Life is Strange: The Dark Side of a Passion
Chapter 1 of a new Life is Strange story, a word of warning, this story contains strong bullying themes, so if that affects you negatively, I'd recommend avoiding. just to clear some things up, in this, there is no Dark Room, Jefferson isn't crazy, Kate did face some nasty bullying issues, but there was no ulterior motive (Dark Room), just high school craziness out of control. Also, of course, no rewind or tornado. Max and Warren are already together at the start of this story and Chloe is still alive; she and Nathan did not confront each other in the bathroom either.
Disclaimer: I don't own Life is Strange or its characters.
Chapter 1
It was the end of another school day at the prestigious Blackwell Academy in Arcadia Bay. One of the students, eighteen year old Maxine Caulfield, better known as Max; was putting her things away in her bag. She was in her favourite class, photography, and had just went through a rather interesting lesson. She was thinking about something else however as she slung her bag strap over her shoulder and stood up.
'I wonder if Mr. Jefferson had a chance to check the pictures I asked him to take a look at.' She wondered. 'I better talk to him.'
She stood up and began to approach his desk; she bit her lip; feeling nervous and uneasy as usual. She sighed and tried to compose herself.
She did her best to focus. 'Urgh, I always get so nervous and uneasy around Mr. Jefferson...around, everyone. Just once I'd love to have a normal conversation with people, without feeling like I'm going to say something stupid or embarrass myself.'
She shook her head, tried to pull herself together and approached.
"Um, excuse me, Mr. Jefferson." She said, thankful she at least didn't start stammering.
He looked up and smiled lightly. "Ah, Max, what can I do for you?"
Max shifted awkwardly. "I was just...wondering if you saw the photos I gave you, to ask you to look at?"
"Ah yes." He replied, smiling wider. "I did see them, they're very well done."
Max smiled at that; but then bit her lip.
Shifted her feet; she said what was on her mind.
"But, there's something not right, they...they're not that great." She said quietly.
Mr. Jefferson sighed. "Max, you're getting too worked up, you have to understand, things are not always easy. Not only that, I know the difficulties of using such a camera like yours, I did use such a camera myself."
Max sighed, but Mr. Jefferson spoke reassuringly. "Like I said, it's difficult, I know...But you can overcome those difficulties. If you like, I can help you, give you some pointers on how to improve."
"R-really, wow, thanks." Max replied at once, brightening up at once.
So it was that she began to take in the information while Mr. Jefferson continued to talk. Watching them was another student, Victoria Chase, who watched the scene before her with a dark glare.
She did not like what she saw. 'Urgh, I should've guessed, that Max Caulfield; oh she plays the sweet innocent waif hipster; but here she is, clearly trying to get with Mr. Jefferson. Does she think she has a chance...'
She paused for a moment however, thinking carefully.
'Wait a minute, no, how likely is that, c'mon, even Max isn't that...' She noted. 'Still, he pays far too much attention to her, she thinks that she can get everything she wants from him.'
She suppressed a growl; in her mind, there was only one clear outcome; she had to put Max Caulfield in her place, the question was, how.
As she thought of that however, she realized a way.
She grinned as she pulled out her phone. 'Well, well, wait a minute, that could work, just have to pretend that my previous thoughts were true. Of course Mr. Jefferson will probably be hurt too; but it's something that I'll have to accept.'
So, grinning to herself, she secretly used her phone to take a picture of Max and Mr. Jefferson talking, her first step was done. Unaware of this however, Max smiled as she finally left the class, feeling more enthusiastic than before, she was hopeful now and was determined to put Mr. Jefferson's tips to good use. As she left however she spotted Victoria and bit her lip, noting the way the girl was sneering at her.
'What's her problem, man, I hope she hasn't got some drama planned, I don't think I'm in the mood for any of that nonsense right now.' Max thought to herself.
Shaking her head she put the matter from her mind and instead began to walk down the corridor, she smiled lightly, letting the pressures of the day leave her. Her smiled widened as she came to the end of the corridor and found her boyfriend, Warren Graham waiting for her.
"Yo, Max." Warren greeted her with a grin.
She returned said grin as they embraced and kissed. "Hey Warren. What's up?"
Warren shrugged. "Nothing much, just waiting for my day to brighten up, and it just has."
Max rolled her eyes and laughed.
Shaking her head at Warren's corny but rather touching joke, she took his hand and together they left the school building, talking about their day.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, a sort of, calm before the storm chapter if you will, next chapter will also be that, things really pick up in chapter 3 however, anyway, read and review please.