MAX
1126 Words
AVA'S POINT OF VIEW
I heard the door open and close, and the sound of voices. I assumed it was the new roommate, and I didn't bother getting up.
But then I heard the sound of laughter, and my curiosity got the better of me. I got out of bed and opened my door, peeking out into the hallway.
That's when I saw him. The new roommate. Max.
He was tall and muscular, with a friendly smile. And he was looking at me, not Valentin.
"Hey, I'm Max," he said, walking towards me. "I'm the new roommate."
I smiled, feeling a sense of relief. Maybe this guy would be okay.
Valentin, on the other hand, looked less than thrilled. He was standing in the corner, his arms crossed, his eyes narrowed.
"Hey," Max said, nodding at Valentin. But Valentin just grunted.
I raised an eyebrow. What was wrong with him?
Max, however, seemed oblivious. He kept talking to me, asking me questions, making jokes.
And I found myself laughing, feeling at ease.
But every time I glanced at Valentin, I saw him watching us, his eyes growing darker.
I started to feel a sense of unease. What was wrong with him?
And then it hit me. He was jealous.
Valentin, the guy who had been avoiding me, was now jealous of my interaction with Max.
I couldn't believe it.
After chatting with Max for a bit, I told him, "Hey, why don't you give us today to sort some things out? Valentin needs to pack his luggage and stuff."
Max nodded understandingly. "No problem, I'll give you guys some space. I'll go grab some lunch and come back later."
As Max left, I turned to Valentin, who was still standing in the corner, looking sulky.
"Valentin, can we talk?" I asked him.
But he just shook his head and went to his room, slamming the door behind him.
I sighed, feeling frustrated. What was wrong with him?
I went to my room, trying to focus on my studies, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off.
A few hours later, I heard Valentin's door open, and I assumed he was leaving.
But then I heard him talking to Max, his voice low and hostile.
"I don't want you getting too comfortable here," Valentin growled.
I rolled my eyes. What was his problem?
But then I heard Max's response, calm and friendly.
"No worries, dude. I'm just here to live with Ava. We're cool."
I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Max. He was already making things easier for me.
But then I heard Valentin's response, his voice dripping with venom.
"You have no idea what you're getting yourself into."
I quickly came out of my room, facing Valentin. "Hey, don't scare Max like this. He's my new roommate, so I'll talk to him, not you."
Valentin's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched. "Stay out of this, Ava. This doesn't concern you."
I stood my ground, my arms crossed. "It concerns me because Max is my roommate now. And I won't let you intimidate him."
Max, who had been watching the exchange, spoke up. "Hey, it's okay, Ava. I can handle myself."
But I shook my head. "No, Valentin, you need to leave. Now."
Valentin's eyes flashed with anger, but he seemed to realize he was outnumbered. He snatched his bag and stormed out of the apartment, leaving Max and me in an awkward silence.
Max broke the silence, whistling softly. "Well, that was intense. What's his problem?"
I sighed, rubbing my temples. "I have no idea. But I'm sorry you had to see that. He's been acting weird lately."
Max shrugged. "Don't worry about it. I can handle myself. But maybe we should talk about what's going on with him?"
I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But something about Max's friendly demeanor put me at ease. Maybe it was time to confide in someone.
The next day in class, Max and I sat together, and I was surprised by how much we clicked. We seemed to understand each other perfectly, laughing and joking together like we'd known each other for years.
As we walked out of class, Max turned to me and said, "Hey, want to grab lunch together? I know this great sandwich place nearby."
I agreed, and we walked to the place together, chatting about everything from our classes to our favorite TV shows.
As we ate, Max asked me about my schedule, what time I had classes, and when I was free. He even asked about my study habits and offered to quiz me for our upcoming assessment.
I was amazed by how considerate and thoughtful he was. It was like he actually cared about my well-being and wanted to make sure I was doing okay.
As we walked back to our apartment, Max told me about his plans for the day, what time he was going out, and when he'd be back. He even asked me if I wanted to join him, but I declined, saying I had some studying to do.
But it felt nice to be included, to feel like I had a roommate who actually cared about me.
For the first time since moving in, I finally felt like I had a roommate, someone who was looking out for me, someone I could rely on.
And as I sat down to study, I couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, Valentin leaving was the best thing that had happened to me.
VALENTIN'S POINT OF VIEW
I thought leaving Ava was the best decision I had made. I needed space, time to focus on myself, and distance from her distracting presence.
But watching Max and Ava together today was like a punch to the gut. Their chemistry was undeniable, their laughter and smiles infectious.
I found myself feeling upset, even jealous. Who was this Max guy, and why was Ava so taken with him?
As I watched them interact, I realized I missed her. I missed her quirks, her smile, her presence in my life.
I had thought leaving would help me get over my feelings, but now I wasn't so sure. Maybe I had made a mistake.
I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. No, I couldn't go back now. I had made my choice, and I needed to stick with it.
But as I walked away, I couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. Had I let my fear of vulnerability push me away from something real?
I pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on my own path. I needed to move forward, not dwell on what could have been.
But the image of Max and Ava together lingered, haunting me.
- Writer
