. It was when he heard the name of the subject of it, that his eyes widened in genuine shock.
Andrew hadn't heard that name in a long time. He knew him when they were in elementary school, back when he still lived in the suburbs. They had been good friends at the time. When news came of the Kaufmans' moving, both were devastated. However, when it came time, both recovered pretty quickly and moved on with their lives. Though never in his wildest dreams Andrew would have excpected to hear that name again in such context.
He needed to know more. He pulled himself by the bootstraps and binge watched all relevant media coverage since the news came out. He began with watching his previous races and interviews. That was the first time he'd seen Peter since elementary school. He.. didn't know what to expect about that. It's just Peter.. but older. Same gray hair, same mischevious smile, same dark eyes. He.. really hasn't changed much.
Moving on. Checking the post-reveal content, he found a press conference with the Olympics committee, interviews with his coach, his competitors, his competitors' coaches.. ect. The fact that there had been no interview and no statement from the guy concerned blew his mind, even though deep down he knew what was that about. Based on his own knowledge of the guy and previous interviews, he knew that he would never pass a chance to talk about himself, whether guilty or not. He always had a mouthful ready. He knew with an almost certainty that his mutant status had something to do with it, especially considering the latest terrorist attacks.
It was then he remembered that he was a journalism major and that he had yet to find an idea for his ending of the semester project.
Wasting no time, he called his partner, and explained his idea. Half expecting her to express some disdain or something, he was surprised when she hit him with a simple "That works. We'll split the cost on the microphone, right?"
Getting in contact with the guy had been a doozy. Andrew dug up his own archives and got the guy's adress, but somehow none of his letters were responded to. After his third returned to him, he decided to call him instead. With his journalism truth seeking skills, he manged to find the college Peter had attended before dropping out, and met his previous coach who reluctantly gave the duo the guy's new phone number. But hey, a win is a win! And they took the win.
However, all of this has been way easier than the act of pushing the button and calling.
"You got this, Andrew! You're gonna defeat the phone call!" Kelly cheered from his bed while he sat at his desk, bouncing his leg nervously.
"Very funny." He but his nails in anxiety. "You don't get it, it's been like, what? Ten years? Since we last spoke, and now he's an ex pro runner and a mutant..."
"And you're a homosexual now too so what's good? Just make the phone call!" Andrew shrugged. That is true. He also has changed a lot since they've last seen each other. He pressed the call button a bit too fast.
Three rings in, the other side finally picked up. "Hello?" An unfamiliar voice said.
"Uh, hi, is this Peter?"
"Yeah, what's up?"
"Hi! It's Andrew!" He chuckled nervously. "Remmeber? From elementary school?"
The line went silent for a moment before it erupted. "Holy shit, for real? How have you been, my dude?" Before Andrew could get a word in, he heard Peter yelling, the speaker far from him "Magda! You'll never guess who I have on the phone! It's Andrew! Yes, Kaufman!" An unheard conversation went on before Peter's voice came back into focus. "My mom says hi."
"Tell her I said hi back,"
"How have you been? Where you at?"
"I've been good, i'm.. currently in my dorm room, haha."
"Good for you, man. Always knew you'll make it far."
"Well how are you? I heard about what happened.."
"Yeah.." Peter drawled on, audibly wincing. "It hasn't been very fun for me lately.."
"That sucks, man. Listen, I don't know if your coach told you.." Andrew looked over at Kelly who held her thumbs up from across the room.
"Yes, he did! Came by the other day and told me someone wanted to talk to me and to expect a call."
"And it's fine by you..? If you don't want to be in the spotlight again, I completely understand..."
"Yeah no, I'd love to." A silence went for a few moments before he said. "Actually, now that I think about it, it's pretty weird you guys are the only press asking me about it."
"I noticed! That's like, fucked up."
"Preeetty fucked up." Peter chuckled. "So like, when are you free to meet up?"
Andrew turned to Kelly. "Uhh, Wednes-" she shook her head vehemently. "I mean Friday.." she nodded. "..at 11.." she shook her head again. "No, at 3. Does that work for you?"
"3, pm or am?"
"Yes, AM" Andrew said mockingly. "I bring the booze and you bring the hoes, how about that?"
Peter laughed heartily from the other side. "My bad, my bad."
"Just for the record, pm." Andrew smiled.
"Alright, alright.." Peter said. "I was gonna say see you Friday, but can you stay on the line a bit longer? If you're not busy, of course. Tell me all you've been up to. Let's catch up!"
"I'm.. happy you said that, sure thing! I want to hear from you as well!" Kelly got up and left, wordlessly waving to Andrew with a smile.
