Maxine Caulfield sat in her usual booth at the two wales diner. Chloe had died four months ago and since then the town had, for the most part, moved on. A new teacher had been announced as Mark Jefferson's replacements (He got life in jail with no hope of parole) and the new school year was set to start soon. Most of the academies students were returning from the Christmas holidays. Most wanted to get away from Arcadia bay, plus with the news about the Prescott's selling the town to a wealthy Russian family in order to help support Nathan in his upcoming murder trial most of the parents practically ordered their kids to come home during the holidays.

Max's parents were as understanding as ever over the holiday months. Of course, they had asked Max to come home but after she explained to them how Joyce and David needed her they had stopped asking, instead they called her every day in the lead up to Christmas and sent her presents in the mail. Max had decided that she was going to stay in the student dorms at the academy. Principle Wells had allowed for her to stay in the residence for free due to 'the tragic events surrounding her friend and her help in the apprehension of Mr Jefferson'. Obviously, Joyce and David insisted that she move in with them but she couldn't bring herself to accept. She'd only just managed to step into Chloe's house a month ago, seeing her door with that stupid 'Wrong Way' sign on it every day would have broken her.

Overall Max had something of a bittersweet Christmas. While not high on cheer the comfort she felt from everyone in her life from Joyce even to Victoria meant that she wasn't miserable, just sad. She'd come to think of Joyce and David as a second family. Ever since Joyce had reopened the diner on New Year's Max came there every morning for breakfast. Remembering the times she spent with Chloe, both good and bad.

David had really grown on Max since Chloe had died. He truly loved Chloe, and does love Joyce. Max figured it had something to do with him being military that he didn't really show his emotions too often. Hard to show his feelings after combat, but Max knew he was a good man and after seeing how much of an anchor he has been to Joyce over the past months Max couldn't help but respect him. Max was gazing out of the window when Joyce brought over her beacon and eggs. Remembering the beached wales and the tornado that ripped through Arcadia Bay.

"There you go sweetheart. On the house" said Joyce as she placed the plate in front of Max. "How you doing?"

"I'm fine Joyce." Replied Max with a sad smile. "Thanks"

"No problem honey. You uh, looking forward to class starting tomorrow" said Joyce nervously, smiling when Max let out a chuckle

"You know. With all that's happened, I hadn't even realised. At least I didn't have any homework"

"Don't blame you sweetie. But hey, this new foreign exchange programme might shake up the academy a bit"

'Academy got enough shaking up when Chloe survived that bathroom.' Thought Max sadly.

The family that took over from the Prescotts, the Dyomins had taken a special interest in Blackwell Academy. Telling the press that they wanted to turn the town into an education town and the first step they would do to make this vision come true would be to implement a foreign exchange system with some university in England. Each year starting from this year. Ten English students would study for a year at the academy, these students would be placed into a range of courses. From Science to max's own photography class.

"Yeah, can't say I'm sad to see the Prescotts leaving Arcadia." Said Max as she picked up her knife and fork, preparing to start eating her breakfast.

"I don't hate Nathan, I don't even think David does." Said Joyce as Max began to eat the beacon "I mean, I can't ever forgive him. But he did seam truly sorry for what he did"

"Will you be going to the trial?" asked Max

"I don't know yet. Got a month to make up my mind though." Said Joyce, a sombre tone in her voice before a smile spread across her face "On a happier note, the exchange students should be arriving in town today, chances are they'll come by hear for some American grub. If you want to see them while there still Jet lagged."

"I will Joyce. Nice distraction before I'm back to the grind of school"

"I'll see you at lunch then sweetie" said Joyce with a smile as she returned to the kitchen presumably to cook her other customer's food.

'I am kind of excited for the New Year' thought Max as she continued to eat her breakfast 'hopefully the new students and the new teacher will make the class less awkward since Jefferson. Plus it would be nice to see Kate and Warren again. Even Victoria I guess'

Max finished her breakfast and left the diner, breathing in the chilly January air as she walked around the back of the diner to where Jane sat. 'Only took the apocalypse for me to learn her name' thought Max as she walked up to the homeless women she had begun to talk to more and more over Christmas.

"Well if it isn't my favourite teenager in all of Arcadia." Greeted Jane as Max approached

"Hey Jane. How are you today? I imagine it gets cold at night now"

"Yeah it does" replied Jane with a sigh "But it ain't that bad, Frank even lets me stay in his RV most nights"

"He does?" asked Max

"Yeah. I was sceptical at first, but… since Rachel, he seems to be trying to be better"

"Rachel hit him pretty hard huh?" asked Max as she sat down next to Jane

"Yeah. He's a good guy, he's trying to change."

"I know he is Jane, I know" 'Not like I tried to shoot him or anything…' thought Jack as she looked over to where Frank usually parks his RV.

"He keeps telling me to go to that new family. What was their name again?"

"The Dyomins?"

"Yeah, that was it. Frank keeps telling me to go to them for help, you know ask for money. Get a home again."

"That's a great idea Jane. They are wanting to show that their different to the Prescotts, I'm sure they would help you."

"God, you sound just like Frank, He keeps saying 'What's the worst that could happen?'. Not like there's dozens of other homeless all over Arcadia Bay. All of whom were far worse done by than myself."

"Well that's hella stupid" said Max without thinking. 'Hella. God dammit Chloe…'

"Ain't stupid at all Max darling, I got myself into this mess. I'll get myself out."

"You do realise that the Dyomins would basically be forced to help you right? Plus, if the town see you going to them than the other homeless in town will be brought to their attention. They keep talking about how they want to expand the town. Who knows, maybe they'll make a homeless shelter."

"I hadn't thought about that Max…." replied Jane with a thoughtful look on her face "alright fine, if it will get you and Frank off my back then I'll do it. You'd better help by the way."

"Of course I'll help Jane. Well bull rush that family into getting you a mansion" Joked Max, rewarded by a chuckle from Jane. "Anyway, I've got to go. I'll see you later Jane."

"See you later Max, and thanks. I value our friendship. As unusual as it may be. Really cheered me up over Christmas"

"Me too Jane. You never fail to cheer me up"

"It's mutual Max"

"Goodbye Jane"

"Bye Max"

Max walked to the academy, her gaze kept falling on the lighthouse. Remembering her and Chloe's last moments. 'Stop it Max. Put on some music'. Max walked through the academy with her music still playing through her headphones. Seeing the staff cleaning the academy ready for class to start tomorrow gave Max a sense of security.

Everywhere she looked there were cleaners hoovering the floors and cleaning off the graffiti from last year. 'At least all that horrid Kate graffiti has gone. She seemed much happier when she left for Christmas'

Max made her way back to her dorm room, walking through the academies garden where she saw Samuel, still feeding the squirrels as always. 'Guess Something's never change' thought Max as she entered the dorms gardens. Remembering when Kate killed herself because of that stupid video. 'Never happened anymore though. None of it did, not the pool or the suicide. Not the blizzard in autumn or the surprise eclipse'

As Max looked to the roof where Kate jumped she saw a plane shooting across the sky. 'Wonder if that's the exchange students arriving at town.' Thought Max as she made her way to her dorm room and laid on her bed. Remembering the week that never happened as she closed her eyes and drifted into unconsciousness.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

A/N: So this will be an OC character but it ain't going to be focused around him. I want to show how max adjusts to life without Chloe after that week in game (Even though I may have chosen to save Chloe screw Arcadia Bay) So this story is going to be pretty fluffy for the most part.

Also. I'm English, so I may get a few things wrong about the American school system. Truth be told I don't even know what kind of school Blackwell academy is. I'm guessing University, it has dorm rooms after all but at the same time, the students study multiple courses?

Anyway hope you enjoy the story and please any feedback is incredibly helpful.