90210
Episode 609
"Ill Communications"
Cast: Annie Wilson, Dixon Wilson, Naomi Clark, Erin Silver, Navid Shirazi, Adrianna Tate-Duncan, Liam Court
Disclaimer: I don't own 90210.
Author's Note: Sorry I've been away! Get ready for some intense drama! The fight scene between Naomi and Max was inspired from One Tree Hill!
Full Summary: Season 6 finds Annie and Dixon Wilson, along with the rest of the Beverly Hills' gang, lost, loved, and strengthened through each other. It's a new and different time for them, as the stakes are much higher and there is a lot more to lose. Old flames are ignited and broken families are reunited. Coming from a world of glamour and privilege, with endless possibilities in front of them, anything can happen. All in all, it's just another day in the world's most famous zip code.
"Ill Communications" Drama/Romance. Shenae Grimes, Tristan Wilds, AnnaLynne McCord. Series Naomi is shocked when Max returns to Beverly Hills. Navid finds out the truth about Adrianna, while Silver avoids Dixon. Liam throws a launch party at Offshore for his new Surf Shop.
000
Naomi's Mansion - Living Room:
She could not help but to keep staring back at his handsome face quietly, carefully tucking her blonde hair behind her ear. The early sun poured in to her spacious living room, breathing life in the cold space. Max tightly clasped his hands together as he stared back at her lost face in silence.
He still looked the same, Naomi thought. Maybe a little different, but overall the same. She kept a straight face so that he couldn't tell she was thinking about him. She sensed that he matured a little, but that was about it. She still longed for him desperately. Her heart somewhat felt right with him. But she was still crushed.
Max heaved a deep sigh.
"I guess I should say something, huh?" muttered Max through his breath, chuckling softly. Naomi kept a straight face, and Max's nervous smile quickly faded away. Naomi scoffed.
"...I think I deserve something honest from you," gritted Naomi through her teeth. "You did just show up out of the blue." Max wet his lips.
"Honestly, Naomi," began Max nervously. "You're not making this any easier for me..."
"What do you expect from me, Max?" spat Naomi, thinning her eyes. "I haven't gotten anything from you for the past couple of months. Not a phone call. No letters. Nothing." Max looked away ashamed, as Naomi began to collect pools of tears in her eyes. "Now...now you're here. In my house? Seriously..." She rose to her feet. "Max, a husband..a husband is supposed tostay with his wife." Naomi's voice broke. "You broke your promise, Max! The promise you made to me!"
"Well I'm here," added Max, standing up to his feet. "I'm here now, Naomi."
"Why now?" asked Naomi.
"To tell you that I'm sorry," replied Max genuinely. "And to tell you that my heart belongs with you. It always has and it always will."
"Well good luck trying to find mine," gritted Naomi bitterly, a tear shooting down her thin face. "It disappeared when you did." Naomi collected herself and slowly walked away.
"You know," gritted Max bitterly. "Ever since I've been back, it feels like you've been waiting to push me away." Naomi turned around slowly and scoffed. "I can't even get a word with you without feeling like you don't want to hear what I have to say!"
"Push you away?" muttered Naomi, thinning her eyes. She was now at the brink of tears. Her heart felt as though it was being ripped into millions. "Max, I am not trying to push you away! I am holding on for dear life! I need you to need me back!" Max gulped nervously as Naomi wept hysterically. "All I want from you is the truth!"
"Naomi," whispered Max, trying to calm her down.
"Why did you leave me all by myself?" spat Naomi, heartbroken. "Why wouldn't you call when you were away? Why didn't you tell me you were coming home...and why don't you ever just let me all the way in?!" Naomi's tears rolled down her cheeks as she breathed heavily.
"Is it impossible for you to ever forgive me?" begged Max. Naomi had a confused look on her face. "I did..."
"For what?" spat Naomi, confused.
"For sleeping with Austin," Max carefully stated. Naomi's heart disappeared in an abyss as her stomach twisted and turned.
"Seriously?" whispered a distraught Naomi, taken back. "I loved you so much for that. You had such grace in that moment when you loved me." Naomi breathed heavily. "But I can't believe you would use it against me now!"
"I'm not!" quickly retorted Max.
"Yes, you are!" replied Naomi. "You just did!" Max stayed silent as Naomi brushed her hair back with her hands. "I have to go...I have a wedding rehearsal to coordinate." Naomi picked her head up slowly. "I have to make a toast to the bride and groom...about love."
Naomi wet her lips and walked passed him.
"Please," begged Max, stopping Naomi in her tracks. "Please don't be mad, Naomi."
"I'm not mad, Max," murmured Naomi, biting her lip. "I'm not mad."
90210
Adrianna's House:
Adrianna tightly wrapped her body with a silk bathrobe as she dragged her tired feet to her piano in the corner of her bedroom. She smoothly tied her long hair into a loose bun as she wet her plump lips. She gently placed her fingers on the keys, exhaling to the cadence of the melody.
"I gotta find a peace of mind," she sang quietly, her voice breaking softly. "...I...gotta find a peace of mind..." Navid slipped into her dimmed bedroom and sat comfortably on her bed with a cup of warm tea cradled in his hands.
Adrianna dropped her hands on her lap and shut her eyes painfully. She began sobbing desperately.
"I gotta find a peace of mind...," she tried singing once more. Flashbacks of the attack crossed her mind once more. She held onto herself and sobbed louder.
"Ade?" called Navid softly, quickly embracing her in his arms. "Ade? What's wrong?" She turned her head and buried herself in his arms. "Ade, I can't help you if you don't tell me what's going on." He stared deeply in her tortured eyes.
"Navid," muttered Adrianna helplessly.
"I want to help you, Adrianna," stated Navid strongly. "Let me help you."
"...Okay...," breathed Adrianna slowly. "I never fell down the stairs..." Navid had a confused look on his face. "I never fell down the stairs."
"What are you talking about?" asked Navid calmly.
"I was attacked," added Adrianna, taking deep breaths. "It was after Leila's graduation...I was dragged out of my car at a stop light..." Navid took deep breaths. "...they just kept hitting me..."
Navid kept quiet.
"Say something," pleaded Adrianna, sobbing desperately. "Navid. Say something."
"Campbell did this, didn't he?" spat Navid disgustingly. "That son of a bitch."
"Navid, it's over," responded Adrianna. "Just drop it."
"I will not drop it, Ade," snapped Navid. "He touched you." Adrianna gulped. "He could've killed you!"
"There's no use of confronting him now," added Adrianna. "He fled...remember?" She begged Navid to sit down. "I just need for you to tell me that everything's going to be okay from this point on." Adrianna gently rested her head on his shoulder. "I just need to hear it from you."
"Everything's going to be okay," whispered Navid comfortingly, planting a kiss on her forehead.
"And promise me, you'll leave this alone," begged Adrianna. Navid wet his lips. "Navid?"
"I promise," responded Navid quietly.
California University: Student Center
"Annie, watch out!" called Dixon from his seat, as Annie almost ran into another student with their breakfast. Annie quickly halted and tightly held on to her script and tray of food.
"Look where you're going next time, Author X," spat the annoyed student.
"Sorry!" apologized Annie sweetly, shrugging her shoulders. She took a seat across from her brother and began to pick on her food. She buried her face in her script as she continuously tossed her food around her plate.
"Annie," said Dixon loudly, trying to get her attention.
"What?" murmured Annie, not looking up.
"You are completely obsessed with this play," replied Dixon, crossing his arms. Annie thinned her eyes piercingly. "You are!"
"No, I'm not!" defended Annie strongly. "I am just trying to be prepared for my audition. I don't want to look like a fool." Annie heaved. "We all know how talented Emily is and well I'm not really that worried about Adrianna." Annie scoffed.
"You really need to talk to her," added Dixon. "Ade's a good person, Annie."
"Oh, okay," spat Annie sarcastically. "She's trying to steal my role in this play, Dixon. She pulled the I-changed-Silver's-bipolar-medicine-and-now-I'm-a- good-person act at the playhouse the other day."
"Annie," retorted Dixon.
"Okay, I'm sorry," apologized Annie. "I just don't understand how she can do that behind my back when I told her how much this meant to me. Friends don't do that to each other. She even said it herself that she didn't want this, what a joke."
"Annie," interrupted Dixon.
"I mean, didn't she make her big music return already?" added Annie.
"She's sort of still in the process of writing her songs," mentioned Dixon.
"Unbelievable," scoffed Annie. "You do everything you can to help her get back in the music industry, and now she's not even doing her part to help you out in your career. Typical Adrianna."
"Annie," began Dixon. "There's something you need to know about Ade." Annie listened intently. "She never fell down the stairs, Annie. She was attacked."
"What?" breathed Annie worriedly. "She was attacked?"
"That's what she was trying to tell you at Naomi's party before you went all crazy mode on her," explained Dixon.
"Oh my God, I feel so bad," whispered Annie. "Does she know who it was?"
"Campbell Price," answered Dixon slowly.
"What?" said Annie, taken back. "Campbell did this? Is she sure?"
"She's almost positive," added Dixon. "She couldn't stop crying about it at the studio the other day." Annie heaved a deep sigh. "That's why I told her to take her time with her songs. I'm in no rush right now."
"I guess I should go and apologize to her, huh?" stated Annie. "She didn't deserve all the crap I put her through."
"Well, she dropped out of the play this morning," added Dixon.
"What?" said Annie.
"Yeah," responded Dixon. "She didn't want to do it in the first place, Annie. That's what she was trying to tell you."
"And I wasn't listening," finished Annie.
"Like to Liam?" added Dixon. Annie bit her lip and nodded her head. "Have you called him lately?"
"I should," answered Annie. "I am marrying the man."
Silver's Apartment
She carefully wrapped her headscarf around her head as she poured hot tea into two small teacups. The fragrance of the herbs and hot water filled her senses and soothed her body.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Silver swung the door open and found Liam standing in front of her door with his arms wrapped around a box.
"You called?" asked Liam with a smile.
"Yes," replied Silver, welcoming Liam in her apartment. "Thanks again, Liam." She passed by him. "You can set the box on my bed."
"So what exactly is in the box?" asked Liam, burying his hands in his jacket.
"Nothing really," responded Silver. "They're just tapes that I have to edit for school." Liam nodded his head. "I would have gone to CU this morning myself, but I had an appointment."
"Are you okay?" asked Liam.
"You know, I wish everyone would just stop asking me that," snapped Silver. "I'm alive. I'm breathing. So, yes, I am okay."
"I'm sorry," replied Liam. "I didn't mean to -" Silver shut her eyes and rested her head on her hand.
"No, I'm sorry," apologized Silver. "It's just, sometimes I wanna feel normal again. I just wanna get through one normal day without having to think about the fact that I have cancer."
"Silver," said Liam.
"That's another reason why I called you today," added Silver. "I didn't want to hear Dixon -"
"Hear him what?" interjected Liam. "Tell you the truth?" Silver breathed deeply. "Silver, Dixon loves you enough to tell you the truth...the truth that you don't have normal days anymore."
"It's my choice. I don't wanna listen to him," snapped Silver. "And I don't appreciate you taking his side."
"Then you're being stubborn," responded Liam. "Dixon cares, Silver. He cares about you."
"I didn't ask him to," muttered Silver.
"Exactly," breathed Liam. "You didn't have to. He already does." Liam opened the door. "Think about what I said, Silver. Dixon cares."
Naomi's Mansion:
Annie strolled in the mansion and made her way into the kitchen where she found Naomi submerging herself in a bucket of ice cream.
"Two questions," stated Annie. "One: What the hell is Max Miller doing in my apartment sleeping on the couch?" Naomi rolled her eyes. "Two: Why are you eating ice cream in the middle of the day?"
"One answer," replied Naomi tiredly. "Max is a coward and is dumb."
"Technically, those are two answers," muttered Annie.
"Oh shut up," spat Naomi. "I'm devastated, I can say whatever the hell I want." Annie whipped around the corner and embraced Naomi. "He really hurt me, Annie. He really broke me this time. I thought we had a deal - we got a divorce so we could both do whatever the hell it is we wanted with our lives...separately. We had our final magical perfect sex and then he decides to show up to my gala like nothing happened -"
"Buy you still love him, Naomi," interjected Annie. "He's what you want isn't he?"
"Of course he is!" answered Naomi. "But he can't keep coming back to me out of convenience! He wanted us to grow up - and it feels like I'm the only one out of the two of us that did!"
"I know, sweetie," comforted Annie. "I know." Naomi pouted. "You know he's back for good this time, right?" Naomi slowly pulled away.
"What do you mean?" asked Naomi.
"Apparently, Alec stopped by the other day to ask Max to run their company from Beverly Hills," informed Annie. "Max took the job and is back for good." Naomi buried her head in her hands. "What are you going to do?"
"I don't know," answered Naomi slowly. "I am a successful event planner. And my focus is to put Rachel in her place and I will not have Max distract me."
"Sounds like a plan," replied Annie.
Offshore:
"I like the sound of it!" praised Old Salty. "Sounds like a plan, Navid!" Navid smiled cheerfully as Liam entered the bar.
"What plan?" asked Liam.
"Oh, nothing really," responded Navid. "I'm just writing a feature on the new and improved Offshore!"
"What's new and improved about it?" asked Liam, confused.
"Well, a lot of things Liam," replied Navid. "The interior design is new. The beer is improved. And we're throwing a launch party for your new Surf Shop!"
"I told you it sounded great," added Old Salty.
"Navid," retorted Liam. "You know how I feel about this." Liam quieted his voice. "I don't want to throw a launch party unless I have found a professional surfer to advertise."
"I heard you clean and clear, Liam!" said Navid.
"Unless you found one that we can sponsor," began Liam. "I'm out. I don't want to be a part of it." Liam turned around and found himself staring at an old friend. The Bohemian surfer girl of Beverly Hills was leaning against the bar with a wide smile painted across her face.
"Are you sure about that?" asked Ivy. "Cause this plan totally sounds kick-ass." Liam joyfully embraced his old friend.
"Ivy!" called out Liam.
"Am I good? Or am I good?" asked Navid.
"You're more than good!" said Liam excitedly.
"Of course I found a professional surfer," added Navid. Liam focused his attention to Ivy.
"What are you doing here?" asked Liam.
"I just finished a surf tour in Brazil when Navid called me," explained Ivy. "He said you guys needed my help." Liam smiled at Navid. "Well here I am."
"You're professional now," breathed Liam.
"Yup," replied Ivy.
"The real deal," added Navid.
Dixon's Studio:
Adrianna rested her thoughts on her paper as she sat quietly in the studio.
"Hey," whispered Annie sweetly from behind. Adrianna dropped her pen and turned around.
"Look, Annie," began Adrianna, standing up. "I'm not looking to start a fight -"
"That's not what I'm here for," interjected Annie carefully. "Trust me." Annie took a hold of Adrianna's hands and motioned her to sit down. "I need you to hear me out."
"What is it?" asked Adrianna.
"I know, Ade," muttered Annie. Adrianna had a confused look. "I know."
"What are you talking about?" asked Adrianna.
"I know about the attack," added Annie. Adrianna bit her lips. "I am so sorry for acting like a total bitch to you." Annie shut her eyes. "I feel really horrible about it and I hope you find it in your heart to forgive me?"
"Of course I do, Annie," replied Adrianna. "I wanted to tell you myself, I did. I didn't want you to think that I was going behind your back." Annie nodded her head. "Annie, I never wanted this role."
"I know," muttered Annie. "And I should have trusted your word."
"I dropped out of the play," informed Adrianna.
"I know, Dixon told me," said Annie. "Are you sure about this?"
"Yeah," said Adrianna. "The theater stage was never really my scene." Adrianna smiled and gazed over the microphone. "Music is where my heart is."
"That's good to hear," whispered Annie. Adrianna had a troubled look on her face. "What's wrong, Ade? Are you okay?"
"Lately," began Adrianna. "I can't seem to write. The attack just keeps replaying over and over in my mind. It's like it's on replay or something. I can't get it out of my mind."
"Have you seen a therapist?" asked Annie.
"I can't afford one right now," responded Adrianna. "Besides, I think seeing a therapy will just make me more crazy. That's why I've been with Liam. He's been teaching me how to fight." Annie looked on. "Thank you, Annie...for coming today. It really means a lot, I know you've been through a lot."
"No problem," replied Annie. "I'm here for you, Ade."
"And so am I," said Adrianna. "I will be there for your audition!"
The Beach:
Ivy stabbed her surfboard in the soft sand as she unzipped her wetsuit. The ocean breeze swept up her long hair as the sun began to slowly set.
"I see nothing's changed," called out Silver, walking towards Ivy.
"Silver!" responded Ivy, wrapping her arms around Silver.
"Hey," muttered Silver happily. "It's great to see you back in Beverly Hills!"
"It's good to be back," added Ivy.
"You look good," said Silver.
"And for someone who's kicking cancer's ass," began Ivy. "So do you!" Silver smiled warmly.
"I've missed you so much!" embraced Silver. "You're one of the only ones who actually still sees me as a normal person."
"Are you kidding me?" scoffed Ivy. "Just cause you have cancer does not mean you get special privileges when you're around me."
"That's what I like to hear," smiled Silver. Silver watched as Ivy's hair danced in the wind. "I almost forgot how it feels to have the wind brush your hair into the air." Ivy grabbed her hair and tied it in a bun.
"Funny," murmured Ivy. "That's what Raj used to say when we were out here." Silver wet her lips. "I remember he used to say that he had better hair than me, even though he was bald."
"I miss that guy," spat Silver, her voice breaking. "Sometimes I wish I had his confidence."
"Yeah, me too," whispered Ivy, dragging her words with despair. "How have you been lately?"
"To be honest," answered Silver. "It's been hell." Silver almost broke down to tears. "It's been really bad."
"You know," began Ivy. "I didn't just come back for Liam and Navid." Silver looked up. "I'm here for you, too, Silver."
Offshore: Liam's Launch Party
Liam and Navid slid across the bar as they did last minute preparations. Annie and Silver sat comfortably at the bar as people filed in.
"Are you okay?" asked Annie to Silver. "Do you need me to get you anything?"
"Yeah," Silver responded sarcastically. "How about my best friend, Annie? Have you seen her around lately?"
"Silver," replied Annie. "I'm being serious here."
"So am I," retorted Silver. "You don't have to keep checking up on me every two seconds. I can't wait for my final radiation therapy session. I'm getting really exhausted and I just don't want this cancer anymore." Annie smiled. "But despite that, I'm fine."
"Fair enough," responded Annie. "I'll leave you alone."
"Have you talked to Liam yet?" asked Silver to Annie.
"I haven't gotten the chance to," answered Annie. Dixon appeared from the crowd and made his way towards the girls. "Have you talked to Dixon yet?"
"I haven't gotten the chance to," answered Silver, realizing that Dixon was nearly approaching them. "I have to go to the restroom. I'll be right back."
Dixon took Silver's seat.
"Where were you?" asked Annie.
"I had to lock up my studio and then lock up mom's studio," answered Dixon. "Mom and dad are making a trip to San Francisco for some film festival."
"Sounds fun," added Annie. Dixon took a deep breath and rolled his eyes.
"Where did Silver go?" asked Dixon.
"She, umm, she went to the bathroom," answered Annie.
"I wish she would stop avoiding me," muttered Dixon. Annie stared at him.
"Take a lesson from me," began Annie. "Don't ask her if she's fine."
"I don't wanna ask her anything," answered Dixon. "I want to tell her I love her. And that I've always have."
000
Liam hopped on the stage and awkwardly held the mic to his mouth as the crowd quieted down. A bright spotlight flashed against Liam as he began to speak.
"Umm," began Liam. "Thank you everyone for coming out tonight!" The crowd cheered. "I am really excited about promoting and sponsoring Ivy Sullivan! Ivy is a professional surfer activist and it is our pleasure to be working with her and the new Surf Shop!" Ivy made her way on the stage. "Here she is everyone, Ivy!"
"What's up, everyone?" called out Ivy. "How are you guys doing tonight?" The crowd cheered louder. "I am happy to be back in Beverly Hills and to be helping my friends out with their new gig. Enjoy the night! Enjoy the food! And enjoy the beautiful music performed by Adrianna Tate-Duncan!"
The crowd cheered as Adrianna took the stage.
"I thought she couldn't write a song?" asked Dixon to Annie.
"Let's just say we had a girl to girl talk," explained Annie.
"She is good," added Dixon. "Whatever it is you did, Annie...thank you!" Dixon wrapped his arm around Annie's neck as he planted a big kiss on her head. "I owe you one, sis!"
000
"I knew I recognized that same unbrushed hair from a mile away," stated Naomi to Ivy. "Come here you hippie freak."
"Naomi," greeted Ivy. "Still witty."
"And fabulous," added Naomi. "You know, I told Liam I could have hosted a better party for you...but you know Liam...stubborn and brooding as always. My half-brother is actually the caterer for this event so this party doesn't totally suck."
"Mark's your half-brother?" asked Ivy. Naomi got distracted as a tall, handsome man appeared behind them.
"Oh my gay!" screamed Naomi excitedly. "Teddy!" Teddy emerged from the crowd as he happily greeted Naomi and Ivy.
"Naomi," muttered Teddy with a smile.
"Teddy!" greeted Ivy.
"What's up?" asked Teddy. "So I heard you're a professional international surfer now?"
"Yeah," answered Ivy. "Sort of." Teddy and Ivy laughed. "How about you? You a professional tennis player yet?"
"Nope, not yet," answered Teddy. "I'm actually enrolled at CU and I'm playing for the school team. Sort of."
"Well it sounds like you're having fun," added Ivy.
"It has its moments. Maybe I should get away from Beverly Hills for a while and maybe I'll become a professional tennis player in a year," chuckled Teddy.
"Well look at me," interjected Naomi. "I left Beverly Hills to go to New York and now I have my own Event Party Planner Business." Teddy and Ivy exchanged glares. "Ivy goes to Mexico and then Brazil and comes back as an international professional surfer activist. Annie went to Paris and returned as a best-selling author! Nobody really brings up the fact that she was a hooker."
"What are you saying?" asked Teddy.
"Beverly Hills is a curse," answered Naomi.
000
Liam stood alone on the balcony as he sipped on a cold beer. The moon's light reflected off the ocean and hit his beautiful face.
"Hey fiance?" Annie whispered to Liam. Liam slowly turned around and grabbed Annie by the waist. "...I'm so sorry." Liam smiled sweetly and planted a soft kiss on Annie's lips. "I am so sorry for the way I've been acting lately."
"I forgive you," Liam muttered sweetly, staring deeply in her eyes.
"I was overreacting and I was a complete bitch," confessed Annie. "I wanted this role so badly that I forgot what was really important in my life."
"And what's that?" asked Liam.
"My friends," began Annie, smiling. "My family...and you."
"I love you, too," responded Liam.
"I just want to let you know how proud I am of you," breathed Annie. "I am so proud of you, Liam." Liam smiled. "You deserve this night. You deserve all the happiness in the world."
"I couldn't have done it without you," whispered Liam. Annie smiled back and kissed him. "Are you ready for that private tour of the boat?"
"I thought you'd never ask," responded Annie, as Liam swept her off her feet and carried her in his arms.
Liam led Annie down in his sailboat where there were lit candles surrounding the bedroom. Liam caressed her beautiful face with his large hands as he pressed his lips against hers'. They undressed each other slowly, carefully making their way to the soft bed. Annie pressed herself against his large chest and traced his body with her hands. Liam grabbed her by her waist and moved his hands down her legs.
"I love you," Liam whispered in her ear.
000
Adrianna made her way into the girl's bathroom and found Silver hovered over the sink.
"Silver?" called Adrianna. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," answered Silver. "I just feel a little lightheaded."
"Have you been in here the entire night?" asked Adrianna. "Everyone's looking for you."
"About," answered Silver.
"Maybe that's why," retorted Adrianna. "Silver, Navid just had the bathroom repainted. The paint probably made you lightheaded." Silver held on to the counter. "Let's go, Sil."
"Hold on. Is Dixon outside?" asked Silver.
"I think so, yeah," answered Adrianna.
"I'll catch up with you," muttered Silver. "I'll meet you outside."
"I don't think so, Silver," replied Adrianna. "You don't look so good. You're really pale."
"I'm fine," muttered Silver.
"Why are you so worried about Dixon?" asked Adrianna.
"It's nothing," breathed Silver.
Suddenly, Silver's eyes rolled back to her head as she dropped to the ground. Adrianna quickly caught her with her arms and fell down on the ground.
"Silver!" shrieked Adrianna. "Silver!" Silver remained still and unconscious. "Help me! Somebody help me!" The door bursted open and Dixon quickly came to their aid. "Help!"
"What happened?" asked Dixon.
"She just passed out!" explained Adrianna.
"What?" breathed Dixon.
"Dixon, her breathing is slowing down!" informed Adrianna nervously. "We need to get her to the hospital now!" Dixon rapidly carried Silver in his arms and brought her out the restroom.
000
Max caught Naomi alone in the kitchen and made his way in the room.
"Max?" called Naomi. "What are you doing here?"
"Naomi," he muttered to her. "Before you say anything, I want you to hear me out." Max begged. "I just need to get this off my chest and I promise you that I will leave you alone."
"I'm listening," stated Naomi.
"I love you," confessed Max. "I love you more than life itself. And I always will. I just need you to understand that. That's why I came back for you." Naomi's heart skipped a beat. "That's the truth, Naomi. And if that's not enough for you, then I don't know what is." Naomi listened intently. "Because out of everything I know, you are the only one that has ever made sense to me. And that's enough for me, Naomi."
"I love you, Max. More than I should, actually," replied Naomi, her voice dragging. "But when you left...you left me with this insecurity that I can't ever seem to make disappear. You made me scared to fall in love with another person again, because I didn't think it was possible."
"I'm so sorry," Max apologized.
"Great," Naomi muttered, smacking her lips. "And your sorry." Max wet his lips as she brushed away her tears. "So am I, Max. So am I."
Author's Note: REVISED CHAPTER