Shelter from the Storm

Chapter Eight

My last day in the hospital was the worst. I had to wait for hours for them to get me discharged. Max stayed with me the whole time. We just talked. On and on for hours. It is awesome to learn more about him. He asks things about me and I answer them as truthfully as I can. Max asks something about Kaden and I tell him the whole story. We have been really good friends ever since we were in diapers. My mom has pictures of us lying next to each other on a blanket when we were babies. Too bad I can never see those pictures again given the fact that she took them when she left.

"I am glad you have such a good friend." He tells me.

"He's pretty great. He's like my brother." I say.

"Oh. I thought you liked him. By he way you act around him."

"Oh. I guess that can be a little misleading. We are very close, but I don't like him in that way." I say.

"Oh," he says, "that makes sense."

"Max. I'm so tired."

"You go to sleep and I will wake you up when the doctors say we can leave."

I nod and close my eyes and it seems like 5 minutes later, they are open again.

"Faith. We can leave." Says Max.

The best words I have ever heard in my life. We can leave. I can get out of here. Finally. I have walked in the hospital, but when I stand up out of my bed, I am very dizzy. I almost fall, but Max's strong arms are around me before I can.

"Are you okay?" He asks.

"I'm fine. I might need a little help getting to the car."

He carries me bridal style. The doctors get me a wheelchair and Max puts me down in it.

"My parents are here with the car. I'm sorry you haven't been able to meet my dad yet. He works. A lot. But hey you get to meet him today."

"Awesome." I say.

We get outside and Max helps me to the car. He makes sure I get inside okay and he takes the wheelchair back inside.

"How are you Faith?" Asks Amy.

"Just a little dizzy."

"Well we will be home before you know it."

The man driving is Max's father. He turns back and introduced himself as Robert. He seems like a nice guy. 

"Hi. I'm Faith." I say back.

"We've heard a lot about you, Faith. It's nice to finally meet you. Now, how about we hurry and get to your new home?"

"Sounds amazing." I say as enthusiastically as I can.

I guess he can tell that I am exhausted. Max comes back to the car and asks if I want to lay my head on his lap. How can I refuse? Less than 10 minutes later, we pull into a driveway of a honking huge house. I knew they were rich, but you never know until you are looking up at a mansion. Practically. 

"Welcome home." says Max. 

I am beyond awe when Amy opens the front door and I see the entryway with a chandelier above my head. 

"I will give you a tour when you feel more up to it." Max tells me. 

I nod. 

"I will show you your room." Amy helps me up the stairs to a door. It is purple and somebody painted Faith on it. This room is meant for me. I twist the doorknob and push the door open. My eyes first go to the bed. Everything else in the room is amazing, but I am so tired that there is nothing else I can think about. 

"Amy. Thank you so much. I really can't believe that this is my room." I say.

"It's all yours. And look in the top drawer of the bed side table." She winks and leaves the room. 

I walk over to the bed and open the top drawer of the bed side table. A new phone. I pull the box out. An IPhone 6S. They didn't have to spend that much money on me. They are spoiling me. I kind of like it. I've never had this happen before. I decide to turn on the phone and set it up. I already have a text. 

Did you open the phone yet?

 I guess it's Max. 

F: Max?

You got it.

F: Obviously yes. I opened the phone.

M: Do you like it?

F: Very much. You know you can just come up here and talk to me face to face right?

M: Yeah. Be right up.

That took less coaxing than I thought. He comes in the room and I look into those dazzling eyes. He sits on the bed next to me. 

"You okay?" He asks.

"I'm fine. For now. I'm just tired." I reply.

"You can lie down if you want. This bed seems pretty comfortable." 

I don't hesitate. I immediately pull back the covers and climb inside. The softest fabric that has ever touched my skin. I can't help but think of how things might have been if I didn't call Max. I could have died. My eyes start to get a little misty. One stray tear falls down my cheek.

"Hey. What's wrong?" he asks.

"I am just so thankful. Thank you for saving my life Max." I say.

"I would do anything for you, Faith. I hope you know that you can always come to me when you need someone."

I smile and try to get myself to stop crying. It's not worth it to cry. I am here now. I am safe. I am with people that love me. I have a home. I cannot be more thankful.

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YAY! Chapter 8! For those of you that actually read this, tell me what you think. PLEASE! :D Comment and vote!