YOU 1 [Charli D'Amelio]

Chapter 73.

I wake up to Max  snoring lightly, her lips pressed to my ear. My back is pressed tightly against her chest and her legs are hooked around mine. Memories from last night bring a smile to my lips, before the euphoric feeling is replaced by panic. Will she feel the same in the light of day? Or will she torture and taunt me for offering myself to her? I roll over slowly to face her, to examine her perfect features while her permanent frown is smoothed by sleep. I reach out and run my index finger over her eye brow, then down to the bruise on cheek. Her lip looks better, as do her knuckles since she finally agreed to let me help her wash them off last night.

Her eyes snap open as my finger greedily traces her lips. "What are you doing?" She asks, I can't decipher her tone, that makes me uneasy.

"Sorry.. I was just.." I don't know what to say. I don't know what type of mood she will be in after we fell asleep in each others arms.

"Don't stop." She whispers and closes her eyes again. Half of the weight on my chest disappears and I smile before tracing over the shape of her plump lips again, careful to avoid her injury.

"What are your plans for today?" She asks a few minutes later, reopening her eyes.

"I actually have plans with Karen to work on her greenhouse out back." I tell her and she sits up.

"Really?" She must be mad. I know she doesn't like Karen, even though she is one of the sweetest people I have ever met.

'Yea." I mumble.

"Well, I guess I don't have to worry about my family liking you, they like you better than they do me." She chuckles and runs the pad of her thumb across my cheek, sending a shiver down my spine.

"The problem with that is, if I keep hanging out here my dad may start to believe I actually like him." She says, her tone light but her eyes dark.

"Maybe you and your dad could hang out or something while Karen and I are outside?" I suggest. She is probably going to bite my head off.

"No, definitely not. I will go back to my house, my real house, and wait for you to be done." She growls.

"I wanted you to stay here though, it may take a long time. Her greenhouse is in pretty bad shape." I say.  She seems to be at a loss for words which makes my heart warm at the thought that she doesn't want to be away from me very long.

"I.. I don't know Charli. He probably doesn't want to hang out with me anyway." She mumbles.

"Of course he does. When is the last time you two were even in the same room alone together?" I ask and she shrugs.

"I don't know.. years. I don't know if this is a good idea." She says, running his hands over his head.

"If you are uncomfortable you can always join Karen and I outside." I assure her. I am astonished that she is considering spending time with her father.

"Fine.. but I am only doing this because the thought of leaving you, even for a little while.." she stops, I know she isn't good at expressing how she feels so I stay quiet, giving her time to collect himself. "Well, lets just say it is worse than hanging out with my prick of a father." I smile, despite her harsh words against her dad. The father that Max knows from her childhood is not the same man that is downstairs, and I hope Max can come around to see that. After I climb out of bed, I remember that I have no clothes with me, no toothbrush, nothing.

"I need to go by my room and grab some things." I tell her and she tenses.

"Why?"

"Because I don't have any clothes, and I need to brush my teeth." I laugh. When I look at her she has a small smile on her face but it doesn't reach her eyes. "What's wrong?" I ask, afraid of the answer.

"Nothing.. how long will you be gone?"

"Well I was assuming you would come with me?" As the words leave my mouth, she visiably relaxes. What is with her?

"Oh."

"Are you going to tell my why you are being weird?" I ask with my hands on my hips.

"I'm not.. I just thought you were trying to leave. Leave me." Her voice says so small and unlike her that I get the urge to walk over and cradle her. Instead, I gesture for her to come to me and she nods before getting up and standing in front of me.

"I'm not going anywhere. I just need some clothes." I tell her again.

"I know.. it's just going to take a little getting used to. I am used to you running away from me."

"Well I am used to you pushing me away from you, so we both just have some adjusting to do." I smile and lay my head on her chest. I feel oddly comforted by her worry, I had been terrified that she would change her mind this morning and it feels good to know she was just as afraid.

"Yea, I guess we do. I love you." She says and it hits me just as hard as it did the first time, and the twentieth last night.

"And I love you too." I tell her and she frowns.

"Don't say too." She says.

"Why?" Oh no.

"I don't know.. it just makes me feel like you are just agreeing with me." She looks down. I remember the promise I made to myself last night that I will do whatever I can to help her self doubt.

"I love you." I say and she looks up at me. Her eyes soften and she gently presses her lips against mine.

"Thank you." She says when she pulls away.

I roll my eyes at how flawless she looks in a plain white t-shirt and black jeans. She never wears anything expect plain white or black t-shirts and black jeans every single day, but she looks perfect, every single day. She doesn't need all the bells and whistles on her clothing, her simple style suits her so well. I put on my clothes from last night and she grabs my purse for me before we head downstairs.

Karen and Ken are in the living room when we walk downstairs.

"I made some breakfast." Karen smiles. I feel slightly uncomfortable with Karen and Ken knowing I stayed with Max, again. I know they seem to be perfectly fine with it, and we are adults but that doesn't stop my cheeks from heating.

"Thank you." I smile and she gives me a curious look, I know I will get some questions when we are in the greenhouse. I walk into the kitchen and Max follows me. We both fill our plates with food and sit at the table.

"Are Liam and Danielle here?" I ask Karen. Danielle will probably be confused seeing with Max again after being Zayn last night. I shake off the negative thoughts.

"No, they went to Seattle for the day to do some sight seeing." She informs us. "Were you still wanting to work on the greenhouse today?"

"Yea, of course. I just have to run to my room and change my clothes. " I tell her.

"Good. I look forward to it. I will have Ken bring the bags of soil out from the shed while you're gone."

"If you wait until we get back Max can help him?" I half ask, looking to Max.

"Oh, you will be here today as well?" Her smile grows. How can Max not see that people care about her?

"Uh..yea. I was going to just hang out here today.. I guess. If that's cool with you?" She stutters.

"Of course! Ken! Did you hear that Maxxy is going to be here all day!" Her excitement makes me smile and Mqx roll her eyes.

"Be nice" I whisper in her ear and she plasters the fakest smile I have ever seen across her face. I giggle and kick her foot with mine.