September 21st, 2014

Dear Chloe,

It's official, I'm 19, having finally caught up with you. I don't really feel any different though, at least not yet. Is that normal?

You will never believe what I came across today and you would probably call me insane if I did. The first thing that happened this morning was Rachel and I playing Dress Up. It reminded me of how we used to do that as kids, especially that last day when... well, you know.

Anyway, she and I traded outfits. Of course, she makes even my style look great on her, but she insists that I wear it well. Trouncing around in her boots felt badass, I gotta admit. Of course, as soon as she saw me she immediately commented on how hot I look in her stuff. I'd ask you if that was true if I could. I want to believe her, but I never thought of myself that way. Kinda hard when everyone else calls you "that dork girl with the freckles". All I know is that she looked at me like a bar of chocolate in a wrapper and she couldn't wait to tear it off.

Then finally she revealed the grand surprise... YOUR OLD TRUCK! I'm dead cereal! That old junker had been in the junkyard all along, which makes me think it's where you must have once found it. Rachel had spent weeks fixing it up, when instead she could have just gotten me anything else, perhaps a car that came in good repair? Either way, I freaked out when I saw it. I half expected to see you in there, sitting at the wheel and ask me where the hell I've been the whole time... but you weren't. I put on a brave face and just focused on the positive aspect of this unexpected gift. I had suspected Rachel for no damn good reason and I feel horrible for it, no matter how justified I felt about it at that moment. I'm still trying to make heads or tails of this whole alternate timeline thing, to be honest. Could she have done what the other Rachel did? I hope I will never have to find out. Oh, the truck also had your beanie in it or at least one that looks like it. I can't help but feel like everything that reminds me of you keeps finding its way back to me somehow, but you are still gone.

She had told me about her dreams again but unfortunately, I feel no closer to an answer than I was at the start. She told me what happened on the day she first became aware of her power. Maybe her intense anger caused it? Either way, she isn't the kind of girl you wanna piss off, she even slapped her own dad in the face! Unfortunately, I can't exactly blame her for that and I'm just feeling very grateful towards my counterpart for having been there when Rachel needed her. Hearing what impact my other me had on her does make me feel better about myself for some reason. Maybe because I know that even in another universe I still was a half-decent person?

Driving your truck around was fun, I can see why you took a liking to it. We cruised around, free like the wind. Then we checked out this new donut shop that opened nearby, before taking in the countryside for a while. Speaking of which, I saw something weird. There's this big old barn that we drove past and we saw a man in a black suit go inside. I'm not sure what the hell that was about, I mean if he was going to a business meeting, that was a strange place to hold one. Or maybe he's an agricultural historian? Or just a random dude who likes barns? We may never know.

Then we came home and of course, Warren, Brooke, and Megan showed up, as per Rachel's instructions for a surprise birthday party. No wonder Rachel went along with my idea so willingly, it gave them plenty of time to prepare a cake and enough candy and cookies to get you sugar-high in no time, and I kinda was, as I laughed at the dumbest jokes like an idiot. I might as well have been drunk, but at least there was no alcohol involved. I'm glad Rachel respects my wishes in that regard. Even though I was slightly upset at first about the whole event happening, I actually enjoyed it in the end. Brooke and Warren couldn't keep their hands off each other, they clearly advanced in their relationship ever since I hooked them up. I'm so happy for them!

Tomorrow I will get to know the results of the Every Heroes contest. I'm not sure if I stand any realistic chance of winning, but I'm content with just having had the courage to participate. No matter who wins tomorrow, there is no way I'm gonna be upset over it.

Until I write you again,

Max (the birthday girl)

09/21/2014

Yay, time for another diary entry! And it's only the second time I do this, so much for making it a daily thing. Oh well.

Today was little Maxter's birthday and not a minute too soon honestly. We ended up in a fight two days ago and like an easily triggered dumbass I took offense when Max was only really concerned about me being away while I worked on that old truck for her. I took away my old bracelet from her and let her cry her eyes out for hours before coming home again. I'm not gonna lie, what she said to me hurt, like hella hurt, but you know what? She had a reason to be concerned in hindsight. Lesson learned Rachel: Next time, let your wife know where the hell you are. You can thank me later.

Well, the grand reveal was thankfully a critical success. Max loves the truck! Turns out it was Chloe's once, which still blows my mind, to be honest. What were the odds of that? Actually, I don't wanna know, lest I want to melt my brain with probability calculations, I had way too much sugar and junk food today to be able to think about this now.

Max asked me if I had planned a surprise party for her and of course, I said no like any good surprise planner would. When Megan and the others showed up she gave me a death glare that could petrify even Medusa. However, in my defense, I never lied to her. I told her that I hadn't planned a party where half the school would come over, I never said anything about just our friends! We all had a good time though, especially Warren and Brooke. Those silly lovebirds, they wouldn't be together if Max hadn't worked her magic on them. I'm proud to see Max reconnect with her old friends though, at least not all of them were left behind when she came here. This way, I don't have to feel like I took everything from her that fateful day.

Tomorrow it's back to work for me. I've gotten good at earning tips, I gotta say. That sounds like such a vain thing to say, but you know what? It works. If my charm and exceptional beauty can get us out of here, who am I to argue? Max doesn't mind me doing so still, so tomorrow the hunt for tips begins anew. But with someone as cool as Joyce by my side? Should be a piece of cake.

Max promised me to let me know about the contest results as soon as possible. I know she has a chance, even if she doubts herself like she always does. You'd think she having been around me for so long would have helped with that, but she isn't quite there yet. But that's ok, we complement each other and I love her all the same.

Alright, time for the birthday girl to pick the movie for tonight, let's see what she's in the mood for. Tomorrow should be an interesting day.

- RA -