* Saturday, Just Before Noon, After the Storm *

The buzzing in her ears is bad enough. The stuffy truck is too hot and the outside air is too cold. Of course she'd take the keys. Like I'd leave without her.Again with the buzz. Buzz. Buzz. Come on, puck up the damn phone. It takes Max over an hour to work up the nerve to call home. Now, by the incomprehensible justice of the universe, she is the one made to wait. Until.

Click

'Joyce? It's Vanessa. Joyce, are you there? Have you heard from the girls?'

Her arms and legs are numb from the adrenaline rush. Even her lips are tingling as she tries to find the words. Any words.

'Hello? Joyce?'

'...mom...'

Max can't hear much more than a high-pitch shriek, incoherent babbling, and honest-to-goodness weeping. More than half those tears are her's.

After multiple assurances of well being and a few declarations of love, the two Caulfield's finally start filling in the past 24 hours for each other. Vanessa had received half a dozen calls from half a dozen number, mostly from Joyce. Most residents are gathering at the hospital, the local and county police organizing search efforts. The governor declared a state of emergency last night, and FEMA starting showing up early this morning. Ryan (Dad) only left to come down about an hour prior. They had gone to bed right after movie night without checking the news and only found out when Joyce finally got in touch. She was playing tag with Vanessa ever since. All the landlines were out (no one was sure why, exactly) and most cell service was down. Joyce was borrowing phones from the 'call bank' that was set up at the hospital. Basically half a dozen offices where people left their cells for anyone to use. A few volunteers took messages for any incoming calls.

Yes, Joyce is fine. Well, not exactly fine.

'Her leg got crushed by a fallen telephone pole. Her knee and shin. Hit her head too. But you know Joyce. Played it off as a scratch. The doctor looking out for her, he's handing out phones to patients to use, he spoke to me first. They can't use all the equipment so they don't wear out the gas generators they have keeping the hospital lit - they even shut most of the lights - so they haven't done all the tests you'd expect yet. Who knows, they might of checked on her by now. But, honey, it sounded bad...'

'Thanks Mom. I'll... I'll let Chloe know.'

'And Dad should be there by this evening. He loaded up all the truck will all our non-perishables and every tool he's never used, so, all of them.'

Well, Dad, you'll finally get to wear that tool belt unironically.

'So, where are you, exactly? I'll look up the directions and text them to you.'

Less than ten minutes later a dozen directions appear on the phone. They are closer than expected, barely half an hour out. Time to find Chloe.

Max heads off in the direction Chloe went, straight into the woods, hoping the bluenette didn't go too far. A couple hundred yards in and Max can barely hear herself breathe. It is not a very thick forest but has the weight of age around it. Not the monsters of the redwoods, or the density of a jungle. No, the forest just has the gentle pressure of something that existed long before man, and would be here long after. A moment of panic grips Max. No idea where to go. A snap and a rustle spins her around. The rear haunches of a deer are disappearing into the woods. No way... Okay, let's... let's try this.

She follows the doe, only just keeping it in sight. Max's gets more confident as they travel. The deer is always only a few trees away, Max neither gains nor loses ground. Not fifteen minutes later, the animal takes off through the underbrush. Max waits a beat, searching, and hears a quiet keening of an injured animal. Wait, is Chlo...

Just past the last bushes is Chloe, hunched and shaking. Oh, Che... The pain of her best friend cuts through her core. A vicious hit. Nearly as bad as the alternative reality of Chloe in the chair...

'Chlo! Your mom's okay!' The brunette wraps her arms around the trembling girl, not quite encompassing both her torso and knees. 'I talked to Mom! Joyce is alive! Just calm down, we'll see her, you'll see her soon.' Planting kisses on top of her head, all Max can do is rock her and keep whispering. 'We're fine, she's fine, we'll be okay.'

Chloe's quaking redoubles, as the relief takes over. Full sobs emit from her, interspersed with the wail Max heard before. It's some time before she can get ahold of herself. Her voice is raspy when she can talk.

'how?'

Oh, Chloe, you've been crying for hours. 'I got my Mom. She's talked to yours. She's at the hospital.'

'...david?'

'I- I don't know... Joyce was, eh. Joyce got hurt. It sounds bad. Between landlines going down and bad cell service, no one seems to have a phone. A few people with working ones have been sharing them around.'

'must be why i got like fifty calls and texts from random numbers...'

'Wait, when?'

'over night. i shut off my phone after... after the storm.' A cough. 'didn't read the messages either.'

'But why?!'

'...didn't want to know if...'

And there it is. As much time as Chloe spent protecting Max was spent on avoiding everything else. Every moment she spends worrying about Max is also spent worrying about others. But her friend is the problem right in front of her and the easier problem for Chloe to dig her horns into. Her single-mindedness is both her biggest strength and flaw. Oh, why would you do that to yourself? I know its for me, but why? After all the crap I put you through you can take a moment and...

'You hurt yourself for me.'

Not a question.

'I know why you did it. I was really fucked up. I still am. I freeze up a little just thinking about the Bay. But you can't do this.' The taller girl finally looks up, 'I've been borrowing your strength this whole time.' A playful smack of the top of Chloe's head. 'Doesn't mean you can't borrow mine.' Dammit, she's going to cry again.

But no tears fell. 'it's not just that. mostly, maybe, but. i just can't lose anyone else.' Another tremor. 'after dad and you and rachel. i'm always alone. i can't do that again. i can't handling losing m-mom. or david.'

'or you.'

The weight settles.

'You're not going to lose me-' 'no'

Wait, what?

A centering inhalation. 'i am. one day you're going to find someone else. some guy comes along. or you just get fed up with my shit. you'll be moving on to bigger things than some dropout reject. you don't get it. i break everything i touch.' And finally 'why did you save me?'

So this conversation. A part of Max hopes the answer was obvious, even if she isn't sure what the answer is. A part fears she doesn't have the right answer. A part understands the girl's pain. A part is angry and hurt the question needs to be asked.

'I need you. In my life, I need you. Not just want. I gave you up once before. I won't do it again.'

'for now'

A flare of that anger. 'No! Not for now. For always. And you don't get a say in this. You don't get to push me away just because you think I'm going to do it first. That is NOT how it's going to happen Chloe Price.' Almost yelling at this point, Max grips Chloe's arm tight enough to get a wince from the girl. 'You're mine. And I'm yours. And that's the end of it.'

'then i dare you to kiss me.'

'Wh-what...'

'kiss me. because that's how i need you.' The intense look on her face shows she's looking for something wholly different from the other morning. 'when i said together forever, that's how i need it. and anything less isn't enough.'

No! I don't know! I mean, I kinda knew she felt... But I don't know how... Am I in lo-

'what's your answer Caulfield?'

* Saturday, Just Before Noon, After the Funeral

'I can't find Kate anywhere, Max.'

'Yeah, no luck either. I texted her and-' Buzz '-and the universe know's how to time things. Kate's having lunch with her Dad. Weird. Guess that's who was with her yesterday and the, the funeral.' The pause is barely noticeable in her speech. 'I didn't know he drove in.'

'Of course, I finally want to get all self-sacrificial and Kate goes out to lunch.' Max gives Victoria an incredulous look. 'Don't look at me like that. I'm a conceited bitch. And damn good at it.'

At least she understands the meta for this... whatever.

Sign. 'We'll just see her later then. So, plans falling through. What now, Max?'

'...Um, lunch?'

What's with all the 'we'? Did she decide I should fill in for Nathan? Or is she really trying to be my friend?

'Okay, lunch then. But none of the stuff they serve on campus. How about the diner?'

'NO!' Max is taken aback by her own vehemence. 'Just not- not the Two Whales. I can't. Not yet.'

Victoria takes no offence. 'Sure, fine. How about the pizzeria? Not as good as New York. Hell, not as good as Seatle for that matter. But the Sicilian is passably good and they stopped carding me when I ordered a few catered parties for the Vortex Club.'

'So long as no one's drinking, I'm game.' The begin to walk out of the dorms. 'So, what is going to happen to the Vortex Club now?'

'I don't know? I could restructure it, I guess. Use the vortex-storm symbolism for something other than our parties.' Max almost trips the last few steps. 'The funds are going to be all dried up, you know. It was all part of Papa Prescott's plan to fix his son. He figured if N-Nathan was properly distracted he couldn't interfere with the "Pax Prescott" he's trying to build out of Arcadia Bay.'

So, while we're on the subject, let's see how far this not-friendship goes.

'We could take about him if you want.' Sitting in Victoria's Mercedes. 'Or even... even Nathan. You know, the one from before... everything.'

Plunge taken.

Victoria sits in the car for a moment, looking at her keys. Starts it up and pulls out of the parking lot. 'Yeah, I'd like that.'

Acoustic guitar starts droning out of the stereo. Swans, I think. Yeah, must be off their new album.

'So, let's start at the beginning, I guess. We met at a private junior high, outside Seattle. One of those schools where everyone has money, so the difference is between a seventh or eighth digit of your bank account. Nate was in all my art classes. Always creating dark stuff, but, like still funny? Jhonan Vasquez-style. You know he's doing a comic spin-off for Fringe, right? Jhonan, I mean.' Victoria needs a moment to get back on track, lighting a cigarette and rolling down the window. 'Anyway, Nate... was always disturbed. Not like in a dangerous way, not then. He just saw things differently.' A laugh. 'I guess we all do. That's why we went to art school. Just, back then? He seemed so insightful, like he could peel back reality and see what's actually real.' Pausing at the stop light, she continues as it turns green. 'What do I know, I was just a kid.'

'You're still just a kid, Vicky.'

Narrowing her eyes, her response is a little heated. 'No I'm not.'

The absurdity of that statement has both of the girls truly laughing.

'No, really. We're eighteen. Our lives have been school for over a decade. Yeah, we're going through some adult crap. But that doesn't mean we've grown up.' Time for my sharing. 'Honestly, most days I feel like the furthest thing from an adult.'

A pensive look overtakes Victoria's profile. Her face is so expressive when she isn't in default simmering-rage mode. 'You may be right, Max. Most days... most days I feel just, like, myself. Even after the puberty fairy came and went I didn't really think I felt different. But I see a lot of my younger self in a childish light. I've really moved away from all the kids things I used to like.'

Don't mention anime dolls. Don't mention anime dolls!

Victoria continues, unaware of the laughter that threatens to spill from the small brunette. 'I don't know. I just stopped expecting someone to come up to me and say "You're an adult, get a 401k". Instead I just try and, well, be adult.'

The car glides smoothly into the parking spot. Surprisingly, a few exterior tables are still being serviced. 'Let's eat outside, Max. It's not cold out yet and I love the New York feel eating under an umbrella.'

'That's twice you mentioned New York. You visit it much?'

'Yeah, a few times before I came here. My parents traveled a lot when I was younger scouting for talent. Mostly my Dad, and I sometimes went on the trips with him. San Francisco, LA, New York, Miami. Miami sucks in the summer, bee-tee-dubs. As Mom always put it, she's got the head for the business but had nothing on "Father's eye". It's why the Chase Space works so well for them.' A pause as she takes a sip of water and looks over the menu. 'Yes, that Chase Space.'

'I, uh, I kinda knew. I didn't want to bring it up if there was any hard feelings. You know, a photographer raised by photo critics.'

A smile, tight and small, still managing to light up Victoria's face. 'No! It was amazing! It's why I love art. Growing up, seeing all the different meanings a single expression could contain. Our first location was right below our apartment. I used to sneak down there and sit with my father as he poured over the portfolios submitted. The best, though, was when I was there alone. I had to be around ten? I would sit on the floor in front of a picture or painting until I fell asleep. It happened a few times before my Mom would just give me run of the place on the days we were closed. Her sister asked her about it one day. My Mom just goes "She's an artist. I can't stop that. Let her see good art". That may be my favorite memory growing up.'

The waiter comes and takes their order. A whole pie. Large, too. Then again, I'm hungry enough I don't really expect leftovers. 'Okay Max, I'm done talking. I'm getting all personal and crap so it's only fair I get to learn something about you. But-' The hesitation is surprisingly thick. '-but it's pretty personal and really, really rude.'

Victoria Chase, rude? Bestill my beating heart!

'Shoot.'

'Okay, but don't get mad.'

'I'll try not to.'

A pause. 'Did you love Chloe?'

What? 'Really? Of course I did-'

'No no no. I mean, just from the way you talked about her, eh, last night. You called her your "other half". That's not something you just say about a best friend. I was wondering if you were in love with her.'

Uh-bwu-wha? I, uh, I don't know. I never really thought about that. Max's face is contemplative. Well, that's not true. But my best friend? And right after five years? But, the kiss. On the cliff, right before the- the butterfly photo. That was just a friendly kiss. Right? Did I fall in love with her without realizing it?

Tears come to her eyes and Max forms her reply. Different tears than those over the last few days. 'I think... I think I di-'

'LEAVE ME ALONE!'

Huh?

The back of an obviously irate blonde girl recedes down the sidewalk, just as obviously leaving the same restaurant. At the still closing door is an older man, looking somewhat hurt and obviously embarrassed. Wait, I know him... Which means.

Max is out of her seat, trying to catch up, Victoria only a step behind. 'Wait up, Kate!'

_

So, three chapters done. Cliffhangers in both times. Brings me to the end of my pre-written work. Now that figured out the nuances of the website I should be able to post moderately quickly as long as I can keep writing.

Which brings me to the biggest issue I've had so far with this: writing from a female perspective. I've rewritten sections of the next few chapters more times than I care to admit. No shock, I'm a guy, and I realize much of my original works come off as masculine. It can be difficult to phrase what I have to say from a female pov, never having delt with issues from that side of the gender line.

Which is another reason why I enjoy LiS. Max was never a 'girlie' character. Part of the reason I called out my own overuse of tears in the last chapter. Not saying Max is 'too masculine'. Her sex just doesn't define her. Her character does. All I'm trying to accomplish is keeping that character going. But when I stray too far from a believable '18 year old girl who also controls time, btw', criticism is welcome.