Warren took Max to Arcadia Safeway. When they parked the car, Warren blurted out:

"So I have a million questions about Rachel Amber but I understand if it's none of my business…BUT, you can't blame a guy for being curious.."

Max hesitated. She didn't know if it was her story to tell, and she was pretty sure the newspapers would pick up on it soon and start to follow Rachel all over town. Arcadia Bay was a small place filled with people who had nothing better to do in their lives to gossip.

"I think that if you guys ever become friends, you can ask her. I'm not sure if I should be the one to tell you. I think she's had enough attention from the public eye."

"Fair enough." He clearly still had something he wanted to ask.

"Let's head into the store." Max opened the car door, relieved to get out of Warren's car unscathed. She didn't think he would take it so well, but then again, Warren was a really nice guy.

"Cool, I need to stock up on chips and dip for the next science club meeting too."

Chloe felt guilty for taking Rachel out of the hospital so soon. The nurses who saw them pass in the corridor looked almost suspicious that they were gonna split. They nearly ran into Dr. Yang, but she was paged in the hallway and started running the other way.

Rachel was already sitting next to her in the truck, using her teeth to bite off the hospital band on her wrist. Her hospital gown made it so that Rachel was very naked without it. Chloe passed her some grey sweat pants and a black t-shirt and hoodie without looking at her. Rachel raised her eyebrow.

"Relax C. It's nothing you haven't seen before." Then she winked, and looked at the t-shirt.

"Hey! It's the Firewalk shirt." The shirt that Chloe stole from the concert where they officially met. And Rachel saved Chloe from a serious beat down.

"I can't believe you still have it. I lost mine ages ago."

"Yeah. I found it a few months ago in the back of my closet. It…"

Chloe looked out the window.

"…reminded me of you. I guess."

Rachel quickly put the shirt on. It was a bit large on her, but made her look more herself again.

"I feel like I should be a street dancer." Rachel started waving her mock rap hands. Chloe broke unto a grin as she started the car. Then she felt Rachel's hand in hers. Rachel gazed deeply into Chloe, as if she could read her thoughts. Then Rachel started to comment on the new graffiti inside the truck. There were a few more angsty quotes than usual, and the Singing Man was faithfully bobbing his head as usual. She noticed on the steering wheel, Chloe had wrote:

"From what I've tasted of fire, I hold with those who favour fire", fully accompanied with cartoon flames. Her hands lingered on the black words that were branded there with Chloe's favourite weapon, touching Chloe's hands.

"I love this poem."

Chloe started to drive.

"Yeah. I know."

Warren and Max were stuck at the sugary snacks section, since Max was torn on what to get.

Healthy? Unhealthy? Healthy would be better since…healthy is always better, but the best stuff is junk. I know Chloe likes Cool Ranch Doritos and Hershey's Cookies & Cream Bar…Maybe I'll just grab some of everything.

She picked a careful selection of candy bars and headed to the organic section to get apple and banana chips.

"So Max, since I've come clean and all…I was always super curious to ask you…but since I had a crush on you it was weird to ask…but I might as well..I mean we're friends right? So, that means it's not weird if I did ask.."

"Spit it out, Warren." He put on a "cool dude" voice.

"So, how's your love life these days?"

"Dude. I have no idea."

"Oh, come on! It's obvious?"

"What's obvious?"

"I mean…you and Chloe…"

Shit. Was it that obvious? Max immediately turned bright red.

"Oh shit. I knew it!" She hit his shoulder lightly.

"You're not allowed to say anything to anyone! Okay?"

"Only if you promise not to say anything about my pathetic love confession." Max held out her pinky.

"I pinky promise."

"You're such a dork, Max. But anyways…I never knew you were into girls."

"I don't really know much about romance. I think Chloe is the first person that I've felt this way for. I've had crushes before, but I was over it pretty quickly. And the strangest thing is I don't think I've ever wanted to have sex with anyone. Gender regardless. Even now, I'm just content to be at Chloe's side."

And kiss her until the end of time.

"I think I read up on that somewhere. Yeah. Alyssa was telling me about asexuality once. There was a YouTube video she watched and it was going through all the kinds."

"I wouldn't say I'm asexual. I just don't see what the big deal is." Genitals are kinda weird.

"There's like a few variations. There's aromantic asexuals and demisexuals. I should send you a link later."

"What's a demisexual?"

"Demisexuality is when someone must feel strong emotional attachment to their partner if they want to feel any sexual attraction."

"Isn't that normal?"

"I think the way the girl in the video said it was like, a complete lack of sexual desire until you get to know someone."

"Yeah, isn't that normal?"

"Not exactly…I think most people just like to fuck people they find hot."

Max laughed. It sounded so normal, but she simply didn't relate to that feeling. Maybe she was a demisexual? She also found it pretty hilarious that they were having a life-defining moment in a supermarket, next to all the hummus.

"Look at that. I'm learning so much outside the classroom too!"

"Warren Graham, at your service. Best of luck in your missions of love. Next time, I'll try to like someone who I have a chance with." Max thought back to the alternate timeline where Chloe texted Warren that "he didn't stand a chance" after she dared Max to kiss her. Then, a "PING" noise came from her bag.

Chloe: yo max rachel and i are going to get some food where r u.

Me: I'm at the Arcadia SafeWay with Warren. Come pick me up?

Chloe: sure. be there in 10.

She put away her phone and headed towards the checkout. Warren followed her with a armful of Funyuns and Pepsi Maxx.

"Thanks Warren."

"For what?"

"For listening."

i know i took this chapter to be a lesson on demisexuality but DAMNIT IT NEEDS REPRESENTATION. :D