"Hey. Are you still at school?" Maxi asks while throwing his bag on the back seats, closing the door. "I left the box in your fridge. Help yourself out." The older man sitting behind the wheel turns his look to Maxi who now opens the front door and sits in next to him. "Yeah, I'm leaving now."
"It will be so weird without you around," Viola sighs smiling, over acting a little. She indeed is still at school, in the cafeteria to be precise, with Kina of course. "Thankfully Kina will be with me!" She puts the call on speaker mode. "Say hi to Maxi."
"Hi Maxi!" Kina calls happily.
"I will have a nice and quiet weekend without you two around. My ears will thank me," guy tsihs smiling. "Can't wait."
"Rude. You should be happy we bring some light in your life," Kina gives back. "I will take good care of Viola. Don't you worry."
"Have a nice trip," Violas voice speaks next.
Maxi hums. "See you," he ends the call and puts his phone away.
"You didn't tell me you got yourself a girlfriend," man next to him smiles and finally starts the car. This is Maxi's foster father, Karim Wahn, from who he actually got his current surname too.
This weekend Maxi is about to spend with his foster family. As for their regular gathering which was arrenged from time to time. And having a ride right from the school area was convenient too. Officially, Karim is a professor of medicine, physician, teaching medical students in the very same school Maxi is in. That's one of the reasons Maxi apply in this very college in the first place.
"She is not my girlfriend. She's my neighbor..," Maxi answers, already used to correct people around him about that little mistake.
"Then, how is it going with Layla?"
"Ignores me after I asked her out."
"Really? Layla? That was unexpected..," Karim awes. "Doesn't sound like her at all. Did you insult her or something?"
"Fuck you. I didn't."
"Watch your language. Maybe you have got it all wrong. Give her time. Layla likes you more than you think," man wonders, drops the topic. "Anyway, I think of re-asking you about your plans for next year? Are you really planning to stay here? You could easily move at any school you want. Aim higher. I could arrange a scholarship for you, for example. This kind of normal college is not for you."
"I like being here. And if I want to get an architect name on me this is one of the places to be, right?" younger states. He doesn't really care aiming anywhere. But was currently just settling for his current life here.
"Sure, if that's what you really want. I honestly think you chose this area randomly just because Layla suggest you to do so."
"What? You think I chose wrongly here?"
"Indeed, not many can say they know by your age what they really want to do when they grow up. Some change career even in their forties. That's fine. But in your case this place is just clearly a waste of your time," Karim speaks out his real thoughts. "You lack of ambition. And interest. That's a shame."
To that Maxi doesn't answer. But focuses rather eyeing the city around them through the window. He couldn't help it if he doesn't know what he want. Everything seem so pointless in his mind.
"Did Joel contact you? He is coming too," older notes, to break the silence.
"Why he of all would ever try to contact me..?" Maxi just tsihs back. "He was kind enough to ask me vanish from his life. If I could I would just do that."
Karim lets out impatient sigh. "That was a long time ago. You have both grown up from that.. Show you have, at least, and try to behave."
"Sure.."
Karim looks at the younger once, then shows a wide smile. To think this gloomy brat was smiling that happily just a few minutes ago. "So, that neighbor.." Maxi glances him, kind of already knowing where this was going. "You sure she is not your girlfriend? You looked very cheerful while you talk with her.."
"You want me repeat myself..?"
After realizing this definitely put Maxi on his toes, he couldn't help but tease more. "You have access to her place? Suspicious. You should have just bring her with you. I would love to meet her. We welcome your friends anytime."
"Just shut up.."
"What does she study? Is she smart?"
"Hah, that girl is the very opposite of being smart," now Maxi finally shows some attitude out. "I have no idea what she does. But we are on the same line, kind of. She had to participate the lecture I head, about the types of modern architecture."
"Shouldn't you pay more attention? Not even knowing the main things about your girls life.. She will run away from you if you keep thinking only yourself."
"Ha?" now Maxi loses it. What this was about now all of a sudden?
"I bet she is very cute. If you can unmind her being not 'as smart as you'," man actually severs his other hand from the wheel for a second to show quotation marks with his fingers. "Now I really want to meet her even more.."
Maxi snorts, turns his look away. He has had enough of this nonsense. Doesn't say anything anymore.
People around him really were idiots..
- - - -
When girls get in Violas place, the first thing Viola did was to check what Maxi has made for her. Indeed there was one lunchbox with curry meal in it, with a note 'Dinner' on it.
But there was another box next to it. When Viola opens it, she could see eight small pancakes in it. The note sticked on this box was more detailed. 'This is your dessert. Share it with your friend.'
"He really made me pancakes..," Viola smiles. This warm happy feeling inside her felt quite overwhelming right now. And that smile didn't get unnoticed from Kina who now walks next to her in front of the fridge, looking what was inside the box.
She shows a smile. "And that is him spoiling you," Kina whispers. Then speaks with louder voice. "And me. It clearly says I can have some too."
"I can't really argue. It says 'friend' here..," Viola teases back, laughing.
- - - -
Maxi opens the door to his old room, let himself in. Everything is still the same, just like year and a half ago when he pack his stuff and move to the Havana College. Of course he has visited once in a while during this time, his foster mother making sure this room looked still the same, welcoming him in when ever he would come back.
Next to the well made bed is his work table, empty, showing the student who once used to sit here hours and hours per day doesn't live here anymore. There were books. A lot. The bookshelf on the other side of the room is full of them. But they weren't just any books. Maxi has never been interested of fictions and tales. But facts. Those kind of books you could find in here.
Maxi doesn't need time to check his room. He could easily tell with one look if everything was still the same. And it was. He drops his bag on the floor and sits down on the bed, breathing deeply in and out.
The drive here took almost three hours. And albeit he slept most of that time, he still feels pretty exhausted. Thinking that he needs to act sociable with his brother soon was tiring enough. But both his foster parents were here. His sister would be here too. With them around he will manage.
As a habit, Maxi checks his phone. Reading news from different sides, even globally, or searching something new to quick study is part of his everyday life. So far, pretty much anything he seriously want to learn about, he remembers it easily later. It wasn't that he could remember every little thing he ever sees or hears. But things he were really into stay forever in his memory. Things he gave attention even without realizing it really stuck in his mind. Along with all the not so pleasant things which he would rather forget.
That was why he mostly likes to be alone. It's easier not to deal people, like those who first talk shit about him, then forgets all about it or pretends later they never said anything. It's easy for them. Maxi can't let go of those words. He can't pretend unhearing them when he could easily remember it like it was happening right now.
There is no such thing than not live in the past for him..
The small icon on the left corner of his phone screen tells Maxi there's an unread message. It's from Viola. Immediately he opens it to see a photo of a plate of pancakes. 'Thank you ♥. They were delicious!' is written there.
Looking at the time the message was send Maxi smirks and clicks his tongue. "Like hell she ate it for dessert. Cheater..," he whispers, finding himself smiling while still looking at the photo. Just this simple message made him instantly feel more light.
There is suddenly a warm press inside his chest, waking him up from this trance he had just fallen in while reading this message. Immediately he stands up, puts the phone on his table and walks a few steps forward. Stops.
His face welt suddenly warm. Hell no, this wasn't a normal panic attack, right? There is some rational reason behind here. Maxi was thinking about pancakes. Anyone who likes pancakes would gladly have some too if they felt this tired and stressed!
Hell no, he isn't even that tired anymore. Suddenly he feels more energy. Way more energy. Too energy. It clearly wasn't about the pancakes!
"Hell no!" Maxi tsihs out loud, wears his annoyed mood and walks out of the room.
He has pent-up frustrations. It was time to force them out. Pretend he never ever thought what he just accidentally thought a second ago.
Maxi rushes the stairs down to the main level, getting his jacket, looking for his shoes while putting it on.
"Hey, Maxi. Going out?" a woman standing in the kitchen shows a smile toward him after realizing her youngest child looking quite annoyed all of a sudden. She's Maxi's foster mother, Miranda.
"Gonna chop some wood..," Maxi answers while stepping out of the house.
Yes. Cutting firewoods will be a nice way to distract him. There's no way he was thinking about Viola like that just now..
- - - -
The same evening. 155 miles from where Maxi's foster parents live, there is a specific duo spending their time in Viola's house, sitting on the floor under some filts, both their eyes intently staring the TV screen, watching this popular horror movie.
And damn wasn't it addictive. Scary. But addictive. You just couldn't stop watching when all you want to know is what would happen next.
This atmosphere made them both very tense.
And when the sudden ringing could be heard behind them, they both totally lose it.
"WHO THE HELL IS IT?!" Kina crys while squeezing the pillow she had hugged during the whole movie. She totally had a heart attack just now..
Viola pauses the video and fastly reaches her phone on the table. "Maxi is calling.."
"Oh, a boyfriend call..," Kina calms down a little and waves her hand. "Hurry up and answer. It better be something important.. Maybe he misses you already."
"You are really starting to make me think we are a thing here..," Viola tsihs and answers the call. "Hi. You totally ruined our movie night.."
"I am deeply sorry. Please continue after answering me this. What exactly are you studying? Designing?" Maxi speaks back, with a very flat voice.
"You ruined our movie because of that? She was just chased by a ghost..," Viola tsihs smiling.
"Just answer the question..," Maxi tsihs back, annoyed. He was sitting on the floor in his room, some book piles around him. In the middle of something so he want to rush this.
Viola sighs. Thinks a little to get her mind back from that scary movie. "Hmm. Interior designing. Or at least pro writing about it? Not sure yet what I want to do really. But decorating houses is what I like to do. Why are you asking?"
"I was.. just confirming something here.."
"Confirming what?"
"No need you to know. Thank you for your time. Good night," Maxi states calmly and just ends the call. And lows his hand down, lets out a deep sigh. Leaning his head against the bed behind him.
Confirming indeed. Just hearing that girls voice was effecting his calm. This here.. must be.. a crush..
How ever! This is probably his mind playing tricks. Those mistaken words from others were now making him think too much. There is no way he would develop a real crush toward someone like her. That spoiled airhead is the least attractive person Maxi knows! No matter how close they are! No matter how cute she is!
His type is very different! Someone mature. Smart. Someone who with he could have a conversations about things like architecture, hard math problems, quantum mechanics.. At least someone who could speak Latin with him! This girl doesn't even know the brand of her phone she's using!
This is just a temporary state in Maxi's mind. Because of dopamine, oxytocin and vasopressin. The adrenaline rush causes these stupid symptoms. This feeling will fade away over time.
Maxi just needs to wait that to happen. Pretend this mistake never happened.
After he had think this through Maxi closes his eyes, sighs his desperation out.
"This is really bad.."
- - - -
"Viola.."
Viola gets back from her deep thoughts and turns her eyes on Kina, who was glaring her from the other side of the table. "Hmm?"
"I asked what you were planning today?" Kina repeats sighing. "What are you spacing out?"
"Aah, no. I was just thinking what time he will come back today..," Viola admits smiling. "Sorry. I have no plans. Other than maybe study some. Since the testweek is close.." Then she drops her smile. "Arch, I'll be so doomed. Every three major tests will all be during the same week.. I'm so bad at everything math related.."
It was already Sunday. Girls had spend a fun weekend together, watching movies, hanging in the mall, doing everything else than thinking about studying. They were sitting at their regular table in their regular cafeteria, which was open even on Sundays, even while the school building itself is officially closed.
"If you miss Maxi that much why don't you call him?" Kina smirks, teasing.
"I don't miss him.. that much.. kinda..," Viola says quietly, leaning his head down on her arms. "But you are leaving today. I don't wanna be alone.. I don't wanna study.."
"Ask him to tutor you when he gets back. He can't refuse if you are the one asking," Kina states, being very sure with her words.
"Why I would ask him tutor me..?" Viola wonders then, not really being on the same page than Kina.
"To spend some more time with him! Daa!" other tsihs, unbelieving her friend couldn't take a hint here.
Viola blushes. Raising her head. "Wha- I didn't say I need more time with him!"
"It's written all over your face.. Don't try to fool me here," Kina shows a smile and leans closer. "If he helps you study, he might realize how cute you really are. And starts to like you for real."
"That's not gonna happen..," Viola clears surely, moving her blushing face away.
The way Viola could act looked so adorable. "But you like him?" Kina asks then.
"Of course I like him.. He makes me pancakes..," Viola answers quietly, hiding her face. Even so, how she feels doesn't matter. They were too deep in their friend-line here. If you could even call this a friendship at all. This was like a neigbor partnership. Someone like Viola is far from Maxi's interest. Guy even said so himself.
Since her friend here isn't even thinking to do anything, but just settle for this current state of them, Kina wanted to give her a encouraging push. "Then are you fine if someone else gets his attention?" Kina says, not giving any mercy here. She wants her friend to understand that what ever is between Viola and her neigbor isn't just normal. But quite unique. "Right now you are the one who he sees everyday. Who he interacts everyday. You think there will be time for you if you let someone else take your place? Not gonna happen. You will lose him."
Viola is now staring Kina in silence. This confused look on her. Clearly trying to sort her thoughts. What Kina just said.. was making her feel even more uneasy. "You are wicked amor, do you know that..?" she whispers then, giving a sharp glance. Showing a sign of surrender. She couldn't hide her true feelings in front of her best friend here. Of course she really liked Maxi. After all this time together how Viola could even think otherwise.
Even with the mean side Maxi could sometimes show out, he's indeed very reliable. Kind. Caring. Under all that harsh act.
Kina shows a wider smile. "Then call him now. What you have to lose?" she states. "Make him think only you until he can't be without you. There is no way he can unlike you. Just saying. It's a hunch of mine."
"Even when you say so.. It's hopeless. I think I'm happy enough just to be with him," Viola smiles, searching her phone. "But.. even if he could never see me more than just a neighbor... I don't wanna miss my change. To have him around.. While I still can."
And without thinking too much, Viola searches Maxis number on the list and makes a call.
Kina sighs out. Well, this was at least some kind of progress. Viola admiting her feelings. She will thank Kina later. It's sometimes very annoying to watch those two together. Not themselves even realizing how good match they were.
"Hello."
"Maxi. When are you coming back?" Viola asks, sounding suddenly so happy, that Kina actually just smirks to her reaction.
"I'm already back."
"Ha? You are??"
Maxi hums, walking the stairs down and heading toward the front doors. "But I'm not home yet. Had things to do in school."
"You are here? Where?"
"In the entrance.."
Viola turns to look on their left, through these huge glassy walls which separated the lobby and this cafeteria. Their eyes met. Maxi was indeed standing further in the other side of the wall, looking back, carrying his bag, holding his phone.
"Did you have something? I wasn't planning to cook today," Maxi notes, not dropping his look.
"No! No need. Are you done already? Are you heading back now?" Viola couldn't low her wide smile. She felt suddenly so happy to see her neighbor again.
"What is with all these questions..? Annoying..," Maxi tsihs. But shows back a smile while turning to move toward the entrance. "I'm going back now. If you didn't have anything, I'm ending this call. Say hi to that sidekick from me." He waves his hand.
"No! Wait! I'll go back with you," Viola stands fastly up, taking her jacket while looking Kina who is just smiling to her. Violas hied reaction is so amusing to witness.
"Good luck," Kina waves her hand to tell Viola it was alright her to leave. Kina's own ride will be here any minute now anyway.
Viola smiles back, waves and rushes out from the cafeteria, after the guy who was slowly walking ahead. When she could catch him, Maxi turns to look at her. "So? Spit it out."
"Ha?"
"You called. You have something," Maxi clears while holding the door to Viola pass first.
"Ah, yeah," Viola hums and pretends to clear her throat, to make her sound like very serious now. "I was thinking.. if you have time.. and nothing to do.. you could help me study?"
"Hell no."
"Ha?!" girl tsihs surprised. "An instant no??"
"If you have no brains to study yourself, get a real tutor," Maxi glances her while walking ahead of her. "There is no way I will have patient with someone like you. Besides, I don't do tutoring."
"But you are the smartest guy in our school! Your way of teaching is much easier to understand. I promise I will study hard!" Viola begs, rushes to walk next to him while clapping her hands together to support her gesture. Not just that she would be able to hang out with Maxi even more, she really needs help here. She's sometimes easy to space out. Could forget everything she just read if it was too booring.
"Last time you fall asleep while I was teaching you," Maxi smirks and leans his head closer. "I'm worried my voice is too tiring for you. No can do. Find someone else."
"I will pay you!"
"I said no.."
"I can help and cook for us too! You can take it easy."
"You trying to kill us..?" Maxi sighs out. Girl was very desperate if she thought she cooking would be a good idea ever.
"Then.. Anything! I will buy you anything if you help me here!" Viola keeps begging. "Just during the next week when ever you have time. Pretty please."
"It would be a waste of efforts try to poke any knowledge in an airhead who can't even understand the word 'no'," Maxi keeps mocking. Indeed, what the hell did he see in this girl. Most of the time she is just damn annoying..
Viola tsihs, moving her face away. "I will keep asking until you say yes," she states then calmly. "Now I thought neighbors were to help each other."
"Ha?" now is Maxi's time to act surprised. He stops his steps.
"I helped you earlier.. with the girl talk..," Viola sniffs, showing this very hurted look. Then she checks others reaction, not even trying to hide her intents here. Was that effective enough?
Maxi is just staring at her in silence. Then he closes his eyes and sighs. He knows exactly Viola is just pretending to be sad now. Still that act could make him instantly regret his words. That's stupid! He isn't wrong here! Is this how things get when you start to like someone??
Maxis logical reasoning couldn't fight against the nonsense this girl is asking from him. He has totally let Viola sweet talk him at some point. This is bad. Very freaking bad.. Spending even more of his time with the one Maxi apparently has feelings for would be the worst. Even now it was kind of difficult to stand here without him really feeling it in. Wasn't he, like, planning to take his time to snap out of this?
Doing as this girl was asking from him would just do the opposite!
"Pretty please?" Viola smiles. Was this silence a good thing now? Maxi was seriously thinking should he help her? If so that would mean more time together! Viola should use all her tricks here to win this battle!
Maxi turns his eyes away. "I have time only during evenings. After you have informed me exactly what your tests are about, I will make you a self-studying plan what you will follow. No whining. No crying. And if something you can't understand comes up, I will beat that knowledge in your stupid head until you get it. If you have some unnecessary jobs like helping useless teachers, you will drop them all out now. Our aim is not just you pass. I accept only good results from my students. If you fail, there will be a punishment. Be prepared."
Viola's eyes went wide open. "Really?! YOU WILL HELP ME??" she smiles happily. "Thank you! I will work hard!"
"Yes you will," Maxi tsihs, annoyed from Violas overly happy reaction here. Seeing that made him even more uneasy here. If he isn't having a panic attack soon, that just now was his heart skipping a beat. "Be free to feel happy now. I know from facts you will regret soon asking me to do this."
But Viola ignores his whining. She is so overwhelmingly happy right now. With Maxis help she will definitely pass here! Besides, she isn't scared of studying hard. Her whole school life has been struggle toward her way to this very college. To the line where she want to work.
Now she is one step closer to that dream. Plus she could have a memorable college time, especially while spending it with her secret crush here.
- - - -
Maxi sits down on his stairs and puts the cup full of coffee next to him, lighting his smoke. As like part of his morning routines, his eyes turn to look toward the house on the left from his, searching the girl living in there under his look. But he couldn't see a thing. There were no lights on yet.
Viola couldn't possible be still sleeping, right?
Well, even if she is, there's no rush yet. Maxi was usually up very early anyway. So he lets it be for now. Waking himself slowly up with the power of nicotine and caffeine.
An hour later there is still no lights on in the neighbor house. Maxi is brushing his teeth while looking out the window to verify that fact. So as a good, not-so-worried, neighbor, he searches his phone and makes a call. Cannot be reached. The phone is probably switched off.
So after a long sigh, Maxi walks back to his restroom, finishes his cleaning routines and starts heading out. It was half past seven already. Now he couldn't ignore this anymore.
As a good neighbor, he should at least check if that girl was still alive there.
"Viola?" Maxi asks aloud after letting himself in Viola's house. No answer. He turns on one of the lights in the living area, eyeing toward the bedroom which is at the back of the house.
And in there he could find Viola. Sleeping soundly on the bed under her blanket. Looking quite happy, no idea she is about to be late at school.
How you wake up someone without causing them panic or something..? Should Maxi just turn on the lights. Yell out?
Maxi sighs and leans down next to the bed. This girls sleeping face was indeed quite cute. "Yo, zombie. I bet you want to wake up now. You will be late from school."
"Yo, Maxi..," Viola actually speaks back while still clearly being half asleep. "Why you are here? Did I pass the tests?"
"To be a careless person test, yes, you did," Maxi smiles.
Viola opens her eyes, tiredly looking back at him. "Can we have pizza today?"
Maxi gets back up, gently petting her hair before turning the lights on. "If we won't be late, then yes. Hurry up. It's almost quarter to eight," he states calmly, leaves this small bedroom. "Get up. I will pack your bag."
Now Viola is totally awake. Fastly she gets up to sit, searching her phone. The screen is black. "WHY IT'S OFF! OH SHIT I'M REALLY LATE!"
That was the very first time ever Maxi heard Viola swearing. Couldn't believe that well-mannered girl would even dare to use such a word. Smirking, guy is calmly picking the right books from the table into Violas blue bag. "Don't ask me.."
Viola was already up, searching her clothes, then rushing to the living area. "No no no, this is not happening. No, we will not be late, I want my pizza. WHY DIDN'T YOU WAKE ME UP EARLIER!?"
"Don't blame me. I was nice enough to wake you up now," Maxi tsihs while turning his look on Viola. Girl was wearing only a shirt and some pink pants. "Oh, panties," smilingly he notes out loud what he was seeing.
"Don't look!" Viola cries, blushing, while jumping in the restroom.
Maxi snorts back and packs the rest of Violas stuff in. Getting a peek of something like that was a great reward. Totally worth it.
When Viola is finally ready, she follows Maxi out, trying to think if she had everything with her what she needed. Well, technically she didn't. Maxi was carrying her bag for her. And doesn't show any sign of giving it back to its owner just yet. Instead, Maxi hands over a juice box her to drink. "Let's go," guy says calmly and turns his back to her, starts walking toward the school area. "If we are lucky we won't be late."
Viola hums and follows. Now that all the fuss was behind her and they were actually heading to school, Viola had time to process what exactly happened this morning.
Her phone had went off, so the alarm couldn't wake her up. Without Maxi she might be still sleeping. Not that it would have been that serious, sleep in, but it would have cause her annoying trouble later. But..
While opening the juice box and drinking, Viola was eyeing the guy walking in front of him. Isn't Maxi gonna say anything? Scold her or something? Wasn't he way too calm here when he might be late as well just because he have to wait her?
More importantly! The way how he just simple packed her books without a sign of being bothered was too much! This guy was too nice! No wonder Viola could not not have this kind of feelings toward him! That's playing unfair!
Maybe it really wasn't a trouble for him.. This guy remembers everything. Knows Viola's scedule because he was now tutoring her. Knows out of memory what classes she has today..
Out of memory.. No.. wait..
This guy totally saw here half naked just a few minutes ago!
Immediately blushing, Viola almost chokes on her drink. Even Maxi turns to check is she okay. When their eyes met, Viola fastly turns her look away.
"Erase it all.. From your memory..," Viola whispers then.
It takes a second Maxi to realize what Viola was talking about. Blushing that badly could mean only one thing.
Maxi smirks and slowly turns back, still looking the girl behind him. "Too bad. I have quite good memory so I will stick to that one for sure," he states proudly, turns his look away and keeps walking.