Chapter 13 Wake Me Up

Chloe

April 19, 2014

4:34 PM

Arcadia Bay, Oregon

Two Whales Diner

After Warren's fake story about the terrorist outpost that Max miraculously made Mr. Wells believe, we walk outside to see some students we know dancing in the parking lot with a stereo playing music to dance to. Students such Victoria and her friends Taylor and Courtney, as well as some of Max's other classmates such as Kate, Brooke, and Hayden circle around dancing to music.

Wake Me Up - Avicii

While they all go dancing to some Avicii, I hear Taylor wooing out loud in joy. I also see Dana knee dancing on the hood of her car.

"You should bring out those moves more often, Taylor," said Hayden dancing along.

"You and I dancing at the same time!" said Taylor. "Too dangerous! We'd light the room on fire!"

"This is unexpected and fun," said Brooke.

"I'm always amazed how teenagers can dance with the way your legs bend," said Victoria.

"The way our legs bend," said Courtney.

"Yeah, you and Brooke," said Kate. "I'm surprised you don't tip over."

"I don't tip over until I've found company, Kate," said Dana dancing on her car hood. "Until then, watch and learn."

I turn over to Max while overlooking the dance to think what I'm thinking.

"Well, they seem to be having the time of their lives," I said. "Let's get in on that transaction. Shall we?"

"You know it," replied Max.

Without hesitation, we approach the dancing crowd to bust some moves with my Blackwell buddies. They all spot us dropping in and watch us dance to make way for the guest of honor and her hella gay partner. The two of us dance around in the center of the crowd to make first impressions and everyone smiles and laughs with us.

"Ha, Maximus in the house!" said Hayden.

"Has she always been like this?" asked Courtney.

"Max is my everyday hero," said Kate. "You have to forgive a few eccentricities."

"It's very enthusiastic," said Victoria.

"It is impressive," said Brooke.

"We should record this and edit this into the end of the year tribute that'll be shown at prom and graduation" said Taylor. "Everyone will either meltdown, runaway, or fall in love."

"Ha, good to see some things don't change," said Dana.

"Well I like it, Max," said Hayden. "It's good to see you cut loose now and then."

"Thank you all for your loyalty and support," I say to everyone. "And to all, thank Chloe P. for her bravery and boldness that made my freedom possible."

"And now, we're all dancing in the mosh pit, shaka bras!" said Chloe.

"You and the damn mosh pit, Chloe," said Dana. "No offense. If only Rachel were here to be we happy shaka bras."

"Perhaps I am, shaka bras," said a voice up close.

Of course, why wouldn't she. My ex-partner just so happens to drop in and get on up with her thing. Dancing the evening away.

"Rachel, perfect timing," said Hayden as she dropped by. "You go girl."

"Well look who's still sucking air," said Victoria. "Consider that compliment. Not an insult."

"Your compliment and insult is my pleasure, Vic," replied Rachel dancing off. "This is how all my hard work into my suicide missions with Chloe pays off."

"I appreciate all your hard work paying forward, Rachel," Max says still dancing along with her punk partner. "But Chloe and I have been on better suicide adventure together finding your fabricating corpse in a dump."

"Really?" asks Rachel. "So did your mission to solve my disappearance involve breaking into manors and bunkers gunning down a bunch of mercs and thugs? Let alone blowing away a guy wearing a mech suit and carrying a mini-gun with napalm?"

"I take it back then," said Max. "Though I almost had the same experience going Matt Damon as Jason Bourne and Keanu Reeves as Neo from the Matrix during the Blackwell shooting."

"No Max, she should take it back," said Victoria. "Now you know I always felt about Rachel besting everyone at Blackwell. I alone included."

"You can drop the bluster, Victoria," said Dana. "Let's all respect each other for a few minutes while we're young."

"Hey, no told me we were having a dance off!" shouted a voice from incoming dork.

"Oh, boy," I said. "Here comes Waldo."

It was now Warren willing to make due with the Blackwell dance group.

"Brooke, where's my dance partner when I need one?" asked Warren feeling insulted. "You come over here and dance with these loosers and dance without me? Come on, we make good dance partners together."

"When have we ever made good dance partners, Warren?" questioned Brooke. "Me make better lab partners in Ms. Grant's class than we do dance partners."

"We agreed we'd go to prom together," said Warren beginning to dance with us. "We'll make great dance partners then. After all, Principle Wells is promoting me to be king. Which means you'll be my queen."

"Seriously, Warren? You and me, king and queen? What principle like Mr. Wells agrees to that?"

"Look on the bright side, Brooke," said Max. "I just vouched for Warren for his bravery in taking down Mr. Prickscott and his army of terrorist with Rachel and Chloe. You two deserve each other."

"Taking a wild guess here, Max," said Warren. "But whatever you're serving is starting to kick in. Has Chloe always been so blue? Blue as a butterfly?"

I'm now thinking back to what Samuel was just saying to us about our spirit animals. I'm now shaking my head. My favorite animal growing up from childhood until now was always the butterfly and my lifetime favorite color was always blue. Now that Warren had I read my mind about my spirit creature, it's like the world senses it too.

"Everyone! Can I have their attention please!" shouted a voice from someone exiting the diner.

It was Ryan Caulfield. We stop the music on the stereo to hear Max's father out.

"I'd like everyone to gather around the front of the diner for just one minute," said Ryan. "We all like to have a photo to remember this and my daughter, Max, would really appreciate it if we do. I want everyone to arrange themselves up at the front of diner to do so."

"Well, that an excellent suggestion, Dad," said Max. "Let's do it."

"Great idea, Mr. Caulfield," I say. "I want a copy just for Max and I."

"Make way, make way," said Rachel.

Everyone including myself and Max gather around the front of my mother's diner to take a big group photo of this freedom party we threw for my partner in time. A camera was displayed in front of us to take the group photo. Max, Rachel, and I line up with all the other Blackwell kids while the adults that include my parents, Max's parents, Ms. Grant, Mr. Wells, and even Frank, line up behind us. Ready to smile for the camera.

"Thanks for coming everyone," Max tells everybody. "Here's to us! Is that camera ready David?"

"Of course, Max," my stepfather says setting up the camera. "If you could all please direct your attention this way...and we're ready."

David runs back over to the group and gets in his position next to my Mom as the camera's timer counts down to snap the group photo.

"Okay, everyone," says Max. "Everybody say 'Freedom'!

"Freedom!" everyone shout in unison, like Mel Gibson in Braveheart.

Then camera snaps taking a Polaroid of everyone attending the party. With Max and I holding each other up front in the center of the group smiling for the picture.

About half an hour had passed and the party was over. As all the students were leaving the diner, they gave Max a kiss on the check or the forehead before they left saying they all had a good time with her and enjoyed the freedom party. Before Max and I could leave Mom's diner, we had a few last goodbyes to say for ourselves. Rachel came over to us for a request she had to share with us.

"Yo, Max, Chloe, come here for a sec," Rachel called out.

"Yeah, Rachel, what is it?" I ask.

"Well, now that this party is over, I'd like to invite you both to my cabin to spend some time for ourselves. You in?"

"Sure," said Max. "I haven't been to your cabin since I surrendered myself to Chrysalis. You up for it, Chloe?"

"I suppose so," I said. "As long as I'm home by nine, I'm sure my parents wouldn't mind if I do."

"Great then," says Rachel. "Meet me at my lodge. You know where to find me."

"Hey, Rachel," said Max.

"What?"

"Thanks for you help getting me out of my mess. I owe you."

"Anytime, Maxine. Anytime."

"It's Max. Never Maxine."

"Whatever you say."

Then my parents come by to say bye before we go.

"Chloe, Max," said Mom coming to hug.

"Hey, Mom. Hey, David," I say giving my mother hug. "Max and I wanted to head out over to Rachel's and spend some time there before we go home. If you don't mind."

"Not at all, Chloe," she replies. "You two deserve it. I hope you've all had good time here. Once again, William would be proud of the both of you."

"We know he would, Joyce," said Max. "Thank for having the party here for me at your diner. I really appreciate it."

"Just be back home by nine, Chloe," reminded Mom. "You know your curfew."

"Yes, Mom. I know my curfew," I say back.

"Hey, Max," said David.

"Yes, David," Max responds.

"I never thanked you for saving my little girls life a dozen times with your rewind power," he said. "Joyce and I are in your debt."

"Certainly, David," she says. "As you were."

Before we hop into my truck, we had to say goodbye to Max's parents before they left town for Seattle as they came by to our presence.

"Max, sweetie," Vanessa calls for her daughter.

"Mom," Max calls back hugging her mother.

Max then hugged her father and said goodbye to both their parents before they had left.

"Well, this is goodbye, Max," said Ryan hugging his daughter. "Your mother and I are headed home now and we'll be back for your graduation."

"Thanks, Dad," she said. "I'm glad you and Mom could make it here to my party. It means so much to me for you to be here."

"I know, Max," said Ryan. "And hey, considering we still have these superpowers of yours to deal with, just be careful how you use them. And when use them. We don't want another hoax of your powers destroying reality and summoning tornado storms. Understood?"

"Sure, Dad. I'll be careful. Don't forget that it was never my powers that did that tornado thing. It was the work of terrorist who set me up. I'm sure I'll know how to handle my powers."

"Take care of yourself, Max," Ryan said. "Be a good girl and be brave. I love you."

"I love you too, Dad."

"Be strong out there, Max," said Vanessa. "You're still my little baby no matter what. We love you, Max."

"I love you too, Mom. Goodbye."

And then her parents got in their car and left Arcadia and back for Seattle. When Max was done saying her goodbyes, it was time to get in the truck and meet Rachel at her lodge for some quality time. Once Max and I hoped in, we get see Rachel flirting around with Frank from the front window. Can't she can't leave without a goodbye kiss.

"So, do you know to get back to Rachel's lodge?" asked Max. "Not sure if I remember."

"I've been there a couple now, Max," I answer. "I know how to get there."

We continue to overlook Rachel talking to Frank. I know it would be rude, but had to wait for her to get back on her bike so we could follow her back to her house.

"And someday, we'll be living as the next Kim Kardashian and Kayne West in our new life of fame and fortitude," said Rachel talking to Frank by his RV.

"Yeah, we could," replied Frank to his girlfriend. "If I manage to make enough bucks off of drugs to make it that, then maybe we can start our new life that way."

"I know."

"You know, I never told you how much it means to me having you back here, Rach. I don't know how my life or Pompidou's would be without you."

"I know. And soon, our lives wouldn't have to be relied about selling off drugs to anyone. We'll have much better careers ahead of us by then."

"Should I talk a Polaroid of this?" asks Max in the car.

"No," I say, giving the couple a stern look.

"Yeah, you were always the one lecturing me how I could have a potentially better life than the one I'm living now. You and I both could as long as we work hard enough for that."

"I know, Frank. I'm glad you always remembered what I've told you before I left. By the way, do you wanna come by the lodge tonight for some warm coffee? My door will be wide open if you do."

"I'll think about it if I have time tonight. If it's the best time. I'm sure I will. Just wake me up when it's all over."

"Hey, I love you, Frank."

"I love you too, Rachel."

Rachel and Frank then kissed each other. Showing off their affection for one another in front of us. When their lips had split, Frank gave Rachel a pat on the back and left. Then Rachel caught us staring at her with Frank and Max gives me smirk while I stare at Rachel grimly. Then Rachel gives me the bird and takes off in her bike.

I had to let go of Rachel's betrayal of our former thing together. Which I already have. And finally, I start the truck leave the diner off to Kettle Lake Lodge. Ready to spend time together with Rachel and Max as happy trio. And so we were.

Note: And that's that ladies and gentlemen. I had thought about using 'Get Lucky' by Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams or 'Firework' by Katy Perry for them to dance to, but I 'Wake Me Up' by Avicii got the better of me when I listened to song again. No harm done.

Until then, stay golden.