Chapter 8

Max's POV

"Max, I am not Seth. Why are you venting out your anger with him on me?" for the umpteenth time, I heard Sky sighing on the other line. He sounded so exhausted but the angry me can't see that because of what happened.

Zanaya had been crying after reading an article about Seth and Sally dating. And it kills me.

Zanaya may be a crybaby but it's different if she's crying not because she was too happy.

"I told you. I told you a million times to keep your fucking friend on a leash before I kill him. I specifically told you that I am ready to kill once Zanaya gets hurt!" I growled.

Not only did she saw the article but she and Tokyo saw them on a date.

Zanaya saw her with her own eyes.

"You know what, if you didn't keep me awake until dawn, I should have gone with them. And from there, I swear I don't care if we're outside but I will make sure he'll be begging on his knees once my hands take a hold of him. And Sally. I can't believe her. We're friends!" I exclaimed and Sky kept listening on the other line which what normally happens every time I vents out my frustrations to him.

The day Zanaya went home with her eyes swollen from all the tears, it took me an hour to calm down and stop sending out curses to Sky and that is me asking him to deliver every fucking word I say to that jerk.

"I know, GUCCI. Trust me. Seth isn't all that giddy about everything that's happening. I can't tell you anything but trust me, he loves your friend more than anything," he stated and my breath hitch at the sound of his voice.

I gulped.

"Sky..." I called for his name as I turned from my bed. And I mentally scolded myself when I heard him humming in response from the other line. He sounded so tired and the sound of his breathing tells me he's just trying to keep up with me.

I have been talking for an hour and I forgot that he may be exhausted. From what I know, they have a tight schedule and I'm taking his very little time to rest.

"Have you eaten?" I asked, suddenly concerned at his wellbeing.

Ever since that rooftop incident, my views on him had turned on a hundred eighty degrees. I still hate his guts sometimes but talking with him on the rooftop made me realize that no matter what I do, he might be staying for God knows how long in my life. Whether for good or not, I don't know but my guts tell me he will.

"Ow, is my sweet GUCCI concern about her Sky?" the sound of his low voice while chuckling gave me goosebumps.

Good Lord, he sounded amazing.

But of course, I tried to mask the smile slowly creeping on my face when I heard him chuckle.

"You wish. But you sounded so tired. I'm sorry for throwing everything at you," I pouted. I may be mean but I know I'm crossing the line. Looking closely, I may have overboard a bit. Or not just a bit but I sure did. "Sorry, I'm taking too much of your time," I added and I'm surprised he didn't answer.

Did I vent out too much?

In nervousness, I started biting my index finger while I wait for his answer.

"It's fine Max. You know I'll always listen to whatever you say. And besides, I understand. I know why you're fuming. But give my friend a chance too," he mumbled and I can't help but sigh.

Should I?

It's not your relationship Max. You can't meddle in their lives. My conscience started bugging me.

And then I remember what he just said. "Why?" The question in my head getting out of my lips. He sounded surprised a bit or maybe that was just my imagination but he then I heard his laughter from the other line.

"Because you're my GUCCI? Honestly, Max, I would listen to your every cute babbling but I can't promise that I'll always agree," he told me and I know he may be teasing but I understand his point.

"I know and thanks for listening," I chuckled myself. I can't believe I'm agreeing with his words.

Then, everything went silent between the two of us and all the while, I was smiling.

It wasn't an awkward silence but rather, a silence with a mutual understanding with each other. For once, it's I feel like silence is fine, and I'm actually enjoying it.

My eyes landed on the clock on my bedside table. It's past midnight.

"Hey..." I called for his attention and like earlier, he just hummed in response and I can't help but close my eyes. I can't help but notice how the sound of him humming brings comfort not only to my ears but also to my insides, like, it's calming my nerves.

"You want to sleep? It's late," I told him as I pull my blanket even more after feeling a little cold.

"Well, I want to, but I have a little problem," he stated and my brows furrowed.

"What?" I asked confused.

"Nothing, go to sleep GUCCI or you'll have dark bags tomorrow, I know you don't want that," he whispered and it sent chills all over me.

What the heck.

I shrugged that weird feeling but knowing that something is bothering him started to bother me too.

All he did was listen to my words, I guess it's only fair I listen to his.

"Tell me Sky. Just try, maybe I can help," I told him and he was silent for a moment.

"I'm having a hard time sleeping. I don't know, I just-" I heard him sigh, the sound of his breathing catching me off-guard. It was heavy like he was having a bad time. "Just, go to sleep. This will pass," he stated and I felt my stomach churning. He must have been so stressed about a lot of things for him to have a hard time like this.

Now I'm feeling more and more apologetic for taking all of his time when he's having a battle of his own.

"Is something bothering you Sky? You know I'm willing to listen like how you listen to me, right?" I told him, my eyes softening and for once, I wish I was seeing him in person.

He started giggling and the more he does, the more I find his laughter appealing.

"You're being a softie, Max. I'm not used to this. Oh my God!" he squealed and I laughed really loud.

"Shut up. I'm being nice to you now but don't get used to it," I teased and his laughter soon stopped.

"Hmm, okay then. How about a favor?" he asked and I raised one of my eyebrows though he can't really see me.

"Hmm?"

"Can you sing for me?" he tried cooing and I almost choked on my saliva.

"What?"

He laughed once again.

"Relax, it's just a song. Just one song and I promise I'll sleep..." he whispered and my heart softened at the sound of his voice breaking.

Just once song Max. That won't hurt.

"Okay, but this will be the first and last Sky. I'm not a pushover, you know," I told him, my voice almost coming out a threat.

"Wow, are you for real? One second I think I might cry. Max is willing to sing for her Sky, I am legit about to cry," he started rambling and I can't help but smile, my heart fluttering a little.

Did he just indirectly say that he's mine?

Calm down, Max.

"Stop being overly dramatic about it Sky or I might change my mind," I rolled my eyes before moving a little to adjust my position. When was the last time I actually spent more than ten minutes over the phone? I actually can't even remember.

He stopped teasing and for a moment, I thought about asking him to request something apart from me singing but I remember how hard he had been breathing earlier and my heart automatically waver.

A long sigh escaped my lips before starting to sing one of my favorite songs.

Snow isn't a person...

She's a persona made to be someone what her readers want her to be...

Snow isn't a human...

She's a creative output built by her readers' imagination...

Snow isn't real...

She's just a dream, an escape for other people...

Snow isn't perfect...

She's just a perfect character built in her readers' mind...

Snow is You...

A persona, a creative output, a dream, an image, a character...

But who is the real Snow?

Who are you?

You always smile, tells them everything is okay...

You always crack jokes, making their feelings lighter when they're down...

You always give advice, to help them get through with everything...

You always put them first...

But I'd like to know, who are you?

Are you happy?

Are you hurting?

Do you feel loved?

Do you feel safe?

Do you want to be Snow?

Or do you want to be someone else?

Do you need to hide to be you?

Do you need to be alone to be happy?

Do you need to turn your back to stop hurting?

Do you need to close your eyes to feel loved?

Do you need to shut yourself to feel safe?

Do you want to be Snow?

Or do you want to be you?

But regardless of who you want to be, please know...

that all I want is for you to be happy...

Whether you are Snow, or you are your true self...

Because your happiness is my happiness...

Because you are my own snow...

Smiling to myself for a job well done, I whispered before falling asleep myself, "Goodnight Sky..."

"GUCCI..." I managed to mumble before my eyes closed until I was also drifting into a deep slumber.