being at university, you met all kinds of people. though you liked to keep to yourself, surrounded by a small handful of people you liked and trusted—your friends.

one of your friends was max. male, sweet, and undeniably the kindest person to ever live.

how can we go.. but he had a crush on you, you knew that. but you felt unstable for a relationship at the minute, reducing his feelings to almost daily flings that meant the world to him.

back to being friends, you sat in your dorm, silently sharing a bowl of pasta you cooked as you watched a show together. but his eyes werent on the screen—no. they stayed glued to you. shifting closer, max whispered the sweetest of words in your ear as he softly kissed your neck. ofcourse that led you to intimately sharing a bed. when we just shared a bed?

how can you look at me, the next day, max was in the university’s library, picking out books to help with his studies. you were also in there but left once you saw max enter. you waited for the elevator to come back up to your level, when you felt two familiar, muscular arms wrap around you from behind, pulling you against him in a gentle embrace. you sighed, shutting your eyes as you leaned back against him. you felt drained. you stepped away from him and got into the elevator, sparing him a singular glance before leaving. his eyes saddened like they usually did when you rejected him. and pretend, i’m someone you’ve never met?

class finished, and you now entered your dorm at the same time as max as his dorm was right beside yours. he watched you longingly as you didn’t spare him a glance, but said nothing as you left his view. he went into his room, but something felt off. max left his dorm and rushed into yours instead. how can we go.. back to being friends; now he laid on top of you, panting lightly as he caught his breath after another intimate encounter.

when we just shared a bed? you told him to leave, like always. and he did. present day: your class had a trip somewhere, something to do with a project of sorts. you didn’t focus, you couldn’t nowadays.

you held onto one of the handles hanging from the subway roof, avoiding max and his gaze as he stood opposite you, his eyes not leaving you for a second despite the incessant rattling of the almost empty carriage.

how can you look at me and pretend, max shoved his hands into his pockets, tilting his head in an almost puppy-like motion as he gazed at you in a dazed, desperate state. desperate for your attention and love. i’m someone you never met?

the door to the subway dinged open, and you left without a word. however max’s hand caught your wrist before you could leave, pulling you back to him with little force. he hugged you tightly; not wanting to let go, like you always told him to.