A/N:

Hello! Welcome to the new and rewritten version of "Love Is Strange". "Love Is Strange" was the first ever Warren x Max fanfic, it also happens to be the most reviewed for Max x Warren (along with my stories in general). I wanted to rewrite it because I took a trip down memory lane... I didn't like what I saw. I saw messy story lines, rushed events, and several plot holes. With writing a novel in real life, I've become more picky with what I write. I want to give out good content.

Speaking of my novel, I've been struggling with it. Just writers block and procrastination, the usual. But I'm hoping by doing this, I can get some motivation back. I won't update this story every single day like I did with the original. I might upload once a week or every other week. I have school, a dog, a novel, etc. I also want to edit more because I didn't with the original. At all. I wrote everything out that came to mind and published. I was about thirteen - fourteen when I wrote the original. Now that I'm eighteen (and hopefully a little bit better with writing and planning), I can give you guys a better version.

I'm changing a lot up this story line. In the original, it takes place right after Kate dies. Well, if you accidentally killed her. In this version, it will take place right after Max sacrifices Chloe, leading up to her funeral that she attends with Kate, Joyce, David, Warren, etc. Chloe's role in the original was tiny. I originally wanted her to be the pain antagonist, getting jealous of Warren and Max together. I wanted a huge love triangle. But whenever Jefferson was revealed that he was the main villain of the game, and how Nathan helped him, I changed everything in two seconds. Chloe didn't have many appearances after that.

Also, someone asked if I've played Before the Storm. I did! I was really good but I still prefer season one and two more. I actually live streamed me playing the series again. Find me at my youtube channel; The Losing Memory

Anyways, I hope to add more little surprises along the way. I really hope you enjoy this version of "Life Is Strange; Rewritten"

Chapter One

Two Whales

Bacon and coffee. That's all my mind could process this chilly autumn morning. Well, that's all I wanted to process. I had no idea why I was sitting at this booth. Our booth. I couldn't help but think about... Chloe. I try to push her out out my head but she keeps breaking into it, demanding to be heard. It's been three years since Chloe died. I wish I could've saved her and Arcadia Bay but I couldn't. The past was in the past. I couldn't change it yet I felt responsible.

So, here I was, sitting in our world famous booth, waiting for the blue-haired rebel to appear. She hasn't walked through those doors in three years, I doubt she will soon. I rubbed my face, pushing my cheeks upwards, almost trying to squish the tears that prepared to spill. Every time that Chloe's death date comes around, I visit Joyce. She's been through so much. William, who was Joyce's late husband and Chloe's father, died in a car crash. William was going to pick Joyce up from the store when a tractor trailer truck hit the side of the car. According to the papers from years ago, he died on impact.

With Joyce losing her husband and daughter, it was the least I could do. When William died, my parents hauled me off to Seattle. I wasn't able to comfort my grieving friend and her mother. Now that I'm back in Arcadia Bay, I can pay my respects.

I visit Joyce at least once a month. Either at work or when she's at home. It's just to catch up, remember her daughter, and gossip. She's basically a second mother to me. I still can't believe I'm at Blackwell Academy. It's my final year here and I have no clue what I'm going to do. Of course, my biggest passion is photography. Though I haven't done much since Mark Jefferson. Ever since Chloe and I found Rachel, Jefferson killing Chloe (before I went back in time and saved her), and forcing me to be his 'subject', I couldn't find much inspiration. Who could blame me? Every time I see a modern camera, it gives me flashbacks of what happened in that bunker. Of course, technically, none of this happened. I was forced to go back into time to where Nathan and Chloe got in an argument in the bathroom. Nathan accidentally shot Chloe, killing her, and him ending up in jail with Jefferson.

I have no proof that anything happened. What's now is forever reality. I vowed to never mess with time again.

I still looked the same as I did three years prior. My short brown hair, freckles, and simple style had been the same since I was in seventh grade. I used to love bright and colorful outfits. When I moved to Seattle, I must've gotten tired of my childish style. I traded my sparkly Hot Dawg Man shirts for a simple grey jacket. The only thing that might be different is that I wear a necklace now. It was Chloe's. When she died, she was wearing a necklace with three bullets hung on them. Joyce's mom gave me a box full of pictures and memorabilia which included the necklace.

I only told Joyce about my time travel abilities. Surprisingly, she believed me. I told her everything and just like Warren in the diner, before everything went to actual shit, she trusted every word and didn't judge me. She refuses to tell David, afraid he thinks I'm mentally unstable and arrest me. I don't blame her. I wouldn't tell him anything either. Even if he did save my life, he could probably suspect me for a lot. I was the one who texted him about Rachel's body and in the bathroom when Chloe died. I'm sure he's grateful yet suspicious.

Speaking of Joyce, she began to walk over to me with my plate of food and a cup of coffee. I loved her waffles and freshly baked bacon. Just seeing them made a tiny pool of saliva escape from my mouth. I wiped my mouth off with a smile, she smiled back before setting the food in front of me. She sighs loudly and scoots into the booth, forcing a fake smile, knowing exactly what day it is.

"Long day?" I asked while ripping open the little plastic seal of a container of syrup. I poured it over my waffles, coating the five blueberries the cook gave me, before slapping on some butter.

Joyce laughed, "Tell me about it."

"Well, I'm sure the truckers are tipping nice. With the holidays coming up, I'm sure they're getting happy about their bonus'." I motioned to the truckers with my fork, pointing to one of them smiling up at the television, a lottery ticket in hand, waiting for the numbers to roll in. Christmas is hard for Joyce. For the past few years, I go over to her house and spend it with her and David. Since Blackwell gives us two weeks off, I use one week to spend time with my actual family. The second is with Joyce. When Christmas rolls around, you see all the truckers looking nice, buying almost the whole menu for their family, before pigging out like they've never ate.

"You'd think," The older woman laughed, "but... money's getting tight again. David is thinking about taking up a second job. We're so in debt with bills, even from Chloe's fun-"

She stopped herself, closing her eyes and shaking her head, refusing to complete the sentence. It was true. They paid a lot for her service. Before Chloe passed, Joyce was selling a lot of what she had. This included the wedding ring that William gave her. Now that Chloe was gone, more expenses just piled up. Joyce is working over time while David remains a security guard at Blackwell. Whenever Principal Wells reports something, he's always on it. He's working harder too, trying to impress the school, in hopes of a bonus or becoming an actual police officer.

"I know Joyce," I reached out a grabbed her hand, "we all know that you're trying. I'm sure that Chloe appreciates all that you did for her." Joyce also goes to therapy with David every weekend. She had been for about a year. I've never been to therapy or counseling, but I'm sure it's expensive. I know some doctors give little advice and just expect the paycheck. Hopefully Joyce's insurance covers it but it would be another reason why she's in debt.

"Like all the free bacon I gave her?" Joyce chuckles to herself, trying to make light of the situation. "Speaking of free food, your meal is on the house."

"No," I pull my hand back and began to dig around for my money, "My last few have been free or half off. You need the money, Joyce."

"One person isn't going to make a difference."

"Everyone makes a difference." I smirked before sliding her a twenty dollar bill. She slid it back.

"Max, seriously. After you being there for Chloe for years and now me, it's the least I can do." She smiles, a hint of sadness within, but she tries to make it genuine. She's not the best actress. She lowers her voice to almost a whisper, "Especially since you went back in time and helped her several times. I'm sure it was hard."

I nod and take a bite of my waffle. "Yeah, but I'd do it all again in a heart beat."

"I'm sure you would." Joyce pats the table and sighs to herself, "Well, I'm afraid our monthly therapy session is over. I'm sure the trucker wants another refill of coffee or some shit. Let me know if I can do anything else." I nodded once more, smiling up at her, as the woman walked away. She grabbed a coffee pot and made her rounds to all the customers, asking them nicely if they'd like another drink. Joyce didn't care about her appearance anymore. In the past, she took time to do her hair and light makeup. She always wore heels and made sure that her apron was clean. Over the past three years, I've noticed that she's starting to look more and more distressed. Who could blame her? I would be the same way with all the loss she's witnessed.

After I finished my waffle, I pulled my phone out and saw a text waiting for my curious eyes.

ONE NEW TEXT FROM; WARREN

Maxter! Meet me near the Blackwell fountain for the most ultimate surprise!

9:37am

Maxter? That's different. I smiled at the text and replied with a thumbs up emoji. I slipped my phone back into my pocket and dug out my wallet. Most girls have billfolds, purses, or coin purses. My simple self carries around a men's wallet or just stuff cash into my pocket. I'm a simple person. All I want is my Polaroid camera and acoustic music rumbling through my ears.

Even though Joyce said not too, I left a 'tip'. I left about thirty dollars which gives her an extra ten dollars to pocket. I know it's not much, but it's better than what others been giving her. The bus ride to Blackwell was peaceful, as always. The bus always has depressed middle-aged people wondering when they'll be able to retire. That or kids my age sleep-deprived from the night before. My headphones blared the light melody of a guitar as a man vocalized with the rhythm. It made the five minute drive go faster than normal. The bus pulled up to the main steps leading up to the campus. In the middle was a round fountain that held a statue of the founder of Blackwell Academy. I honestly don't know his name. I don't know why they praise him so much. Warren sat in front of the fountain, sitting on the few feet of brick that trapped the water in, looking down at his phone.

"Maxter?" I asked while walking up to him, "What are we? Five?"

Warren smiled up at me, the slight gap in his teeth exposed, as he squinted. The sun was in his eyes. I shifted over a few inches, trying to block it. "I was hoping more of seven, but five works too."

I playfully pushed his arm, smirking at his comment. "So, what was it that you were going to show me?"

Warren smiles and exits the video he was watching a few moments before. He opens his photo gallery and flips through several photos for a few moments. He turns it around and shoves it into my face, showing a large poster that was stapled to a wooden pole in town. On the poster was a large gorilla with text written all over it. Before I could process what anything read, Warren pocketed his phone.

"Do you know what this means?"

"That the Seattle zoo adding more gorilla's?"

"No, but that would be dope." He smiles and shoves his hands in his distressed jeans. "The drive in is hosting another Planet of the Apes marathon. We can go ape, again!" It seems like this movie theater likes to release marathons around Chloe's death date.

"I'll think about it. I have a project for Mrs. Yui that is worth a large portion of my grade. I'll let you know by the end of this week!" Mrs. Yui was the teacher that took over for Mr. Jefferson. From what I'm aware, she's not psychotic like Jefferson is. She reminds me of Kate Marsh. Kind, funny, and a motherly figure. She was originally from California but offered a position at Blackwell. I would've stayed in California. Arcadia Bay is such a tiny town. She can't get any publicity by staying in this dump. Her photography skills are great! I could see a lot of them ending up in galleries. Jefferson's photos were dark, showing a lot of shadows, and almost sexual. He posed a lot of young women with nothing much on. I'm sure most of them were drugged. Mrs. Yui's photographs are bright and happy, sometimes inspiring.

"Of course." He smiles but noticed I didn't return it back. He nods and pats the bricks beside him, telling me to sit down next to him. "Is today the day?"

"Yeah."

He remains silent for a moment before clearing the silence, "What was she like? I saw her around other students but I never talked to her."

I gave him a breathless laugh, looking up at the clouds, trying to hold back my tears. "Amazing, for starters. She didn't care about what others thought of her. She never had, which I wish she passed to me. Chloe never held back and backed up what she believed in. She was bold, smart, and the best person I'd met."

"I'm really sorry, Max." Warren wrapped his arm around my shoulder, hugging me close. His fingers rubbed against my arm, going up and down in a soothing motion, trying his best to comfort me. "I'm sure she's looking down and smiling at you."

I didn't respond to that comment. I didn't want to think about this terrible day. I cried for months straight, blaming myself for her death, and I didn't need a repeat. I've compressed my feelings that I only care about Joyce, my parents, Kate, and Warren. Nobody else matters to me. Nothing else either. I've thought about dropping out of Blackwell but I couldn't leave Kate and Warren alone. Especially since Victoria is still her crude self. You'd think that after her best friend was sent to prison and a student dying because of him, she would be nicer to everyone. If anything, it made her more angry. Maybe because Nathan understood her well?

Suddenly, the bell rings and students begin to flee. Warren lets go of my arm and stands up, offering me his hand. I take his offer and raise up, fixing the bag over my shoulder.

"Speaking of photography," I try to change the subject, "I better find out which photo I'm submitting."

He noticed that I didn't want to talk about Chloe. I'm sure he felt bad about mentioning her, but I didn't want an apology. I just wanted to stop talking about her. He understood and went along with my new topic. "I'm sure you'll think of something. You won the Everyday Hero's contest a few years ago, I'm sure you can do anything!"

"Thanks for the positivity, Warren. It's much needed and appreciated."

"It's what I'm here for."