(2) Love You to Hell and Back (Max Mayfield / (Fem) You)

-Chapter 20: Love You to Hell and Back-

Firetrucks and ambulances fill the parking lot as we're ushered out.

The mall is on fire.

I sit with Max on the back of an ambulance as the nurses check her over for injuries. After she is done, they turn to me, cleaning up my nose wound and bandaging it before letting us sit there. I accept a blanket that a nurse hands me and drape it over Max's shoulder. She's silent. Staring off into space, tears in her eyes that are unwilling to spill over. "Max..." I say, reaching out and holding her hand. She turns to me, a frown on her face before she looks down. She leans her head on my shoulder, muffling her sobs as they wrack her body.

I hug her, letting her cry. I look over the parking lot, spotting my friends around, sitting together or getting checked out by the nurses. I spot El who's walking around like a lost puppy. She finds Joyce who looks at her. They don't seem to exchange any words, the teared up expression in Joyce's face is all that is needed. Hopper's gone.

I feel tears well in my own eyes as I watch El break down in tears, crying as Joyce holds her. Two of the most important people in my life lost someone. They're broken, and it makes me feel broken. I look back at Max, who stops crying and is now just leaning on me, a lost expression on her face as she looks at the road below us.

What now?

___________________________

Three Months Later

The Byers are moving.

And they're taking El with them.

Joyce decided that it would be best for them to move out of Hawkins, away from all this....stuff. It hurt to find out that two of my best friends were leaving, but I know it won't be the end of things. It can't be.

The rest of us offered to help pack up the Byers' house, wanting to spend a few more quality moments before they leave. Max and I are sitting in the living room, grinning as we tease Dustin about what we overheard on the radio.

"How'd you guys even hear that?" He asks, confusion on his face. "I stole a radio." I say. "And didn't say anything?" He asks. I shrug, grinning. "Why ruin the moment? Right, Dusty-bun?" I tease. Dustin rolls his eyes, going back to packing as I lock eyes with Max who grins back.

"Turn around. Look at what you seeeee. In your face, the mirror of your dreams!" We sing loudly together.  "Rhymes that keep their secrets, will unfold behind the cloud-" We sing before Max stops abruptly. "Wait, did we get that verse right? It's unfold behind the clouds?" She asks. Dustin stares at us, expressionless before answering. "Yeah. But you're butchering it, so could you please stop?" He asks. I chuckle, raising an eyebrow. "Well then join us, Dusty-bun." I say. "Yeah, come on, Dusty-bun, why don't you join us?" Max adds, grinning.

It took her a few weeks to deal with Billy's death...but she seems to be in a better place now. She's smiling more and sharing more.

"You guys are so funny, you should be on Carson." Dustin deadpans. "Can't we just hear your rendition?" Max asks. "No." Dustin replies. "Please? Just one verse?" Max pleads, pouting. "No! No way. It's reserved for Suzie's ears and Suzie's ears alone." He says, serious and done with us. I look at Max, who returns my gaze before we both turn back to Dustin, grins on our faces.

"Turn around. Look at what you seeee." We sing. Dustin flips the bird at us and moves it around so we can see it. "In their face, the mirror of your dreams!" We continue. "Shut up, guys!" He says, clearly annoyed. "Rhymes that keep their secrets, will unfold behind the clouds." "Would you guys shut up!" He exclaims, making Max and I stop before giggling. "We made someone angry!" I say, laughing. Dustin rolls his eyes, shaking his head. "Aww, Dusty-bun's upset. " Max says, pouting. "Maybe we should call up Suzie-poo to give him a hug." She adds. Dustin looks at us, annoyed. "I'm going." He says before getting up, hefting a large box with him and walking over to a different room.