Chapter 3 - the good, the bad, the worse - the best is you.

After the news about Max awakening, to her mother being found deceased shattered the young boy's heart. How much heartbreak could one take - although Max was the strongest person he knew. His mind were full with worry, - this would break the girl ever more. First the coma, then the loss of her eyesight and now her mother.

He just couldn't believe it. Who would take care of Max now? Would the child services take her away? Great - another fear unlocked.

As all these worries went around in Lucas's head, he'd finally got to visit Max and was now heading to her room. The door was open just by some inches, so he peeked in looking around before entering. Never had he seen anything more prettier than the redhead sitting up supporting by a hill of pillows in her bed.
She was just like an angel, he thought to himself as he slowly sat down in one of the chairs by her bedside.

Max turned her head towards the sound of someone sitting beside her, that also took her left hand squishing in making sure she knew that even tho it felt like she was all alone in the world - she wasn't.

She was free from the casts and neck-brace, all that reminded was her IV, the nutrition and oxygen tube, and the wires connected to the heart monitor. Lucas couldn't do anything other than staring at the girl. He just couldn't believe that she was right there in front of him, but still felt so far away. Like he was terrified of touching her, he only dared to carefully hold her hand.

"I can feel you staring at me, stalker". Max said with a somewhat sarcastic expression on her face.

"How did you know it was me, Max?". He was nothing but impressed and amused of the ability of her senses. He once read in a book, that when losing on of your senses the one you have might become heightened.

She took a deep breath, turning her head to where she assumed Lucas were sitting. "I might be blind, but my hearing and smell has gotten so much stronger. You smell like vanilla, which is my favorite smell. Who else could it be other than my darling boyfriend?" she said, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink mixed with the widest smile. Lucas just made her so happy, it felt like thousand of butterflies inside her stomach.

Lucas couldn't believe what she'd just said, Boyfriend?! Did he dream or imagine it? "Erica said you wouldn't be able to resist the smell of vanilla, and that this is how I would win you back." "Was she right?"

She laughed, nodding her head so slightly. Her neck were still so stiff, it made her slightly shiver in discomfort. He instantly tensed up, worry all on his face. "You okay, Max? Should I get a nurse?"

"No. It's fine, Lucas. Just my neck, it's so stiff. But don't worry, I'll survive." She gave him her best reassuring smile.

"You always do, Max. By the way, do you know how long I've been waiting to hear your voice - and your laugh?. She took some time to think, trying to imagine Lucas's friendly expression on his face. Oh, how she wished she could see him. Avoiding any tears to her best ability, she slowly spoke - guessing "6 months? That's how long its been, right?."

"Yes. Feels more like its been 10 years."

"What happened? The doctors didn't tell me much. It's like they were scared to break me or something, like they could break me even more. I'm tough, I can handle it. She smirked at him, - before continuing "What they did tell me, was how the earthquake destroyed the town, leading to many people losing their homes and some even fleeing. I'm very worried about my mom. They didn't mention her once, I'm scared Lucas. I need my mom, she needs to know I'm okay. Where's she?, where's everybody?"

Lucas couldn't bear to break the news for the girl just yet, so he basically just avoided it overall hoping she wouldn't notice this.

"Yeah, the earthquake seemed to be the last drop in the glass for so many to finally flee out of this somewhat cursed town. It's been so long, but we're all here. El, Will, and Jonathan and Mike came back. Joyce even came home with quite the surprise, because there he was, standing. Hopper's back! We are all back - you were the missing puzzle piece Max."

The young girl took a deep breath, trying to take in the news. She was so worried for her mom, after all - it had just been the two of them for such a long time. It was like her dad Sam had vanished from her life, and never returning. Last time they spoke were on her birthday, june 11th in 1984. The same year she moved to Hawkins with Susan, Neil and Billy.

It was like Lucas could hear her thoughts, so in an attempt to calm her down, he squished her hand.

"As far we know, she's okay. One of your neighbors in the trailer park said they'd seen her driving of, but that was months ago. El hasn't had any luck in finding her yet, but don't worry - we'll find her Max." He tried his best making the tone in his voice was somewhat convincing.

In this moment, a part of him were relieved she could read his face.

Lucas got up, reaching for his backpack. As he took the book out, he looked over at the girl. She seemed to be more tired than before, so he asked "Max, would you like me to read for you? "This morning, I found the perfect book that I really think you'll enjoy."

She looked at him, a somewhat curios look on her face. "Hm.. Which book?" She didn't seem too convinced. After some minutes lost in her thoughts, the memory of how they used to enjoy laying on carpet floor in his bedroom, reading horror books to each others flashed in her mind. "Could it ever be like that again?" She wasn't sure of it. After everything, things seemed to be different now. Maybe books weren't her thing anymore?

"It's called The talisman, I really think you'll enjoy it."

She decided to give it a chance. "Yeah, I want you to read it."

He began to read, taking breaks now and then looking at the girl. Trying to find a somewhat more comfortable position on the bed, she felt her eyes slowly shut. God, she was exhausted. Was this normal?

As she listened to his calming voice, she could feel sleep taking over her body. For once, she didn't feel the urge to fight it.

When he got to page 47, Lucas let his gaze fall on the girl once again - now asleep, still holding his hand. She must have been exhausted.

He smiled to himself, as he put the book down. Deciding to give her her rest. She needed it to heal. Getting his stuff, ready to go - not wanting to wake the sleeping beauty - his gaze now stopped at the drawing on the wall over Max - them holding hand at the movies, a bag of popcorn between them.

Then he leaned down, giving the girl a kiss before he went.

"Don't go, Lucas.. Stayy.. "she said, looking at him. Her milky eyes filled with so much exhaustion, not even able to keep them open longer than a few seconds, before they slowly closed.

"Shhh, I'll stay Max. Go back to sleep. I'll watch over you."

She smiled, instantly falling into sleep once again.

So he stayed. Of course he would.

As he got comfortable in the chair to his best abilities, he closed his eyes, thinking that he needed to tell the news to the others. This is the best that'd happen since Max's heart restarted, and since Hopper came back from the death! They all needed the good news.

Vecna was still out there, somewhere..