Far away from "home"

Talking

"Rocky road is the best flavor". Hailey said when we walked out of the shop.

"You guys have too many flavors".

"Hahaha. Do you like it?"

"Yes but strawberry is better". I answered.

"It's too plain".

"It reminds me of childhood summer vacations with my grandparents".

"That's nice, I mean I like strawberry ice cream too I just prefer rocky road more".

"Do you wanna go shopping?" Hailey asked me when we were done with our ice cream.

"Sure!"

"There's a store around the corner". I ended up buying a pair of pants and a cute top. When we were done it was almost 5 pm.

"I should go home". Hailey said walking next to me.

"Yeah me too". We said our goodbyes and walked our separate ways home. After walking for about ten minutes I reached the apartment. I walked up the stairs and opened the door, when I walked in I saw Maya and Carina cuddled up on the couch.

"Ciao bambina, did you have fun today?"

"Yeah we got ice cream and went shopping too". I said walking over to them.

"What did you get?" Maya asked turning to look at me. I put my bag down and showed them what I bought.

"I love that top". The Italian said getting up from the couch.

"We were thinking about ordering some food for dinner is that ok?" She said looking for her phone in the kitchen.

"Yeah sure". I went to my room and threw my bag on the bed. I sat down in front my desk and touched up my makeup.

"Maria I'm gonna go pick up the food". Carina yelled from the hallway.

"Okay!" A few minutes after I heard the door close I walked out to the living room.

"Hey". Maya said laying on the couch with a blanket over her.

"Hi". I said sitting down in the armchair.

"You and Hailey have gotten close".

"Yeah we have". I answered.

"It's good that you've gotten a friend".

"She's really nice". I said smiling thinking about my day.

"Are you okay?" I asked the blonde hesitantly.

"Yeah, just a bad day".

"Oh okay, do you have many bad days? Sorry I don't want to intrude or anything". Maya sat up a little straighter before talking.

"Up and down, to be honest. I had a nervous breakdown last year. I got demoted from captain back to lieutenant and all I wanted was to get my job back. I ran myself to the ground and almost ruined mine and Carina's relationship". She took a deep breath before continuing.

"It got to a point I almost died but luckily Jack found me in time and took me to the hospital. I had worked out so much I got something called rhabdomyolysis and collapsed because my body couldn't take it anymore. I could have killed myself". A tear trickled down her cheek.

"That's why I'm talking to Diane, I'm working really hard in therapy to get better and I am better than I was but I still have a long way to go". She looked down in her lap and wiped away her tears.

"Im sorry you're going through that. Am I-I making it worse?"

"What, god no Maria I love having you here both me and Carina does. I just have bad days sometimes and that's okay, everyone has bad days".

"Uhm why did you work out so much?" I asked not looking at her.

"It was what I was thought growing up, eyes forward at all time the only thing that matters is the finish line. My dad was abusive but I didn't understand that until I met Carina, I thought he just loved me and wanted me to be the best but it wasn't love".

"What do you mean?"

"I used to run track and he would train me everyday no matter the weather conditions. He would push me so hard I collapsed and he would make me run all the way home even if we were miles away. I wasn't allowed certain foods either". My mind started racing with pictures of my dad. When he would come home drunk and yell at us and-

"Maria?" I snapped out of my head and looked at Maya.

"What?"

"Are you okay?" She said frowning.

"Yeah, I'm sorry you went through that".

"Are you sure you're okay?" She said taking my hand in hers.

"Yeah". She was about to speak again when Carina walked through the door.

"Ciao sorry the traffic was a disaster". She said walking towards the kitchen.

"We will talk later". Maya whispered in my ear. She stood up and squeezed my shoulder before she walked over to Carina and gave her a kiss.

"Should we eat?" We all sat down at the dining table and started eating. When I was done eating I washed my dishes and went to my room. I changed into some comfortable clothes before laying down in bed. I glanced out of the window at the sunset while I was watching a movie, it was beautiful. A couple of hours later Maya came into my room, she closed the door and sat down next to me in bed.

"Did your dad hit you?" I asked her.

"No, put he pulled my hair about 4 years ago. I cut it in the bathroom at the station when we got back from the call". She explained.

"It happened on a call?"

"Yeah he followed me there".

"Oh".

"It was then I realized what everyone was saying about him was true". Our heads snapped towards the door when it opened.

"Ah there you two are.. are you okay?" Carina said noticing Maya teary eyed.

"Yeah I'm ok".

"Are you sure?" She said walking over to us.

"Yeah we were just talking I'm okay". Maya leaned in and gave Carina a gentle kiss.

"It's getting late I was thinking of going to bed".

"I'll join you in a bit". The blonde replied.

"Okay good night bambina". Carina said standing up.

"Good night Carina".

"Was that the last time you saw him?" I asked after Carina closed the door.

"No the last time I saw him was on our wedding day. Andy convinced me to stand up for myself".

"That's brave". She smiled at me.

"I was so scared but I knew Andy was there and that I was safe".

"She sounds like a good friend".

"We've had our up's and downs but in the end we will always be there for each other". I smiled back at her.

"Ok, we'll don't stay up too late". Maya said getting out of the bed.

"I won't". I chuckled.

"Good night Maria".

"Good night Maya".

A/n:

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! In Norway we celebrate today on the 24th so I wanted to get this chapter out as a little gift for you all.

Love, Linnea