"Maxi!"
Viola and Kina had once again met in front of their regular cafeteria which was in the lobby of Viola's and Maxi's main school building. When they walk in, they could recognize the guy sitting alone at one of the tables next to windows.
It was unusual to see Maxi in here. Usually young man spends his free time in the library. You would think he was studying there, but the truth is he went there to sleep. He even has his own regular spot there. Has his own key to get in out of opening hours.
But today was different. Young man was writing something with his laptop, now raising his look toward Viola who called his name just now.
"Viola," Maxi calls back, then turns to properly look Kina, smiling. "And her sidekick."
"It's rare to see you here. What is this special occasion?" Viola smiles while already putting her jacket down the chair next to Maxis. Kina walks on the other side, sitting straight down.
"Wha- You will sit here..?" Maxi whispers sighing. Clearly these girls weren't minding to sit with him, but more like forcing their company here. Girls both only smiles back, ignoring his silented protest. "I'm writing a report. Some peace would be nice.."
"You want coffee?" Viola asks when she's already walking toward the desk to order. She wasn't even waiting Maxi to say anything. She would get it anyway. As a peace gesture. Guess he is getting another cup of coffee, then..
Again Maxi turns his look to Kina who had just set still comfortably, smiling to him. "We promise to be quiet while you are on it. So, what is this report about?"
"You two together are the opposite of quiet," Maxi wants to clear first, showing clearly how annoyed he feels them disturbing him. "They want me to clear my opinion black on white about the complaint someone made about me."
"Was is that professor you argued with earlier?"
"Him," guy admits, turning his eyes back on the screen in front of him.
"They didn't expel you?"
Maxi snorts, confused, staring Kina with a surprised look. "Why I would be expelled? This schools rank in the grading system would drop if they now let me go," he states surely, using very proud sound in his voice.
"Wow, you actually said something like that out loud..," Kina smirks.
"What? It's true."
"You get used to it. He really loves praising himself," Viola points out when she sits finally down, shares the drinks she brought with her. Then she shows a smirk to Maxi. "To the point it gets really annoyed."
"Then why you are sitting here?" Maxi snaps back, smiling, leaning his face a little closer. "I will talk only about myself if you stay."
"That's fine. You have been a real mystery to me all this time anyway," Kina jumps in, taking her drink.
"Can't you take a hint.. I'm trying to make you guys leave me alone.. I have things to do," Maxi says quietly, sighings out, looking Kina.
"When you are done, would you like to go with us to the mall?" Viola asks then, making guy look at her now. No matter what he says, these girls weren't planning to leave.
"..Why I would go to mall with you?"
"To clear your mind? You look quite stressed."
"You two are making me stressed here.."
But Viola doesn't let his harsh words mind her. By now she has develop a filter to deal Maxis way to talk. Even when she was acceptably the source of his anger herself. "Three a clock? At your car? We kinda need a ride there.."
Maxi doesn't drop his stare for a while. Neither does Viola. Until guy practically gives up and moves his eyes back on the screen. This girl is a nuisance he sometimes doesn't know how to handle. Nothing he says could shake her anymore. "Say 'pretty please'.."
"Pretty please," girls both repeat straight.
Maxi sighs. After a short silence he takes the coffee cup on his hand and drinks. "We eat out. Your treat."
"Yes!" girls show wide smiles and clap their hands together.
- - - -
"No way I'm going in there..," Maxi clears straight when all three were standing in front of the underwear store. This was their fourth stop and so far Maxi has just followed them without a word of complain. But in there he doesn't want to go.
"Uuh, is our bad boy shy here?" Kina teases him while walking forward.
"If you try some on there I will be shy enough to be your judge. Can I watch you change? Otherwise I'm not interested going in," Maxi answers, using very flat voice.
"Yeah, perverts can stay out..," Kina shows her middle finger without looking back.
Viola gives her bags she was carrying to Maxi. "You can wait here. She's just gonna pick up a present for his boyfriend. I will make sure it won't take long," she smiles, claps her hands together as an apology and walks behind Kina.
Maxi was about to speak back but fastly swallows his words. Sighing once again his frustration out, he turns and walks toward the railing behind him. "What am I, your servant?"
Time passes. Maxi was reading news from his phone, looking toward the store in time to time, waiting. Girls were still in. Carefully eyeing the items around them.
"Yo, Maximus!" this familiar sounding voice is calling him out loud. This stupid nick name was used only by one person in Maxi's life. And that guy was now suddenly standing next to him, smiling widely. "How rare to see you here. You waiting someone?"
"Dylan," Maxi lets out a relieved sigh when he could recognize his friend. Now this was a perfect time this guy to show up. Without a break Maxi pushes the bags to the other guy. "Take these. You abandon the bags or leave with them, I will break your legs. I need to use the toilet." After saying so, Maxi boldly just leaves toward the public toilet area, leaving Dylan stand on his spot, speechless, thinking what exactly just happened.
And when girls were finally ready and walking out of the store, they were abashed to see someone else than Maxi standing out there, with their bags, calmly eyeing the level below them while leaning to the railing.
This guy was quite tall too, having his blonde hair halfly tied up. He was wearing very casual colorful outfit, having this good guy vibe on him. So girls didn't feel that hard to approach him. "Emm, excuse me.. Those bags.."
Guy turns his look on them, immediately showing a wide smile after realizing there were girls to speak with. He raises the bags toward the girls. "Are these yours? You are friends with Maxi?"
After hearing this guy indeed knows Maxi, Viola and Kina drop their wariness. "Yeah. Did he run off?" Viola smiles carefully.
"Who would run off..," Maxi taps his fist on her head, clearing he was already back. When Viola turns around to meet his eyes, Maxi lows his hand. "Toilet."
"Ah, then, thanks for guarding our bags while he was gone," Viola turns back, smiling to the other guy.
"No mind," Dylan smiles back and intends to introduce himself, since his friend here would never bother to do so without asking. "I'm Dylan."
"Viola. Nice to meet you," she introduces herself properly. Then pointing Kina next to her who waves her hand once. "This is Kina."
"Nice to meet you too. It's very unusual see Maxi hanging out with girls like this. Makes me so curious..," guy says, now looking toward Maxi who shows him annoyed look back.
"I'm filling my duty as their driver. She is my neighbor," Maxi clears, noding his head toward Viola while taking the bags back from Dylan.
Dylan puts his flirt smile on. "To think Maxi bothers doing so must mean there is something very special about you," he smiles to Viola. Then turns to look at Kina. "So, which one is the girlfriend?"
Maxi lets out a deep sigh.
Kina smirks, looking Viola, then Dylan. "Not me," she so have to take a part of this teasing. She liked straight behaving guys like this one. They were bold, but knew when to back off. A great ally when needed.
Now Dylan turns his eyes on Viola again. "So, Viola? You are the type he likes?"
"Not really my type..," Maxi clears quietly.
"Really?" Dylan smirks, actually looking at him now. "Then you don't mind if I try to get her attention? She is quite cute."
"I know she is cute. But as long as I live as her neighbor there is no way I let her date a player like you," Maxi states surely. "Seeing an idiot like you everyday would be annoying. Lowing my IQ."
"Wow, they are fighting over you..," Kina whispers, smiling.
"Don't you think it's just them teasing each other?" Viola thinks out loud. "I'm just an easy subject here."
"Oh, you are a sharp one," Dylan laughs. "I'm joking here. My man here is a great guy, deep down. Please befriend with him more. I was worried he might end up all alone because of his shitty personality."
"Stop speaking nonsense. I'm rather alone than surrounded by idiots," Maxi points harshly out.
"With that attitude your girl will grow sick of you," Dylan turns his look to Viola, showing an apologetic smile.
"You get used to it. He really doesn't mean all what he says," Viola corrects smiling.
"Hoo, you admit being his girl?" guy winks his eye.
"He doesn't see me as a girl though," Viola laughs. "Said so himself."
"Like hell he doesn't.."
"Are you here for practise? Where are the two others?" Maxi asks, changing the subject.
"Indeed I was," Dylan straightens his pose. "It's getting pretty intense from now on. We have a huge gig next month. Three bands in and we are one of them. Oh, by the way, do you have time next week? We would seriously need your help."
"Sure. There is nothing major going on right now."
"You play in the band??" both girls get excited after hearing Dylan talking about bands.
"Singer guitarist," guy clears proudly.
- - - -
Since they were planning to eat out and the time of Kina meeting up with his boyfriend was near, the whole group, with Dylan of course, head to this popular snack restaurant in the area.
"You don't want anything, Dylan?" Viola asks when she realizes that guy wasn't showing any intention to get in the line with them, but heading to find a good table for them.
"No. I'm good. Just ate with the guys. Your boyfriend can buy me a drink," he casually shows the V sign and keeps heading near the windows.
"Buy your own drinks..," Maxi tsihs quietly, not even looking back at him, but the list above them.
"What do I want..?" Kina was also eyeing the list.
"What if we order mixes. Finger foods. And share," Viola suggests.
Maxi hums back immediately, agreeing with her plan. "I can do that."
"Then, here is my share," Kina sends Viola money with one easy click with her smart phone. "I take cola." After that she heads toward their table, leaving ordering to others.
"Hi. Welcome to Xs. What I could get for you?"
Maxi hums as greets, turning his look down to the list on the desk. "We will take these three mixes. Eat here."
"Thank you. What about the dressings? Your order includes seven."
"We should try different ones, since we are all the way here?" Maxi turns to look Viola, asking, but more like getting her approval. So Viola just nods. That sounds fine to her.
"What you would like to drink?" the surver asks next.
"You have cucumber soda? Yes, one of those. One Cola. Dylan drinks anything so make that two. I will take water."
"There is fresh ice water and glasses on every table. It includes free in every order. Is that okay? Or do you want a bigger cup? We also have normal soda if you like."
"No. It's good," Maxi answers straight while searching his phone. "That was all. Thanks. How much is it?"
"That would be XX totally."
While Maxi pays with his phone, Viola couldn't help but show a smirk toward him. "Wasn't I supposed to pay your share here? Now you just start acting like a real boyfriend."
"You can pay me later. It was more convenient like this when I gave the order," he just says while smirking back to her. "This is me being nice. Be honored to receive some from me. I will do that until you get yourself a real boyfriend. Unfortunately I don't date stupid girls. Don't fall for me now."
"I thought you would say something like that," Viola laughs. "Jerk."
"You sure those two are not dating?" Dylan quietly asks from Kina. They were both looking that sweet looking flirting from further, while sitting at the table.
"I know right!" Kina states. "They look so natural together. I just don't get them."
"Well, Maxi is not that easy to approach," Dylan thinks out loud. "He can be a really nice guy when he wants. But he is also one big jerk.."
"He is. But Viola is a pro of handling him by now. She herself is sometimes just too airhead..," other sighs. "If I had a guy like that taking care of my meals everyday I would have fall in love already.. My Thomas can't even cook.."
"What? He takes care of her meals??"
Kina hums, looking back. "Been doing that a while now. It's some kind of arrangement between them. Viola is a spoiled brat. If she could, she would live only with candy and colorful pencils. So.. somehow they ended up like that."
Dylan looks at Maxi and Viola who were now walking toward them, Maxi holding their drinks. "Well, Maxi is definitely that kind of a guy. He can't ignore others in need.."
"How did you know what I wanted to drink? I think I have never told you..," Viola awes out loud while they approach the table.
"Like anyone could forget that bizarre drink," Maxi tsihs and puts the tray down on the table. Girls place was full of those soda bottles. And he has seen her drinking some at school as well. It wasn't hard to guess what she would most surely want. "Besides, some of the foods here are spicy. So cucumber is good for you." He also knows very well by now Viola couldn't eat too spicy food. Even when girl once said he can eat anything. One pasta day a week ago proved her wrong.
After they settled down, Maxi turns his eyes on Dylan while already handing him his drink. "It's cola for you," he reports.
"Thank you ♥"
"Where you guys met? At school? Were you in the band too, Maxi?" Kina then starts asking, wondering how exactly these two know each other. Their personalities were very different, like day and night. "Will you be playing guitar too??"
"It wasn't that kind of help I meant. Unfortunately he doesn't play any instruments," Dylan fastly corrects smiling. "But how we met is related to music. Back in high school. I think it was during my sophomore year. I was in the music room, Maxi was just passing by and heard our friend, Michael, playing piano." He looks at Maxi who was staring back, sighing, asking with his annoyed look was guy seriously planning to talk about that now. But Dylan just continues. "If I remember right you asked him to play the song he just had played for fun. Some turkey thing.."
Maxi snorts. "It was Rondo Alla Turca.."
"Anyway. Michael did. Maxi thank and left," Dylan keeps, smiling. "He was so weird. Just leaving after that. But then, later the same day, I happened to walk near the music room and heard someone playing piano. Or trying it out. I peeked in and this guy was standing there, playing the right hand part from the same song Michael played earlier. Clearly he had problems finding the right rhythm.. So he start over. And just like that, guy who had never played piano before, played the part out just from his memory."
"Woow, really?" girls looked now Maxi, who just hums.
"I wouldn't call that playing. I just played the same keys. It wasn't even the whole song, just the beginning.."
"Even so I thought that was awesome. Turned out he was there only to try if playing piano would be worth to learn. Did you know?" Dylan leans his hands on the table, looking the girls. "This guy has a perfect memory. Can remember anything after seeing or hearing it only once."
- - - -
"I'm so envious. I wish I have as good memory as you..," Viola sighs and closes her eyes. "Sometimes I can't even remember what I did two minutes ago.."
"That just makes you an airhead," Maxi clears heartlessly while driving. After Dylan had spend a lot of time explaining about how exactly Maxi ended up being the unofficial organizer of their band, the guy behind the wheel here felt extremely tired now. He spend too much energy today. Answering stupid questions after about his so called talent.
Usually Maxis friends, like Dylan and Michael, didn't bother to bring the subject up anymore, since they have known each other years now. But because there were new people in Maxi's life, Dylan kind of get too excited. He simple has always think his friend is amazing. Under that vicious mask, there is a nice guy who Dylan want people to know. But the guy himself could hide it well, doesn't bother to show those 'good' sides for just anyone.
Maxi has just too used to be different. Too used to be alone. Speaking straight and unfriendly is just too normal to him by now when everyone already seem to have some kind of presumption about him. That he seriously hates.
They were coming back from the city. Since it was already October, it was getting darker earlier and earlier. Even when it's just a little past seven now, the streetlights were all on already. "Should we go to store? While we are here?" Maxi asks, trying to plan where to drive next.
Viola hums. But keeps thinking how convenient Maxis talent must be. "If I tell you a litany of numbers, will you remember it all?"
"Please, stop. My friends have already tortured me enough," guy sighs annoyed. "This is exactly why I stop mentioning it in the first place.. It's annoying.."
"No wonder you can just sleep all day long. You don't even have to study, don't have to memories things. Just read it once."
"That's not how it works," Maxi clears and drives the car in front of their regular grocery store. "Besides, there is a lot of downsides as well. To have this oh so great talent of mine.." Now that the car stood still, he turns his pissed off look on Viola. "Like people thinking I don't need to do anything for my grades."
"Sorry..," Viola apologizes quietly. Indeed, that was quite thoughtless from her, jump to that cliché conclusion.
"You are?" Maxi tsihs and opens the door, jumps out.
Viola sighs and follows him out. When Maxi starts heading toward the entrance, Viola takes a strong hold of his sleeve, stops his steps. "I'm sorry. That was rude to think so. I know you take seriously everything you do. You work hard. That has nothing to do with your memory."
Maxi turns to look at her. After seeing her sad eyes looking down, he sighs deeply out, turns his own face away. Calms down. Now he wasn't planning to act harsh enough to make this girl look this remorseful. Maxi has already used to people seeing him as Viola just described. No reason to get angry everytime he hears it. "I get it..," young man says quietly, holds his hand on Violas head, petting her hair a little, without looking at her. "Don't worry about it."
Viola hums. Maxi was always fast to get angry. But clearly fast to calm down as well.
"Think what you want to eat," Maxi adds, lowing his hand back down. "I'll be away the whole weekend so.. Anything you want.. I will make it. Can't let you starve to death while I'm gone."
Viola hums again, glancing him. "Then.. I want pancakes.."
A tap on her head with a fist is Maxis first answer. "Okay. Curry it is," he sighs out then, smiling to her. "Silly."
Viola lows his head. Hums again.
"Let's go," Maxi adds and starts moving.
This kind of soft way Maxi could act when he wasn't bullying or insulting others felt very unfair sometimes. Viola wonders was he like that toward everyone. Giving this kind of attention. Being this kind..
Thinking that made her feel somehow uneasy. A little jealous, even. Because when ever they were alone like this.. Viola just wanted the time around them stop.
This Maxi.. by her side..
..she doesn't want to share with anyone.