Bradley watched as Roxanne walked up to her seat, serious. Her bangs were covering her eyes, so it was hard for him to read her expression. Had something happened?
He turned his attention toward the door, watching as Max came in, looking utterly defeated. Had they gotten into some sort of fight?
Roxanne slumped a seat away from him, not bothering to say hi to him. This wasn't like her.
"Roxy?" he whispered as Professor Kreutzer walked into the classroom.
She turned to look at him startled.
"Oh, Bradley, hello," she said, forcing a smile. "How are you?"
"I'm sorry but I believe the better question is how are you doing?" he said, scooting over to the seat right next to her.
"I- I just have a lot going on, and a lot to think about," she said, still smiling. He could see that her eyes were beginning to water.
"Fair enough," he responded, not wanting to make her cry during class. This was not over though.
He turned to look at Max who had his head down on the table. He hadn't bothered to take out his books. Yeah, this had something to do with them both.
He tried to pay attention in class, but it was so hard. He couldn't help but worry about Roxanne, and he tried so hard to not look at the clock.
Roxanne didn't know how to feel. She wished that this was all a dream. Could Mona be lying? She wouldn't put it past her if she was being honest.
But was she being fair? This was before her and Max, and Max was right, she couldn't hold him at fault with this. It's not like he had cheated on her or anything.
She took a deep breath, wanting to stabilize her nerves. She knew Bradley was watching her. That much was evident.
She had her journal out, and instead of taking notes, she decided to doodle across the page. A tree here, a bird there. It was helping her.
Max hadn't wanted to come to class, but his feet made him follow Roxanne. He was glad at least that she hadn't decided to skip class. He didn't want her to slip because of him and his stupid mistakes.
What was he going to do?
He had seen the test results. They weren't fake.
It just didn't make sense. He had always been very careful- and it wasn't like they had been intimate in the last month. Had she been with someone else?
He shook his head. He couldn't think bad about her. He knew he needed to have a serious conversation with Mona. All he felt like doing was throwing up. Things had been looking up for him, and now this? What the hell?
He was shaken up when everyone around him began to shift in their seats. Class was over. He quickly grabbed his bookbag, not having bothered to take anything out.
He waited for Roxanne to walk down toward the door, but she walked right past him, with Bradley on her heels. He couldn't let her walk away.
He ran after her, grabbing her hand in his. She turned to look at him, frowning.
"Roxanne, please, let's go talk." he begged, hating that Bradley was standing so close to her.
"About what?" Roxanne asked, playing dumb.
"Please," he said, watching as she pulled away from him.
"Roxy, I think you guys should talk. I don't know what's going on and it might not be my place, but.. Yeah." Bradley said, giving Max a shrug.
He felt so thankful for Bradley at that moment, he had almost forgotten what he was asking.
"I don't know," Roxanne responded softly. He could see that she was trying so hard to keep it together.
"Max?"
He wanted to die at that moment. Why was she here?
He turned to look over his shoulder. Mona was standing there, clutching her backpack on one shoulder. She looked so small and pitiful.
"I think you're needed elsewhere," Roxanne said bitterly.
Max sighed. He was not doing this anymore. He was not casting Roxanne aside.
"I'll talk to you later," Max said to Mona. "I have other matters to take care of first, I think you understand."
He saw Mona blush red, clearly shocked that he had just said that to her.
"It's important Max," Mona said.
"I know, but I have something more important." he grabbed Roxanne's hand and led her away, leaving Mona standing there with Bradley.
"Max!" he heard Mona yell, but he didn't care. He continued walking, feeling the warmth of Roxanne's hand on his. It felt so right. He didn't care that he had acted like the biggest douche in the world, but he wasn't going to let Roxanne walk away again.
He led her to the courtyard behind the building, where the botany class was setting up. He moved her closer to the back, away from prying eyes. Why were they even out here in the middle of January?
He found a bench covered in snow and used his hand to remove the layer. He motioned for her to sit but she refused. She stood, her hands safely inside her coat pockets.
"Roxanne, I don't know what I'm supposed to do, or say," he said, not wanting to waste any time.
"Because there isn't anything you could say," Roxanne said, glaring at him. "I don't know what to feel either! I can't tell if I'm mad, sad or just disappointed."
"All of that is fair, I fucked up. I didn't mean for this to happen. I am sorry. I am sorry for fucking up what we were trying to build," he said, feeling his chest getting tight. "I can't lose you again, Roxy. I can't."
"What do you expect me to do? Live alongside you with Mona always there in the background? Shit Max, she drugged me! She's not a good person. I don't know why you even stayed with her in the first place!" Roxanne spat. He could see her frustration coming out. She had never lashed out at him like this. "She will forever be a part of your life! Our life if I decide to stay with you. I can't see this working out."
"If that baby is mine-" Max blurted out. He instantly regretted it when he saw Roxanne's eyes go wide.
"If? Are you seriously implying that the baby isn't yours? Will you stoop so low Max?" Roxanne yelled.
"I have my doubts, yes." Max said, firmly. He had to be honest with her. "Do you want to hear my reasons why? Or is my word enough?"
Roxanne shook her head, her cheeks turning scarlet from the cold.
"What are you going to do?" Roxanne whispered, her tears finally falling silently down her cheek. Max would have rather had her yelling at him than having her stand there crying.
"I don't know," Max said, taking a seat on the cold bench. "I haven't talked to Mona about anything more,"
"I need time," she said. " I can't process all this. And then with another murder-"
"I don't want you to leave me again," Max said, looking up at her. He felt his eyes begin to water. "I don't want to feel lost."
"You're not my responsibility," Roxanne said, looking away from him. "We tried this, and it feels like some force is keeping us apart. I don't see how this can work out between us,"
He stood up quickly and grabbed her around the waist, pushing her closer to him. She looked up at him, mouth partially opened, surprised. He looked down at her long black lashes, which had little snowflakes landing on them, and her cheeks, so red, matching the shade of her hair.
"I know I'm being selfish," he whispered. "And I'll continue to be selfish because damn it Roxanne, I'm not letting you go again. I'm not letting anyone come between us, I promise you."
He leaned down and kissed her. He felt her hesitate, but then she relaxed and was kissing him back. He could never deny that she was his other half. The woman that he needed in his life. There was no way that after today he was going to let this woman go.
Bradley had time to kill before his next class. He wanted to know more about the murder that had taken place in the morning, but he didn't know where to start finding out more information.
Thankfully Cora was booked all day, so he had some time for himself. Lately she had been glued to the hip to him, which was weird because it was time to take practicing seriously.
And she was the competition.
Maybe the security office might have some idea?
He hoped that Max and Roxanne had made up. Whatever their deal had been had clearly been about Mona.
He walked out of the building, surprised that the crime scene had been cleared. They worked fast.
He walked past a group of students and spotted Jasmine, in her furry high heel boots. Had she never heard of sneakers?
She was walking quickly away down the sidewalk, cigarette in her hand. He could smell it from here.
He decided to follow her.
"Where are we going?" Evil Brad said, appearing right next to him.
"Just on a stroll," he said, trying to look natural. What was he doing?
"Right, it's not like you're following the woman you're in love with or anything,"
Bradley felt his heart jolt at that.
"What would Cora say?"
"She won't say anything, now leave me alone." Bradley mumbled under his breath. He was not going to look like a fool talking to his imaginary friend.
He continued to follow Jasmine. Was she going to the library?
He saw her stop and take another puff. She should really quit, he thought as he hid behind a nearby phone booth.
He could see she looked worried. She looked down at her silver watch that she was wearing on her left hand. Was that the watch he had gifted her so long ago? It couldn't be.
"Why did you get me a gift?" she asked him randomly as they hung out in the backyard of the Gamma House.
"I just wanted to," he responded, winking. "Can't I get my girlfriend to be a gift?"
He watched as Jasmine looked up at him, her green eyes wide.
"Your what?" she stammered, her face flushed. She put the gift down without opening it.
"My girlfriend," he said calmly. He had no doubt Jasmine felt the same way he did. They had been going on so many dates and seeing each other that he knew he had to make this official. "I've never done this, really,"
He kneeled in front of her, feeling his nerves starting to surface. What if she didn't want him the way he wanted her? Did he mess this up too soon?
"I want you to be mine, these feelings I have for you keep me up at night, and during the day my thoughts are clouded by you," he recited from memory. He had planned this all out.
The lights behind them began to shine in different hues of pink and purple. He saw Tank in the window controlling them, grinning.
Jasmine turned around, shocked.
"Brad-"
"Would you be mine?" he asked, taking her small hands in his.
She turned to look at him, tears forming in her eyes. She nodded and threw her arms around his neck.
"I'm taking that as a yes," he said, and gave a thumbs up to his Gammas, who were cheering him on from the windows above. "You haven't even opened your gift,"
Jasmine let go of him and grabbed the long pink box. She carefully opened it, her fingers trembling from excitement.
"Oh, Bradley- it's beautiful!" she said as she removed the tiny silver watch from its case. It was so simple, with a little diamond in the shape of a heart in the center of the watch. Roman numerals framed the watch all around in pink, and a charm hung from one of the sides. He saw as she went to inspect the small round charm.
"My heart is yours," she read, and beamed. "It's beautiful, thank you,"
"No, thank you," he said, taking her in his arms.
It was the same watch. He saw the charm dangling from her wrist. Why was she wearing it now?
A car pulled up and out stepped Tony, his usually curly blond hair slicked back. He was wearing a long black coat and scarf to match. He didn't look like himself at all.
"Hey," he heard Jasmine say as she hugged Tony. "You look great."
"Thanks," Tony replied. "It's been a while since I've dressed up like this."
"If you dressed like this more often, the woman would be throwing themselves on you," Jasmine chuckled. "I just got out of class, so I still have to go get dressed and such."
"You always look put together," Tony said, leading her inside the car.
"Says you," Jasmine joked as she got into the car, Tony behind her.
Bradley watched as the black car drove off, wondering where they were going.
"Hey,"
Bradley turned. Tanks was standing there, watching him.
"Still spying on people?" Tanks replied.
Bradley straightened up. He hadn't seen Tanks in a long time, not after he had quit the Gammas. Tanks had graduated and was pursuing his masters in sports management.
"Hello Tanks, good to see you," Bradley said, walking away from the tree.
"The same could be said," Tanks replied. "I've been meaning to come see you since last semester,"
"Why?" Bradley asked, surprised. Tanks had given up on their friendship. Had given up on him.
"I saw how well you did at the games, and I was impressed. Your reputation has turned," Tanks said, reaching into his gray coat. He pulled out a card.
"I'm working with some people incharge of making these games, if you're still interested in pursuing the masters degree," Tanks said, handing him the business card.
Bradley took it and looked down at it.
"Why are you giving me this?" he asked.
"I know we parted ways, but I still remember our friendship, and the old Brad." Tanks said, giving him a soft smile. "Maybe we can have a drink at the Gamma House, like old times,"
Bradley looked up at him, surprised. He watched as Tanks gave him a final nod and began to walk away from him.
Bradley couldn't help but smile.
Mona felt so defeated.
She didn't know what to do. Part of her thought that Max would come running back to her when he found out, but that's not how things had gone.
She watched as he kissed Roxanne.
It hurt her to see it.
Why couldn't he love her? They had been so close together. Had it meant nothing to him?
If only this child was Max's!
But it could still be. Lake had told her to pretend it was Max's. And for her safety she had to do just that.
But was that the only reason she was going on with this charade?
Why had she gotten involved with Lake in the first place?
She remembered meeting him in the library, and he was so handsome, she couldn't resist having someone give her attention. She knew she should have kept him at bay, but everytime Max did something to upset her, Lake was there to make up for it. He made her feel wanted.
She wiped her cheek, annoyed that Max was still making her feel like this. She hated that Roxanne didn't have to try. She just existed and Max threw himself at her.
The warning on the body this morning was clearly meant for her. Had it been Lake that killed that girl? She wasn't sure. Lake had friends.
She turned to walk away from them, not wanting to be seen. She would have to make Max hers somehow. This lie had to continue.
Bradley decided he was going to go to the library and maybe do some research on the Ghouls. He didn't want to walk in the opposite direction towards the security office. He could do that on his way back.
He was scrolling through the web, headphones on. He couldn't find much more than what he had already heard from the cops. Since their arrest in October, the Ghouls had been less active, the killings happening at Spoonerville University only. If they could be related in any way.
He sighed, feeling tired. Were the ghouls after them? They had to be.
So why hadn't any of them encountered them besides him at the hospital? What was their motive? Their plan?
His attention moved to the screen of the guy sitting next to him.
He was watching a video of Jasmine dancing with Mikolaj on New Year's Eve. Great. Another fanboy.
Bradley rolled his eyes. He had seen that clip so many times it was engraved in his memory. It was everywhere.
"Beautiful isn't she?" he heard the guy say to him.
Bradley took his headphones off.
"Are you talking to me?" he asked him.
"Yeah," the guy said. He turned to look at him. Bradley noticed the long scar that ran down his face. "I'm Lake,"
"Bradley," he said, feeling uneasy.
"I work here," Lake said, pausing the video. "I see her coming in all the time."
"Okay," Bradley responded, not knowing why Lake was talking with him about Jasmine.
"I think I'm going to try to ask her out on a date," Lake said, smirking. His smile was frightening for some reason.
"Whatever you want to do, go ahead," Bradley said, turning his computer off. At that moment he wanted to be anywhere but there. Why was this guy making him feel like this?
"I know you're friends with her, give me some tips," Lake said. "I want all the help I can get."
Bradley stood up and pushed his chair in. He grabbed his coat and bag. "I can't help you there, we're not friends,"
He heard Lake laugh. There was something really wrong with this guy. He had to warn Jasmine. Something was off about him.
"Whatever you say," he heard Lake say as he walked away from him.
Roxanne took a sip of her tea, holding it close for warmth.
She was sitting with Max at the cafe where she had met Tony. She had expected to see him but was told he had quit.
Max sat in front of her, clearly lost in thought. He hadn't touched his hot chocolate.
She knew that this was going to be tough, but she couldn't lie. She had loved that Max had come to her. He had put her first. It was selfish of her, she knew, but she couldn't help it.
Part of her still felt a lot of resentment, but she felt better than she did this morning when he had broken the news to her. He needed her.
He had confided his fears to her. He told her how he hadn't slept with Mona since before Thanksgiving, and how he thought that the child wasn't his. In part it made sense.
She wanted to talk to Mona herself, but knew it wasn't her place. This was between her and Max, and she would stay out of it as much as she could. Clearly Max was in love with her, and didn't want this.
She heard Max take a deep breath in and out. He looked so defeated.
"Is there anything I can do?" she asked him. He looked up at her and smiled.
"Just being here with me is enough," he said. "I really appreciate it. I just feel so confused. I don't know where to go with this."
"Have you told anyone else?" she asked him. He shook his head.
"I wanted to tell you first, before I went off and told my parents." Max said. "I can't tell the guys yet, I don't have a plan. I don't know where any of this is going to go, and I have school and the games to worry about."
He ran his fingers through his hair again, clearly irritated.
"I think you'll feel better if you talk to your parents first," she said, knowing that Sylvia would know what to do.
"You're right. Would you come with me?" he asked her.
"If that's what you want," she said, forcing a smile for his sake. "I know you have to see Mona sooner or later,"
"I don't want to do that," Max admitted.
Roxanne looked at him, wanting to hug him. She was glad that she was here for him, even if the circumstances were not ideal. Why did she think she could be apart from him?
"How about over the phone?" she suggested.
"No, I have to see her in person. She was looking for me, so clearly she wants to talk to me as well," Max said. He took a sip of his drink. "I'll go see her this afternoon."
Roxanne felt her stomach churn. The idea of him and Mona alone made her feel insecure for some reason. She didn't trust Mona at all.
"Could you meet her in a public place?" she asked.
"No, I don't want the possibility of being overheard," Max said. "Does it bother you that I'm going to see her?"
"It bothers me that you'll go see her at her apartment. I just have a bad feeling about it, that's all." she said, the jealousy burning inside her. She took another sip of her tea, which didn't help at all.
"I don't want anything to do with her, Roxy," Max said. "But if it'll make you feel better, I can meet her at the library or something. In one of those study rooms,"
She took a deep breath. "I'm sorry I'm coming off so strong,"
"It's understandable," Max said. "I'm the real jealous one, remember?"
Roxanne smiled at him. He had always been that way.
"I remember," she said. "Well, it's getting late and I have to get to my next class,"
"I can walk you," he said, standing up.
"You don't have to,"
"I want to," he said. "I love you Roxanne,"
She looked at him and nodded. She couldn't tell him those words. Not yet. It was her last card. If she played it, she would be completely exposed... and she couldn't do that.
"I'll come by your place when I'm done talking with her okay? And then we can plan on seeing my parents," Max said, grabbing her bag and sliding it on his shoulder.
"Sounds good," she said, letting him hold her hand.