6. Maxine
CHAPTER 6
maxine
I stood in the doorframe of my childhood bedroom, staring at the now-bare walls. The soft lavender paint, once adorned with photos, posters, and memories of my life with my father, now seemed cold and unfamiliar. The room felt like a shell—a hollow reminder of what I was leaving behind. I clutched my dragonfly locket tightly, its smooth surface warming under my touch and offered a small amount of comfort.
“Maxine, are you ready?” Ciara’s voice echoed up the staircase. There was an edge of impatience in her tone that made my stomach tighten.
Ready? I thought bitterly. How could anyone ever be ready to leave behind everything that mattered?
I glanced at the suitcases sitting by the door, my entire life reduced to two bags and a box of keepsakes. Taking a deep breath, I slung my backpack over my shoulder and walked downstairs. Ciara was waiting by the front door, dressed immaculately as always, her expression carefully neutral. Behind her, the moving van idled in the driveway.
“Let’s go,” Ciara said, her voice clipped. She didn’t look back as she walked toward the sleek black car waiting to take us to the airport.
I hesitated, turning back to look at the house one last time. Every corner of this place held memories of my father—Sunday mornings spent cooking breakfast together, late nights watching old movies, the sound of his laugh echoing through the halls. It felt wrong to leave, as if I was abandoning him all over again.
“Goodbye, Dad,” I whispered, my voice breaking. I blinked back tears and forced myself to move, each step heavier than the last.
T he flight to Texas was uneventful, but the silence between me and Ciara was palpable. Ciara busied herself with her phone, scrolling through emails and texting David. I stared out the window, watching the patchwork of cities and fields blur below. Wondering how it was going to be living with Sebastian and Brooklyn, especially Sebastian. I’d had a crush on him since I was thirteen, not that he even knew I was alive in that sense. Yes, he was there for me at my father’s funeral, but that was out of obligation and nothing more.
I wanted to ask my mother how she could move on so quickly, but the words stuck in my throat. What was the point? Ciara wouldn’t answer. Not in a way that mattered.
When we arrived at the ranch, my breath caught like it always did when I came here in the summer. The sprawling property stretched as far as the eye could see, a patchwork of pastures, barns, and a grand main house that looked like it belonged in a magazine. It was beautiful, but it didn’t feel like home. It couldn’t.
David met us at the front steps, his polished smile firmly in place. “Welcome home,” he said, pulling Ciara into a way-to- friendly hug that made my stomach churn. I looked away, my eyes landing on Sebastian and Brooklyn, standing by the stairs. Sebastian’s gaze caught mine, a flicker of something—sympathy, perhaps—crossing his face.
"Maxine," David said, stepping toward me. He placed a hand on my shoulder, and the weight of it made me stiffen. "We're so glad you're here. I know this is a big change, but I think you'll find this place has a lot to offer."
I forced a tight smile. “Thank you, David.”
“You can call me Dad, if you want,” he added, his tone overly warm.
My smile faltered, and I quickly looked away. “I’ll… keep that in mind.”
Ciara’s hand landed on my arm, her grip firm. “Let’s get settled,” she said, steering me toward the house like a wayward child. “You will give David the respect he deserves whether you like it or not,” she gritted out low enough for only me to hear.
T he guest room I was given was spacious and well-decorated, but it felt impersonal. I unpacked slowly, placing a few of my belongings around the room as I tried to make it feel less sterile. The photo of me and my dad went on the nightstand, its presence a small comfort in this familiar yet unfamiliar place.
A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. Sebastian leaned against the doorframe, his hands tucked into his pockets.
“Hey.”
"Hey," I replied, my voice sounding subdued, the weight of unspoken thoughts pressing down on me. My gaze flickered downward, avoiding his, afraid that meeting his eyes might unravel the fragile calm I was desperately trying to maintain.
H e stepped inside and glanced around the room. “It’s… nice, I guess. If you like beige.”
A small smile tugged at my lips despite myself. “Yeah. It’s… fine.”
“How are you holding up?” he asked, his tone soft.
I hesitated, then shrugged. “I feel like I’m leaving him behind. Like the farther I get from home, the more I’m losing him.” My voice cracked, and I looked down, blinking rapidly.
He moved closer, offering her what little comfort he could. “You’re not leaving him behind, Max. He’s with you. In here.” He tapped my chest lightly, right over my heart. “And in here.” His fingers brushed the locket that hung around my neck.
My eyes filled with tears, but I managed a nod. “Thanks, Sebastian.”
“Anytime,” he said, his voice filled with quiet sincerity and something else I couldn’t quite place.
When he left, I lowered myself onto the edge of my bed, the weight of uncertainty settling beside me. The locket rested in my palm; its cool surface grounding me in a way I didn’t think it could. This new life felt vast and unfamiliar, like an endless sea I wasn’t ready to navigate. But for the first time that day, I didn’t feel entirely adrift. Sebastian had always been my anchor, steady and constant since we were kids. Right now, that small, unshakable comfort was all I had to hold onto—and I clung to it like a lifeline. Lying there, all I could think about was how I was going to do this without my three best friends. They had always been with me through everything. I sent Marla a text to see if they were all together, they usually were. She texted back yes, so I hit the button for a video chat, I needed to see them to help ground myself and to remember I wasn’t alone. Once the video connected, they all start talking at once.
“Hey Maxie,” said Tabby.
“Hey Max,” said Melissa.
“Hey Maxine,” said Marla as always.
“OMG, it is so good to see you guys, we got here about two hours ago. My room is plain and just beige, but it’ll do,” I said all in one breath.
“Is your room next to Sebastian’s?” Marla asked.
“Really that is the first thing you can think of to say?” I said, managing a small laugh. “He did come check on me once I got to my new room and was in here for a bit.”
“Ooohhh, Maxie has a crush on Sebastian, I knew you always had a thing for him,” Melissa said.
Tabby shouted, “We all already knew that!”
I laughed because this was what I missed, and my face might be a little red. “Guys we are just friends, always have been and, even if I did, he doesn’t see me like that.” We talked a little more and then I let them go.