I pondered over all the stuff that has happened recently. Me getting a scholarship here at Blackwell, actually making friends despite me being a total weirdo, even having Chloe back in my life after apologizing a billion times over for leaving for 5 years without any contact.

Everything felt right for once, nothing seemed out of place. I put my pencil down on my desk and looked out my window. I saw the other dormitories and noticed people who didn't completely close their blinds that everyone was starting to wake up. I woke up a bit early despite being overly exhausted from writing a stupid essay on Henry Cartier, and his influence on modern photography. Bore. I looked at the clock, 8. 'Perfect time to go have some breakfast'. I managed to get my groggy butt off of my chair and put on something presentable. Well, presentable enough to look like a person. I heard my phone vibrate.

Chloe. Definitely Chloe.

I turned my attention to my phone, halfway through putting on my first shoe.

Text from: Chloe:)

Hey I couldn't sleep last night. Not sure if the weed got to me (too dank, bong hits hell yeah) but I was paranoid as fuck. I'm down to have breakfast to try to take my mind off the tired. Two whales?

Last seen at - 8:17 AM

I laughed out loud. Weird though, Chloe doesn't usually lose sleep, if anything she sleeps way too much. I guess having a date wouldn't be that bad, especially since all I have to do today is work on the essay.

Sent: Max

Heading over, taking the bus might take a little while

Wait for me (*o*)/

Sent at: 8:22 AM

I packed my stuff quickly and headed for the diner. I got on the bus, popped in my earphones and watched the scenery pass by. I think it's a privilege living in Arcadia Bay. It's a little set back, nothing here is perfect, everything is a bit 'weird' and I really like it that way. There's so much to see, everything changes, yet, everything stays the same. It's some weird nostalgic zazz I can't really explain but it's probably because I just like analyzing stuff.

Lost in thought I realized I was close to the diner, I packed my things and got off at my stop. I could see the people in the diner from the outside of the building, love the retro vibe it has. In the far right corner I could see a blue blob of hair pressed against the window, facing towards the inside of the diner. I smiled knowing Chloe was waiting for me.

I went in and saw Joyce hard at work. She stooped into conversation before I had a chance to even think of what to say.

"Max! Glad to see you again. I think you finally got Chloe to come in more often, I always love seeing you two. Thanks for keeping her here and out of trouble."

Joyce gave me a pat on my shoulder and went to go serve another customer. I smiled and let Joyce do her thing, I'd see her again when she comes by our table.

Chloe was now looking out the window. I took the opportunity to cover her eyes with my hands.

Chloe froze for a moment and I smiled

"Guess who?" Chloe put her hands in front of her and acted as though she was blind.

"How should I know I can't see."

I laughed and let my hands drop from her face and sat opposite to her. I got comfy.

"You can't even tell by my voice? Rude." I crossed my arms.

"You had to make me wait 20 minutes? Rude." Chloe crossed her arms to make fun of me.

She was running out of comebacks. She knew it would take me 20 minutes to get here.

I smirked and talked back a little, because it was always fun when it was with Chloe.

"Oh yes, sorry I was too busy telling the bus driver to go slower. We both know those things go like 5 miles per hour." I tried not to sound too sarcastic.

She raised a brow

"Should've just ran here."

I smiled at Chloe and she smiled back. It's felt like an eternity since we've seen each other but the past few days back in Arcadia bay have patched so many things up in my life. For the first time I felt like I could accomplish so many things.

Joyce made her way to our table and looked at both of us.

"What can I get for you two ladies?" She got her notepad out and waited for replies.

Chloe went first and ordered Belgian waffles with whipped cream and strawberry sauce.

"I'll go bacon and eggs for today, not feeling the sweets this morning." Joyce wrote it down and smiled back at me

"You do you max, you know I'll always make whatever your heart desires. And Chloe, don't eat with your eyes, you better finish your meal."

Joyce pierced Chloe's soul with her eyes.

"I know I know, I'll eat everything today I promise." Chloe shooed her mother away and we were left alone again.

I took a moment to examine Chloe, she looked so exhausted. I only started hanging out with her again this week, so for the short time we hung out, Chloe was usually sleeping until 1 or 2 pm. I thought it was odd and I doubt it was the weed, when you're as avid a stoner as she is, weed doesn't usually bother her until she can't sleep. Especially just one bong hit. I decided I'd try to pry the info out, but before I could say anything, Chloe started to speak.

"So super Max, how is the essay on.. who was it again? I forgot."

"Henry Cartier. It's so boring I want to jump out my window, it's only the first floor, I'm sure I wouldn't get that hurt if I tried." I put my hand on my chin, trying to look serious about my decision.

"You could always come to my house and jump out the window in my room, it's pretty high up." Chloe put two thumbs up and smirked.

"Please, don't tempt me. I'm so run down with all these assignments and essays, I'm not even sure what picture I'm going to enter for the everyday heroes contest. My pictures are never really any good." I sighed and put my hands over my face. Chloe laughed.

"Not any good? That's a pretty big lie considering all of the photos hung up in your room. If you didn't like them, you wouldn't have put them up."

I looked at Chloe through my fingers, still face palming.

"Those are good, but not good enough you know? I just don't know which one to choose, or if I should take another".

Chloe pulled my hands down onto the table and laid hers over mine.

"I think you're good enough… for me! We should totally go out, or you can take pictures of me and maybe you'll win."

"You're so pretentious. Maybe I will enter a photo… of me beating you up."

Chloe laughed and I took in her smile and radiance. She's so much more beautiful when she's happy, she's changed so much since we were kids. It's a bit sad but she seems so much older, so much more mature than me. It's really weird that she still enjoys my company.

Joyce came around and put the plate of waffles in front of Chloe, and my bacon and eggs in front of me.

"Sorry to interrupt your conversation girls, but enjoy the meal. Are you staying over for the night Max? Don't let Chloe get lazy and make you sleep on her bed again. There's so much room on the floor."

Chloe and me averted from Joyce's eyes for a moment. It's been a bit of a struggle to figure out what kind of relationship we want to have. I've never been in a relationship before, but Chloe's lost her virginity, been with girls and guys, she's had so much more experience. I slept in Chloe's bed one night and we cuddled a bit but I feel that me coming here is just making her clingy, and it's not going to end up something more than awkward. I put my hand on my neck and tensed up a bit.

"Yeah, I'll make sure Chloe gives me some space to sleep if I stay over, I have an essay due so I'm not sure if I'll be able to. I'll see you later if I decide to stay."

Joyce gave me a smile.

"Alright, just don't let Chloe bully you, you have more power over her than you think." Joyce gave me a quick wink.

Chloe looked flustered.

"Mom. The last person to have any power over me is Max, can't you see how small and helpless she looks all the time? Look at that face." Chloe leaned over the table and pinched my face together and made my cheeks squish, and turned my head towards Joyce.

"That's the exact thing I'm talking about Chloe, look at that face. You melt at anything Max says."

Chloe stopped squishing my cheeks and hunched back into her seat. She got low and quiet. Me and Joyce laughed. I could see a faint red blush coming onto her cheeks, not sure if it was from embarrassment or how right Joyce was about our situation. Chloe never said no to me, I've always just put it on the fact that we haven't seen each other is so long, but she did it as kids too.

Joyce left us in an awkward moment and we sat and ate our food in silence. By the time we were done it was about 9:50 am and I knew I would have to get to class soon. Chloe ordered a drink and was playing with the spoon, spinning the liquid in circles and watching the foam on the top form into a small whirl pool. I got entranced looking at her eyelashes and the way her hair fell onto her face. Chloe had such perfect eyelashes despite not putting on any makeup. They were dark and long and gave the impression of eyeliner from far away but, it was all just natural beauty. Her blue hair was so new to me but something about it suited her, as if she should have popped out of the womb with it.

Chloe looked up and me and it caught me off guard, I didn't notice I was looking at her that intently. I blushed a bit and turned away. We got up and decided it was enough of breakfast today. I said goodbye to Joyce, Chloe was already waiting in the car. We had no plans of going anywhere but I guessed we were heading to the Price family home, where I've spent most of my days if not at school. The drive there was awkward and silent, although for what purpose I had no idea.

"Home shit home." Chloe sighed and looked up at the house. I hadn't even realized the drive here was so quick, I was lost in thought. Me and Chloe got out of the car.

"Do you mind if we just chill for a bit? I missed my morning medicine, need to get my thoughts sorted out." Chloe looked up at her room window and back to me.

"Not at all, I have Warren's flash drive, we can watch a movie later or something if you're up for it" I smiled at Chloe and she smiled back. We went into the house and I noticed nobody was home. Chloe caught onto my confused look.

"David isn't home this morning, he had an early shift. He wont be home until around 2 so I don't know what were going to do for the next like 5 hours." I remembered my homework and the everyday heroes contest photo. Maybe Chloe would come with me to take some pictures?

"After you're done would you want come help me get a good picture for the contest? I don't have one yet...and David's not home to ruin your mood yet." I rubbed my arm down. Chloe wasn't one for art, and all she would do is just sit and watch while I took pictures.

"Sure hippie." Chloe shielded herself, she knew she would get a punch for that.

"Hippie? You look like you belong on the cover of hipstergirls .com " Chloe looked down at her wardrobe and somewhere in there remembered that she had blue hair and a tattoo.

"Oh shut up, at least my major isn't photography. Epitome of hipster." Chloe put her hands on her hips and tried to mimic me again.

"Your major is being a major pain in my butt, lets go upstairs before I start taking pictures of you and post them on hipstergirls .com" I tried to push Chloe, but she wouldn't budge.

"Do you think that would be a good way to find a girlfriend? I mean there's a loot of good looking hipster girls out-" I slapped my hand onto Chloe's mouth and I felt her smile underneath.

"Just go." I pushed Chloe upstairs and managed to get her heavy butt up and into her room.

Her windows were open and the bright morning and early breeze contrasted her dark room, with all of the writing, piled up clothes, and rock CD's. I sat down at the desk chair while Chloe grabbed a small box from under her bed and began rolling a small joint. While Chloe was busy, I inspected the things on her desk and noticed a very small cactus. It was wilting.' It takes some crazy neglect to let a cactus die..' I grabbed the half empty water bottle from her desk and watered the little cactus, remembering I have to water Lisa at home.

"Whatcha dooing?"

Startled, I let out a scared squeek and turned around to Chloe just inches from my face, stoned out of her mind. I put on the most pouty face I could.

"I just watered this poor baby cactus because you can't even water it once every few months to keep it alive." Chloe looked down at the cactus and back to me.

"Do you want it? I totally forgot I had it. You'd be a way better plant mom. I think I named him George.. or Steve... Either way if you introduce him to Lisa they can be plant buddies."

She picked up the little plant and handed it to me, I pushed it back into her hands.

"No Chloe, just water it once every few months. Look at it, it's so helpless and small, you bought it take care of it." Chloe pouted and put the little cactus back on her windowsill.

"Talking about taking things..." Chloe walked towards me and my heart sped up. She walked past me and started to dig in the shelves behind me.

"Was I supposed to finish that sentence? Taking what? Your virginity? I missed that chance a long time ago." Chloe let out a deep genuine laugh and pulled something off of the shelf.

"No, although you totally did lose that chance. I know it was your birthday last month." I turned around and saw Chloe holding a camera. Williams camera?

"Is that Williams camera? I can't take this-" Chloe interrupted me before I had the chance to say anything else.

"Please, take it. William would be pissed if I never used it, and I know you'll use it awesomely."

I got up from the chair and accepted the gift from Chloe. Our hands touched for a moment and I felt what seemed like electricity surge through my body. Chloe was always so soft.. She let go of my hands and let me examine my new camera.

"If you want, we could go take pictures with it? Maybe it'll be your championship camera, when you're famous you'll let everybody know I gave you that camera and it's how it started your career."

Chloe stood there with one hand on her neck, looking down at my new hippie machine. I went and put my arms around her waist, hugging her as hard as I could. I felt her arms wrap around my neck and we stood there for a little while.

"Thank you Chloe. I know it was hard for you when I left with William gone. I can't imagine what you've went through."

I felt Chloe take a fist full of my hair and pull me closer. It made my whole body heat up, my cheeks felt hot, and my palms started to sweat. I parted with her as soon as I could to try to cool my body off. Chloe grabbed my hand and smiled down at me.

"Lets go take that famous shot, supermax."

I smiled and we both started to head downstairs. Chloe was almost done her joint and tossed the very end of it in the grass at the front of the house. We hopped into her truck and headed for the only place that was picture-worthy. The lighthouse.

I wasn't very pleased that Chloe was driving high but to be completely honest even when she's stoned she's very perceptive. She's been smoking for a long time, probably ever since I left. Not to say it's the right thing to do, but we both felt a bit rebellious today. The road started to get a bit smaller and Chloe parked near a small dirt trail.

"You wanna take pictures around here or do you want to walk up the hill to the lighthouse?"

Chloe had her feet up on the dashboard of her truck and laid her seat back.

I looked around for spots I could take pictures at in the little foresty area we were in. I couldn't spot a place to take any good shots, but Chloe was so comfortable I wouldn't want her to get up and walk with me, I take it she would want to chill a bit after that joint.

"I could try taking photos here. You can wait in the car I'll be around."

I was about to exit the truck when I looked out the window and found a blue butterfly perched on a mossy log.

"CHLOE. I'll be right back I think I found a great shot."

I opened the truck door as quietly as I could and tip toed my way towards the butterfly. It was as bright blue as Chloes hair, and didn't seem to move much when I came around. I got on my knees and tried to hold myself still for a perfect shot, until I noticed something moving out of the focus of the butterfly. I moved my face away from my camera and saw a doe. She was grazing on a grassy patch right behind the log, sheltered by a few pine tree branches. I quickly focused on the doe and got got a shot that included the butterfly out of focus in the corner, with the doe as my main shot. The click and flash of my camera scared her away, she leapt quickly into the bushes towards Arcadia bay. I smiled at myself and ran back to the truck. I leaned my head into the window and started blabbering about what I just saw, Chloe turned her head and listened

"Chloe! Did you see that? I got an awesome photo. I saw a butterfly and then I saw this doe right behind it so I took the shot but it scared the doe away so but I go-"

I looked away for a second telling my story, and looked back to a feeling of warmth on my lips. 'Chloe is kissing…me?' Her lips felt desperate and shaky, as if she was unsure of what she was doing, debating whether she should stop st any moment. I froze and let the kiss happen. I was surprised but I wasn't disappointed. Chloe opened her eyes and they met mine, softly ending our kiss.

"Chloe?" I whispered her name as softly as I could.

I didn't want her to be scared of any rejection, I wasn't opposed to same sex relationships, or affection… I've just never been with anybody before so this was new to me.

"I just, I'm sorry. I might just be too high, haven't had a joint since two days ago, stuff hits you pretty hard. I'm sorry if I made you-"

"I wasn't uncomfortable. Don't apologize for anything, you didn't do anything wrong." I interrupted Chloe as she spoke, I knew I felt uncertainty in her lips.

Trying not to put Chloe on the spot, I held the photo I just took and showed it to her, she looked away at first but drew her attention back to me.

"This is what came out. Pretty cool right? I deserved that kiss for this awesome shot." I gave Chloe a genuine smile. Her face lit up and she managed to smirk.

"Would princess max like more kisses for her great achievement?" I heard regret in Chloe's voice, but also that she was completely serious. She took the time out of her day to make mine better, and even gave me my birthday gift, and helped me get a photo I could enter into the contest.

"Why yes prince Chloe, princess Max would like all of the kisses." Chloe perked up and opened the truck door for me.

I fell on top of Chloe and she held me. Before I could say or do anything, Chloe started to give me kisses all around my face.

"These….are… for….being….so…cute…and. ..getting…your…contest….photo." Bombarded with kisses I started to laugh, they felt very ticklish and we're making me feel giddy.

This was the first time Chloes been so affectionate towards me… It's the best thing that's happened to me since I moved back.

"Chloe stop, this tickles so much I can't even laugh properly. Stop!" I tried to sound serious but it was hard with someone attacking your face with affection.

Chloe and I laughed together for a long time until our energy died down, and the kisses. I was till on top of Chloe. She had her eyes closed and had a permanent smile plastered on her porcelain face. 'Do I kiss her?' 'Do I let this die and bring it up later' 'Do I wait for her to kiss me?' There were so many thoughts going on in my head. I was just inches away from doing what I've always been scared to do. I always wondered why my heart would speed up when she got near me, or how my palms would sweat when she came into contact with me… or how much I just wanted her in my life. I always admired her as a person, but she has always been something special to me. I looked down at the now slightly less stoned Chloe, with her red eyes and stupid grin. She had a hold on my waist which was driving me completely insane.

I leaned down and kissed her.

I felt Chloe jump a little bit but settled into it as quickly as she could. Her grip on my waist became tighter and she brought me closer. I never had an intimate kiss before, it felt really nice.. I started to feel hazy and everything felt like a blur. My hands were tangled in Chloe's hair and I felt her hands go underneath my shirt and onto my bare back. My heart felt as if it was going to burst from my chest, and I felt heat rise to my face. Chloe inched her tongue into my mouth. I pulled away and Chloe looked as if she'd seen a ghost.

"Is this too much? I'm so sorry I didn't know how far you wanted to go and I-"

Tongue kisses were really new to me so it caught me off guard. I didn't want Chloe to make fun of my awful kissing skills since I had none..

"No no it was perfect I'm just.. not used to anything. This is all new to me.. oh god I sound like such a virgin." Chloe's expression went soft again and she pulled me back down, this time embracing me in a hug.

"You are such a virgin. I don't want you to be uncomfortable, ever. Let me know if I ever go too far, I can get ahead of myself sometimes." I tangled my fingers in Chloe's hair softly and inhaled. She smelt of old spice deodorant, shampoo, and Marijuana. She smelt like Chloe alright.

We laid there in silence, taking up the two front seats of her truck.

"Let you know? Do you Intend to do this again? This wasn't just a one time thing for you?" I teased at Chloe since she deserved it for not telling me she liked me even a little bit. Not even a small hint, unless I'm that dense and haven't noticed any flirting…

Chloe got a worried expression on her face.

"I, Max.. I.. Fuck." She cursed and looked to the side, really nowhere to go since I was still pinning her down with my weight.

I raised a brow "I'm listening."

Chloe pulled me down again and muffled words into my shoulder.

"What? I can't hear you." I tried to pull away so that Chloe could talk but she was death gripping me, head glued to my shoulder.

She said the muffled words again.

"Can you please tell me what you're saying, for the many times you call me supermax, I do not have supermax hearing."

Chloe let out a frustrated muffled shout into my sweater "…like you!"

Chloe pulled away and let her head drop into her seat, and put her forearm over her eyes.

"I like you."

Chloe said it in the most calm and quiet manor. I could see a feint blush under her arm, she was trying to cover it up.

I got up and let Chloe breathe. Embarrassed realizing I was straddling her in the this position, I got off of her completely and repositioned myself comfortably in the passenger seat. Chloe laid there, embarrassed out of her mind. I couldn't think straight either, there were so many questions I wanted to ask. I decided to break the silence with what I really wanted to know.

"…Since when?"