"Oh, shit" the brunette mumbles, blinded by the morning light.
Her head could explode and her mouth is extremely dry. Her stomach's in knots, she still feels a little dizzy. She sits up slowly, grumbling, blaming herself for drinking last night. She never drank before, she's testing her limits and she crossed them last night a little bit. She opens her eyes fully and looks around. Rachel is gone, Chloe's sitting at her desk, wearing headphones she's playing on her laptop. Max carefully takes off her headphones.
"Good morning, Mad Max!" she smiles then nods towards a glass of water and some pills "Water and aspirin, for your headache."
"How did you know?" she grabs the glass.
"You have hangovers pretty often." she giggles "Are you okay? So, how's it? Being drunk?"
"Never again." she scoffs.
"That's what you always say. Uh, I hope we didn't push you too hard last night."
"It was okay. Do we act like this all the time?"
"We're open-minded." she shrugs "Not that you used to be, when you got here you were really tense, but you eased up then. You know that we're just fooling around."
"You really are crushing on Rachel!" she chuckles as she drinks the water.
"I'm crushing on both of you!" she winks, making the brunette blush.
"Actually, where is she?"
"She woke up early. She said she has some things to do but give her a ring when you're up so we can get to the junkyard and get the project half done."
"Actually, what is this project about?" she scratches the back of her neck.
"It's some group work. Not a big deal for us, it needs to be about bonds. Easy, right? The junkyard is like our third home."
"Well, what's the second?" she grins.
"My room!" she giggles "Are you hungry? Or should I just call Rachel?"
"No way I could swallow a bite. Could you just drop me out at my dorm? I wanna take a shower."
"Take a shower. You have some clothes left here. Damn, last night even I almost believed you're the Max we know."
"How did I fail?" she raises her brows.
"I know you too well. Some of your moves, your words, sometimes you paused to think what to say… Just like when we were kids."
"Uh, do you miss that side of me?"
"Sometimes. But we're not kids anymore, right? During these months I actually almost completely forgot how cute you can be. You became really wild with us."
"Huh, you ruined me!" she sticks out her tongue.
"What do you know? You love being with us, asshole!" she giggles.
"I guess so. It's so surreal, that at last everything seems to be okay. And Rachel, wowser…"
"You like her then?"
"Sure. She's like, super crazy, but I guess that's why we love her, right?"
"Something like that. But I'm warning you, she can be a major bitch sometimes. Her mood can change suddenly, just like last night." she says as she walks to her wardrobe.
"It wasn't that bad."
"Are you sure we're not pushing you hard? I can always think about something to lower the pace. I don't want you to feel weird."
"This pace is actually good. I'm opening up. It's a huge challenge, but I'm taking it and I think I'm not doing too bad."
"You're doing good." she smiles and hands over some underwear and socks "Let me choose an outfit for you."
"Guess I learned to trust you in this reality." she giggles.
"Didn't you?" her eyes widen.
"I followed you everywhere." she sends her a soft smile "But you and I were kinda different, you know? I just tried to get used to what a hell-raiser you were. I loved it actually, but I was chicken shit."
"That's something you're definitely not here." she grins "I'm happy you joined us in our little game yesterday."
"I guess I had to." she shrugs blushing "If I didn't, Rachel would've known something's not right."
"I hella dig you!" she chuckles.
"So, I'm… I really have to take a shower."
"I'm gonna call Rachel. She said she'd bring her camera and tripod."
"Is this such a big project?" she sighs.
"Now, that's the Max I know! Getting nervous so suddenly!" she chuckles "Uh, well, it's the term project. Rachel doesn't really wanna waste time."
"Term project? Jeebus… Right, I need that shower, right now. Ten minutes, I promise."
"Try to pull yourself together!"
The brunette sticks out her tongue as she leaves the room. Before she takes a shower she takes a look in the mirror. Great, she even looks terrible. No matter how tempting the thought of a hot shower is, she decides to take a cold shower instead. It may help her feeling better and wake up completely. She gives herself five minutes then she gets out of the tub, dries herself with a towel and puts on the underwear Chloe gave her, but she still covers her body with the towel. She smiles as she takes the punk's toothbrush. She needs to wash off the taste of the booze of her mouth. She remembers how she hated back then, when the trouble-maker borrowed her toothbrush sometimes. She walks back to the room, she feels better, but still a little dizzy. The bluenette's in front of the screen once again, deep in her game. The photographer smiles then puts on the light-blue jeans which she loves. It's not ripped, but it looks like someone dropped different colors of paint on it. She chuckles as she puts on the black tank top. Hello there, Cheshire Cat! She takes off the bluenette's headphones as she sits on the bed and puts on her boots.
"Can we go?"
"Looking good, Maxaroni! Sure. We're just getting some coffee on the way, we pick Rachel up and hit the junkyard. Is that cool?"
"Hella cool." she stands up "You could tell me about this term project while we're on the way."
"I will." she grabs the keys and heads out.
The brunette gives the punk a little time before she starts to speak.
"About the project?"
"Sorry. I'm just…" she sighs.
"What's wrong?" she places her hand on her shoulder gently.
"Later. The project, um… The topic is "bonds", it's group work, 50 pictures. Rachel told me she has some ideas, so we're saved."
"But it's the term project. Why the rush?"
"Don't ask me. She loves working ahead of time."
"Okay. So, what's wrong? You seem worried."
"I am." she sighs "I'm worried for her. She seems so distant sometimes. She's never locked up, not for me. Sometimes she's just gone and I have no idea where she is. She even lashes out at me recently. I mean, she loves teasing us, but recently she's just tense."
"Maybe she's just worried about her future. Is she still into modeling? Planning to hit LA and live big?"
"Yeah. She's into modeling, you're into photography, I couldn't decide yet. Fine arts or music, or… I don't know, tattooing or clothes design. I don't know if she's worried because I haven't figured it out yet, or it's something else. For college, I can't take music. I started in April and I can play a few chords, so I can't take it, but… I can still be a rock star!" she grins weakly.
"Maybe she's just…" the brunette start puzzling "What if it really is about this? Maybe she's afraid our ways will come to separate ends."
"I don't really know." she parks the car at the café.
"Are you afraid to confront her? I'll do it for you. LA could be cool for all of us, right? My parents may want to drag me back to Seattle, but I'm an adult now, right? We're gonna make it. Do you wanna make it?"
"Of course I wanna make it! I can't lose another friend. Not again." she taps on her thighs nervously.
"We're gonna make it." she gently grabs her hand.
"Thanks. For being with me." she adds "I'm buying coffee."
"My treat." she tucks her hand in her bag and hands her purse over.
"You trust me with your money, Caulfield?" she grins.
"Don't blow it!" she points a finger at the punk who gets out of the car laughing.
She's back in ten minutes. The brunette sips her coffee immediately and sighs with relief. That's what she needed. She feels much more alive at an instant. They don't talk again until they reach the Blackwell parking lot. The bluenette seems to be worried and Max doesn't want to bother her. She grabs the empty cups and Rachel's coffee as well and heads to the dorms. She knocks on the blonde's door, who answers with a tired voice.
"Yes?"
"Mad Max here." she opens the door "Good morning, beautiful." she says playfully and gives her the cup.
"Oh my god, I could kiss you!" she sips her coffee.
"You don't have to." she chuckles.
"Way too sober?"
"Way too hungover instead."
"Amateur." she scoffs and finishes her coffee.
"Hey, are you okay? You seem extremely tired."
"Didn't sleep well. I don't know what was wrong though. Now, listen. I have some things in mind and already bought some things for surprise." she winks.
"Shall we go?"
"Yeah." she picks up a plastic bag and the tripod "Don't you mind carrying the camera?"
"Sure, it's fine." she picks up the bag.
"And by the way," she grins as they leave the room "you don't look well, either."
"Whiskey and beer? Never again in my life."
"You always say that!" she chuckles as they leave the dorm.
"What else could I say?"
"No matter how many times you say that, you will definitely drink next week."
"I guess I never change."
"Good. Don't even change. You make Chloe happy." she speaks quietly.
"So do you. Wowser, are you jealous?" she asks dramatically.
"No, I'm… maybe, a little bit."
"Rach," the photographer stops in shock "believe me, Chloe would be nowhere without you."
"Well, I'd have never met her if you didn't leave, right?"
"She needed you, and you were there. And you're still here. Trust me, she loves both of us, equally. For different traits, but she loves both of us."
"I know, sometimes I just lose my shit over this, okay? I just… will you tell her?"
"If you wanted her to know, you would have told her, not me. Of course I won't. We're all equals here."
"You really are a great friend." she sighs "Hey, I'm sorry."
"Everything's forgiven. Now, let's go before riot grrl starts believing you dragged me in your room for a make out session."
"You wish!" she chuckles as she continues her way.
When they get in the car, Chloe has something on the tip of her tongue but Rachel brushes it off with a hand move. She really is not in the mood. She doesn't say a word until they reach the junkyard and the bluenette often shoots worried looks to Max. Even when they get out of the car the blonde distantly looks at the place. She walks forward like she would be in trance. The punk reaches out for her but the photographer takes her hand and leans to her ear.
"Don't!" she whispers "She's visioning. Let her."
"I'm just fucking worried!"
"I know. Just let her be for now."
"Are you coming?" the blonde shouts for them from the shed.
As they walk in, the brunette notices that it's also slightly different. "Max was here" now added to the wall as well, the dart competition score list added her name and points, and there's one of her old rubber bands on the table. As they sit down Rachel stretches and breathes some air in slowly.
"Now, my musketeers. 'Bonds', it can't be a problem, right?"
"What was in your vision?" the brunette leans forward.
"50 pictures. Max, no offense, but we're mostly bonded by Chloe."
"None taken. You're right."
"You know that I love you though!" she winks playfully "Anyway, I thought about old pictures. You two, your childhood. You have pictures right? You and me, C, right on board, we have tons of that. But we can't live on some old shitty photos. I brought ribbons, energy drinks, cigarettes…"
"You're into symbols" Max nods.
"Exactly. You two are bonded by your childhood, Chloe and I are bonded because you left, you and I are bonded by C and photography." she adds.
"I love where it's going."
"I'm figuring how many pictures we should take. If we count on the old photos, I think ten will do, right? Then we still should get forty more. If we wanna highlight what bonds you and me, and Chloe and me, we could count like… twenty more pics. Then the Three Musketeers should take twenty more."
"Sounds good. What if we use older photos as well? We took at least a million last night."
"Cool. That means ten photos, right? So we shall take thirty pics."
"Or at least we have to choose thirty pics."
"Right. C, wanna start with me?"
"Uh, sure." she clears her throat.
"You alright?"
"Yeah. Hey, Photography is not my major, okay?"
"Or…" she smirks "You're jealous. I'm bonding with Maxie, hmm…"
"I'm not in the mood."
"Come on, C!" she sighs as she looks at her ringing phone "I gotta get this." she walks away as she receives the call.
"You couldn't be more obvious…" Max says to Chloe with bitterness in her voice.
"Aren't you worried?"
"Chloe…" she sighs "I don't know. I'll figure out soon."
"Are you jealous, Mad Max?" she smirks to herself as she stands up and walks behind the brunette.
"Chloe…" she brushes off her face.
"No worries," she hugs her from behind "I'm never leaving you."
"Of course you're not!" she scoffs as she hears the sentence.
"We were… not this close, right?" she lets the photographer go, but Max gently grabs her arms.
"It's okay. I'm happy you're with me in this confusion."
"You're so sweet." she whispers chuckling.
"Stop it!" she laughs as she breaks out of the embrace.
Her heart is suddenly racing and she feels her cheeks burning. She shoves her hands in her pockets, she grabs the packet fast and lights a cigarette.
"You're hiding something…"
"What?"
"I know, there are still a lot we will talk about, but there's something you're hiding. You don't even know if you should talk about it. Come on, tell me!"
Max stares right into the azure eyes. She could tell her the truth right now, but it's not the right time. She opens her mouth to rather lie than telling the truth when Rachel returns with a sigh.
"Can we start it, like, right now? I still have some things to do. You brought your sketchbook, right?"
"Yeah." the bluenette sighs.
She grabs the book as she listens to the blonde's ideas. Max patiently waits as the punk gets into posing. Somehow she finds her extremely cute now. The brunette also struggles a little bit with the digital camera. She's not used to it. She smiles softly though when she realizes Chloe feels even more awkward behind than in front of the lens. Not that she's used to pose but it goes better than expected. Rachel's ideas are great and reveal lots about their friendship. They finish in three hours. Rachel gets the pictures tomorrow and they can decide which ones would make it for the project. The punk drops Max and Rachel out at Blackwell. The brunette decides to get through her homework. It's getting late. She closes the book and stretches in her chair when her phone buzzes. She grabs it yawning.
Rachel: Come over, wanna talk 2 U.
Max: On my way.
The brunette walks to the end of the corridor nervously. Does Rachel know something? She knocks on the door and clears her throat.
"Come in, Max."
"Hey princess, what's bothering you?" she smiles as she closes the door behind herself.
"Princess?" she chuckles "You've never called me princess before." she walks away from her desk and sits on the couch.
"A little change can do no harm. So, you wanted to talk?"
"Come here."
"What's wrong?" she sits down hesitantly.
"Aren't you… worried for her?"
"For who?"
"Chloe." she rolls her eyes "We have a plan for LA, but she's… I don't think that she could chase her dreams forever, you know? She won't earn a living by drawing. Even if she can become a tattoo artist or a musician, and we all know that it'd be cool, let's be real, what are her chances?"
"Rachel…" the brunette thinks for a moment "You know her. Plus, I thought you want to be a model."
"I…" she bites her bottom lip "It's time to grow up, okay? I'm… I'm gonna apply law school."
"I know life is scary, okay? But believe me, you have to chase your dreams for a little while. If I would've given up on photography, I wouldn't be here." she winks.
"Okay, point to Mad Max, but aren't you worried for her?"
"Worried? She's Chloe Price, Rachel! She will fight, no matter what!"
"So you support her? Art school? Well, I mean…"
"You're worried, it's okay." she gently takes her hand "But as I said, she's Chloe Price. Besides, we have to support her."
"I just don't want her to disappoint, you know? LA is huge and she got so many middle fingers from life."
"Even if that happens, we'll be next to her, right? She's our precious rebel punk, right?"
"Right." she sighs.
"Is this the thing?"
"What thing?"
"You know, you really are distant recently."
"Well, and that how I should tell her about law school. She's gonna be so pissed I move my dreams to the background."
"Don't worry, I understand your choice and I'm by your side."
"Well, that's just another reason for her to be angry." she sighs.
"She'll understand. Give her a little time."
"I know."
"Talk to her. No worries. I've got your back."
"Thanks for hearing me out, Mad Max."
"Sure, always."
"I'll let you sleep now. See you later."
"Sleep tight."
Max returns to her room, changes her clothes and goes to bed. She can have a good night's sleep at last. At least that's what she thinks. Nightmares choke her. She relives the happenings of the dark room. She can't go through this again. She feels the straps on her wrists and ankles, she helplessly looks into the eyes of the man she adored. She tries to escape but she can't, she bursts out in tears, she screams in vain. The brunette tries to shake off the hands of the psychopath but her limbs don't move. No, she has to wake up, she can't go through this all again!
She sits up and takes a look around. Tears are rolling down on her face, she's sweating. She's in her dorm. Jefferson's in jail, he can't hurt her, he doesn't even know who she is. She hopelessly grabs her phone. It's almost 2 a.m.
Max: Are you awake?
Chloe: Now I am. What's bothering you at this hour, Mad Max?
Max: Nightmares. Depressive story time?
Chloe: Right now? Let me get my stuff and I'm there. 20 mins tops.
Max: Love you so much. xoxo
Chloe: I'll be there shortly.
The brunette tries to fall back to sleep but she's unable. She's afraid she's going back to nightmare land. No, she can't take it. She sits back up, pulls up her legs and rests her head on her knees. She's rocking herself slowly. Everything is fine at last. It can't be ruined now, not now. She hears her door opening and turns back. She faces the bluenette and her eyes water again.
"Dude, you sure look awful. What's up with you?"
The brunette shakes her head first. The punk sits next to her, hugging her tight. Max tells her about the dark room, all the things that happened to her there. She's unsettled, she can't stop crying, she feels sick and ready to die of exhaustion. Chloe lies on her back, gently kissing her forehead.
"Sick bastard." she hisses "He can't hurt you anymore. You had to go through so much. But you're with me now, don't be afraid, Max. I'm gonna protect you, I promise. Calm down. I'm with you."
"I…" she sniffles "I can't even…"
"Shhh…" she runs her fingers through her hair "It's okay. Don't talk. I'm here. I'm gonna protect you, Max."
They fall into silence. The brunette listens to the punk's heartbeat. It's getting fast. She must be really upset. She truly cares for her. She gently caresses her back and whispers softly.
"Try to sleep a little."
"Don't let me go. Hold me tight, will you?"
"Of course. I'm not letting you go. Calm down. You're gonna be fine. You're my superhero, Max. You sacrificed so much for me. I'm in deep debt. I'm gonna repay."
"You don't have to. Just… stay with me. Please."
"If you promise me you'll try to sleep."
"I promise." she yawns.
"See? You really are tired."
"I'm so sorry I woke you up."
"Don't be. I'm here when you need me."
"You're the best."
"Shut up and sleep now."
Max gets back to listening to the heartbeat of the bluenette. She suddenly feels much calmer. She snuggles a little bit closer then finally drifts to sleep. No more nightmares tonight.
She mumbles when she hears her alarm going off. The punk hisses "Oh shit!" as she can hardly reach the phone. She waits a little before she gently pats the photographer's back.
"Max, are you awake?"
"I want to sleep."
"Come on. You know we need to go. Wake and bake?"
"Right before school? We should quit smoking weed."
"We? Damn, Max…" she sighs.
"Seriously." she yawns.
"You're so cute." she giggles.
"Thanks for staying with me."
"You could repay the favor." she grins.
"Fine." she sighs and kisses her on the cheek "Thanks for staying with me."
"Well, yeah, I love morning kisses, but…"
"But?" she rolls her eyes.
"I didn't tell you where I want it."
"Keep it in your pants…" she sits up.
"I'm pulling your leg, dude, come on!"
"I'm not really in the mood."
"Okay, okay. Why don't you pull yourself together? Take a shower or whatever you want, I'm going out and get breakfast. Donuts and coffee?"
"Why the fuck not?"
"I'll call Rachel."
"Okay." she yawns.
"You're hella cute." she playfully ruffles her hair.
"And terrible in the mornings, so…"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm bringing your coffee. I'll be on my way, right after you kissed me."
"It's way too early for your games, Chloe…"
"Come on! A kiss on my lips and I'm outta here." she leans forward.
"Okay, fine." she sighs and kisses the punk on the lips "Now, get out!" she grabs her shower supplies.
"That's not how you treat your woman, Caulfield!" she opens the door.
"My woman?" her eyes widen.
"I didn't mean to confuse you. Sorry. Meet you in twenty." she kisses her on the cheek and rushes out of the dorm.
The brunette heads to the showers, now she's even more confused than before. What's between her and Chloe? Since when are they playing like this? Or is there something more behind this? Max brushes these thoughts away as she gets out of the shower. Or at least she tries to. She definitely has to talk about it with the punk and the sooner the better. She puts on her clothes and checks the time. She's running late. She holds out her hand and tries to rewind to get some extra minutes. She forgot she lost her powers. As she closes the door her phone buzzes. She receives the call with a sigh.
"What is it now, Chloe?"
"You're hella late, where are you?"
"You don't need to get worried. I'm on my way. You?"
"At the fountain as always. Come on, pull your boney ass here, your coffee's almost cold."
"So, my ass is boney…" she chuckles.
"I see you really got the point. But you know I can check it out again anytime."
"Oh yeah, and you can always dream about a hella hot threesome with Rachel and me."
"It's so not fair!" she giggles "Don't leave me hanging, you know it's a hella awesome dream, let's make it true!"
"You wish." she looks straight at the punk from the gates and puts her phone away.
The photographer sits down and gets her coffee. She lets out a sigh then takes a look around. Blackwell is wide and awake. The usual cliques are all around. The brunette takes some moments to check out the skaters. They're so active in the morning.
"Listen, asswipes." Rachel says "I'm getting the photos after school. Have you found any?"
"I brought as much I found, I'll get through them with Mad Max when we finished."
"We could put them together in the evening."
"Sounds good."
"You're in, Mad Max?"
"Sure thing."
They continue having breakfast in silence when Justin walks up to them.
"Yo, it's always good to see you three around."
"Wassup, dude?" the bluenette shoves her hands in her jacket's pockets.
"All fine. Hey, wanna thrash after school?"
"I can't. I'm with Mad Max after school. You know…" she winks and the brunette almost chokes on her coffee.
"Cut the bullshit Price, it's way too early for this." the brunette sighs.
"Come on Chloe, let's thrash!"
"Seriously, I can't. We have to get through the project first. Maybe another time."
"Shoot. You three sure know how to break hearts." he shakes his head and walks back to the guys.
"You're so cruel sometimes, C." the blonde giggles, finishing her breakfast.
"Seriously, what else could I do? I'm still nice. I'm out and proud, and yet…" she sighs "I'm gonna buy a rainbow T-shirt with a catchy slogan like: 'Hey! I'm hella gay!'. It's just getting ridiculous…"
"You're getting ridiculous! It's obvious, Justin's just... guess he hasn't heard the news."
"The news? Since when it's news? I came out in August, dude!"
"Well then, it can't be helped…" she leans closer to the bluenette "I'm gonna buy you a fucking hella gay shirt!"
"Aw, I thought you'd kiss me this time…"
"Sorry Chlo, not today. Max may kiss you."
"Bullshit." the brunette raises an eyebrow "She already got her portion."
"No wonder. You'd do anything to be left alone in the morning. I hope you made her beg."
"Just a little bit." the photographer shrugs "I'm not that cruel."
"Oh, hey, adorkables?" the punk gets enough "School? Remember?"
"And I'm the nerd here…" Max scoffs.
"Well, you are! An adorkable nerd."
"Dude, get together already!" the blonde giggles as she makes her way to the main entrance.
"Getting jealous, Rach?" she smirks as she wraps an arm around the photographer.
"In your dreams, punk!"
"At least I can dream! See you later, asswipes!"
Chloe heads upstairs while Rachel and Max hits the Photography lab. The new teacher seems much nicer than Jefferson. The brunette only has to get through the day and then… then what? The most awkward conversation she ever had.
Actually, this day wasn't as bad as she expected it to be. School's not that bad, after all. But now Rachel's gone to get the photos and she's alone with Chloe again. The punk browses her CDs. What should she tell her? The bluenette looks at her smiling.
"What's bothering you, Super Max?"