Max let go of a breath she didn't know she was holding. She tipped forward and leaned against the wall. She felt ever so heavy. At least Kate was safe, as she was with Chloe as well. She was staring at the floor, halfway between Victoria and herself. "Talk?" She asked then let out of a dry chuckle. Victoria's eyes were glued on her, silently begging Max to just look at her. Max pushed herself off the walk and started toward her room.
Victoria's heart sank even further at that. Thinking she was losing her chance. She watched as Max fished out her keys, standing at her door. "Max, Please.. I don-"
"I'm coming over, just let me grab some shit." Max opened her door and walked in, leaving the door open. She took a long breath and turned to look back at Victoria, still not meeting her eyes. "Feel free to follow."
"O-okay" Victoria tentatively went across the hall and followed Max into her room. First Max picked up her back off the bed.
"I'll have to thank Kate for bringing my crap back." Max said as she slung the bag over her shoulders. Next she went to her stereo and got the CD out of it, returned it to it's case, then put it in her bag.
"Um. That was me.. Kate gave me the spare key." Victoria stood just beyond the threshold, not wanting to get in the way.
"Oh…" Max stopped midway as she slid her laptop into her bag. "Thanks." She moved over to her plant, stroking a leaf before pouring a little water into the pot. Then she unplugged her phone and laptop charger, stuffing them in the bag as well.
"I can go get the key now if-" Victoria looked back toward her room.
"Keep it." At the Victoria turned back to see Max looking right at her. She couldn't help the blush the crept up her cheeks. It did nothing to hide her exhaustion. You could tell she hadn't slept. Her makeup was gone and her eyes were red from some intense crying. She had wanted Max to look her in the eye but now it was almost unbearable. "Will you help me carry some things?" She nodded, unable to break eye contact. Max was the one to break their shared gaze to point at the stuffed animal on her bed. "Get Captain One-Eye and in my closet there's some chocolate cookies I know you'll like, the red box."
Victoria did as she was told, sitting the teddy bear on the box of cookies once she had both. Max picked up her guitar by the neck and motioned for them to leave. Victoria stepped out into the hallway. She was right about the cookies. Victoria could smell them already and they made her stomach growl slightly. Max locked her door and followed out and across the hall. As Victoria pushed opened her door she wondered why Max needed so much if they were just going to talk. "So.. what? Are you moving in or something?"
Max genuinely smiled at that. "Would you like that?"