Number on me

14. Carina

'Are you sure you are comfortable?' Leah asked for what must be the thousand time.

'I am, I promise.'

'Alright then', Leah said, turning on the car.

It was the following day, and Maxine was discharged from the hospital. It was December 19, making it only a couple days until Christmas. The holiday break had started, meaning that the 4-1 win against Chelsea would be Max's last game for a while. She looked at her phone, and saw the official arsenal statement, that followed heavy rumours online.

We can confirm that Maxine van the Berg was committed to the ICU with lung issues. We are pleased to report that she is out of danger. She will stay in the hospital for a few more days before returning home to finish recovery.
Maxine's family asks for a bit of privacy in this time.

'Way to make it dramatic.'

'It was dramatic Maxie. When I saw you lying on your bed I was sure you were dead.' Leah gripped her steering wheel tightly. And Max held her head down; 'Sorry.'

'It's not your fault you were sick kiddo. But next time, when you start feeling worse please text someone. And also, don't go out running in the pouring rain dammit. You could've died.'

The car ride was silent for a few minutes. Max didn't know what to say. She knew it was stupid to go out running, but she hadn't really considered it at the time. Her mind was preoccupied.

During the next few minutes, Maxine felt extremely guilty about her use of her medication. Time and time again her teammates were telling here to take care of herself, and here she was slipping pills whenever she could.

As if faith had a hand in it, or maybe god was having a laugh, they approached the cemetery.

'Le could you pull over a second please?' Leah looked at her a bit confused but did as she was asked.

Maxine got out of the car, and heard Leah do the same thing.

'What we doing here Maxine? Let's go home, this is a huge cemetery, imagine we get lost or something. Viv would kill me if I didn't get you home alright.'

'Don't worry, I know the way.'

Two fields down, thirteen rows to the right, six to the front, right underneath the Japanese cherry blossom. Her feet took her to her uncles grave almost automatically.

She knelt in front, and sat there for a few minutes. Leah stood behind her not saying anything, trying to be respectful.
Mere minutes later Max got up. She knew what she had to do.

'We can go now, thank you. I'll explain later.'

Back in the car, Maxine had her mind made up. She wasn't sure how the conversation would go, but, even though she dreaded it, her uncle would want her to have it.

'Leah, if I ask you a question, would you promise me to not talk about it after, and not mention it to someone else?' Her nails were digging in her hands, and her leg was bouncing up and down.

'Well I can't promise that until I know what it is. But yeah probably. What's going on kiddo?'

'I have ADHD, and I need medication for it. Can you please manage my meds and make sure I only get one a day?'

Leah looked up surprised, and tried to make eye contact. Max quickly looked the other way, not trying to have Leah see how much she was struggling right now. The answer came a few seconds later.

'Of course I will manage your medication. I didn't know you had ADHD. That must be hard sometimes. Do you want to talk about it? Or about why you need me to deal with the dosage? Are you taking too much?

'I don't want to talk about it right now if that's okay.'

'Of course. Can I ask whose grave that was?'

Maxine took a deep breath, now being able to do so without almost dying. While still looking out of the window she managed her answer.

'My uncle. He died of an overdose.'

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Two days later, Maxine woke up in Leah's guest room. Viv and Beth had gone and grabbed her some stuff from her apartment, and she was settling in quite nicely. She went downstairs, surprised to see not just Leah, but Viv and Katie as well.

'Morning kiddo, how are you feeling? Breakfast is on the counter.'

'A bit better, thanks!' Maxine went and grabbed her breakfast, smiling a little when she saw a single pill slightly hidden underneath her toast.

'Max I wanted to ask, what hotel will your parents be staying at? And what restaurant did you book for Christmas?' Leah shouted over from the dining table. Maxine swallowed.

'Oh I forgot to tell you. They aren't coming after all. But I'll still be out of your hair for Christmas don't worry.'

The looks her teammates gave her definitely was one of worry. Viv spoke up.

'What do you mean they are not coming? You have had it planned since they couldn't come for your birthday.'

Ouch. Maxine had turned 19 on October 16. Her parents had promised her to visit, but decided against it in the end. Their explanation was that they were a bit busy with work, and it wouldn't be fair to leave Fay alone for her birthday. They promised to visit on Christmas.

'Yeah well, I still have to do recovery and I would have to take it slow. So my parents decided it made more sense to visit my sister, as she started at a new team this season.'

'You started at a new team this season, don't they miss you?' Max was sure Katie didn't mean to sound as judging as she did.

'They wanted a daughter, got two identical ones instead, I don't think they care.'

'Why didn't you tell us you had an identical twin sister?'

'No one asked! Look guys I'm fine alright. I'm used to this sort of stuff. Leah I promise I won't mess up your family Christmas!'

'I'm not worried about my family Christmas kiddo, I'm worried about you being alone your first Christmas abroad!'

Maxine didn't know how to convince Leah that she would be fine alone. It did sting a little, her parents choosing to spend time with Fay rather than her. On the other hand, she was extremely thankful not having to face them, still feeling incredibly guilty for what happened at Sadie's.

After some more conversations, mainly about how Maxine should not be alone on Christmas, Max decided to go for a walk. She went upstairs and put on some light wash, straight legged jeans and a dark blue sweater with an American flag on it. She also wore a beanie and of course her glasses.

'I'm going for a walk! See you later!'

'Alright, take your jacket please!'

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Hey guys!

Hope you are enjoying the story so far! It's gonna be another little while until the big thing happens. What do you wanna see before hand? I do have some ideas but always open to new ones!

Xx Belle