The shocked expressions on their faces from what they saw in the miserable memories of Maxwell's mind that showed what his past was like. The constant fighting that his parents went through with his father being too brutal while his mother tried to be a good mother and get through to his father in showing him compassion.
The tragic passing of his mother when he was young and the fact that his own father was boy verbally and physically abusive towards him while his father's domineering behavior wasn't easy on him. The fact that Maxwell's father put a lot of pressure on him on every aspect of his life, constantly yelling at him for any mistake he made, making every choice and decision for him when it wasn't something he wanted but it was what his father wanted for him, everytime he tried to defend himself and speak up, his father's abusive nature only got worse, being bullied, teased and made fun of for being a southerner.
The reason why he's at the Boiling Isles was because he appeared there the same way and same reason Luz was there but he was worse off. He never got to be a kid or have any fun like other kids. He was hurt as a child and he failed to stand up to his father and failed to stand up for himself against anyone back at home. The fact that his own father was going to possibly murder him if he sees him again. Now they knew why when they first met him, he was such a shy individual who hardly had any confidence in himself.
His own father never supporting him and he never got to make any choices for himself and he never got to experience the joys of being a kid. This was something that made him an easy target, which explains why Principle Bump was so harsh on him, why Lilith nearly violated him but was disgusted by the fact Eda's sister had lustful feelings towards Maxwell while having the nerve to blame Maxwell, even trying to cover her tracks and use his power for personal gain or even why that demonic clown was out to get him. So many people hurt poor Maxwell.
Maxwell looked at his feet while Eda, Luz, Willow, Gus and King were looking on towards him in worry. Luz came up to him and pulled him in a hug in attempt to console him.
"Maxie, we had no idea." said Luz.
"This is why I didn't want to talk about it or why I've said so little about it. I didn't want anyone to see me at my worst since I knew everyone here has enough on their mind without any other problems piling onto them like carrying a heavy boulder on their back." explained Maxwell sadly.
"Maxie, you'd never burden us. This whole time you've been a good kid." said King kindly.
Eda was not sure what to say or do at first. She now felt like Maxwell needs to be protected now more than ever like Luz but at the same time, she wanted to encourage Maxwell. She knew that she didn't have it easy nor did Luz. But knowing how worse off Maxwell was left her longing to help him.
"Maxie, we're sorry that you had such a hard time but is there also another reason why you felt so upset that Luz is going to Hexside?" asked Eda curiously.
Maxwell leaned his head onto Luz's shoulder and let out a sigh.
"Is it because you'd miss Luz?" asked Eda.
"I don't want her to leave me." said Maxwell sadly.
"Maxie, you know I'd never leave you. I wouldn't do that to you." Luz said reassuring him.
"Maxie, would you feel better if you went to school with Luz?" asked Gus.
Maxwell took a minute to think of this and knew that if he was apart from Luz, he'd be depressed, if he was at school with Luz, he'd feel better but at the same time, he didn't want to disappoint Eda.
"I thought about it wanting to go back to school once. Going to school and being around other kids my age." said Maxwell.
"You miss that feeling, don't you?" said Luz.
He nodded and placed his arms around Luz to hug her back as if not wanting Luz to leave him. Luz felt something thrilling to hear about this. If Maxwell went to Hexside with her, than the more friends going with her, the better.
"But there's also another reason." stated Maxwell.
They all looked towards him and were curious to what this other reason was.
"What's the other reason?" asked Eda.
"This power that's in me. I see that it's very strong and powerful like Eda when she's at her best in using her magic. But I'm sensing it's out of control, many times I've been hesitant to use it but I only used it when I had to. I'm afraid I might hurt someone if I can't control it." explained Maxwell.
They remembered the time he used this power he possesses and knew that he only used it to ether defend himself or to defend someone or only when he had to use it. That explained the reasons why he only used it when he had to.
"Maxie, it's alright to be afraid. There have been times when I was afraid and I'm turning out alright." said Luz with a word of comfort.
"You seem to look like you had control over it." stated Eda.
"That was for a different reason." said Maxwell.
"What was the reason?" asked Willow.
Maxwell fell silent and let out a sigh once again as he found this was going to be like breaking more news to them like a doctor telling a woman she's pregnant with her first child.
"Anyone who tried to hurt my friends, especially when someone is going to harm a lady. I can't stand someone who does that sort of thing. That, and it was usually for self defense or when I got tired of someone hurting me." Maxwell revealed.
They all seem to understand this feeling. Maxwell has shown times when he was done taking someone abuse and went on a warpath towards those who hurt him. But that was also because of the encouragement coming from Eda.
"That explains why you socked it to Lilith when she was about to knock me down. Which was totally epic." Eda said with a grin.
Maxwell agreed with a nod and Eda seem to understand he felt the same way, even if he wasn't going to brag about it.
"Maxie, are you afraid that if you go to Hexside, you'll be bullied again?" asked Eda.
He nodded once again.
"I don't want to go through that again but being away from Luz sort of hurts more." stated Maxwell.
"Well Maxie, you wouldn't be alone this time. I'd be there with you, so will Gus, Willow and even Amity. If anyone hurts you, we'll be there for you and we can help you." Luz said with another word of comfort. "Even Eda would help you if someone was bullying you."
Hearing this not only gave Maxwell a reassuring feeling but he also felt as though one last thing was holding him back. Eda was surprised to hear this as she knew she would protect Luz, King and Maxwell if anyone were to hurt them.
"But wouldn't me going there be up to Eda? I actually wanted to learn how to control this power by learning it from her originally, but..." Maxwell paused.
"But what?" asked Eda.
Eda felt admired that Maxwell wanted to learn from Eda and learn to control this power from her but she could sense that he was afraid to tell her what was about to be said next. Maxwell was a little hesitant to say more but knew he had to tell them.
"But I'm afraid of hurting Eda's feelings if I go to Hexside to learn how to control this power. I don't want to her think I opted out for Hexside. I can't do that if it hurts her. Which is why I'd rather let this be up to Eda, if she says yes or if she says no, than I'll understand." Maxwell stated kindly.
Maxwell didn't look up at Eda nor did he look towards her. Eda hearing this had her feeling as though Maxwell was giving her the power to choose for him, was this out of respect for Eda or was it because he felt he could never disobey Eda? Eda may not have looked like it but she felt touched by Maxwell's words in giving her power of choice for him. She knew that if she said no, than Maxwell would be saddened, but if she said yes, she knew that she would worry for both Maxwell's safety and for Luz safety. She didn't want to see Maxwell unhappy and miserable which she had formulated an option. She got closer to Maxwell to face both Maxwell and Luz. This was when Luz released her arms from Maxwell and he released his arms from her.
"Maxie, we can tell your afraid of what could happen from everything you've shown us and told us. If you'd miss Luz as she would go to Hexside and you want to control this power so you don't hurt anyone yet you don't want to be bullied again." stated Eda. "You know that you, Luz and King are under my protection and I'm responsible for you all. But I also don't want any of you to be unhappy and I think it's admirable of you that you don't want to hurt my feelings if you were to go to Hexside."
Maxwell was hanging onto Eda's every word as he felt a bit nervous but hopeful at the same time about what Eda's choice would be for him.
"But just so you know, you wouldn't be hurting me if you were to go that dweebus factory. But I guess what would hurt more is seeing you unhappy. If you really want to go to be with Luz and get better control over this power, than I guess I can let go of my pride and let you explore more of the world." Eda said telling them the news.
Maxwell looked up at Eda and he felt that he was overjoyed as he happily rushed over to Eda and hugged her. This surprised Eda a bit but she was somewhat expecting him to hug her from his overjoyed relief.
"Oh thank you, Eda. I've never known anyone as kind as you." said Maxwell sounding happy.
"Just so you know, while you go there. You, Luz and Luz's friends will look out for each other. If anyone is bullying you or Luz, you should help each other, or come to me and I can do something about it. I still want to protect you and Luz as I protect King. You understand, right?" Eda stated.
"You got it!" said Luz, Willow and Gus in unison.
"HarĂa cualquier cosa por ti." said Maxwell happily.
"Translation Luz?" asked Eda.
"He said he'd do anything for you." Luz translated.
Eda felt a sense of pride hearing this as she patted Maxwell on his head. Luz came over to hug Maxwell, so did Willow, Gus and King. Maxwell felt like a weight was lifted off his shoulders knowing that he was going to have Eda enroll him in Hexside. Luz felt happy that Maxwell will be going with her as Willow and Gus felt the same. Maxwell's heart was beating fast for someone and it seemed as though his heart was beating faster for Eda.
