Jefferson awoke in a small, dimly lit cell. His eyes adjusted almost immediately to the thin light and he could make out a locked door as well as four stone walls.

Other than a small table, a chair, a bed, a light, and a toilet, The room was bare.
He could feel the ravenous hunger roiling in his belly but the small plate of food on the table didn't interest him. He needed real food.

He inhaled deeply though his nose tasting the scents of stone, earth, and mildew… and a pair of men outside of the locked door. Guards he assumed. A minor threat. He would have to be quick.
He got up and made his way over to the wall surveying it carefully. He could taste the cool breeze of freedom on the other side.

His gaze paused as he saw what he was looking for and he smiled. A thin crack running deep into the stonework. Careless construction.
After pausing to get the angle right, he drew back his fist and slammed it into the wall. Any normal fist would have been crushed to a pulp at the impact but that didn't seem to concern him.
He pulled back his fist and slammed it down again…

...

The next few days passed smoothly. Vanessa and Ryan visited often. They came over to cook and bring food and watch movies. Chloe felt at peace for the first time in years. Her family (extended and real) felt whole again. It even turned out that Ryan was a boss on the N64.
Chloe was recovering well and moving more and more easily needing less and less help from Max.

Joyce cooked amazing food and David… well… wow.
I never knew David had stories like that. Stories from his time in the army. From his time as a world traveler. From his time backpacking in India or working farms in Asia.
I never knew David had lived a life like that before his time in the army. I guess I never asked… He so hadn't seemed like the type.

David's laugh boomed through the house often over the next few days. He had a great belly laugh that Chloe would have sworn would set off car alarms up and down the street. He seemed to have relaxed a great deal around the Caulfields who had practically moved in for the duration.
Chloe had even caught Ryan and Vanessa in a couple of (yuck) passionate make out sessions. It was like they were just kids sneaking around after dark… but still had all of the maturity and stability of adults. Chloe hadn't even considered that adulthood could be like that. Does that mean that… growing up might not totally suck?
Will file this away for later…
Maybe… growing up with Max?
Scary…

The next big date on the girl's horizon was coming up faster than either wanted to think about. Rachel Amber's funeral.
There had been some quiet chatter about it on Facebook. Classmates quietly agreeing to be there.
Chloe for her part was nervous. It would be her first time seeing the Ambers since Rachel had disappeared. Would they blame her?

Max had held her hand and squeezed hard. "It'll be ok superhero. I'll be there with you the whole time."

...

Rachel's funeral was set for a Friday morning.

Chloe was feeling turbulent. She would grieve Rachel in her own way - and had been for many months.
Max stayed very close to her making sure never to stray too far in case her old friend needed her.

The funeral was being held in the old church overlooking the cemetery.
Chloe had never been inside and she marveled at the size of the building. It's so… peaceful in here. Everything is beautiful.

Old glossy wood. High ceilings and portraits in stained glass.

I'm not super down with the whole God thing but this… There's an energy and a calm here. I can feel it…
They all sat down on the benches together. Chloe scanned the crowd and could make out a few Blackwell students.

She focused on the front of the church where a small closed coffin had been set up. A man with short silver hair walked up to the front and began to speak. He talked about how Rachel was loved and how special she had been to all of them.
Then Mr. Amber got up to say a few words followed by a few of Rachel's favorite teachers. Chloe recognized Mr Keaton and smiled sadly at the thought of their play together.

"Fly with me beyond this isle… the corners of the world a mere prologue…"

Rachel made my heart stop. She taught me how to live.
She reached over to stroke her girlfriend's cheek. Max looked back with tears in her eyes.

Squeeze. Max's hand.
I think Rachel would have been really happy to see me in love.

"Let's escape to LA together…"
We never got our chance.

That moment when they had first met… first really met at the Firewalk Concert. Rachel had seemed like a whole new person. A real person.
So many afternoons spent daydreaming about what where they would go. Late night walking the shores of the bay drinking cheap beer and laughing like idiots.
That one time she got so high that Rachel had morphed into an Angel in her eyes.

Everything they went through trying to get Sera into rehab and their joy when she went. Hearing how Sera was growing stronger and more confident in her new life in California.
Rachel's growing intelligence and fire and passion.
Being there for Rachel as she fought with her parents. Supportive when David was cruel.

The first time they had kissed… Chloe had been so scared that she was going to do it wrong.
It had been… amazing.

They had gossiped and adventured and loved together. Laughed and played. Drank and ran.
But it had not been enough to keep her safe.

Rachel had grown distant. Chloe would visit to find Rachel hung over. She wouldn't want to talk at all.

Chloe tried to hold on but Rachel fell through her hands like sand. They would fight.
Break up and cling together.

Then a fight to end all. Rachel gone for a weekend. No texts. Chloe was so scared.
They fought for hours and Rachel had stormed out.

And then Rachel was gone for good.
Her voice fading like an echo…
A long stretch of blankness. No school. No nothing. No point. Just her mom and step douche.
And then Max. A blaze of life and fire.
Suddenly she was on an adventure and had purpose again. She watched as Max went from the timid geek that she had known in childhood to a brave young woman with literal superpowers.
Max had grown so much in her short time with Chloe and Chloe had been surprised to find herself feeling older. More purposeful.

Life mattered again.

"Max?" Chloe whispered.
"Mmmm?"
"Thank you for being here. Love you more than the stars and the sky." Max gripped Chloe's hand very hard. "Love you to super-Chlo."
Max laid her forehead on Chloe's shoulder and they held hands until the ceremony was over.

Afterwards they all got up and Chloe walked slowly up to rest her hand against Rachel's coffin.
She breathed in the warm scent of the wood. It was.. beautiful. Inlayed with a tracery of silver.
Trust the Ambers to spend money on this kind of crap.

Hey Rach. It's me. I know we had a rough last few months but I miss the hell out of you…
I'd love to be able to hug you one last time or tease you or go on one last adventure together. I'd love to hear you call me names or tell me how full of shit I am.
I'd love to steal beer or smoke or drive or just see you smile one last time…

I wish I could talk to you. I wonder what you'd say to me. What you'd think of the person I'm becoming.
I wonder what you'd tell me to do next.

A small hand touched lightly against Chloe's shoulder.
Chloe turned… it was… oh my god. Sera!
She stood with sadness… but also with a confidence and peace that Chloe immediately recognized. It was the same peace that Vanessa often exuded.
Sera looks… amazing. She's so strong.

"Chloe" breathed Sera. She strode forward and wrapped Chloe in a massive hug. Chloe returned it fiercely. "Sera… you look amazing…"
"I didn't expect you to be here."
Sera bowed her head and smiled back. "I've had a lot of help from a lot of really good people. I'm really lucky to be here."

"Max this is Sera. She's Rachel's real mother."
Max smiled and they shook hands.

"Have you seen Frank?" Sera asked. "I'm worried about him."
"No I haven't. I kinda expected him to be here."
"Me too. I know what happened between him and Rachel. I'll go find him tomorrow."

I'm not surprised Sera knows. She and Rachel got really close after everything that happened with Damon. I bet she told Sera everything.
That she didn't tell me…

"Where are you these days?" asked Chloe.

"I've been living in California. After I got clean again, I went back to school to finish my degree and go to grad school. After everything that happened the last time I visited, Rachel and I decided it would be better if I built my own life somewhere else while we stayed in touch."

Wow she looks like… well Sera has that same glow that Rachel always had. She could light up a room…
"That sounds amazing. I'm so happy for you."

Sera dug in her pocket for a second then she reached out and handed something to Chloe.

It was a sealed envelope. On the front it simply said. "For Chloe…"
"We found this hidden in her room."

Wow…

Sera reached up to brush a tear from Chloe's cheek. "Chloe I'm so sorry about everything that happened. I know Rachel meant the world to you."
"She didn't mean to…" Chloe shook her head. "She was the most amazing person I've ever met in my life."
Sera gave Chloe another hug. "I made so many mistakes with her. Let me know if you ever need someone to talk to. At least I can do right by you."
Chloe nodded. "That… that would be really great actually."

Sera stayed a little while longer. They were mostly quiet just appreciating the space that had been dedicated to the girl that they had both loved.
Sera and Chloe had been through so much together. Saying goodbye to Rachel together felt like the end of and era for them both.
Eventually Sera hugged Chloe and walked away to be by herself for a while.

Goodbye Rach…

Chloe walked outside and into the sun and Max followed. She drifted over to a tree and sat under it gesturing for Max to join her.
She sat for a while enjoying how the light played in Max's hair.

Eventually she dipped her hand into her pocket and brought out Rachel's envelope.
She gently slipped it open and out slid a folded piece of paper. It was a letter.

Chloe opened and it and she and Max started to read…

Dearest Chloe,

I'm not really sure how to start this… but it's really important that I write it.

I feel like I lost my way with you and I'm not sure how to find my way back. I'm writing this because… I don't know how to tell you in person.
You held my heart for the longest time… you who are closer to a sister and a true love than I think I've ever found.

You were more than I deserved.
I'm sure you must have noticed something has been wrong.
Well - it has.

I was seeing Frank Bowers. For just a few months. It was a messy and awkward relationship and I ended it because he was becoming violent.
I never told you … well because obvious reasons. I didn't want to end things with you and I know how betrayed you would have felt.

And… this is the hardest one to tell…
I saw someone else briefly for a very short while. The new Blackwell photography teacher. I don't think you've ever met him.
He… kind of took my breath away.
That's where I was that weekend. The weekend I never texted you. He took me on a short trip to LA to show me all the amazing sights. We got to meet all of his photography and model friends.

But he got creepy. Started wanting stranger and stranger pictures of me. He would get so angry if I refused. So I said that we're through and I'm done with him.
And now I'm realizing what an idiot I've been all along.

You … who were true and honest with me. You've been so faithful and kind.
I let my heart strings get all tangled around and confused… but you…
Well you are more than I deserved.
A friend. A sister. A partner.

I'm so sorry. I feel like I've been sick. Chasing after something that turned out to be worth nothing.
And all the while I hurt you.

Sera always said that you had something that I didn't. She told me to hold on to you tight.
But I figured that out to late.

I know this is probably the end for us. I don't know how you could ever forgive me for what I did. I doubt I'd forgive me.
I don't forgive me.

But I hope that some day we might be able to be together again.
And I'll never forget anything we shared.

Your one and only,
R.A.

Inside the envelope was Rachel's blue feather earring. Chloe stared at it for a while and then dropped the letter and let her head rest against the tree.
Tears traced down her cheeks. Max snuggled in close holding her hard.

She was going to apologize…
But she never got the chance.

Chloe bent over and held her head in her hands as she sobbed. Sobbed for the loss of her best friend. Her friend. Her angel.
Max held her so tight and they rocked together. Eventually Chloe got up and started walking. No direction until she collapsed again. Max held her again as she sobbed.
A blur of concerned voices…
Chloe glanced up. It was all of her parents. Joyce, David, Ryan, and Vanessa.
They stood in a group watching her with concern and compassion on their faces.
Joyce bent down and helped Chloe to her feet reaching out a hand to dry her eyes.
"We're here for you Chloe." Vanessa reached out a hand and placed in on Chloe's shoulder.
Max said nothing. She was too busy clinging to Chloe like she might hug her pain out of existence.
David nodded at her with a sad and understanding look on his face.

That's right ... he lost a brother in arms too. He knows exactly what this is like.
Maybe that's why he always holds himself so tightly. He must blame himself for what happened. That's a hell of a rock to carry around in your soul.

Ryan reached out a hand and placed it on top of Vanessa's.

"This is the stupidest group hug…" Chloe managed a small laugh.
"Oh shut up." Max murmured against her shoulder.
"She's right guys." Vanessa laughed. "We're all a bunch of dorks." She reached out and kissed Chloe's forehead.
Chloe reached up and dried her eyes. They still felt puffy.

"Dorks rule." Said Max against her shoulder. Damn right.

Chloe still felt a little wobbly but she made it back to the car ok. She sat for a while in the back seat snuggling with Max while the parents chatted outside.
Eventually, she felt ready to leave.

On the drive home with Joyce and David, Max noticed a group text from Warren.
"Wake for Rachel tonight." She whispered quietly. "Wanna go?"
"Yeah I think so" said Chloe drying her eyes.
"It would be good to see everyone."

...

They got home to find Vanessa and Ryan already there. Both were calm and respectful of the girl's space as Max and Chloe made their way upstairs.
"Do you want some time alone?" Asked Max.
Chloe shook her head.
"Stay. I need you."

Max nodded and snuggled up next to the taller girl. "How are you feeling?"
"Ok I guess." Chloe said. Then she shook her head. "Fuck this sadness bullshit. I've been grieving Rachel for five zillion years. Let's play Kirby."

They sat down to play video games. Eventually, Joyce brought some food in and they made a picnic of sorts on the floor.
They played more N64 and Chloe heckled Max as she tried to navigate the more difficult boss fights. Max then dug out Chloe's old comic book collections and they spent a good hour laughing about spider man.

They started digging through Chloe's room looking for old treasures. Mr Sharkie. Chloe's old skateboard. Chloe's old marker set.
Max dug out an old plastic chest. She flipped it open. Inside were old pictures Max had taken. "Chloe look. Old pictures of us!"
Max laid the pictures out in a spiral pattern choosing pictures that caused the spiral to ripple in very deliberate colors.
When she was done, she instructed Chloe to lay down with her head on top of the spiral.

"Brand new camera field test. Let's go!"
Max snapped the picture and grinned as it came into focus.
The blaze of blue from Chloe's hair flowed into the warm colors of the pictures arrayed on Chloe's floor.

"Perfect."

...

Chloe and Max made their way downstairs and joined the four parents for dinner.
Max's phone buzzed.

Chloe3: does it count as "dinner with the parents" if I actually like your parents?
Maxxxx: sorry babe. My parents have to disapprove of you for it to actually count. Chloe3: Where are peoples meeting for Rachel's wake?
Maxxxx: The graveyard.
Chloe3: Nice. You still wanna go?
Maxxxx: definitely. Haven't gotten to see anyone since we got home. You?
Chloe3: Yeah.

Vanessa rolled her eyes. "Are you guys seriously texting each other right now?"

"Damn". Chloe said. "She's good"
Vanessa laughed. "Told you I work with teenagers". "I know all of your tricks."
Ryan looked wistful.
"Remember passing notes in front of your parents?"
"Oh man. I do remember. Your mom did not like me." Ryan chuckled.
"I remember she would always turn up her nose at you. Of course that just made me like you more."

"Remember that one time she tried to burn one of my letters to you? Man she was nuts". Vanessa said. Ryan laughed.
"Yeah. She taught me a lot though. If I could go back and tell her one thing, it would be that we were going to turn out ok and that she didn't need to micromanage so much"
Vanessa gestured at Joyce and David.
"If you could go back and tell your parents one thing, what would it be?"
Joyce thought for a sec.
"I was raised by a hardworking single mom who was tough as rawhide. I think... I think I would tell her how much I loved her and how much her being there mattered to me. She was always so strong."

"How about you David?"
David looked uncomfortable for a long second.
"I... well I was raised by my aunt and uncle out on their farm... but we didn't really get on too well and I lit out of there as soon as I could. I did find a father of sorts in the army. A sergeant by the name of Mathews who taught me a lot and whipped me into shape. I'd tell him that his service meant the world to me."

David never really had parents... I didn't know that and I bet Chloe didn't know either.

"How about you girls? If your future selves could come back in time to this moment, what would they say?"

Max and Chloe exchanged a significant look. Waay more possible than you think mom.

"We rock at life. We totally won."
Chloe declared. Vanessa laughed.
"That... I can't argue with"

...

Back upstairs, both girls were getting ready for the wake.
"You going to be ok driving us?"
Max asked.

Chloe tested her side and gave the thumbs up.
"I should be good. Just no running anywhere quite yet"

They ambled downstairs and out to Chloe's old rusty truck. Chloe's eyes welled up a little when she saw it.
She ran her hand lovingly along the old frame and rested her palm on the hood.
"One more thing I thought I'd never get to drive again. Rachel and I spent so much time in this thing."
Chloe popped the hood and ran an expert eye over the internals.
"Wow. David must have worked on this thing while I was knocked out."

Max smiled and tried to pretend like she knew something about cars.

I'm cool enough to know car things... I swear!
No not really...
I love how Chloe rocks it though.

They got in and Chloe just sat for a second running her hands over the interior.
"This was going to be my getaway vehicle. Rachel and I always talked about all of the amazing places we'd go."
Chloe's expression was sad.

"I can still feel her sometimes when I drive."
"I think I knew all along she was gone but I didn't want to say it out loud and make it real."

The old truck purred to life its engine rumbling with power.

"You ready to go Maxarino?"
"Yup!"

Arcadia Bay's roads were mostly quiet this time of night.
Max enjoyed the whisper of the tires and the warm scent of the truck and Chloe's jacket.
("Sure I'll feel the night…")

She's ... so much more capable than she realizes. Once she sets her mind to something, she's unstoppable.

They passed the lighthouse and the Two Whales diner. Max was quietly relieved to see everything in one piece.
She hadn't really expected anything to be out of place... but still...

Arcadia Bay is beautiful. I never really appreciated that before...
At least not like I do now.

When they got to the graveyard, they sat in the truck for a long minute.
"You ok Chlo?" Max asked.
Chloe nodded.

The cool night air felt refreshing as they stepped out of the truck. The graveyard was quiet except for the hum of crickets and the occasional murmur of a far away car as the trudged over the gravel together.

They could see flashlight beams and hear faint voices and walked towards them. "Hey Max! Hey Chloe!" Warren greeted with a huge smile.
"Hey!" Max grinned back.

It's so good to see him ok. I didn't think I'd feel so happy at the thought of him in one piece.

Warren ran forward and practically dove on Max giving her a huge hug.
"So glad you guys are ok."
He backed up to survey Max and Chloe.
"How's the?" He pointed at Chloe's side. Chloe shrugged.
"It hurts. Duh."
Warren rolled his eyes. "Smart ass."

Max surveyed the group. Warren, Trevor, Justin, Steph, and Mikey, and an older guy she didn't recognize. He had a shock of shaggy brown hair and a pierced nose and would have looked intimidating if not for the obvious kindness in his smile.

"Skip?!" Chloe said incredulously. "What the hell are you doing here man? I though you were all famous now and shit."
Skip laughed. "I was in town and Justin let me know what was up. Thought I'd tag along and pay my respects."

Chloe and the older guy hugged.
"Max this is Skip. He used to run security for Blackwell before becoming a famous rock star. He took a lot of shit from me."
Skip grinned. He had an awesome grin that totally matched his shaggy hair.

"It was all good Chloe. Actually you were the one who inspired me to quit. You were right. I didn't belong there at all and my demo was too good not to post online."
"How's the band now?" Chloe asked.
"Dude we're doing great. Some big studio just tapped us to do all the music for some new video game. Demons and hell and shit. It looks awesome."
"Hell yeah dude." Chloe pumped her fist with a huge grin.
"Sorry I haven't been better about staying in touch. Shit has been pretty fucked up here."
"Word. I was so sorry to hear about Rachel. She was so cool man."

"Yeah" Chloe's face fell a little. "I miss her every day."
Max squeezed her hand.
Steph stared for a second at their joined fingers and then a huge smirk lit up her face.
She crossed her arms. "Chloe, Max, is there something you wanna tell us?"

Max froze but Chloe had a smug grin on her face.
"You mean how I'm getting some of this on the regular?" She reached over to pinch Max's butt.
Max squeaked and slapped Chloe's arm away out of reflex then froze in horror.
"Oh god Chloe… your side. I didn't think."
Chloe waved her hand away. "Dude don't even worry about it."

Steph had a huge grin on her face.
"Damn Max, didn't think you'd go all pink lightsaber on us. You couldn't have picked a more awesome girl to come out with though."
Max stuttered. "I uh… yeah I guess Chloe's pretty great."

Mikey, Trevor and Justin all chimed in with some form of agreement.

Warren looked totally crestfallen. Justin slapped him on the back. "Cheer up dude. There's more awesome girls out there. I know Brooke is still totally into you."
Warren gave himself a shake and then put on a brave grin.
"Sorry Warren" Max said. "You're really awesome but Chloe… well I've known her forever."

Warren shook is head.
"Nah dude. I'll be alright. Good for you guys for going for it."
"Thanks." Max smiled. "And Justin is right. Brooke was totally going ape shit when she thought I was going for you."
Warren couldn't help a smile.
"Yeah she's pretty cool. I'll go talk to her about it some time soon."
Chloe grinned.
"Let me know if you need any girl coaching dude. I know all the moves." She bumped Max's hip.
Max yelped.

Damn it why am I always so awkward around Chloe?!
Not fair.

...

They all ended up sitting in a circle around a pool of flashlights. "I remember when those two Vortex assholes were giving us shit about DnD." Steph said. "Rachel started shit talking them. I've never seen Rachel take someone down like that before but I'm pretty sure one of them was crying when she was done."
"Man she was awesome." Justin said.

"I remember when she invited us to play at her party." Skip said with a smile.
"Man that was a fun night. I had no idea the Ambers were that crazy rich. I do feel kinda bad about what happened to their pool though."
Chloe laughed.
"We told her parents that someone had broken in and that's why the pool was all fucked up. I don't think they bought it but they didn't give us any shit. They had so much money, they probably didn't even care."

"Remember that one time I hid all of the weed in her room just so Wells would't find it? He didn't dare search through her stuff. I think he was to scared of her dad."
Justin laughed.
"Oops I think I might have taken most of that." Chloe grinned.
Justin put a hand over his heart.
"Maaaaaaan. I needed that weed too!"
"You coped. As I remember you even got a B on your science midterms." Chloe stuck her tongue out at him.
Justin waved a hand. "Priorities man." He held out both hands like a scale. "Weed or Academics. You gotta make the right call."

Trevor laughed. "Man Wells and his weed raids. We had to hide that stuff like crazy."
"Remember the time we filled his office with oregano? Dude I still can't believe you and Rachel didn't get in more trouble. Wells was so mad when he caught you." "Rachel could sweet talk like no one's business" Justin shook his head. "She could even put the spell on Wells long enough for him to get drunk and forget the whole thing anyway."
"Fuck Wells. Fuck him for expelling you Chloe." Steph chimed in. "You didn't deserve that shit."

"We miss you Chloe." Trevor agreed. He held a beer out to her from the cooler he had brought. She grabbed it and took a sip.
"Dude… no way am I ever coming back to Blackwell…"
"Why not man? Maybe you could talk Wells into it. He kinda owes you after all the shit that happened with Nathan."
"I'd totally help you get caught up." Mikey offered. "I'm ahead in all of my classes anyway."
Justin shook a fist at Mikey causing Steph to stick her tongue out at him. "Hey don't hate us cuz we're smart."

Chloe mused for a second. "It might not totally suck…" She smiled over at Max. "Especially cuz it would mean getting to see this cutie more often."
Max blushed with a smile.
"It would be awesome to have you there Chlo. Ya'know… if you want to…"

"You should totally come back." Agreed Trevor. "We could start a petition or something. I agree with Justin. Wells owes you big time."

"Dude what the fuck was going on with Nathan?" Justin asked. "Did anyone know about that shit?"
Chloe shrugged. "I knew he was into weird shit and we all kind suspected he had drugged Kate but no… we didn't know…"
"How's Kate doing by the way?" Asked Max. "We've been stuck in the hospital and her Facebook page has been quiet."

Mikey piped up. "She's doing ok. Steph and I went to visit her a few days ago. After all the shit with Nathan got exposed, she started getting a lot more support and she's almost back to normal."

"Dude that fucking crazy ass camera teacher." Steph shook her head. "Max you were in his class right?" "I still can't believe he… ya'know… killed Rachel. Or at least made Nathan do it."
"Yeah… I even thought he was cool…" Max looked down. "I don't know… he was just so twisted. I guess we'll never know."
Steph looked somber.
"Man I miss Rachel. I used to crush on her so hard. Still kinda do." She looked sheepishly at Chloe. "Sorry Chloe I know that you and she were a thing."
Chloe's eyes misted up for a second.

"It's cool man. I miss the hell out of her too. She was an amazing person. Every damn day with her was an adventure."
"To Rachel." Skip raised his beer. "The fucking coolest angel ever given to us from heaven." "To Rachel" echoed everyone else.

...

They all stretched out on some blankets as the lights of the town started to dim and the stars came out.

Max still wasn't sure how to feel about Chloe smoking but she loved watching the smoke curl around her girlfriend's head. It was like watching ink flow in the dark forming infinite unknowable patterns.
Chloe looks like a badass no matter what she's doing.

"Do you think Blackwell will get shut down?" Justin asked.
"Naah too much money." Chloe shook her head. "That much money can withstand anything."
"That's what I mean though." Justin continued. "With Nathan gone, who's bankrolling all the bullshit?"
"Hmmm" Mused Chloe. "You have a good point. I wonder what happens next…"

Eventually, everyone started to drift back to their cars. Max let out a huge yawn.
Chloe hooked a finger at her "Gotta get this one to bed."
Justin and Trevor nodded. "Don't go all loner on us again Chloe. Keep in touch." Chloe flipped Justin off but couldn't hide a smile.
"Whatever dude."

They trudged back to the truck. Chloe was still smiling.
The drive back was quiet. Both girls sharing the unspoken warmth of friends and cheap beer.
Max had even tried a little… not really her thing but it had felt good to toast to Rachel.

"Do you think I should try and go back?" Asked Chloe.
Max thought for a long time before responding.
"If you think it's the right thing for you. I know that parents all say that school is the only right thing to do but I'm not sure that's true. I think it's always better to follow your heart wherever you can."
Chloe was silent for a second.
"Do you want to go back?" Asked Max.

"Yes… and no. Blackwell fucked me over so hard so many times… but having you there would totally change everything. I don't know…"
Max rested a hand on her girlfriend's shoulder.
"I'm in no rush to drag you back anywhere. Take all the time you need to think about it."
Chloe grinned.
"This all assumes that Wells will even want me within 100 miles of that school."
Max laughed.
"True"

"Love you."
"You too."

...

Back at the house, both girls tried to be quiet so as not to wake Joyce or David as they snuck upstairs.

Hmm Max is… quiet… can she sense what's going on with me?
Do I even know what's going on with me?

"You ok Chlo?" Max asked.
"I'm fine." Sharp edged words. That's not true. I'm not fine. Even though I'm faking it.

Max recoiled slightly at Chloe's tone.
"Um… ok." She said in a small voice.

Shit. Now I'm just being shitty to her for no good reason.

"Just Max… I need some space ok?" More harsh words. No I don't want space from you. I want you to stay and comfort me and say everything is going to be ok.
Why am I doing this?

"Um… ok…" Max looked confused and hurt. She stood still for a second and then opened the window to Chloe's room. "Chloe… I'm sorry… I didn't mean to."

Chloe turned away and scowled at the ground. Max stood awkwardly for a long second and then slipped outside onto the roof. It was possible to use the window to get to Chloe's without going through the front door. A great secret escape hatch that she had used many times to avoid David.

Chloe felt anger. Anger at Max for no good reason.
Then it was replaced by fear… fear she hadn't felt since Rachel had walked out on her. That nightmare of an afternoon replayed itself in her mind.
Rachel yelling. Leaving. Slamming her door. Gone.

Fuck… what is wrong with me? I'm scared. Why did I talk that way to Max?
Max was being pushy and stupid and…

No she wasn't.
I pushed her away and I didn't want to admit it so I snapped at her more.
I'm so used to David hammering on me that the idea of saying I messed up, even for a second, is… really scary.

Chloe lay in bed for a minute thinking.
Why am I feeling so off? It was such a great night…

I know why. Fuck.

She shook her head. I guess now is as good a time as any to admit that I fucked up… I've… never actually done this before.
Here goes nothing…

She grabbed the blanket from her bed (might need this)
and slid her usual beanie a little lower on her head as she climbing out onto the roof.

Fuck it's cold out here. Max I'm so sorry. I'm a shitty girlfriend.

Max was sitting alone staring out over the houses. Her legs dangled over the edge of the roof.

How can I miss you when you're five feet away?

"Hey" She said quietly.
"Hey."

"Mind if I join you?" Max shook her head.

Maybe I'm not going to fuck this up…

Chloe wrapped the blanket around Max's shoulders. Max leaned gratefully into the blanket… and into Chloe's warmth. Chloe wrapped her arms around the smaller girl.

She's so fragile and so strong at the same time. "Max I'm sorry I was being so shitty."
Max snuggled into Chloe's side.

"S'ok Chlo… I know it's been a rough week."
Chloe laid her head on top of Max's.

"I'm still super sorry. I think all I wanted from you was a hug but I didn't know how to say it."

Max gave her an extra squeeze. "You've been through so much shit this week."
"Right now's pretty good." Chloe couldn't help but smile as she remembered saying the same thing to Rachel years ago.

"Max I wanna talk to you about something but I'm not sure how... it's why I... kinda bit your head off back there"

I feel so bad about that... but this... other thing... feels way worse.

"You know how when you have a bad feeling and you keep hoping it will go away but it just keeps getting worse and worse?"
"Yeah". Max leaned against her and they stared out into the night. Chloe could see the lighthouse and the lights of ships out on the bay.

It's... beautiful up here. I don't think I've been up here since that night with Rachel...

"What's going on Chlo?" Max turned her face towards Chloe's.

She looks so worried...
and she cares so much.

"Max I… I've been struggling with something for a while… pretty much ever since we woke up."
Max watched her. Chloe could see the reflections of street lights in Max's eyes.

It all came out in rush.
"I've just… I'm such a mess and you're so awesome and so smart and talented and beautiful and I feel like I'm…."

Chloe looked down her eyes focusing on nothing.
"I feel like… I'm kinda fucked up."

She felt her face burn. Boom world. I guess I'm not totally invincible…

Max reached up and ran her hands softly through Chloe's hair.
"I don't think so."

Chloe was taken aback.
"You don't?"
"Hell no. I think you're crazy brave… and crazy smart too."

Wow… I guess…

"I actually get totally jealous of you all the time. You make everything look so easy and you're so fearless. I always wanted to be more like you."
Max looked out over the street. Far away, they could both hear the faint chords of a train horn.

"I'm always so awkward and I always fumble around. You just see something you want and you go for it. Like with me. You crushed on me and you just went for it. It's like the idea that you don't deserve everything you wan't doesn't even cross your mind."
Max shook Chloe gently.
"You're the real deal Chlo. I think… I think I always liked you but I was to scared to think about what that meant."
Max leaned her head against the taller girl. Chloe looked up and smiled.
"I think you're forgetting just how awesome you are Chlo."
Max poked Chloe's side.
"And just in case you ever forget, I'm your friendly neighborhood spider-Max swinging in to save the day and remind you."
Chloe laughed "Did you seriously just cast yourself as Spider-Man?"
Max giggled.
"In this comic, I'm definitely Spider-Man with awesome muscles and you're the helpless but lovable red head that I swing in to save at the last minute."
Chloe scowled and pointed at her sapphire hair. "Do I look like a helpless red head to you?
Max stuck her tongue out. "No but you still need your Spider-Max. Admit it!"

They laughed and snuggled together under the blanket.
"I'm hungry!" declared Chloe.

They got up (brrrr fuckin cold) and made their way sneakily down stairs.
"Dude why do cheerios taste the best at 1 in the morning?"
"I know right?" Max grinned holding up her spoon.

Max waggled the spoon at Chloe.
"There issssss no spooooon."
Chloe stuck her tongue out at Max and batted the spoon away. Max pouted for a second and then went to retrieve a clean one from the cupboard.
"Jerk."

Chloe sternly set Max's cereal bowl aside and grabbed her for a strong kiss.
Max tasted like… well… cheerios and milk. Yum.

Chloe's phone buzzed.
"Yo it's Skip!" Chloe bounced excitedly.
"He says… band playing in… two weeks! Hell yeah we'll be there!" Chloe grinned and looped her arms around Max's neck.
"Life is pretty good right now."
Max smiled shyly and leaned in for another kiss…