Shelter from the Storm

Chapter Four

I hear the steady beeping of the machine next to me that is keeping track of my vitals. I can hear someone talking to the doctors as they come in and make sure I am okay. Max. He's still here. Why? I mean, I know he practically saved me, but why is he still here? I hope is doesn't have to do with the fact that he said he was my boyfriend. I can feel him there beside me, holding my hand and holding it up to his lips. The heat spreads through my hand. So soft. So gentle. I guess he really does care that much. I somehow force myself to wake up and I open my eyes slowly, but surely and my hand moves the slightest bit. That makes Max's head shoot up and he looks at me, smiling.

"Faith?"

"Yeah?"

"I am so thankful that you woke up."

"Me too."

"I'll go get the doctor."

He kisses my forehead and gets up to leave. The warmth spreads all the way down to my toes. Faith! You can't fall for him! He isn't your type!

I hear the door open and the doctor comes in. She has brown curly hair and bright blue eyes. She looks young, but she may just age really well.

"Hi, Faith. I'm Dr. Hall. How are you feeling?"

"My arm hurts. And also my stomach."

"Would you like some pain medication?"

"Yes please."

Max comes and sits down on the chair he was sitting at before. The doctor went and got me some pain meds.

"I am so glad you are finally awake, Faith. You have no idea what I have been through these last few days."

"Few days? How long have I been out?"

"Four days."

Four days??!!!

"Four days?!"

"Yeah. But don't worry. These doctors will fix you up as good as new."

I can't help but smile at Max trying to lift my spirits, but there is really nothing the doctors can do to change the past. What happened how ever many days ago that was, will never leave me. Ever. My eyes start to get wet with tears and Max notices. He lifts his hand to my face.

"Hey please don't cry."

The tears start spilling down my face.

"But even if you do cry, you are still beautiful."

Excuse me, what? Did he really just say that to me?

"That's really sweet Max, but you really don't need to say that."

"I do have to say it if it's true."

He dries the tears off of my cheeks. Who knew Mr. Bad Boy could be so sweet.

The doctor comes back with my pain meds and I swallow 2. In about 20 minutes, I won't be feeling any pain in my arm or the stab wound in my stomach.

"Thank you Dr. Hall."

"You are so very welcome. Press that button next to you if you need any assistance at all."

"Alright."

(I am going to change things up a bit.)

Max's POV

Faith woke up today and I could not be happier. She is so strong. She has been through so much. The moment I got a call that I didn't know the number of, I knew it was her. I drove as fast as I could over to her house to find the door open and Faith laying in her own puddle of blood, unconscious. I couldn't think of anything else to do, but call 911 and hope for the best. Why did she ask me for help when she could have asked Kaden? Oh crap. Kaden should know about this. I will have to call him later, or Faith. Why on earth did she call me? Maybe she hadn't memorized Kaden's number. Maybe the only person she could think of to ask for help was me. I don't know how that came to be, but I am glad that I got there in time to call 911.

As she lays in her hospital bed, I can't help but look at how peaceful she looks, even with all she has been through. When she woke up, I went to go get the nurses, but before I left, I kissed her forehead. I wanted to stay in that moment for a lifetime, but she can't know. Can't know what you ask? That I like her. Maybe even love her. The problem is, I can't. I can't give her what she wants. She wants and needs someone to be there for her always and not bail on her. I know I am a douchepants when it comes to girls, but I have my reasons. I am just not ready to tell her yet.