It seems like Max is always there to catch you.

A prime example would be her taking you in when you had nothing. Okay, so she metaphorically caught you, but it still counts so whatever. Or that time when you were trying to put up the tarp and it busted, pouring snow all on your head. You fell then, and she caught you, cracking a joke about the houses you'd built.

So why should now be any different?

You contemplate this as you stand in the subway, before the gap in the path. The box of cupcakes is slick in your hands as you perspire. Behind you the other passengers yell at you to get a move on. Max has already crossed, leaping easily. That's because Max is fearless. Not for the first time, you wish you were more like her.

"Caroline, c'mon, it's just a step," calls Max in what she likes to refer to as her "chill" voice. She's calm, cool, collected. "Take the step."

You know you can do it. Her eyes tell you you can. And you know that she won't let you fall.

So you hand off the box of cupcakes. You back up, start chanting your own name. You take a running start, see the floor below. You picture your body among the rats, broken. You shriek. You falter. The passengers behind you groan.

You argue with the police officer, or whatever he is, about your heels and then you do it. Your heart leaps into your throat as you leap, and when you land you feel Max's warm arms encircle you. She lets out an "oof!" as you slam into her a little harder than necessary.

You feel safe immediately upon impact.

Later that night as Max bakes at the purple stove and you sit on your pink bed, you decide to say something.

"Max?"

She's distracted, busy mixing, concentrating. "Huh?"

"Thanks."

That gets her attention, and she momentarily pulls herself away from her task. "Uh, for what?"

You smile, but inside you're freaking. "For always being there to catch me."

And for a split second, something shifts and you're looking at a whole new Max. This Max is gentle, sentimental, and her eyes go all soft and mushy when you say this. The ghost of a loving smile finds her lips before she remembers herself. She gives her head a quick shake and takes spoon to bowl once more.

"Yea, sure, whatever. That's what I'm here for," she mumbles gruffly, and you see her light blush and your smile is radiant.