MAXWELL's P.O.V.

There wasn't much to do inside today. My manager had given my shift to some newbie today since he supposedly "needed more practice."

I didn't dare say anything, but I knew letting some kid take my shift on alone for practice wasn't going to help him in the slightest bit. It would probably just confuse him and lead to him quitting on the first day, which I was perfectly fine with. Starbucks surprisingly paid good money.

Staying inside on a cloudy day like this would be such a waste. It was only eight in the morning, but I couldn't stand just scrolling through my phone anymore.

As soon as I got up, I immediately regretted it. Wearing only boxers to sleep wasn't the best idea because my apartment was absolutely freezing. I went to my wardrobe to pick out something to wear, but before I did, I passed by my full length mirror that hung on my door.

I flexed my arms a bit and smiled to myself. Years of going to the gym paid off and as obnoxious as it seemed, I liked to boast about it. I kissed both of my biceps before winking at the mirror and finding out what to wear.

Today wouldn't be as cold so I picked out a random hoodie and jeans, until I realized that it had been over three weeks since I last saw my mother. Since I didn't have anything planned today, it would be perfect to visit her. Though I knew she'd never approve of me going out looking like a regular teenager.

Once I graduated, she told me I was a man and that I should behave like one, which to her meant dressing like a 'man'. So I decided on wearing the grey suit she bought me last Christmas. It was a bit over the top, but I'd wear anything to keep my mother happy.

After repeatedly attempting to fix the mess of floppy brown hair on my head, I gave up and left it looking as if I had just gotten out of bed. The bit of scruff on my chin added to my just-got-out-of-bed look.

After making sure I brought all of my necessities, I went to my car and started it up. For someone who worked at Starbucks, I was pretty well off. Even if I did have a Bachelor's degree in Nursing, I wanted to experience life on its own so I wouldn't be working at a hospital in a while.

I stopped at Starbucks before heading to my mom's. Her house was around an hour and a half away so I settled on getting her some hot tea and heating up it up when I get there.

"One venti peach green tea and a venti chai tea latte. Both hot," I quickly ordered.

"Visiting your mom again?" Vanessa asked, writing down my order.

Vanessa Clark was a beautiful brunette who just so happened to be my ex-girlfriend and current co-worker. We dated for a few months and it was a consensual decision when we broke up, so now we were both good friends.

"Yeah, how's the kid doing?" I asked, looking behind her to see the newbie rushing around and hurriedly searching for stuff.

"Not bad for his first day actually. I'll get your drinks out soon, okay? Tell your mom I said hi."

"Will do, Clark."

Vanessa was professional when it came to her job so it wasn't a surprise when my drinks were done only a minute or two later. After waving goodbye, I picked up the drinks and headed to my car, getting ready for a very long drive.

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"Oh, look at my handsome boy," my mother gushed, patting my chest and looking closer at my suit.

It had been a while since my last visit but the house looked as it always did. Painted white with a brown roof and red door. The simple portrait of a normal home.

"Get inside already and lock the door."

I did as I was told and followed her into the kitchen so I could heat up her tea.

"Have you been doing well, mom?"

"Of course, a forty-three year old woman like me is perfectly capable of fending for herself," she said proudly, taking things out of the refrigerator.

"Well, what about your job?"

She groaned and rolled her eyes. "As head nurse, I'm responsible for most of the new nurses and Nancy- you know Nancy, right? I told you about her; the snobby woman who thinks she knows everything. Well, she abandoned her shift and I wasn't aware so I was scolded. Me, of all people. I'm their best head nurse!"

By then, she was clutching onto the cilantro in her hand. I gently took it away from her and placed it on the kitchen counter before hugging her.

"Don't stress too much about it, mom. What are you going to do about Nancy anyways?"

"I already fired her. She tried to beg for her job back and I was tempted to until one of the nurses told me she left for a party. You should meet her. Her name's Katherine, 21 years old with a heart of gold."

I took her tea out of the microwave and poured it into one of the mugs from the kitchen cabinet, placing it on the dining table.

"I'm not looking for a relationship right now, mom, but thank you," I kissed the top of her head and took over her job of cutting up the vegetables. "What are we cooking today?"

"I didn't have a big breakfast so maybe spaghetti with meatballs and vegetable soup. Is this mine?" She pointed to the warm mug and I nodded. "It's good, Maxwell. Thank you."

Seeing her smile was always a great thing. When I was younger, maybe around 12 or 13, my father still lived with us in this house. My mom was a working woman and my father stayed home while I went to school. He was always so angry, even when my mother tried to comfort him, he would shout. Then one night my mom had gotten home from work and they began fighting.

Before she had said anything, she told me to go to my room, but I could still hear their shouting. My dad was gone the morning after and we never saw him again. Since then, my mom began smiling more and that was all I ever wanted.

It didn't take long to finish cooking lunch and I stayed a little while longer to wash the dishes and sweep most of the house since my mom was very sensitive when it came to dust. Even after that, my mom had made more tea and we talked on the porch for a while.

By six, I was ready to leave.

"Don't wait so long until you visit me again and be safe driving home. It was good to see you again. I love you," she was basically shouting that through the entire neighborhood since she was still by the door and I was already by my car.

"Goodbye, mom. I love you too."

I was on the highway when my phone began ringing and I had pulled over just to answer it.

"Maxwell, you busy?" Aaron, a close friend of mine, had called.

"I was just about to head home. Why?"

"I'm throwing this party tonight at my place. You interested? There's this girl that I think you'd really like-"

"I told you I'm not interested in dating right now, but I'll go. I'll see you in a few."

Aaron's place wasn't too far from where I was now and it would be a waste of gas to head home and come back so I figured I'd head straight there.

My suit was probably not appropriate for a teenage party, but it was too late to change.

When I arrived, there were already a few people inside and by the looks of it, tonight's party was going to be wild.

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Hope you guys enjoy this story
-LovelyLittleTurtles