OOC: So this chapter is a little bit all over the place, but that's sorta the point. It's just a peek at a few days of 6 friends on a road trip. This is basically the embodiment of the phrase " a day in the life of". There isn't a lot of plot in this chapter, mainly build-up for the final few chapters which the amount is still yet to be determined. This is also a chance to further develop the minor characters and relationships. Anyways, this is going to be one of the longest chapters of #NoFilter and there are multiple songs played within (what's a road trip without music?) so, here's the setlist for this chapter:
Search Party- Sam Bruno
Fight For Your Right- The Beastie Boys
Blame- Nik Ammar & Oliver Jackson
1979- Smashing Pumpkins
Anyway, please enjoy :)
-MARCH 3RD-
Even though I love winter and the snow, March's warm weather is a welcome feeling. Everything is a lot brighter and happier... less dull and dismal. Anyways, I'm standing in the sunny parking lot with Kate, Brooke, and Tori, all of us waiting for Nathan and Chloe to arrive in the Station Wagon Nate's parents are letting him borrow for our trip, so we'll have room for everyone.
The last set of trials are finally over, which means Chloe, me, Nathan and everyone else Warren and Rachel hurt will be able to move on. But that doesn't stop the stares and the whispers Chloe and I both get when milling around town. Everyone knows what happened to us and why, but nobody has the guts to confront us. Well, maybe except for the journalists and news reporters who always seen to be poking and prodding us for more information even though the whole case was publicized.
"The trip will be good for us, Max. We both need a break from the Bay, at least until things cool down news-wise" Chloe has told me the other night while we were packing.
She's been a little distant again like she does when she hasn't been on her medication for a while or when something on her mind and she's not telling me. I don't try to pry though... we've argued and bickered enough during the last month or so. Plus, I trust her enough to come to me when she's ready.
"Are you excited, Max?" Kate asks, breaking me from my thoughts.
I nod and smile nervously, "Y- yeah, I've never been to California before. It's supposed to be really great there, especially Santa Monica".
"It's wonderful," Victoria cuts in, "You'd love it there, Max. Home of the Hipsters. Believe me, you'll fit right in no problem".
Brooke scoffs even though she's not really paying attention, her face buried in her phone. "She got you there, Maxie".
"Oh hardy-har-har, it's not like Chloe's told me that a billion times," I say with an exaggerated tone as I roll my eyes, "Anyways, are you guys like, seriously okay with this turning into a camping trip? I mean, we're still going to a rock show but since we can't really afford a hotel room for each of us, this is sorta our only option. Unless we all share a room".
"We'll be fine, Max," Kate reassured, "We already told you".
"I- I know... but still. This is a lot to ask".
"We're fine, Max," Brooke points out, tapping Kate with her elbow, "Plus, what's cooler than spending time with our girlfriends in a secluded location with the privacy of paper-thin tent walls?".
Kate looks puzzled for a moment until she figures out what Brooke is implying. "Brooke!".
"What?".
"Get a room you two," Victoria says, rolling her eyes, "Anyways, as much as I hate the outdoors... I think it'll be fun spending time with you guys. Even if you are total dorks and dweebs".
All three of us do a double take the second these words leave Tori's mouth.
"Holy shit, Tori. Do you actually have a heart?".
She rolls her eyes and gives Brooke a friendly shove, "Cram it, Scott. Go suck face with your girlfriend and get your nose out of that stupid phone".
Kate blushes a little and grabs the glasses wearing girl's hand before she can get back at Tori again, intertwining their fingers. "Victoria's right, Roo," she says, pulling on her arm until they're facing each other, "Kiss, Kiss".
And with that, the two begin making out carelessly in front of us.
Damn... for someone as shy and sweet as Kate Marsh, I'd never expected to see her sucking face with her girlfriend in broad daylight on school grounds.
"Roo?" I ask, watching as Tori rolls her eyes at the sight.
"Pet names," she says simply, "I'm pretty sure you have a cliche pet name for your girlfriend too, Max".
I blush a little and turn away, catching the attention of all the girls.
"Well uh... we have nicknames for each other... but Chloe's better at it than I am".
"Oooh, do tell," Kate says, trying to pry Brooke off her.
The glasses wearing girl huffs with slight disappointment and turns her attention to me. "Well, Max? Spit it out already".
"Uh... well, Chloe's favorite nickname for me is Maxie, she uses it more than my real name sometimes. And uh, there's Max Attack, Mad Max, Maximus, etc... there's no end to the combinations really," I say, trying to hide my cheeky smile, "And... I call her Chlo, Chlo-bear or even Blue sometimes on account of her hair".
Both Brooke and Kate 'Aww' in delight while Tori just rolls her eyes and chuckles, "Cliche,".
I can't help but giggle a little and nod, "I know but it's cute and I love it".
She groans again and smiles, "You two are way too cute for your own good".
"Aww, but you love it," I say, still smiling stupidly as I come up and hug her.
She hugs me back for a moment before pushing me away, "Alright, Alright, I get it. Keep the gay to a minimum Caulfield, I'm already outnumbered 5 to 1".
We all chuckle and return to out normal conversations, waiting about 10 minutes before an old looking station wagon pulls into the school parking lot, honking obnoxiously loud.
Looks like they're here, I think to myself, waving at Chloe who sits in the passenger seat.
"Why hello, ladies," she says, slowly lowering her sunglasses to the bridge of her nose once the car pulls to a stop in front of us, "need a ride?".
"Dear god, please tell me that's not what we're taking to California," Tori says, kicking at one of the tires.
"Hells yes it is!" Nate exclaims, giving the car an almost friendly pat as he hops out of the driver's seat, "Just imagine cruising down to the Santa Monica Pier in this bad boy!".
"I am, and I don't like what I'm seeing,".
I giggle and shake my head, running up to Chloe when she gets out of the car to greet me.
"Hey, Kiddo," She says, kissing the top of my head as we hug, "How are you?".
"Good," I reply, "Glad you're here".
"You saw me like... less than 24 hours ago, and it's not like we don't talk on the phone every night either".
"I know," I reply, resting my chin on her chest, "But I still miss you regardless".
"You're adorable," Chloe says, running her thumbs over my cheeks before kissing the top of my head again. "So, how are you liking your new do?".
"I love it, Chloe. It makes me feel... confident" I say with a dorky blush as I pull away and run a hand through my short hair.
It's cut a little shorter than it was when I first arrived at Blackwell, a choppy bob sorta deal except the ends are dyed dark red. It makes me look sorta punk and tough, especially since I borrowed (stole) a few of Chloe's band tee-shirts and studded hoodies.
Chloe smiles back and chuckles a little. "You look like you're ready for the mosh pit," she says, gesturing to my (her) shirt which has a flaming skull with the caption Hellraizer on it.
I blush and give her a friendly shove on her (good) shoulder, "Shush. You're one to talk. Since when did you wear khaki shorts?".
It looks like she was ripped straight out of one of those tourist magazines at the travel shops, complete with a Hawaiian shirt and cheap flip-flops.
"Aww, come on, I thought it'd look kinda cool," she says, rubbing the back of her neck as a light blush covers her face.
"You do look cool," I say, leaning up and kissing her cheek, "You look uber cool".
"If you two love-birds are done macking on each other, we could use some help packing all of your guy's shit away," Tori says even though she's not helping in the slightest.
Chloe groans and rolls her eyes, reluctantly pulling away from the kiss. "Alright, alright we're coming," she says, looking down at my one large suitcase.
"I got it!" I say grab it before she can.
"Dude... I got it. It looks way too heavy for you to carry and the Doc said I need to stop babying my shoulder, build up strength some again," Chloe says, taking the suitcase from me, "You trust me, right?".
I give her a concerned look before nodding, "Of course... just, please be careful".
"I will," She says, lifting it up and carrying it over to Nate, who tucks it into the back of the Station Wagon.
She's got it, Max... you don't always have to worry.
I jump a little once the tailgate is slammed and turn to Chloe who seems to have done the same.
"Everyone ready?" Nate asks, walking back to the driver's side of the car.
The other three girls nod, all of them already in the car.
"Let's just get this over with, the seats smell like old people," Tori says with utter distaste.
I get in the back with the other girls while Chloe returns to the front, both of us sharing one more kiss before getting in.
"Alright," Nate says, starting the engine, "Get ready for the best 18 hours of your life".
"Wait... 18 hours? Are you cereal?!" I exclaim.
"Oh god," Vitoria says, pressing her palm to her forehead.
"At least we're together," Kate says, trying to make light of the situation.
"Yeah... this is going to be fun," Brooke mutters, clearly not into the idea of all of us being trapped in a car for 18+ hours.
"Annnd we're off," Nate says, pulling out of the parking lot and onto the main road.
"For the love of god somebody, end me! We've been in this car forever!" Chloe groans, smacking her head on the back of her seat.
"Please don't say that," I mutter, that phrasing sending an odd pit to my stomach, "And it's been 3 hours".
"I-... sorry, I didn't mean it like that," she says, "I'm just bored and my back hurts and there's nothing to do".
"Can't you play on your phone?".
"No Wi-Fi".
"Maybe try talking to someone?".
"Nate's driving-".
"I can still talk you know..." he points out.
"-Brooke and Kate are asleep-".
She points to the two girls who are pressed tightly up against each other, fast asleep.
"-And who in their right mind would talk to Victoria?".
"Hey!" Tori snaps, flipping Chloe the bird.
"Alright... alright, I get it. And I assume talking to me is out of the question," I say with a slightly snarky tone.
"Honestly, what are we going to talk about that's appropriate for the general public?" She says, getting Tori to crinkle her nose up in disgust.
I roll my eyes and stifle a chuckle, "Touche, Price."
"You two are gross. Just talk about what you're going to do for graduation and summer and shit like that, Chloe".
We all go quiet for a second, nothing but the radio buzzing in the background.
I'm just about to turn to Victoria and explain the situation when Chloe speaks up.
"I haven't told her yet, Tori".
I raise an eyebrow at both of them. "Told me what?".
"Um... so ya know how I've kinda been avoiding you the last two days?".
I nod, "Yeah... what about it?".
"I... I applied to get my GED," she says, actually sounding very proud of herself, "I start the classes when we get back".
"Chloe..." I say in a low voice.
"I know, I know... I shoulda told you... I just wanted it to be a surprise and-".
"Chloe," I say again.
She turns to me, "What?".
"I love you so much right now".
That sends a blush straight to her face, but she masks it with a smile. "Keep it in your pants, Maximus... at least until we're able to stop and stretch out legs if you catch my drift".
I roll my eyes, feeling the momentary sentimental moment pass in an instant. "You would".
"Pretty much set me up for that one, Max".
"Okaaay... let's talk about something else!" Tori said, getting fed up with our constant implication of sex jokes, "Maybe something like music!".
"We're listening to music," Nathan says, gesturing to the radio that keeps cutting in and out.
"Yeah... no. Pass the AUX cord all I'll show you what real music is".
So he passes the thin red cord back to Tori and we all wait to see what her taste in music is.
"Meet me out in Paris
I'll be on the elevator
Halfway up the Eiffel Tower
Halfway up to space
Lately, I've been dreaming 'bout the desert, uh
We'll be riding through the thunder on a midnight train
And baby, wouldn't you say these are the best of our days?"
"Gah! This already sounds pretentious," Chloe says, earning a 'shush' from everyone, including Nate.
"They're gonna be out looking for us all night
And they got a search party with their big flashlights
And they're searching high, searching low, searching super wide
Ghetto choppers in the sky and they're flying super high
They're gonna be out looking for us all night
And they got a search party with their big flashlights
And they're searching high, searching low, searching super wide
Ghetto choppers in the sky and they're flying super high"
While I've never heard this song in my life, it's pretty good in my book. It's somewhat quick paced and has a good beat that everyone can vibe to. Eventually, even Chloe gives in and starts bobbing her head up and down to the song. "Okay, fine... it's pretty cool. There, I said it," she says, trying not to let herself enjoy the song.
"Boats and trains and cars and planes like
Boats and trains and cars and planes like
Oh, like oh
Saying "na na na na na, catch me if you can"
Fly guys and they find me in their clothes
Ain't no coming down, no, no, ain't no looking down
High, high, high, high, high, high, high, high
Na na na na na, catch me if you can
They're gonna be out looking for us all night
And they got a search party with their big flashlights
And they're searching high, searching low, searching super wide
Ghetto choppers in the sky and they're flying super high
They're gonna be out looking for us all night
And they got a search party with their big flashlights
And they're searching high, searching low, searching super wide
Ghetto choppers in the sky and they're flying super high
Be out all night
Search party, flashlights
Be out all night
Search party, flashlights
Be out all night
Search party, flashlights
Be out all night
Party"
"Awesome song Tori!" Nathan says once the song ends, "But... I bet I can One-Up you".
"A music competition, me likey," Chloe says, clearly excited by this new development in our trip.
"I'm down if you guys are," I say.
"I'm in,".
"Come on, let's do this already!" Chloe exclaims, reaching back and snatching the cord from Victoria, and plugging it into Nate's phone, "Alright, Nate... Let's see what you've got!".
"Settle down and just play whatever song comes up first," He says, focusing on the road ahead of us.
Chloe nods and starts scrolling through his phone for a moment before clicking on a song, basically bouncing up and down in her seat.
"Kick it!
You wake up late for school, man you don't want to go
You ask you mom, please? but she still says, no!
You missed two classes and no homework
But your teacher preaches class like you're some kind of jerk".
"Of course, you listen to The Beastie Boys, Nathan," Victoria says, rolling her eyes with an amused smirk.
"Shut up, they're a good band and I'm pretty sure everyone knows their music," He replies, turning up the volume until you can feel the music in your chest.
We all chuckle and start singing along to the upbeat, high energy song.
"You gotta fight for your right to party
Your pop caught you smoking, and he said, no way!
That hypocrite smokes two packs a day
Man, living at home is such a drag
Now your mom threw away your best porno mag (bust it!)
You gotta fight for your right to party
You gotta fight"
"What the fuck is going on?" Brooke groan as she and Kate both start waking up.
No one says anything, we all just keep singing until they join us.
"Come on guys! It's a music competition, It'll be fun!" I say with a light giggle.
Kate giggles a little and joins in, watching as her girlfriend slowly gives in and starts singing as well.
"Don't step out of this house if that's the clothes you're gonna wear
I'll kick you out of my home is you don't cut that hair
Your mom busted in and said, what's that noise?
Aw, mom, you're just jealous it's the Beastie Boys!
You gotta fight for your right to party
You gotta fight for your right to party
Party
Party".
"Alright, alright, that was a good attempt," Chloe says.
"Attempt? I pretty much blew everyone out of the water!" Nathan protests, watching as the blue-haired girl plugs in her phone.
"Watch and learn Ladies and Gent, watch and learn".
"Fate caught me out today
Without a word to say
Without a card to play
My luck has finally run dry
I'm under a black sky
Don't know the reason why
But I know
I'm not the one no I'm not the one to blame".
"Damn... I didn't take you for an indie music person, Chloe," Brooke says, pushing her sunglasses up to the bridge of her nose.
"Yeah, well... there's a lot you don't know about me then," she says, looking back and shooting me a wink.
I blush and blow her a kiss back, mouthing I love you.
"I lost
This time it slipped away
But that was yesterday
I'll find another way
You're gone
And my world turns to grey
The pain is hard to take
But it'll fade away
Cos I know
I'm not the one no I'm not the one to blame".
I can't help but wonder if Chloe feels what the lyrics of this song are saying. While I know she doesn't blame herself for what happened to Rachel, she still has a lot of guilt that she's dealing with. Rachel was a bad person and deserved punishment for all the things she did... but death wasn't what either of us had in mind.
"Cos if
I blame myself I'll fall
Between the prison walls
With no hope left at all
And if
The fault was mine there'd be
A shadow left of me
My world would crumble in on me
A tread a tightrope
I've got to keep my head up
Or choke on all my hope
I'm high above the ground
Got to keep believing
I'll fall if I look down
No, I'm not the one no I'm not the one to blame".
"Alright, Maxie. You're up," Chloe says, handing me the cord.
I smile and take it, both out hands lingering as they touch.
"I'm pretty sure I already lost but, what the hell".
"Blast that indie shit, Max!".
I chuckle and begin my song, smiling at Chloe as it plays.
"Shakedown 1979
Cool kids never have the time
On a live wire right up off the street
You and I should meet
Junebug skipping like a stone
With the headlights pointed at the dawn
We were sure we'd never see an end to it all".
"Smashing Pumpkins? Now your talking!" Brooke says, seeming excited to hear the song and band I chose.
"Alright, settle down and let's listen!" Kate says, trying to get her girlfriend to relax (again).
"And I don't even care to shake these zipper blues
And we don't know just where our bones will rest
To dust I guess
Forgotten and absorbed into the earth below
Double-cross the vacant and the bored
They're not sure just what we have in store
Morphine city slipping dues down to see
That we don't even care as restless as we are
We feel the pull in the land of a thousand guilts
And poured cement, lamented and assured
To the lights and towns below".
"I didn't know you listened to these guys, Max," Chloe says, giving me a surprised look.
I shrug a little and blush, "I dunno, I kinda started listening to them after I met you".
She smiles and chuckles, "Guess I am a good/bad influence on you, but why this song? What significant about it?".
I shrug again, "it... it kinda reminds me or youth, just... being young while we can. Enjoying the time we have together before we all grow up".
"Faster than the speed of sound
Faster than we thought we'd go
Beneath the sound of hope
Justine never knew the rules,
Hung down with the freaks and ghouls
No apologies ever need be made
I know you better than you fake it to see
That we don't even care to shake these zipper blues
And we don't know just where our bones will rest
To dust I guess
Forgotten and absorbed into the earth below
The street heats the urgency of now
As you see there's no one around".
"Well... in that case. Here's to youth," Chloe says, raising a fake glass up like she's giving a toast.
"To Youth!" we all chant, eventually falling back into a simple conversation amongst ourselves.
Chloe and I continue to share sidelong glances, reaching out and taking hold of each other's hands.
"To us," she whispers.
I smile and intertwine our fingers.
"Forever".
Nate pulls the Station Waggon over on the side of the road about 2 hours later, after we cross the state line, all of us too tired to carry on. So once we get to one of the three camping grounds we're going to stop at, we all clamber out of the car and stretch our legs.
"Oh god, feel that air!" Victoria exclaims, stretching out like a cat once she slips out of the cramped car.
"You guys go ahead and relax, Chloe and I'll set up the tents," Nate says, popping the trunk open and pulling out multiple bags, setting them down on the ground beside him.
"We have one for Brooke and Kate, one for Tori, and one for us, Max," Chloe says, picking up one of the bags.
"I'm gonna stay in the car, keep it safe and give you gals some privacy" He adds.
"Ew, it's not like we're going to do anything," Kate says, shooting Brooke a nervous look.
"Sure... we aren't," she replies with a smirk.
Victoria groans and rolls her eyes. "Well, while you all sex it up over here... I'm going to have a smoke break. Holla if you need me" She says, pulling a pack of cigarettes out of her pocket and walking over to a set of picnic tables.
I chuckle a bit and look around, taking in our surroundings. The campground is just like the ones I've seen in movies, complete with a fire pit, outhouses, picnic tables and places for the tents. "This place is cool," I say, walking up to Chloe as she dumps the contents of one of the bags on the ground and begins to build our tent.
"Fuck yeah it is," she says, "You ever been camping?".
I shake my head.
"Well, then m'lady. Prepare to be amazed! We can make smores, stargaze, take a walk in nature, etc, etc,".
I giggle a little and bend down in front of Chloe, giving her a peck on the cheek.
"Heh, what was that for?" she asks, rubbing said cheek.
"I'm just so proud of you," I whisper, "You've been through hell and back and you just... keep going. I wish I had the strength, and you honestly don't know how much I admire and look up to you, Chloe Price. I wish I could be half the person you are".
Chloe pauses and looks completely gobsmacked, seeming genuinely shocked by the words I just said. "Max..." she begins, struggling for words, "I... I honestly don't know what to say to that, or if I even should".
"You don't have to," I say, "Your reaction is good enough".
"I love you so much... you know that right?" she asks, returning her attention to building the tent for a moment.
"Of course".
Chloe hums with pleasure for a moment, smiling ear to ear. "We'll talk more once I get the tents up... it'll give us a bit more privacy," she says, pointing to Brooke who's making inappropriate hand gestures.
I chuckle a little and nod, standing back up and deciding to explore around a little and take some pictures. "Alright... see you in a bit," I say, giving her another soft kiss.
I turn back to Brooke and stick my tongue out at her, watching as she rolls her eyes and flips me off.
"You two play nice okay?" Kate says, lowering her girlfriend's hand, "We're here to relax, not be at each other's throats".
"Aww, we're just messing around," Brooke says, giving me a high-five when I come up, "Right, Max?".
"Heh, yeah. We're good, Kate... just a few friends messing around" I say, rubbing at the back of my neck.
"Okay... anyway, is there anything we can help with?".
I shrug, "Uh... maybe you can get the cooler with the food in it? I think Chloe's going to try and build a fire later so we can cook hotdogs and smores or something".
"We can manage that, thanks, Max," Kate says, taking hold of Brooke's hand and leading her back to the car.
"No problem," I reply, looking for something else to do. I notice Tori sitting alone on the picnic bench and decide to go talk to her since we are still getting to know each other. "Um... hi," I say somewhat nervously as I sit beside her, pulling my shirt over my nose to protect me from the cigarette smoke.
"Maxine," she says.
"Victoria," I reply, waiting for her to continue talking.
She takes a long drag on her cigarette before throwing it down and stomping it out. "So... what brings you here?".
I shrug, "We don't talk all that much and... I dunno, you seemed kinda lonely".
"No... just needed a break," she says, turning to me and pulling her knees to her chest.
"Sorry. Everyone's a little crabby and cranky and...uh, horny apparently" I reply, feeling bad that I contributed to that awkward energy.
"You don't need to apologize, Max. I just... *sigh* I just get a little weirded out when people talk about sex and shit".
I raise an eyebrow but lower it after a moment. "I'm sorry. I didn't know".
"It's fine. No one really knows that it bugs me out. I keep that part of myself hidden," Tori says, "I just try to tolerate it as best I can".
"You don't have to do that, Tori," I say, "If you want, I can tell the others to lay off".
"No!" she exclaims, grabbing my arm for a moment, "Everyone already gives me enough shit for being the 'queen b', I don't need to add this to the pile".
I swallow hard and nod, "O- Okay, sorry".
She sighs and releases my arm, "Again, You don't need to apologize".
"I feel like I do. I mean... I feel bad that you had to deal will all my talk since we meet".
"It's fine, Max. I swear," she says softly.
"Being weird out by sex isn't something to be ashamed of, Tori," I tell her, "It's... it's weird for me too but... sometimes talking things out with someone I trust helps".
"It's not like I have that many friends, Max. Everyone in the Vortex Club respects me but... they're not my friends".
"You have us.".
"I know...".
"Just remember that, okay?".
"Okay... thanks, Max," She says, finally pulling her knees away from her chest, "you always know the right things to say".
"Heh, will I try".
"You don't give yourself enough credit. You should like... be a psychologist or something".
"I just want to be a good photographer," I reply, "I kinda feel bad that I never turned in a photo for that Everyday Heros contest for Jefferson's class,".
"It wasn't worth it, to be honest, those contests are never fair, especially with Jefferson as the judge. He always picks the photo from the person he most admires at the beginning of the year... it can be utter shit and he'd still pick it".
"Geez, I sure hope you aren't implying that my photos are shit," I say with a sarcastic chuckle.
"Never. Us photographer have to stick together, even if we have a completely different sense of style" She says.
"Alright, I'll get out of our hair now," I say, getting up to my feet, "I think the other's are almost done setting everything up. I'll call you over once we get a fire going".
"'Kay, I'm just going to chill here for a while if that's okay".
"That's fine, see you in a bit".
"Ciao".
I smile and wave her off as I wander back over to Nathan as he builds another tent a few feet away from the one he already set up. "Hey, Nate".
"Hey, Max. What's up?".
I shrug, "Nothing much... need any help?".
"I think I'm good for now but uh, looks like your girlfriend could use some,".
I look over at Chloe who struggles to keep one side of the tent up while the other falls to the ground. It's basically something out of a cartoon. I giggle a bit, " I think she can manage... she's trying to do more things on her own now that she has full use of her shoulder".
"Yeah, she gathered up all the tents from the basement and carried them to the car by herself just to prove she could".
"That's Chloe for you," I say with a sigh, "She'll do anything just to prove herself".
"The worst you can do is baby her," he says, "When things would get bad with... um, with Rachel, she'd always snap at anyone who'd try and pity her. She... she needs to feel in control of the situation she's in, and when she's not... she panics".
"I know,".
"But she trusts you. She can be vulnerable with you in a way I've never seen".
I nod and blush.
"I know".
"I'm really glad she met you, Max. I-... I'm not sure she woulda made it this far if she hadn't," Nathan says, pausing his work for a moment.
I swallow hard and nod again, lowering my voice to a timid whisper.
"I know".
"I don't mean to sound so dismal... just. I'm really glad to see my best friend happy".
"Me too," I say, shifting on my heels.
"Anyways, wanna go mill around and find some wood for the fire? That'll give you something to do," he says, finishing up the tent.
"Yeah... I can manage that," I say, looking around the campground again, "I'll be back".
"Alright, see ya in a bit. I'ma go see if Chloe will let me help, or someone's gonna be sleeping on the ground tonight".
I chuckle again and nod before beginning to walk off a little ways away from the others.
"Okay... firewood, firewood, firewood," I repeat, picking up random twigs from the ground and tucking them under my arm. As I bend down, the sleeve of my hoodie rolls up, revealing the still bruised skin around my wrist from where I was bound and tied up by Rachel.
Don't think about that. Max... focus on what's happening now, focus on the trip and your friends, focus on Chloe and the concert, I tell myself, taking a shuttering breath as I continue gathering sticks.
I'm still struggling to come to terms with what happened to me, which makes moving on a little bit harder. I mean... I panic when someone grabs me the wrong way, and I pull back from makeout sessions with Chloe sometimes because I sometimes feel like the walls are closing in on me and I can't breathe. She does her best to comfort me after I panic, but in truth, she's just as scared. It sucks how the smallest things trigger me now, but then again I guess that's always been a thing with me (thanks to my parents) but now it's just 10x worse.
You're okay, you're okay, I repeat in my head, closing my eyes and taking another breathe, "You're okay".
I still feel the restraints and duct tape sometimes, the coldness of the bunker floor, the drugs in my system and the voices... the voices were the worst. I could hear Rachel talking to me... telling me that I was going to die, that Chloe was going to have to choose between saving me or Nathan. I knew she was lying, but... when her plan actually played out, and Chloe pointed the gun at Nathan's head, I'd never been more terrified in my life. It wasn't that I was afraid of Chloe... I was afraid of what she was capable of doing under the amount of pressure she was exposed to. I honestly expected to die there, because I knew Chloe would never kill anyone, regardless of who they were to her.
"Max?".
I jump nearly a foot when I feel hands clamp around my shoulders, sending the sticks I had gathered flying. "Shit!".
"Woah, woah, woah, hey... it's just me, it's just me!" Chloe says, dropping to her knees when I stumble to the ground and try to scramble away.
"Fuck, fuck, fuck!" I swallow hard and try to calm my breathing which has unfortunately grown dangerously fast, "Why..." I mutter, trying to get my words out, "D- don't sneak... sneak up on me like that!".
"Dude... I've been calling you for like, the last few minutes and you were just standing her all zoned out," Chloe says softly, keeping her voice low like she always does when I have a panic attack, "I got worried. I wasn't trying to scare you".
I swallow hard and take a slow deep breath, trying to sync it up with Chloe's, "S- sorry, I just... thinking too much".
Chloe sighs and adjusts herself until she's sitting beside me on the ground. "It's okay... you're okay, alright?".
"Alright," I repeat, leaning up against her shoulder.
We both remain silent for a moment, listening to the crickets and nightbirds singing in the background.
"I see you've got the sticks'n'shit," she says, kicking a few with her bare toes.
I nod and sigh breathily, "Yeah...".
The others are looking over at us with concern, but we ignore them, just enjoying a brief moment of calm.
"We're going to be okay," I whisper, "right?".
"Of course," Chloe replies, leaning in and kissing me on the cheek, "Now come on, let's get a fire going and eat a little, it's been a long day".
I nod and grab onto her arm as she stands up, watching for a moment as the punk picks up the sticks I dropped before following her back to where the others are waiting.
"Uh... you guys okay?" Brooke asks timidly.
I nod and try to seem calmer than I actually am. "Peachy".
"Just chatting," Chloe confirms, handing the sticks off to Nathan. "Anyways, let's get some grub going go we can eat. I'm starving!".
"You ate an entire bag of Funyuns like... two hours ago," Victoria says, rolling her eyes sarcastically.
"Yeah... that was 2 hours ago," she replies, "And I'm hungry again".
"You're always hungry, dude," Nathan says, throwing some of the stick into the pre-made fire pit, "Got a lighter I can borrow?". Chloe nods and tosses him her lighter, watching as he lights the bundle of sticks and blows on it until it starts to smolder. "Alright... grab the hot dogs and a couple of sticks and let's eat!".
So we all get sticks and poke them through the hotdogs, gathering around the campfire and just relaxing, enjoying each other's presence as they cook. Eventually, (after we've all had our fill) Nathan gets up and reveals a guitar that he managed to keep hidden in the back of the car. "Play us a little something, Max. No campfire is complete without some sweet acoustics".
"I- I dunno, guys," I say, taking the guitar despite my hesitation, "sure I'm not gonna be annoying?".
"Let's hear it, Max!" Chloe exclaims excitedly, "Come on, blast us with that indie shit!".
"Alright, Alright," I say with a giggle, my girlfriend's excitement being convincing enough, "I'll play something". So I tune the guitar and start absently picking at the strings until I find a steady tune and stick to it, Chloe humming softly to the rhythm. It's nice... just sitting back and relaxing with my friends, the soft sounds of the crackling fire and the crickets. Everything feels at peace.
Sleeping in a tent is weird. I can feel the hard ground underneath me even though I'm tightly wrapped up in a soft fluffy sleeping bag, and I can hear the others moving around in the tents next to us, the nylon of their sleeping bags squeaking each time they move. Everything is so quiet... yet... loud at the same time.
There are crickets chirping in the distance, cars rolling down the road a little ways and Chloe's heavy snoring sounding off from beside me...
I forgot how much she snores... it's been awhile since we've slept in the same space together. It's been...difficult, adjusting to living with a new roommate. I miss just being able to listen to Chloe as she slept and be there when nightmares plagued her dreams. It didn't happen often, but I'd hear her whimper and cry in her in her sleep, repeating phrases that make terrifying sense today. Other times she'd wake up in a cold sweat and abruptly leave the dorm room to collect herself and have a quick smoke break.
"Max...?" Chloe mutters suddenly, shifting around a little, "Hey... you still awake?".
I jump a little, not exactly expecting to hear her voice. "Yeah... what's up? You okay?".
The air is silent for a moment before she speaks again,"I had that dream again... uh, you know the recurring one?".
I nod and turn around to face her. "Yeah... I remember, its been a while since you've had that one".
"I know," she says softly, "Kinda freaked out now,".
With a timid smile, I slide out of my sleeping bag and inch closer to her, watching as she invites me into her open arms. Once she lets the covers fall over us, I immediately cuddle up to her in the hopes of bringing her at least a little bit of comfort. She's shaking slightly, and her skin is cold and clammy, and her breathing is slightly labored.
"I'm right here," I whisper, burying my face in her chest, "It wasn't real, okay? Remember that".
Her arms wrap around me as she closes her eyes and holds me tightly against her warm body. Chloe sniffles a little and wills herself not to cry, but I can feel her warm tears fall into my hair, "I- I know... *sniff* I just... it was real at one point and it's hard just to forget".
"I know the feeling..." I whisper softly with a light sigh.
"We can always talk about it," Chloe suggests, pulling away to wipe her nose.
"Do you really want to?" I ask, looking up at her.
She stares at me for a moment before shaking her head. "No".
"Neither do I".
"But we will talk about it eventually... right?".
"I guess we kinda have to," I reply, returning to my cuddling position, "But not now".
While forgot that Chloe snores, I also seem to have forgotten that she usually sleeps in only a bra and boxers, so I can feel a lot of her skin making contact with mine (even though I'm wearing a nightshirt and shorts). It's this type of intimacy that I enjoy the most, just feeling the girl I love's body on mine, even if it's not in any way sexual.
"can... Can I ask you something sorta crazy?" She asks.
"Of course" I whisper, closing my eyes.
"I don't want to go back to Arcadia Bay,".
"What?!" I exclaim, lowering my voice when I realize I basically just yelled that, "Where the fuck did this come from?".
"Max, there's nothing left for me there except bad memories," she says, not even seeming phased by my reaction.
"What... what about Joyce and David, o- our friends... me?".
"i'm not abandoning them, Max. I just... I need to do something for me for once. And you're here with me aren't you?".
"For right now but... I want to finish school at Blackwell,".
"I know...".
"But?".
"Would you run away with me after we graduate?".
I blink, suddenly taken aback by Chloe's actual question. "I-... I don't know".
"You don't need to answer right away... just... promise you'll think about it?" she asks, seeming nervous.
I nod absently, continuing to stare are her with utter confusion and slight panic.
If I say no... will she leave without me? Will she straight up leave me? I- I don't exactly know what I want to do with my life after I graduate, but... all I know is I want Chloe in it.
"Where would you go?" I ask after a moment.
She shrugs, "I dunno, I was thinking Colorado. Far from home but... still close enough that I can come back".
I nod again and press my head to her chest again, trying to figure out what to respond with.
"Why do you ask?".
"I'll follow you anywhere, Chloe Price," I whisper low enough that I'm not even sure she can hear me, "Anywhere you go... I'm always home".
-MARCH 4TH-
We don't talk about what happened the next morning, all of us two busy pack the camping stuff away so we can get on the road again.
"So tell me again when this concert is?" Nathan says shoving the tents back in the Station Wagon amongst the clothes-filled luggage.
"On the Sixth, that way when we get to Santa Monica tomorrow we'll have at least one day to explore the town before the concert," Chloe says, taking a drag off a cigarette she pawned off of Victoria.
"Do we all have to go?" Kate asks, "As much as I love hanging out with you guys, a rock show isn't exactly my forte".
"Yeah, and what are we going to be doing for the three fucking weeks after the concert?" Brooke adds.
"Well, Nate's parents own a little spot on the beach where we're going to be staying after the concert," I say, "But I guess the city is ours for the taking after that".
"For the love of Christ, please tell me there's an actual place to sleep on this little patch of beach," Victoria asks in an overly desperate voice, "I can't sleep on the floor for three weeks".
"Relax, I'm pretty sure there's a bungalow there or something," Nate says, slamming the trunk closed, "I haven't been there since I was like 6, so don't hold me to that".
She rolls her eyes and sighs, "Oh god".
"Come on... it'll be fun!" I say even though I've been thinking the same thing.
Maybe we went in a little bit over our heads, but we can always go home early if worse comes to worse.
"Hurry up, guys," Chloe says, flicking her cigarette away, "the sooner we leave, the sooner we'll get there".
"Alright... we're getting in, geez," Brooke says, getting in the car after Kate and Tori.
Nathan opens one of the back doors and tosses Chloe the keeps. "Your turn to drive, Champ".
Chloe grabs the keys in one flawless movement and clicks her teeth at me, "Lets roll".
I blush unintentionally and nod, hopping in the passenger seat next to her.
"Is there any time you two don't flirt?" Brooke asks once all the doors are closed and Chloe reves the engine obnoxiously loud.
"Nope".
She's right though... sometimes I'm not even aware of myself flirting with Chloe. It just sorta happens.
"We'll try to tone it down a little," I say, remembering my conversation with Victoria last night, "Right, Chlo?".
She rolls her eyes and scoffs slightly, pulling the car out onto the open road, "Fine".
"Sooo... you guys wanna have another music competition?" Nathan suggests.
"We already did that," Tori says, "What's the point in doing it again?".
"How about punch buggies? My sisters and I used to play that all the time when we were younger," Kate adds.
"I think I've had my fill of punches for a lifetime," I mutter dismally.
"Ditto," Chloe replies in an equal manner.
"Okaaaay, how about something else?" Brooke asks.
"Like what? I spy? What are you twelve?".
"Chloe..." I whisper, knowing that she puts on a tough punk act sometimes without realizing it.
She sighs and shakes her head, "Sorry... ".
"S'fine dude, we all get crabby".
"I don't mean to. It just... it's like a defense mechanism,".
I blink, kinda surprised to see Chloe opening up to the others.
But I guess at the end of the day she has nothing more to hide.
"How about we just take this time to get to know each other better?" Nathan offers.
Chloe nods and shifts around in her seat, "Yeah... why not".
So, for the next hour or so we all just start talking about ourselves.
"Okay... it's your turn again, Max," Chloe says, "What's your biggest insecurity".
I swallow hard and anxiously rub at my hands, "Uh... my body, I guess?".
"Really?".
"But you're so skinny and fit".
"I- I know..." I continue, "I don't know why, but I just am".
Chloe gives me an odd look for a moment, seeing me growing progressively timider.
"Let's change the subject now... yeah?".
I nod, "Yeah".
"What about you, Chloe... you skipped your turn" Tori points out.
"Guys, she wants to change the-" I begin, only to have Chloe cut me off.
"I'm scared that I'm never going to amount to anything and I'm just going to be seen as a hopeless delinquent," she says, "So, I guess i'm insecure about my personality and how society perceives me".
Everyone goes dead silent at that point, not really sure how to respond to something like that.
"So... that answer your question?".
Tori nods and turns away, seeming a little too familiar with what Chloe described, hell... I think everyone could relate to that in some way or another.
it's quiet in the car for a while until Chloe turns the radio up, the music drowning out the awkwardness.
Pretty soon everybody is singing along to "Don't Stop Believing" and "California Gurls" like the idiots we are. We stop every so often, either for bathroom breaks or to stretch out legs, but we're on the road most of the day.
The later in the day it gets, the closer we get to our destination.
"Think we can make it there before sunset?" I ask, standing beside Chloe as she gasses up the car at a gas station, the others inside the mini-mart getting more snacks.
She shrugs, "I hope so... it'd be hella beautiful watching th sunset from the pier, ya might even be able to get some good pictures".
I nod, glad that I actually brought my camera, despite the fear of accidentally breaking it.
"I hope so. I can picture it now, you framed perfectly in front of the setting sun, and the only thing you can see is the bright orange sky and your silhouette".
I make exaggerated hand gestures that make Chloe laugh.
"You're a dork... but you're my dork, right?".
I nod again and give her a peck on the lips, refusing to back away when one of the many people gassing up their cars whistles a catcall. I simply giggle and flip them the bird, not at all ashamed to show the world who I love.
"And even if we don't make it by sunset, there's always tomorrow".
"We have all the time in the world, remember?" I say, kissing her again.
She giggles and kisses me back, "All the time in the world".
"Hey, lovebirds! Wrap it up already and let's go!" Brooke calls out once she, Kate, Tori, and Nathan return with arms full of snacks and things.
"Hope you guys paid for that!" Chloe calls back, putting the hose back on the hook thing.
"Haha, very funny," Nathan says, throwing Chloe a pack of cigarettes.
"Fucking finally, man!" She says, "You've owed me this pack since like... the beginning of the year!".
"Hush and let's go!".
Chloe rolls into Santa Monica a little after midnight, so everyone is asleep beside us.
Insomnia helps with that, and the fact that we've just been talking mindlessly to each other for hours on end.
You never really get tired of talking to Chloe... she's one of the most interesting people I've ever met.
"Are you going to go find the beach Nate was talking about?" I ask softly, leaning my head against her shoulder.
"It's a little ways up ahead," she replies, taking a few turns down a row of houses, "I googled the directions".
"Sweet".
"Thank god for cell service".
I hum a little and snuggle up against her shoulder again, yawning as I do so.
"Tired?".
I nod, "A little".
"Too tired for a midnight walk along the beach?".
I think for a moment before smiling, "I think I can manage that,".
"Cool".
"Should I wake the others once we get there?".
"Might as well. We can sneak out once everyone gets settled in alright?" Chloe says, shooting me an impish grin.
"You've got yourself a deal, Price," I say, kissing her cheek for what feels like the billionth time.
So once Chloe pulls the Station Wagon into a small parking spot next to a large bungalow, we shake the others away, watching as they grumble in protest.
"5 more minutes..." Brooke mutters, latching on tighter to Kate who's asleep in her arms.
"Dudes... we're here, don't ya wanna sleep in an actual bed?".
"Do we even know if there are beds in there?" I whisper.
Chloe simply shrugs.
I roll my eyes and manage to get Nathan awake.
"H- hey, bud... come on, we're here".
He grumbles groggily and pulls himself out of the car, shouldering Victoria awake as she leaves.
The others follow soon after and just like zombies, stumble aimlessly into the bungalow, Chloe and I leading someone to a bed.
Kate and Brooke take the guest room.
Nathan Takes his own room and Victoria crashes on the couch in the living room before we can even get her to a room.
"So that leaves us with the master bedroom, eh?" Chloe asks with a cheeky smile.
I chuckle and nod, "Yep".
"So... wanna take that walk now?".
I nod and allow her to take my hand as she leads me out of the bungalow, down a small path and finally onto the beach.
We walk across the water line for a while, having abandoned our socks and shoes back at the house.
"Wowser, this is nothing like the beach in Arcadia Bay," I say, looking at the large stand of palm trees lining the long strip of sandy beach.
"That's what makes California so beautiful," Chloe says, "It's fucking perfect".
"Why not live down here?".
She sighs softly for a second and shrugs, "Rachel wanted to run away here someday".
"Oh...".
"This isn't my dream though... my dream is just to live somewhere with the girl I love".
I smile and blush a little, "I honestly don't deserve you,".
"You do, Max... trust me. The world brought us together for a reason. We're soulmates remember?" Chloe says, pausing her steps to brush a few strands of hair out of my face.
"Soulmates," I repeat, looking up at her with bright eyes.
The silver moonlight reflecting off of her porcelain skin makes it look like her entire body is glowing. I don't even realize the water splashing at our ankles, I'm completely transfixed by Chloe's beauty.
"You look like an angel," I whisper, "You are my angel".
Chloe shakes her head and steps closer to me.
"No," she whispers, "You're mine".
I let out a shuttering breath when she inches closer, pressing soft kisses on my neck and jawline.
I grab a handful of her shirt and pull her closer to me, feeling her teeth drag across my skin as she nips at me playfully.
"Chloe..." I say breathlessly.
"Hmm?" she says, not bothering to pull away.
"Wanna help me cross something off my bucket list?".
Chloe hums warmly against my neck. "And what would that be?" she asks, already knowing what I'm implying.
"Sex on the beach under the stars" I whisper, feeling her lift me up until I'm straddling her hips.
"As you wish".
And just like last time, time seems to slow to a mear crawl and I'm aware of Chloe's every movement. I feel her lips return to my neck and the small bit of my chest that's exposed by the V-neck tee-shirt I'm wearing. "I love you," She whispers as she walks away from the water and sets me down on the warm sand, her cold hands already trail up my shirt and under my bra.
"Oooh~" I whimper, feeling her give my breasts a firm squeeze.
She snickers and continues to massage my breasts as we make out, her knee sliding up between my legs.
My breath hitches in my throat and I place one of my hands behind her neck, pulling her closer to me with the other works to get her shirt off.
Sensing my eagerness, Chloe takes off her shirt for me, throwing it aside and working on mine.
"I've gotta say," she says, her breathing already labored, "Punk Max is a lot hotter than Normal Max".
I roll my eyes and help her take my shirt the rest of the way off.
Once it's tossed away and forgotten about, I look back up at Chloe who's right above me, her eyes wide with confusion and concern.
"Max?".
"What?".
"... your arms" she mutters.
I blink and swallow hard looking down at my nearly bared top, seeing exactly what she sees.
The moonlight is reflecting off my skin just like it is on Chloe's... except for me, it basically highlights all the scars I've accumulated over the years and the past few months. Some scars are small, others... longer and deeper. Some are from other peoples hands and other... are from my own.
But there's one that catches her eye, one scar that's still a healing cut.
"Y- you promised".
"I know," I reply softly, my voice filled with shame.
Chloe picks herself up off of me and grabs my arm and I let her examine it, watching as she finds more and more scars, some old... some not so old.
"When?".
I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly going dry. "A week after what happened with Rachel... I... it only happened once. I- I slipped up, I'm sorry".
"Just... why?".
"I don't know... I haven't done it in so long, Chloe... I thought I was finally better. I- I thought-" I pretty much dissolve into tears at that point, utterly ashamed at what I've done to myself. "I'm so sorry".
"Hey, hey, hey...shh. It's okay, it's okay," She says, pulling me up off the sand and into a tight embrace. "I mean.. it's not okay... but... you're okay".
"I'm so sorry, Chloe," I say, "I'm sorry I fucked this up...".
"You didn't fuck anything up, Max... okay? We can still do this if you want," She says, holding me tighter even though I've basically gone limp in her arms.
I remain silent, having lost my energy to talk.
"Is..." Chloe begins, "Is this why you said you were insecure about your body? Because you...".
"Because I cut myself?" I say, knowing she's never going to be able to finish that sentence, "Yeah... pretty much".
"Fuck... I'm so sorry. If I'd know...".
"Don't apologize," I say, starting to pull away, "it's not you're fault".
"I know.. but I'm still so sorry".
"Why? Why are you so sorry for me?!" I ask, finally snapping.
She reaches out and take my head in her hands and forces me to look at her.
"I'm sorry that you don't realize what a perfect human being you are, regardless of your fucked up past,".
She leans in and kisses me hard on the lips, holding there before pulling away.
"I'm sorry that I can't take all your pain away,".
She leans in and kisses me again, this time pulling away with tears in her eyes.
"I'm sorry that I couldn't be there when you needed me the most".
"Chloe..." I mutter, continuing to cry myself.
"I'm sorry," she says again, "I'm just sorry".
I look up at her and search her eyes, seeing the same pain she sees in mine.
Without really thinking, I grab the back of her head and smash her lips against mine, tears continuing to stream down my cheeks.
"You're too good for me," I say again, pulling away from her lips for a second, "You're too good for me,".
"Just stop talking," Chloe mutters back, gladly matching my pace of kissing, "You don't know what you're talking about,".
She doesn't say it in an aggressive way or anything... she just doesn't believe what I'm saying.
"We're perfect for each other".
We continue kissing, eventually falling back on the sand, this time with me on top.
Our bras are thrown to the side after we both relax and fall back into what we started, our hands explore each other's bodies with half excitement and half awkwardness.
The only reason Chloe didn't see my scars last time we had sex was because her room was so dark, and that time in the pool the lights were just dim enough the mask them. But now... she can see me. She sees me for me and nothing more. I've got nothing to hide anymore... I've got No Filter.
As our make out slowly grows more heated, I slide my hand away from her breasts and rest it on her abdomen.
"Max..." She whispers breathily, her voice full of lust, "I want you to touch me,".
I blush and nod, moving my both my hands to the hem of her shorts, pulling them down to her knees and watching as she kicks them the rest of the way off.
This time there's no blanket to keep us covered, so I'm going to see everything... we're out in the open and I'm going to see everything.
"Max..." Chloe whispers again, breaking me from my thoughts by nipping my neck again.
I whimper a little again and return my hand to her abdomen, hesitating just above her boxers.
Swallowing my fear and slide my fingers past the waistband, feeling her skin growing warmer and warmer until-
"O- oh...".
She's so soft and warm a-and...
Chloe mewls and arches her back the second I touch her.
I pull back for a second, unsure if that's a good sign. But she grabs my wrist and holds my hand above her sensitives, taking a shuttering breath.
"I'm okay... just not used to it".
"Okay," I whisper, returning my hand to where it was, this time moving it in a swirling motion.
Chloe's breath hitches in her throat when I decide to move my hand deeper into her boxers.
"F- Fuck...".
I let out a small whimper of pleasure as I continue to spread her growing moisture around. But I know there's more to sex than just this...
"Chloe I don't...".
"It's okay... you'll know what to do. I trust you".
"But I've never-".
"Just do to me what you do to yourself".
That makes me blush even more, "I-... okay".
God, this is embarrassing... just don't think, Max. Just do. Don't think, Just do.
So I do just that, I let my instincts guide my hand until I slowly and hesitantly breach her entrance.
"Fuck!" Chloe yelps, a small giggle following immediately after, "Ah... k- keep going, keep going. F- feels good,".
I swallow hard and close my eyes, feeling Chloe's knee slide between my legs again.
try to concentrate on what I'm doing but somehow my body is subconsciously grinding against her bare skin and I just want to feel her against me too.
So I quickly pull my hand out of her and pull off my pants... then my underwear.
"Christ... calm down, Maxie," Chloe says, panting softly.
I blink and shake my head, taking a deep breath. "S- sorry... I got excited".
"I could tell," she says, kicking off her own boxers.
I look at her with wide eyes, really never expecting to see a fully naked Chloe in front of me.
"Take a picture... it'll last longer", she says with a snicker watching me oggle over her.
Shit now I want to take a picture.
"L- later," I mutter, crawling back on top of her and letting her flip me over so she's back on top.
We smile at each other for a moment before returning to our heated kisses and soft touches.
I continue to grind my pelvis against Chloe's knee while simultaneously pumping my fingers in and out of her.
"Gah! Don't stop, don't stop!" She begs, kissing my neck, chest and gripping onto the sand under us.
I obey and go at a faster pace, yelping when I feel Chloe's hand dip down and touch me.
"Oh, fuck, fuck, FUCK!".
Suddenly, Chloe shifts her body away from me and I'm afraid she's panicking or I hurt her but...
Oh, my god...
She adjusts our bodies so that our legs are intertwined-
Oh, my god...
She takes my hand in hers and looks at me, still panting, her chest and forehead glistening with sweat and ocean spray. "Ready?".
Oh, my god...
I nod.
She pulls me close.
"Oh, my god!".
The second our sensitives touch I feel my breath escape me.
She's still so warm- no hot and damp and-
I can't even form a coherent thought, everything is just so much.
Small whimpers, groans, and moans escape my lips as we continue to grind our bodies against each other.
Chloe... Chloe's not afraid to let loose. Her moans are loud and make my stomach twinge in the best possible way.
I close my eyes and feel my insides start to churn and tighten.
"You feel so good. This feels so good!" Chloe says, her body beginning to quiver as well.
Everything is so hot, the air around us is so hot, the sand under us is so hot, her skin is so how.
Chloe drags herself across me with more force, more and more heat and friction growing between us until... we both release.
"Fuck!".
It happens to me first (of course) and I can feel the hot moisture drip down my leg followed by Chloe's.
We've both flopped over at this point, completely out of breath and exhausted.
My body continues to twitch for over a minute and my ears ring loudly in my ears and I can barely feel my legs but I feel so fucking happy and good and...
"Chloe..." I mutter, slowly sitting up and untangling out sand covered legs.
Chloe remains silent for a moment, still trying to take control of her breathing.
"H- holy shit..." she finally mumbles.
"That... that was amazing," I reply, helping her sit up.
She looks at me for a long second before smiling with a toothy grin.
"I... we... I had sex" she says.
I giggle a little and nod, leaning in and kissing her softly on the lips, "I know".
"I- I did it... thank you... thank you".
And suddenly Chloe starts tearing up, but they're happy tears as she pulls me into a tight embrace.
"I love you so much," I whisper, nuzzling her neck.
"I love you more," she replies, letting out a long sigh of content and relief.
We hug there for a while, completely nude until the chill of the night starts to get to us.
"Let's go inside yeah?" Chloe asks as she slips back into her bra and boxers.
I nod and slip back into my own clothes. "you may have to carry me... my legs are still numb".
Chloe chuckles and nods, bending down to pick me up. "As you wish".
So she carries me back to the bungalow where we dust ourselves off of sand and crash hard onto the bed.
Everyone is surprisingly still asleep, making me glad we...uh, did it, a good ways away.
"You comfy?" Chloe asks once we get under the covers of the big queen-sized bed.
I nod and yawn, cuddling up to Chloe again. "Perfect".
She hums and kisses my nose before resting her chin on my head, sighing softly.
"Goodnight, my love".
"Goodnight".