Max and Hailey: A second chance

We made it

Max P.O.V

I stared right into Hailey's eyes trying to read her intentions as she spoke to me. Everyone loves to make promises, but no one ever keeps them or has pure intentions, at least that has been my experience throughout life. This whole day has just been a whirlwind of information and experiences. From the start of the day meeting Hailey in the woods she was just some girl hiking alone in the woods who I thought was really stupid to be so naïve, but now she is more than that. For one she is "my cousin" which is still a weird concept that I am processing. Second, she is the first friend that I have ever had. I never had friends before. I could never get along with the other kids growing up. Mother didn't want me around them that much either, so I am used to just relying on myself and my mother.

Hailey was right that she doesn't know much other than what she knows based on her small-town life, but I would like to believe that she sees me in a positive light like the one she just described to me. It would be nice to not feel alone and to have someone around my age to talk to. I found myself taking a little too long to respond.

"Um, Thanks, Hailey. Today has been full of new information and I think I will have a lot of adjusting to do." I finally responded. Hailey nodded her head in understanding and the rest of the night was a bit awkward on and off navigating this new family that I am suddenly a part of. At the end of the night, I decided to let mother and David have the night alone and convince them to let me sleep at my uncle Bradley's house for the night. They deserved to have a night all to themselves after being apart for so long and I could definitely use the peace and quiet to contemplate today's events. When I got inside the house Bradley was waiting for me in the kitchen. He immediately asked me how the dinner went and for some reason, I felt completely comfortable in telling him everything and I mean everything that happened.

"You just got into town and you already have girl problems," Bradley said with a laugh as he guided me upstairs to the room set up with its own bathroom.

"What? I don't have girl problems." I said slightly embarrassed and defensive. "She's my cousin. Did you not hear that part?" I asked him.

"Kid, she's not your cousin. There is no biological connection there so relax. You can admit you felt something towards her, and she seems to feel something towards you too. It's a normal part of being a teenager." Bradley answered. "so, my advice is just forgetting the whole cousin thing and enjoy her offer of showing you around. I mean not everyone gets a tour of the town from the mayor's daughter. You might even get some free things out of it from the stores in town." He added.

"I don't know if I can, but I will try." I said and sat down on the bed in the room with a nightstand on the right side of the bed and started thinking about what he was saying. "how am I supposed to know if your advice is best?" I asked him.

"Because I am one of the few therapists in town. I know what I am talking about." He replied and shook his head. "just get changed and get some rest. You have the rest of your life to figure out how the world works in this town." He said before leaving me alone in the room closing the door behind him. I sighed and looked around the room. It was pretty plain with just basic furniture. There was no evidence of anyone staying in the room.

In front of the window was an old-looking wooden desk and chair. Across from the bed were a mirror and drawer set. There are two doors, one on each side of the mirror. Ready to change out of these clothes to something more comfortable, I get off the bed and stare at the two doors. One must be the bathroom and the other a closet. I first go to the door on the right but when I open it, I only see an empty closet. I closed the door and went to option two, the left door which led to a decently sized full bathroom. A pair of pajamas is set on the sink and I check the size to make sure it won't be too big before changing into them.

I looked at myself in the mirror and stared for a second taking in what I saw. My face is clean, and I have fresh clothes on. Me and my mother really did it. We escaped and made it here safely to restart our lives for the better. I looked away and smiled as I headed to bed and made myself comfortable. As soon as my head hit the pillow I felt sleep quickly approaching and for once in my life, I fell asleep with a smile on my face.