Sweet Tooth [HS]

SEVENTY SIX

One day later.

The morning began unspectacularly.

Max woke up early and she managed to convince herself for a whole minute that Harry was holding her before she realised it was Finn. With the same corrosive disappointment she stared at his sleeping face, wishing so deeply she could feel something for it, sort of praying to some God that maybe one day she'd wake up and be glad for it.

But right then, there was nothing.

Knew, really, that there would always be nothing.

So she sighed, and then she rolled out of bed. Showered, then dressed, then made a coffee and stepped out onto the balcony. She sighed again as she took in the view. The world seemed drained of colour, she thought. Existing only in greys and shadows through this drizzle that hadn't let up since yesterday.

It was so fitting, she mused, as she lit a cigarette. After she finished it she lit another, and her mind wandered to Rory.

What had he meant? It's all a fucking sham. He's a fucking liar. The words had been looping around her head since yesterday, and the look on his face as he'd given her that weighted apology - it was like a footprint stamped into her brain.

What did he mean?

Didn't know why she felt so completely uneasy about it all. Why she sort of felt like it had something to do with her.

But the rational side of her mind, or what was left of it, at least, suppressed her worry. How could Rory and the studio have anything to do with her... or have anything to do with him?

Finn woke up when she stubbed her third cigarette out, and when he came out to kiss her on the cheek she watched his eyes take in the growing pile of butts in the ashtray. He didn't say anything, but she could see that he wanted to.

"I've ordered breakfast," he said, his eyes filled with concern."You need to eat something. You haven't been eating."

Max could only nod. Didn't know how to explain that her body and her vital organs had shut down, were in the midst of failing, and that everything tasted like ash.

"Seriously, Max." He sighed, and the worry in his voice made Max's guilt multiply in her gut.

How was it that here Finn was, terrified she wasn't eating properly- and there was she, wishing he was somebody else?

It was terrible.

So she smiled at Finn, because that was all she could do, and then said "Thank you," leaning over to kiss him.

Finn disappeared again to shower - he had an appointment at the studio - and Max waited until he was out of sight before she wiped her mouth.

She watched silently as the rain started beating down harder, splatting against the pavement below and turning it black. She watched the ant-sized people below her, rushing into buildings, covering their heads with jackets and struggling with umbrellas in the wind. And then she heard the first rumblings of thunder, stared up as the grey clouds rolled and darkened, and Max shivered. It was about to storm.

"Max!"

The voice made Max jump - didn't know why she felt so on edge.

When she turned around she saw Finn through the glass door, damp and naked, save the towel hung loosely around his waist.

"What?" She replied, having to raise her voice over the rain and the thunder.

"Can you get the door? Breakfast is gonna be here in a couple of minutes," he yelled back, then gestured down to his bare body.