Max felt what seemed like fingertips tenderly brushing through her hair, similar to how one would quietly and gently turn a page while reading a book in a library. Once she began leaving the state of being awake yet asleep at the same time, she did, in fact, notice Chloe stringing her fingers along Max's dark brown locks like a harp.
"Morning, Sleeping Beauty," Chloe teased as she brought her hand back.
"Um, hello there," the groggy photographer responded, sounding a bit confused
"Goop," Chloe teased once again, this time with a slight bop on Max's nose as if she were a cat.
Max was a bit bemused at Chloe's sudden cheerfulness. Yesterday, she was so bleak and depressed but now she was back to her old self as if yesterday didn't even happen. Was Max dreaming? A dream to be used as an escape from the tragic events of yesterday? Or perhaps those events were nightmares that Max finally got out of.
"You seem… happier, Chloe," Max stated.
"Am I not supposed to be?" The blonde frowned.
"No, I mean… yesterday you were just so sad, understandably so, but now…"
"Well, yeah… I'm still upset and broken over what happened, but you being here makes me feel better." Chloe ended her response, trying to mask her sadness with confidence.
Max didn't feel like she was good enough to affect Chloe's mood positively, even if she was her best friend. Especially over something so depressing; she didn't feel like she was special in any way.
"I'm glad," said Max sweetly. She appreciated Chloe telling her that, even though she didn't understand how Chloe felt that way.
"Don't look so surprised, Goop." Chloe gave a wink. "Anway, what do you wanna do today?"
"I don't know," the younger girl replied. "What about you?"
"Hmm… we could go up to the lighthouse and hang out up there," suggested Chloe. "It feels like ages since we went."
"Sure, I'd love that. Whatever you want to do. Although… we should probably ask your mom first."
"Yeah, I guess," said the blonde. "She's probably downstairs making some food, Two Whales Diner style."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Max stated with a grin.
The two girls headed downstairs, expecting to see Joyce in the kitchen or at the dining table reading the paper before making breakfast. But each room didn't have a soul to be found.
"Maybe she went somewhere or she's still asleep," Max suggested.
"You're probably right," Chloe agreed. "Maybe we should check her room to see if she's there?"
"I guess… but we shouldn't wake her if she's still sleeping. We can wait until she gets up."
"I'm just gonna tell her we're heading to the lighthouse to hang out. I won't be loud and it won't take but a minute," Chloe promised.
The girls headed back upstairs and made their way to Joyce's door. It was still shut so Chloe left a knock. There was no response so she slowly opened the door to find Joyce sleeping on her side and small, audible snores could be heard from her. Chloe gently shook her mother to get her to wake up. It didn't take long for Joyce to wake up, but she had a startled reaction.
"Chloe, what's going on? Are you alright? " The waitress looked at Chloe and around the bedroom in fear. Max stepped forward in case she needed to help her friend and intervene.
"Mom, I'm okay, calm down. There's no need for you to be freaking out." The young teen placed her hands on her mother's shoulders as a way to comfort her and give assurance.
"Right, right. I apologize for reacting that way. I was just havin' this awful nightmare and since yesterday, I've worried that something might..." she ended. "Anyway, what do you girls need?"
Max bit her lip before speaking. "We just wanted to know if Chloe and I could head to the lighthouse and hang out."
"Yeah, that's fine with me," Joyce said as she began rubbing the sleep away from her eyes. "Just be sure to be home before dinner and please, please be safe," she urged.
"We will mom, don't worry," her daughter assured.
"Also, be sure to fix some breakfast for yourselves. I think I'm gonna continue to get some more rest, but I'll be sure to fix you two a nice meal for dinner."
"No worries, mom. Take care." Chloe gave her mom a casual wave as she headed towards the door. Max noticed that Chloe would often hug her mom before going somewhere, so it seemed odd for her friend to just give a simple wave goodbye such as that. Max remembered when it was her turn to head over to Chloe's house so they could ride the bus together, or they'd just walk. Chloe would hug her mom goodbye before leaving school and it was so sweet. Now, it just seemed rushed. But maybe, Max was reading too much into things.
"Bye Joyce, and thanks a lot. For everything." Max gave Joyce a sweet smile before closing the door and following Chloe downstairs.
"No problem at all, Max." Joyce returned the smile and then laid back down, anticipating falling back asleep quickly to forget her sorrow for a little while. Hopefully.
Chloe grabbed a giant bowl along with some cereal and milk, immediately mixing everything.
"Of course, you'd head straight to the Skweekinax," Max teased.
"Yup! I mean, I'll always love pancakes, eggs, and bacon - especially bacon - but cereal is really where it's at!" The older teen proclaimed.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Max agreed. "I think I'll have some too."
The two girls made it to the dirt path leading to the lighthouse, holding hands on the way there. You could see the sun peeking through the trees and the squirrels zooming around the forest.
"I wonder if our mark is still here," Chloe wondered.
"Mark?" The smaller girl questioned.
"Don't tell me you forgot! Here, I'll show you!" Chloe let go of Max's hand as she rushed over to a large map being held by thick logs. There was a red skull and crossbones on the top corner to the far left.
"I marked the tree fort, remember? So we'd know where to find each other in case something bad happens," Chloe reminded.
"Yeah, I remember now," said Max, sounding sentimental as she took one last look at the symbol. "You're so sweet."
Chloe blushed, trying to hide it from her best friend. "Already pulling all the mushy stuff, I see."
"Yup, always for you," Max grinned.
Chloe playfully elbowed Max in response. "So, whatcha wanna do, ya dork?"
"How about hide-and-go-seek? Or tag?" The brunette suggested enthusiastically.
"Pfft. How old are we? Seven, eight years old?" Chloe teased.
"Yes, Chloe, for certain," Max responded sarcastically. "But for reals, you're never too old for tag and hide-and-go-seek!"
"But what if you're like 90 years old and can barely walk?!" Chloe joked.
Max rolled her eyes playfully. "Okay, sure, but we're not 90 years old and we can both walk perfectly fine."
"Yeah, maybe in this reality. In some other one, you never know what could be going on!"
"Chloe, you're crazy!" Max accused.
"I'm serious! Well, mostly… But I guess you're right, we're still technically kids so I guess a game of tag or two shouldn't be a big deal." The taller girl shrugged.
"I knew you couldn't resist," Max smirked.
"Yeah, I suppose you're right…" Chloe stepped towards Max, suddenly placing a quick pat on her shoulder shouting: "You're it!"
"Chloe!" Max called out to her as Chloe sprinted away.
"Better catch up!" Chloe called back, waving to her friend.
The girls ran around the area chasing each other while letting out trails of giggles. When they got their fill and were exhausted from all the running, they flopped onto the ground.
"You're...so...evil," Max breathed.
"Me? You're...the…" Chloe gulped before breathing out. "One who… suggested we play tag…in the first place." Chloe tried to let out a smirk, but her red face and short breaths just made her look sick.
"Damn… should've brought some water," she continued.
"I guess we'll just have to stay dehydrated." Max tried to joke but her extreme exhaustion backfired her attempt.
"Nah, they should still have those drinking fountains by the picnic tables nearby. But of course, we'll have to walk down there."
Both girls let out exaggerated groans as they managed to pick themselves up and stagger to the fountains.
"You up for some hide-and-go-seek in a bit?" Chloe asked.
"Sure," replied Max. "Anything but tag at this point…"
"Alright, then after we get something to drink, go hide. I'm definitely gonna find you," Chloe said with a smirk.
"Yeah, we'll see about that," Max retorted as the two girls made it to the drinking fountain, rehydrating themselves.
The two friends played hide-and-go-seek for a few hours; both finding good hiding spots that left the other scratching her head for a bit before calling it a day in terms of playing around. Chloe suggested that they go to the beach before heading home and Max agreed. The two best friends trailed along the beach before the more mischievous friend if the duo skipped ahead. She went closer to the gentle waves that landed on the shore, soaking her feet in the wet sand. Her long, bright locks flowed alongside the wind. Chloe looked out into the sea before turning towards her best friend, smiling brightly at her. It was likely the most she has ever smiled since before the funeral; Max feared that these smiles coming from Chloe would be limited, especially once she had to leave. That realization left a distorted image upon Max, like a bleak photograph that was torn apart. She felt herself about to break down, which didn't make any sense to her. Wasn't she supposed to be strong for her best friend? How can Chloe be keeping this all in? If that were the case, which it likely was, then how? The photographer then noticed Chloe reaching out her hand, the smile still on her face. Max hesitated at first, but she ended up gently taking her best friend's hand. The two stared out into the ocean, hand in hand. There was silence between them, but a comfortable silence until Chloe spoke, wanting to hear her best friend's voice again.
"Max, how do you feel about me?" The blonde asked abruptly, still staring out into the sea.
The photographer glanced over at her friend quizzically. "What do you mean?
You're my best friend, so of course, I like you a lot. I love you!"
Chloe shook her head, trying to cover her surprise at Max's sudden 'declaration.' "No, I mean in a boyfriend and girlfriend kind of way. But with two girls. Girlfriends," she explained.
Max thought about it for a moment. She did find Chloe quite beautiful along with enjoying Chloe's small flirting, at least a little bit. Max figured that's what it was now since Chloe is asking this. Max would also be lying to herself if she said she's never imagined her best friend as her 'girlfriend' or whatever. Although, she never heavily pondered about it like she was now. It was something she brushed off since they were just good friends and thought it would be nothing more. But now, the photographer realized how significant these thoughts actually were, especially if Chloe had been having similar thoughts too.
"I guess I see you in that way," Max admitted in a whisper.
"Seriously?" The blonde sounded surprised and the look on her face matched.
"Yeah," Max confirmed. "It just wasn't something I thought about too much since I assumed it wouldn't happen. I mean… you're my best friend, after all."
"So?" Chloe questioned. "We'd still be best friends, just something more. I mean, if you wanted to..."
"You mean… you want to be my girlfriend?" Max felt her face turn warm as she placed the palm of her hand upon her elbow. It made her look awkward, but it was part of her mannerisms that made her feel comfortable and was something she had always done for years. Did Chloe ever pick up on it? She probably did, knowing her.
"Duh!" Chloe confirmed cheerily. "You're my best friend, super amazing, talented, and super cute!"
Max could die a happy girl at this very moment. She wanted to pinch herself to see if she was dreaming but figured she'd look silly, even if the Chloe in front of her wasn't even real.
"C-cute?" Max stammered.
"Yes, cute," Chloe emphasized, taking her friend's hand.
"But wait a minute, what about both of us having boyfriends from our promise and me moving to Seattle?" Max questioned, getting her mind out of Dreamland. "And aren't we a little young to be dating right now?"
The blonde made a dismissive hand gesture. "Max, those goals we wrote were written forever ago, and besides, boys are gross; especially here in Arcadia! Girls are cuter, smarter, and well, not gross. Also, people our age date all the time, it's no big deal."
"I guess," said the photographer, sounding very unsure.
"I get it if you don't want to be with me," Chloe sounded disappointed.
"It's not that I don't want to," said Max. "It just feels a bit sudden and like I'm dreaming. It's a good dream though." She gave Chloe a sweet smile.
"You're not dreaming, you dork," the more mischievous of the two said as she gave her friend a playful shove. "But I understand that it's sudden and I know that you're gonna be moving away soon. I probably should have said something before," she explained.
"How long have you felt this way?" Max questioned.
"A while," Chloe confessed. "For three years, maybe?"
Wow, Max had no idea… perhaps she was just really oblivious? Maybe she was the one that should have spoken up earlier…
"That's a long time," said Max, thinking out loud.
"Yeah, I suppose," Chloe agreed.
The two stood there in awkward silence this time, however, it was Max who decided to break the silence. It was as if they were taking turns.
"Why don't we wait?" Max was turned away from her friend.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean… Why don't we wait until we're a little older? And then we can date," Max suggested.
"Would you want that?" Chloe asked.
"Sure, why not? That way, we don't have to keep it a secret from our parents and we won't have to deal with the long-distance stuff as long. I always imagined that we'd move in together as soon as we grew up anyway," Max explained.
"Okay, but we wouldn't have to worry about keeping it a secret," said Chloe. "My parents wouldn't care. In fact, they probably wouldn't be surprised, especially my dad since he's known that I've liked you," she confessed.
"Seriously?" Max asked, wide-eyed. "My parents said I can't date until I'm 16… preferably 18…or 25…" She then cringed.
"He's just glad it wasn't on some boy." The taller girl giggled before she took hold of both of her friend's hands. "But it'll be our little secret." She winked, then bent down slightly to place a light kiss on her friend's pillowy lips. The two of them felt themselves drowning in each other as they kissed. It was gentle, but they made it last.
"Wowzer," Max whispered with heavy-lidded eyes.
"That felt really good," said Chloe as she tucked a loose strand of Max's hair behind her ear.
The photographer had a dopey grin on her face as she continued to stare at her friend. Chloe returned the smile before her face turned to that of someone stricken with utter horror.
"Oh, shit!" She suddenly yelped, letting go of Max's hands.
"Max, we gotta get back home! It's getting dark and mom wants us home in time for dinner!"
"Oh, dog! We weren't paying attention!" Cried, Max.
The blonde yanked her friend's hand as they rushed away from the beach, heading back to the Price's house.
"You were right, dad! I did have a chance with her!" Chloe cheered. "Let's just hope mom isn't too mad at me for being late for dinner though!" she concluded.
"Chloe… what are you talking about?" Max breathed.
"Nothing, just father and daughter talk…" Chloe gave her friend's hand a reassuring squeeze as they continued to dash into the night.
