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//

Stop…lying to me…I thought you were my friends…friends don’t lie…

//stranger things reference because im absolute traaaaaaaash//

Carlos: *frowns. He’s touched that Max thinks of them as his
friends…. But is sad that he was trying to dismiss it* We are your friends, Max. We want to help you. And I told you…
scientists don’t lie.

David: Neither do Camp Counselors! Except when pretending to
send a kid to the moon! I would never
lie to you, Max!

I…it really was my fault okay? I don’t…want to lose anyone else…I feel clingy and annoying…I feel like…they all hate me…*he reaches for David again*

*David just rubs his shoulder comfortingly* Nobody hates
you. Or… nobody that matters hates you. What… what do you think was your fault?

*Carlos remembered that David didn’t know the whole story
yet.*

I…I killed my dad…it was…all my fault…I should have been…less stupid…

*David is confused.* W… what? Why would you say that, Max?

Carlos: Max, why don’t you start from the beginning.

I…was walking with my dad…and holding a stuffed toy…and I dropped it and it rolled into the road…and I ran out to get it and…a car was coming and my dad jumped infront of it and…he died…my mom said I should have died instead…

David: Oh… Oh my god, Max… I am so sorry that happened.
*hugs the boy closer.* I’m so sorry… that’s terrible, Max! You should’nt have
seen that – and your mother absolutely should not have said something like that
to you! *he pauses, and sighs.* Max… that is awful. I’m so sorry…

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//

Stop…lying to me…I thought you were my friends…friends don’t lie…

//stranger things reference because im absolute traaaaaaaash//

Carlos: *frowns. He’s touched that Max thinks of them as his
friends…. But is sad that he was trying to dismiss it* We are your friends, Max. We want to help you. And I told you…
scientists don’t lie.

David: Neither do Camp Counselors! Except when pretending to
send a kid to the moon! I would never
lie to you, Max!

I…it really was my fault okay? I don’t…want to lose anyone else…I feel clingy and annoying…I feel like…they all hate me…*he reaches for David again*

*David just rubs his shoulder comfortingly* Nobody hates
you. Or… nobody that matters hates you. What… what do you think was your fault?

*Carlos remembered that David didn’t know the whole story
yet.*

I…I killed my dad…it was…all my fault…I should have been…less stupid…

*David is confused.* W… what? Why would you say that, Max?

Carlos: Max, why don’t you start from the beginning.

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//

*max
curls in on himself, pulling his knees to his chest and burying his
face in them* *he starts crying* stop…lying! You’re lying! It
wasnt…just…an accident…

I don’t lie, Max. I’m a scientist – it’s the
complete opposite of what I do. Go on… Take a deep breath. Why don’t you tell David what happened?

I…I tried to kill myself…b-because…my parents…they…

//hey can you play David because I can’t think of what to have him react as//

*David looks to Carlos, who just nods slightly at him. He
looked at Max, setting a hand on the bed*

David: Go on, Max. I’m listening.

He’s…not my real dad…but he…he acts like…nothing happened…and my…mom says…she…says I’m a devil…she…*he breaks off, trying to collect himself enough to continue*

David: I… it’s okay, Max. Take your time. *starts looking around
and finds a tissue box beside the in-room sink. He quickly moves to get it and
sits back down, setting the box down beside Max and pulling a tissue for him.*

*Carlos just sits and watches Max*

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//

*max
curls in on himself, pulling his knees to his chest and burying his
face in them* *he starts crying* stop…lying! You’re lying! It
wasnt…just…an accident…

I don’t lie, Max. I’m a scientist – it’s the
complete opposite of what I do. Go on… Take a deep breath. Why don’t you tell David what happened?

I…I tried to kill myself…b-because…my parents…they…

//hey can you play David because I can’t think of what to have him react as//

*David looks to Carlos, who just nods slightly at him. He
looked at Max, setting a hand on the bed*

David: Go on, Max. I’m listening.

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//

*max
curls in on himself, pulling his knees to his chest and burying his
face in them* *he starts crying* stop…lying! You’re lying! It
wasnt…just…an accident…

I don’t lie, Max. I’m a scientist – it’s the
complete opposite of what I do. Go on… Take a deep breath. Why don’t you tell David what happened?

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:

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the-perfect-scientist:

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the-perfect-scientist:

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the-perfect-scientist:

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cliche-ask-max-deactivated20171:

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

//lol chill max//

I’m…sorry…

*shakes his head slightly* Don’t be sorry,
Max. I just want you to be safe from now on. And I know that seems like a
really hard thing to do, and it is. Just… if you’re not feeling good about
yourself you should find an adult that you trust. Like David or Gwen, your
counselors.

*max’s shoulders shake. He seems to be trying not to cry*

*goes to the side of the bed, opposite to
David. Kneels down* I’ll be around all summer too. I work nearby, close to the
volcano. So I’m here for you, as well.

*he sniffles* I…I caused so much trouble today…

That’s okay. It happens, Max. Your depression
and anxiety made it hard to think straight. That’s not your fault. You’re safe
now though – that’s what we care about.

I’m not depressed.

*sighs* Well, I’m not going to argue with you.
That’s not your fault either, you know. It sometimes just happens to some
people. Even kids.

I don’t know why I did that. I just made everyone hate me even more

They don’t hate you. They’re scared for you.
But like I said, we’re here to talk to you when you need it. Speaking of which…
didn’t you want to talk to David? *looks to the other adult*

David: *is standing in shock when he hears maxs suicide confession*

I…I…i did…yeah…but…uhm…

Max – this is a great place to talk to him.
None of the other kids are here to overhear. It’s just the three of us.

I…okay…um…well…*max is getting increasingly anxious*

Take a breath, Max. If you need some help… you
can ask me.

I…I…it…it was…my…they…it was my…fault…

It was an accident, Max. Just… go ahead and
tell him what happened.

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//

I’m…sorry…

*shakes his head slightly* Don’t be sorry,
Max. I just want you to be safe from now on. And I know that seems like a
really hard thing to do, and it is. Just… if you’re not feeling good about
yourself you should find an adult that you trust. Like David or Gwen, your
counselors.

*max’s shoulders shake. He seems to be trying not to cry*

*goes to the side of the bed, opposite to
David. Kneels down* I’ll be around all summer too. I work nearby, close to the
volcano. So I’m here for you, as well.

*he sniffles* I…I caused so much trouble today…

That’s okay. It happens, Max. Your depression
and anxiety made it hard to think straight. That’s not your fault. You’re safe
now though – that’s what we care about.

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//

I’m…sorry…

*shakes his head slightly* Don’t be sorry,
Max. I just want you to be safe from now on. And I know that seems like a
really hard thing to do, and it is. Just… if you’re not feeling good about
yourself you should find an adult that you trust. Like David or Gwen, your
counselors.

*max’s shoulders shake. He seems to be trying not to cry*

*goes to the side of the bed, opposite to
David. Kneels down* I’ll be around all summer too. I work nearby, close to the
volcano. So I’m here for you, as well.

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.