Shelter from the Storm

Chapter Nine

Home. A four letter word. A four letter word that could mean the world to somebody. Somebody like me. Home could not only be a noun, but also a state of mind. 

I spend most of my time lying on my bed and admiring the room that Amy had whole-heartedly worked on. For me. Well sometimes Max would come in and check on me. See if I am doing okay. I do feel some pain in my stab wound, but that is only when I move to that side, or just touch it. Which I don't really do. I was reading a book when someone knocked on my door. 

"Come in." I say calmly.

It was Max. He makes his way in and sits next to me on my bed.

"You feeling okay? Do you need me to get you anything?" he asks me.

"I'm good for now. Thanks." I reply with the slightest smile I can bear. 

He notices my uneasiness and he puts his arm around my shoulder and pulls me in close. I nestle my head on his chest and breathe in the smell of lemongrass. I have always loved that smell. I put my arms around his torso and I can't hold them in anymore. The tears I have been suppressing for about a week start to stream down my face. He rubs my back in soft circular motions. I sob until I feel like I can't cry anymore. I lift my head away from his chest and wipe away my tears. I notice that practically all of the tears that have fallen down my face are absorbed into Max's shirt. 

"I'm sorry, Max." I say.

"No need to be sorry. You can always cry on me. I wouldn't care."

I kiss him on the cheek. Did I just do that? 

"Thank you."

"No problem best friend." His cheeks start to turn pink. That's adorable.

"Are you... blushing?" 

"No." His cheeks are getting noticeably darker. I didn't know he had a soft spot.

"Yes. YES YOU ARE! Haha! I made Max Ryder blush!" I exclaim.

"Shut up!" he says as he tries to hide his face. 

"Well I would like to see you do better." I challenge.

"Okay."

He brings his lips to my cheek and lets them linger there for a few moments. I close my eyes and cherish the moment. Max Ryder is kissing my cheek! But it was over too soon. He pulls away and I could feel my face burning up. 

"Haha. Knew it! Your cheeks are so red!" He says.

I bury my head in my pillow. 

"Okay fine. You win." I say from inside my pillow.

"Oh come on. It's cute."

Did he just say what I think he just said? I'm cute?

"It is?" I say as I bring my face out of my pillow. 

He lifts up my chin to make me look at him. His beautiful blue eyes are staring into mine. 

"Faith. You are beautiful. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." he says.

"Stop making me blush Max Ryder, or I will make you pay."

He just smiles. 

"Fine best friend. I'll try, but it won't be easy." 

I bury my face in my pillow again. I can literally feel the pinkness radiating off of my cheeks. 

"Oh come on. Is it really that easy to make you blush?" he asks.

"I guess so." I say.

He just laughs. 

"So. What do you want to do today?" he asks.

"I really want some food. Can we go get fast food?"

"Why yes we can ma'lady. Your carriage awaits." he replies.

"Geez. You will stop at nothing." 

"Correct." he says.

He helps me get out of bed and I stand up. He is there at my side if I even falter a little bit. I am a little wobbly at first. 

"You okay?"

"I'm great. Now let's go get those french fries! And a McFlurry. Please." I say.

"Of course."

I make my way downstairs and Max grabs the keys to his car. We make our way to the garage and he opens up the door for me. 

"Why thank you my kind sir." I say.

"Your welcome, your most royal excellency."

Wow. 

"Wanna listen to the radio?"

"Duh!" I say.

He turns it on and my favorite song comes on. Stand By You by Rachel Platten. I know all the words. So I sing.

"Cause I'm gonna stand by you, even if we're breaking down. We can find a way to break through. Even if we can't find heaven, I'll walk through hell with you. Love you're not alone cause I'm gonna stand by you." I sing. 

Max sings along too. I forgot that he was in choir with me. Who knew the bad boy was in choir? Maybe he's not such a bad boy after all. Maybe I got the wrong impression. Or maybe not.

We go through the drive through at McDonald's and he turns down the music. 

"Hello, welcome to McDonald's. What can we make for you?"

"I would like 3 large fries, an oreo McFlurry, and...."

He looks at me.

"An M&M McFlurry. Please."

"An M&M McFlurry."

"Will that be all for you today?"

"Yes."

"Alright. Your total comes to $6.78 at the next window."

"Thanks."

"I am so excited to eat a McFlurry. I haven't had one in years."

"YEARS?!" he asks.

"What? Is it a crime to be poor?"

"I'm sorry I didn't mean-" he tries to say.

"It's okay."

"It's clearly not. I'm sorry." he says, looking me in the eyes.

"Well, it's not your fault that I had such a crappy life."

"It's better now, right?" he asks.

"Much." I smile at him and he smiles back.

We pay at the window and then we get our food at the second. I can't wait. Max parks the car and we eat. I take a bite of my McFlurry and the memories of my mother come flooding back into my mind. My eyes start to tear up, but before they could even get down my face, I wipe them away.

"Faith?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you crying again?"

I couldn't even answer him and the next thing I knew, my face was soaked.

"I'm fine." I say.

"No Faith. You're not."

"Can we go home now?" I ask.

"Yeah. Of course."

I wipe the tears from my face and eat salty spoonfuls of M&Ms and ice cream. We get home and Max helps me out of the car. I go straight upstairs and bury my face in my pillow, soaking it with tears. Max doesn't bother following me, I guess. I eventually cry myself to sleep. What a Saturday afternoon.

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