Loving You Was My Mistake

Moonlight Decisions

It was evening, and the sun hung low on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. Max was in the bathroom, splashing warm water over his body, preparing for the show that was to take place that night. Bathing after school had become a ritual, a way to wash away the stress of the day.

A knock came from his door. He ignored it, knowing his friends had a habit of letting themselves in. The door was not locked, and as expected, a few seconds later, they were already inside his room, sprawled comfortably on his bed. Munoz, feeling at home as always, wandered to the fridge, searching for something to eat. John and Claire were busy at Max’s computer, laughing and teasing each other.

“Hey Max! Be quick! We do not want to find a queue at the entrance!” John shouted, tapping impatiently on the table.

“Yeah, hurry up,” Claire supported, focusing on the screen.

“I am almost done, guys,” Max called back, splashing water from the tub. “Just a few more minutes.”

“Few minutes or hours?” Munoz asked playfully, standing at the door with a yogurt cup in her hand.

“I can hear you. Do you want me to come out or do you want to join me?” Max teased, though his voice carried a warning.

“I am done, Munoz!” he said firmly.

“Are you sure about that?” she asked, pushing the door open just enough to peek inside. Her eyes widened as she saw Max standing in the tub.

The yogurt slipped from her hand and fell to the floor, splattering everywhere. Her mouth fell open, and her gaze traveled down Max’s unclad body. She froze, her cheeks flushing crimson. Max reacted instantly, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around himself.

“Get out!” Max shouted, his face turning red.

Munoz spun around, embarrassed beyond measure, and banged the door shut. “I am so sorry, Max! I thought you were dressed already!” she cried, pressing her hands to her face.

Max took a deep breath and tried to calm her. “Relax, Munoz. You saw nothing. It does not matter. I covered myself.”

Her heart was still racing, but hearing his words eased the awkward tension. She laughed softly, shaking her head at herself. She returned to Claire and John on the bed, still a little flustered. Munoz had always been close to Claire, and Max’s friends had accepted her as part of the group. Max’s charm had drawn them together long ago, but she had never imagined herself witnessing him like that.

Max finished bathing and wrapped a fresh towel around his waist. Munoz buried herself under the pillows on his bed when she saw him, hiding her flushed face. He greeted John and Claire and gently pulled Munoz out of the pillows, handing her a tin of yogurt from the fridge. She accepted it with a small, shy smile, feeling reassured that the moment had passed without disaster.

John and Claire complained about being hungry. Max laughed and told them to help themselves to some roasted butternut he had in the oven. He then went to his locker to fetch clothes and body lotion. After a few minutes, he returned, fully dressed, and joined his friends on the bed.

“Guys, I am having second thoughts. I do not feel like going to the show tonight,” Max announced, eating the butternut.

“What?” Claire exclaimed, looking at him with disbelief. “No way!”

John frowned, standing up. “Are you serious, Max? We came for this show. We need you there.”

“I do not see a reason to go. Neither Nixie nor Diana will be there,” Max said, his voice heavy. “I have too much on my mind. It is hard to enjoy the evening.”

“Diana is coming. I spoke with her after school,” Munoz informed him.

Max’s heart gave a small leap. “Her parents are strict. I am not sure she will be allowed to go. She should have called by now if she could.”

“Do not worry. I will go and get her if her parents object. They will understand,” Munoz said confidently.

John leaned forward, smiling. “Oh, before I forget, we need alcohol. It will cheer us up and make tonight fun. Max, it will help you forget about your troubles with your relationships.”

“Yes! I have ten dollars in my pocket,” Munoz added excitedly.

“Perfect. I will add five,” Claire said, joining in the plan.

Max could not be the mood killer. He nodded, letting them pool their money together. They set out, John and Claire running to buy two bottles of vodka from a nearby bar while Max and Munoz went to the tuck-shop for snacks. The night was alive with possibilities, but Max could not shake the heaviness in his chest.

While walking, Max’s phone rang. Seeing Diana’s name, he smiled. He had been waiting for her call all day. He answered immediately.

“Sweetone, how are you?” he asked, putting the phone to his ear.

“I am well,” Diana replied softly, a pause heavy with hesitation. “I thought I would be able to come tonight, but my parents would not allow it. I am sorry to let you down.”

Max’s smile faltered, and he closed his eyes. Munoz wrapped her arms around his shoulders, hugging him gently. He let out a deep sigh and opened his eyes again.

“It is okay, Diana. I understand. There will be another time,” he said, placing a hand over Munoz’s head. “Do not stress about it.”

“Okay. I will see you at school tomorrow,” Diana said before hanging up.

Max exhaled slowly, letting his body relax into the warmth of Munoz’s embrace. She looked up at him, her eyes questioning, as he stared at the rising moon, its silver glow illuminating the room. The calm of the night contrasted sharply with the turmoil in his heart.

“Why did you never say you love me back?” he asked Munoz quietly, tilting her chin up to meet his gaze. “With all this freedom, I still yearn for it.”

Munoz pressed closer, her small hands clutching his chest. “I do not know why I never gave you a chance,” she said softly. “I think it is because you wanted to make me the second choice.”

“Really? Was that all?” he asked, tilting her head to look at him. “I could have adjusted my choices.”

“It is too late now. I am the ex of your friend,” she whispered, stepping back. “By the way, how is Keith doing?”

“It has been a long time since I talked to him. You know he is always far away, and his phone is almost dead to communication,” Max said with a small laugh. “You mean you no longer talk to Keith?”

“Yes. I hate your friend. He broke my heart and never tried to make amends. You were the only one who cared,” she confessed.

“I only cared for him,” Max said quietly, a small smile on his lips.

“Oh, really?” she said, tilting her head. “Well, tough luck for him. You at least tried.”

Max chuckled and gently took her hands in his. “It is getting late. Let us go to the tuck-shop and get our snacks before we start celebrating tonight,” he said.

Munoz nodded, her eyes reflecting a mixture of curiosity and longing. Max led her outside, walking under the moonlight. The night seemed calm, but inside him, a storm continued to rage. He cared for Diana, he cared for Nixie, and now he had a chance to share a moment with Munoz. His heart ached with the weight of his choices.

As they approached the tuck-shop, the smell of freshly baked pastries and fried snacks filled the air. Max bought small packets of chips, peanuts, and some sweets. Munoz looked at him with admiration, her eyes bright with excitement. He could see a part of himself reflected in her enthusiasm, a small reprieve from the guilt gnawing at his heart.

They returned to the apartment with the snacks, John and Claire already sitting with the vodka, their laughter spilling into the room. Max felt the tension in his chest loosen just a little. For the first time that evening, he allowed himself to breathe.

Munoz handed the snacks around, and the night finally began in earnest. Laughter echoed through the small apartment, music filled the air, and for a few hours, the weight of Nixie and Diana seemed distant. Max smiled at Munoz, the moonlight catching her hair, and he realized that for all his complicated choices, there were moments when life felt simple again.