Maxi opens the fridge and puts Violas share in. This time their dinner was something slightly different compared to the ones Maxi have made for them during these last two weeks while sharing their meals. The girl in question request something special. And not to lose his proud, Maxi indeed fulfilled that wish. If Maxi understood right, Viola would have a friend over today. So this special pizza is for that occasion.
After completing his task, Maxi starts heading back toward the front door to leave. When he steps out, he notices Viola already coming back from school, with someone.
"Hey, Viola. I put your share into..," Maxi cuts his own words when he recognizes the other girl. Layla. "..your fridge.."
Viola rushes her steps, showing a thankful smile while humming. "Thank you very much. This is.."
"Layla. It's been a while," Maxi shows a gently smile toward Layla, noding as greets. Being as cockily confident as ever.
To think she would suddenly meet Maxi here of all the places made Layla look confused, but she fastly corrects her mien, smiling as well. Noding.
Now Viola couldn't help seeing this tension between them. Layla was suddenly acting odd. "You two know each other?"
"We do. We do," Layla admits, showing even wider smile, trying to hide her embarrassment. "Maxi, how have you been? It's sure been awhile. We never see at school either." Finally she sighs out. This act was useless, why she was even trying here. She drops her high mood as fast as it came out. But she was still smiling. "I didn't know you guys are friends. Is this yours or Violas house? What is going on..?"
"Well, I think we aren't seeing each other because you never answer my calls or texts," Maxi says straight, not dropping his smile. "I'm glad to see you are doing fine, at least." Then he turns to look at Viola, totally ignoring Layla from now on. "Well, see you later. I have a meeting. You girls play nicely." He takes his leave.
Viola hums and waves her hand. "See you. And thanks for my share," she says louder. Maxi waves while walking away.
Now that Maxi was gone, Layla could let her stress out. "Why HE was in your house?"
"Maxi? He lives next door," Viola casually explains. "I kinda pay him to cook for me. It just.. happened to end up like this.." She scratches her forehead while smiling, feeling embarrassed. But then she drops that mood. There is something way more interesting going on than why she was sharing food with Maxi. "By the way, how you know him? What was that 'not answering his calls'?"
Layla sighs. Taking her time to giving her answer. "He's that childhood friend I.. dumbed..," she finally whispers.
"HA?!"
- - - -
The next day. Maxis strong voice was echoing around the auditorium. Young man was standing in front, giving his lecture. As he has used to do every Tuesday and Thursday, while playing his part as a substitute for the real deal. A month and a half went by fast. Professor Hanmers sick leave is close to be over. Finally Maxi can drop this out of his schedule, totally concentrate on what he really should have been doing here, studying.
"..And be sure to memorize the lined areas. There. This was all from me. Professor Hanmer will proceed from here. Thank you for your hard work. You are dismissed."
Now it was officially over. Every freaking paper work done to let professor know their progress so far. He's done everything he was supposed to, for the sake of not meeting the man in person after. Everything should be going smoothly. But..
It's kind of impossible to avoid him forever in their school building, even when this area is huge. Maxi knows there will be a scene with the professor if he rams into him. When he rams..
- - - -
"What? Maxi was that childhood friend??" Kina is shocked after hearing from Viola what happened between Layla and Maxi. She fastly puts pieces together. "Who WOULDN'T like to date him. He is so handsome. I would totally try him right away if I didn't have a beau already. Even if he is quite bad from his mouth.. Bad boys are liked. Oh, but he has to take care of you so he wouldn't have time for me..," girl adds smirking.
"Cut the nonsense," Viola sighs. She spend the whole yesterday with Layla, but neither of them bring up the thing with Maxi anymore. But Viola believes it must be bothering both. Their suddenly cutted friendship. And the reason behind it all felt very odd to Viola. "Well we all have our own situations, so.." The loud talking made them turn their focus on the other side of the hallway. Older man was speaking to a student. With quite defiant tone. "Like they.."
"THAT IS INAPPROPRIATE! WHEN USING MY NAME AND MY CLASS YOU DO EXACTLY AS I PLAN!" Professor Hanmer states out loud, keeping this very straightened pose.
"With all due respect, how I could when all you have about the subject was like a wikipedia page copy-pasted shit from internet," Maxi clears calmly. Not intending to step back from his words. "And half of that information was outdated. All I did was modernising it. More importantly, they all pass. Under your name. You are not happy?"
"THIS IS THE SAME WHAT YOU DID LAST YEAR, MR WAHN! QUESTIONING MY STATUS AS A TEACHER! As my substitute you should do as I would do!"
"With what info if you don't have any!" Maxi starts to raise his voice too. This was nonsense. Why he indeed needed to stand this when he has done everything right, as he was asked. "Right now I'm not questioning anything else than your state of mind. If you get angry at your student 'cause he is better than you at your job, shouldn't you retire already. I'm worried, that stress might kill you."
Now that attack blows Professors mind. "YOU RASCAL! YOU ARE JUST A NARCISSISTIC BRAT, LOOKING DOWN ON EVERYONE! DON'T THINK YOU ARE SOMETHING JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE THE TOP STUDENT HERE WITH YOUR 'GENIUS' GRADES! YOU-!"
"What is going on here?!" other teacher, Mr Thydor, steps in the middle of the scene. His look moves from Professor to Maxi, then back. "You are causing a big scene here. As a teacher you should know better, Professor Hanmer."
"BUT HE...!"
"I do not know what is going on between you two. Yet! But it is your voice, Professor Hanmer, I could clearly hear from the floor lower," Mr Thydor says, then turns his angry but calm look on Maxi. "Mr Wahn can go. I will be in touch later about this situation. When Professor has calmed down."
Maxi stood still. Then sighs. Nods. "Yes sir," he turns and finally really notices there were many students looking at them around the corridor. While keeping his anger in, he walks away. He could spot Viola and Kina while walking pass them, but doesn't dare to say a word. He just wants to get out of here.
"Now that was something..," Kina whispers. The Professor starts to yell at the other teacher who is escorting him forward. Eventually everyone around start to scatter. "But damn, Maxi didn't hold his words.. Was Professor angry 'cause Maxi was better teacher than him?"
"I'm not sure. But Maxi indeed sound like a proper teacher when he was giving his lectures. Can't say the same about that man. Just now he sounded like a brat himself..," Viola says. "I wonder if Maxi is okay.."
"He took it well. I would have yelled back as badly, to be honest," Kina smirks.
"Did you see that? That moron had balls to speak against Hanmer," someone on the group in front them laugh out loud. Viola and Kina were just fastly passing by, but they could clearly hear them. "Isn't that the same guy who has been skipping our supplementary english the whole year? His name is still on the list. Does he think he will pass like that?"
"Why he even bothered to sign in?" some other young man laughs.
"Isn't he, like, super smart," one of the girls clears. She was clearly trying to defend the guy in question. "Maybe he doesn't need to.."
"Then shouldn't he apply to some other school for geniuses? Why come here to only look down on us who actually work hard for our achievements."
"I thought it was just a rumor he was a jerk. Who knew it was true. Does someone like that even have any friends?"
"Maybe they will expel him! Suits him right!"
Their loud laughing and talking slowly vanish when girls walk far enough. Looking at each other, Viola and Kina both let out sighs. "You think he is THAT bad?" Kina asks, a sure doubt in her voice.
"No way..," Viola clarifys. Somehow that all doesn't fit. And somehow it kind of does.
Eventually, their conversations took a lighter mood while they were walking, heading toward the cafeteria. After buying their drinks they sit down at their regular table. Lucky for them, once again, it was free, waiting for them arrive.
"You think he did get over Layla?" Kina suddenly asks. The thing between them still bothered her.
"Ha? Oh, well, yesterday, he was as cool as ever. Bet that was the first time they saw each other after his confession," Viola thinks.
"Ha? It's been, what, two months?"
"I understood Layla didn't answer his calls. She was the one ghosting him. Ain't that rude.."
"HAH. She acts like a coward. We should grill everything out of her!"
Now Viola has to give Kina an angry glance. "You are the one who talk about 'crossing the friend-line' to her."
"Well, it's true. There is a thing called crossing the friend-line. But wasn't SHE the one worried if their friendship would change? SHE is changing it herself."
"Maybe she doesn't realize it herself.."
"Bullshit!" Kina laughs. "Oh well, after so long I think Maxi is better without her around. Doing so cheap to him." She leans closer, showing a wide smile. "And this way you can have him all to yourself now. Ain't that good. Help him totally get over her."
"When we became a thing?" Viola tsihs. Kina was constantly teasing them after they start sharing their meals, so she could ignore Kinas missleading talk. There is nothing like that between them. But she is worried as a friend. Even though Maxi doesn't feel like a person who would be too concerned about this kind of things. Or what people might talk behind his back. "True. I'm gonna protect him from douche bags like her. The next lady should come straigh to us and introduce herself. Or a guy. Bet he has some fans on that side too."
"Oh, The Father is talking here!" Kina raises her hands, bowing. "I will wait till I break up with Thomas and if by then no one has showed up and you don't want him I'll catch him myself! Maxi is tall and handsome. A hot package."
"You really don't have a deep relationship with your boyfriend, ha? Being able to say so," Viola grins. "I feel sorry for him. You will be the first douche bag I need to protect Maxi from!" Girls laugh.
- - - -
Maxi was running the same route as he always does. Through the hills, down to the side city, across the bridge and when he's done, he turns back. Actually, he isn't so into exercising. He hates sweating. He rather trained his mind than body. But this is something he needed to do to calm his mind from time to time. Trying to forget.
When he finally gets back from his long run, it was evening already, around 9 pm. He sits down on the stair-step in front of his front door, catching his breath. This whole day has been one big chaos in his head. Too much to think. Too many memories to deal. And he is always trying to keep all the negatives out. Or in.
After a while Viola steps out and walks slowly next to him. Sits down. "Are you okay?" she finally asks. "I saw you coming back. You've been sitting here a while.."
"I was waiting for you," Maxi clears, without turning his look on her.
"Ha?"
"You are kind-hearted. There's no way you would ignore me if I keep sitting here," now he glances her once, showing a smile. Dropping his usual sour look which he liked to keep on. He was visible tired. "I took advange of knowing that. Sorry.."
"Ha..?" is all Viola says out. Should she take this exactly how? Was he complimenting or insulting her here?
"Can I ask you something..? If it's a bother then don't answer. That's fine too.."
This was a first time ever Viola could see Maxi act this unsure. Like he actually didn't even know how to speak out here.
Viola hums back, without a doubt. It must be something important if Maxi of all is asking advices from her. "Are we having a girl-talk?" she smirks.
"What?" Maxi tsihs. Unbelieving Viola just said something like that out loud. "No! A.. boy-girl talk.. You are the only one I can talk about this.."
Because Maxi was looking very annoyed now, Viola thinks she shouldn't tease him here. Guy is trying to talk seriously. "Sure.. Talk."
Maxi is just eyeing her a while, without a word first. "Layla is your friend. Has she..," he starts but clearly hesitates. Finally he lets this deep breathe out. He should just talk, rather than think how to talk. "We are childhood friends, and when she came in the same school I told her I like her." He is now looking forward, avoiding eye contact.
Wow, indeed this guy is very forward, Viola thinks.
"I know we had a thing years ago, and since we were now in the same school and all, it felt fitting. I was thinking maybe we should try it out," Maxi explains, more like trying to find right words, but still he sounded very frank. "She said no. Obviously." Now guy turns his look back on Viola. This time his look was clearly annoyed. "I'm fine either way, but why she has to avoid me now? Did I screw up here?"
"Screw up? You mean is there going back after you cross the friend-line?"
Maxis eyes went wide open while he's staring her with this confused look. What the actual hell that line thing even is? "Is that what you girls call it..?"
"At least Kina calls it so," Viola shows a comforting smile to him. "But I have to say no, you didn't screw up. You were just being you, straight with words. If she is the one knowingly ignoring you now it's her lost. Her problem. Acting like that just makes her one big coward."
"Is that so..," young man sighs out, turning his look away again. Thinking a while. Hearing someone else saying it out loud help Maxi think more clearer. Indeed he was thinking something similar. "I was surprised she totally ignored me after that. Five years ago she was..," but he doesn't finish what he was about to say. Instead he moves to lay down on his back, closing his eyes. Sighing out. Laughing. "I guess she too grew sick of me. Can't help it.."
"Don't say such thing," Viola forbids, worrying. "Sure, you might consider trying to act a little more nicer once in a while, but you are not that bad."
That Maxi doesn't buy. "How I'm not nice..?"
"Sometimes you are not. You definitely bully me a lot. I might not be as smart as you but you still don't have to rub it on my face, you know..," girl clears out, staring at him with a severe look. "I don't get it why you do that. When you actually are very thoughtful. And caring. You give very mixed image of yourself."
Maxi snorts. And actually opens his eyes to look at her. Then looks up to stars. "Sorry.. about that. But there should be a limit how airhead you can be. You are just too far there. Zombie."
"See! Hearing that doesn't make me happy," Viola laughs.
"I'm not trying to make you happy.. And why you are laughing now..," Maxi couldn't keep up with this girl. Wasn't she always acting way too happy overall.
Instead of answering, Viola too leans his back and head down, looking the stars. "So, what was it with Professor Hanmer? That looked bad."
"Ah, and him," Maxis look turned instantly more annoyed. "That idiot was angry 'cause I didn't use his database while teaching. I knew it was coming. We have never get along. That man isn't suitable for teaching and I made my opinion clear last year. Got kicked out from his lectures. Never change to get back."
"So that's how it was.." That might be one of the main roots of those rumours around him.
Maxi hums. "Well, I got the clean scores without him teachings so I didn't lose anything there."
Indeed that professor might have mentioned something Maxi being the top student or something. And what the students said earlier. They practically called him one of those geniuses. "Are you really that smart?"
"I am," Maxi smirks. "After I get kicked out I made sure him to notice how my name would be on top in every scorelist."
"Isn't that just childish.."
"It is," he agrees. "Honestly, I didn't make it on top in every list but surely he got pissed more.. I made my point clear. I am smarter than him."
"Now that IS narsistic," Viola sighs unbelieving. "You just prove his statement."
"I know nothing good comes out of behaving like that..," Maxi then says, clearing he indeed knows what he did then was very selfish and pointless. "But I can't stand it. Pretend something I'm not. It's not my fault people around me are stupid.."
Sometimes Maxi could talk like a selfish brat indeed. But Viola try to see from his point of view. It must be hard to deal people if they weren't on the same level as he. But there was no real excuse to act rude. That he should fix. "You acted stupid. Because you are stupid."
Maxi glances her carefully once, then back to the stars, clicking his tongue back. Doesn't say anything back. Viola guesses he might have finally took her point here. Agreeing, in some level.
"Thanks," guy suddenly says and clears his throat. "For that. I might have deserved it."
"You're welcome," Viola hums. "This is why you have neighbors. You can share things with them. Problems. Food.."
"Oh, now that's true," Maxi laughs and turns his eyes on her. Poking her knee with his own. "Thank you very much for verifying that the only girl who has ever stand me now dislikes me and doesn't want to see me anymore. I am very pleased right now." His words were full of sarcasm. But his smile was still very honest, calm.
"Hey! I stand you! And want to see you!" Viola sures, thinking Maxi is now seeing this way too negatively. Layla was probably just fearing to face him at the moment, that's all. This is not the end of their friendship.
"Oh, right. You were a girl too," Maxi teases. "I totally forgot."
"I take it all back. I don't want to see you anymore," Viola shows a sulking face, turning her look away, feeling extremely annoyed.
"You want. I was thinking to make pancakes tomorrow. Like a brunch," guy states, not dropping his look on her. He's already learnt Viola isn't a type to be dispirited easily. Girl is way too positive for such.
"There will be pancakes?!" Violas high spirit wis up again.
"We are cheating tomorrow. Eating not so healthily," Maxi clears and gets back up to sit. "As an apology. And thanks. For standing me. I.. really don't have anyone else to talk.. about things like this. All my friends are idiots. You being here, right now.. I really value it."
Smiling, Viola also gets up to sit, intently eyeing Maxi who after a while of silence finally turns to look at her too. The very same moment Maxi wears his usual cocky mien. "W-what is that look? You have a problem with that?"
"No, no problem," Viola smiles happily. Maxi should be more honest like this. And not get freaked out once he lets his true emotional feelings out. "Thank you. Hearing that made me happy."
"Everything freaking makes you happy," Maxi tsihs back.