With a newly found resolve Bradley started the next morning with determination. He climbed out of bed and bee lined straight for the restroom. He started with the basic's dental hygiene and skincare, He glanced at his phone and scrolled through his messages while at the same time rubbing a jade roller along his jawline, He was nothing if not well groomed. Bradley was very beautiful, and he knew it especially for a man. He had soft feminine features and shocking bright blue eyes he must have inherited from his mother. He knew very little about her except that she died when he was born due to birth complications. His Father never talked about her and there was only one picture hung up in their family room at home.
His finger stopped scrolling at Max's chat; he had sent a single message after he left last night. 'Can we talk?' he let out a puff of air, setting down his facial roller and removing his under-eye masks. He removed his hairband and exited the bathroom heading back to his room to change. The gamma's house was quiet this morning. The boys must have left early for the gym. Putting on a pair of khaki pants and a white button up he slipped a navy blue cardigan on and grabbed his backpack and skateboard.
He locked the front door before slinging his backpack over one shoulder and jumping on his board kicking to build speed and smoothly start towards the library. It was eight AM, and the campus was mostly dead. Nobody woke up this early as most classes didn't even start until nine. He arrived at his destination just as Sylvia had started to unlock the doors. He waited patiently a few paces behind. After she let herself inside Bradley waited a few seconds before walking in behind her. She got situated at the counter and he gave her a small smile and nod greeting her. He found a table near the back and cracked open his mathematics textbook as it was his first lecture of the day and he had yet to finish the assignment from friday.
It wouldn't take him long. Numbers were his strong suit; they just made sense. They were black and white and there was no room for interpretation. He opened his laptop, beginning to type in each answer getting lost in it. He hadn't even noticed Max entering the building stopping over at Sylvia's desk to his left. Max spoke with Sylvia before turning to take in the mostly empty library when his eyes landed on a certain Uppercrust. He took a deep breath before approaching and sitting opposite him. "Hey Bradley?" he whispers peeking over the brunette's computer. Bradley shuts it quickly, a pink blush peppering his cheeks.
"What do you want, Goof?" He crosses his arms in defense.
Suddenly taken aback to Max's grip on his shirt and his teeth gently biting Bradley's lower lip. He had no choice but to avert his eyes. "I just wanted to make sure we we're okay?" Max asked, trying to make eye contact. "I don't know." Bradley began packing his belongings to make a swift escape. He couldn't stand to face Max right now. It made his chest hot and his mental faculties bug out. Just as he went to stand with his bag Max reached out and gripped his hand stopping him from running away. Bradleys head snapped back looking at their touching hands. Max let go immediately, not willing to break anymore boundaries. "i-I'm sorry I just, I don't want our friendship to be ruined because I made a stupid impulsive choice." Max looked up at him still sitting. Bradleys hand felt like it was on fire. "We were never friends, Max." Max flinched at Bradleys cold demeanor. It hurt Bradleys heart to see Max's hurt expression. This was how it had to be he reminded himself before turning his back and walking towards the exit.
He decided to walk instead of riding back to the Gamma house. Once he arrived, he found the other boys of the fraternity putting up green Christmas lights. He forgot all about the party the boys were putting on this friday. Maybe letting loose wouldn't be such a bad idea he could use a distraction. Although he did dread a drunk crowd breaking various objects and making messes. He decided he wouldn't worry about it and entered.
The rest of the week flew by due to disassociation. Bradley operated on autopilot, going through the motions. Friday evening arrived quick enough. Bradley quietly came down the stairs to turn and see Tank assembling the pong table, they dominated pong. He doubted Tank would want to play together anymore. As the other gammas prepared for the Rager about to ensue Bradley decided he would pregame. He made his way to the kitchen opening the fridge, scanning his options he opted for a bottle of half drank tequila. He sat on the living room couch occasionally taking swigs. The party officially started at eight and the crowd poured in. Music cranked up though Bradley couldn't tell you which song was playing to save his life. He could barely hear himself think, oh well. He took another swig finishing the bottle. Before standing and pushing through the crowd to get to another bottle of liquor. It was nice to turn it off.
A few hours later Bradley's vision was starting to go, and he could barely walk. He had gaps in his memory. How had he ended up on the patio? It didn't matter. He wondered what Max was doing. Fishing out his phone from his pocket he dialed putting the device to his ear. "Hello?" There it was that familiar voice. It made him smile "Hey Max!" He began, "You kissed me. Why did you kiss me? You made a mess of everything you know." He slurred into the phone barely able to pronounce each syllable. "Are you okay?" Max questioned, sounding concerned "Where are you?" rustling could be heard on Max's side of the line. "Where I always am." Bradley laughed and sighed picking up the bottle of vodka on the step next to him. He had no memory of retrieving this. He shrugged taking another swig. "I'm on my way over okay? Stay where you are." Max spoke slowly through the phone and Bradley erupted into another fit of laughter. "Now he wants to tell me what to do." He threw his head back as the call went dead. Whatever. He didn't need Max's help. He could take care of himself.
The brunette stood to walk out onto the lawn where a few guys were playing cornhole in the dim glow of some cheap torches. He lost his footing and fell into the grass. He decided to give up and lay flat on his back and gaze at the stars. Eventually his view was interrupted by black hair and dark eyes and a red hoodie. "Let's get you up." Max pulled him off the ground by his arms and slid a hand around Bradley's waist using the other hand to hold Bradley's arm around his neck. He smelled good Bradley hung his head immediately getting a head rush. Max decided they'd walk back to the dorm where it was quieter so Bradley could sober up and rest. Bobby and PJ were out for the weekend. Max couldn't remember what they had planned but he was thankful he had the dorm to himself tonight. "I'm supposed to be a-avoiding you." Bradley struggled a little but let Max escort him inside. "Avoiding me? Bradley I'm so sorry I don't want you to feel like you can't be around me. I never should have done what I did without knowing if you felt the same way." Max put the brunette in his bed and pulled his comforter over him crouching in the floor next to his head. "I can't-feel the same.." Bradley was starting to be hard to understand. "Just get some rest, Buddy." Bradley passed out almost immediately, no longer able to fight off sleep. Plus the blanket was warm and smelled so good.
Max started to stand but stopped noticing the grip Bradley had on his hoodie. He gave a half smile carefully peeling each finger off. Just as he was about to turn to sleep on one of the other boys' beds, he felt a hand grab his wrist and give a small tug. Bradley was half asleep, woken up slightly by his hand being removed from Max's hoodie. One night with no control couldn't be so bad. Max stood still for a moment debating with Bradleys hand still around his wrist. He decided he didn't know how to say no. He stripped his hoodie off revealing his white tank leaving on the same athletic shorts from the day he maneuvered over Bradley carefully and laid on the other side of the mattress by the wall with inches of space between them Bradley closed the gap rolling halfway onto Max. Max stiffened but relaxed after hearing Bradleys light buzzing snores. With a gloved finger Max softly moved a strand of brown hair from Bradleys face before going to sleep himself.
Bradley awoke to birds chirping and the sun cracking the sky making it appear a lighter shade of dark blue. It was still early. He lifted his head from the pillow with a splitting headache as he looked around at his surroundings. This definitely is not his room. What happened last night? He tried and tried to recall but it was a lost cause. Oh god did he hook up with someone? He quickly lifted the blanket relieved to see himself fully clothed. Someone was sleeping next to him and the movement from the blanket earned a groan and snore from whoever it was. Bradley stiffened, nervous to look. Whoever it was had an arm draped across his waist and a gloved hand. Oh god. He turned over slowly confirming his suspicions.
Max Goof was spooning him right now. He looked over the boy's resting face and noted how peaceful he looked. He let his fingertips ghost over his cheek and lips. He had to stop. There was no way they could ever be together. His father would kill him. But his father wasn't here right now and what he didn't know wouldn't kill him. Bradley pecked Max's lips and slowly slipped out of his grasp. Picking up his sneakers and tip toeing out of the room quietly closing the door behind himself.
Carrying his shoes he walked across campus back to the Gamma house. God doing the walk of shame wasn't on his bingo card this year. Solo cups littered the front lawn and people were asleep everywhere even on the stairs on his way to his room. Thankfully his room was free. He slid in and closed the door, dropping his shoes and shed his pants and shirt getting into his cold bed. Nowhere near as comfortable he fell back into a dreamless sleep.