Chasing Daylight

Chapter Two

It's nice to have a friend

-Taylor Swift

Maria

The next morning my alarm woke me up. I rubbed my eyes and got out of bed. I changed into a pair of jeans and a white t-shirt, shoving my curly blonde hair into a ponytail. I sat in front of my mirror staring at the bags under my eyes. I didn't wear makeup, but at that moment I probably could have used some. Last night was the first night of decent sleep I had gotten in almost a month. Today was my first day of this new life I had set out to find just a few months ago. I was terrified it wouldn't be what I wanted. I was terrified it wouldn't be what I needed. What if I could never be normal again?

Once I was dressed, I grabbed an apple from the fridge and left. It was clear that Max was not awake yet, his bedroom door was still firmly shut and the silence was letting me overthink the day a bit too much. I spent the day going from class to class. It really wasn't any different from the classes I took before I left and I had plenty of time to memorize the campus before I started. Luckily with syllabus week, I wouldn't have any homework, so I could focus on making Washington feel more like home. 

After my classes, I stopped by the involvement fair. There was one organization that I had been a part of at my old school. It had been part of my life far before college, so despite wanting to start over, I couldn't let it go.

"Hi, have you heard of Camp Kesem?" A girl asked me as I approached the table full of bubbling personalities with huge smiles. Camp Kesem was a summer camp for kids whose parents had been affected by cancer and it had kept me from falling apart almost all my life. 

"Yes, I used to be part of the one in Maine," I answered.

"Well welcome to Washington," the girl grinned. "What's your camp name?"

"Sunshine," I smiled feeling a reminiscent tug at my heart as I thought about all the summers I spent with that name.

"Oh my gosh I love that," the girl smiled. "I'm Mako let me introduce you to everyone. Guys, guys, this is Sunshine, she just moved here from Maine."

"Hi, Sunshine!" The group waved. I waved back knowing a smile was growing on my face. No matter where I went people like this would always be home.

"Listen, we don't have a general body meeting until next week, but would you like to get coffee with me and some of the other members tomorrow?" Mako asked.

"I would actually love that," I nodded already feeling successful.

"Great, just give me your number and I'll text you," Mako said handing me her phone. I typed in my number and handed it back. "I'll text you the details."

"Great thank you," I smiled.

I left the fair and made my way to the gym another comfort of mine. I changed clothes and ran on the treadmill. It was one of the few places that distracted me from my stress and anxieties. I was more focused on how long it would take before my lungs exploded. 

At home, the apartment was quiet and peaceful. I had a feeling seeing Max was going to be a rarity and I really didn't mind. It was nice to live without people constantly watching with worried looks in their eyes. 

--

Max

I walked into the apartment from work and almost jumped out of my skin when I saw that girl standing at the counter. "Fuck, I forgot you were here," I said setting my file folder on the counter. She was in the middle of shoving some green leaves into a blender.