Max and Hailey: A second chance

Identities revealed

Max P.O.V

While sitting in awkward silence after finishing the rest of my food I could see into the kitchen where I saw two sets of small hands grabbing dessert. I knew it had to be the twin boys. Despite being so young they were able to be quiet enough to not be noticed by anyone. Well except for me of course. I watched them walk away and that's when I saw a hand guiding them out of the kitchen which made me realize that Hailey had come back down to help them get dessert. I assumed that she was in a better state of mind since she had come down even though she was hiding. I figured this would be the best time to excuse myself and go talk to her.

"May I be excused to use the restroom?" I asked looking at pretty much anyone to give me the okay.

"Of course. The bathroom is up the stairs and to the left at the end of the hall." Mrs. Michaelson answered.

"Thank you," I replied and took my leave. As soon as I got upstairs, I heard the slightest bit of laughter. I followed the sound and found myself right in front of Hailey's room. Her door was slightly open, and I quietly pushed it all the way and stood in the doorway watching her sit on the floor with her brothers. She was cleaning up one of them whose face was a complete mess. I noticed she had changed out of her dress and into regular clothes. It was clear to me that she had a strong bond with her little brothers, and I started to wonder about all the responsibilities she must have as being one of the oldest siblings. Being an only child, I never had to think about these types of things, and I am grateful that I was. I couldn't imagine how difficult it would be for a mother to raise and protect two children from the horror of where we came from. I just watched them for a minute or two before finally clearing my throat to get Hailey's attention. She almost jumped in surprise and looked over at me before glaring at me. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare you," I told her as I walked further into her room.

"what are you doing up here in my room?" Hailey asked me as she stood up and walked over to me. She stood in front of me and she seemed slightly nervous.

"Well I noticed those two sneakings some snacks upstairs, so I decided to come to check things out. I'm not surprised to find them here, but you do know you should eat actual food first instead of going straight for dessert, right?" I asked with a smile trying to be friendly and make her feel less nervous.

"the dessert is for them, not me. I lost my appetite, I'm not hungry," she answered, and I couldn't help but frown a bit. Did finding out we were cousins bother her to the point of losing her appetite? That was a bit harsh to hear.

"did you lose your appetite because you found out we're cousins or something?" I asked confused, hoping that I was just mistaken.

"What? No!" she said and sighed. She turned over back to her brothers. "Halston, Halsted, why don't you guys take my laptop to your room and watch the movie there ok? I will bring you your snacks in a minute ok?" she asked them.

"Okay." One of them said before the two stood up. They each held one side of the laptop carefully and walked out of the room. Hailey closed the door behind them and grabbed my hand pulling me over to the window seat in her room and we sat down.

"I didn't lose my appetite because of you, and we aren't actually cousins. Uncle David was a foster kid. My grandparents didn't have enough money for the adoption process but he's still part of the family." She explained, "and I am sorry about spitting my drink on you, I really am. I just wasn't expecting that kind of news. Growing up he never brought girls over so when he told us about you and your mom it was a big surprise. I was really embarrassed and then I bumped your head when I was trying to help clean up the mess I made and yeah, I'm just really sorry." She hung her head looking down after apologizing for the third time. Immediately I felt terrible that she felt so guilty.

"Hailey," I said and lifted up her head. "I know you didn't mean to; it was just a mistake. I would have probably done the same thing if I were in your shoes. I really came up here to see if you were okay, your dad overreacted way too much about it so please don't listen to him. Also, David stood up for you telling your dad he was too harsh on you." I told her.

"Really?" she asked, and I nodded.

"they would have gotten into a big fight over it too if your mom didn't step in," I answered.

"Oh wow. I'm sorry about that. My dad is something else sometimes. He cares a little too much about what people in this town think about him." She replied.

"Yeah, sounds like you a little bit but you are not as bad." I said with a slight smirk. "how is your arm by the way? I'm sorry about hurting you. I didn't realize you got cut when I jumped you. I wasn't thinking clearly."

"I know, you were just protecting your mom, I understand. My arm is fine. It was bleeding a little bit, but I cleaned it up. I guess it was bleeding from when I bumped into something earlier." She said and I immediately froze. Back at that house, I had bumped into that girl and she said she had bumped into something and then I put it all together. Hailey was the girl in the house! It all made sense since it is technically on her property. I can't believe this is happening. I found myself just staring at her not knowing what to say next and she seemed to notice something was off.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked me with a confused look then as if something clicked in her head, her eyes widened, and said, "it was you in the house!"