Max and Hailey: A second chance

Something Special

Hailey's P.O.V

Max went pale when I came to the realization that it was him in the old house right before dinner. His face showed all of the emotions he was feeling at once. He looked embarrassed and horrified at the same time. Remembering everything he said earlier and the few things I heard throughout the day, a sudden wave of guilt washed over me. Today was his first real day of freedom and finding a home. The last thing he needed today was to feel awkward and weird about his own actions when he's just starting the process of finding out who he is. I couldn't even begin to imagine how hard this all must be on him and he remained so reserved and put together in ways I would never be able to at this point. I really just wanted to lean over and give him the biggest hug I could possibly give, letting him know that he doesn't have to be so reserved and put together. I wanted to help him feel at ease for at least a moment in this crazy first day. I reached out my hand and placed it on top of his.

"Max, it's okay, relax. I'm just putting all the pieces together. I had a feeling it was you, but I wasn't exactly sure until now." I told him honestly, hoping he would believe me. I kept my gaze on him trying to maintain eye contact, but he wouldn't look directly at me.

"I'm sorry," Max said and pulled his hand back, standing up and headed straight for the door.

"Sorry for what?" I asked him and stood up. He didn't respond and kept going so I ran over to the door and blocked his escape. He stopped in his tracks and looked at me confused. "Tell me why you are sorry," I said to him and he sighed.

"For everything. For attacking you this morning, for everything that happened back at the other house. I haven't made this day any easier on you." Max said to me. He was clearly feeling bad and it made me feel even worse.

"Max you don't need to apologize for any of that. You have been through so much just to get here and then learning who your real father is and meeting his family is a lot to happen all in just one day. You haven't done anything wrong and I am sorry if I had made anything more difficult for you. I want to help you. I'll be your official tour guide of the whole town. I can show you all the places where people our age hang out, the local shops and movie theater, the high school." I rambled on but stopped when I mentioned the high school. What if there wasn't a high school where he used to live? I don't really know anything about him to give a well-personalized tour.

"Do you actually want to help me or are you just saying that because it will make your dad happy?" Max asked me with a questioning look on his face. I can't blame him for questioning my motives, I think it's safe to say that both of us have gone through emotional rollercoasters today.

"Yes, I actually want to help you. Now can you please go sit back down with me at the window? We can talk about whatever you want. No one has really asked you how you are doing or how you feel so I want to give you that chance." I answered honestly and leaned off the door and pulled him back to where we were sitting before.

"Why do you want to help me so much all of a sudden?" Max asked me as we sat back down.

"Because after our talk in the other house and realizing it was you, I had an epiphany," I answered.

"And what was your epiphany?" he asked me.

"My epiphany was that every strong person needs someone to talk to, to lean on. Kind of like how Batman needs Robin." I said simply and I saw him smirk for the first time in what feels like a long time.

"And who are you supposed to be in this situation?" he asked me.

"well for right now, I will have to be Robin. I'm sure that will change over time and I will have my own Batman moments." I said with a smile.