Anti-Academy

Unsettled

Max POV

I head towards the car feeling anxious to be home. I'd like to see Sang before heading to bed. Maybe if I patch some things up tonight tomorrow she'll be more willing to talk.

Marie and AJ walk slightly slower, pausing before stepping onto the driveway their murmuring barely heard and not understandable. Marie glances towards me nervously as I climb into the car. I can only imagine A.J. made his move on the ride over. I only hope that Marie figures out her health problem before starting something with him.

I flick through my phone answering e-mails and texts that came through during the meeting. I was hoping to see something from Sang. I look up as Marie settles into the front seat.

"Max, can we go grab something to eat before heading home? Maybe at that small Cafè down the road from the house?" She sounds terrified and timid, nothing like her usual self.

"Sure." I put the car in gear still waiting for Marie to elaborate but her eyes just roam nervously at the scenery. I lay my hand gently on hers to stop her fidgeting. "You're about to rip your nail off. What's going on?"

Her eyes meet mine and widen slightly. "Nothing! I'm just a bit hungry is all. Sean said the little Cafè had the best apple pie."

We drove in silence the rest of the way to the small Cafè. I keep glancing her way and the closer we get the more she looks scared out of her skin. As soon as I pull to a stop Marie is out and quickly walking towards the door. Locking up the car I follow her inside. She's already seated and looking at a menu by the time I make it to the table.

"In a rush for the apple pie?" I joke trying and failing to get a smile from her. Her gaze jerks to mine quickly before falling back to the menu.

She's biting her lip about to draw blood she's so nervous. So I raise my eyebrows and work my face into a sterner version of myself to demand she tell me what's wrong. I open my mouth only to be interrupted.

"I'm pregnant." She blurts out.

I feel my face relax suddenly and watch as confusions drops into her expression.

"You already knew? How?" She's squeaks in surprise.

"Marie, we live together and while we may not say anything about our comings and goings; it was hard not to notice you puking your guts up every morning." She blushed and looked down.

I really wanted to ask if she knew who the father was but just because I had my assumptions where she was concerned didn't make them true. If she ever wanted to share I'd be here for her. She knows that. "So do you know anything yet? Boy or girl? Due date? Has it been bad so far?"

"Honestly despite the morning sickness I feel great. I'm constantly hungry, tired or overwhelmed. Well mostly just knowing that I have a baby depending on me overwhelms me beyond belief." Marie meets my eyes. "I told Sang this morning. She was so happy for me. She made me realize that as long as you and her are with me I can do anything."

"Marie! Of course you'll always have us. I mean I know things have been difficult with Sang lately. With her being defiant and difficult to open up but never doubt we will always be here for you. Everything is going to be okay. We will figure this all out."

Marie bites her lip before looking at me strangely.

"Marie, if you have something to say just say it. Did Sang tell you the reason for her rebellions this morning is that it? What did you talk about? Were you able to get her to open up?" I sit up straighter hopeful to get to the bottom of this mess.

Marie looks out the window at the tiny droplets of water from the start of the rain. She's smiles sadly. "I don't think we have the whole story Max. I mean Sang is a teenager of course a little rebellion is expected but for her to take it so far...as far as Mom is telling us." She wipes a tear from her cheek and looks me in the eyes. 

The seriousness of her gaze and tone set me back a little as she continues, "She knows better than to harm herself. She's more mature than than. She has a better head on her shoulder than most adults. But honestly, what really tipped me off is her room." 

I frown. I never paid any attention to her room. It's a teenage girls room, aren't they all the same?

Her voice cracks. "Max there is absolutely nothing personal there. She has nothing to call her own but what we gave her. There was absolutely nothing on the walls or shelf. She has nothing but huge encyclopedias and the world atlas from like a billion years ago. Nothing for just enjoyment. Max.. its awful." Marie pauses and clears her throat several times. "I think there's more going on than we're aware of. I just... I can't figure it out. I feel like I'm missing a huge piece but it's just not coming to me. This would be the time I'd go to Sang for help on a case." She smirks at the truthfulness of that statement. 

I force a smile and reply that I'll see what I can figure out. For the rest of the meal, my mind feels so heavy. It keeps replaying through the last few days trying to see different angles and causes. Why would Sang lose so much weight and look so unhealthy? Why would Mother not tell me everything? Was money tight? Something is going on and there are too many secrets.

By the time we get back to the house the sky has darkened considerably with the storm and the wind is blowing harder every second.

When we get to the front door my gut begins shouting. Placing my hand on Marie's arm we pause on the porch. The house is too quiet, nothing looks disturbed, but my gut is not convinced.

I quickly take my phone out and use the new app to call AJ. I don't wait for him to talk as soon as I hear the answering click I begin, "AJ swing by would ya. We just got to the house and somethings wrong. Nothing looks or sounds strange but I'd feel better knowing backup is on its way just in case." As I'm hanging up I hear a few answers over the line. Sounds like AJ went back into the house with the other team. Whatever, the more the merrier. I don't have a clue what I'm walking into. I just know that the last time my gut was screaming there was an ambush waiting for us. It was the last mission we did without Sang's help.

"Time to protect what's ours." Max whispers to Marie before putting his hand on the knob and opening the front door slowly.