Notes:

Be sure to listen to the songs mentioned in this chapter! Once you read up to that part, stop reading, look up the songs on YouTube or Spotify, and give them a listen after or while you read! It will definitely add onto the story! I hope you enjoy the songs and this uplifting chapter of Max and Rachel enjoying each other's company!

Chapter Twelve

Max sighed, sadly remembering the plane ticket back home inside her bag in Chloe's room.

"I fly back home this Monday… the 8th," Max replied. She saw a saddened and disappointed look on Rachel's face.

"But… that's… so soon," Rachel sighed. She smiled longingly at Max. "I'm just getting to know you, Max. Yet I feel like I've known you longer than I actually have."

"I feel the same way… This trust…" Max replied. "Like I've known you forever… like you and I are supposed to meet… like we've met before, Rachel."

"Even though I don't know her," Max remembered how she felt about Rachel five years ago while investigating with Chloe. "It feels like Rachel is guiding us to the truth…"

Rachel sighed and stood up, stretching her arms and legs.

"Welp! I think I've sat for too long," Rachel said. "We're out of alcohol, the weed is too disgusting… And I'm sorry for bumming you out with my depressing story."

"Don't be sorry, Rachel," Max said, smiling at Rachel reassuringly. "I'm just glad you're okay now, you know?" Max paused. "Are you?"

"Let's see… One, I'm here in our hideout—one place I don't hate in Arcadia Bay," Rachel smiled back, counting along with her fingers. "Two, I finally got the chance to meet the famous Max Caulfield. Three, I control the weather and nature. And four, I'm STD-free! I'm fantastic! Are you?"

"I'm fantastic too," Max laughed. "Can't complain."

"No, I mean, are you also STD-free?" Rachel joked.

They laughed. Rachel leaned down and gently slapped Max's knee, who still sat on the bench.

"Let's get our mind off of this depressing bullshit!" Rachel exclaimed. "This place needs some cheering up! It's cluttered with our sad moods."

"What do you have in mind?" Max asked. She removed the blanket off of her lap, folded it, and tossed it into the tote bag on the table.

"I'm thinking we do something fun, Caulfield," Rachel replied. She smirked at Max.

Rachel glanced around the hideout until her eyes fell onto a radio that sat on one of the small shelves along the wall. She turned around and gave Max a sly look while slowly removing her jacket and tossing it onto the bench.

"What?" Max raised one eyebrow, stretching her arms and legs.

Rachel walked to the radio and turned it on.

The song "Suddenly I See" by KT Tunstall began to play on the radio. The upbeat sound of the guitar, bass, and drums boomed around the hideout. Rachel cranked up the volume dial.

"Perfect! What a choice song to dance to!" Rachel giggled. She walked over to Max and winked at her while bouncing her hips from side to side to the music. She held a hand out to Max and motioned her to join her.

"Oh… oh no! No no no!" Max laughed nervously, shaking her head swiftly. "You are not making me do that!"

"Come on, Caulfield!" Rachel yelled over the music. "Let's fucking dance!"

"She's just like Chloe…" Max thought, smiling to herself, and shaking her head at Rachel. "…wanting to make me dance."

"Aw, come on! You don't like KT Tunstall?" Rachel said, continuing to dance. "Who doesn't like this song?"

~Her face is a map of the world, is a map of the world…~

"This song is so cheesy, though!" Max whined.

"Who cares?! You know you love it!" Rachel motioned her arms for Max to stand by her. "Be my dance partner, Max!"

~You can see she's a beautiful girl, she's a beautiful girl…~

Max sat in silence, blushing, contemplating, watching Rachel dance in awe… She watched Rachel jumping up and down, getting lost in her own world while dancing.

"Fuck it! Okay!" Max yelled. She stood up quickly, removing her coat and placing it on the bench where she sat.

~And everything around her is a silver pool of light.
The people who surround her feel the benefit of it…~

"Hella yes!" Rachel held her hand out to Max again.

~It makes you calm. She holds you captivated in her palm…~

Max grabbed Rachel's hand, and Rachel pulled Max closer to her and they both giggle.

~Suddenly I see, this is what I wanna be.
Suddenly I see, why the hell it means so much to me…~

Rachel and Max jumped up and down, twisting their hips and moving their shoulders to the beat. Max watched Rachel sway her hips and roll her body like an expert. Max was mesmerized with how well Rachel could dance… and how hot she looked.

~I feel like walking the world, like walking the world.
You can hear she's a beautiful girl, she's a beautiful girl…~

Rachel clasped Max's hand and lifted her arm above their heads. She twirled Max under her arm to Max's surprise. Max giggled and she did the same to Rachel. They could not stop laughing and smiling.

~She fills up every corner like she's born in black and white.
Makes you feel warmer when you're trying to remember, what you heard…~

Rachel lifted her arms in the air and bobbed her head side to side while Max tried her best to not look like a dork. She extended one arm out and one arm in repeatedly to the beat of the music while moving her hips side to side.

Rachel edged closer to Max, moving her body smoothly, occasionally grazing and grinding against Max. Every time their bodies touched, Max felt a warm sensation radiating all over her skin.

~She likes to leave you hanging on a wire…~

Rachel grabbed Max's hand again. She placed her other hand on the small of Max's back. She motioned Max to bend backwards with Rachel's hand supporting Max's weight. Their other hands clasped together tightly. Max dipped downward, bending backward, and she was brought back up. Rachel winked at Max, puckering her lips jokingly. They both giggled.

~Suddenly I see, this is what I wanna be…~

Max, still holding Rachel's hand, extended her arm out. Rachel pirouetted and curled herself into Max's arm, her chest pressed against Max's.

~Suddenly I see, why the hell it means so much to me…~

Max and Rachel laughed and stopped dancing momentarily, catching their breaths. As the song slows down to the bridge, Rachel placed her hands on Max's shoulders. Max placed her hands on Rachel's waist. They looked at each other and smiled, slowly swaying back and forth to the music. Max could feel her heart racing and her palms starting to sweat, unsure if it was because she was dancing or because of how close she stood—and was being held—by Rachel.

~And she's taller than most, and she's looking at me.
I can see her eyes looking from the page of a magazine…~

Rachel and Max slowly rocked side to side in a slow dance, holding each other close. Max worried how awkward she must look, and she smiled nervously.

She broke eye contact from Rachel's out of embarrassment, and looked downward, only to realize that she was looking right down Rachel's shirt. Max immediately shot her head up to the ceiling of the hide out, blushing. Rachel chuckled.

~Oh, she makes me feel like I could be a tower,
a
big strong tower, yeah…~

"You got moves, Caulfield," Rachel said softly.

Max smiled and scoffed.

"More like… I got wiggles and jumps," Max said nervously, still panting trying to catch her breath. "That's literally how I dance. I just can't."

~The power to be, the power to give, the power to see~

"Well, you did your best," Rachel chuckled again. "I'll give you that…"

Rachel slid her hands upward from Max's shoulders, allowing her elbows to rest on them. She held Max closer. Max felt the electricity firing up inside her. Her body felt tense and limp at the same time as she was gently and ever so slightly pressed against Rachel.

"Thanks, Rachel... But you're the better dancer," Max said. Her body started to feel warm and calm now. Max felt Rachel's body pressed closer against hers. Her hands were now sliding from Rachel's waist to Rachel's lower hips.

Their faces were centimeters apart. Max knew that she and Rachel were the same height, but it was definitely apparent when she was staring right into Rachel's hazel eyes.

~Suddenly I see, this is what I wanna be~

"What if I dared you to kiss me?" Rachel said abruptly, slightly blushing.

Max blinked several times, her heart skipping a beat.

"What? W-why?" Max asked quickly and nervously.

"You know, just to complete the trifecta," Rachel half-joked, still blushing.

"Trifecta?" Max chuckled, also blushing but redder than Rachel. "You're high, Rachel!"

"I'm serious!" Rachel laughed. "I kissed Chloe. Chloe kissed you… and now you gotta kiss me! While you're still here in Arcadia Bay."

Rachel gave Max a smug look. Max still blushing, remained silent, unsure how to answer.

"I just met Rachel Amber yesterday… It would be hella fucking weird to kiss her!" Max thought frantically. "…Would it? I mean, it's just a dare… right?"

~Suddenly I see, why the hell it means so much to me…~

Realizing Max's awkward silence, Rachel looked away and apologized. "S-sorry, Max. I didn't mean to bring that up or weird you out."

Max felt Rachel slowly pulling herself from her body.

"N-No, it's okay," Max responded quickly, wondering if Rachel could feel her hands trembling on Rachel's waist. "I'm not weirded out—"

"—I just feel very euphoric," Rachel said, still looking away embarrassed. She continued to pull away from Max. "Probably from the alcohol, the weed, and the dancing."

As the song ended, Max gently pulled Rachel back close to her. Max looked into Rachel's eyes, reassuring her that she did not mind Rachel's sudden dare. Max wanted Rachel to know that she was fine. She smiled at Rachel. Rachel sheepishly smiled back.

Another song played softly after: "Scorpio Rising" by Soccer Mommy. The song started slowly; the guitar strumming softly, filling the hideout. It immediately changed the mood.

Without thinking about it, Max and Rachel began rocking back and forth again, holding each other in a slow dance once more.

Max looked into Rachel's eyes, looking for a sign to read that would indicate that Rachel was serious... that Rachel was serious about her dare… serious about wanting to kiss Max. Max wanted it to be real. Max could see in Rachel's eyes that Rachel really wanted her dare to be real too.

~Kissed you in the park,
W
e'll meet up after dark~

"Do… do you mean it?" Max asked.

"Mean what?" Rachel replied.

"Your dare," Max said softly, almost a whisper.

"Yeah, dork," Rachel joked. "What's taking you so long?"

~In your car with the backseat, southern summer.
Ignored all the missed calls from your mother~

Max smiled nervously. She momentarily bit her lower lip from nervousness. Rachel stared at Max's lips and looked back up at Max's eyes.

"I can ask the same to you…" Max whispered.

~And kiss me in the park, we'll meet up after dark~

Before Max knew it, Rachel closed her eyes and slowly leaned closer to Max, placing a kiss on Max's lips. Max's eyebrows rose slightly in surprise, but she also closed her eyes, getting lost in the kiss.

~And we'll talk until morning hits the windshield,
A
nd paints yellow lines on the field~

Their lips parted and pressed together, gently. Their kisses were slow and soft. Max's heart was beating fast. She could feel the softness and warmth of Rachel's lips. She could feel Rachel's chest pressed up against hers. She felt Rachel's hips grazing against hers. As their lips pulled apart from each other's, Max and Rachel exhaled, breathing softly between each kiss.

~Now you want to start, with someone not so far.
Oh, she's bubbly and sweet like a Coca-Cola.
I watch from my drink as you look her over~

Their eyes remained closed. As the other instruments of the song joined in, the music boomed loudly. The sound waves of the song resonated in Max's body, making her heartbeat feel stronger. Max slid her hands from Rachel's back to her Rachel's side.

Their kiss continued in gentle, slow pecks. Rachel slipped her elbows from Max's shoulder. She slid her hands through Max's hair and placed them gently on Max's cheeks. They shared more kisses, longer pecks, and shorter pecks.

~The tab don't pop too hard.
You're sick of playing cards with your love,
You want warmth and I'm somethin' colder.
I'm putting your hands to her heart~

Max and Rachel slowly pulled apart in a final gentle kiss. Rachel rested her forehead against Max's, their eyes closed momentarily as they continued to sway gently side to side. They both exhaled as if they had been holding their breaths.

They opened their eyes, pulled apart from each other, and laughed. Max held Rachel's sides, and Rachel rested her hands on Max's shoulders.

~I don't think of my life,
A
nywhere but in your arms tonight~

Max's face was red and Rachel had a shy grin on her face. Rachel bit her lip, trying not to smile so hard, and Max rubbed the back of her neck nervously and looked down.

~Won't say it this time. Can't even look back in your eyes~

"Wow…" Rachel sighed happily.

"Um…" Max exhaled, grinning from ear to ear.

"I didn't even have to double dare you," Rachel shook her head, smiling. "And you kissed me anyway."

"Yeah, well… so did you," Max said.

"That I did..." Rachel said. "Couldn't resist."

~Kissed you in the park,
We'll meet up after dark~

Max nodded shyly. They chuckled and smiled at each other in silence.

"Holy shit! I just kissed Rachel Amber! What a fucking day…" Max thought. "But… it probably didn't mean anything…"

"Do you usually kiss people you meet after a day?" Max joked, chuckling. "Not as a dare, I mean…"

~It's a bite of the apple, the touch of your lips. I'm stuck in the bathroom and sick over it~

"Is this how people feel when they're around Rachel?" Max wondered, feeling giddy and her heart beating hard and fast. "I wonder if Chloe felt this way for Rachel this quickly…"

"Better question is: 'Do I kiss people I meet after an hour?'" Rachel laughed. "Making out is always fun, but it doesn't have to mean anything."

Max looked down and she smiled nervously, slightly disappointed. Rachel sensed Max's disappointment and gently lifted Max's chin to look into her eyes.

"But it did for me," Rachel said softly. "You know those sappy adventure movies or rom-coms where those corny love interests meet for the first time one day? And then they fall for each other—or whatever—and kiss the next day when the conflict is resolved?"

"Yeah," Max chuckled.

~'Cause you're made from the stars, that we watched from your car~

"I used to think that shit was total garbage," Rachel replied and smiled. "But it happened with Chloe the first time I met her… and it's happening all over again… It's happening with you, Max."

Max froze. Her heart raced.

"Rachel is… falling for me?" Max thought.

~And I'm just a victim of changing planets,
M
y Scorpio rising and my parents~

"I know it's hella weird since we barely met… but you're making me fall for you like I can't explain," Rachel shook her head. "But I just… I just feel right with you… This whole time with you… it just feels fucking right, Max."

~I don't think of my life,
Anywhere but in your arms tonight~

Max nodded her head and Rachel continued to speak.

"You came to visit Joyce and David, and I arrived in Arcadia Bay after five years, all on the same fucking day. It's just a damn coincidence," Rachel said without taking one breath. "It's like the universe is telling me—guiding the both of us—that we were meant to be here in this specific time, at this specific location, specifically with each other. It's just such… such…"

"Perfect timing?" Max added, smiling at Rachel. Her cheeks were red from blushing. "I feel the same way, Rachel. I'm… I'm falling for you too."

~Won't say it this time,
Can't even look back in your eyes~

The song was coming to a close, ending as slowly as it began. Max and Rachel stopped slow-dancing, but they continued to hold each other closely.

"God, this is too fucking gay," Rachel exclaimed, shaking her head, trying to wave off the tension. Max could not believe that Rachel was just as nervous as she was.

They laughed. Rachel leaned into Max, kissing her softly again. Max kissed Rachel back, and they laughed softly again.

"This time spent with you has just been full of surprises and discoveries," Max said, sighing tiredly. "For the both of us."

"Let's not stop the surprises," Rachel blurted. "Show me your powers, Max."

"Uh… W-what?" Max stammered. Her body froze. "My p-powers?"

"Yeah! You impressed me with your dance moves and how great of a kisser you are," Rachel giggled and winked. "Impress me with your powers."

"Shit!" Max thought. "I knew Rachel was bound to ask me anytime now… But I can't blame her for being curious."

"S-sure!" Max responded nervously. "Yeah, alright. Why not?"

Max's mind was completely jumbled from kissing Rachel who was still smiling. Max's head was spinning from what just happened. She could not believe the words that just flew out of her mouth.

"What are you thinking, Max?!" Max thought. "Quit kidding yourself, lover girl! You can't use your powers!"

Whether it was Max feeling daring again or her mind being clouded with the aftermath of kissing Rachel, Max felt the need to listen to Rachel… Max felt the importance of feeling vulnerable and trusted with Rachel… just as Rachel has been with Max.

"Show me what you got, Mad Max," Rachel exclaimed. She looked at Max and they kissed again. Rachel stepped away from Max and made her way toward the doorway of the hideout, grinning excitedly.

Max regretted what she had agreed to. It felt like her heart was thumping in her throat. She nervously closed her eyes and bit her lower lip. Then she looked down at her hands, rotating them from palm down to palm up, observing her fingerprints, the lines, and knuckles.

"Okay," Max said to herself, trying to calm down.

"Are you cereal, Max?" Max thought. "I thought you were done with using your powers! …This is what I get for wanting to impress Rachel Amber…"

Max looked up from her hands and watched as Rachel exited the hideout. Max slowly and reluctantly followed after her.

"This will be awesome!" Rachel said excitedly while skipping to a clearing of the junkyard. "You've seen my powers in action, so it's time to see Doctor Max's powers!"

"Was that an actual Doctor Who reference?" Max smirked, shaking her head.

"Uh… sure. I guess?" Rachel answered with a questioning look on her face. "But I was going for Doctor Strange. Doesn't he manipulate time or some shit?"

"Well, I mean, sort of… Doctor Who time travels—travels through different dimensions," Max chuckled. Her hands were trembling and she was slightly sweating, nervous for her powers that she was about to demonstrate. "And I guess… that's… what I'll be doing now…"

"Doctor Who. Doctor Strange. Doctor Max," Rachel shook her head and motioned her hand from left to right. "I can't with this geeky shit."

They laughed.

"Do I even still have my powers?" Max thought again, growing more nervous with every minute. "What if I don't? What if I fuck shit up again?"

Max watched Rachel jog and jump in place, anticipating Max's next move. Rachel looked around her, squinting her eyes as if looking for something.

Max stood where she was. She looked down at her hands again, concentrating. She closed her eyes and her fists.

"I… I have to try," Max thought. "But I have to be careful… Just use my powers lightly—"

"—Heads up, Caulfield!" Rachel yelled loudly to Max, smiling.

Max lifted her head immediately and looked at Rachel. Before Max knew it, Rachel had hurled an empty beer bottle at Max. Max's eyes shot wide open. The empty beer bottle was coming at her hard and fast!

Max lifted her right hand in front of her, facing her palm outward.

"Here I go!" Max thought.

To be continued…

End Notes:

Rachel: Let's leave. For real.

Chloe: For real, huh?

Rachel: You said you wanted to skip town and never look back. Like I said last night, let's do it!

...

Chloe: I'm feeling like an indefinitely long road trip.

Rachel: That sounds like the greatest idea anyone's ever thought of. You and me, driving down the coast, filling up our truck with hilarious souvenirs, and every night we'll find a different beach to walk along and watch the sun go down.

—Life is Strange - Before the Storm: Episode 2 - Brave New World

Max is hella ready for action! Are you?!