Max and Hailey: A second chance

Back Again

Hailey's P.O.V

When Uncle David left to meet up with Max to bring him home, I decided to hang back in the backyard. I'm the reason he ran away in the first place so I doubted he would want to see me when he gets back. I couldn't help but feel helpless as I waited for them to come back. I shouldn't have overreacted this morning when I woke up with him this morning. I like being with him and last night I had the best sleep I've had in weeks and that was probably because he was with me. I also couldn't get over what Brittany told me about him struggling. I never thought to ask him how he was doing, I was just selfish. As I sat down on the bench, I promised myself to do better. I looked back at my text messages to see if maybe he had texted back, but he didn't. When I looked up from my phone, I saw Max walking towards me. I practically jumped off the bench, leaving my phone on it, and ran right to him.

"Your back!" I yelled as I jumped into his arms and held onto him tightly hiding my face in his neck. "I'm sorry about this morning, I just overreacted. I-"

"I know Hailey," Max said squeezing me before putting me down. "My dad told me about how overprotective your father was of you."

"He did?" I asked surprised.

"Yeah, he also told me that you told him about what has been going on between us," Max said as he led me back to the bench and we sat down.

"I'm sorry about that. I just couldn't not say anything when I found out you left." I explained.

"No, it's ok. He is okay with it now. We talked about it a little bit. I told him about how I am not sure exactly how you feel about me, and we both agreed that I should talk to you about it." Max told me and looked into my eyes. His direct gaze made me blush slightly and I could feel butterflies in my stomach.

"I think we should talk about it too." I agreed.

"Before you start, I just want to say that no matter what decision you make, I will respect it. I just want you to be happy." Max said to me, and I shook my head. He still couldn't tell that I wanted him.

"What makes me happy is being next to you. I was worried sick knowing you left town and it was because of my reaction this morning. I never want you to question if I am into you because I am into you." I said honestly and grabbed his hands. "Despite my overreaction this morning, last night was the best night's sleep that I have had in a very long time. That was all because of you. When I am with you, I know that I am safe, and I can be at peace. I haven't felt peace like that in years."

"Really?" Max asked as he moved closer to me.

"Yes really. As cliché as it sounds, you are my knight in shining armor. Just like in the fairy tales the princess falls for the knight who saved her." I answered.

"Well, our fairy tale would be different because I attacked you when I first met you." He said with a sigh and looked away from me.

"You were protecting your mom, so it doesn't count," I told him and made him look back at me. "Your mom told me that you have been struggling and were talking to your uncle. You took on my problems and I want to do the same for you. You can always talk to me."

"I wish she didn't tell you that. It makes me look weak." Max replied.

"Hey, no it does not. Real men go to therapy. My father wouldn't be the way he is if he would have just gone to therapy. It takes a lot of strength to be able to say that you need help. I could probably use some therapy myself. We can struggle together and help each other." I told him.

"But you shouldn't have to struggle Hailey. I don't want to put my burdens on anyone." He said in response.

"Max, you won't be putting your burdens on me, and I could be saying the same thing to you. We both have had our rough times growing up. We see in each other what we ourselves can't see. Being together, supporting each other, we can get through anything." I said in return.

"Are you sure you can handle it? The more you know about the cult might change things." Max replied looking right into my eyes.

"You may have grown up in the cult, but you are not the cult. You are thoughtful and sweet. You put others before yourself. You are nothing like the cult and nothing will change my mind about that." I said taking his hand. "If you want me to know about the cult, I will listen, but I am not going to force you to talk about it."

"Do you want to know about it?" he asked as he rubbed my hand with his thumb.

"A little, yeah, I think if I knew more about it I could help better," I answered. "To be honest, while you were gone, I almost watched a documentary about it but Brittany got upset and stopped me," I told him and bit my lip nervously. I know she told me not to tell him, but I didn't want to lie.

"Were you actively looking for it?" he asked in confusion.

"No! I was flipping through channels, and it was playing so I thought I would watch it." I answered quickly and he nodded with a sigh.

"Have you ever heard the saying; curiosity killed the cat?" Max responded.

"No..." I said, a little taken aback by his comment.

"I can tell you what I know from my experience but other than that promise me you won't actively start looking into it. I want you to stay as far away from them as possible. They are dangerous." Max said sternly.

"I promise Max. I just want to learn if there is anything I can help with." I explained to him.

"Alright." He replied and pulled me in, hugging me tightly. "Let's talk about something else."

"Right," I said as I relaxed in his embrace. "Are you hungry?" I asked him.

"I'm not starving but I can eat. Did you eat yet?" He asked in return.

"I ate a little bit. Why don't we see if there is anything left over from breakfast." I suggested.

"Sounds good to me." He agreed and helped me up from the bench. I grabbed my phone in one hand and held his hand with the other as we walked back inside to the kitchen. When we got there, I came to a sudden stop when I saw my father standing in the kitchen with Dr. Bradley. My father looked at me and when he noticed I was holding hands with Max his eyes went wide. As soon as Max saw him, he quickly pulled me behind him. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"I came to speak to my daughter, now unhand her!" Father said loudly and I flinched as a flashback of when he hit me came through my mind.

"Henry, calm down. We talked about this. You need to keep your emotions in check." Dr. Bradley said.

"Where are my parents? Do they know he is here?" Max asked him.

"Yes, they know. They are outside with Alex trying to calm him down." Dr. Bradley answered.

"W-w-why do they have to calm him down?" I asked peeking from behind Max hoping to not upset my father even more.

"Because he doesn't want me near my own daughter," Father explained just before Alex came bursting in with David and Brittany who went over to Dr. Bradley.

"Stay away from her dad!" Alex yelled coming over to us. He stood on the other side of Max as another shield between me and my father.

"Shut up, boy! Don't talk to your father that way. She is my daughter, and I can do what I want with her. Now come here, Hailey." He said sternly. I looked up at Max and Alex who both shook their heads telling me not to move. As much as I want to stay as far away from him as possible, I don't want to get anyone in trouble.

"Henry, Alex, let's all just calm down." Dr. Bradley said as he tried to calm everyone down. I decided to use this as a distraction and quickly moved around Alex and started walking over to my father.

"Hailey!" Max and Alex yelled.

"Please stop yelling," I said to them as I reached my father. "He wants to talk so we are going to talk," I told them.

"Good girl, Hailey. You always were the most obedient child out of your siblings." Father said smiling down at me. "Let's go back to your old room and talk." He continued and I followed him to my old room along with Dr. Bradley. I hope with Dr. Bradley there my father won't hit me.