Chapter Two: Re-reunited

"Alright Max, game plan." We had waited until we knew everyone would be in class, doing checks just to point out people trying to skip. I couldn't afford being caught, not when I was already this far ahead.

"Right, we need to be on the same page with what we tell Principal Wells." I tried my hardest to focus on the best way to get him on our side. Obviously proof wasn't a necessity since we had most of it dangling right between us. The problem was how to change the circumstances so the story didn't seem too suspicious.

"Maybe…maybe we…maybe I-" I stuttered over my words; nothing was making sense.

"You used to be better at this." Chloe laughed, a sound I didn't think I would ever get the chance to hear again. "I got it. Leave it to the professional."

His door was left slightly open and we could hear him talking to what seemed like himself beyond. Chloe nodded to me and, still holding onto Nathans shoulders, we burst through the door. Nathan's head bobbed unconsciously between us and caught Principal Wells attention instantly.

"What is this?" His voice caught, sounding utterly surprised.

"He was hanging around his car in the parking lot, knocked out before we even saw him. I wanted to leave him there, but Max wouldn't let us." Chloe was so casual even I could have believed her.

"Well. This is quite the circumstance we have here, isn't it?"

"Sir?" Chloe shot me a look that needed no translation.

"Yes Max, what is it?"

"It's Nathan. I think he needs some help. I've just noticed lately that he's been acting differently and…"

"Say no more Max. We've actually been paying special attention to Mr. Prescott here for a few weeks and our suspicions are continually being met. Is there anything you can tell me about how you came upon him?"

"No sir. We thought it was better to let someone else handle it, rather than get too involved." I peeked at Chloe as subtly as I could and was met by her usual smirk.

"Well consider it handed Ms. Caulfield." I began backing out of the room, almost scared to leave Nathan in this state. "Oh, and it's nice to see you again at Blackwell, Ms. Price."

"Don't think about it too much pop, I was just visiting Maxine here."

"Either way, you girls have a good day. Max, I'll update you when we hear word of Nathan's recovery."

"Thank you Principal Wells, goodbye."

I closed the door behind us quietly and jogged to catch up with Chloe.

"Hey! What was that?"

"What do you mean, I was only doing what I was supposed to." She kept walking at super speed, heading towards the front door.

"Maxine." I was trying to be funny but Chloe stopped in place and turned around to face me. If I looked close enough, she almost looked hurt.

"Look Max. I don't know what the hell is going on here. Why were you in the bathroom at that exact time? And why the fuck do you care about him so much?"

"Chloe I have so much to tell you and I'm not sure how to even start." I reached out to touch her hand, more carefully this time. Chloe stared at our fingers intertwined and looked away, shaking her head.

"I don't see or hear from you for five years and now you come in and fucking save my life like a movie star. And I keep getting this hella weird feeling ever since I saw you in the bathroom, like Deja-vu or something. It's like I've seen this before but I haven't. It makes no sense."

"Wait Chloe, what do you mean? What kind of Deja-vu?"

"Woah Max, I didn't ask to play twenty questions. Besides, isn't that for teenage boys who want into your pants?" So now she was the one trying to joke.

"I'm sorry, but, this is serious. You don't know how much this could change things." I gripped her hand tighter, getting too excited for my own good. Was there seriously a way Chloe was remembering everything we went through, without even knowing?

With the way my life was going so far though, it made perfect sense.

"You're right, I don't know." Chloe's voice softened a bit as she began to realize I wasn't joking around anymore. "So hey, as romantic as this is, are we going to keep holding hands in the hallway, or are we gonna get the hell out of here?"

I could hear the shuffle of bags being packed from the surrounding classrooms. I hadn't realized we had been talking for that long.

I gave Chloe's hand one last squeeze and freed them, despite wanting to hold on forever. "Let's go."