Max Mayfield went through a lot of bad things in Hawkins during  years, she lost her half brother Billy and her stepfather Neil  left leaving Susan  and Max alone in Hawkins. This greatly affected the young teenager, leaving her depressed and guilty, causing her to distance herself from her friends But that's in the past because Max in the 90s became a pre-adult and moved with her mother to California again, wanting to start her life over and overcome her problems and attending college.