Arcadia Bay was a good place to be.
Yes, she was eating well. Yes, she was making her homework. No, she didn't drink any alcohol. Yes, she knew drugs were bad.
Whenever she got an e-mail from her parents, Maxine felt as if she was being interrogated. Do this, do that, don't do this, and certainly don't do that. It could get pretty redundant after a while, yet she knew they meant well. They were her family, after all, and they cared for their only daughter. It was only natural for them to bombard her with questions about her everyday life.
She finished writing the last sentence of her detailed mail, then sent it and shut down her small computer. She wondered what her parents would say if they knew she made out with her teacher.
Never mind, she didn't want to imagine that scenario.
Grabbing her analog camera, her jacket and the letter she'd written for Chloe the Blue-haired Drummer, Maxine left her dorm and made her way to the town's post office, where she dispatched the envelope. She still hadn't gotten over Chloe's hair. The colour was way too bright, but somehow fit the fierce band member. Maxine had promised her friend she would attend one of her concerts one day, and she knew Chloe would keep her to her word.
Cushy clouds were scattered in the December sky and a fine-spun breeze had set up, marking the perfect timing for a photography session.
Maxine decided she'd have a stroll on the beach: it was a pacific day and most people would probably be at work or somewhere inside, as it was still rather cold.
Turned out she'd been correct: the shore was nearly deserted save for a jogger, a group of teenagers and a woman with her dog.
Arcadia Bay's beach offered a scenic haven of peace and entertainment and Maxine enjoyed living in the small town. Sometimes she suffered a minor case of nostalgia and missed her parents, but the opportunity to graduate at Blackwell was worth it. Principal Wells appeared nice enough, and the same applied to most of her fellow students. Of course there were some exceptions (one specific rich blonde being one of them), but all in all the people were friendly. Arcadia Bay was a good place to be.
Maxine spent the afternoon walking and occasionally taking photos of the environment. Her once-cluttered mind was finally at ease and she felt much lighter. The inordinate worries which had plagued her incessantly had drained her energy, to the point where she'd resolved to seek out her teacher and settle the matter, if only to get some closure.
At present she was still thinking about Jefferson, though instead of conflicting emotions his image brought her warmth. He was patient, understanding, intelligent. He'd even asked her for permission before kissing her, which had been incredibly sweet of him.
Her heart started to beat a little faster and her head felt fuzzy and Maxine could only arrive at one conclusion: she was in love with him.