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Chapter 31 "Her Smile"

A warm breeze gently caressed Maxine's face as she tentatively drove her way to her parent's house. Despite the calm spring day and quiet drive, the woman's heart was already racing. Visiting her parents always made her nervous, but she was practically terrified of what she was going to ask them today. So much so that it was taking her twice the usual time to get there.

"Take it easy girl. Deep breaths." Max told herself. "It's no big deal. It's not the end of the world. You're just going for a nice visit and to give them the tickets. Even if he doesn't want them, it's not... not a big deal."

Her self pep talk did little to calm her nerves. Especially once her childhood home came into view. She was tempted to keep driving by, but her mother was expecting her. There was no way she could get out of this without having to handle an uncomfortable phone call later. "Alright, let's get this over with. Just remember to smile. Always keep smiling."

She had barely made it through the door before she was being invited to dinner, her mother ushering her into the living room for tea with her usual smile. Any of Max's worries were buried as her mother distracted her, the two catching up and enjoying a few good laughs. Though her dread over the purpose of her visit wasn't forgotten, at least her nerves were put at ease for the time being. At least until her father arrived.

"I'm so glad to hear your classes are going well." Sophia beamed at her daughter. "And they sound fun, too. I wouldn't mind just taking some of those dancing classes one day."

"Oh it's been a blast. I mean, it's a lot of hard work, but I don't regret getting talked into it at all. It's so fun to learn something I'm actually interested in."

"Hmph."

Her father's grunt earned him a pair of annoyed, though brief glances. It was enough for him to bury his nose in his newspaper and let the women continue their chat.

"I just can't wait to see you perform." Her mother continued. "I've told all my friend and they're all as excited as I am to see you on Broadway."

"I don't think I'm quite ready for Broadway, yet." Max said, a light blush tinting her cheeks. "That might be a few years off still. Local theaters will have to do for now."

"And I'm still excited! Even just thinking about it fills me with pride. To think that my little girl is going to be up on a big stage. I can't wait to see it."

"She dances on a stage now." Her father grumbled, never looking up from his paper. "Not the kind I'd flaunt to my friends though."

"Well I have, actually." Her mother countered, puffing her chest out proudly. "And they were very impressed. As they should be; Maxine is a wonderful dancer."

"And besides, I don't dance on a stage, Daddy. I dance on a table."

The man grunted, knowing better than to continue arguing when so outnumbered.

"Anyway, you won't have to wait long to see me on stage." With a smile, Max pulled a slip of paper out of her purse, passing it to her mother. "One free ticket to a show on campus in mid May. Singing, dancing, and a few other performances over the course of a couple hours. And I'll be there giving it my all."

"Really? Oh honey, that's wonderful!" Sophia took her daughter in a tight hug, filled with enough enthusiasm for the both of them. "It's going to be tough waiting even that long to finally see my baby girl singing her soul out."

"I'd love for it to be sooner, but this performance is technically my final exam for a couple classes. I'll be part of a dance number, with a little acting, and then singing a solo. All for a grade, and the audience."

"Well I know you'll be just amazing." Her mother assured her. "And no matter how they grade you, I'll be giving you an A plus. No matter what, I'm proud of you."

She gave her husband a pointed look, the man seeming to hide farther in his paper under her glare.

Max was already pulling another ticket from her purse, struggling against her nerves once more. "I have a ticket for you too, Daddy. You don't have to go, but I would like it if you did."

"And if I don't?"

Max visibly winced but quickly regained her composure. "Well, it wouldn't surprise me. But I would be disappointed."

"Well, there's a feeling I'm familiar with." The man snorted, eyes still on his paper. "I've felt it for the past few years in fact."

"Reginald!"

"It's okay, Mom." Max quickly cut in before turning back to her father. "Like I said, you don't have to go. It's just really important to me, but I won't make you go if you don't want to."

"It's a waste of time is what it is." Reginald huffed, finally putting his paper down. "What should be important is getting a real education, and a real job. Instead you waste all this energy on a... a hobby! Unlike your mother, I will not encourage this kind of frivolous behavior."

"Fine." Max replied, keeping her head held high. "Like I said, I'm not surprised. Besides, I know that Mom will be there, and all my friends, too. All the people that care will be supporting me, and you'll be here, alone with your disappointment."

"Oh he'll be alone alright." Sophia added, scowling at her husband. "I wouldn't want to bother him with my frivolous ways."

"Fine. Do what you will, both of you." With a shake of his head, Reginald Douglas retreated to the solitude of his study, newspaper in hand and a frown etched on his face.

"Don't you listen to a word he says." Sophia didn't even wait for the man to be out of earshot before encouraging her daughter once more. "You're going to be wonderful, and I'm going to make sure he's there to see it."

"No, Mom, don't do that." Max said, already feeling drained. "If you force him he'll just fight it even more. Besides, I don't want him to be there because he has to be, but because he wants to be. It won't mean anything otherwise."

"Alright, honey." Her mother reluctantly conceded. "I won't make him go. But leave his ticket here, just in case he comes to his senses."

"Thanks Mom." Max gave her mother a tight hug, if only to calm her nerves. "It means a lot to me, and I don't want anything to ruin this."

"You'll be wonderful, Maxine." Her mother assured her, gently rubbing her back as she comforted her daughter. "As long as you follow your heart, you won't go wrong."

Those words did ease Max's mind a bit, helping her to mask the pain of her father's expected response. But as much as she wanted it, she wouldn't force the man. She refused to let his disappointment get in her way as she worked to achieve her dreams. She'd just rather have him at her side than against her, but that seemed to be the most distant dream of all.

---

While Max had been feeling sure of herself at the time, the depressing reality started to sink in shortly after she arrived home. She really had wanted her father to just accept the ticket and at least pretend to not be disappointed. A fool's hope, she knew, but she had dared to dream. Now she was laying on the couch, head buried under a pillow as she vented to Aiden and Jessica.

"Well, it sounds like things could have gone worse." Aiden offered as he finished grading some papers. "He didn't outright say no, right?"

"He might as well have." The sulking skunk said through her pillow. "He's not gonna be there, I know it. I almost wish he'd just lie to me, say he'd go, then make up some excuse for why he couldn't make it later. It'd probably hurt less than this."

"I bet he'll show up." Jessica chimed in, absentmindedly studying her notes. "I mean, he's your dad. He's gotta go see your show, right?"

"You'd be surprised. He really doesn't approve of me doing this, becoming an actress and all. He'd probably sooner disown me."

Her vision suddenly brightened as the pillow was pulled away, Aiden smiling down at her as her eyes adjusted. "Say, how about we go out for the evening? Go get something to eat, maybe just screw around at the mall for a while, and enjoy ourselves."

"You're just trying to distract me." Max accused, sticking her tongue out at the fox.

"So? I mean, if you want to just mope about under a pillow all night, I won't stop you. But wouldn't you rather be out having fun?"

Max pouted stubbornly, but it was hard to argue against the fox's warm smile. Plus a night out did sound like fun. "Oh alright. Twist my arm, why don't you?"

"That would have been my next tactic."

"Can I come too?" Jessica asked, eagerly shutting her textbooks. "I'd love to get out with you guys."

"I don't see why not." Aiden shrugged. "The more the merrier, right? You sure you're up for spending that much time with... us?"

"Yes." Jess assured him, looking Aiden firmly in the eyes. "I want to spend time with you, just hang out and have fun again."

"I'm all for it." Max said, her legs kicking up over the top of the couch. "We can even grab Cheryl on the way. Make a night of it."

"Just let me stash my books in my car." Jessica was already heading for the door. "Makes more sense to take one car. Be right back!"

Aiden chuckled as his little sister practically skipped out of the apartment. "Glad to see she finally seems to be passed her heartbreak. I don't know what you did, but it really worked."

He glanced back in time to see Max purposefully look away, whistling a tune as innocently as she could. "And I don't want to know, either."

"I just gave her some emotional support." Max smiled brightly, giving Aiden a wink. "As much and as often as she needed."

"Alright, alright." Aiden interrupted with a shake of his head. "I really don't need to know. I'm just glad she's feeling better."

"Fair enough." Max chuckled, finally getting off the couch. "We can save the emotional support for later. Now, you've got me in the mood for shopping therapy."

After a quick stop at the Goodwin Bakery to pick up Cheryl, the group was off to their favorite mall for an evening of distracting fun. Nothing but window shopping and impulse buying as they worked up an appetite for dinner. Through their wanderings Max was able to get some alone time with Cheryl, and catching up soon led to the skunk once again venting her frustrations to her childhood friend.

"I've known your dad for years, but this really takes the cake." Cheryl sighed, shaking her head in annoyance. "He's being a real dick this time."

"Just this time?" Max scoffed, eying some shirts as they talked. "He's been like this for years. It's just now I'm ignoring him and doing what I want. It still hurts, but at least I'm proud of myself for once."

"You definitely seem happier than you were in high school. And you're not faking it anymore, which is nice."

"I never faked anything."

"Girl, don't even start with me." Cheryl cut her right off. "I am your best friend, and I know as well as you do that you were miserable in high school. You may have smiled and acted all cheery, but I knew you were crying on the inside. But now you're being honest with yourself. You're not faking it anymore. You're happier, and it's a good thing. Don't fight it."

"Know me better than I do." Max smiled softly. "But you're right. It just feels so good to be taking this chance. And succeeding, by the way. I just wish Daddy could see it my way. Hell, I'd be fine with him just sucking it up and going, even if he doesn't approve."

"Well, I'll be there." Cheryl assured her with a nudge. "And my parents, too. You'll have plenty of support in that audience, you can count on it."

"You guys have all been just the best." Max was visibly blushing now. "Aiden said almost the same thing earlier. I owe you all so much, especially him. I mean, if it wasn't for Aiden's encouragement, I wouldn't even be doing this. In a way, this is all his fault."

"Damn him, the bastard." Cheryl laughed. "I had a feeling he was guilty of something."

"I think he'd gladly take the blame for this." Max said with a chuckle. "I'm glad he pushed me to try this, and that he's a part of my life."

Her smile brightened as she idly looked over a dress, her mind wandering through her thoughts. It took another nudge from Cheryl to bring her back to reality, and the smug look on her face had the skunk blushing like a tomato. "What?"

"Nothing." Cheryl smirk grew as she watched her friend glance around nervously. "So. penny for your thoughts?"

Max hesitated, her fingers nervously twirling a few strands of hair as she tried to collect her scattered thoughts. Eventually she blew out a long sigh, still uncertain with her own feelings, but unable to ignore her friend's persistent stare.

"Okay. So, I think that maybe, I might just be falling for him. Just a little bit. Maybe."

"Maybe?" Cheryl pressed with a teasing grin. "And what ever happened to you not wanting to complicate things? Not wanting to ruin your friendship with sex?"

"I still want that." Max insisted, hushing her voice a bit. "I really do love Aiden, as a friend, and I don't want to lose that. But, at the same time, I sometimes find myself wanting more than just friendship."

"Yeah, that dick is pretty tempting." Cheryl sighed, patting Max on the back. "And normally, I'd say just go for it. But this is Aiden we're talking about. He doesn't exactly have the best track record. And while he's great in bed, he can be pretty thick headed."

"I know." Max groaned. "I even asked if he wanted to sleep with me a little while ago, and he straight up said no. I mean, he had just broken up with Jacob, but still."

"See? Thick as a brick, and twice as dense. Might be best to just stay friends."

"But..." Max whimpered a bit, her feelings wrestling with her judgement. "He's been so supportive of me, and I know he cares about me. He even saved my life! That has to say something, right?"

"Maybe." Cheryl admitted. "But it could just mean that he's a kind, caring, selfless guy."

"Exactly what I'd want in a boyfriend."

"Look, Maxi, I can't tell you what to do." Cheryl said, rubbing her friend's back supportively. "I obviously have my opinions on this, but it's up to you. You know my advice. You'll just have to decide if you want to play it safe, or take a risk."

"Yeah." Max nodded, though she felt just as torn as before. A part of her heart wanted to find Aiden and leap in his arms right now. Or at least drag him off somewhere private and leap into his pants. But getting that close to someone always seemed to come with the added risk of losing them forever, and the thought of going on without Aiden frightened her even more than trying to deal with her father. If they stayed friends, she'd never have to deal with that pain. "Why couldn't things just stay nice and simple, for once?"

While Max did her best to suppress her feelings, Aiden was spending some time with Jessica for the first time in weeks. He was genuinely glad to see his sister in better spirits, especially around him.

"So, how have you been holding up?" Aiden asked as casually as he could. "You seem to be doing better."

"I am." Jessica admitted, perusing the small manga section in the mall's bookstore. "It doesn't hurt as much anymore, at least. But, I promised that I'd move on from you, and I'm going to keep that promise."

"I know you will. You have a strong spirit, and it'll take more than this to keep you down for long." It was refreshing to see her enjoying herself again, and though she wasn't quite back to her old self just yet, Jessica was clearly happier than she had been a few weeks ago.

"Yeah, well, Maxi-nee helped a lot with that." A soft blush crept over Jessica's cheeks as she smiled. "She's been very helpful."

"Uh, yeah." Aiden cleared his throat awkwardly, not even wanting to think of how Max may have "helped" his sister. "Well, I'm just glad you're feeling better."

"Me too." Jessica suddenly turned and wrapped her arms around Aiden, hugging him close for the first time in months. "Mmm... I did miss this though. You give the best hugs, Nii-san."

With a chuckle, Aiden returned the hug. "You're gonna be alright, kiddo. You'll find someone to date eventually, if you try."

"Someday." Jess agreed, taking a step back. "I'm not worrying about it for now. I think I am going to buy this manga, though."

"Alright. I'll be waiting outside. Don't take too long." He managed to ruffle her hair quickly before they parted, knowing full well she was sticking her tongue out at him as he walked away. Just like old times.

Not expecting to wait long, Aiden busied himself just outside the bookstore by idly perusing his phone. He was feeling pretty content, happy that his sister was recovering while hoping the trip would bring a smile back to Max's face as well. He always thought she looked prettier when she smiled. Thinking of it brought a smile to his own muzzle, which lasted until a familiar yet unwelcome voice called out his name.

"Aiden! Fancy meeting you here." Layla sang out with an ever present grin of superiority. "Out all by your lonesome?"

"I'm with friends." Aiden snorted, eyes locked on his phone as he tried to ignore the woman. "Just waiting on my sister to buy some books."

"Not out with your... boyfriend?" Layla didn't even mask her contempt as she pried. "And here I thought you two had gotten close. Don't tell me you had the horrible breakup already?"

"No. Not that it's any of your business, but we decided to stay friends."

"Really?" Her grin widened almost wickedly. "What a shame. But, I knew you'd never be able to keep up the whole gay thing. You couldn't lie to yourself like that. I know you better than that."

"You don't know anything." Aiden finally looked at her, his annoyance evident on his face. "And frankly, you can keep your opinions to yourself, cause I don't want to hear it."

"Oh, aren't we touchy." Layla seemed to be thriving off his disdain now. "Don't blame me for your other failed relationships. I gave you a chance to come back to all this. In fact, I may still consider it, if you beg for it."

"Not if you were the last person on Earth."

"Oh come on, Aiden." Layla practically sneered. "Have you really been any better off with anyone else? Clearly things didn't work out with that fag, or that whore skunk. In the end you're still alone. But I know how to treat you right. So quit kidding yourself, get on your knees, and beg for my forgiveness. Come back to me, where you belong."

Beyond annoyed now, and personally insulted for his friends, Aiden straightened up before Layla, glaring down at her with true hatred for the woman. "Layla, with all due sincerity, and from the bottom of my heart: fuck you. I'd sooner rip my own intestines out than date you again. So, kindly fuck off."

"You're making a big mistake, Aiden." Layla glared right back at him, refusing to let the man have the last word. "Who knows you as well as I do? Can treat you as well as I can?"

Aiden opened his mouth to reply, but his initial thoughts surprised even him. His mind had once again returned to the warm smile and bright green eyes of his roommate, the sudden appearance of Maxine in his thoughts, now, in response to those questions, rendering him speechless.

"No one, that's who." Layla continued, snapping Aiden back to his senses. "Without me, you'll be all alone, and you know it."

"Nii-san?" They both looked over to see Jessica standing nearby, recent purchase in hand and a venomous look pointed directly at Layla. "What's going on?"

"Nothing." Aiden replied, wrapping an arm around his sister's shoulder. "Just trying to lock a stubborn door. Come on, let's go find the others and get something to eat." He turned his attention back to Layla, a stern look in his eyes. "I'll never be alone, Layla. Even if I'm not dating anyone, I still have my friends and family. And I'll take any and all of them over you. So, for the last time, goodbye Layla."

Without another word, Aiden guided his sister away from the spiteful vixen, leaving Layla to stew in her venomous rage.

"You're making a mistake, Aiden!" She called out after them, not caring who might hear. "This really is your last and final chance! You walk away now, you lose me forever!"

Aiden didn't even glance back at her, though Jessica did take the opportunity to flip her a middle finger. He could hear her cursing his name as he left her behind, smirking to himself as he did so. And there, waiting for him near the restaurant, was Max. Seeing her made him smile even more.

"You seem to be in a good mood." The young skunk commented as they reunited. "I thought this trip was to help me cheer up."

"Well, I just had a very empowering experience."

"He just literally told Layla to fuck off." Jessica explained. "Something he should have done years ago."

"Good. That bitch needs to be told off." Max flashed him that warm smile he loved to see. "Now let's go celebrate with some dinner."

"Sounds good to me. And I can't think of anyone I'd rather celebrate with." Aiden offered his free arm to her, and after a moment's hesitation she accepted. Not one to be left out, Cheryl clung to Maxi's other arm, and the four awkwardly made their way into the restaurant, laughing at how clumsy they knew they looked. Aiden was feeling rather confident with his decisions at this point, while Max did everything she could to bury her feelings and force a smile, thankful for the friends she had and not willing to risk losing a single one of them.

---

"What am I doing?" Aiden asked himself as he drove through the suburbs that warm spring evening a few days later. "This isn't even any of my business, really. It's a family problem, and I shouldn't really get involved. Why am I doing this?"

"Because she's my friend." He chastised himself. "And I'm the one that convinced her to go to school. She wouldn't be in this mess if I hadn't pushed her. This is the least I could do to help."

His internal debate concluded just as he pulled up to the Douglas home. He purposefully planned this trip while Max was at work, knowing full well the woman would have done all she could to talk him out of this. But he was determined to try, and willing to deal with her wrath later if it came to it. "Alright, let's do this."

Sophia Douglas was certainly surprised to see the fox at her door, but she welcomed him in with a smile all the same. "What bring you around, Aiden? You should have told me you were coming. I would have prepared something."

"Sorry, but this isn't really a social visit. I was actually hoping I could have a quick talk with Mr. Douglas, if it's alright."

"You want to speak with Reginald?" If Sophia was surprised by this visit, she was even more so by his request. "Well, you can try. He's back in his office, this way."

She led Aiden back to her husband's study, where the man was relaxing in his favorite chair with a good book. "Reginald, Aiden's stopped by to see you. Be sociable for a bit and I'll get some coffee going."

"Maxine's roommate?" Reginald put his book down as Aiden entered. "Alright, have a seat. You're not here to ask my permission to marry her I hope."

"No." Aiden chuckled, blushing just a bit. "But I am here to talk to you about Max." He took a seat opposite the older man, calmly trying to form his thoughts into cohesive words. He'd need them for this uphill battle.

"So, I know Max told you about her performance in May. It's going to be a very important night for her. Yet she seems to believe you won't be there."

"Did Maxine put you up to this?" Reginald was already scowling. "I already let her know my opinion on this."

"Max doesn't know I'm here." Aiden clarified, not letting the man's demeanor slow him down. "I'm just here as a friend, in the hopes that I can change your mind."

"I'll tell you what I told her." Reginald stubbornly replied. "I refuse to condone or support this frivolous waste of time. Maxine could be putting her energy into something much more meaningful, but instead she wastes it on dancing."

"She doesn't feel it's a waste." Aiden tried to explain. "It's a dream that she wants to make into a reality. And she's been working as hard as anyone could expect to make this happen for herself. Max has been pushing herself hard to get to all her classes, get all her course work done, and keep her job, and she hasn't missed a beat. Her grades are fantastic, and she's really enjoying herself. That all has to count for something."

"I'm sure it's very difficult to pass a singing class." Reginald spat, his words ladened with sarcasm. "Especially at some no name community college. Probably give a degree to anyone who asks."

"It's very important to her." Aiden countered, doing his best to ignore the insult against his alma mater. "And she's been working very hard to succeed at this. She really cares about getting this degree, and I know it would mean a lot to her if her father was there for her, especially for her first performance on a real stage. You don't have to approve. Just humor her on this one thing. I know It'll mean the world to her."

"It would mean the world to me if she would stop being so selfish." Reginald snorted. "She only thinks of herself, and never of her future. I just want what's best for her, whether she sees it or not."

In an act of finality Reginald retrieved his book, returning to reading with a dismissive snort.

Aiden wasn't ready to surrender just yet. He sat back, collecting his thoughts as he formed a rebuttal. He was suddenly regretting never taking any debate classes.

"You know, Max makes a lot of money at her current job. More than enough to pay for our apartment on her own, in fact. For a while, I wondered what she did with it all. She doesn't really have expensive taste, and always jumps at a sale. I always just assumed she was saving it away from a rainy day, or early retirement.

"That was until November. A few days before Thanksgiving, Max went out and bought about half a dozen frozen turkeys, as well as plenty of other foods. It was enough to feed an army. She then went and gave all that food away to various shelters and food kitchens across the city. She did the same thing before Christmas, only with hams. I also caught her writing checks to various charities, children's hospitals, research organizations, and the like. Your 'selfish' daughter donated thousands of dollars to those in need without a second thought."

Aiden leaned forward in his seat, knowing full well the man was listening despite his best efforts to keep reading. "Max has been working really hard to prove herself to you, and to herself, that she's not a failure. All she wants is for her father to see her sing and dance, to succeed in her own way. I cannot make you go, but I can ask you to please consider it. If not for your sake, then at least for your only daughter."

Reginald didn't respond, and Aiden didn't wait to be asked to leave. Having said his piece, the fox left the man to his thoughts. All he could do now was hope the stubborn skunk would at least show up.

On his way out he ran into Sophia once more, a cup of coffee in each hand. "Leaving so soon? And I just finished making the coffee, too."

"I suppose I can stay for one cup." Aiden offered, gladly taking the warm beverage. "It's the least I can do to thank your hospitality."

"You're always welcome here, Aiden." She offered him a warm smile. "So, how did it go?"

"About as well as I could have hoped." The fox shrugged, glancing over his shoulder. "Despite all of Max's complaining, I never expecting him to be that stubborn."

"It runs in the family." Sophia chuckled. "It was still really nice of you to try. You're a good friend to her, Aiden."

"Yeah, well, I just don't like to see her upset." Aiden admitted, glancing down at the coffee in his hands. "She tries to hide it, but I can always tell when she's feeling down. Her smile just isn't the same. I figured, if I could get him to see the show, Max would really let that beautiful smile shine."

"She does have a beautiful smile, doesn't she?" Sophia agreed. "And I'm sure she'd just be happy knowing that you're here for her."

"Maybe, after yelling at me a bit." Aiden said with a laugh. "But even if she does, it'll be worth it. I'm willing to do whatever I can to help make her smile."