Hello everyone! Welcome to Chapter 8! Thank you again for all the support and reviews and hope you enjoy :)


Max's Pov- Thanksgiving break was over in a blink of an eye. When I visited my parents they did everything they could to keep my mind off things. Trying to act like everything was normal. But it wasn't. Nothing was normal. I just smiled and played along and I could tell they knew I was faking it. When I returned to Arcadia Bay I found Pyrrha working at the diner already. And apparently Joyce was letting her stay till she had enough saved up for her own place.

Joyce is really something. A woman who just lost her daughter took someone in when they had nowhere else to go. There's definitely a special place in heaven for her. And i'll admit only to myself. Pyrrha looked really cute in the waitress uniform.

Right now I was outside the girls dorm sitting on a bench trying to find something to take a picture of. I really wanted to keep taking pictures. But I just don't have the drive anymore. I looked around my surroundings. It was just a normal after school afternoon. Brooke was of at the corner putting together a drone. Alyssa was doing homework under a tree. And...Ok this was not normal. But Courtney and Taylor sitting on a bench on the opposite side of the courtyard making out.

"Still want to know how the hell that happened." I was broken from my thought's when someone sat down next to me. I smiled at the red head. "Hey Pyrrha."

She smiled back. "Hello."

"Your shift end?" I asked.

She nodded and answered. "Yes but it ended three hours ago. I was off training somewhere."

"Why are you training when there's no point?" I asked curiously.

She shrugged. "Always be prepared Max. That is one of the first rules of being a huntress."

"Fair enough." I look back down at my camera that laid in my lap and sighed.

"What's wrong?" Pyrrha asked a bit worried.

"I just...Can't seem to get back in the groove of photography." I answered while trying to hold back my tears.

Pyrrha smiled and stood up. "That's easy."

Before I could say anything she walked away and headed towards Courtney and Taylor. "Pyrrha you better not be doing what I think your doing! You don't even know who they are!" I was preparing myself to see Pyrrha being laughed at, ignored or made fun of. But after a minute of talking to my surprise the two girls were laughing and smiling. Pyrrha continued to talk and then they both smiled and nodded. They stood up still holding hands and they headed my way.

"What the hell did she say to them?" I thought in disbelief.

When they were close enough Pyrrha said. "Max. These two would love it if you took a picture of them together. What better way to take a picture than a picture capturing love?"

I was dumbfounded.

The couple chuckled and Courtney said. "Please Max? Between you and pictures are better than Victoria's"

I was still silent. Why were they being so friendly to me?

Taylor must have read my mind. "Max I know it may be late but we're sorry. We may have been bitches to you but we're not cold hearted monsters. You just lost someone important. And i'm sorry that's what it took to open our eyes."

I looked really closely into they're eyes. They were actually being honest. If they were willing to move on then I can too. "I forgive you. I'll take your picture on one condition."

"Anything." They both replied at the same time.

"After the picture I want you both to go up to Kate's room and apologize to her as well."

They replied again. "Deal."

They are so in sync. It's kind of cute. I stood up holding my camera. "Ok get into position."

They both stood back and Courtney wrapped both arms around Taylor from the left side kissing her cheek. Taylor smiled trying not to laugh. Perfect. I took the photo and the film slid out. I pulled it out from the camera and shook it a bit before inspecting it. "They look really happy...I'm kind of jealous." That could have been me and Chloe.

"How does it look?" Taylor asked.

I smiled and handed them the photo. They both beamed. "This is definitely a keeper. Thank's Max. You still got" Courtney complimented.

I blushed a bit. "Uh...Thanks."

They held hands and Taylor said. "We'll go up and apologize to Kate right now. Thank's again Max. And if you ever want to hang out just let us know." They left heading towards the dorm's entrance.

Pyrrha smiled at me. "See? Easy. Take another one."

I smiled a bit back and saw a bird nesting in a tree. I wasted no time taking the shot. After that I couldn't stop. By the time I was done I used half of my film. "The first time since Chloe's death that I took so many photo's in one day."

"Those were great Max." Pyrrha said with a bright smile. Which made my face heat up a bit. "You have a gift for photography Max. Don't ever waste it away."

I smiled shyly. "I know. Thank you Pyrrha."

I heard someone approaching us from behind. "Hey Max."

Me and Pyrrha turned around. It was Warren. My body tensed up. The last time I spoke with Warren I blew up on him. "Oh...Hey Warren."

He looked just as nervous as I was. I saw him glance over at Pyrrha. "Hi. I don't think we met. The name's Warren Graham." He held out his hand.

Pyrrha smiled and shook his hand. "Nice to meet you Warren. I'm Pyrrha. Pyrrha Nikos."

When they let each other's hand go he averted eye contact with me. "Max I...Just wanted to say that i'm sorry about...What happened before. I know I was a little pushy."

I shook my head and quickly said. "No. really Warren it's ok. I'm sorry for snapping at you...You were just trying to help. I appreciate it."

He scratched the back of his head with a small smile. "Yeah...Hey umm. I got new tickets for a movie that recently came out if you want to go see it. As friends of course."

"I think that is a wonderful idea." Pyrrha said. "Why don't you go Max? It sounds like fun."

I was conflicted. It would be kind of nice to hang out with Warren again. Especially now that it seems he got it through his head that I don't like him in that way. But at the same time I had a small part of me saying that I should just go to my room and call it a day. "I..." I sighed. "I'd like that Warren."


Pyrrha's Pov- Warren smiled. "That's great! I have my car ready to go."

Max turned to me and asked. "You'll be ok by yourself?"

I nodded. "I will. Maybe i'll visit Kate and try some of that tea you talk about."

Max smiled and replied. "You'll love it. Alright I guess I'll see you later Pyrrha."

I stepped towards her and pulled her into a friendly hug. "See you later. Have fun ok?"

"Uh...Ye..Yeah."

"Why did she stutter?" When we pulled away she gave me a small smile and followed Warren out of the courtyard. "I hope she has a good time." When they were gone I headed towards the dormitory and walked inside. I climbed up the stairs and half way up Courtney and Taylor walked down past me.

"Later Pyrrha!" Taylor yelled out as we passed each other.

I smiled and waved. "Bye." When I made it to the right floor I walked out of the stairwell and headed down the hall to Kate's room. But I stopped when I saw the girl known as Victoria trapping Kate between a wall and herself.

"Don't think just because your all buddy buddy with my friends now. Mean's that we are. I still despise your hypocritical god loving ass."

Kate was trying not to make eye contact with her. "Please...Why can't you just leave me alone?"

Victoria rolled her eyes. "Because you make it to easy that's why."

I was not going to stand for this. Why would Victoria waste her time bullying such a sweet person like Kate? I marched over and called out. "Hey!"

They both looked over at me. Victoria scowled. "And what do you want? Where's your slut armor?"

I ignored her childish words and stopped in front of her crossing my arms. "I want you to leave Kate alone."

She stood directly in front of me putting her hands on her hips. "And tell me why I should?"

I wasn't intimidated at the least. "Because. Later on in life. You might regret it."

Her glare intensified. "You threatening me now bitch?"

I shook my head calmly. "No. All i'm saying is that life is full of unsuspected turns. And if it takes a wrong turn...You might regret your current actions later on."

"Pfff. Look at miss poetic." She jabbed a finger to my chest. "Look here. I don't know who you are and honestly I could give two shits. Just stay out of my way." She marched away and headed to the shower room.

I turned back towards Kate. "You ok?"

She wiped her eyes and nodded. "Yes. Thank you."

I put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't listen to her. She has alot of anger built up and is just lashing it out on you."

She gave me a smile. "I know. I know there's good in her. She just doesn't like to show it much."

I decided to change topic. "You mind if we go to your room and have some tea? Max always says it's good. I'd like to try it."

Her smile brightened. "I'd love the company. Where is Max?"

"She went out for a friendly outing with Warren." I answered. "She took a bunch of pictures earlier."

Kate nodded. "Courtney and Taylor showed me the one she too of them. I'm so happy seeing Max get back into things."

"Definitely. So tea?"

She grabbed my hand and lead me to her door. "Of course! I'd like to get to know you better too."

"Same here." Before we entered her room however I used my semblance on Victoria's doorknob. I bent and jammed the turning mechanism. It might have seemed cruel but I'll admit. Hearing Kate chuckle as Victoria cussed a storm outside from her room was worth it.


(A.N.) And there it is for Chapter 8. Sorry if the story seems a bit low right now. But I promise after the first part of the story it'll be more exciting. This is pretty much the build up section. I'll be taking the weekend off and will be back hopefully monday. Hope to see you all in the next chapter. Until then have a nice day :)