Ch. 12: A Day at Blackwell

AARON WATSON'S POV:

It was the curse of men to never understand women; a philosophy I had heard a few times in my life. This was the first time I had truly felt it. There was no doubt in my mind that Chloe Price was the embodiment of that principal. Mainly because she was fucking crazy, but I loved that about her. In all the time I'd know her, admittedly short yet sweet, there had never been a dull moment.

Chloe Price was special. So was Max Caulfield.

She had saved me from certain death. Not because she had some ulterior motive. Just because she was there and could make a difference. Genuinely kind people had been few and far between in my life. Those who were often faded away eventually, some more permanently than others.

I had only known them for a little while, but I couldn't imagine my life without them.

That dependency both comforted and scared me. As nice as it felt to feel supported, I knew how quickly life could change. How the universe suddenly decided to screw you over, take away everything you ever loved. Max and Chloe knew that much too, but they didn't let it stop them.

Neither would I.

Soon after our little… moment together, Chloe and I headed out to Blackwell. Max was in class right now, but lunchtime was approaching. On the way over, we stopped off to grab something from the Two Whales.

Joyce didn't seem surprised at all when Chloe burst through the door like she owned the place. "Fancy seeing you here."

Shaking her head slightly, she moved around the counter and produced a brown paper bag. Like a snake lunging at its prey, Chloe snatched the bag from her mother's hand.

"Thanks, mom," she said as she made a move towards the door.

The older woman shook her head with a smile. "Honestly, that girl…"

"Thank you, Joyce," I muttered gratefully, getting a beam in return.

"You're welcome," she stated as she went to take more orders from more people. I sat in the nearest open booth and Chloe took the seat across from me.

"So, what's the plan?" She asked, "Rob a bank? Go to a club? Kissing contest?"

"You are terrible," I said between fits of laughter.

"Oh, come on," she winked knowing full well the effect she had, "you know you love me."

I blushed, almost wishing I wasn't so obvious. "Yeah."

"Are you Max's long-lost brother or something?" she asked teasingly. "Because that kiss you gave her in the junkyard would have been really weird."

If Max had been my sister, my life would have turned out so differently. Nowhere near as messed up or depressing. Compared to my actual sister, the brunette was a million times more compassionate. Not hard.

Pushing the thought aside, I chuckled, "I hope not."

Deep in thought, a sly smile crept onto Chloe's face. She was plotting something. "Tell you what. Max is probably having lunch right now, I could probably drop you off to have some one-on-one time with her."

Considering it, I nodded. I'd spent comparatively little time with Max. From what I'd seen and heard, we had a lot in common. "That's actually not a bad idea."

"You seem surprised. Wow, that little faith in my ideas. Rude." Chloe tutted shaking her head. "I'll have you know it's not the first time I've set up two lovebirds."

"Oh really?" I challenged.

A brief flicker of offense crossed her face before she burst out into a broad grin. "Good, you can officially detect bullshit. Never been prouder." She shed a fake tear for our amusement. "To be fair, I did set up two lovebirds. I just happened to be one of them… twice." Her eyebrows did a mini-suggestive wiggle.

I couldn't help but laugh, which inspired an eye roll.

"Come on!" She stood up and pointed dramatically towards the door. "ONWARD TO BLACKWELL!"

We bolted out of the building without even ordering anything.

The drive to Blackwell was mostly uneventful. Chloe would occasionally grab my knee, laughing when I flinched. She enjoyed messing with people too much, me and Max especially. At least I was deemed worth her time, even if it was mostly teasing.

This was my second visit to Blackwell. Hopefully it would be better than the last time… when I was met by one Victoria Chase.

"Here we are: The Ninth Circle of Hell," Chloe stated, stepping out of the car and sweeping her arm in the building's direction.

Stepping out, I stood next to the blue-haired punk with a smile. "I wonder what's in the basement."

"Rebellious curiosity…" she chuckled to herself. "I like this new Aaron."

"Thank you," I said hiding a blush.

If Chloe noticed it, she didn't say anything. Either she was giving me a break or biding her time, a false sense of security. My bet was on the latter. When we reached the girls' dorm, Max was already waiting for us. Chloe had texted her on the way over.

Her back was facing us, distracted by her phone… a bad move.

"Yo, Maxi-pad!" Chloe charged forward, scooping the smaller girl into a big hug. She picked her up off the floor, twirling her around and giving her cheek a kiss when she put her down. "Did you miss me?"

"Chloe!" Max squeaked, disoriented when her feet finally touched the ground again and a little embarrassed. "What did I tell you about doing that?"

"Oh please." The bluenette waved her hand in the air, swatting an imaginary fly. "You enjoy it really."

"Yes, I really love feeling dizzy," Max retorted, trying to steady herself. Then, she realized I was here. She offered an awkward smile. "Oh, hi Aaron. Sorry, didn't see you there."

"You didn't have much time to see me." The irony of that reply hit me; two time travelers without time.

Max seemed to notice it too. "Good thing I don't want to waste my power on silly things."

Engaging melodramatic mode, Chloe gasped and clutched a hand to her chest. "Ouch, Max. That hurts. Am I not worth your time?"

"Of course you are, dork." The brunette jostled her shoulder. "And you know it."

Chloe expression softened, turning more serious. "I know, Max." It lasted a moment, unspoken words shared. "Anyway, I have to bail. Can't be seen with you nerds, it'll cramp my style. Catch you later."

Without another word, she turned on her heel and stormed off to do… whatever she did when she was alone. Cause mischief, no doubt.

"Chloe, wait…" Max called after her to no avail, sighing before turning to me. "Um… so…" her blue eyes lit up with an idea, she began rummaging around in her bag and took out her camera. "Mind if I take a few shots?"

"Of me?" I asked, pointing to myself. "Uh, sure. I doubt I'll be as good a model as Chloe, but…"

Shaking her head, Max led me over to a nearby tree. "You'll be good in your own way."

With careful instruction, I posed under the tree waiting for her to take the picture. It felt a little awkward at first. The more time that passed, the more comfortable I felt. Max made it easier.

After a couple of photos, she gave me a reassuring smile and offered her work. "See, what did I tell you?"

Carefully, I took the Polaroids and shuffled through them. I had to hand it to Max, she'd done a good job. "Just… don't show them around too much. I'd rather my family not find me here."

Taking the photos back, Max nodded. "Agreed." Her eyes rover over my body, deep in thought. "Do you think you could take out your necklace?"

I hesitated.

My necklace had always been hidden under clothing after my mother died. It was a piece of her that was always close to my heart. I only ever took it out when I was nervous, so I did what I did when anxiety struck; I took out the ring, put it on my finger and began to spin it.

"Perfect." Max lined up the shot and waited, taking another picture once the lighting shifted. She checked the photo, seeming happy with the result. "I think that'll be enough for one day. Thank you."

"Don't mention it." I suddenly felt nervous for a whole different reason.

"Know what?" She took a picture book out from her bag, "These are going straight in the book."

"Y'know that reminds me," I said smiling, "Chloe mentioned that you had a picture of her dressed as a cat."

"Oh yeah," she dug in her bag, "I've been meaning to show you for a while but Chloe's always been around. I didn't want to incur her wrath... for both our sakes."

She pulled the rumored picture from the bag and handed it to me. It was adorable; Chloe was wearing cat whiskers, ears, and a tail, and she was sprawled out over a hedge with her arms and legs dangling in the air. I did what came naturally and said, "Awww, wittle kitty sweeping."

Max chuckled, and I looked at her. She was so beautiful. "What are you looking at? Do I have something on my face?" she asked.

"I want to take your picture," I said, "please don't move." I gently picked up her camera and took her picture. It was perfect.

"Wow," she said, "just… wow. It's beautiful."

"So are y…" I slapped my hands over my mouth, but it was already way too late.

She and I were both the same shade of red. "Wh-what was that?" she stuttered.

I shook my head, keeping my hands over my mouth.

"Max, I know what we both need," a deep but feminine voice came from behind the nearby tree, "let's take off all our clothes and start making out. I'm Aaron. He he he." The source of the voice was none other than bluenette Chloe Price.

"CHLOE?!" We both yelled.

"That's me," she said with pride, "here to break sexual tension and looking good while doing it." Max and I buried our faces in our knees. "Ah come on you two are so cute together," she sat next to us, "come on you know I love you guys."

I was the first to sit up, "Chloe, you know I love these games you play, but you should probably just let things happen naturally."

"Sounds boring," was her rapid response.

"I agree with Aaron," Max sat up next. "Slow and steady wins the race."

"Thank you, Dr Caulfield," Chloe rolled her eyes. "Shall I bow down to your wisdom?"

"If you like," Max replied with a slight smirk, one I noticed only surface when she talked to certain people. My best guess, those she was most comfortable with.

"Oh, I'm so going to wipe that smirk off your face," the taller girl threatened playfully.

I suspected she was only half joking. Max did seem a little worried by that, knowing full well what Chloe was capable of better than anyone. The blue-haired punk didn't make empty promises.

Our conversation continued like that for several minutes before a warning bell rang. Max had to run off, leaving me alone with Chloe.

God help us all...

Thank you very much for your support, and thank you co-authors for all your help.