Max's Pov- It's been a week so far since Ember and i started hanging out i have to say she's as Chloe would say "Hella cool." We've had lunch together everyday and we hang out till we hit the sack after school either hanging out or doing homework together. Iv'e haven't felt this good since Chloe's passing Ember really did help a lot She even encouraged me to talk to my old friends again i was reluctant at first but now me and Dana are talking again and all is forgiven between us. Ember is so amazing she look's and act's so cool and carefree like Chloe did but she can also be so caring, sweet, understanding and listens like Kate, she's like a mixed chemical of my two favorite friends. Honestly if Ember didn't do what she did...i don't know how much longer i could have lasted she saved me and is still saving me i still have my moments where i get so depressed the world around me turns black and white but every time that happens Ember shows up and brings all the color back.

But tonight as we had our nightly ritual of killing zombies i noticed something was bothering Ember she seemed more...out of it. She helped me maybe i can do the same thing in return. " Hey Ember everything ok? You seem...distracted."

Ember sighed and paused the game and turned to look at me. "Max there's something i want to tell you it's been bothering me since we first met but i didn't want to bring it up to early."

Now i'm worried is she upset that i hit her? I mean that's understandable i still feel so guilty doing that but i thought she was ok with it. "Is it because i hit you?" I asked nervously

Ember just shook her head with that famous smirk she always give's. "Nope not that like i said no hard feeling's for that,..no it's something else..about Chloe."

I swallowed a lump in my throat i see why she's avoided it now. Chloe is still a hard subject for me to talk about openly. " What about Chloe?"

Ember sighed and asked. "First i need to know if it's the same person. Did she have a sleeve tattoo, blue hair, black beanie, and totally looked like a punker girl?"

I didn't say anything just nodded trying to keep my tears from bursting out of my eye's. With all the tears iv'e made Arcadia Bay should have drowned in them by now." I saw alot of sadness wash over Ember's face and i saw a lone tear go down her cheek. " Did did she know Chloe? but how she just moved here?".

"I knew Chloe Max...not for long but..i still saw her as a friend." She wiped her eyes trying to keep them dry. and i had to ask.

"How did you know her?"

Ember made a sad smile. " About 5 months ago when my parents and i were house hunting we decided to stop here and see what they had for sale, Of course talking about house finance's with the sale's woman was boring with a capital B so i went around scoping the sites and i ended up at the two Whale's diner to grab something to eat, I looked around for a spot to eat when she came in behind me and bumped into me."

Ember's pov- "Shit sorry about that."

I looked at the person who bumped into me and it was a woman my age with blue hair and the most care free demeanor iv'e ever seen. "No problem, Nice hair."

She smiled and replied. "Thank's was just about to say the same to you looks good, Hot rod flame's never would have thought of that."

Her smirk made me blush a bit but i smirked back. " Thanks and i have to say not many people can pull off blue hair but it looks good on you."

"Shit yeah it does, Nice piercing."

"Nice tattoo"

"cool eyes"

"Cool Beanie"

"Chloe"

"Ember"

We both laughed at that bizarre but awesome introduction she casually put her arm around my shoulder and in response did the same."Ember my fiery hot new counterpart you and i are going to be good friends!"

I smiled brightly. " I think we are to Chloe so lets sit down and munch down im fucking starving!"

Chloe smiled back. "That's the fucking spirit and discount on me your lucky my mom works here."

We sat down and talked for hours. Chloe was a good person and hoped i could see her again.

Max's pov- "After that we hung out everyday for four day's till i had to move back..when my parents decided to move to Arcadia Bay i was excited that i could see her again..She told me about Rachel, how miserable she was, I promised her that if i did move down here i'd help her out as much as i could but we didn't keep in contact after that because like i said i wasn't 100% sure i was moving here and didn't want to get her hope's up..." Ember put her hands over her face as she wept. " When i didn't see her i thought..i thought she found Rachel and moved to Los Angeles that she dreamed of doing i..i didn't know she was dead."

I couldn't stop my tears too. "Ember kept all this bottled up for my sake how much more amazing can she be? Ember im so sorry."

I scooted over close to her and hugged her and she immediately hugged back as we both cried. " I guess i was wrong after all someone else did care about Chloe after all."

After we both calmed down Ember broke away and asked. "Max..how did she die? i have to know."

I choked down a sob. "Im surprised you don't know with all the gossip."

Ember shook her head. "I don't listen to all that gossip and drama bullshit so please..tell me."

She had the right to know so i took a steady breath and told her. "She was shot..in the girls bathroom in the school, by Nathan Prescott."

For the first time i saw Anger flash in Ember's eye's. "Nathan! i knew that son of bitch was fucking crazy but..fuck!"..Sorry Max."

I shook my head. "It's ok believe me i completely understand."

"But fuck Max, Chloe deserved so much better than to get fucking popped in the damn shiter room..Fuck..i should of been here to help if only we moved here sooner."

She buried her face in my shoulder and all i could do was rub her back as she took deep breath's to calm herself down. After she did she asked another bad news question. " Did..did they ever find Rachel?

I bit the bottom of my lip and answered. "She...She's dead to" Her grip on me tightened and i felt her shake.

"How?" She mumbled into my shoulder.

...

"Max..tell me please i feel theirs a lot more i need to know."

"she has no idea". I took a breath and began. "Mr. Jefferson the photography teacher that was replaced by Mr. Asshole...He..He had Nathan buy drugs from this dealer and Nathan used those drugs to knock out girls that go to school here...Then he took them to Jefferson's secret dark room no one knew about and took photo's of them..very creepy photo's then Nathan would drop them back to school before they could come around making it seem like they were just drunk...Rachel Amber was one of the victims and she...Died because they overdosed her and they buried her in the junkyard to hide the evidence...Chloe knew Nathan was doing something horrible with the drugs he was getting and confronted him about it in the bathroom..then she was shot...Nathan was arrested, He ratted Jefferson out they arrested him and we had Chloe's funeral and...that's it. that's everything..Im so sorry Ember."

My shoulder was completely soaked in tears by this point. "Oh god..oh god i think fuck, i'm going to be sick!" And she wasn't lying she bolted to her trash can and starting throwing up. I stood up and walked over to her on shaking legs pulled her bangs back and rubbed her back.

After she was finished she sat down on the floor and took deep breath's. "Max..thank you for telling me, i know it was very difficult for you but, thank you i needed to know."

I wiped my eyes away from the fresh tears. "You were Chloe's friend to you had the right to know."

She grabbed a couple tissue's and wiped her mouth and face clean. " How about in honor of Chloe, Rachel and all those poor girls that suffered through that, we kill some Zombies and imagine them as Jefferson's and Nathan's."

I stood up with her and replied. "But that would be an insult to zombies."

I smiled a bit as she laughed. "So true Max so true..how about we just turn in early tonight?"

I nodded i wanted to hang out more but this whole conversation really wore me out. " I wouldn't mind that, goodnight Ember."

Before i could get to the door she asked. " You can stay the night Max it's late and im sure the guards are patrolling by now, don't want you getting in trouble..plus i don't feel like being alone right now."

My face felt very hot as i blushed. I haven't spent the night with anyone beside's Chloe but Ember does have a point my room i s just a few doors down but i could still get caught and..i'd be lying if i said i wanted to be alone right now. " Sure Ember that sounds..ok."

She smiled. "Awesome our first sleep over! You can have the bed i can sleep on the floor."

I shook my head. "No way you take the bed and i take the floor it's your bed"

"Your the guest"

"You insisted."

She giggles. " Alright alright how bout we just share it then."

My face goes red again and i could have sworn her face had a little red hue as well but her skin is a bit to dark to tell. " I guess...that works"

"Great i don't think i have any cloths that might fit you"

"Good thing i'm always prepared" "Don't worry i have a pair in my bag."

"Cool i'll turn around and let you get changed then".

I pulled out my pajama's and changed into them and told her it was clear she turned around smiled and burst out laughing.

"Oh wow Max that is the most adorable night shirt iv'e ever seen!" Ember laughed and i instantly blushed.

"Hey don't make fun of my chick shirt" I pouted.

She stopped laughing and gave me an amused smile. "Sorry i meant no offence, your just so damn cute sometimes it should be a crime."

I didn't say anything as i slowly walked to her bed and sat down and closed my eyes. Ember took that as her que to change as my thoughts raced. "Oh my dog i can't believe i'm sharing a bed with Ember, stop it Max it's just a friendly gesture don't make such a big deal out of it, And her comments? She's just a big flirt like Chloe was she doesn't mean any of it."

"Alright it's safe now."

I opened my eye's and if it was an anime my nose would be bleeding right now. Ember was standing before me in a black sport's bra and black sweat pant's with flame's on them. "wowser...i never noticed how well built she is..she has a small six pack going."

Ember smirked. "See something you like?" She teased.

I was so embarrassed i didn't answer, all i did was laid down, faced the wall with my back turned and yelled. "Good night!" "Smooth Max smooth"

I heard her chuckle lightly as she turned off the lights and got into bed and face the other side of the room. "Night hipster Max" Then to my amazement and amusement i heard her snoring instantly.

"She doesn't waste time falling asleep." I closed my eye's and drifted off myself.

I was at the lighthouse the storm has almost reached the town and Chloe was begging me to save it. "Max please! Do it for me i want this, this is what i want!"

I shook my head crying. "Chloe no! I can't I love you to much please don't make me do this i can't watch you die again!"

Chloe just looked at me with disappointment. "Max i was destined to die you just have to accept that!"

"I can't Chloe i can't! You mean to much to me!" I screamed.

Chloe shook her head sadly and reached for something behind her back and to my horror pulled out a gun, not David's but Nathan's. "If you won't do it then i'll have to myself!" She put the gun against her head and i screamed. " Chloe please no!"

BANG

"Chloe!"I screamed sitting up covered in sweat and tears.

"Max!"

I looked over as i panted and saw Ember looking at me with complete worry. I didn't say anything as i slowly scooted over to her and fell into her arm and wept as she held me. "Chloe..."

Ember rubbed my back soothingly and whispered words of comfort. "Shhh Max it's ok shhh deep breaths and relax...i got you Max your not alone, I miss her too."

I looked at the clock and it read 1:36 A:M. "Im sorry" i chocked out.

"It's fine Max nothing to be sorry for im here for you, Need some water?"

I didn't want her to let go for the first time in so long i felt safe, protected and warm but i was thirsty. I just nodded and she carefully got out of bed went to her fridge and brought back a bottle of water. "Drink slow"

I did what she said and my throat felt better. "Thanks" I mumbled.

She gave me a soft smile. "Anytime Max." She put the water next to the night stand and we both laid back down. "You ok? Want to talk about it?"

I can't lie to her but she will never understand the situation even if i did tell her because then id have to tell her about my stupid time power's that im not sure i still have. I just shook my head and answered softly. "No..i'm not ok..and i can't tell not yet..i'm sorry." She brushed some tear's away from my cheek with her thumb.

"Don't be, thank you for being honest and you tell me when your ready ok? No rush."

Dog why is she so amazing? "Ok...can...can you hold me...at least until i fall asleep?" I'm so embarrassed i can't believe i asked that.

She didn't answer all she did was give me a sweet smile and pulled me into a soft warm embrace. "Good night Max"

Good thing she couldn't see how red my face was. "Night" It actually felt really nice being held by Ember like this. I feel so warm, safe and protected like nothing in the outside world can hurt me now. I snuggled into her and buried my face below her neck. "Thank you." I whispered. In response she tightened her Embrace just a tad and I closed my eyes and fell back to sleep.

I slept soundly and peacefully through the rest of the night.