Frozen Heart - 5. Chapter 5 - A wall will fall

Even after two weeks, Aaron still didn't leave Maximilian alone. He should get a medal for being this persistent. At least, Maximilian didn't have to go through the morning and evening commutes with him anymore. Most mornings, Aaron waited for Maximilian in the school parking lot. They went to class together, to Maximilian's great despair, people even started looking at the in the halls. It was probably hilarious to see a small, dark-haired boy walking with a tall, lean blond boy, mostly when the blond one was so upbeat, optimistic and talkative, while the other one was gloomy, and quiet. In class, Aaron wouldn't be far from him, always sitting in a spot next to him in some way, at least Maximilian could have peace in those hours. As talking was frowned upon in class, yet some part of him still yearned for that voice, he dared not admit it. In a way he was afraid of his feelings, no, he was afraid of what they might bring... As soon as the bell signaling the end of a period resonated in the halls though, the endless stream of words would resume anew, picking up where it had left off.

"Why do you spend so much time with Ghost? Can't you see he want's to be alone? He's always been like that, we've all tried before you," had one of them popular girls said once to Aaron (in front of Maximilian).

"Because it's the right thing to do. No one should be alone like that, everyone deserves a friend." Maximilian had looked at Aaron with both surprise and warmth. For a brief moment his eyes had shown his true inner self, as the ice around his heart had waned. For a brief moment he had cared, he had been in touch with the world around him, but the feeling of his feelings rushing through the breach scared him. He closed up his heart once more, but this time almost with a twinge of regret.

"I saw, and thank you," Aaron had told him as they had parted that evening.

Evenings. As days, Maximilian dreaded them and loved them. Aaron would spam him of messages, most but not all went unanswered. It was easier for him to talk through his phone, he didn't have to face the looks of other people, he didn't have to be afraid to show himself in the words he wrote. He was also obliged to admire to what length Aaron went to get a few words from him. For that he loved evenings in his own way. The toughest part though was late at night. How many times in those two weeks had he been unable to sleep? How many times had sleep eluded him for hours as he laid motionless in bed, random thoughts whirling inside his head. In those late hours he found himself vulnerable. The barricades would weaken, the ice would melt, and his emotions, his memories would slip through the cracks. Just last night, he had been tired of his day, so very tired, but sleep laughed at him from afar. Aaron had been insistent yesterday, he had battered at his walls without rest, and his armor was teared in several places. All in all, it ended with Maximilian crying himself to sleep, it hadn't happened in years, and Maximilian felt ever so weak in the morning, hesitating to call in sick for the day.

"Aaron will help, go seek him," had his unconscious whispered wickedly in his ear.

However, today Maximilian decided that he had to put an end to this madness. He was weak. He was exhausted. He had had enough!

"This ends today!!" he motivated himself, not really believing in it though.

He got ready for school, repeating in his mind what he would say to Aaron. When he arrived Aaron was waiting for him as usual. He got out of the car calmly.

"Hey Maximilian!" called Aaron. He was his usual happy self, full of life, of joy, the exact opposite of Maximilian in truth.

"Aaron, I need to talk to you."

"Wow, that is new... so uh what's up?"

"I need you to stop following me, to stop talking to me. I want to go back to silence, I want silence to be my only friend again," but his conviction had dwindled as he said the words.

Aaron thought for a second.

"No," he answered simply.

"NO?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN NO?!" shouted Maximilian, angered all of a sudden.

"No, I won't leave you alone, never again," Aaron simply said, as he came close, invading Maximilian's personal space.

"Why? Why won't you leave me alone?" Maximilian broke down, the ice shattering to thin white powder. Emotions ran rampant around his heart, raging, thrilled to be set free at last. Anger, despair, love, hate, bliss, misery, joy, and sorrow. In the chaos that was his mind, Maximilian desperately kept the lock on his memories sealed. His last line of defense was being attacked from all sides. He felt hot and cold, his body reacted to the chaos on his mind. Tears streamed down his face while he cursed Aaron. He punched Aaron (without much force don't worry) while his other hand held him.

"Maximilian listen to me, I know it hurts. I know that deep inside something is terribly wrong, and I can see that. I want to help you, I want to be there for you.

Aaron was holding him tenderly now. They had slipped to the ground at some point, and his head rested on Aaron's chest. Maximilian looked up at those soft brown eyes and chocked out:

"Help me... please..."

Maximilian was fighting to keep his memories far away, glimpses of his past resurfaced briefly before being shoved back down.

"I'm here, shhh," said Aaron, trying his best to comfort him.

As fast as it they had fallen, the ice appeared back around his heart. Seeing this as his only chance, Maximilian shoved all his emotions back behind the thick, safe, walls. He took in the mess he was, inside and outside. He cursed himself once more for being so weak. Aaron seeing the cold returning to his friend's eyes pleaded:

"Maximilian no! Please don't lock up again, stay with me. I'll help you! I'll do whatever you want, just please don't close yourself off anymore!"

"No, I can't, I'm sorry..."

"Yes you can, you did once, and you will again! Even if I have to wait, I will see you heal! I will see happy! I will see you smile! I will never give up on you!"