Huh. You know, I had an affinity for blue hoodies when I was your age.

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max

cliche-ask-max-deactivated20171:

Oh. Who are you and why are you talking to me?

//lol chill max//

No…I
don’t want to see anyone else right now…let’s go see David…maybe I’ll
cry myself out again so I won’t have to cry ever again…

*gives a soft chuckle, but nods
understandingly* Where do you think he is? You said earlier you didn’t think he
would be in the cabin at the moment…

I don’t know…maybe he’s in the woods?

Maybe… wanna take a walk to look for him? It might be good to get some air as well after… this talk we had.

Okay…

*smiles at the kid and lets him go so he can
stand up. Once up Carlos offers his hand for Max to take* Any particular trail
you want to go on?

*max ignores the hand* no. Let’s just look.

*drops his hand back to his side, a little despondent,
but then starts off toward the nearest trail.* How often does he go for walks
by himself?

He’s fuckin obsessed with nature, so probably twice a fucking hour.

*sighs but smiles* Realistically, Max. We want
to find him, remember?

Have you ever met David? This is realistic! He’s insane!

I only know what Angela and you have told me about him. Angela says he’s really nice and thoughtful. And you seem to trust him a great deal.

Huh. You know, I had an affinity for blue hoodies when I was your age.

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max

cliche-ask-max-deactivated20171:

Oh. Who are you and why are you talking to me?

//lol chill max//

No…I
don’t want to see anyone else right now…let’s go see David…maybe I’ll
cry myself out again so I won’t have to cry ever again…

*gives a soft chuckle, but nods
understandingly* Where do you think he is? You said earlier you didn’t think he
would be in the cabin at the moment…

I don’t know…maybe he’s in the woods?

Maybe… wanna take a walk to look for him? It might be good to get some air as well after… this talk we had.

Okay…

*smiles at the kid and lets him go so he can
stand up. Once up Carlos offers his hand for Max to take* Any particular trail
you want to go on?

*max ignores the hand* no. Let’s just look.

*drops his hand back to his side, a little despondent,
but then starts off toward the nearest trail.* How often does he go for walks
by himself?

He’s fuckin obsessed with nature, so probably twice a fucking hour.

*sighs but smiles* Realistically, Max. We want
to find him, remember?

Huh. You know, I had an affinity for blue hoodies when I was your age.

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max

cliche-ask-max-deactivated20171:

Oh. Who are you and why are you talking to me?

//lol chill max//

No…I
don’t want to see anyone else right now…let’s go see David…maybe I’ll
cry myself out again so I won’t have to cry ever again…

*gives a soft chuckle, but nods
understandingly* Where do you think he is? You said earlier you didn’t think he
would be in the cabin at the moment…

I don’t know…maybe he’s in the woods?

Maybe… wanna take a walk to look for him? It might be good to get some air as well after… this talk we had.

Okay…

*smiles at the kid and lets him go so he can
stand up. Once up Carlos offers his hand for Max to take* Any particular trail
you want to go on?

*max ignores the hand* no. Let’s just look.

*drops his hand back to his side, a little despondent,
but then starts off toward the nearest trail.* How often does he go for walks
by himself?

Huh. You know, I had an affinity for blue hoodies when I was your age.

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max

cliche-ask-max-deactivated20171:

Oh. Who are you and why are you talking to me?

//lol chill max//

No…I
don’t want to see anyone else right now…let’s go see David…maybe I’ll
cry myself out again so I won’t have to cry ever again…

*gives a soft chuckle, but nods
understandingly* Where do you think he is? You said earlier you didn’t think he
would be in the cabin at the moment…

I don’t know…maybe he’s in the woods?

Maybe… wanna take a walk to look for him? It might be good to get some air as well after… this talk we had.

Okay…

*smiles at the kid and lets him go so he can
stand up. Once up Carlos offers his hand for Max to take* Any particular trail
you want to go on?

Huh. You know, I had an affinity for blue hoodies when I was your age.

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max

cliche-ask-max-deactivated20171:

Oh. Who are you and why are you talking to me?

//lol chill max//

No…I
don’t want to see anyone else right now…let’s go see David…maybe I’ll
cry myself out again so I won’t have to cry ever again…

*gives a soft chuckle, but nods
understandingly* Where do you think he is? You said earlier you didn’t think he
would be in the cabin at the moment…

I don’t know…maybe he’s in the woods?

Maybe… wanna take a walk to look for him? It might be good to get some air as well after… this talk we had.

Huh. You know, I had an affinity for blue hoodies when I was your age.

cliche-ask-max

cliche-ask-max-deactivated20171:

Oh. Who are you and why are you talking to me?

//lol chill max//

No…I
don’t want to see anyone else right now…let’s go see David…maybe I’ll
cry myself out again so I won’t have to cry ever again…

*gives a soft chuckle, but nods
understandingly* Where do you think he is? You said earlier you didn’t think he
would be in the cabin at the moment…

Huh. You know, I had an affinity for blue hoodies when I was your age.

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max

cliche-ask-max-deactivated20171:

Oh. Who are you and why are you talking to me?

//lol chill max//

I’ve hidden it for five years, I think I can hide it for more.

You were going to talk to David, and I’m
pretty sure since he works with children he might be a mandated reporter. Do
you know what that means?

No.

It means that he might be required by law to
tell the authorities if he learns that one of his campers is being abused at
home. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t talk to him. He’s your counselor, and he’s here to help you. That might be why they call them ‘camp counselors’.

I…didn’t want this to be a big deal…it’s not a big deal…see? I’m fine!

You were crying, Max. Crying to a
near-complete stranger. And you said your parents could kill you. That’s not
fine, Max, and you know that.

I. Said. Its. Fine!

Saying it louder doesn’t make it true. *he was
forcing calmness so he wouldn’t appear confrontational to Max.*

*max buries his face in his hoodie* sorry! Don’t be mad!

Max – Max, look at me. I’m not mad. I promise,
I’m not mad. Not at you.

Promise? Sorry…it’s stupid…I’m stupid…

*sighs* No, Max, it’s not stupid. Not stupid
at all. I promise; I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at the people that hurt you. They
made you so scared, and you shouldn’t be.

*max looks up at him* h-hey…uh…this may sound weird…b-because I just met you…but can I have a hug? Sorry…

*blinks at him, a little surprised, but smiles
and nods* Yeah – sure, Max. Absolutely. *lets go of his shoulders and holds open his arms so Max could step in*

*max hugs him* *he sniffles once* s-sorry…I won’t cry again…you’re probably tired of my stupid weakness…

*hugs back and gently pats his back* It’s okay
to cry. It’s not showing weakness – it’s showing how much you feel about it.
You can cry all you need to, Max. I won’t judge you for it at all, I promise.

But…I’ve already cried twice…I don’t wanna…it hurts…

I know, I know – it’s tough. But it happens.
And you’re not weak for it. *reaches for another tissue in his pocket and
pushes it into one of Max’ hands while still holding him with his other arm.*

Can we-can we talk to David? And…would you come with me if we did?

Of course, Max. I will come with you, if you
really want me to. *smiles at him gently*

*max doesn’t know what to do, he isn’t used to this sort of kindness*

When do you wanna talk to David? You don’t
have to do it right away – if you need time to think about what to say, then
that’s fine. We can go see what my daughter’s up to, in the mean time.

Huh. You know, I had an affinity for blue hoodies when I was your age.

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max:

the-perfect-scientist:

cliche-ask-max

cliche-ask-max-deactivated20171:

Oh. Who are you and why are you talking to me?

//lol chill max//

I’ve hidden it for five years, I think I can hide it for more.

You were going to talk to David, and I’m
pretty sure since he works with children he might be a mandated reporter. Do
you know what that means?

No.

It means that he might be required by law to
tell the authorities if he learns that one of his campers is being abused at
home. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t talk to him. He’s your counselor, and he’s here to help you. That might be why they call them ‘camp counselors’.

I…didn’t want this to be a big deal…it’s not a big deal…see? I’m fine!

You were crying, Max. Crying to a
near-complete stranger. And you said your parents could kill you. That’s not
fine, Max, and you know that.

I. Said. Its. Fine!

Saying it louder doesn’t make it true. *he was
forcing calmness so he wouldn’t appear confrontational to Max.*

*max buries his face in his hoodie* sorry! Don’t be mad!

Max – Max, look at me. I’m not mad. I promise,
I’m not mad. Not at you.

Promise? Sorry…it’s stupid…I’m stupid…

*sighs* No, Max, it’s not stupid. Not stupid
at all. I promise; I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at the people that hurt you. They
made you so scared, and you shouldn’t be.

*max looks up at him* h-hey…uh…this may sound weird…b-because I just met you…but can I have a hug? Sorry…

*blinks at him, a little surprised, but smiles
and nods* Yeah – sure, Max. Absolutely. *lets go of his shoulders and holds open his arms so Max could step in*

*max hugs him* *he sniffles once* s-sorry…I won’t cry again…you’re probably tired of my stupid weakness…

*hugs back and gently pats his back* It’s okay
to cry. It’s not showing weakness – it’s showing how much you feel about it.
You can cry all you need to, Max. I won’t judge you for it at all, I promise.

But…I’ve already cried twice…I don’t wanna…it hurts…

I know, I know – it’s tough. But it happens.
And you’re not weak for it. *reaches for another tissue in his pocket and
pushes it into one of Max’ hands while still holding him with his other arm.*

Can we-can we talk to David? And…would you come with me if we did?

Of course, Max. I will come with you, if you
really want me to. *smiles at him gently*