YOU 2 [Charli D'Amelio]

Chapter 123.

I walk to the bathroom to remove the makeup off of my face and pull myself together. I am much more calm than I was fifteen minutes ago and I am actually glad to be back here. Despite everything that Max and I have been through, I am glad to know that I still have a safe place to land with her. She is the only constant in my life, I remember her saying that to me once. I wonder if she meant it then. Even if she didn't, I believe that she feels that way now. I just wish she would tell me more about how she feels. Seeing her breakdown yesterday was the most emotion that I have seen out of her since the day I meant her, I just want to hear the words behind the tears.

The warm water washes away all evidence of my eventful morning. I am not sure why I was so emotional over my father's return when I didn't know he left in the first place but think that it was a mixture of my anger towards my mother, the unexpected mention of my father, and everything going on with Max that caused my breakdown. I go back into the room to find Max sitting my bags down onto the floor.

"I went down and got your stuff." She informs me.

"Thank you, I really hope I am not intruding." I tell her and bend down to grab some sweats and a t-shirt. I have to get out of this dress.

"I want you here, you know that don't you?" She says quietly.

I shrug and she frowns.

"You should know that by now, Charli."

"I do.. it's just that your mother is here and here I am bringing all this drama and crying." I explain.

"My mum is glad that you are here and so am I."

My chest swells but I change the subject.

"Do you guys have anything planned today?" I ask her.

"No, I think she wanted to go to the mall or something but we can go tomorrow."

"You can go, I can keep myself entertained." I don't want her to cancel plans with her mother when she hasn't seen her mother in over a year.

"No, it's fine really. You don't need to be alone."

"I'm fine."

"Charli what did I just say?" She growls and I look up at her.

She seems to forget that she doesn't get to decide things for me anymore. No one does.

"Sorry.. you stay here. I will go shopping with her." She corrects himself.

"Much better." I say and try to fight my smile.

Max has been so gentle, so ..afraid the last few days so it is nice to see she is still herself.

"You could come?" She offers.

"I just want to stay in today, it's been a long day already and it's only four."

"Alright, I will see if she wants to go now then so you can have some privacy."

"Thank you." I say and walk into the closet to change my clothes.

Just as I lift the dress over my head she taps on the door.

"Charli?"

"Yea?" I say.

"You'll be here when we get back?" She questions.

"Yea, it's not like I have anywhere else to go." I snort.

"Okay. If you need anything call me." She says, the sadness in her voice is clear.

"Yea." I agree.

A few minutes later I hear the front door close and I emerge from the bedroom. I probably should have went with them so I wouldn't be here alone with my thoughts. I already feel lonely. After watching television for an hour, I am beyond bored. I wish Max would come back already.  My phone finally stops buzzing, it seems my mother has given up on trying to call me. I grab my nook and start to read to pass the time but I can't stop looking at the clock.