The Strength Hidden Within
Chapter 1
I stumbled out the front door and down the wet steps. Landing on my knees I looked up with watery eyes and a tear streaked face, a man standing there in the pouring rain reached-out his hand and smiled, saying, "Miss, my name is Max. Are you okay?" I only thought of leaving before Nick came down, "I have go," I squeaked, "he'll catch me." Before Max said a word, I was off the ground and halfway down the street. I looked back at the corner and saw Max still standing there confused.
I arrived home soaked from the rain and tired of the days' worth of fighting with my ex-boyfriend. He had become increasingly violent. I had a history with violent men or those that betrayed my trust. There was something different about this Max that I just stumbled into.
Now calm and relaxing in front of the TV, my phone rang. "Hello, who is this?" "This is Max; you bumped into me earlier in front of the apartment building. After you ran off I found your day planner in the mud. I looked up your number and am calling to see if you're okay. You took off pretty fast, how I can return your book to you?"
I feared he sounded too good to be true and I'd only be betrayed again. Agreeing to meet in the park down the street, I arrived and saw Max sitting on the side of the large fountain in the middle of the park with a ukulele on his back. "Where is it?" I asked, "Please give me my address book now." Max pulled out my address book, but before I could grab it he pulled it back. "Wait, you first have to listen to this song I wrote."
Max played it. "That was beautiful Max, who is it about?" "You," he said, "I wanted you to feel better so I wrote it for you." Shocked that he would write a song considering they had only met less than 24 hours before. "You barely know me. Why?" Max looked away, then suddenly turned and looked into my eyes. "Since that first moment yesterday, I knew that I had to help you. I felt a connection stronger than anything." He poured his heart out for me, yet I stayed silent, and grabbing my planner, I got up and shot off through the park.
Max ran to catch me, and upon reaching my cab, said, "Please listen to me, don't you see what we have. You have to believe me; I can tell you have been hurt before. I won't be the same as those other guys; I'd never do that to you." Looking away, I quickly climbed into the waiting cab and sped off.
It had always been the men in my life that left me, but now the tables were turned, I controlled my destiny, finally understanding the difference between being lonely and being alone, and it felt good.
Getting out of the cab almost forgetting to pay the driver I made it to the elevator of my building before breaking down and crying. No one was around at this time of night, so I was safe to cry without anyone seeing me. I had to do what I had done to Max; otherwise I would have gotten into it too deep. Max was probably already off with some new girl and being famous as always. I needed to forget him and keep living with my life, unless I wanted it to consume me. Clear my head and take a day to herself. Crawling into my bed, I forced my eyes close and sleep enveloped me.
Around 6:00 a.m., with an alarm blaring in my ear I lugged my body out of bed and made an attempt to get ready for work. The job of working the morning shift at Rudy's music store: the best around. Since I loved music especially the piano and guitar this was the perfect job for me. Taking the E train to Canal Street and walking down Lafayette Street I arrived at Rudy's with two minutes till opening. If I was late again it may cost me my job, which if I wanted keep my apartment would not be good. After a long six hour shift I clocked out and took a cab to Central Park, I liked to go and write among the trees sometimes.
Little did I know who I was about to see. Right as I was about to turn the corner of the cluster of trees, I caught a glimpse of a fedora and her faint ukulele music. It couldn't be Max; it had only been a day! I wasn't supposed to see him again this quickly. As quietly as I could, I walked the other way. Unfortunately, before I could make it very far she heard her name being said. "Wait, Lexi please?" Max made it to me and had grabbed my bag strap pulling me back to him. In the process, pulling my bag from my shoulder and knocking it to the newly wet concrete.
Change, keys, pens, my wallet, and journal went flying in all directions. Great, I thought, now I'm going to have to talk to and see him longer than I should. Max whispered, "Let me help you with that, it's my fault." He leaned into me until I could feel his breath against my ear. "Lexi, please just hear me out?" I didn't answer him; instead I snatched my bag from his grasp and took off at a slight jog. Next thing I knew, Max was in front of me again. "C'mon Lexi, from the first moment I met you my world changed. You were different and I could see something different in you. Something I had never seen before, in anyone. I know you think I am just some vain star, who will leave you as soon as a better offer comes along. But I wouldn't do that to you; just let me show you I am different than you think?" My mind told me no, but my heart disagreed.
Finally, I said yes and he told me to meet him at the Bethesda Fountain at 8:00 o'clock tonight! Wear something fancy, but easy to move in. Trust me you'll have fun." I couldn't believe that I had agreed to that. Hadn't I told myself that when I had gone home and sat in front of the TV that I wouldn't see him ever again. Especially, when I saw the E! News report on Max Schneider the up and coming actor and singer. That one report had changed my whole view of Max. Now I knew there would be an even better chance that he would betray my trust like most famous men.
After 30 minutes, I made it to my apartment door and lazily opened the door! Only to find a trail of purple rose petals going back to my bedroom. Opening the door I found a beautiful flowing purple dress laid out on my bed and a note. It said, 'Change of plans, wear this tonight.' (Dress Pic: Strapless-Chiffon-Goddess-Dress-Formal/dp/B003BOV9SY/ref=&tag=polyvore006-20) It was so beautiful, trying it on; I twirled in the mirror and found I had 30 minutes until I needed to be at Bethesda Fountain. I still couldn't believe I had even considered doing this date. Hadn't I told myself that I wouldn't, under any circumstances, let him into my life? But here I was walking towards the fountain where he was waiting to take me on a date. As I rounded the corner, what I saw took my breath away. Max was dressed in a fitting black tux, his hair slicked back but still freely flowing, and he had a single purple rose in his hand.
"This is for you, milady. I asked the florist for the rarest flower that no one ever bought." Max said with a hint of nervousness in his shaky voice. "Thanks," I said, "It is beautiful and my favorite color." Setting the rose on the concrete fountain bench, I was blindfolded by Max and led to a waiting moped. I got on the back and put my arms around Max feeling the toned stomach I had heard so much about in the tabloids. We went speeding off, wind whipping in my face for what felt like hours. What I would have guessed was 30 minutes later; Max grabbed my hand and helped me off the moped. He led me down a windy path and I could faintly smell food and see lights.
Max slowly took my blindfold off and what I saw was beautiful. There was a table set for two, a small two person orchestra played in the background, and the whole circular area had been covered in small decorative lights. Leading me to and pulling out my seat like a true gentleman, Max went back around to his side as a waiter came out. I ordered the Fettuccini Alfredo and Max got the Spaghetti with shrimp. After eating we spent a good solid hour talking about our lives and dreams or aspirations. Around 10 o'clock Max decided it was a good time to take me home. We hailed a cab because the moped unfortunately was out of gas.
At my front porch, he finally spoke. 'Lexi, this was the most amazing second chance any guy could ask for. Thank you." I shifted on my feet awkwardly before replying with, "Yeah, it was. That date was fantastic, and you were such a prince to me Thank you for that too." I could hear my roommate coming down the stairs, so I quickly gave Max a quick peck on the cheek and ruffled his hair a bit before ducking inside.
