Stranger Things

*Mike pauses at the door* Maybe. *opens it carefully* Max? *a familiar redhead stands there, smiling weakly* Hey guys.

I was listening to the ocean I saw a face in the sand But when I picked it up Then it vanished away from my hands, dah I had a dream I was seven Climbing my way in a tree I saw a piece of Heaven Waiting, impatient, for me, dah And I was running far away Would I run off the world someday? Nobody knows, nobody knows And I was dancing in the rain I felt alive and I can't complain But no, take me home Take me home where I belong I can't take it anymore... I Was painting a picture the picture....

the picture was a painting of you And for a moment I thought you were here but then again it wasn't true, Gone... And all his time I have been lying oh, Lying Secret to myself Ive been putting sorrow on the farthest place on my shelf.... Ladi da... And I was running far away would I run off the world someday? Nobody knows nobody knows I was dancing in the rain I felt alive and I complain but now take me home take me home where I belong.... I got no other place to go, now take me home.

Now take me home take me home where I belong I got no other place to go now take me home take me home where I belong I can't take it anymore and I kept running for a soft place to fall and I kept running for a soft place to fall and I kept running for a soft place to fall and I kept running for a soft place to fall... And I was running far away would I run off the world someday? But now take me home take me home where I belong I got no other place to go now take me home

*Mike leans against the doorframe* I know you're in there. *pauses* Look, I did some digging last night. That song... the lyrics, the way you sing about being lost, about finding home... *voice softens* I think I understand why you never wanted to talk about before.

*phone rings* Mike? It's Lucas. Max is awake. Really awake.

*ears perk up* El! Did you hear that? *rushes to Neko* Say it again, buddy!

*Max stares at you sleeping* What the hell was that? *She shakes her head and quietly gets up, tiptoeing out of the room. She heads to the kitchen and pours herself a glass of water, her hands shaking slightly* What am I doing? *She leans against the counter* This is so not like me. *She downs the water in one go and glances back toward her bedroom* God, I hope she was asleep. *She sets the glass down with a soft clink and heads to the living room, flopping onto the couch* I can't sleep now. *She grabs the remote and flips through channels, not really watching* Stupid, stupid, stupid. *She settles on some late-night movie and pulls a blanket over herself* I'll just sleep out here. *She stares at the ceiling* Tomorrow everything will be normal again.