So Max and Chloe are dating and Max has super powers? I wasn't about to complain about either seeing how happy Max made Chloe and considering the fact that I would've been dead if Max hadn't gotten her powers… It hurt my brain just trying to work out how all the timelines line up, and I couldn't understand how Max managed to stay sane after going through all of that.
I sighed and leaned my head against Max, while PissHead played through the speakers in Chloe's truck, as she drove us back to her place. I let my eyes close. It was barely noon, but I already felt exhausted just from listening to Max's story. Chloe pelted Max with more questions about her powers, while Max answered them the best she could. When I opened my eyes, Chloe was pulling into the driveway.
The car stopped, and none of us moved to get out. Finally, Max broke the silence.
"So, uh, are we going in?" Her voice snapped both Chloe and I out of our thoughts, and we made our way out of the car. Chloe grabbed Max's chair from the back of the truck and helped her into it. We made our way back into Chloe's room, and Max collapsed onto her bed. She looked exhausted, and I couldn't blame her. I felt tired just listening to her story; I couldn't imagine how she felt having to relive all of it.
I heard Max let out a sigh before speaking, "do you understand now why I waited so long to tell you?" Her voice was quiet, but I thought I could make out a hint of relief.
"Yeah, yeah I do," Chloe replied. "I just wish you didn't feel like you had to hide all that from us. I mean, that's heavy shit. Honestly, I don't know how you managed to stay sane all this time, keeping it all to yourself." Chloe finished, echoing my earlier thoughts.
Max paused a moment. "Am I sane?" Her tone was curious, and it sounded like a genuine question.
"Sane as I am."
Max lifted her head and looked at Chloe with a smirk, "well that certainly doesn't make me feel any better!" Chloe stuck her tongue out at Max, and Max and I both bursted into laughter, soon joined by Chloe, before we were interrupted by a knock on the door. Joyce walked in with a hearty smile on her face.
"Hey girls, sorry to interrupt, but I just got some great news!" Joyce turned her head to look at Max, who had pushed herself up to a seated position. "Max, I just got off the phone with Principal Wells. He said the renovations were complete, and you can start back up on the 1st!" A big grin immediately appeared on Max's face, and it felt like the room had just become a thousand pounds lighter.
"That's great! Thank you so much, Joyce!" Joyce hurried over to the bed and wrapped Max in a hug.
"I'm so proud of you, Max!" I turned my head to look at Chloe. She was grinning at the scene as well, but I could see a hint of sadness in her eyes. I knew she wasn't not looking forward to not being able to spend as much time with Max, even though they'd still be living together, since Max still needed help with getting ready and everything. Eventually, Joyce let go of Max and moved back to the door. "Food'll be ready in an hour."
"Thanks, Mom!" Chloe called back, as Joyce shut the door behind her. We both turned to Max but didn't see the big smile we were expecting. Instead, we saw her scratching anxiously at the back of her neck, with her head tilted down. Chloe dropped herself onto the bed next to her, and I joined her on the other side. "What's up, Max? I thought you'd be excited."
"I-I am, it's just… I don't know what people's reactions will be, and I don't want people to pity me or treat me differently." Chloe grabbed Max's hand and cradled it in her own, before dropping onto her knees, forcing Max to look her in the eyes. Dang, they really are cute together.
"Shit, Max. You're a freaking badass superhero! And Rachel and I are going to make damn sure that no one sees you as anything other than that!" A panic lit up in Max's face, and Chloe quickly realized what she must have been thinking. "Not like we're going to tell anyone! We'd never say anything about—you know." Relief sunk backs into Max's face, and a shy grin made its way onto her face.
"Thanks, Chloe. I, uh, I'm gonna use the bathroom." Pushing herself into the wheelchair, Max rolled herself out of the room. Chloe and I sat in silence for a moment, when an idea slowly started to form in my mind, and a smile grew on my face.
"Hey Chloe." She lifted her head to look at me. "So Max is starting back on the first."
"So?"
"Sooo, there's going to be a Halloween party the night before, and I'm thinking, that we need to help Max make a hella rad entrance back to Blackwell. Speed Racer style." Chloe immediately returned my devious smile, as she understood my idea.
"You saying it's about time we fix Max up with those turbo boosters?"
"Exactly."