Longing For Their Luna

Chapter 3-Unexpected

(Max Pov)

I have to say that might've been the best day of school I have ever had since everything happened. Mitchell ended up talking with me all throughout the day and even though I went to the library during the lunch period, he still sat with me in history class. Then afterward he asked to walk home together.

It felt like I was making a friend..like a real friend since moving from Washington.

We just walked across the street together when he looked over at me curiously and began walking backwards, keeping his eyes on me. He seemed to do that a lot..it makes me nervous as hell.

"So, what's your story, Max? What brings you to Colorado?" He asked curiously, his question playful. But it had the opposite effect it was meant to. My stomach dropped and I cleared my throat nervously before pulling my sweatshirt over my hands and gripping the fabric tight.

"My mom wanted a change of scenery." I explained, making him turn back around and step in tandem with me now. He seemed to be studying my expression and I don't know what he saw but he nodded his head and looked back towards the way we were going.

"I see. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. But just know this is a judgment-free zone here. We all have some type of s**t we have to deal with." He spoke softly, making me lift my head and stare at him now.

"You have..shit..you have to deal with too?" I wasn't sure what made me ask this question..maybe I just didn't want to be the only one living like this. Maybe I wanted to know that someone was going through the same things I was..that would make me normal then, right?

"Oh yeah, my older sister..she has kind of been a menace lately. My mom is pretty messed up about it right now...She uh..my sister, she has a substance abuse problem." He admitted, making me nod my head thoughtfully and look over at him.

"I'm sorry, that must be hard to go through." I offered, realizing he must have a lot going on too.

"Eh, it is what it is..I just decided to be the optimistic one about it. My mom does enough worrying for the both of us." He chuckled, smiling brightly before sliding his hands into his pockets.

"So, now that you know my shit.." He trailed off, and something inside of me made me feel like I could confide in Mitchell. What do I have to lose anyway? So I took a deep breath, preparing myself to tell my secret.

"Well, my dad..we were in a car accident a few years ago and he didn't make it." I spoke quietly..I don't know why I always felt like people would think poorly of me when I said this..I didn't want them to think I was trying to seek attention or anything like that so I don't talk about it much.

Mitchell stopped abruptly, pulling on my hoodie sleeve as his eyes looked at me with worry and remorse.

"f**k Max, I'm sorry..that's horrible. I didn't mean to pry..I thought it was just a divorce situation or something.." He muttered and I couldn't help but laugh at that. See, that's what I should have said! But again..I can't lie to save my damn life.

"It's okay..I mean..well it's not okay but it's getting better." Now that wasn't a lie..I honestly felt like today was the first day it felt slightly better.

We just stood there for a moment, looking at one another as Mitchell suddenly pulled me against him, causing my eyes to widen as his muscular arms wrapped around me tight.

"Sorry..I just felt like we both needed this." He whispered, making me nod my head as he continued to hold me. I don't know what it was..but his scent, the warmth of his touch, maybe the both combined made me relax for the first time in a long time as I let out a deep sigh that felt like had been there since all of this started. I have had many hugs since the whole thing happened but for some reason, this one..this one meant something more.

After pulling away, he stared down into my eyes and gave me a lopsided grin, making my stomach flip as we just stood there for a moment looking at one another.

"Come on, let's get going." He said cheerfully, his arm reaching out and turning me sideways as he kept it around my shoulder and began walking. It was hard not to stiffen as I felt his arm pressing against me and causing me to bite my lip nervously.

"You know, that hug had to be in the top five best hugs I ever had in my life." He said playfully, making me turn my head and look up at him with wide eyes. He had to be almost a foot taller than me, I swear.

"You have a top five hug list?" I tried not to laugh, but it snorted out, causing me to slap my hand over my mouth and blush even harder. Mitchell began laughing hysterically, stopping for a moment as he dramatically threw his head back and clutched his sides, making me roll my eyes.

"Okay, that was the most adorable thing I have ever heard..and yes I have a top five hug list..and you just made it.." He winked before tucking me under his arm once more before continuing on our walk home. Why was I letting this guy get so close to me? It was weird to say the least..maybe I'm just so lonely and desperate for attention I would take anything at this point..yeah that might be apart of it.

"Who is your number one then?" I blurted, feeling embarrassed for even asking all of a sudden.

"Oh easy...Donald Duck from Disneyland." He answered like it wasn't even a question at all..Donald Duck..freaking Donald Duck was his number one.

I just looked back up at him, blinking my eyes as he nodded his head, confirming what I just heard.

"I guess the bar wasn't that high to begin with." I muttered, causing Mitchell to gasp dramatically and stop again before gripping my shoulders and looking down at me accusingly.

"You have never been to Disneyland have you?" He asked before narrowing his eyes at me.

"Uh..well..no." I admitted, not really sure why that was important.

"Then I will let that comment slide. Since you don't know.." He declared before dragging me along once again.

We talked the rest of the way with Mitchell telling me all about Disneyland and how I truly never lived until I went on one of those teacup rides or something. We laughed and talked until I was finally at my door. Apparently, he lived a few buildings away.

"Walk with me to school tomorrow?" He asked, hesitating by my door as I looked back at him before slipping my key into the lock.

"Uhh, yeah sure..if you want to that is..if not it's cool I totally understand." I began to ramble, making Mitchell laugh as he stepped forward before reaching out and grabbing my hand, causing me to flinch for some odd reason. No guy has ever held my hand before..

"Max, it was really great to spend time with you today.." Mitchell added smoothly, making me nod my head as he interlaced his fingers with mine, looking down at our hands tangled together as a warm smile pulled at his face.

"I will meet you by the front gate tomorrow okay? Around the same time as this morning?" He asked and all I could do was nod. I don't know what was happening right now but my heart was racing like crazy and I felt like I could melt right here on the damn floor.

"Bye Max." Mitchell whispered before pulling his hand away and backing up to leave without turning around.

"Don't do that! You're going to fall down the steps!" I scolded him, making him beam happily as he let out a velvety laugh, making my stomach flip.

"Already worrying about me..Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings." He winked before turning around and jogging down the stairs.

I had to get out of here..I was about to explode or something! I felt like my chest was tight and my stomach in knots..a stupid grin filled my face and I didn't know what was going on.

I opened the door and quickly shut it before locking it and slamming my back against the hard wood. Who the hell was that guy and why did I feel so comfortable with him?

I quickly stomped my feet and spun around before squealing excitedly, unable to hold in those feelings anymore when the sound of someone clearing their throat caused me to freeze in my tracks.

"Good day at school?" My mom asked curiously, making me gasp as I almost had a damn heart attack.

"Mom, what..what are you doing home? I thought you were going to be out late." I stumbled out, straightening my hoodie and trying to compose myself.

"Well, that's the thing..there is something I need to tell you Max." She began, but before she could finish, there was a knock on the door and I turned to look at it with confusion.

"Oh, that must be him, he is early." My mom muttered, making my head snap back to her.

"Him? Who are you talking about?" Why did I have a bad feeling about this..who was my mom expecting? Why was she acting so weird?

"Well Max, that's what I wanted to talk to you about.."