As expected, the grey car peeled off from behind them once they reached the edge of town.
"Sweet," Chloe said, "finally free of the Prescott umbrella...and free from Arcadia Bay."
"When...was the last time you left?" Max said.
"Wow...shit, it's been ages...at least a year. Even with the truck I never got out much," Chloe said, "and before I had this hunk of junk, I had to walk everywhere if I didn't want to bum a ride off of my mom...or take the bus...or shit, I almost forgot, I had to have David drive me a couple of times...glad those days are over. Hell, I walked out this way for an hour to see a kick ass concert one time."
"Wait, what?" Max said, "out here? There aren't any venues out here."
"No official ones, yeah," Chloe said, grinning. She seemed about to continue but closed her mouth, a sad smile on her face.
"What's up?" Max said, reaching across and putting a hand on Chloe's leg.
"Oh, just old memories. Some good, some bad," Chloe said, "time to make new ones."
If she wants to talk about it, Max thought, she will. She's not the one who needs her thoughts dragged, kicking and screaming, into the open…
"Okay," Max said, smiling, "just remember that you can tell me anything...whenever."
"I know," Chloe said, smiling back, "so...Portland!"
"Fuck yes," Max said, leaning back into the seat.
As they drove along between towering evergreens and put more distance between themselves and Arcadia Bay, Max finally felt as if she could fully relax. Weight seemed to lift from her shoulders and she felt a smile naturally settling onto her face. She felt almost giddy and, looking at Chloe's serene expression, it was clear that Chloe felt the same.
This isn't exactly what she's been looking forward to all these years, Max thought, but it's a taste of it...it's a start. She always wanted to get away and have adventures with me...and then I left without her. And then she wanted to leave with Rachel; it was their dream...their goal. And then Rachel...didn't make it. And now? Chloe finally gets to take an adventure out of Arcadia Bay with me. This is a big deal for me but it must be a way bigger deal for her.
Max quietly grabbed her camera and pointed it at Chloe. She took in Chloe's gentle smile and the softness of her eyes...her head propped up lazily with her left arm; her right hand holding the steering wheel almost gracefully at the top.
This is the kind of moment I live to capture, Max thought, and when it's Chloe, that makes it even better.
Max snapped the photo.
"Shit, is that an embarrassing shot of me zoning out?" Chloe said, grinning.
"Not at all," Max said, "you look so relaxed and so peaceful. I...figured that it's because you're finally getting a piece of what you've wanted for so many years."
"What's that?" Chloe said.
"To get the hell out of Arcadia Bay," Max said, "with your best friend in the passenger seat."
"Yeah," Chloe said, "it's true."
Max saw the sad smile again and felt it reflected in her own face.
"I...wish she could be here too," Max said.
Chloe paused for a moment, her expression worried, before saying, "you don't think that's...awkward?" Chloe said.
"No," Max said, "I know you had a huge crush on her," she put a hand on Chloe's leg again, "but she was your best friend and she saved your life after I left...for that alone, there's no way I wouldn't have been friends with her. Although...I don't know how you would've picked me over her."
"Max, don't you dare put yourself down," Chloe said, "you know I'm all about that Max. You're Max fucking Caulfield. You and I were pirates together. We have this...thing...this connection. I feel like it's always been there."
"But she was so beautiful and talented," Max said.
"Dude, so are you," Chloe said, "which...oh shit, what if she stole you away from me!"
Max laughed.
"No way, Chloe!" Max said.
"Well, then now you know how I feel...at least a little," Chloe said, "Rachel was amazing...one of the most amazing people I've ever met. Her and I did have something special...but you and I? That's something beyond special."
"What do you think she'd say if she heard us right now?" Max said.
"Dude, I think she'd be laughing right along with us," Chloe said, "making fun of us in ways that would have us laughing. She'd be helping us plan out this trip...and she would've made it even more awesome. Example: I looked to see if there were any concerts or shows for us to go to...punk, indie, whatever. Nothing looked good. But she would've found something...I guarantee it. Also, she'd knowthat we'd be crushing on her and yes, Max Caulfield, you would've had a crush on her...even if you didn't know it. And she would've rolled with it. She would've flirted with us like crazy and, somehow, she'd get you and me crushing on each other even more."
"Sounds like she had super powers," Max said, shaking her head.
"Ha, sometimes I wondered," Chloe said.
She paused.
"I...really like to think that the doe you keep seeing is her," Chloe said, "it...makes it feel like she's not really gone."
"I like to think that too," Max said.
Chloe dropped her right hand to the seat and Max reached over and held it, scooting closer.
"Dude, you're adorable," Chloe said.
"I have no idea what you're talking about," Max said.
They fell into another comfortable silence, lost in their own thoughts.
After about an hour on the road, Chloe pulled off to the side.
"Wow, I am not used to driving for more than, like, fifteen minutes," Chloe said, stretching, "I think it's your turn."
"Okay," Max said slowly, "and you're sure that past me actually managed to do this?"
"Yeah, and she did it by herself, too," Chloe said, hopping out of the truck and letting Max scoot over to the driver's seat.
"Okay," Chloe continued, leaning through the window, "that's the accelerator pedal, that's the brake, this is the steering wheel…"
"Chloe, I've driven a car before," Max said, nudging Chloe's arm with her elbow.
"I know. Just wanted to give you a hard time," Chloe said before walking to the passenger side.
"Want some Pirate Booty?" Chloe continued after she got back in.
"Sure," Max said with a grin.
Chloe opened the bag, spilling several pieces onto the floor, despite Max's attempt to catch them.
"It's okay," Chloe said, "every spilled drink, piece of trash, and smashed piece of food just adds more personality to the old girl."
Max rolled her eyes, picking up the pieces nearest her and putting them into a small bag.
"Besides," Chloe continued, in her pirate voice, "ye can't be a good scallywag if y' aren't tossing yer pirate booty all over yer ship!"
"But Cap'n Bluebeard," Max said in her own pirate voice, "what if ye get yer pirate booty stuck in a cannon?"
"Ye'll just have t' blast me off," Chloe said, cackling.
"I feel as if I just walked into a joke I don't understand," Max said, returning to her normal voice.
"Arrr, that ye did, Long Max Silver, that ye did," Chloe said, tossing some Pirate Booty into her mouth.
They munched for a few minutes before Max started the truck up and slowly...very slowly...pulled out onto the road. They cruised along lazily for about a mile before Chloe insisted that Max speed up.
Max became comfortable with the truck faster than she thought she would and her anxieties drifted away. It helped that there were so few cars on the road with them. She glanced over at Chloe, whose eyes were half closed. A lazy smile lit her face and the sight made Max smile.
She looks so...contented, Max thought.
She glanced back and forth between the road and Chloe, her heart seeming to fill a little more each time she looked at Chloe's face
I love her, Max thought, I love her so much and I haven't told her yet.
She glanced over again and this time Chloe glanced back, her eyes bright.
"You checking me out, Caulfield?" Chloe said.
"You are beautiful, Chloe," Max said.
"Ah, so you were checking me out," Chloe said, grinning.
"It's true," Max said, a slight tremor in her voice.
Oh shit, Max thought, I'm going to say it, aren't I? The thought sent butterflies through her stomach.
"You're more than just beautiful on the outside, Chloe," Max said, "you're...just...entirely beautiful."
"I don't know, G," Chloe said, a lopsided smile on her face, "I have expert testimony and records that show otherwise."
"In...in this case I'll trust my own expertise...I stand by what I said," Max said, smiling. She couldn't hide a tiny twitch in her smile.
"Max…," Chloe said, narrowing her eyes and smiling mischievously, "you seem...nervous."
"I...um...I do?" Max said.
"Like an otter in the water with a shark," Chloe said, leaning over.
Max looked over at Chloe, her mouth open slightly.
This is what I get for having a best friend...a girlfriend...that is way better at human interaction than I am, Max thought, looking back to the road, she probably knows exactly what I'm thinking.
"Whatever it is," Chloe said, leaning back and putting her feet up on the dashboard, "you can tell me. I promise I won't bite. Until then, I'll just wait."
She smiled at Max and Max cringed.
Just do it, Max thought, you love her...she obviously knows it...so just tell her: I love you. I...love you. I love...you. I love her. I love Chloe. Easy...right?
As she repeated it in her head, an involuntary smile twitched onto her lips.
I must look like a complete doofus, Max thought, grimacing slightly, okay...it doesn't matter. It's Chloe we're talking about here. I can do this: I love you. I love you.
"Chloe, I...um," Max started.
"Yes, Max?" Chloe said, grinning.
Max couldn't help but grin back...the involuntary and completely goofy grin she'd just tried to suppress.
"Shit," Max said.
"Hmm, not what I was expecting," Chloe said.
"Chloe, I love you," Max said, squeezing her eyes nearly shut.
Chloe laughed loudly and Max hazarded a look: Chloe's eyes had tears in them and a smile stretched across her face.
"I love you," Max said again, looking into Chloe's eyes.
"I know," Chloe said, chuckling.
A pause.
"I can't believe you just said that," Max said, eyes flicking back to the road.
Maybe it wasn't a good idea to do this while driving, Max thought.
"How could I resist?" Chloe said, shrugging, "and it's true, I totally did know. Funny story, too. But...oh right...Max," she rested a hand on Max's leg, "I love you too. Like, so much. Hella love."
"I...really?" Max said, a huge smile on her face.
"Yeah, really," Chloe said, "and you should pull over."
"Um, okay," Max said, flicking the turn signal and pulling off the road.
As soon as they stopped, Chloe said, "put it in park."
As soon as Max did so, Chloe crawled over and straddled Max.
Before Max could say anything, Chloe began to kiss her. Max's thoughts melted away under the intensity of it. Chloe gripped Max's hair tightly and Max clawed at Chloe's back. Every time Chloe came up for air, Max breathlessly said, "I love you" or "I love you so much" and, each time, Chloe responded in kind before pressing her lips to Max's again.
After what seemed like an eternity that Max would've been perfectly happy to continue, Chloe pulled away and twisted back over to the passenger side. She smiled at Max.
"Okay, Maxaroni," she said casually, "we can continue to Portland now."
Max sat frozen, staring at Chloe with her mouth open.
As her mind began to work again, she thought, wowser, everything about that was fucking amazing.
"Well, shit," Chloe said, "I broke G-Max again. Good thing I know how to fix her."
She leaned back over to Max and kissed her softly, gently tugging on her lower lip. Max blinked a few times and smiled.
"Wowser," Max said, grinning at Chloe, "now I think I should've told you that way earlier."
"Well, you kind of did," Chloe said, putting her hands behind her head, "so I've known...ready for it? This whole time."
"If I could have a word with Beta Max…," Max said.
"Then you could tell her thanks for me for giving me a leg up," Chloe said, grinning.
"Well...at least I had an inkling that you felt the same," Max said, smiling slyly.
Chloe's grin vanished.
"Wait, what?" she said.
"Oh...just something about...what was it? Oh yeah: 'how to say I love you' in your search history?" Max said.
"Aw, motherfucker," Chloe said, "Beta Max wrote that down?"
"Yep," Max said, "it seems that all versions of me are very thorough in journaling...er...at least with the important stuff. And, um, after all of the time travel shit started."
"Understandable," Chloe said.
They sat for a moment, staring at each other, small smiles on their faces.
"So…," Chloe said.
"Yeah," Max said, grinning.
"Dude, this is so fucking insane," Chloe said, shaking her head and then, upon seeing Max's concerned expression, said, "...in a good way. A really good way. Oh, and we can totally get back on the road again...I'll just jump you again later."
"I sure hope so," Max said, "but first…"
Max leaned over and grabbed her camera out of her bag. Chloe grinned and scooted over; Max took a selfie of them both.
"Advantage to dating a photographer: you always get awesome pictures of the important stuff," Chloe said, chuckling.
Max nodded in agreement and took a photo of the road outside, flanked by forest and framed with the truck's windshield.
"You can safely bet that there will be an epic photo album," Max said.
"Oh, I believe it," Chloe said.
Max put the camera away and stole a quick surprise kiss from Chloe before putting the truck back in drive and pulling out onto the road.
The trees around them began giving way to farmland. For reasons that Max couldn't understand, Chloe took several pictures of cows with her phone, giggling a little each time. The sound made Max think fondly of thirteen-year-old Chloe, pirate hat on her head and scrounged empty rum bottle in her hand.
"Um...is there something I should know about the cows?" Max said.
"Oh...I just think cows are funny," Chloe said.
"I love how crazy you are," Max said.
"Yep; insane in the brain," Chloe said.
They passed by a small town and Max said, "um...I know we're not exactly close to Portland yet but I don't really know where we're going."
"Oh shit, right," Chloe said, tapping at her phone.
"Okay," she continued, "just keep following this road; it'll turn into another road heading east."
"Okay," Max said, "then what?"
"Then it goes right into Portland," Chloe said, "and you take the Market Street exit."
"Market Street; got it," Max said, "are we going straight to the hotel?"
"Oh yes," Chloe said, "our dinner reservation isn't until later because holy shit this hotel."
"You have me so curious now," Max said.
"You'll just have to wait," Chloe said.
"Well now I have to try to figure it out," Max said, "you said there were two options and both were, and I quote, 'so Max'...which means either hipster, nerdy, or something to do with photography. I somehow can't see a photography hotel or a nerdy hotel...so I'm guessing hipster."
"I ain't talking so keep guessing, hippie," Chloe said.
"Okay...hmm...despite everything you say, you know that I'm not a crazy stereotypical hipster so it probably isn't...I don't know...a craft beer hall hotel or something," Max said.
"Damn, you think those exist somewhere? That would be awesome...I'd never leave," Chloe said, her eyes wide.
"Yuck," Max said.
"Come on, Max, you know that a craft beer hall would have hella photo ops," Chloe said.
"Yeah, you're probably right," Max said, "as long as I don't have to drink anything."
"Did you like the wine from our date?" Chloe said. Max could hear a slight note of pleading in Chloe's voice.
She seems so confident all the time, Max thought, glancing over, but...I think she still has that worry that she's going to get left behind again. And there's no way I would ever judge her for that...she's been abandoned so many times. If there's one thing I'm going to make sure to do...for the rest of my life...it's reminding her over and over that I'll always be there for her. Although...it might be a bit much if I just blurt that out right now...it would probably sound like I'm about to pop the question...totally not ready to talk about that yet. Anyways, I totally liked the wine.
"Yeah, actually, I loved that wine," Max said.
"Well, there you go," Chloe said, her shoulders relaxing, "I get smashed on beer, you get tipsy on wine."
"You have the best solutions, Chloe," Max said, "and you know that if you crashed a beer hall, I'd be there with you. I'll always be with you."
Max reached over and squeezed Chloe's hand; Chloe smiled softly.
"Anyways," Max said, "I think you're trying to distract me on this hotel thing...now I'm thinking it might be some kind of old school hotel...maybe in an old mill or something."
"Ha, you are going to be so surprised," Chloe said, "but stop guessing or you might come up with something more awesome than what it actually is and then I'll feel like shit."
"Okay, no more guessing," Max said, "but hey, maybe someday we can open up a craft beer and wine hotel in an old mill or factory."
"Holy shit that's a hella awesome idea!" Chloe said, sitting up straight, "I'd be the official beer tester. We'd put up pirate flags and treasure maps...and we could decorate everything else with your photos. And...dude...we could make part of it a concert hall and throw the most awesome fucking parties."
"I'm...actually kind of liking this idea," Max said, "let's call it Plan...um...what letter are we on?"
"Um...Plan A is travel photographer and bodyguard, right?" Chloe said.
"Yeah? Although weren't you going to do food or beer blogging or something?" Max said.
"Oh right! The whole world would bow to Bluebeard's Beer and Burger Blog...um...tentative name," Chloe said.
Max laughed and said, "somehow, I imagine that you'd gain quite a cult following."
"Is starting a cult somewhere in our list of possible plans?" Chloe said.
"No," Max said, shaking her head, "I don't want to wear white robes and flip flops for the rest of my life."
"Too bad," Chloe said, "our cult would be the shit. Hmm...how about a cult where it's about travelling the country in RVs looking for buried treasure?"
"Sure...if we keep it to a cult of two," Max said.
"I can live with that," Chloe said. leaning over and kissing Max's cheek.
"So...um...that was Plan A," Max said, smiling, "does that mean that Plan B was the Victoria-inspired PI gig?"
"Yeah...it still sounds kinda cool...but it seems less glamorous after dealing with Mulder, Scully, and Sparky," Chloe said.
"Sparky?" Max said with a chuckle.
"Yep, that's his name now," Chloe said.
"Okay, so you want to switch up the plan order?" Max said.
"Yeah, Plan A is traveling the world, Plan B is hipster hotel, Plan C is PI, and...um...Plan D is conquering the world," Chloe said, "all time travel-assisted, of course."
"I'm not sure I have the temperament for Plan D," Max said.
"We could make it more modest...Plan D: get one of us elected President," Chloe said.
"Yes, modest," Max said.
They were now passing through suburbia and Chloe checked her phone.
"Dude, we're getting pretty close...I'm so fucking excited for this," Chloe said.
"Me too," Max said, grinning and feeling a cascade of pleasant tingles surge from her head to her toes.
"Ha, Max, guess what?" Chloe said, looking at her phone.
"What?" Max said.
"Portland has this metro light rail thing...do you know what it's called?" Chloe said.
"No," Max said.
"MAX...it's called MAX...all caps," Chloe said, smiling widely, "you should totally go and just claim it. Say, 'I'm Max and MAX is mine.'"
"I think you might have better claim to the phrase 'Max is mine,'" Max said.
A pause.
"Max, you are so fucking adorable...it's fucking unbelievable and I love you so damn much," Chloe said.
"I...wow...I love you too, Chloe," Max said, smiling at her.
"Also," Chloe said, "we're in Beaverton."
"Okay…," Max said, looking over at Chloe's smirking face, "er...I feel like I'm missing out on the joke."
"Er...nevermind, I'll explain later," Chloe said.
Moments later they passed by a sign indicating that they'd entered Portland.
"We're in Portland!" Max said.
"Awesomesauce," Chloe said.
"Er...Market Street, right?" Max said.
"Yeah?" Chloe said, lifting her phone, "yeah."
"Then what?" Max said.
"Take the second left," Chloe said.
They soon entered the city proper and Chloe guided Max towards downtown. A few minutes later, Chloe had Max pull over to the curb.
"We're here," Chloe declared.
Max stared up at the old building above...and at the ornate entrance next to them.
"Wow, I'm already loving this," Max said, "um...where should I park?"
"Valet parking," Chloe said, "I know...fancy as fuck, right?"
Chloe gathered her plastic grocery bags and their snacks and hopped out. Max turned off the truck and stepped out, grabbing her suitcase from the back. They approached a young man behind a pedestal on the curb. He looked between them and Chloe's truck, his mouth slightly open and his head tilted.
Bet they don't get a lot of people driving something like Chloe's truck, Max thought, smiling.
"Yo, what's up?" Chloe said to the man.
"I...I'm doing well, thank you," he said, "are you having a good evening?"
"Oh yes, getting better every minute," Chloe said.
"Checking in?" he said. Max could tell that he was trying very hard to conceal any incredulity as his glance kept slipping to the truck behind them.
"Yep yep," Chloe said, "we have a two night reservation and need to have our truck parked."
Max stepped forward and held out the keys, which the man took gingerly.
Chloe smiled and said, "it's a restoration piece...early stages. So if it gives you any trouble, just let us know."
Max almost laughed out loud: the man visibly relaxed at the phrase "restoration piece."
We must seem like total hipsters right now, Max thought, and while I'm pretty sure Chloe's doing this intentionally, her reaction would be priceless if she didn't realize how hipster she sounds right now.
The man handed the keys over to a valet and motioned them towards the hotel entrance. They stepped inside and Max took in the hip, trendy vibe of the lobby.
Well, so far this looks like stereotypically hipster Portland, Max thought as they walked to the front desk, maybe Chloe's surprise is something in the room? Okay...stop guessing...it's supposed to be a surprise and Chloe was clearly super excited about it so don't ruin it.
As Chloe began the check in process, Max glanced around the lobby, taking in the comfy-looking furniture dotting the area and the classy modern art adorning the walls. She stared over at a far wall, where a set of photographs were displayed. She hoped that the elevators were in that direction so she could get a chance to take a closer peek.
Then she heard the man behind the counter say something about photography and her head snapped around.
"Sorry, what?" Max said.
"Oh, I was just saying that we hope you'll enjoy our extensive photography collection on display throughout the hotel…"
The man went on to describe said collection and Max stood with her mouth open. She glanced over to see Chloe grinning beside her.
He finished and stared at Max.
"Um...ma'am?" he said.
"Oh, it's okay, she's just freaking out," Chloe said, "she's a photographer...a damn good one, too. She had no idea about your photos."
"I see," he said, smiling, "so are you in town for an art tour? Or for school?"
"Nope, we're just totally in love and getting away for the weekend," Chloe said.
Max's mouth snapped shut and she blushed furiously.
"Ah, then you've selected a perfect room," he said, "the junior suites are a favorite among couples looking for a romantic retreat. Now, I just need to see your ID and a credit card."
Chloe pulled out an ID card and handed it over.
"And we'd like to pay in cash, if that's okay," Chloe said.
"Certainly," the man said, "but we will need to have a credit card on file for any incidentals, which can still be paid for with cash at the end of your stay. Do you want to use the credit card we already have on file for you or a different one?"
"Um, same," Chloe said.
"I will need to see that card to confirm," the man said.
Max dug through her bag and produced the card, handing it over.
After getting their keys, Max asked Chloe if they could check out the photos in the lobby before heading up to the room. Chloe chuckled and agreed, following as Max speed-walked over to the far wall, examining the photos carefully and explaining each one effusively to Chloe.
Max concluded and faced Chloe, her face glowing.
"Chloe, I can't believe it," she said, wrapping Chloe in a tight hug, "this is amazing...I could spend hours going through this hotel looking at these...but this weekend is for us so I promise I'll just look at a few."
"Yeah, I couldn't believe it when I found this," Chloe said, squeezing Max, "and I'll admit, I was a little worried that I wouldn't see you all weekend...there's, like, several hundred photos here. But I figured I could trust you not to leave me alone in the room."
Max looked up and was glad to see Chloe smiling.
"As tempting as it might be," Max said, "you're my first priority, Chloe."
"Thanks, Max," Chloe said, burying her face in Max's hair, "also," she continued, her voice muffled, "I think I learned more about photography in the last five minutes than in the last five years."
On their way to the room, Max stopped very briefly at each of the photos in the hall along the way; Chloe chuckled almost every time.
When they entered their room, Max stopped in the doorway and said, "wowser."
The spacious room sported a massive bed on one side and a living space on the other. Two large windows looked out over the city and a pair of bathrooms flanked the room.
"Holy shit," Chloe said, "this is hella sweet. Ha, get it...hella suite?"
"Dork," Max said.
Chloe dropped most of her bags beside the bed and put the bag with the snacks on a table in front of the couch. Max opened the closet to find a luggage rack, which she put her suitcase on. She walked over to the nearest window as Chloe "unpacked" her plastic bags. Chloe swore each time she couldn't find something...and then swore again when she did find what she was looking for. Max smiled.
She turned and stared out the window, watching cars roll by on the street below.
I wonder if this is what our future looks like? Max thought, Chloe and I using my powers to get a little economic boost...then using said boost to travel and live out of hotels all over the world? And when we aren't doing that...we'd be living out of an RV? Either way, we'd be eating at all kinds of amazing restaurants, visiting museums and bookstores, tattoo parlors and concerts...taking photos everywhere. Writing, blogging...making love? She glanced over at Chloe, who held up two shirts, glancing between them with her brow furrowed, I...think that future sounds perfect.
She walked over to Chloe and said, "need some help?"
"No...I just don't know why I brought both of these shirts...they're basically the same," Chloe said.
Max smiled and sat on the bed, causing Chloe's pile of clothes to collapse.
"Shit, sorry," Max said.
"You think that pile was organized?" Chloe said, "although…"
Chloe eyed the bed deviously and then leapt onto it atop Max.
Max laughed and tried to roll away but Chloe pushed her down and pinned her in place with a kiss.
Twenty minutes later, Max rolled off of the bed, her hair messy and a grin on her face. She had to straighten her t-shirt and pants from all of the rolling, twisting, and tickling.
"Dude, you should see your hair," Chloe said, standing and stretching.
"Crap, how much time until our reservation?" Max said, hurrying to a mirror.
"Er...fifteen minutes?...and, um...I was kinda lazy and we're eating in a restaurant here in the hotel so, you know, it's not far...but all the reviews are super good," Chloe said.
"Hey, you've always been amazing at picking places for food," Max said, grabbing a brush out of her bag, "I'm the one who has to prove myself and pick somewhere for tomorrow night."
"I bet you pick hella hipster," Chloe said, falling into a chair sideways.
"Actually...I have an idea...I wonder if it's still there…," Max said, the brush paused in her hair.
"If what's still there?" Chloe said.
"What time do you think we'll be up tomorrow?" Max said.
"Um...no idea...normally I'd say noon or some shit. But, ever since we got Captain Bluebeard and Long Max Silver back together, we've been waking up way earlier than I'm used to," Chloe said.
"Are you getting enough sleep?" Max said, frowning.
"Oh, yeah," Chloe said, "better than I've had in months. You're good for my health, as it turns out."
Max stopped brushing, a small smile settling onto her face. She looked over her shoulder at Chloe.
That's...so sweet, Max thought.
"What? It's true," Chloe said.
"Well, it turns out that you're good for my health too," Max said.
"Must be all of that love stuff," Chloe said, scrunching her nose.
"I don't know, Chloe," Max said, "seemed like we were pretty good for one another's health back when we were kids."
"Yeah, but that was love too," Chloe said, "just...you know...with less making out."
The smiled at each other for a moment before Max turned back to the mirror to finish brushing her hair.
"So...for tomorrow...do you have any plans for the morning?" Max said.
"No...unless of course…," Chloe smiled mischievously, "there might be the possibility of riding Max."
"Sure; where do you want to go?" Max said.
"Oh, there's basically one good destination...lots of ways to get there though. The riding is the best part though," Chloe said.
"Huh, I didn't know you had such a thing for trains. But if you want to ride the train around, I'd totally be cool with that. I could probably get some awesome shots from it," Max said.
"I think you might be missing out on the true nature of riding Max," Chloe said, barely containing a laugh.
"What? I'm really confused...you said that MAX is…," Max began before her eyes widened. She turned and put a hand on her hip, saying, "have I told you recently that you are the world's biggest dork."
"Well, you did call me a dork a couple of minutes ago. But without the extra flattery…after all, 'world's biggest' is high praise," Chloe said.
Max sighed, turning back to the mirror to try to hide her smile.
"So what's up with tomorrow morning?" Chloe said.
"Oh, right," Max said, "my idea requires that we go somewhere tomorrow morning."
"Sure...I shall follow where you lead, Super Max," Chloe said.
Max checked her hair in the mirror and nodded before saying, "is there any kind of dress code for dinner?"
"I don't think so...it's Portland, after all," Chloe said.
"You never know," Max said, "even the chillest of places have their uptight spots."
Chloe pulled out her phone and, after a moment, said, "nope, no code."
"Oh good, because I didn't bring anything even close to formal," Max said.
"And I don't own anything even close to formal anymore," Chloe said.
"Alright, let me make a call for my plan tomorrow...and then let's go eat," Max said.