Home Doesn't Always Mean Safety, But Maybe With You It Can?

Chapter Eight- Expectations

AN: I'm so sorry for the delay with this chapter, I had meant to get it to you within the two weeks but work was manic, my mind was over writing everything and I couldn't decide what to keep and what not to keep for this chapter, hope it does not disappoint.Apologies for any mistakes my dyslexic mind has missed. Please do let me know what you think!

Teaser: Nancy makes a promise to Max who has too many thoughts going through her head, Max begins to reveal more details about how she has been living, while also making a potential new friend.

TW: All current warning apply for abuse of a minor, both physically and mentally. Please read with caution.

Chapter Eight- Expectations.

Max was looking straight ahead almost in a trance as she stood in the kitchen next to Nancy. She had so many thoughts racing through her mind, so many feelings taking over at once that she was struggling to focus.

She couldn't help but feel bad right now, they had come upstairs to make more popcorn while Jonathan was grabbing another couple of small bottles of water and a large bottle of coca cola. Ghostbusters had finished, leading way to another movie the boys were arguing over down in the basement. Max was meant to be helping, but she couldn't focus enough to help. Nancy had been so patient with her all night, and had literally given her unlimited cuddles as promised with not a single complaint. Max had spent the entire film glued to Nancy's side, almost in the older girl's lap and still she couldn't get her mind to settle.

She didn't know what to do with herself- she felt out of place and out of sorts.

"Hey," Nancy said softly, her one hand reaching up to squeeze Max's shoulder, "think I lost you there for a moment again." She explained as Max's eyes snapped back into focus. "Talk to me, tell me what's going on in your head- remember the other week we said you would answer my questions, all of them."

That had been said.

Granted it had been said about the state Max had been in physically rather than the state of her mind and racing thoughts.

"Still counts now, no arguments." Nancy said, watching Max closely, as Jonathan headed back down into the basement.

It was almost as though Nancy had read her mind, that or she said that out loud without realising, which was entirely possible with the amount of thoughts going through her mind right now.

Max sighed, "I don't understand what- I dunno what I'm meant to do," she said quietly.

"About what?" Nancy questioned simply.

Max bit the side of her cheek before responding, "Everything. I just, I don't understand what's expected from me now," she began to explain. "Everything is different- so different, and I don't know what I'm meant to do or say, or even what's going to happen if I do something that I shouldn't do. I just- everyone keeps saying that that won't happen now and that I didn't do anything wrong when I get scared... but in my head all I keep thinking is that I'm screwing up, and it's like I'm waiting for everything to snap, and for it to all be like it was before... I really, really , want to believe you when you say it's safe here, but I don't know how I'm meant to act so that it is safe." Max continued, words rambling and unsure.

Nancy smiled sadly, lifting her one hand slowly to Max's cheek, her thumb brushing against the redhead's skin, "You have been living in a very unsafe world for so long Max, it's not surprising things are confusing and that it's scary for you at times- that's okay. It's alright that you don't believe you're safe, it just means we need to do more to help you feel that way." Nancy assured, her attention fully on Max, ignoring the chatter that could be heard from the basement.