Hysterical {Maxine Mayfield} COMPLETED

Living With The Byers

TW// Mentions of child neglect/abuse

It had been a few days of recovery for Maxine. Lukas had spent whatever free time he had coming to visit her. Though occasionally he had to sneak around so Billy didn't find out. Like tonight, Billy was home.

"I can't believe I'm doing this..." Max looked out the window, watching the sun set.

"I know, I'm so proud of you." Lukas praised her while lifting her packed bag out of the window and dropping it. "I'll jump first. Then I'll help you get down."

"It's not the first time I've snuck out of this window." Max rolled her eyes, feeling a bit more like herself.

"I know, but you're still feeling a bit sore and lightheaded, right?" Lukas put one of legs out of the window. "I just don't want you to fall and hurt yourself."

"How considerate." Max watched Lukas hop down to the ground. She looked around her room, making sure she had all her essentials. Max had no idea when she planned on returning home.

"You coming?" Lukas called out to her.

Max sighed and started putting her legs out the window. "Would you catch me if I just fell right now?"

Lukas opened his arms. "Absolutely!"

Max acted as if she was about to fall, just to watch Lukas focus on catching her. "You're so stupid..."

"But you love me!" Lukas cheered while still waiting for her to jump down.

Max inched off the edge and jumped down like she normally would. Although this time she didn't have far to go, because Lukas caught her.

"Gotcha!" He continued holding her, hugging her tightly in the pure moment.

Max giggled and hugged him back. The trauma was still very much alive, but Max was starting to feel more empowered. Seeing how committed her boyfriend was to helping her.

Joyce was already expecting Max tonight. Jane had told Joyce and Hopper the plan, and they immediately agreed. Things felt like they could get better, and they could. It just sucks that life will always give you a challenge, no matter what battle you just won.

"Come on stalker, let's go. Before I get tired." Max started walking down the driveway. Joyce had offered countless times to just pick Max up, but Max refused. She didn't want to risk Billy catching on to her running away. He would be the only one who would try to stop it. Less because he cared about her, more because he felt the need to 'protect' her.

"Okay, okay." Lukas picked up her bag and started walking. "I'm so excited for you. You'll feel a lot safer with them. Plus you'll have Jane for girl time, all the time."

Max shrugged indecisively. "On one hand I'm excited to get out of that hell hole, on the other I'm scared... because this is a small town. People will soon realize I live with the Byers. Rumors are probably already spreading about what happened... they'll probably think my mom kicked me out because I'm a slut." Max spiraled into her negative theories. "What if my mom gets arrested?"

"Shh, it will be okay. People are going to run their mouths no matter what. You're not a slut, and you know Joyce won't force you back to school before you're ready. By the time you're back I'm sure Jane will have any gossipers killed." Lukas didn't like his girlfriend doubting the progress. "Things are going to get better."

Max took a deep breath, wanting to believe him. "I guess...

-

They made it to the Byer's house after an unpleasant walk, but thankfully Max was only a little achy and sore after it.