The silence in room 219 was noticeable, broken only by the faint scratching of pen on paper as Max wrote furiously in her journal. In a twist, unlike the stuff one normally writes in a diary, she was busy predicting the future. Well, to anyone else, it would seem like she was predicting the future. To her, she was simply documenting the past.

'More drama in the dorms. Juliet will lock Dana in her room because she thinks she was sexting Zach. I was able to rectify the situation by sneaking into Victoria's room and find the evidence on her laptop that she sexted Zach and told Juliet that Dana did it. Once that was resolved, I got the chance to talk to Dana. More drama. She was pregnant. Was. As in past tense. And it was Logan's. Needless to say, she doesn't think much of his non-support. All my friends really have their own problems. And some of them are just as significant to them as mine are to me. Sigh.'

'I get the chance to save Alyssa from a flying football. Then, on the way to meet Warren in the parking lot. I'll see Kate being hassled by David Madsen. Last week, I just intervened because I thought he was being an asshole. Now I know different.'

'The parking lot. Where to start? Warren will try to hug me, we'll have a conversation about his car and flash drive. He'll drop a few hints about asking me out, then Nathan will show up. Now that I've told Wells, he'll be all the madder, probably. Warren will take the hit for me, then I'll escape with Chloe. Seeing her for the first time in five years last week was a shock, for defo, almost a paralysing shock, but I know how it went. I just have to make sure we start the bonding again. Dammit, I love her and she doesn't even know I exist. Sigh. But I'll change all that. After what I've been through to get here, I'm not going to screw it up. I can't afford to.'

'Last week, David hit Chloe when he showed up and shit got real, I'll have to prevent that from happening. Afterwards, we went to the lighthouse, Chloe told me about Nathan, and I told her about my rewind powers. After another tornado vision, that is. Shit, what do I do if I get another vision?'

Max put her pen down, thinking hard. She was pretty sure she hadn't forgotten anything, at least for that day. When she came back tonight she'll fill in tomorrow and other days, when she had a little more time. She'd have to deal with Juliet and Dana soon, but before she could get up, her thoughts were interrupted by her phone ringing. She signed, knowing who was calling by the ringtone, and answered the phone.

"Hi Mom," she said, trying to inject some enthusiasm into her voice.

"Maxine, it's great you've finally figured out how to use that phone," said her mother.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, since we bought you the phone, you've never actually rung us. I was getting worried you didn't know how to turn it on or something."

"Okay, Mom, you've made your point," sighed Max. "I'm sorry I haven't rung. Things have been… busy here."

"Yes, I'd say you have been busy."

Max frowned. The conversation wasn't going the same way as last week, plus her mother's tone was almost… hostile.

What have I… shit, she rang last week after I wouldn't tell Wells about Nathan. What has he told them now?

"What do you mean, Mom?"

"I've just had a message from your principal. He said you've been telling tall tales about a student? Maxine, what have we told you about telling lies? Didn't we bring you up properly, to tell the truth at all times? You'd better tell us what's going on; your principal said that this is a serious false charge. You've only been at Blackwell a month, we can't have you losing your scholarship because you got into a fight with another student, or that you told lies about him or her."

"Mom…"

"Tell me, Maxine, what happened?"

"Look, I didn't tell lies, okay? I know what you've always said about telling the truth, and I told Wells the truth."

"You didn't? Then what was…"

"The other student's father basically owns the town and puts a lot of money into the school, so Principal Wells refused to believe me, or was put under pressure not to believe me. He just wants to sweep it under the carpet, so that Blackwell continues to receive its money from this guy's father."

"Max, are you telling me the…"

"Mom, I'm not lying to you, okay?" Max creased up her forehead in frustration. "He has money, okay? We don't. That's basically what it came down to."

"Honey, I'm sorry, you know we give you what we can…"

"Oh Mom, I wasn't complaining, honestly. I know you and Dad do your very best for me, and I'm so grateful to you for that. Just, please just let me deal with this, okay?"

She could hear her mother sighing. "Okay, well, at least tell me you've made some friends there."

"Yes Mom, I've made friends."

"And your plant?"

"I watered Lisa this morning, Mom."

"And you've been to see Chloe."

"I, uh…"

"Maxine Caulfield, are you telling me you haven't even contacted your best friend?"

"Mom, I…"

"Maxine?"

"No Mom, I haven't yet, but I'm planning on seeing her in the next couple of days, okay? It's been five years, I've got myself settled, and I will be contacting her."

"You sure?"

"Yes Mom, I'm sure. I want to see her. I mean, I really want to see her."

You have no idea, Mom.

"And you're sure you're alright?"

"Yes Mom, I'm fine. Please don't worry about me. I'm fine."

"I'm your mother, Maxine. Worrying about you is my full-time job."

"Ok Mom. Look, I have to go now, one of my friends is calling me."

"Ok, honey, be good ok? And don't forget to ring. I don't know if you can hear, but your father's shouting that he loves you."

"I love you both too Mom. Thanks."

"Bye honey."

Max hung up the phone and sighed.

Mom, that was a bit different to how I remember it. Of course, Wells would tell her something different, because I changed something. I'll have to keep an eye on that. Chloe was right. What was the point in talking to Wells? Man, I'm so stupid!

She rose and opened the door. She could hear some shouting coming from the corridor outside.

And cue Juliet.

"You can't get out now, Dana!" called Juliet. "So tell me the truth or rot in there!"

She quickly left her room, carefully closing the door behind her. Remembering, she wiped off the 'Will bang 4 Jesus' on Kate's room slate, and replaced it with a cute bunny. Thinking quickly, she wrote 'here 4 u, max' underneath, then turned to see a familiar sight. Juliet was standing with her back to Dana's door, fiddling with her phone and cursing when Zach (for that's who she was trying to contact) wouldn't answer.

Ok, I remember how this goes.

"Hey Juliet, is everything cool?"

"Oh, yes Max," said Juliet. "I've locked Dana in her room because we're cool. What do you think?"

"What did she do?"

"What didn't she do? You don't sext with your best friend's boyfriend, do you!"

"Ouch." Max grimaced. "How did you find out?"

Victoria.

"Uh, why do you even care? Why are you asking me? You never talk, just zone out with your camera."

"That's why I'm talking to you now, Juliet."

"Oh really?" What's my last name, then?"

"What?"

"What's my last name?"

"Come on, Juliet Watson, you're going to have to do a lot better than that. And Dana's your friend.

"I'm… flattered, Max. I didn't think you knew my name at all."

"Of course I do, Juliet. Just because I'm quiet, doesn't mean I don't listen."

"Max, do you have a best friend?"

"I… used to. Why?"

"Would you sext her boyfriend?"

"Of course I wouldn't! I'd never abuse a trust like that." Max thought quickly. "Do you really believe that Dana did that to you, and do you really believe Dane would do that to you. I observe as well as listen, Juliet. You and Dana are really good friends."

"Well, according to Victoria, Dana would do anything to date a quarterback."

"According to Victoria." Max couldn't keep the scorn out of her voice, and Juliet immediately picked up on it.

"Yes, according to Victoria. What's it to you?"

"Did you actually see the texts?"

"No, she said she'd seen them. I can't believe Dana would do that to me."

Max hesitated. "Honestly, neither can I. Do you like Victoria?"

"What sort of a question is that?"

"One I'm hoping you'll answer, Juliet. Do you like her? I mean, I know you're both in the Vortex Club…"

"Well, not particularly."

"Do you trust her?"

"No."

"And do you trust Dana?"

"I thought I did."

"So you'd take Victoria's word over that of your best friend."

"Uh, well, when you put it like that…"

"You've said you don't trust Victoria, yet you're prepared to instantly believe her, rather than believe your best friend?"

"Uh…"

"Juliet?"

To her credit, the girl looked sheepish as she unlocked the door and opened it. She stepped to one side, but Dana just stood in the doorway, trying to hold back tears.

"You'd believe Victoria over me?" she said, her bottom lip quivering as her sorrowful face told its own story.

"I… wasn't thinking straight."

"Damn straight you weren't! So what now?"

"Dana, I'm so sorry," said Juliet, wiping tears from her cheeks.

"You really think I'd mess around with Zachary?" Dana's voice cracked slightly, and Juliet looked ashamed and wiped her hand across her eyes.

"No," she confessed, "but you know I get stupid jealous. I, um, I owe you dinner." She looked at Dana hopefully. "Forgive me?"

"You'll do my laundry all week."

"Of course. Anything to make it up to you. Still love me?" Dana took Juliet in her arms and let her friend cry for a moment, while Max stood awkwardly aside. Eventually, Juliet composed herself and looked at Max, remembering they weren't alone.

"Thanks Max. You're like the Blackwell ninja."

"Don't thank me," said Max, "it's important to keep your friends close to you at all times. True, best friends don't come along all that often. Uh, Juliet, you may want to see Zach. Find out where those texts really came from."

Juliet's face hardened. "Good thought. I'll see you later." She turned and left Dana alone with Max.

Ok, phase one done. Now to get Dana talking.

"You set me free," said Dana, smiling through past tears. "thanks Max." She jerked her head into her room. "Warren's flash drive is on my desk." The two girls walked into Dana's room, Dana immediately sat down on her bed with her head in her hands. Max went across to the desk to pick up the flash drive, but noticed the pregnancy test in an open box on the floor. She didn't move towards it, instead she turned back and approached Dana, who was now sat on the bed.

"Seriously, thanks again, Max," she said, looking up from the bed. "I can't believe Juliet locked me in my room. Real mature."

"She was hurting," said Max, sitting next to Dana, "and when you hurt, you lash out. Usually to those closest to you." She grimaced. "I wouldn't want to be Zach right now, though." Dana laughed.

"Yeah, I think they had Juliet in mind when they coined 'Hell hath no fury…'" She looked at Max. "Why are you so quiet, Max? You're a lovely person, but we really don't see much of you around?"

"Just shy, I guess," said Max.

"I think it's more than that."

"Not really, Dana. I… I guess I don't fit in well with the cooler kids." She smiled bashfully and Dana returned the smile.

"Don't sell yourself short, Max," she said. "You're a good person. Victoria obviously isn't. Especially when she's around her minions."

"I don't know," said Max, "I think there might be another side to Victoria. I think she's seriously insecure, to the point that she has to belittle and hurt everybody who she perceives as a threat."

"Wow, such wisdom," said Dana, giggling. "Anyway, thanks again. Um, your flash drive, I mean, Warren's drive is over there. He's… you do know about… him, don't you?"

"No…"

"Oh come on, Max, are you blind? He totally has a crush on you!"

"Oh that!"

"Yes, that. Did you notice the flash drive?"

"I… I haven't really looked at it, to be honest," confessed Max.

"Well, there's a folder on there called 'Max'. Full of… well..."

Max sighed. "I know, but… it's difficult. I mean, he's nice and all, but I just don't see him that way at all. And I don't think I ever will. But I don't want to hurt him; he's a good friend and one of the few people who've actually been nice to me here."

"Yeah." To her credit, Dana look abashed. "I don't think we've really helped."

"Don't worry about it, Dana. At least you haven't been mean to me."

I need to turn this conversation around to pregnancy quickly, otherwise I'll miss Chloe at the parking lot!

"Um, Dana, I'm sorry to bring this up, but I've… kinda heard some rumours about… well, about you."

"That I'm pregnant?"

"Um," Max fidgeted, "yeah, something like that."

"Shit." Dana looked at the floor, twisting her hands in frustration. "It's like a goddamned reality show around here. I told nobody, Max!"

"Yeah, that doesn't really help, does it?"

"Yeah, I know," she sighed. "Can you keep a secret?"

"Of course, Dana. I mean, who am I going to tell? Nobody listens to me."

"Well… I was pregnant. Was," she said, "past tense."

"I'm sorry."

"Can I ask who…"

I know already, but I need to get her talking about him.

"Deadbeat Dad? Take a look on the forty yard line this Friday and you'll see him." She paused. "It wasn't Zachary, if that's what you were thinking."

"I wasn't, Dana. Swear."

"No, not Zach. Worse."

"Not… Logan?"

"However did you guess?" Dana's voice was laced with sarcasm. "Yeah. I need my head examined, right? Don't ever get drunk, Max. At least, not around guys who just have one thing on their minds." She laughed again. "Really memorable. And do I get support from him when I tell him?"

"I'm guessing probably not."

"And you'd be spot on. He offered me money. Money! What a fucking joke."

"Did you…"

"Take it? I had no other choice. There was no way I'm bringing anything into this world that's part of him. I mean look at him. Well, ok, don't look at him, I mean, look at who he is. I mean, he wrote me this totally shitty letter, but it was full of bullshit. All I was to him was a trophy, a notch on his fucking bedpost that he can brag to his mates that he bedded a cheerleader."

"Dana," said Max, trying to remember what it was she'd said to the girl last week. She kneeled before the girl who was still sat on her bed and took her hands in her own. "Dana, don't ever think you're just a trophy, okay? You're so beautiful, far more than I'll ever be, but you're so much more. Smart, talented, and look at Juliet. You have a best friend who loves and worships you. Try thinking about what it is that you do have, not what you don't. There'll be other guys, and other chances to start a family in the future, if that's what you want. And the chance to start it with the right guy. Just don't settle for second best, Dana. You're so much better than that."

There. That should do it.

"My god Max," breathed Dana, taken aback. "That's… beautiful. I'm really sorry, I think we've horribly misunderstood you."

"It's ok."

"No, it's not ok. Thank you Max, for caring. There's precious little of that going on around here at the moment, but I'm really grateful. We thought because you were quiet and shy…"

"Yeah, getting that a lot at the moment."

"Well, you've made a friend today, Max. Two."

"That's great. I'll see you later, Dana."

"Count on it."