Life is Strange: Another One to Love
Chapter 2 of my Life is Strange story, enjoy.
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Now onto the story.
Disclaimer: I don't own Life is Strange or its characters.
Chapter 2
Max smiled lightly to herself as she approached the school hall, even from out here she could hear the music, she was glad she wasn't alone or her nerves would have gotten the better of her. As it was she squeezed Warren's hand, he smiled reassuringly at her, returning said squeeze.
"It'll be fine Max, you ready?" He said softly.
She gave a small smile before nodding. "Alright, yeah, yeah I'm ready, let's go."
So, together they approached the doors to the school hall and, with Max taking a deep breath to ready herself, they opened them and stepped in. Here the sound was even louder, the music, the cheering and shouted conversations. It almost reminded Max of the 'End of the World' Party; only without the pool, or feeling of dread she had felt at the time.
As they stepped through they were soon hemmed in, the crowd was intense. Max was actually surprised, normally she just wore whatever she felt like, normally jeans and T-shirt, but this time, she actually made the effort.
While she hadn't deviated much from her original style, but went more upmarket, in a pair of black designer brand skinny jeans and light blue shirt with elbow length sleeves and a slightly lower neckline than she liked, but she could live with that.
She had swapped out her battered hi-tops for a simple pair of charcoal grey flats to finish off the outfit.
'I'll have to thank Taylor for her help later.' Max noted to herself.
It was true, Taylor had helped Max pick out her outfit. It had been her way of saying thanks to Max, with Victoria still freaking out about the whole thing with Nathan and Jefferson, she had been unable to drive Taylor to the hospital to see her mother. Max had volunteered instead, surprising them both.
Warren had dressed up well too, in rather immaculate trousers and an actual button-up shirt and proper shoes, he even managed to get his hair to go flat, rather than it's usual casually messy style. Almost instantly, they heard Dana's voice, shouting over the music.
"Max, Warren!"
They turned and saw her approaching them, grinning; in addition to her fancy dress, she was wearing a paper crown emblazoned with the words 'Birthday Girl'. She seemed slightly embarrassed by said crown and Max suspected Juliet's intervention in getting her to wear it.
Nevertheless she greeted them with endless enthusiasm. "I'm so glad you guys could make it."
Warren grinned and replied first. "No problem Dana, happy birthday."
Dana grinned and Max added. "Yeah, thanks for inviting us."
"No trouble." She replied happily, before raising an eyebrow. "Wow, Warren, didn't know your hair could do that."
All three of them laughed at that before Dana had to go and greet some other guests.
"So, um, what no?" Max asked cautiously.
Warren shrugged. "Let's just...mingle a bit, talk to people, see who else we can find."
So, nodding Max let Warren lead the way as they manoeuvred through the crowd. As they did so they spotted some party regulars like Logan, he was talking to Zachary and Juliet. A few others also stood out, Max smiling as she recognized people whom, nearly two weeks ago, she wouldn't have been able to name even if they stood right in front of her.
As they mingled with the party guests, talking with some of them, as well as talking with Dana some more, Max couldn't help but smile softly as her mind drifted to Chloe.
'Chloe would have loved this...not quite a rave but, it's still a party...' She thought to herself.
There was a dull ache inside her when she thought that; she was sure there always would be. But what she truly felt was fond remembrance, and that was something to hold on to. Seeing her whimsical smile, Warren moved his arm so it was around her shoulders, she instantly rested her head on his shoulder and they stood.
It still surprised how, at times, neither she nor Warren needed words to communicate, when they were just friends it would sometimes happen, now they were a couple, it was more frequent, they just understood each other.
It was then however she spotted someone who did not seem to be enjoying themselves.
"Um, hi Brooke." She greeted, uncertain as to why the girl seemed to be glaring.
Brooke nodded, sniffing lightly. "Max."
Max bit her lip, a little worried at how cold she was, however soon she was distracted by the appearance of someone else. She spoke to Warren as quietly as she could due to the music and together they made their way over to said person.
Once they approached Max stepped forwards, smiling.
"Hey Kate."
Kate looked up from where she was sitting, a plastic cup of water in her hand. "Hi Max, great party, huh?"
Max nodded. "Yeah, I...I'm surprised to see you here..."
Kate shrugged. "Well, it's, different than last time. I swear, I saw Dana and Juliet personally search two of the guys who tried to enter, in case they were carrying anything, you know..."
"Well, it is good to see you." Warren remarked.
Kate smiled again and nodded. "Yeah, don't worry, I'm sure nothing will happen this time. I'm getting all my own drinks and not letting them out of my sight."
Pleased that Kate was taking precautions to avoid a repeat of last time, they spoke for a while before Max and Warren went to get drinks themselves.
Shortly after talking to Max and Warren, Kate had refilled her cup and was on her way back to sit down when she suddenly bumped into someone.
They both staggered, dropping their drinks.
"Oh God, I'm so sorry." Kate gasped.
The person then replied, their voice revealing it was a boy. "No, no, I'm sorry, it was my fault."
Kate got a good look at the young man who had spoken. He was taller than her, standing around six foot one, with dirty blonde hair and blue eyes, he had an athletic build and, she noted from when he spoke, a Texan accent.
He shook his head as he noted the dropped cups. "I'm really sorry about that, Miss…?"
Remembering herself she quickly replied. "Kate Marsh."
"John Olbricht, my friends call me Jack." He replied.
Kate smiled lightly, in only a short amount of time after that, getting refills, water for both of them, she was surprised to find herself talking with Jack so casually. He was actually quite respectful and polite, and, she was especially pleased to notice, genuine.
Meanwhile, Max and Warren had got their drinks, Warren seemed surprised.
"Max, alcohol?"
Max shrugged. "Just this once, it's a party, I know I'm not..."
Warren shook his head. "No, no, I get it...I'm the same."
He held up his drink and she smiled. Biting his lip, Warren spoke as he held up his cup.
"To...Chloe?"
Max smiled gently at that and replied in kind. "To lost friends."
With that they both drank, the first of more than either of them cared to count.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.
