Broken

Daybreak

I wake up to Max still holding me, her face buried in my neck. I shiver every time she exhales, her breathing sending puffs of warm air over my skin.

"Max," I whisper, shrugging my shoulder a little, "Hey... I gotta get up and take a piss, okay? I'll be right back though, alright?".

Max grumbles absently and shifts away a bit, releasing her death grip on me.

"Okay. I'll only be gone for like... 5 minutes okay?" I say, leaning in and giving her a light kiss on the cheek.

Max hums with quiet pleasure and cuddles up against her pillow.

I smile and slip out of bed, pulling the blanket back over her.

Silently tiptoeing down the hallway, I make my way into the small bathroom and close the door behind me, careful not to make too much noise since Max's parents are most likely still asleep.

Anyways, once I'm done with my business and finish washing my hands, I take a good long look at myself in the mirror.

My hair is beyond unkempt and is in desperate need of a washing. My face is acne ridden and oily making me look a little younger... and a little more innocent for some reason.

I look like a regular teen, I think to myself with a small sigh.

My angry, pissed off aura has lost its edge, having been replaced by a more... protective and caring energy.

Huh, you've gone soft, Price.

Closing my eyes for a moment, I turn the faucet on again and splash my face with ice cold water until it's enough to make me feel alive, awake, alert and refreshed. After a moment of keeping my shaking, wet hands pressed hard over my eyes, I sigh sharply and drop my arms to my sides. I glance towards the shower and decide what the hell. I need to get clean anyway, even if I'm just going to get back into my grimy clothes afterward. After I rummage through the cabinets and find a fresh soap bar and a clean towel, I strip down and turn on the tap, stepping into the stall.

I wince when the warm water strikes my skin.

It feels... nice to relax like this. After the hell we went through for the past 5 days, Max and I deserve a break.

I sigh, Max.

Poor thing.

She's seen so much and now... she can't even talk about it. Or... talk in general.

She's going to be okay, Chloe... she always is. Just give her a bit... you said it yourself.

We all need time.

I stay completely still for over 10 minutes before I remember that I promised Max I would be back in 5.

"Shit".

I hop out of the shower and towel myself off, trying to be as quick as I can.

I jump when there's a light knock on the door.

"Just a sec..." I say, imagining a small, frightened Max standing on the other side of the door, just waiting for me to come out and comfort her.

The knocking continues, growing almost anxious.

"Almost done!" I say again, jumping up and down as I try to pull my skinny jeans over my wet legs.

"I'm coming, I'm coming! Just hold on, I'm right h-".

I don't even get to finish my sentence because Max throws herself at me and starts sobbing the second I have the door open.

"Hey, hey it's okay! I'm right here... sorry it took me so long. I was in the shower," I say, sinking to the floor when her knees give.