Chasing Daylight

Chapter Thirty-Six

"This love is treacherous"

-Taylor Swift

Max

I felt a pair of legs resting against my back when I woke up. I turned to find Maria curled in the fetal position, her back curled against Mason. I let out a sigh, knowing she must feel so awful right now. I couldn't imagine going through the things she had gone through. I had been through shit, but this was like another level and she still managed to be a good person. I deserved the things that had happened to me because I didn't have a good bone in my body. Maria though, she was so patient and kind-hearted and she just kept being beaten down. I got out of bed and made my way to the kitchen. I needed a cup of coffee and so would Mason. Maria would need some tea. I turned around from the counter to find Maria sitting on a barstool silently watching me. I nearly jumped halfway across the room.

"Jesus, I didn't hear you come in here," I said.

"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you," she whispered looking down at her hands resting on the counter.

"I was going to make some coffee, do you want some tea?" I asked.

"Yes please," she nodded. She had a spaced-out look in her eyes and I honestly just wanted to know what she was thinking about. I made us our drinks and then set the mug in front of her. She had been silently fiddling with her fingers as she waited.

"Do you want to sit outside?" She asked finally focusing on me.

"Sure," I nodded knowing it was better to agree with her than to fight her right now. She stood up and made her way out to the balcony. She sat on the little chair and I sat down next to her. Her thin fingers squeezed her mug until her knuckles were white.

"I'm sorry about yesterday," she whispered. When I looked over at her, she was looking into her mug.

"What are you sorry about?" I asked confused. What could she possibly be sorry about?

"I know that you don't want to have to deal with all my problems and emotions and I was really emotional. You didn't need me to put all of that on you."

"Maria we're friends and well honestly family and if you're going through something, I'm going to be there to help you when you need it because you have been nothing but patient and kind with me."

"Thank you for staying with us last night. I won't ask that of you again I just got so scared and..."

"You don't need to explain it to me," I replied placing my hand on her shoulder. She hadn't even taken a sip of her tea. "I told you that I would be there for what you needed and I mean that. Mason and I will do whatever you need to make you feel safe and comfortable again."

"Do you think Mason is upset with me?" She asked looking up at me with eyes full of worry.

"No, I don't," I said confidently. "He's worried about you. He isn't upset with you but he did think you were upset with him when you asked for Sophie."

"I need to talk to him," she sighed. "I was such a selfish shitty..."

"Maria no, stop that," I said immediately shutting her down. "There is a time when you are allowed to only think about yourself and what you need. Now is the time for that. What happened with that asshole was not okay in any way and the things he did to your sister makes everything that you've been through a hundred times more traumatizing. I'm sure it's going to be a while until you feel back to your normal self, so it's okay to ask things of us."

"You're a good person Max," she said looking up at me and the sincerity in her eyes made mine start to prick. I'm not sure I could really name a single person who had ever told me I was a good person. "I'm glad that we met."

"Me too Maria," I said squeezing her shoulder gently. "Now drink your tea before it's completely cold."

She nodded glancing down at the mug like she had forgotten she was holding it.

--

Maria

When Mason stepped out onto the balcony he squeezed my shoulder gently. "Morning Mason," I said patting his hand gently.

"I'm gonna go get a refill," Max said tapping his empty mug before standing up and moving back inside. Mason took his seat and I knew I had to talk to him about yesterday. I couldn't have him thinking that I was upset with him.

"Can I talk to you about yesterday?" I asked looking up at him.

"Whatever you need," he said with a nod.

"I just don't want you to think I was upset with you yesterday. I know I called Sophie and asked for her help, but that wasn't because I was upset with you. I just knew that neither one of us could handle seeing each other. We were both struggling and upset and I don't think either of us were in a position to help each other. I just needed Sophie..."

"I appreciate you telling me that," Mason said with a nod. "I understand why you needed Sophie and I hope you know that I love you no matter what. I will be here for you no matter what and in whatever way you need."

"I love you too," I nodded feeling a lump in my throat. Everyone was being so careful and accommodating of me. They were all worried and loved me. Most of the time I didn't need to be handled so delicately, in fact that was what I appreciated so much about being Max's friend, but in this moment that was exactly what I needed. I felt like I was processing everything slowly and it felt like my sister's death was on a constant loop in my head. I didn't know how well I was going to handle everything that happened from this point on. I knew that I was pressing charges against Trent and that eventually, the people in Maine would find out. I knew that I was going to have to explain things to them or at the very least my uncle. I knew that I was going to have to leave my friends all over again and that they wouldn't understand why I wanted to stay in Washington. I just wished that my sister was here to talk me through things and to help me have these hard conversations. She had always been the one I leaned on and now I was alone.

"Can I give you a hug?" Mason asked gently and I knew he could see the tears in my eyes. I nodded and was instantly surrounded by his scent and warmth. His arms made me feel so safe and comfortable. As he went to sit down again I found myself climbing onto his lap, desperately needing to be close to him. He stroked my hair gently.

"What do you need today?" He asked his deep voice soothing.

"I need to do some homework first," I sighed tucking my face into his neck.

"Alright I can make you something to eat while you do that," Mason nodded.

"Thank you," I sighed.