Chapter 4. Days Later

 “I’m sorry, sir,” Max replied with his head down in shame. Ever since he encountered Jasmine, he has continued to sleepwalk occasionally. Sometimes he will find himself waking up in a dumpster.

Mr. Lewis gnawed at the bottom of his lip. “Sleepwalk somewhere else and stay off my porch!” He raised his shoulders high and shoved Max backward.

Max couldn’t believe he was bringing shame to himself. Two nights ago, he tied himself to the bed to avoid sleepwalking only to wake up the next day and find himself in his garage. 

He ran back to his house, embarrassed. He has been made smaller than a stray dog. Grabbing his doorknob, he forced his way into his apartment and he shut the door behind him.

 “This is crazy!” He crossed his arms around his chest. The more he fumes, the smaller he makes himself. “What am I gonna do to stop sleepwalking?” He bit his lips out of frustration as his mind began to race with other possible solutions. 

As he lets his mind take him for a ride, his phone buzzed, interrupting him.

He hurried to the table and picked up his phone. He raised his to his ear only for Philip to yell from the other end. “Where the hell are you dude?!” His voice was harsh and mean. “Have you forgotten what today is?” 

“What’s today?” Max asked feeling lost. He had no idea where Philip was getting at. The only thing going on in his mind was how he could stop the sleepwalking that began after he noticed changes in his body.

 “You got to be kidding me!” Philip grunts. “Today is our fucking day with the judicial panel as law students with the attorney general!” He blurted out. His anger toward Max could be perceived by Max from his end of the line. 

Philip hissed loudly and continued in his fit of rage. “You better get your ass together and get down here!” He hung up the call before Max could even throw more questions at him.

**** 

Some minutes later, Max came through. They both walked down the hallway. He had his sunglasses on and didn’t want anyone to notice his newly acquired dark hue eyes.

Philip is still unhappy with Max. He breaks the silence. “Dude I can’t believe you forgot what today is.” He glanced at him with a stone face gaze. “And why the hell are you putting on that sunglasses again?” This was supposed to be a cooperative meeting with the judicial panel and not the type that required Max to wear sunglasses.

“Don’t hate bro.” Max smiled. His smile was sly and mischievous. “This is my new style now.” 

“You better don’t screw us up today,” Philip gnawed. “Our future lies in our today, don’t mess it up.” The meeting of today was to determine their appointment after their exams. It’s the only shot they have but Philip is scared of losing that shot.

*** AN HOUR LATER ***

Max opened the creaking door as they both walked out of the office rejoicing at their achievement. It was a successful meeting. Excitement flushed on their plump faces.

 “Dude we did it,” said Philip. “We have been cleared and approved.” He smiled broadly, lighting up his entire face with warmth. 

 “I told you I won’t let your ass down,” Max grinned. Their dream job is secured even before they can finish college.

“I know you won’t,” flashed a winning smile. “You know what? We need to celebrate this.” He poked Max and then pulled him gently toward him brushing Max’s head playfully. 

“We need to keep it low! There is no need for celebration,” Max disputed. 

“There is every need to celebrate dude,” Philip insisted. He’s the type that loves to party hard and have fun. Now is a good time for him to roll with celebration. He turned focused his gaze on Max and continued. “Don’t worry, drinks are on me.” 

After a brief debate about whether to accept or turn down Philip’s celebration proposal, Max finally gave in to the pleasure as they both continued on their way out of the complex.

A bar was just a few blocks away from the office they just visited. Philip pulled over in front of the bar and glanced at Max with a smile. “Thanks for letting me drive. Now, let’s go have some fun.”

     He opened the door and climbed into the car. Max followed his cue. He quietly followed behind Philip. He doesn’t like to drink but his friend Philip has a way of getting him into the bar with him.

Approaching the door, Philip quickly pushed the glass door open. He stepped in with haste and held the door for Max to walk in. 

Max brought his lips closer to Philip and whispered. “We should stay sober and not get drunk.” 

“Dude, I am getting high!” his cheeks flushed with a huge smile as he gestured for the bartender to get the drink of their choice. He glanced at Max and continued in excitement. “Do you know what it means to be approved by the attorney general as a law student? Come on dude, enjoy yourself.”

“We shouldn’t get drunk,” Max insisted, rolling his eyes on his friend. He can’t believe he is seated in the bar next to Philip after he vowed never to taste a drink again. 

“Don’t worry about the bills,” Philip reiterated. “I will handle it. Don’t worry yourself.” 

“I am not worried about the bills,” said Max as he furrowed his brows. Each time he comes to the bar with Philip, he ends up driving Philip back home. He doesn’t stay sober like Max and always gets high.

 “Then what’s wrong?” Philip asked sternly as a concerned look crossed his face. 

“I am worried about driving home drunk,” Max replied. He’s worried about driving after drinking even though he’s certain he’s not going to get drunk like Philip.

 “We can call a cab then,” Philip smirked slyly.

The barman approaches with their drinks. He noticed Max’s sunglasses. He couldn’t hold back his compliment. “Looks nice on you,” he said, passing their drinks. 

“Thanks, buddy,” Max smiled broadly. He’s glad another person besides his friend is complimenting him instead of asking him to take off the glasses.

A change came in Philip’s face. Jealousy isn’t far from him. “He is flattering you,” he whispered. 

“No, he is not,” Max disputed. 

“Frankly speaking, those sunglasses make you look like an insane FBI agent. You better take it off,” Philip said, scoffing him. He still has no idea while Max has decided to be wearing sunglasses even inside a bar with no sun to disrupt his vision. He thought to himself for a while before shaking it off his mind.

Time has come and passed but Philip has dozed off in the bar, using the table as his pillow. He has had enough to drink.

Max peered at his watch as he started waking his friend. “Dude, it’s time to go. It's closing time and they want us out,” he said. He stood to his feet as he noticed Philip wasn’t even moving. He must be fast asleep. “We need to get going.” Max started shaking him in an attempt to wake him up.

After Philip emitted a wild yawn, he sprang up to his feet and started staggering around. As he was about to fall, Max grabbed him and steadied him. “I told you not to get drunk,” he grunts.

 “I am not drunk,” Philip croaked. When he spoke, the stench of alcohol oozed from his mouth forcing Max to cover his nose.

He helped Philip to the car and helped him get on the seat before fastening the seatbelt around him. He can’t afford to abandon him in the bar or even ignore taking him home. The least he could do at the moment was to drive him home.

The car trailed off the nearly empty street and continued to the older part of the city. It wasn’t a long drive. Philip’s apartment is just 8km away from the bar. They finally came to a stop in front of Philip’s apartment. The street lights were owned and swerved as the source of light, lighting up the entire neighborhood. 

He helped Philip get out of the car, leaning on him. He carried him, supporting him with half of his body as they walked into the apartment. “That’s it, buddy,” he said, lowering him to the black leather couch. “I need to be on my way now.”

Getting closer to his car, a man spoke from a distance. “That car belongs to you?” 

Max flicked around to see who it was. He made a profile of a man with a pale face. His hair and beard are unkempt. Before Max could answer the strange man, he started walking towards Max. 

He couldn’t hold back his words and decided to lash at the man. “Are you looking for yours?!” He knew this wasn’t one of the best neighborhoods. He knew acting weak would only betray his courage and could easily get a beat down.

“I see you got balls,” the man glared at him with hostility. He stood face to face with Max as Max continued to exhibit how tough he could be without backing down. Instead, he raised his shoulder and chest out. 

 “Get the hell out of my face,” Max glared back.

 “Screw you!” The man grumbled, throwing his hand behind his back. When he pulled out his hand, a pistol came with it as he hastily pointed it at Max. 

“Oh shit!” Max cried back. He tilted back on his heels, lifting his hand in total surrender. “Now you are afraid, huh?” He chuckled, hinting at Max’s reaction. “You no longer want to man up, huh?” 

“What the hell do you want with me?” He cried out, shivering in fear. His bones rattled as his teeth chattered. 

He drew back the hammer of the gun. “Give me your fucking car key!” His eyes hardened against Max. Any wrong move would result in Max taking a bullet to his chest.

Max’s body began to shake, with his teeth chattering in fear. It’s as if an invisible finger of fear is running down his spine. Before he could speak a word, the man punched him in his face saying, “Give me your goddamned car key!”