Thanks for all of your reviews etc. I know WarrenNathan isn't a hugely popular pairing so I was surprised to get so many reviews already. Now this chapter basically starts on the first day of school when Max first arrives. So it will be looking at how she came to be a member of the vortex club and how she and Victoria got Warren and Nathan together.

I only just realised Warren hooked up with Stella not Brooke in the alternate universe of the game. Having said that, Brooke's interest in Warren is pretty much constant which would be bound to drive Nathan crazy when they get together. So I'm leaving it as it is.

Also in the alternate timeline, I'm pretty sure Warren and Max aren't friends. But for the sake of this story they are.

Enjoy!


The first time Warren Graham met Nathan Prescott, he hadn't been impressed. The guy was everything he hated; rich to the point he paid off anyone who went against him, smug, arrogant, selfish, the list just went on and on. Yet fast forward a few months later and where would Warren end up? In the bastard's bed, leaning against him as they both watched the twilight zone. The original mind you, not the remake. How did it get to that? Well there were some days Warren didn't even know. But as for how they first started dating, well that Warren did know.

It was the first day of school and Warren was already pretty nervous. At sixteen he was the youngest student in his grade. So not only did he have the usual shit to worry about; acne, bad breath, you know all those really gross things, he had to worry about not making a fool of himself in front of students who were two years older than him. Talk about pressure. But whatever, he could handle it. Or if worst came to worst, he could just be like Daniel and hide out in his room.

"Move Graham!" Warren scowled as Prescott and his cronies pushed him aside, causing him to stumble against the lockers.

"Jerks" Warren muttered, wincing a little as he rubbed at his hip.

"Hey, are you okay?"

Warren blinked, only just noticing the girl now standing beside him. "Huh? Oh yeah I'm fine. Just typical jockish behaviour, no big deal. I'm used to it". Why did he say that? Could he have sounded anymore pathetic?

"Jockish? Is that even a word?" The girl teased.

Warren frowned. The girl was cute, really cute actually. Why was she wasting time talking to him? "Well if it's not then I claim it as my own" he grinned. The girl giggled in response, maybe his luck was finally starting to turn? "Hi, I'm Warren. Are you new here?"

"Max. Well technically it's Maxine but everyone calls me Max and yes. Is it that obvious?"

"Only to me. I've been here a while so I kind of know everyone here. You're a new face, so I figured either you were new or some student had snapped and gone for a total face transplant. The first seemed more likely". Okay seriously he had to stop talking, before he scared her off for good.

"You mean like on Eyes Without A Face?" The girl, Max, asked curiously.

Wait, what? What did she say? There was no way she said what he thought she did. But just to be sure; "You've seen Eyes Without A Face? Really?" Maybe he should have toned down the disbelief just a little.

"By Georges Franju? Yeah I've seen it. Sorry I know it's kind of weird to like those old black and white horror flicks, I just-"

"No! No uh, it's not weird. I mean I'm into that sort of thing too. Which I guess probably isn't that reassuring to you. I mean I did bring up the topic of face transplants. Okay now you talk". Warren rubbed the back of his neck, clearly embarrassed.

Max giggled again. "Let's just say we're both weird. Maybe we can work out who's weirder at a later date. Right now I'm supposed to be looking for Mr Jefferson's class".

"Oh that's right by me. I'm in the science room, it's just opposite. C'mon I'll take you".

"Cool".

"So where are you from?" Warren asked.

"Here originally. A few years ago my dad got a new job in Seattle so we all moved over there".

"Really? That's pretty cool, so what's Seattle like?"

"It's pretty cool, lots of people and buildings and stuff. They made for some pretty cool shots. But I kinda missed Arcadia Bay. I know that sounds kinda lame but this place just has so many memories for me, you know?"

"Yeah, it's kinda like going back to your roots?"

"Exactly" Max smiled.

"So this shots thing, I take it you're into photography? Well that makes sense since you're in Mr Jefferson's class".

"Big time. He's kinda the reason I wanted to go to school here. He was a pretty famous photographer in the 90s and I really love his work".

"Another groupie huh? Just be careful what you say around Victoria. She claims the title of Jefferson's biggest fan and just might gut you if she thinks you're trying to take that from her. Not someone you'd want to piss off, especially on your first day" Warren warned.

"Good to know. Uh, who's Victoria again?" Max asked, barely stopping herself from crashing into him as he stopped abruptly.

"That's her. The blond with the short hair. Big time bitch if she doesn't like you and last I checked she doesn't exactly like me. But I don't know, maybe you can get on her good side. Let me know how it works out. Anyway that's Jefferson's class and here's the science room. If you're not too busy we can meet up after class, I could show you around campus?" Warren offered.

Max smiled "Thanks, I'd like that".

"No prob. I'll wait outside for you".

"Got it. See you after class" Max waved, walking into the classroom.

"Yeah, see you" Warren said quietly. Max never heard him.

"Pathetic". A familiar sneer caught Warren's attention.

"What do you want Prescott?" Warren sighed, moving to step aside and let several students pass.

"Me? Nothing. I was just saying how pathetic you are, drooling over the new girl like a mutt panting after it's bitch". Nathan smirked, eyes lighting up in interest as Warren tensed, clearly getting ready to fight.

"I was just being friendly. Now I know you don't know the meaning of the word so let me help you. It's that thing you do when you're not a complete dick" Warren glared.

"Oh? Well I-" Nathan began, glaring right back at him.

"Nathan shut it".

Warren stilled, frowning in confusion as the queen bee herself approached the pair.

"What? Victoria I-" Warren was relieved to see Nathan looked as confused as he felt. At least he wasn't the only one who found it strange, that Victoria cared enough to stop him.

"I don't want to hear it. It's the first day of school and you know how much this class means to me. Fighting with this geek is only going to do two things; make me late and get you in trouble again. At least wait until tomorrow before you start something. Or maybe I should tell the geek just why you seem to enjoy picking on him so much". Victoria raised a perfectly plucked eyebrow.

Was it just Warren's imagination or did Nathan actually pale at that? Warren couldn't deny that since arriving at the school, he did seem to be one of Nathan's favourite people to pick on. But he'd always assumed that was due to his age and clear superiority over the other boy, whose only saving grace was that his father owned the school. But Victoria's tone seemed to imply there was another reason. Something Nathan clearly didn't want her to tell him, if the way he'd grabbed her arm and dragged her into Jefferson's class was any indication.

"What?" Warren asked himself. The bell rang and Warren entered the science lab, lost in his own thoughts.


"So you must be Max?"

Max could feel herself blushing a little at that, well who could blame her? Mr Jefferson was pretty hot. Not that she'd ever go for him, no. That was just too disturbing for words.

"That's me. I just wanted to say I'm a big fan of your work Mr Jefferson".

Mr Jefferson smiled at her. "Thank you, it's always nice to meet a fan. And I had a chance to look over some of your previous work. You have a real talent, I'm happy to see you join my class. Now I know you're new, but today is mostly just going over what I expect for the upcoming year. So you should be fine. But if you need any help…Victoria? Could you come here for a second?"

Victoria threw Nathan one last smirk, before joining the pair at the desk. "Yes Mr Jefferson?" Victoria asked sweetly.

Victoria briefly glanced at the new girl, the one she'd seen Graham talking too earlier, the one Nathan had mentioned before going into a rant about the other boy. She was cute in that wannabe hipster kind of way. Well she had a pretty face at least, but something seriously needed to be done about her style. She was also quiet, normally something Victoria found irritating. Like that Kate girl, Little Miss Chastity. But, as Victoria took the time to consider her, perhaps that wasn't always a bad thing. She could always use another minion, especially one that loved photography as much as she did. And Mr Jefferson of course, she'd seen the new girl's face when she'd laid eyes on the man. So long as she didn't try making a move on her man, Victoria could almost see herself growing to tolerate her. Besides, if she was quiet, that only gave Victoria more opportunity to talk about herself. And that was never a bad thing.

"This is Max; she's new as if you didn't already know. I was wondering if you'd show her around a little? Show her where the equipment is, you know that sort of thing. Perhaps you could even show her some of your work, her own is quite impressive. As my best student, I think you two would work well together. Perhaps you might even take her under your wing?"

"Of course, I'm always happy to help a fellow photography enthusiast". Victoria tried hard to keep the sarcasm out of her tone; clearly she'd been spending too much time around Nathan.

"Excellent. Then I'll leave you to it. Now everyone take a seat so we can get started". Mr Jefferson addressed the room, his eyes landing on Nathan. "Mr Prescott I don't believe you're in this class. Out you go".

"Yeah, yeah. See you after class" Nathan nodded at Victoria before leaving.

"So uh, thanks Victoria". Max said as Victoria led her to the back of the room.

"Whatever. Before we start whatever this is, I need you to tell me something". Victoria leaned back, casually draping her arm over the back of her chair.

"Shoot".

"I saw you earlier talking to Warren Graham. Now I don't care if you two are friends or not. I mean he is like two years younger than the rest of us, some kind of genius or something. God knows he needs friends who aren't complete spazzes. But are you interested in dating him?" Victoria asked, her face carefully kept neutral.

"Warren? Oh, well I-I barely know him. I mean I think we could be good friends. When we were talking earlier he mentioned liking this really old black and white movie. You know one of those classic horror flicks; before today I didn't think anyone our age had seen it. I think we have a lot in common. But I uh, I don't really see myself dating him. He just seemed like a nice guy, the kind of guy you watch movies with and pig out on junk food". Max admitted.

'Was this some kind of test?' Max wondered. 'Did I pass?'

"Thank god" Victoria sighed. Seeing Max's confusion she decided to clarify. "You saw Nathan in here earlier right? And you saw him push Graham against the lockers? Well you know that saying about a guy pulling on a girl's pigtails…?" Victoria gave Max a pointed look. Now to see if Max had a brain to go along with that pretty face of hers.

"You mean Nathan likes Warren? Seriously?" Max gaped. "But I thought he hated him? Who pushes someone they like into the lockers?"

"Yeah well, that's Nathan. He has a few issues he's trying to work on. One of which is apparently about your little friend. He's been into him for nearly a year now; it's just beyond pathetic at this point. Don't get me wrong I love Nathan, he's my best friend. But he can be a complete dick when he wants to be".

"Wow" Max said. It was all she could think to say.

"Well that's one way to put it".

"Ladies, if you're quite finished" Mr Jefferson interrupted. He gave Victoria a pointed look.

"Sorry Mr Jefferson. I was just explaining a few things to Max, just like you asked me" Victoria smiled.

"Oh really? Because from what I heard you were busy gossiping about Mr Prescott and Mr Graham".

"She was just asking me if I'd made any friends yet. I mentioned Warren and she told me she was friends with Nathan" Max said.

"I see. Well I suppose I'll let it go this time. First day and all. But a word of advice Max? You might want to work on your lying skills" Mr Jefferson teased.

Max smiled nervously, clearly embarrassed. "Yes Mr Jefferson".

Victoria watched her, somewhat surprised. "You didn't have to do that you know".

"I know. I just, well you weren't the only one talking. Didn't seem right you let you take all the blame".

Victoria just stared. Was this girl for real? Who, in this century, actually did something nice for someone? Without expecting anything in return? Well except maybe Kate, but then she could hardly be considered normal.

"Alright let's begin. Now I don't see a need to introduce myself, you all know who I am. As you all may have noticed we have a new student. Her name's Max and she's come to us all the way from Seattle. Now Max I'm not going to be like most teachers and ask you to stand and introduce yourself. I'm not that cruel" Mr Jefferson joked. The students tittered as Max slunk further down in her seat. "What I am going to ask you is to name both the interaction between light and shadow and the technique that photographers use to obtain it"

"Chiaroscuro and I believe it's the Rembrandt lighting technique". Max answered after only a few second's pause.

"Excellent. As Max has just said it is indeed the Rembrandt lighting technique. Now who can tell me what this technique involves?"

As Mr Jefferson diverted his attention to the other side of the room, Max managed to relax. She'd never liked being put on the spot like that, but at least it had been something she knew the answer to. How embarrassing would it be if she'd just froze in front of all those people?

"Not bad new girl. Hey you got plans after class?" Victoria asked, mindful to keep her voice down to avoid detection.

"I was going to meet up with Warren. He offered to show me around campus". Max replied.

"Fair enough. You know there's gonna be a vortex club party tonight. Everyone who's anyone is gonna be there. You should come".

"What's the vortex club?" Max asked. Warren hadn't said anything about that, had he?

"We're an elite group. Mostly we just throw a bunch of parties, plenty of booze and stuff. Nathan's a member and since his dad pretty much owns the school, if you're in the club you can pretty much do whatever you like. We do have some rules though. No losers or freaks for one, but you don't need to worry about that. You can't tell people what goes on a vortex parties either, well not about the stuff in the VIP section. Anything outside of that, well who cares what those losers do? And I'm sure I don't need to say this, but we don't tolerate anyone badmouthing our friends. It's a total cliché but the vortex club sticks together".

"That's…a lot of information" Max finally settled on.

There were a number of answers running through her mind. And what did Victoria mean about freaks and losers? If she had to label herself, Max considered herself to be something of a geeky hipster. But in the movies, weren't they usually the ones labelled as losers? And what about Warren? He liked obscure black and white horrors just as much as she did. Did that mean he wasn't a loser by Victoria's standards? Well if Max wasn't, that had to mean Warren wasn't either. Especially if Nathan was into him. Right?

"It's worth it. You should come tonight; it'll give you a chance to get to know everyone. Let me know if you're coming, I'll come over and help you choose an outfit. I mean no offence, but what you're wearing isn't exactly vortex party appropriate". Had this girl even heard of style? Skinny jeans, a t-shirt and a hoodie, she was like the poster child for the fashionably challenged.

"You would? Thanks Victoria. I'm not exactly great with fashion, I usually just throw on whatever's comfortable" Max admitted.

Max should have felt insulted, or at the very least mildly pissed off. But she was supposed to be trying to make friends. She didn't want to stay the geeky loser she'd been back in Seattle. Well sure she'd had a couple of friends, but that was it. And of course she'd had Chloe, before she'd left that is. But what did she have to show for staying as she was? A few postcards she'd received from Chloe, a text or two from her friends back in Seattle and that was it. Now that she was back in Arcadia Bay, the only ones who'd even noticed her had been Warren and then of course Victoria. Now Warren she could see being her best friend. The kind of guy you always knew would have your back. But Victoria, well Max knew she'd have to change to meet her standards. She wasn't sure how she felt about that. She'd always been a big believer in liking something because she liked it. Not because someone told her to. Was she really willing to give up what she believed in just to fit in?

"Well now you have me".

That would be a yes. But could you blame her? She was a teenager in high school. It was the best time for her to make stupid mistakes. And at least she'd get a few friends out of it.


Warren sighed, glancing at the clock for the umpteenth time. Just two minutes left and he'd be done, only those two minutes seemed to be taking forever. As Warren glanced at the clock again he swore in his mind. Was it just him, or had the second hand actually gone back? Well apparently the clock was out to get him, wasn't that a comforting thought?

Five, four, three, two, one and that was the bell. Warren couldn't be out of his seat fast enough. It was only when he'd exited the science lab, that he realised he'd be standing around like a loser while he waited for Max. That's when he caught sight of the vending machine. Well there wasn't any harm in stopping for a soda and he was kind of thirsty.


"Hey Victoria?" Max asked. Something had been on her mind for a while now, only she wasn't sure how to be subtle about it.

Victoria glanced up from her phone; Courtney was having yet another crisis that she just couldn't care less about. Raising an eyebrow she waited for Max to continue.

"Do you not like Warren?" Well so much for being subtle.

"I don't like what he's doing to Nathan. I don't know if he's just oblivious, dumb or both. But he's putting Nathan through a lot of shit and that's not okay with me. But I don't hate him. I mean he seriously needs an updated wardrobe, but aside from that I could grow to like him. Or at least tolerate him when he and Nathan finally hook up".

"When? Don't you mean if?"

"No, I mean when. I'm not putting up with Nathan's bitching one more year. We'll be graduating in the summer; this is the last chance he'll get to make his move. So I'm making sure he does. Even if I have to drug and kidnap one of them to get them in the same room. I'm going to make it happen and you're gonna help me" Victoria stated. "Why'd you think I didn't like him anyway?" Victoria asked.

"I didn't, Warren did. He told me a little about you when I told him I was into photography. Then we got to talking and he just said he didn't think you liked him. I guess since you're friends with Nathan I can see why he thinks that".

Victoria sighed dramatically. "Great, just great. As if I didn't have enough to deal with. Hey didn't you say he's meeting you after class?"

"Yeah" Max nodded.

"Looks like I'll be joining you. The faster he knows I don't actively dislike him the better. If he and Nathan are gonna hook up he can't keep thinking I hate him. That's just gonna create needless drama further down the line and Nathan will just start whining again. And I am not dealing with that shit again. I've suffered long enough" Victoria sighed.

'I hope Warren doesn't mind' Max thought. 'Victoria seems kind of high maintenance'.

She didn't know the half of it.

"Are you coming?" Victoria sent yet another text as she rose from her chair. It seemed everyone needed her help these days, like she didn't have her own problems to worry about. God, people could be so self-centered.

Max blinked, only just realising the bell must have rang. "Oh, sure. Warren's probably waiting, he said he had science and that's only across the hall".

Victoria nodded, fiddling with her phone once more before finally putting it in her pocket. "Let's go" she ordered. There was no questioning, it was a command. Something Max would have to get used to if she wanted to be her friend.

As Max left the room, trailing after Victoria, she spared a glance for some of the other students. Near the window sat a girl who, for lack of a better word, looked like shit. She looked pale and gaunt, like the slightest breeze could knock her over. It worried her. Maybe, after the tour, Max could find her again. Just to make sure she was okay. Would Victoria even let her? She sure hoped so.


Warren sighed. Just typical, the machine was broken. Now where was he supposed to get his soda fix? Dejected he walked back up the hall to wait for Max. Well at least he could see her again.

'Unless Victoria killed her already' his mind supplied. Well it was a viable concern. Victoria was well known for being a bitch to anyone who didn't fit the mold of the rich, hot and popular teenager that everyone wanted to be or fuck. It was shallow as fuck but it was just how things were.

"Warren!" A familiar voice broke through his thoughts.

"Oh, hey Brooke". He couldn't have sounded less enthusiastic if he'd tried.

"What are you doing just standing here?" Brooke tossed him a flirtatious smile. Warren barely suppressed a cringe.

"Huh? Oh I'm just waiting for someone. I went to get a soda but the machine's busted. So now I'm just standing here, you know waiting for Max".

"Max?"

"New girl, I offered to show her around campus, you know with her being new and all. Oh hey there she is". 'Thank God' Warren's mind supplied.

It wasn't that Warren didn't like Brooke. She was smart, kind of funny and she was usually the first to get her hands on the latest gadgets. But she was just so into him, it was almost painful to watch. And while Warren could be oblivious at times when it came to romance and stuff, he wasn't that oblivious. Well either that or Brooke wasn't really subtle. Or maybe it was both.

Brooke huffed at his side, her eyes landing on the new girl with mild distaste. As much as she hated to admit it, she was kind of pretty. She had that awkward shy thing that she just knew guys like Warren loved. And Warren was clearly into her, it was sickening. But then she caught sight of the bitch queen herself.

"I just remembered, I've gotta go. Bye Warren". With that said, Brooke scurried away. No way was she going to put herself in Victoria's path like that.

"Huh? Bye Brooke". Warren frowned as Brooke disappeared. "Weird" he muttered under his breath. That is, until he caught sight of what had made her so spooked. "Shit" he muttered again, thankfully out of the girls' earshot.

"Hi Warren, you know Victoria right?" Max smiled at him.

Of course he knew Victoria, he'd told her about Victoria. Surely she hadn't forgotten already. What was she up to? "Yeah, hi Victoria".

Well he didn't want to seem rude, no use giving her yet another reason not to like him. Besides, there was still a chance Max still wanted to be friends. Not much of a choice, not if she was friends with Victoria, but then Warren had always been an optimist.

"Warren". Victoria glanced at him, turning her attention to something behind him. "Nathan, just who I wanted to see". The look in her eyes sent chills down Warren's spine. Seriously, he was actually getting goosebumps.

"What are you doing with these losers?"

Yep, that was Nathan alright. Warren just sighed.


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KB