Chapter 1: Welcome to Blackwell

Chapter Text

Max's POV

I had my head against the window, which only moved with the bumps along the road. I was excited for this new journey I was about to enter but I was also afraid. What's going to happen to me once my father leaves and I am all alone in Arcadia Bay? Seattle was my home and now, now Arcadia Bay was going to be my new and lonely home without anybody I even know. Maybe it will be great, maybe I will be great also. Then I closed my eyes.

"Max, we are finally here."

I opened my eyes and there it was Blackwell Academy. This is it. This is now. Here is the future Max. My dad turned off the car and he was just staring at me, probably wondering if I was freaking out, or scared, or worried.. I didn't even know what I was feeling myself.

"Come on sweetie, you need to get going."

He playfully nudged me and went out the car to go get my bags. I couldn't seem to move, I didn't know what to do. Well I knew what to do, I just needed to get my bags and go into my room but I didn't know whether to get up or stay frozen here. I hope this doesn't end up becoming a nightmare instead. For now I should get my stuff before my dad starts to wonder why I have yet to leave the car.

"Don't worry Max, you will do fine here. Plus, you're a great photographer and also have the Caulfield charm."

Father has some jokes I see. I got my bags and hugged my dad for what was going to be the last time for quite some time. I didn't want to let go because I didn't want to be alone after he leaves.

"Call us later, love you sweetie." Then his car drove off and the doors to the dormitories were staring right at me.

Oh crap, I think I made a mistake. I shouldn't be there, I shouldn't have come. I don't know anyone, what if everyone just thinks I'm a geek? What if I fail? I was so nervous for about what felt like fifteen minutes I was just staring at the doors. Then a voice from behind me called out at me.

"Hey! Are you new to Blackwell?"

I turned around and there was a girl, she had light brown hair, she looked like she was religious by the way she dressed, but I am not one to judge.

"I'm Kate Marsh by the way, do you need help with your stuff?"

She reached her hand out and her voice just sounded so angelic, hopefully she doesn't leave my side right now because I need her. Wowser Max, you're sounding a bit depressing.

"Yeah, thanks. I am Max, Max Caulfield." I gave her probably an awkward smile because I was so nervous and afraid but she gave me such a gentle smile.

As we were heading to my room number, I looked around and it was such a different world. It was like once I walked in every girl just had to look at me. Whispering in the background probably wondering who I was. I seemed to be walking a red carpet by all the stares I got, this isn't exactly how I wanted to be seen yet. I passed each room and there was so much going on, what did I get myself into? We entered my room and it looked so dull, just a bed, a couch, and a desk, well all the necessities any student needs to have.

"So Max, where are you from?"

"I am from Seattle, my parents actually use to live here but that was so long ago." My story I so lame, she probably thinks I have nothing interesting in my life. First introductions are not my thing.

"I have to go but you can come by my room later and I can give you the grand Blackwell tour." Then she waves bye and I was stuck in this room alone again.

Where do I start? I guess I can put my clothes up, that's the easiest thing to do right now. I started to empty my bags one by one and assorting this entire room. I organized all my books, putting my photos up on the wall, and finished by setting up my bed. I think it looks pretty good, for work done in only 2 hours. Well done. Then I heard breaking glass and opened the door to hear one of the girls yelling out.

"Chloe! Do you just love destroying everything?"

"Come on hippie, we got shit to do."

Before the blue haired girl went down the hall she looked at me. For a moment we made eye contact. Those blue eyes seemed to be piercing at me, she smiled at me and I was completely captivated and couldn't help but blush. I think she saw that, oh no. I closed the door quickly because I didn't want her to think I was some creep just staring at her from my room. Way to go Max, now she definitely is going to think you're a geek.

I stayed in the room for about 5 minutes just to make sure that I wouldn't run in Chloe or her see me after what just happened. I headed to Kate's room and knocked on her door.

"Uh, Kate. Can I come in?"

"Yeah Max, come in, the door is open."

I walked into Kate's room and there was a lot of mixed feelings. The room was dark, there was a lot of tissues but there was also children drawings everywhere and a cute little rabbit. It looked so soft, and a great photo op for the first one here.

"That's my rabbit Alice, do you want to feed her?" She handed me a carrot and I couldn't resist.

"Here little bunny, nosh on this."

"We should get going, follow me to where you're going to be staying at."

She showed me around and it was pretty cool. Outside the dorms was just a couple of benches and some jokes throwing a football around. There was also Samuel who was the maintenance man. Once we headed to the front of the school I saw how beautiful and looked and saw so many photos I could take around here. Near the stairs I saw some skater kids and near the tree Kate said that's usually where the Vortex Club hung out. She said the Vortex club were just a bunch of snotty kids who thought they ran the school and were not the nicest of people, aka Nathan Prescott and Victoria Chase. We ended at the fountain and sat around to where a boy came up to us.

"Hi Kate and hi uh?"

"Hey Warren, this is Max, she's new here and I was just showing her around."

Warren looked at me and I noticed he was not able to keep his eyes off me. I wasn't going to get involved with boys here yet, because I think I should focus on getting through school first.

"Well Max, we should totally hang out sometime, plus I have a great collection on movies on my flash drive. Only if you want to though." He seemed so eager and smiled shyly at me.

"That sounds like fun, I will see you around, I have to get back and finish some stuff up in my room."

After departing from Warren Kate and I started walking to the doors and I had to ask about Chloe.

"So Kate, do you know that Chloe girl?"

"Oh yea Chloe Price, I don't know much about her except her and Rachel are practically inseparable. I know they dated but I don't know. Why?"

She looked at me with such curiosity and wanted to press as to why I even asked this question. I don't even know why I asked. I was just wondering about how this entire school experience was going to be for me. I at least made two friends here so I am not a complete loner here. I think it will be okay for me, well I hope it will be okay. But for some reason I wanted to know Chloe, I wanted to be her friend, something in me wanted to talk to her. I just didn't know how.

I walked into my room and when I was shuffling my feet I noticed a piece of paper on the floor. I don't remember leaving paper around, if anything I don't even have paper. I picked it up and it was a note, a note from Chloe. Hey new girl, way to close the door on me without say hi, ouch dude. I'll be back later to properly introduce myself and this time let's not close the door on my face again. – Chloe

Wait, did Chloe just leave a note for me? What should I even do? Why did she even leave a note? Don't freak out yet Max, she's not even here. Oh shit, what if she's coming right now? Do I look okay? Why am I freaking out? For some reason I felt so much excitement, why am I so excited? There is just something about her. I just couldn't wait to meet Chloe Price.