Rebirth Into My Second Chance

The next morning, I woke up in my apartment still in yesterday's clothes, everything intact.

I vaguely remembered Max bringing me home the previous night, and I thought I might have done something to him.

I couldn't quite put my finger on what happened. I tried calling Richard, but he didn't pick up. Glancing down at my clothes, I recalled making a bet with Richard that Max was gay, and Max had said something in response.

Looking in the mirror while brushing my teeth, my face was all puffy from drinking, and that was when I noticed a small bruise at the corner of my mouth.

Oh no! Max had proven he wasn't gay through actions rather than words. My head was pounding. How was I supposed to face him at work later?

Just then, Richard called back in a groggy voice, "Did you bring me home last night?"

"No, it was Mr. Collins. And, Richard, Max isn't gay. He proved it." I could almost hear Richard jump out of bed on the other end.

"How did he prove it?" he asked after a moment.

"It's nothing. Don't

have someone related by blood, no longer alone. That's why I didn't take any precautions, even though I knew I would get

on my shoes and

house, I noticed Max wasn't around. Probably, he had gone

think much of it. Max was like the icing on the cake in this life. But with my

BUMS

I saw Max walking

hid behind a wall, my heart racing. Was

I hadn't seen him this morning. He was

I

number, making me the

in line.

eyes. I glanced toward the closed door behind

to sound indifferent, I said, "Dr. Hilton, this