Now, there have been many times in my life that I have been in awkward situations. I mean, it's me. When am I not perpetually in a state of awkwardness? But this? This is the pinnacle of awkward.

Max's mind was racing as every occupant of this house sat around her at the dining table. Max was at the foot of the table. On the opposite side was David. To her left was Joyce, and to her right was Chloe. Chloe had not looked at Max since she came downstairs. Come to think of it, she hadn't even looked at Joyce or David. She just played with her food with an empty expression on her face.

Is she like this because I'm here or is she always like this? It looked like Joyce and David weren't strangers to it. They carried on with their conversation as Chloe sulked.

Max continued to stare at her. Should I say something? She'll probably ignore me. I do have to talk to her eventually.

As Max was about to speak, Joyce interrupted her. "So Max, tell us, what have you been up to the past couple years?" Chloe did not budge and continued to play with her food. "I've been alright. Seattle's beautiful. There's lots going on over there," said Max politely. Chloe begins to glare at her food.

"Oh, I've heard great things. I can't believe how fast you've grown. Look at you, a young woman", said Joyce. "I still remember when you and Chloe would stay up until the wee hours of night playing around the house. Come morning, William and I find the house wrecked. Troublemakers, these two. And now, you two are adults. My, how time flies." She looks at David, smiling. David returns the smile, weakly and forced. "Cute story. Though, I don't think Chloe is that much of an adult yet. She has yet to act like one. "

Chloe looks up from her plate to David. "Fuck off."

Joyce cuts in before David could say anything. "Chloe, language." She looks at David, "David, don't provoke." David clears his throat. Joyce continues, "We have a guest. Let's be civil, shall we?" Chloe puts her elbow against the table and leans her head on her palm looking angry and emotionally isolated.

Max looks at David. Why did he say that? What the hell is his problem?

"So Max, are you seeing anybody right now? A beautiful girl like you must get bombarded with suitors", said Joyce with a knowing smile as she takes a bite from her plate.

"Well, ugh…" fumbled Max, shyly. She caught a glimpse of Chloe and saw that Chloe was already looking at her from the side of her eye. Chloe quickly looked away. "There's no one right now. I'm not very good with the whole dating business."

"Oh please, look at you all modest", said Joyce with a wink. David turns his attention to Chloe and interjects, "Speaking of dating, how's Rachel?" Chloe puts her arm down and goes back to playing with her food. "She's fine", Chloe replied.

Wait, what? Who's Rachel? And did David just say 'dating'?

David continues as he spoons more potatoes onto his plate, "It's ridiculous how you waste your time with her. Both of you are always up to no good. She's a bad influence on you, you know?"

Chloe looks up, angry. "You don't know shit about her. And you don't know shit about me either. So why don't you mind your own fucking business?" David drops his spoon and shouts, "What did you say?!" Chloe shouts back, "You heard me!"

David glares at Chloe. "You are so rude, Chloe. No wonder you have all these problems. I think it's time for you to grow up. You need to start acting more like an adult. I'm tired of your insolence. And you know what? You –"

Chloe was a second away from interrupting his statement when someone else did it for her.

"Stop!"

Everyone around the table looked at Max. She was breathing very fast and deeply. She realized she had just shouted and needed to wind it down. "Just stop." Chloe looks at her, surprised. Max looks straight at David. "I'm sorry. But don't ever talk to her that way again."

Chloe's expression softened, though she was still in shock.

David stands up from his chair. "Excuse me? I'm her step-father! You're the one that has no right – "

Now Joyce stands up. "David, that's enough", she said looking at David, angrily.

Chloe drops her utensils on her plate and makes a loud clang! sound and she quickly stands up with her head bowed down. "No, I've had enough." And hastily makes her way upstairs. Her voice sounded as if she was holding back tears.

Joyce sits back down and looks at David. "We need to have a talk later." She looked furious. David exhaled and continued eating his dinner.

What, what just happened? I have so many questions. I don't know where to start. But before I can even think of any of them, Chloe's up there right now. I need to be with her.

Max stands up from her seat. "Thank you for dinner. Excuse me." She leaves the dining area and makes her way upstairs. Joyce smiles sweetly as she leaves.

As Max reaches the upper floor, she hears somebody shuffling around in the bathroom.

She must be in there right now. Would she mind if I went in her room? Well, she's got no choice. I live here.

Max entered Chloe's room, and it was as if a train had hit her.

Woah.

The room was a beautiful mess. It was dirty and disorganized. Half-empty boxes of pizza and empty bottles of beer were scattered all over the floor. Tables were disorderly and sprinkled around were crumpled up papers and various items. A bong was hidden underneath. Ashtrays with cigarettes were in different parts of the room. Soda cans and boxes lying about.

On the wall, well, you could barely see the wall. Almost every inch was covered in a poster. The posters mostly comprised of rock bands, punk graphics, and half naked women. Some parts of the wall had some writings on them. Max knew it was Chloe's handwriting. 'Just gotta let it go', 'Everybody lies, no exceptions', and 'Think like a man' among others. One part even had a 'hole to another universe'.

Max thought to herself. Chloe's room definitely suits her. It's so punk and beautiful. Kinda wish it didn't smell like gasoline and rotten eggs.

Max touched the wall and looked at the writings. It also looks like she's trying to escape something.

Max made her way around the room looking at everything Chloe owned trying to get a clearer idea on the kind of person she turned out to be. Max spotted a picture next to Chloe's laptop. It was of Chloe and another girl. Max couldn't recognize her. She had long brown hair and soft hazel eyes. She was absolutely gorgeous. It looked like they were at a park. Chloe was smiling so beautifully at this woman. She had a glint in her eyes. She looked so happy, and this woman was just as happy, laughing wide. Her eyes gleaming, as well. The picture looked so genuine, so natural.

Max picks up the picture to get a better look. She stares at Chloe's smiling face.

This is the happiest I've seen her in a long time. And it's not with me. Max's chest hurt. Your fault, Max. She put the picture back down.

Great, so here I am keeping a picture of us as kids on my bedside table while you have another picture with another girl.

Max plopped herself on down the bed, sitting. After a while, she lies down with her feet still touching the floor. She yawns. Man, I'm tired. All this self-hatred has tuckered me out. Maybe I should take a nap. And hopefully when I wake up, I won't make any more horrible decisions.

Max's eyes start to get droopy. It was getting hard to keep them open. She turns to the side, and sees a hoodie. Does that belong to Chloe? Wait, or maybe it belongs to that girl?

She reaches for it and holds it against her. It's Chloe's. This smells just like her. Musky with a tinge of vanilla. Chloe…

Max holds it against her even tighter wrapping her arms around it and burying her face in it.

I could drown in this, Chloe. I could…

And she fell asleep.