YOU 2 [Charli D'Amelio]

Chapter 136.

"You didn't think I was going to stay?" I ask her and take her hands into mine.

I have asked that too many times since I have met her.

"No, not after everything that I have done. Not now that you know everything. You know everything" She repeats.

"Yes.. I do." As I say the words I realize how freeing this is.

I no longer have to worry that the secrets from Max's past will come back to haunt us. I no longer have to wait for someone to drop a huge bombshell on me. I know everything. I finally know everything she has been hiding. I can't help but think of the phrase "sometimes it is better to be kept in the dark than be blinded by the light."

I don't think that applies me to right now, I am disturbed by the things she has done but I love her and I have chosen to not let her past effect us any longer.

"What are you thinking? Do you have any questions about any of the things in the note?" She sits on the edge of bed and I stand between her legs.

She flips my hands over in her and traces small patterns on my palms as she searches my face for clues to how I am feeling about all of this.

"No.. I do wish I knew what happened to Avani .. but I don't have any questions."

"I am done being that person, you know that don't you?" I already told her this but I know she needs to hear it again.

"I know that. I really do babe." Her eyes dart to mine at the use of the word.

"Babe?" She archers her brow.

"I don't know why I said that.." I flush.

I have never called her anything other than Maxxy, I am not sure why I did just now. I love when she calls me that but I doubt she likes it the way that I do.

"No.. I like it." She smiles.

"I have missed your smile." I tell her.

Her fingers stop their movements.

"I have missed yours too. I don't make you smile enough." She frowns.

I want to say something to remove the frown from her face but I don't want to lie to her. She doesn't make me smile enough and she needs to know that.

"Yea.. we need to work on that." I say.

"I don't know why you love me."

"It doesn't matter why I love you, only that I do."

"The letter was stupid wasn't it?"

"No! Would you stop with the self loathing? It was wonderful. I read it three times straight. It really made me happy to read the things that you were thinking about me.. about us."

"You knew I loved you."

"Yes.. but it was nice to know the small things, the way you remembered what I was wearing. Those types of things. You never say those types of things."

"Oh." She looks embarrassed.

It is still slightly unnerving to have Max be the vulnerable one in our relationship. That role has always been mine.

"Don't be embarrassed." I say.

Her arms wrap around my waist and pull me onto her lap.

"I am not embarrassed.:" She lies.

I run one of my hands through her hair and wrap my other arm around her shoulder. It hasn't been long since I have been in her arms but it feels that way.