The morning sun seeped through the curtains, casting soft patterns on the walls. Max stirred on the couch, blinking his eyes open to find Scarlet already up and rummaging through the kitchen. He couldn't help but smile at the sight of her trying to figure out his coffee maker.
"Need help?" he called out, his voice raspy from sleep.
Scarlet turned around, grinning. "I think I've got it. Your coffee machine just hates me."
Max sat up, stretching his arms. "It hates everyone. You just have to be a little rough with it." He walked over and guided her through the steps, their hands brushing against each other. Scarlet glanced up at him, eyes sparkling, but neither said a word about it.
After breakfast, they decided to head out for a change of scenery. The local café down the street was always buzzing with energy, and Scarlet insisted on treating him to a proper coffee after his machine's betrayal.
As they stepped inside, the familiar aroma of roasted beans and baked goods filled the air. They grabbed a corner table by the window, chatting about random things—college assignments, beach memories, and how Chris always fell asleep first no matter the occasion.
Max was just about to crack a joke when he noticed someone staring at him from across the room. A guy about his age, with a shaved head and a tattoo on his neck, stood by the counter, eyes locked on Max.
Scarlet picked up on his sudden silence. "You good?" she asked, following his gaze.
Max forced a smile. "Yeah. Just thought I saw someone I knew."
The guy smirked and walked over, hands shoved into his pockets. "Well, well. Didn't expect to see you here, Max."
Max stiffened. "Didn't think I'd see you again, either."
Scarlet looked between them, sensing the tension. "Who's this?"
The guy didn't even glance at her. "Just an old friend. Right, Max?"
Max's jaw clenched. "Something like that."
The stranger laughed. "Still playing it cool, huh? Don't worry, I'm not here to cause trouble. Just surprised to see you... looking so cozy with someone."
Scarlet's brow furrowed, but Max remained calm, though his grip tightened around his coffee cup. The guy gave Max a mocking salute before heading out, leaving an uneasy silence in his wake.
Scarlet leaned in, her tone gentle. "Max... who was that?"
He looked down at the table, his fingers tracing the rim of his cup. "No one important. Just someone from back when I... didn't exactly make the best choices."
Scarlet reached out, her hand covering his. "You don't have to talk about it if you're not ready."
Max gave a small nod, grateful she wasn't pushing. But even as they finished their drinks, his mind stayed stuck on the encounter. He thought he had left that part of his life behind when he started college, but it seemed like the past wasn't done with him yet.
On the walk back, Scarlet nudged him lightly. "You sure you're okay?"
He forced another smile. "Yeah. Just... old stuff. I'll deal with it."
Scarlet didn't press further, but her worried glances didn't go unnoticed. As they made their way back to his apartment, Max couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something that could tear apart the fragile happiness he had started to build.