The Calm Before the Storm

by The Rainbow Shaka-Brah

Mainly told from Chloe's point of view, however, it will change based on the situation this story starts off right after Episode 5's "Sacrifice Arcadia Bay" ending. It takes place over the course of a few years and shows how Max's choices affect her and Chloe's lives mentally and emotionally. Although she still has her powers, Max promised Chloe never to use them.

35. All About Us

To be read with He is We (ft Owl City)'s: All About Us

---

~Max~

"Are you ready?" Chloe asks just as the music begins to play.

I don't recognize the song, but its slow pace seems easy enough to dance to.

"Ready as I'll ever be," I reply as I place my hands on her shoulder and she wraps her arms around my waist.

"Take my hand
I'll teach you to Dance
I'll spin you around
Won't let you fall down

Would you let me lead?
You can step on my feet
Give it a try
It'll be alright"

Chloe takes a step forward, I take a step back.

She steps to the left, I step to the left and so on and so forth.

We dance like this for a while, not saying anything as a few other couples join us on the dance floor.

"The room's hush hush
And now is our moment
Take it in
Feel it all
And hold it
Eyes on you
Eyes on me
We're doin' this right

'Cause lovers dance when they're feelin' in love
Spotlight's shinin' it's all about us
It's all about us
And every heart in the room will melt
This is a feeling I've never felt but
It's all about us"

We've been out like this in public before, hell Chloe and I full on made out in the fucking street and nobody so much as batted an eye, but this, for some reason, feels completely different.

"Hey," Chloe whispers, watching me as I eye the crowd watching us, "Just focus on me alright. Just imagine that it's just us, nobody else around and it's just me and you... dancing alone at home in our PJs".

I giggle, imagining that playing out in my head. "You're a dork,"

"Well, It takes one to know one".

I scoff playfully and give her a friendly punch on the shoulder.

She cringes in mock pain and laughs, "Ooh, that hurt".

"Shut up and dance with me you big softy," I say, leaning up against her chest.

Chloe smiles and rests her head on top of mine. "Sure thing, Maxie".

"Suddenly,

I'm feeling brave

I don't know what's got into me
Why I feel this way
Can we dance
Real slow?
Can I hold you

Can I hold you close?"

So we continue to dance, Chloe leading me in smooth movements.

I close my eyes and listen closely to the slightly upbeat song that wafts through the speakers.

"The room's hush hush
And now is our moment
Take it in
Feel it all
And hold it
Eyes on you
Eyes on me
We're doin' this right

'Cause lovers dance when they're feelin' in love
Spotlight's shinin' it's all about us
It's all about us
And every heart in the room will melt
This is a feeling I've never felt but
It's all about us"

"You're way better at this that I am... w-where did you learn to dance like this," I say, realizing that I've stepped on her toes at least 6 times.

"Joyce used to make me take dance lessons during the summer. I always thought they were hella bullshit, but... I guess they paid off", Chloe says as she looks up at the ceiling and closes her eyes.

"Thanks, Mom" she whispers under her breath.

I'm not sure if I'm supposed to hear that, but I try to dismiss it without being reminded that I'm kinda responsible for Joyce's death...not to mention everyone else we ever knew.

I always wonder if Chloe secretly hates me for letting her family die.

She cries sometimes, either for a nightmare or... or when she thinks she's alone.

It hurts to listen to... especially the time she cried out Joyce's name in the middle of the night.

It's not always, Joyce's name though...

Sometimes it's Rachel's.

It hurts me knowing Chloe's still hurting over her, even though Rachel had hurt her too.

I don't know how I should feel about that... I don't know how I should feel about anything anymore.

"Do you hear that, love?

They're playin' our song

Do you think we're ready?
Oh I'm really feelin' it

Do you hear that, love?
Do you hear that, love?

Do you hear that, love?
Do you hear that, love?

Do you hear that, love?
Do you hear that, love?"

When her gaze finally returns to me, I smile at how Chloe's eyes shine like sapphires in this dim lighting.

"How the hell did I manage to get an amazing punk rocker like you to fall for a shy cliché geek like me?" I ask, closing my eyes for a moment.

"Hmm, cliché? Dude, you're the most unique and special person I've ever met. And what's not to love? You're smart, you're kind, not to mention hella sexy... Max, you... you're everything I could have ever wanted in a person, and then some" she replies with the trademark cheesy grin.

"I smile and look back up at her, sighing unevenly, tears filling my eyes.

"Oh shit, don't cry! I- I know I can be cheezy but... oh my god,".

"I giggle an wipe at my face, "You ham! I'm fine, it's just-".

"Just what?".

I focus on her face and lips, smiling shyly, "I know I made the right choice".

Chloe grins and leans in, pecking me softly on the lips.

Oh no... a simple peck won't do, right now, I want a real fucking kiss.

So, before Chloe pulls away. I place my hand behind her head and press her lips hard against mine.

"Lovers dance when they're feeling in love
Spotlight's shining
it's all about us (It's all about us)
it's all about us
(do you hear that, love?)"

"Heh, easy tiger... wait till we get home" she whispers, a big goofy smile plastered on her face.

I scoff playfully and push away, my cheeks burning slightly, "You are a dork, dork".

We snicker at each other before returning to kissing, completely ignoring the people are starting to take notice of us.

"Every heart in the room will melt
This is a feeling I've never felt but
It's all about us

'Cause lover's dance when they're feeling in love
Spotlight's shining it's all about us
It's all about us
Every heart in the room will melt
This is a feeling I've never felt but
It's all
It's all about us"

I'm the first to pull away, nearly out of breath form the prolonged kiss. I keep my eyes closed, taking in slow, shaky breaths.

"Max?" Chloe asks, her breathing slightly labored.

I slowly open my eyes and blush, "We... we totally just made out in the middle of the dance floor... didn't we?".

She chuckles softly and nods, "We totally did".

I swallow hard and look around us.

Sure enough, people are staring.

They're staring at us...

I squeeze Chloe's hand and close my eyes, suddenly feeling my ears begin to ring, slowly drowning out the light din of the room.

Just take a deep breath, Max. You're fine. Nothing's going to happen. You've got Chloe right next to you.

"Okay, Chlo... I think I've had my party excitement for the year. I'm ready to jet," I mutter, keeping my eyes shut.

Chloe doesn't respond... hell, she doesn't even move.

I open my eyes and look up at her, "Chloe?".

She's standing stock-still, not moving, and not breathing.

She's... frozen?

I wave my hand in front of her face, gaining no immediate reaction.

Did I... Did I freeze time again?

I look around me, not hearing the music or quiet chatter of the room anymore.

I turn my attention to the hand that's still squeezing Chloe's, feeling my powers surging throughout my body.

I immediately release her hand, feeling time jolt forward.

"We totally did," Chloe says again, repeating her last phrase.

I nod and stumble a little, letting out a harsh breath.

"A- awesomesauce".

"Hey are you okay?" she asks, resting a hand on my shaking shoulders.

I pull away and face her, trying to pull off an excited look. "Yeah... sorry, just... a bit anxious is all".

"Too much partying?" Chloe teases softly, "Ready to go home and cuddle on the couch with one of those cheesy Rom-Coms you like?".

I nod absently and continue to scan the crowd

People are still staring... why do I care? Why is this bugging me so much?

Chloe gives me an odd look, "Did something happen to make you rewind?".

My eyes snap back to her as I blink, "What?".

"It's okay... I- I'm not upset or anything," she says, watching as my face pales slightly, "I just know that look".

"W- what look? I don't have a look," I reply unconvincingly.

Chloe chuckles a little and takes hold of my hand again, leading me off of the dance floor and through the crowd of whispering people. "Come on... let's go home".

I whimper a little, "I don't have a look".

"Yea, you do. You get all glassy eyed and pale," She says, snatching a bottled water from the beverage table before pushing through the front doors of the community center.

The night is chill and both our breaths are visible each time we exhale.

"I didn't rewind Che, I promised I wouldn't" I insist, huffing slightly once we get to the bus stop in front of the building.

She ignores my statement and hands me the water bottle, "Here... drink this".

I sigh and grab the water bottle, willing to comply if it means that she'll believe me.

After taking a few long gulps, Chloe still stares at me expectantly.

"What?".

"So... you gonna tell me what happened?" she finally says with a weak smile.

"Nothing-".

"Max your nose is bleeding and you look like you saw a ghost".

I sputter on the water and immediately have my hand up against my nose, confused to find my upper lip dry.

"Wha-".

"All I want to know is if something happened... or was this one of your weird 'Panic Rewinds'?" Chloe says, keeping a surprisingly calm voice.

She just lied to me... but, I guess I can't complain since I lied to her...

I sigh and close my eyes for a second, "Fine... you win. I'll spill".

"Alright, I'm listening,".

I take a deep breath before continuing, keeping my eyes closed. "Do... do you remember when Kate tried to... to um,".

"Yeah... and you somehow froze time right?".

I nod.

"Okay so...".

I just look at her, letting my words hang in the air.

Chloe blinks, "You... froze time again?".

I nod.

Chloe's eyes grow wide as she brushes her hands through her hair, "Holy shit".

"I- I didn't even know I'd done it... I didn't mean to do it it just... happened".

"I believe you," she says.

"Do you?".

"Max, have I ever doubted you? All that I really care about is that you're okay and you didn't overdo yourself".

I sigh, "How are you not upset? I- I mean... aren't you afraid that I'm-".

"No," Chloe says before I can even finish my thought, "You're not going to cause another storm, Max. You didn't cause the first one".

I look down, slightly unconvinced.

"And I'm not upset because sometimes, you can't help but rewind, and others, it's not even your fault. And honestly, fuck the promise we made about not using your powers. That's not up for me to decide. I trust you and your choices... I'm still going to hold up my end of the deal though".

I look up at Chloe and shake my head, smiling dumbly, "I don't deserve you,".

She chuckles warmly and steps closer to me, resting her hands on my cheeks, "You deserve everything, Max. And I swear, no matter how long it takes... I'm going to give it to you".