3: Miseri Camp

*~Logan~*

“We're here!” Jackson announced as he parked the car at the drop off.

Maxine aimlessly stared outside the window... staring at everyone who was passing by with their luggages. I couldn't exactly tell what she was thinking though.

Once upon a time, I could read her like an open book. I could tell when she was mad, when she wanted something, when she was sad and miserable even without her telling me anything... but nowadays, as far as I'm concerned, nobody can really tell what's running through her head half or even all the time.

The things she does, the stuff she says... she's a totally different person! Life really fucked her up... more than she'd care to admit.

“Star?” dad called her, that childish nickname he gave her long ago because of her obsession with the stars... But I haven't heard anybody call her that in a while, and by the shock on Max's face, I could tell she hasn't either.

I saw her swallow hard and then casually return her gaze back outside.

“What?” but she still couldn't return her voice to sound completely neutral... There was actually emotion in it... anger... and sadness?

“Everyone looks friendly Star... you're gonna have a lot of fun,”

“Sure thing,”

“And hopefully make some friends as well,” dad continued.

“Even though your hair dye isn't exactly welcoming Max... it's kinda chasing people away,”

“Oh! You mean like how your music is chasing people away?” she retorted.

“Guys please, can't you two spend even ten minutes in a car together and not try to kill each other?”

“Highly unlikely,” we both responded at the same, time, earning a chuckle from Jackson. Dad shook his head, either from exhaustion or disappointment... probably a bit of both.

“Star___”

“Please stop calling me that dad,” she finally faced him, and her expression looked pained... almost as pained as the tone of her voice. Dad noticed, and he bowed his head.

“You don't like the name anymore?”

“That... that's not it. I just...” she stammered. Maxine fucking Carlisle stammered. This was the side of Maxine she doesn't show anymore. The soft side, vulnerable... human!

Max has gone through a lot... After our mom screwed up our lives... well, screwed up her life, let's just say she didn't take it well.

Two months... That's how long it took her to say a single word after that incident. And when she finally spoke, sarcasm sarcasm and even more sarcasm were all we got. But by then, I had already moved out of the house and began my career as an artist, which I have to admit that dad wasn't exactly supportive about it.

I tried to reach out once to Max after that, but she made it clear that she doesn't want anything to do with me. Basically speaking, after that, I've only been seeing her on gossip sites for vandalism and the likes. I'd never really imagine the day she'd hang with bad company... be the bad company... the day that she'd be the rebellious kid... the day she'd beat up kids for fun...but lately, its something we're kind of used to already.

“I'll see you guys after all this shit is over,” her bitchy tone was back. And she opened the door and hopped out before any of us had a chance to do anything about it. The one time she's about to open up... completely vanished like it never happened.

Dad quickly followed suit and I wasn't left far behind.

“Have you remembered your night torch?” dad sounded like a paranoid parent. It's been a while since I've seen him care this much. It's almost sweet.

“I have a phone?”

“Max___”

“I'm sure it's somewhere in my suitcase, okay?” she waved him off, taking out her two suitcases and a bag that she slang casually across her shoulder.

“And your medication and___”

“Dad I'M FINE! Geez! Don't forget this was all your idea... so can you just... chill?”

“Do you need help with your bags___”

“I've got it!” she answered, “Is that it? Can I go now or?”

“I know you hate me for forcing you to come to this thing... but... I did it for your own good,” dad said hugging her tightly. Max, seemed really stiff to the hug. Apparently, she doesn't like hugs.

“I know dad,” she whispered really softly in his ear, If I wasn't right behind them, I would have probably missed it. She didn't hug him back... but she didn't push him away either... she just stood there in his embrace for a while.

“If anything happens___”

“I'll handle it my own way!” she said, breaking out of the hug.

“You'd better not punch anyone Max,”

“I won't make any promises,” she said as grabbed at her suitcases.

“Don't I get a goodbye hug as well?” I asked, casually putting my hands in my pocket in an attempt to make the situation less awkward... it didn't work.

Maxine actually scoffed at my 'request'. And dad seemed like he wanted to intervene but thought better about it.

“What? Did I say something funny?”

“You actually kinda did... what makes you think you and I are friends?” she smiled... well it was more of a smirk... a devious mocking smirk, “Other than the fact that you and I share the same father... we are not, in anyway, related! No friendly connection, nada! And you don't get to act like we're pals, understand?”

“Max___”

“No dad!” she stopped, even putting down her bags to come back right in front of me, “He doesn't get to do that... you don't get to do that to me Logan!” she poked my chest with her finger, “I won't let you screw up my life twice. Go back to whatever shitty hole you crawled up from because I DON'T want you in my life!”

Hurt... it's what I felt sure, I admit... but it's what was radiating from her at that moment. Max was hurt. She was making an effort to be bitchy and act tough so she could hide it but I could still see it... I bet dad could to.

But I understood. I knew why she was acting the way she was with me. Why she has such an attitude towards me. And I didn't really blame her for it... I kinda deserved it.

“I know I screwed up before___”

“NO! You DON'T! You clearly don't! If you did, you wouldn't be here talking to me! I want you to disappear completely from my life just like you did before... only this time, I'd appreciate it if it would be forever!” she said. And with that, she grabbed her bags and dragged them away, totally ignoring all attempts dad made to talk to her afterwards.

I would have said something, but I had a feeling it would only make things worse.

“She'll forgive you eventually, you just have to give her a bit of time,” Jackson gave me a comforting pat on my shoulder as we watched dad trail after Maxine.

“Yeah... sure,” was all I managed to say. The truth of the matter was, I didn't think Maxine would ever forgive me. I really let her down... and for that, even I can't forgive myself!