I stared at Max stunned at the audacity of him asking something so personal. My eyebrows furrowed as my glare sharpened in slight fury. " Little miss mochachino told you huh?" I scoffed as his gaze softened apologetically "What makes you think it's a good idea to ask something so personal?" I asked still so shocked at his question. He sighed softly "I know it's personal and all but I can't help but wonder" he replied as I cocked a brow wanting him to be specific " wonder what?" I asked curiously. " I wanna know who you really are, who you are now especially since you act differently. I know we aren't friends but what the fuck is going on?" He asked " You aren't going to be all sad and depressed during the X-games are you?" He asked chuckling softly. I didn't reply. I felt a twinge of heartbreak. He still thinks I'm playing this year... " I can't participate in the X-games anymore..." I replied softly yet in an annoyed manner. His reaction was nothing but pure and utter shock " what?! Why?!" He asked " oh don't act so clueless, you know the exact reason why! I cheated and endangered others to my own benefit!" I admitted. I couldn't lie or falsify the truth! That's what happened. I'm just so shocked Max is such an idiot he couldn't piece it together. "So its not even out of your own choice, its that you're banned" He said in a way he was piecing things together finally realizing " yes.. I wanted to play this year but I can't for obvious reasons..." I said with a soft sigh as Max looked at the ground thinking of his next words to say. " I understand why, but even so I still consider you an all time rival." He cracked a joke to tease. That made me freeze, it was relieving to hear that. It was like something at least didn't change. I have to admit, I smiled softly and even chuckled at his statement to which he joined me. " you're lame as hell Max" I replied as he scoffed " says the one who wears polo sweaters everyday" he insulted as I smirked " you wish you could pull off my look" I said with falsified pride as he poured more alcohol on my wound as I flinched and hissed in pain " ass hole! What was that for?!" I exclaimed annoyed. He snickered and replied "because your prissy ass needs a wake up call sir blabs a whole fucking lot" He insulted. I had to admit, even though it pissed me off. It was a good comeback.

He eventually wrapped up my wound as he let his arms drop onto his lap and sat next to me on his bed. I leaned against the framing of the bed near the foot end side while he leaned against the opposite end frame. "I'm sorry for coming off as nosy earlier about your dad..." he apologized. "It's fine.... But if you want to know so badly, it is his fault I have these scars" I sighed softly finally answering his question. He looked up at me curiously, I had grabbed his attention. He then proceeded to ask " does he usually do that?" As he tilted his head to the side. I nodded and looked at him " It was for minor faults, like whenever I used the wrong fork when eating I got hit on the wrist from a ruler he'd carry. When I mispronounced a word in French or Dutch or German, I would get hit." I explained and fully expected him to give me a look of pity. But to my surprise I was met with shock " no way... you speak four languages?! He asked in an astonished manner. I was stunned by this question but I nodded " yeah? Why?" I asked. " that's impressive!! Do you only know those languages?" He asked as I chuckled at his stupid questions " no, I know Spanish, Russian, Portuguese , Arabic, Japanese, Mandarin, Greek and Latin." I said which shocked him even further. "No fucking way, you're lying!" He accused as I laughed " No I'm not. I really do know all those languages!" I defended myself " that's so impressive... I only know English and a little Spanish from high school." He chuckled. " being bilingual is useful though. It gets you around easier." I replied as he snickered " Yeah especially when you need to use the bathroom during Spanish" he joked as I chuckled softly. " what made you learn Spanish?" I asked " well if you took two years of language classes in my high school, your college resume looks better. But I actually really like Spanish class so I took it all four years" He explained and then asked me " what made you become multilingual?" As I thought for a moment " um... multiple reasons... my dad wanted me to learn for bragging rights, I traveled a lot as a child, like you it's also impressive for college resumes." I explained as Max asked " where have you traveled to?"

"A lot around America, Italy, France, Morocco, Dubai, China, Japan, Korea, Greece, Qatar, The UK, Brazil, Russia and the Netherlands" I said which flabbergasted Max " Holy shit.... So your family is rich-rich huh?" He chuckled as I rolled my eyes snickering " I guess so" I shrugged " you're so lucky....I wish I had money like that to spend" he chuckled. That struck a cord with me, I didn't indulge in his laughter and I assume he noticed because his chuckling stopped abruptly and he asked " why aren't you laughing?" He asked curiously. " It's because I don't agree with you" I replied. "My father might have a lot of money but I don't own any of it. Because he's such a rich ass hole he thinks he can do anything. You don't understand how the higher class treats their spawn. Majority of the time I'm just used to be his tool" I sighed as Max cocked a brow " His spawn? Why don't you just say his son or child? He asked. That's when I chuckled " because I'm not his son." I replied as his eyebrows raised "wait wait wait.... You're adopted?" I asked to which the room fell into silence before I had bursted into laughter at the others stupidity "No! Dumb ass" I practically teared up from laughing too hard as he blushed embarrassed " ass hole..." he pouted and crossed his arms " so what do you mean by spawn then wise guy?" He accused. I sighed softly after getting a good laugh in " I mean he doesn't allow me to call him father and he thinks I'm not capable of being his son" I explained chuckling as I looked up at Max. I froze seeing the heart broken expression in his eyes. I went silent and looked away as he leaned in and held my hand gently " You don't deserve that. I don't think anyone deserves that..." he reassured me to which I felt disgusting. I snatched my hand away at his pity and coughed in my hand slightly " um... thanks..." I said awkwardly. I'm not gonna get used to Max this fast. But I think I can get used to him eventually.

By the time our chat ended I had to get going to my next class. He offered to walk my but I denied his help, I can't be a burden to the man that helped wrap my injuries and actually gave me a true smile after so long. We said our goodbyes as I left his dorm. I think maybe this changes my perspective of Max a little. It felt nice to open up to him and he was so.... Thoughtful and understanding....

When arriving to my trigonometry class, I had sat down and took out my notebook to copy notes. I was focused just so all the information I could gather would be remembered. I jotted things down and when class had ended I couldn't help but think of Max. It's just that encounter really struck a cord for me. I genuinely enjoyed hanging out with him. I was walking out of class not even realizing that I had a smile on my face. That was until Tank wrapped an arm around my shoulder. I flinched and looked at him " look who's smiling~" he teased making me blush at being caught "Hello Tank" I said. That's when I realized Tank was making physical contact with me. That means he's actually beginning to forgive me.... Oh thank god... did I manage to finally get my friend back?! Tank then spoke "I'm starving man, wanna hit up a burger joint or something?" He asked. " mmmmm I'm not feeling burgers right now" I said softly in thought. He waited patiently for me to make up my mind as he cocked a brow. " maybe Italian?" I asked " Ooooooh~ taking me out somewhere fancy~ huh lover boy~ making me blush" he teased like he used to do. I snickered and rolled my eyes " yeah yeah all the best for you babe" I indulged in the joke. This is how Tank and I used to joke. Pretend flirting. Of course I've seen Tank actually fall in love before. When that happens he becomes a gentle giant, all tongue tied and such.

When arriving to the restaurant, he ordered half the menu practically. Keep in mind Tank was actually a Tank, he does body building, Rugby, Weight lifting on top of skating. He mainly focuses on arms and chest, he prefers the pudge on his stomach which rather suits him. He ate his spaghetti and meatballs with his garlic bread. Yet all I ordered was a salad. He noticed this and asked " why are you only getting salad? You on a diet?" He asked to which I nodded " yeah, thanksgiving break is coming up in two months and I have to lose a few pounds of fat and replace it with muscle as soon as possible" I replied. " what for?" Tank asked as he took another huge bite of his food " well I'm going home for break. Father does this weird thing of making sure I'm orderly. Checking my measurements, weight, hair and all" I explained as Tank rolled his eyes " I fucking hate your dad. He's such a lame ass loser" he said causing me to chuckle softly " I couldn't agree more" I said back while eating my salad. " what's gonna happen when you don't reach your goal though? He asked. " eh.... He'll probably bitch me out and threaten me like usual" I shrugged " that's not normal.  But at least he doesn't physically abuse you" He said whilst munching " no, but I do think he will put me on a strict diet and work out routine to make me as thin as possible." I said " how strict are we talking?" Tank asked me while sipping his cola. "Like strict enough that I've passed out and had an eating disorder before" I explained and flinched hearing Tank choke from shock on his cola. " What the fuck?..." he said " yeah your dad is some sadistic fuck head" he said as a matter of fact.

"Oh Tank... you don't even know the half of it..."