Max's body jumped slightly as her eyes jolted open. She lay still for a while to let her eyes get adjusted to the darkness of her room.
Sitting up in her bed, Max looked over to her alarm clock and saw that it was nearly 2am. "Must've passed out…" she mumbled to herself, still feeling slightly dizzy.
As memories of what had happened with her and Caroline only a few hours before came back to her mind, she groaned to herself, knowing she would have to at least try and deal with it.
Max hated confrontation, and avoided it any cost - especially when it was with or about someone she truly cared for.
Max had no idea how to handle this with Caroline, apart from doing what they had always done before they got further than kissing… just ignore it and not mention it.
Max sighed and leaned against the wall, beginning to feel anxious now. She had literally bolted from Caroline the minute she realised what had happened.
Now she was too afraid to face it. She needed Caroline more than anyone; not that she would ever admit that to her.
Usually when Max let her emotions get the better of her, she ended up getting screwed over. Why should she do it again?
Max contemplated leaving her room and trying to talk to Caroline about it, or even just… sit in silence if that would help.
She reached over to flick on her lamp, when something on her desk caught eye. It was a piece of paper, with "Max." written on the front.
Max knew it was Caroline's handwriting, and she felt her heart start to race. Why would she leave her a note?
Max reached over and picked up the note, unfolding it and reading it quickly.
"It's okay, Max.
We can pretend it never happened if it's easier for you.
I'll understand.
Honestly.
See you in the morning.
Caroline x."
Max hadn't noticed the tears welling up in her eyes until she felt one trickle down her face.
She scrunched up the note and threw it on her desk before wiping away the tear angrily. She never cried, ever. Why should a few words on a piece of paper change that?
Deep down she knew the reason. She had hurt Caroline, there was no denying that.
She could practically see the pain on the piece of paper in every written letter, forcefully scribbled out with choked sobs.
She did say we could pretend it never happened. That would be easier. But it would hurt her again. Why do I care though? Fuck. I need to talk to her. I can't… not.
Max had made up her mind, even though she was trying to not think so much, in case her emotions would get the better of her and she'd simply never speak to Caroline again.
Slowly getting out of bed and realising that she was still half naked, and noticing how cold it was, Max pulled on a pair of trackpants and an old shirt.
She headed outside her room and walked around to Caroline's bed. It was pulled down, but she wasn't in it.
It was nearly 2am, where else would she be?
Max felt herself grow nervous now, hoping with everything she had that Caroline hadn't run off. She didn't know how to handle that, when it was usually her that was the one running away.
Max heard a small noise, and her head whipped around. Peering out the window, she saw that Caroline was sitting on the chairs in the middle of the grass, wrapped in a blanket and staring at the ground.
Oh crap. Let's get this over with then…
Max opened the back door and walked over to Caroline, taking a seat next to her. She wasn't sure if she had heard her come outside; if she had, she hadn't shown it.
Max thought to herself that she needed to be the one to break the silence. But how?
She cleared her throat hoping that might do something, but it was of no use. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself to try and speak.
"C-Caroline… are you okay?" Max watched as Caroline slowly lifted her head to make eye contact. They were practically glowing red. "Holy crap woman, how much more stoned did you get?"
Max couldn't help but smirk slightly, secretly glad that something had lightened the mood.
Caroline shook her head slowly, seemingly trying to keep her balance while seated. "I um… found some more and… had it. You look so pretty under the moon, Max…"
Max smiled again, knowing that even though she had planned to speak to Caroline about earlier, she was in no state to understand a single word.
Maybe it would be best to say something now then.
"Come on, let's get you inside. I don't want to wake up tomorrow and find a frozen Barbie sitting outside."
Max stood up and took Caroline's hand, slipping her other arm around her waist to hold her steady.
Max led her inside and headed towards Caroline's bed, when suddenly Caroline stopped walking.
"Can I sleep with you tonight? I feel all dizzy…"
Max froze slightly, unsure of how to respond. The girl was way too stoned to function properly, so who knows what she'd do if she was left alone.
Caroline was her best friend above all else, and Max had to take care of her no matter what. So that's what she would do for her best friend.
"Sure… come on." Max held onto Caroline still as she led her into her bedroom.
She helped Caroline into bed, and pulled the covers over her completely to make sure she was warm.
Max noticed that Caroline's eyes never left hers, and she had a confused expression on her face.
Trying not to worry about anything else, Max got into bed and pulled the covers over herself.
She thought she should at least say something. Caroline was probably way too baked to remember it the next day anyway.
Max turned her head to find Caroline already staring at her. She had such beautiful eyes.
"Caroline…" Max began. "About earlier… I'm sorry I ran out. I freaked. Anything good that happens to me ends up fucked up anyway. I don't want you to be another thing I mess up. You're too… you're way too important to me."
Max held her gaze with Caroline's, anticipating her response.
She didn't speak, but only moved closer to Max and draped her arm over her, nuzzling into the crook of her neck. It gave Max goosebumps, but on instinct she lifted her arm and draped it over Caroline's shoulders, pulling her in closer as well.
"Max…" Caroline whispered.
"Yeah?"
Silence.
"You're so beautiful. You're… you're my best friend. My beautiful best friend. Nothing will change that. You couldn't… you couldn't ever hurt me."
Max felt herself tense up, completely at a loss for what to say.
"Don't say anything…" Caroline whispered yet again, as though reading Max's mind. "Just know… just know. I love you, Max. So much…"
Max's eyes darted down to see Caroline's eyes fluttering closed, as her breathing began to deepen as she fell to sleep.
Max was terrified now, but she still somehow felt safe. She didn't know how or why, but she figured she could deal with that in the morning.
"I love you too, Caroline…" She softly whispered, feeling Caroline's body twitch before she too drifted off the sleep.