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MAX
I had been seeing Bradley almost everywhere on campus. No matter where I went, it was like I couldn't get away from him. An entire semester had passed since we beat him in the X-Games, and he hadn't said a word to me since. Not that I was complaining - I was glad to finally be rid of him.
Bobby and I had been at the movies, and were just walking out after watching some cheesy zombie movie.
“Dude, I think that if zombies suddenly invaded State,” Bobby said through a mouthful of leftover popcorn, “You would totally be the last guy standing.”
I chuckled a little bit at his comment. “Really?” I asked, “I don't know about that. Actually, it depends. Do I have my skateboard or not?”
“Duh. It’s a zombie apocalypse,” Bobby replied, but that still didn't really answer my question.
“What? Wait, is that a yes?”
“Yeah! Of course you’d have it,” He said.
“Well in that case, you’re probably right. But does that mean you guys are all dead?” I asked, assuming he knew that I was referring to him and PJ.
Bobby shrugged a little. “Hm… I don't think I’d make it that far. PJ wouldn't either.”
We started making our way back towards the dorm.
“So I would be alone?”
I looked at Bobby as he replied,
“Uh, yeah.. You probably would be. Unless you find some badass zombie slayer chick to survive with you.”
I laughed before responding, “Ha! No way a girl like THAT would want me. You know better than anyone that I’ve had the absolute worst luck finding love on this campus.” Part of me wanted to joke about it, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't thinking about it.
Bobby answered, “Not true! Wasn’t it you who turned down dates from THREE ladies last week?”
“I mean, yeah, but they weren't really my type. They were just fans of my dad, and that's not exactly my ideal date.”
“Okay then, what IS your ideal date?” Bobby questioned.
I thought for a moment, looking down at my feet as I spoke, “Probably just… someone who knows their way around a skate park.” Just as I finished my sentence, I bumped into someone on the sidewalk, accidentally spilling my popcorn on the ground.
“Oops! Sorry,” I exclaimed, picking up the dropped bucket. “I wasn't watching where I was going.” When I looked up to see who I had run into, I suddenly found myself face to face with Bradley Uppercrust III. He pressed his lips together in a way that made it seem like he was about to punch me in the nose, so I took a step back.
“Uh…” I glanced awkwardly at Bobby, who was still munching away on his own popcorn.
Bradley looked down on me, lifting his chin to make himself seem taller than he already was. “You’d better watch yourself,” He said to me in his usual demeaning tone, “I thought I already made it clear that I am NOT someone you’d want as an enemy.”
I smiled a little as he spoke. Seriously? Who did this guy think he was?
“Right,” I replied, “And I thought I already made it clear that I wiped the floor with you at the X-Games.”
Bobby laughed at this, holding his hand up for a high five, but I didn't give him one. I was too focused on thinking of shitty comebacks to Bradley’s statements. I wanted to say that Bradley did not intimidate me anymore, but something about him gave me a strange feeling whenever we were together…
Bradley’s expression dropped immediately, so I continued speaking, “Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve even seen you touch a skateboard since you lost to me. What's the matter, Brad? Did you realize how hopeless it was to keep trying?”
He pointed a finger at me. “How many times have I told you not to call me that?” He snapped, taking a step backwards. “It isn't any of your business.” Was all he ended up saying.
“Really?” I folded my arms. “So does this mean I won't be seeing you at the State Skate Rally?”
“I didn't say that,” Bradley responded.
“Hm. Well it sure sounds that way.”
“Of… COURSE I’m gonna be there!” He retaliated, placing his hands behind his back, but I caught the hesitation in his voice. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
I shrugged. “Dunno. Again, I haven't seen you ride since the competition. Oh and also, Gamma is falling apart. The only reason that anyone is still there with you is because they’re afraid of what will happen if they decide to leave.”
Bradley narrowed his eyes at me. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” I responded, staring up at him.
We stared at each other for a long while, neither of us daring to break the silence. The only sound that could be heard was the crunching of popcorn from Bobby. He grabbed another handful from his bucket, then said, “So uh… who’s your partner?”
Bradley finally broke his gaze, much to my relief, and told Bobby, “Tank.”
I recoiled in confusion. “Huh? Are you aware that your skate partner has to be someone who you've never been on a team with before? The rally is all about creating new teams. You seriously didn't know this?”
Bradley turned his attention back towards me as he said, “What…? Why, I mean of course I knew that!” He was lying; I could have sworn I saw a flash of embarrassment pass across his face. He quickly ran his hand through his hair to cover it up.
Bobby finished the last of his snack before saying, “Soooo Tank can’t be your partner. He’s already agreed to be mine, anyways.”
“YOU?!” Bradley shouted, seemingly disgusted that Tank would pair up with Bobby.
I put myself between the two of them, feeling anger heat my body as he recoiled away from Bobby.
“Say what you want about me,” I said, “I’ve been used to you picking on me since the day I set foot on this campus. But Bobby? That’s where I draw the line. Get your ass out of here, Bradley. We want nothing to do with you.”
Instead of acting out with aggression, Bradley’s shoulders relaxed. “I hear you, I hear you. And I’ll leave; but only because I know I would never find a suitable partner for the State Skate Rally here.” He began backing away with a smug look on his face.
“We don’t want you either!” I growled, keeping my eyes on him until he was out of sight.
Bobby raised his eyebrows at me. “Duuuude,” He said dramatically, “You like… totally saved my life.”
I laughed as we continued our walk back to the dorms. “Yeah, yeah. Bradley’s really not all that intimidating. After crushing him at the X-Games, I really couldn't care less what happens to him.”
“You're lying,” Bobby said.
He caught me.
“Um…” Was all I could get myself to say.
Bobby continued, “Cause if you're anything like me, you’re DYING to kill him a second time in this competition!”
I patted Bobby on the back a few times. “You got that right. Nothing would make me happier than seeing Bradley with a mouthful of asphalt.”
We entered our room, where PJ was sitting on the couch, eating a bowl of cereal as a late night snack.
“Heyyy Peej.” Bobby sang in greeting, closing the door behind him.
“Oh, hey guys!” Pj replied after swallowing a spoonful of cereal. “How was the movie?”
“Stupid, but in a good way.” I replied, flopping down backwards onto my bed.
Though I claimed to no longer be afraid of Bradley, I found myself unable to think of anything other than his smug, handsome face. He already did enough damage to me during the X-Games. Would the same thing happen to me at the Rally? Maybe I shouldnt participate at all… But that $5,000 prize money was really tempting…
Bobby pulled me from my thoughts by saying, “Yo Max. You never told me who your partner was.”
“Hm?” I asked, propping myself up with my elbows. “Oh - I don't have one yet.”
“You don't?” Bobby asked, a hint of alarm to his tone.
“No. Why? Is that a bad thing?”
“I mean… kinda. Partners are due in two days. Did you look at the sign up sheet online?” Bobby asked.
A jolt of panic caused me to stand up. “Oh shit - really? I had no idea there was a sign up sheet.” I had been so preoccupied with classes and skateboarding lately, that I had totally forgotten about finding myself someone to skate with at the Rally.
I took out my laptop and pulled up the sign-up sheet website for the State Skate Rally. There was a long list of pairs, written side by side. I noticed Bobby and Tank were listed next to one another. At the bottom, there were five extra names listed of those who hadn't found a partner yet, but were still registered for the Rally. The first two were some randoms I had never heard of before. PJ’s name was listed after theirs, and then finally, Max and Bradley.
I looked at PJ, “I know we competed on the same team before, but technically you were disqualified. So that means we can be partners!” My mood enhanced significantly once I realized that I didn't have to be with a stranger, or even worse, Bradley. I was excited to be with PJ.
PJ smiled sheepishly as he set his bowl down.
“Uh… sorry Max, but I decided to drop out of the competition, actually,” He said.
“What? Why?!” I exclaimed fearfully. Any relief I had felt shattered in an instant.
“I’m heading home that weekend for my dad’s birthday. He said he didn't want me there, but he's probably just joking…” PJ said softly.
I groaned, dropping my face into my hands. “Ugh… Okay. So, this means I gotta find one of these guys and ask if they’ll be my partner. I have no clue who these people even are!”
Bobby said, “I’m shocked you weren't flooded with people begging you to be their partners as soon as the sign up sheet was released.”
I shrugged a little, but the praise felt pretty good.
Bobby continued, “I don’t know who that first guy is, but I’m pretty sure that the other one sits next to me in our Algebra class.” He pointed to the random names listed before mine.
I nodded. “Great. Then I’ll just ask him tomorrow! It’ll be fine, right?”
Bobby tossed his popcorn bucket at the trash can, but totally missed. None of us bothered to pick it up. “Yeah, It’ll be fine.” Bobby replied, yawning loudly. He climbed up to the top bunk. “I’ve got an early class tomorrow. I'm gettin’ some sleep.”
“Okay,” I replied, retreating to my own bunk. “See you in the morning.”
I stared up at the bottom of the mattress above me. My mind was spinning, running through all of the possibilities of what could happen at the Rally. But I had nothing to worry about - Bobby said it himself; anyone would die to have me as their partner!
Anyone would be fine.
As long as they weren't Bradley.