AN: This story is rated M for underage drinking, drug use, sexual themes (slightly, they're teenagers), and language to name a few. I obviously own nothing having to do with Life is Strange, if I did I would make something like this into a sequel. Feel free to review honestly, this is my first fully posted story. Let the reading commence!
I heard a gasp and turned around to my table partner, Max Caulfield. She was a shy, petite girl with shoulder length brown hair and cute features. She dozed off in art, I guess having a nightmare for those few minutes. I gave her a concerned look before focusing on Mr. Jefferson's lecture about capturing the 'human condition'. He was rambling on about capturing true emotions, such as innocence and desperation if the conditions are correct when a flash went off behind me. I struggled to not roll my eyes as everyone focused on Max.
"Shh, I believe Max has taken what you kids call a 'selfie'. A dumb word for a wonderful photographic tradition. And Max... has a gift. Of course, as you all know, the photo portrait has been popular since the early eighteen hundreds. Your generation was not the first to use images for selfie-expression. Sorry. I couldn't resist. The point remains that the portraiture has always been a vital aspect of art, and photography, for as long as it's been around. Now Max, since you've captured our interest and clearly want to join the conversation, can you please tell us the name of the process that gave birth to the first self-portraits?"
"I did know, but I kinda forgot." Came her quiet voice. Mr. Jefferson berated her before asking the rest of the class.
"Louis Daguerre was a French painter who created 'daguerreotypes', a process that gave portraits a sharp reflective style, like a mirror." The slutty girl turned to Max. "Now you're totally stuck in the Retro Zone. Sad face." I groaned out loud as her entourage giggled.
"What are you, fucking five? Sad face, really? And what do you even mean by 'Retro Zone'? It makes no sense." I questioned her.
"I'm going to pretend you didn't use that word, Mr. Lyons. Yes, Victoria, what did you mean with that apparent insult? She doesn't appear to be old fashioned in any way, so why don't you elaborate?" Mr. Jefferson backed me up. Victoria started to stutter, but the bell rang before she could respond. "And guys, don't forget the deadline to submit a photo in the Everyday Heroes contest. I'll fly out with the winner to San Francisco where you'll be feted by the art world. It's great exposure and it can kickstart a career in photography. So Stella and Alyssa, get it together. Taylor, don't hide, I'm still waiting for your entry too. And yes Max, I see you pretending not to see me." He walked back to his desk, quickly followed by the short haired garden tool.
"Thanks for helping, Nick." Max said as I packed up.
"Any time." I said, slinging my camera bag over my shoulder. I walked out and went to my locker, putting my folder away and heading for the door. My ear twitched and I listened in, hearing shouting from behind the girl's bathroom door. I walked over and pretended to look at the vending machine while listening to the conversation. Something about money and drug distribution in school. Then I heard a guy talking from inside, and got more curious. I looked around to see if anyone was watching before bursting into the bathroom. Everything seemed to dip into slow motion as I assessed the situation. Nathan Prescott was holding a gun to some blue haired girl, and I could see Max peeking out from behind the stalls. There was blood in Nathan's eyes, so I made a hasty decision and threw my hand in front of the gun right before he fired it.
"No!" I heard a shout from Max as I winced. I expected a sharp pain in my palm, but instead felt a light tap. Confused, I moved my hand back to look. Then everything started flying backwards, as if the world hit the rewind button on a DVD. I could barely think as I started walking backwards towards the art room, sitting down and putting my things back on the table. Max shot her head up and looked around, and I stared at her with bewildered eyes.
"What did you just do?" I asked quietly as Mr. Jefferson repeated his lecture.
"You're asking me? You threw your hand in front of a gun and didn't get hurt." She whispered.
"Well you just hit the rewind button on time, what did we just do?" I asked, still confused.
"I don't know, but we need to get to the bathroom to stop Nathan." She said.
"Agreed."
We waited quietly until the end of class, then walked quickly to the bathroom. Max went through her routine while I hid in the last stall.
"When it happens, I'll stop the bullet. Make sure you take a picture of him with the gun as proof."
"Alright, just be careful." She whispered. The door burst open again and Nathan started to coax himself, right before the blue haired girl came in after him. I slowly took out the lock on the stall and stepped down from the toilet seat, ready to pounce. As soon as I heard him start shouting I burst out and threw my hand in front of the barrel, the bullet nudging against my hand. The flash of Max's camera startled Nathan, giving me the chance to disarm him. I pushed the gun up and slammed it against his face. He didn't seem fazed and turned back to me, kicking me in the stomach. I fell to my knees and clutched the delicate area while the girl with blue hair smacked the gun out of his hand and swept his legs out from under him. She grabbed the gun and hid in a stall just before the door burst open. The principal glared at all of us as he stepped into the girl's bathroom.
"Care to explain what's going on here?" He growled.
"Nathan had a gun, so we tried to stop him from doing anything." Max explained, coming out from the corner.
"I assume you have proof of that accusation." He warned. She quickly took out the photo and showed him.
"And why are you here, Mr. Lyons?" He asked looking to me.
"I heard a guy yelling, and opened the door to see him pointing a gun at someone." I explained hastily.
"So your first instinct is to put your hand in front of it? A hand doesn't stop a bullet."
"What can I say? Instinct doesn't play by rules."
"Fine, you two go back to your dorms." He ordered.
"You two are gonna face court for this!" Nathan shouted at us. I turned and glared at him.
"Watch it, Prescott. I could ruin you like that." I snapped my fingers for effect, only for everyone to be startled as Nathan's head suddenly flew backwards as if he got hit in the face. Max grabbed my arm and pulled me away before anything else happened.