𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐃| Max Mayfield [COMPLETED UNTIL SEASON FIVE]

xxii. well, that explains where my mom has been.

Max sighed, voicing the collective confusion in the room. "What are they doing?" she asked, seeking answers amidst the uncertainty. El, still grappling with language nuances, stuttered out her response. "Ill . . . annoy. They're going to Illinois."

As Mrs. Wheeler knocked on the door, interrupting the conversation, she called out, "Mike! Breakfast!" Mike's response, a shouted "Not now, Mom!" revealed his focus on the ongoing discussion.

Turning back to El, Mike sought clarification. "Illinois? Illinois, like the state?" he questioned, attempting to decipher El's cryptic message.

El shrugged her shoulders, her attempt to convey the complex concept evident in her stammered words. As El struggled with language nuances, Josie stood up from the couch, intertwining her hands with both Max and El.

However, Mike's attention was drawn to Max's neck. His eyes scrutinized something, and a gasp escaped him. "Max, what is that on your neck?" he questioned, his voice revealing a mix of curiosity and surprise. Will and Lucas directed their attention toward Max's neck, their expressions mirroring Mike's intrigue.

Josie's attention shifted to El, and she suggested, "Let's clean your bloody nose." Taking the initiative, she led the two girls to Mike's bathroom, located behind them. Once inside, Max closed the door behind them. In a moment of gratitude, Max gave Josie a thankful look and a soft kiss on the cheek.

Josie turned on the faucet, taking charge of helping El wash off the blood trickling down her nose. With care, she used warm water and a soft cloth to gently clean El's skin, ensuring not to scrub too hard or cause any discomfort. As the task continued, Max observed Josie's gaze, realizing she was looking at the red mark around El's neck that Billy had left.

Josie's lips curled into a frown, expressing her regret. "I'm sorry that I didn't stop him, El . . . I just froze," Josie apologized, her words reflecting the weight of the guilt she carried for not intervening during the confrontation with Billy.

El glanced at Josie, raising her hand to the mark on her neck. Her fingers touched the red imprint as she spoke reassuringly, "It's okay . . . it happened. I forgive you."

Josie nodded with a soft smile, her movements gentle as she continued to care for El's bloody nose. Max, expressing concern, inquired, "Does it still hurt?" Josie dropped the used washcloth in the sink, leaning against it, creating a moment of pause.

El looked over at Max, her raspy voice conveying the discomfort she felt. "Only when I talk," she stated, rubbing the affected spot with a hint of discomfort.

Josie snorted a laugh. "Well, it's a good thing you're not Mike then. 'Blah, blah, blah, blah.' You would be in a lot of constant pain," she joked, eliciting laughter from Max and El. E, "So, what was going on last night?" El asked, her voice still raspy.

Max and Josie exchanged a look, their eyes meeting with a shared understanding. They both recognized that Hopper hadn't really explained to El what sex is. A moment of silence passed as they stood there lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Josie spoke up, breaking the quiet moment. "Uh . . . it's not important, honestly," she said with a cheeky smile. El eyed them before looking down with a sigh, the unspoken topic lingering in the air.