"Max?"
"Shut up and read."
The couple is lying next to each other in the dorm, facing each other. They are trying to study, but seemingly Chloe is not that interested. Weeks have passed and nothing interesting has happened besides two things. Three weeks ago Brooke asked Max if she minded her started dating Warren. The photographer does not mind at all. Her little world is spinning around the hell raiser. It's just another lame attempt from the guy to grab her attention.
Last week Rachel told about Frank. Max tried her best to look surprised, not that Chloe would have noticed anything of it. The brunette could not decide what annoys the punk the most. The lies? Frank? The drugs? They have never talked about that again. Rachel and Chloe had a pretty bad fight about it. They kept yelling at each other in Max's room until the Principal showed up and asked the bluenette to leave. They both ended up in tears, blaming each other for things like none of them is understanding enough, wounds from the past was ripped open about parties and irresponsibility, boys and girls… Max was actually happy for Wells showing up. They don't really talk ever since then, and bringing this whole thing up would be worse than walking into the ocean with a heavy stone.
"Max, listen…"
"What?" she sighs as she puts the book down.
"I think we need to talk."
"About what?"
"More things, actually. I don't wanna scare you, it's nothing bad."
"Okay…" she rolls her eyes.
"I think I know what I wanna do with my life. I mean, I may end up in community college, or I could be a graphic artist. It would be hella awesome, right?"
"What about Fine Arts?"
"We all know it's too high for me. I just… don't wanna be a loser anymore, okay? Especially now I have you."
"Chloe, you're not a loser."
"Sometimes I still feel like a loser." she crawls to the brunette and cuddles her.
"Since when are you a loser?"
"Uh, ever since I decided not to care? You know, I wanna achieve something."
"And you will. Just keep on studying."
"Well, that's it. I'm not really the studying type. But graphic school, it could be my thing."
"It sounds good actually."
"Approved?"
"It's your life, not mine and you know that."
"Yeah, but you're part of my life."
"Okay, approved."
"The other thing…" she says hesitantly.
"Who is she?"
"Who?" her eyes widen.
"The girl you seeing. Fucking?"
"Don't be ridiculous, Max. There's no other girl."
"I know." she grins "I just wanted to tease you a little bit. I see you're nervous."
"Yeah, its… about the holidays. They're around the corner, and…"
"You're worried."
"I guess you're going home, right?"
"Yeah."
"But do you really have to?"
"I haven't been home ever since… almost forever?"
"But it's Christmas, Max!"
"Yes, it's Christmas, that's why I need to go home. Everybody spends Christmas at home."
"But… you're my home."
"Aw, you mushy punk!" she kisses her on the cheek "I really need to get back to Seattle. It will be no more than a week."
"You mean an eternity…"
"Aren't you sweet?"
"Seriously, I'm gonna hella miss you, don't leave me here! I bet my mom and David's gonna work, I don't wanna spend fucking Christmas alone!"
"What about Rachel?"
"She… she goes to Long Beach with her parents for some family stuff, too."
"It won't be that bad, I promise. I'll be back before you knew about it."
"Have you told them yet?"
"What?"
"Max…" she rolls her eyes "Us?"
"I'm planning to. It's just not a thing you tell over the phone."
"Yeah, right…"
"You know I'm right, no matter how much you keep rolling your eyes, Chlo…"
"So I can't miss you when you're not around?"
"You really need to do this, huh?"
"I'm… sorry…"
"Okay, you know what? Let's tell them together. Take me to Seattle. You know what? You could even spend Christmas with us."
"Right, just make it even more obvious before the disaster strikes."
"We have to tell them eventually. What's the worst case scenario in your head?"
"I don't know, like… you come out, you tell them we're together then your mother kills me with her laser eyes?"
"You're ridiculous!" she giggles "The worst thing can happen is that I come back with you straight away. Okay?"
"Yeah, sure."
"You were nervous when you came out to your mom, right?"
"Not really. I wasn't nervous to come out. I was nervous to tell her we're together. Not that anyone can hold me back from you."
"Stop worrying then. It will be fine. I'll call them tomorrow. Now, let's get back to reading."
"Don't be a killjoy!" she pulls her closer.
"Chloe…" she sighs.
"What if I want you?"
"You can get me when you finished the book."
"Oh, come on!" she kisses her neck "Just a little bit…"
"Right, it always starts out with a little…"she chuckles.
"Come on!" she whispers.
"I hate you."
"I know." she kisses her neck again.
"Okay, okay, lock the door, dumbass."
"Let it be more exciting this time."
"Forget it, no. You shouldn't even be here."
"Come on, you're gonna love it." she reaches under her sweatshirt.
"Chloe, seriously! Don't!"
"Okay, okay, just a little bit, please. I'll lock the door then. I promise."
"You've got five minutes."
"Cool."
She kisses her hard, the photographer's arms immediately wrap around her neck. The punk smiles softly and looks into her eyes. Her hands gently caress the brunette's sides under the sweatshirt. Max smiles back.
"What are you thinking about?"
"I'm so lucky to have you."
"Are you?"
"Hella yes!"
"So you're lucky to have a poser-loser in your life?"
"You're not…" she sighs as her phone buzzes notifying her she just received a message "Max, I love you. You make me whole. You have always been. And don't even start the "But then I disappeared for five years" stuff! I love you. That's all. And some day you're gonna be my wife."
"Oh, yeah!" she chuckles "I have to say I do first, dumbass!"
"Well, wouldn't you?"
"I don't know. Who knows how much we will change in LA?"
"Max Caulfield, destroyer of the most romantic moments…"
"You don't have to be with me, you know…"
"Asswipe." she chuckles as she kisses her.
The bluenette's phone rings for exactly five seconds. It's Rachel's sign. She wants to know if she received the message. She rolls on her back and gets her phone. She sighs as she looks at the brunette.
"Rachel wants to talk."
"It's time to settle this."
"Yeah, sure."
"You barely talk. Listen, you're friends, Chloe. It can't go on like this."
"Max, the bitch lied straight to my face!"
"I should've known…"
"What?"
"Uh…"
"Max?" she sits up.
"Listen, it's no biggie, it's…"
"You knew!"
"Yeah, I knew. But only because…"
"She banged Frank in the original timeline and we found out. You lied to me."
"It was for your own good and you know it."
"Do I? I can't believe you. Back then you said you know nothing. I… I gotta go. I'm gonna talk to her, and right after that, to you."
"Chloe, listen…"
"No, not now. I'm just… hella disappointed, you know?"
"Chloe!" she sits up.
"We'll… talk about this later."
The punk leaves without saying more. That look on her face though... It reminds me the day Max told her she moves to Seattle. The photographer lays a hand on her book then she shakes her head. She knows she loves her… doesn't she? She picks up her phone. She takes a deep breath and pulls it to her ear. The device seems to be extremely heavy now.
"Hello?"
"Hi, mom."
"Well, how are you, Maxine?"
"I'm fine, I just wanted to talk about something."
"Really? Boy trouble?"
"N-no, it's not boy trouble, it's the holidays, actually."
"You can come anytime you want."
"Yeah, that's cool, I was just wondering… Would you mind if Chloe spent Christmas with us? She would be alone, and… I thought it would be nice."
"Well, sure?"
"Joyce and David will be working, so I don't want her to be alone and they let me stay during summer."
"Yes, of course. Nobody should be alone during Christmas. Is she still such a hell raiser?"
"No, she's actually getting a lot better person. I mean, she's always up to a party, but wouldn't pick a fight. She finally decided what she wants to do after graduation."
"Really? And what would she do?"
"Community college. It's still better than nothing, but I guess she will end up as a graphic artist. It would be cool, she has talent, so why not?"
"If it makes her happy."
"Mom, there's one more thing…"
"You're not pregnant, are you?"
"Pregnant?" her eyes widen "No, I'm not pregnant. Mom, Chloe and I… we are… dating." she manages to push the words out of herself.
Vanessa remains silent for a while. Max can't say a word. As she opens her mouth her mother speaks again.
"I guess we all saw this coming." she sighs "Since when?"
"A couple of weeks. It's… I love her, you know?"
"Yes, I know. Does she treat you well?"
"Yes, of course. We still have our little fights, you know, just like when we were kids, but I guess it's totally normal for us. I know I shouldn't have told this over the phone, but… I think it's about time."
"It's not a big deal, right? As long as she doesn't hurt you."
"There's never a guarantee, I guess. And I can hurt her, too."
"Does Joyce know?"
"Yes, she was kinda thrilled about us."
"You have to know I'm not that thrilled. But as long as that's what you want…"
"Thanks, mom."
"I will tell your father."
"Okay. At least he won't be surprised. I-I have to go, but we may talk later."
"Sure, honey. Take care."
"You too."
She hangs up the phone then sits on her bed. She brushes off her face. After she told her mother, Chloe just won't break up with her, will she? Both of them are getting tenser, but it's most probably because of the GED and the thought of a new life getting to them. The brunette keeps walking in her room. She jumps for every noise and keeps looking at the door, waiting for the bluenette to return. She is getting tired. She sits on her bed and leans back to the wall. She drifts asleep in minutes. She groans as she feels a kiss on her cheek.
"Chloe?"
"Hm?"
"What time is it?"
"Don't mind it. I'm going home anyway. Just wanted to give you a goodnight kiss."
"No, don't go." she mumbles half-asleep.
"It's hella late. It's better if I go, Max."
"You're mad at me."
"I'm not, I'm just… You're half asleep."
"So what? Come here, let's cuddle up."
"Max…"
"I told my mother."
"What?"
"I told my mother we're together."
"You're out of your mind."
"I'm not." she sits up "I love you."
"See, you're out of your mind! Uh, what did she say?"
"That she's not thrilled but as long as I want this and you don't hurt me, she's okay with it. And you can spend Christmas with us."
"So…" she sits next to her "You love me, huh?"
"If it wasn't obvious up until this point, I do."
"Sorry I freaked out. I know you didn't tell me because you wanted to avoid this. We talked about this. Calmly. We're all good, I just… lose it sometimes, and Rachel's not the one who couldn't defend herself, so… I'm sorry I scared you."
"I thought you'd leave me." she lays her head on the punk's shoulder.
"I won't leave you, asswipe! But really though, trust… You now it's essential."
"I just didn't want you to freak out."
"I know." she sighs "I really am sorry."
"It's okay." she kisses her on the cheek "I'm sorry, too. I should have told you."
"You were right, I'm just… I don't know what's gotten into me."
"Insecurities? You know you have to trust me, too."
"I know…"
"Okay, forget it." her hands slip under her hoodie "You left me hanging…"
"What, you serious?" she chuckles.
"I am." she kisses her neck.
"I thought that you're half asleep."
"Come on, like you'd mind."
"Okay, I don't." she locks the door "I was hella surprised the other day though."
"Which day?"
"Oh, you know, when you actually did eat…"
"Okay, okay!" she blushes.
"I didn't mean to embarrass you. I'm happy you're getting more and more comfortable with me." she kisses her cheek.
"I have to if you want me to be your wife."
"So you say yes?"
"We'll see. You won't propose right now. It's illegal in Oregon anyway."
"Yeah, but not in California, so…"
"Hold your horses!" she chuckles as she kisses her neck.
"Trying." she tilts her head up.
"Oh yeah, try to be quiet this time."
"About that… I don't wanna be quiet. And… I can't even be quiet." she blushes.
"At least try it. I want you."
"I kept trying, Max."
"So, I'm not that bad after all."
"Oh, shut up! Let's just postpone it for tomorrow afternoon. My mom will get home at night."
"Come on! You know I don't offer this every day." she whispers.
"Right, so we're risking to get kicked out of Blackwell?" she grins.
"Come on, you have to try it. Don't you want me?"
"Of course I want you!"
"Please don't tell me you're not in the mood!"
"Oh, come on! We… can't risk it and you know it. But tomorrow" she leans to her ear "I'll be yours. And we will see if you'll get as brave as the other day." she kisses her cheek.
"Okay, but tomorrow… You know what? I will think of a punishment for you."
"Okay, but I can offer this for tonight: cuddling all night long. Even naked if you want."
"And you're still tempting me? You're playing totally unfair!"
"Okay, well… I can sing to you then. Quietly. Deal? I can even whisper sweet nothings. Or syrupy real things…"
"Now what, feeling guilty?" she grins.
"Oh shut up!" she gets on top "I'm trying to be sweet!"
"Okay, you're sweet and all, but why don't you just fuck me instead?"
"Damn, you really are in the mood, huh?"
"Why don't you check it?"
"So, I'm trying to be sweet every once in a blue moon and you wanna be a horny, seductive hipster at the exact same time…"
"What? You're not even curious about what's going on down there?" she wraps her arms around her neck.
"Well…"
"Can't you just be sweet tomorrow? We don't have to cancel the plans, but you know… I want you know."
"Tell me how much." she smiles as she rolls her eyes.
"Check it."
"Max, you know you can't…"
"Why? Why don't you just try to be quiet?"
"I… I tried" she blushes "I can't be when I'm with you. Just remember last time…"
"Oh, Dog!" she chuckles "I loved that!"
"Yeah, now you understand why you can't get me right now."
"Were you really trying?"
"What? Do you really think I love the fact you hear me moaning and… screaming? It's not only you who can get embarrassed, Caulfield…"
"Aren't you sweet?" she giggles as she kisses her on the cheek.
"Oh, shut up!"
"Okay." she sighs "I'll get you tomorrow. But right now, I want you to eat me."
"A quickie?"
"Yes, why not?"
"Are you actually ready for that?"
"Why don't you check it?"
The punk grins as she gets rid of the photographer's jeans and panties and pulls a finger on her. Max muffles a moan and looks into the bluenette's eyes.
"You really are in love with me. Or maybe I'm just too hot for you."
"I've changed my mind" she puts off her top and reaches for Chloe's pants "I want to feel you."
"You wanna touch me."
"Just a little bit. Please?"
"You're craving me." she drops her pants on the floor "I… scared you, didn't I?" she looks at her as she puts off her hoodie and T-shirt.
"A little bit." she caresses her sides "I don't think I'd be able to go on without you. Definitely not right now. I love you. I just… can't lose you know. Although I'd deserve it. I left you when you would have needed me the most."
"Not this shit again, baby!" she leans closer as she puts off her bra "Can't you just leave it all behind? We're together again and that's what truly matters, right? You're with me. You came back to me. I don't care about anything else. Okay?" she kisses her softly "I'm not leaving you, asswipe. I just… couldn't understand why you didn't tell me. I felt betrayed for a split second. I got scared, too, like, why didn't you trust me? But then I knew. I would've gotten my rage on Rachel. But now I get it why didn't she tell me at the first place." she sighs "Am I ruining the mood?"
"You know," she reaches for her underpants "we could talk more about your feelings."
"I just… hate the fact I have feelings. Most of them are… confusing or painful."
"So, is it that bad that you love me? And I love you back?"
"Idiot… That's good. I love that part of feelings. I just… I need to let go of the past somehow."
"Yeah. I'll help you. We can get through this together, right, Chloe?"
"Have I ever told you I love when you call by my name?" she runs her fingers through her hair.
"Never."
"Well, I do. It's so personal, so… When I hear you saying my name, there's a shiver up and down on my spine and I feel like I truly matter."
"Because you do. How can you ever forget about that?"
"I don't forget about that. Sometimes it's just hard to believe. That you can love someone as fucked up as me."
"Chloe, I don't love someone as fucked up as you. I love you."
"I bet you hate me these times."
"I can get fed up with this, yes. Trust me. I love you."
"I know." she mumbles "I'm sorry. Did I put you out of the mood?"
"No way!" she giggles "You will not get away, Chloe."
"Will you be able to be quiet?"
"It will be a pain in the ass, but I guess so. You can hear me screaming tomorrow."
"I hate you." she penetrates, making the brunette muffle a moan.
"Hate me as much as you want. But tomorrow…" she moans "you'll be mine."
"Max, tomorrow you get as much of me as you want." she kisses her neck "I promise. Just you and me, all afternoon and night."
"Sounds hella good." she whispers under her breath.
The brunette closes her eyes and clutches the sheets. She has to concentrate to remain quiet. She feels the warmth of Chloe's body on hers, the fingers inside of her, and suddenly, her breath next to her ear.
"Will you be okay?"
"Yeah." she huffs.
"Fuck, you are so beautiful."
"Yeah?" she moans.
"Whoa, careful." she chuckles "Hey, are you getting close, baby?"
"Mm-hmm. Make me cum."
"It really is a quickie, huh?"
"Sorry. I… I…" she groans as she clutches the sheets again.
"I have a request."
"Hmm?" she opens her eyes.
"Say my name."
"Dirty…"
"Come on Max, say my name!"
"Chloe…" she moans.
"Again."
"Chloe!"
"Fuck, I love it!"
"Chloe!" she moans and the fingers of her right hand are already wrapping around the punk's wrist, and her left hand is pulling her for a kiss.
The photographer accidentally bites on Chloe's tongue as she tries to keep her volume to the minimum. She breathes hard but instantly checks on the bluenette.
"Are you okay? I'm sorry!"
"I'm bleeding, but it will be okay. Guess you came hard."
"Yeah." she sighs.
"You know, you really are beautiful when you're getting close."
"Chloe, don't…" she blushes.
"What now?" she chuckles "You didn't find me being inside you embarrassing, but the fact that I love your face even more when you're coming is one of the worst things?" she kisses her forehead.
"I'm just… not comfortable talking about this."
"Fine, I'll be okay with what I just got. Shit, I have to rinse my mouth."
"Is it that bad? I'm so sorry!"
"I'll be okay." she smiles as she grabs her hoodie and underwear.
"Don't take long!"
"What?" she chuckles as she puts on the clothes.
"I hate being without you."
"Two minutes tops, baby, I promise." she leans back for a kiss.
"And Chloe?"
"Yeah?" she turns back from the door.
"I do."
"You do what?"
"Think about it." she grins "Now, get out and get back as soon as possible.
"Bitch…" she chuckles and walks out.
The photographer runs her fingers through her hair. She sighs. "I do? Caulfield, you're losing your mind…" She rolls on her back and starts thinking. She got so scared that Chloe would leave her. But she wouldn't right? She is so sweet. Uncertain and she has issues, but she would never leave her. The way she looks at her… They reunited for a reason, they belong together, they have always been, Max just couldn't step up back then. But now, she is back in Arcadia Bay, they are together and nothing can separate them. The brunette smiles as the punk returns and she drops the clothes, locks the door and she looks at her.
"What? What are you thinking about?"
"You. Us."
"Oh."
"Come here, Chloe."
"Did I do something bad?"
"No, come here. I want to kiss you."
"Okay…" she crawls next to the photographer.
"Trust me, Chloe."
"You seem to be different. Another Max again?"
"What? No! You know I don't have my powers anymore."
"But you had them in the past, so if you don't like it, or didn't like it, or…"
"What are you talking about? I couldn't even travel to the future. Are you afraid?"
"Scared shitless of losing you."
"You can't get rid of me, dumbass!" she kisses her softly "I told you. I'm in love with you and I'm not leaving you. You have to forget about thoughts like this, Chloe."
"I'm sorry. I'm such a mess." she sniffles.
"Don't you dare! Even if you are a mess, you're my mess. And I'll take care of you. I promise."
"Right, right…" she nods "I'm sorry. I just know you deserve so much better than me."
"That's some massive bullshit, honey. I belong to you. You're perfect for me."
"You're wrong. You deserve someone who is smart and responsible and could take good care of you."
"Who told you you're not smart?"
"But I'm not…"
"You are, when you care. And you're responsible. Well, when you care. And please don't believe you don't take good care of me! You let me live but hold me back when something would be too much for me. And you're so understanding. You didn't push me when we came to… uh…" she blushes.
"Make love?"
"See? You're so sweet! Yeah, it was… I knew you were pushing your own limits, but you kept on trying and I really, really appreciate that, Chloe!" she cups her face "I love you. Accept it. You're perfect for me."
"Embrace this rare moment: I'm speechless. But I love you, hippie."
"I just wanted you to know. You need to know."
"I do. And I believe you, I just don't believe in myself."
"We'll get through this, I promise. Together."
"What if we skip tomorrow?"
"No, I want you tomorrow! There's no escape, Chloe Price!"
"No, no!" she chuckles "I mean, let's skip school, asswipe! We can stay here until my mom gets to work, then we can get back to my place… and… be together all day long…" she whispers, emphasizing the words.
"It sounds good, but still… You know, we're seniors?"
"Come on, you'd love it! You wanna be with me, I know it!"
"Well, yes, I wanna be with you, but… Ah, okay, why the fuck not? I know I've been a bitch recently, I just… I really need to get accepted to a university, you know? I have to go on with photography. I don't know what I'll do if I get rejected."
"You can be a rockstar wife then." she grins.
"A rockstar wife…"
"Why not? I may get a band, so…"
"Oh yeah, and I can take care of the kids while you're travelling the world?"
"You want kids?"
"I… I guess so, why not?"
"Listen. When we get to LA, I'm gonna propose as soon as possible. And we're gonna live the life, and… we're gonna get married and we're gonna have kids and… and… and we're just gonna live a fucking happy life!"
"Whoa, now what?" she caresses her face "You were all scared minutes ago. And now you're… on fire."
"Did I scare you?" she sighs "It's my bipolarity. I know it can be scary. Why don't you just leave me?"
"Okay, I admit, it's a little bit scary, but it's okay. I was rather surprised. I'm not leaving you. What should I do to get it through your brain?"
"I'm just… trying so hard here. I'm hella far from perfect. And I know you have to endure and tolerate a lot and I know it doesn't show but I hella appreciate it!"
"I know. But try not to think about this, okay? We're happy. And we'll always be happy. As long as we have each other."
"Right. I spend so much time with you I can just hardly realize you keep changing."
"Changing?"
"You're becoming stronger and stronger. And it's good. Remember, when we were kids I was the one who kept guarding you. But you're so strong now. You keep catching me when I fall."
"Don't act like it was such a big thing. I don't even know what I'm doing or saying. These are all my instincts, honey."
"Woo, you must be madly in love with me then." she grins.
"I am. You know it!"
"Yeah." she gently caresses her side "Someday I'm gonna show what a great person I can be."
"But you are a great person! You care for me. You care for your family. You care for Rachel. You want to prove what you're capable of. It's all great. It doesn't matter where we end up as far as we're together, right?"
"I just often remember our childhood, you know? I mean, I have always been a hellraiser. I know your parents weren't exactly fond of me. But now I have the chance to prove them I've changed. That maybe, and, just maybe, I'm good enough for you. I wanna be good enough for you in their eyes."
"I know, but you shouldn't act up, Chloe. Be yourself, you've changed a lot! The only thing that matters to them is that you treat me well."
"Do I?"
"You do." she kisses her "Stop worrying. We'll be fine, Chloe. We'll be fine."
"You're right. I don't know why I keep worrying."
"You want to be a better person, but don't worry, honey. You're hella perfect for me."
"Okay, but… Tell me if anything changes, okay?"
"I promise." she kisses her again "I love it when you're this sweet."
"So uh…" she clears her throat as she blushes "What you wanna do tomorrow? Which is actually today."
"And you didn't even tell me? Asshole! You should be sleeping!"
"Who cares? It was almost 3 when I got back. And you have no idea how much time I spend on watching you sleeping. Did you know if I start talking to you while you're asleep, you talk back?"
"Okay, I can't decide if it's creepy or cute. Why do you watch me when I'm sleeping?"
"It calms me. You're so peaceful then. Most of the times. When you're not mumbling about Jefferson or Prescott, or something about Kate, you know."
"Do I?"
"Memories?"
"Bad memories." she sighs.
"I won't ask about it. But you know you can tell me anything, anytime."
"I know. So, when we're talking when I'm asleep…" she chuckles.
"Yeah?"
"Do I know that I'm not awake?"
"Oh yeah, I always ask you if you're awake, and you usually say no."
"What was the most bizarre conversation we had?"
"You don't wanna know."
"Please."
"Fine." she sighs "You were asleep but I was really horny, so… I asked you if you minded me eating you out."
"Dog, Chloe!"
"You don't even know what you answered!"
"What did I answer?" she rolls her eyes.
"You said: "I don't know if it would be rape. And even if it wasn't, would you be comfortable with the fact I'm sound asleep?" You really got me there."
"And did you…?"
"Nah, somehow I managed to wait some hours."
"You're so terrible!" she pokes her belly.
"Don't!" she giggles.
"Okay, so… can we just rest a little bit?"
"Sure, Max. Do you need anything?"
"Nothing more than you…"
