"Jesus, Mom, stop!"

"Chloe, you need to look presentable. It was very nice for the Caulfields to invite us over, so show some respect!" Joyce barked.

"Do I seriously have to wear my hair down though? It's itchy as hell and gets in my way," Chloe protested.

"You can handle one night. Now straighten your blazer and suck it up," Joyce growled.

The older Price went out of her room, leaving a grumbling Chloe looking in a mirror spiffing up her jacket. She had a black blazer on with a white button-up shirt, black dress pants, and black hiking boots. The lumberjack ran a hand through her hair, tangling it in her messy locks. Joyce had made her brush it even as short as it was. Fuck, what does my mom know? All she ever does is . . . No, don't think about that right now. The last thing you need is for your parents to see you crying over it like you used to. Man up, Price. Grow a pair for once. The blue-haired girl looked herself over in the mirror, thinking she looked decent then headed downstairs. William had a black suit with a Christmas tie on while Joyce had a red dress down to her knees with black heels. Chloe sighed, thinking it was going to be either a disaster or an awkward night.

I bet Max already has something more good looking than I do. She seems like she has good taste in clothes. Just like Rachel did.

"Alright, let's blow this tree lot," she said.


Max looked over herself for the hundredth time in the mirror, examining her dress, which was a simple black one. She didn't have a lot of them, but that one was easy access. She had applied a bit more makeup to her face than on a daily basis, even a bit of a dark shade of red lipstick. The brunette had black flats on too which made her seem a little too short for her liking. She never felt comfortable wearing formal clothes, or just any clothing that revealed more than she wanted to. With her thin frame the photographer felt as if no one really liked it, that people preferred girls with bigger breasts or butts. It wasn't like she was trying to hook up with anyone, she just wish she had a better body. Okay, Max, she thought you look fine. It's just Chloe. You two have been hanging out a lot this past week, what's the worst that could happen?

"Maxine, the Prices will be here any minute! Are you ready yet?" her mom called from downstairs.

"Yeah, almost!" she replied. The brunette took a deep breath, straightening her hair and flattening her dress. "Alright, Max, time to meet the Prices . . . sorta."

She walked down the steps and the doorbell rang just in time. Max cursed under her breath. "Oh, they're here!" she heard her mother yelp from the kitchen. The brunette opened the door and immediately her eyes went wide. Chloe stood in front of her with nice clothes, not a bruise in sight, and her hair down. Oh my God, Chloe looks… good. Like, damn, it's like the lumberjack never existed. Meanwhile, Chloe looked over Max as if she was some sort of muse. Shit, she did have something better looking than I do. Damn, Caulfield look at you all fancy.

"Hey, Max, how are yah?" William asked, snapping both girls out of their trances.

"Oh! Uh, good. Come in," She moved out of the way for them to step inside.

"What a lovely home you have," Joyce complimented.

"Thank you," Max said shyly.

"Yeah, awesome taste in decor," Chloe acclaimed while looking around. Max still couldn't take her eyes off the blue-haired girl, thinking she was looking at a totally different person.

"William! Joyce! It has been too long!" Vanessa exclaimed, hugging the both. They conversed and Max motioned for Chloe to follow her upstairs. They went into her room, and Chloe's eyes grazed the walls. "Cool room. Very hipster, which I feel like is kinda your vibe," she said while examining something on the brunette's dresser.

"Thanks. I guess I never considered what my whole 'vibe' was," Max replied.

Chloe looked up at Max's wall of Polaroid photos above her bed. There were a good variety of them, from landscapes, to animals, to even self-portraits. She couldn't help but feel a bit sad. "My girlfriend Rachel liked to take photos," the blue-haired girl said softly.

"Girlfriend?" Max asked, seemingly saddened at the title Chloe had chosen.

"Ex-girlfriend. She moved a while back, but we had broken up before then. Something came up and-" she felt a sudden lump in her throat. "Well, you understand."

"No, Chloe, I really do," Max said.

"Anyway, how's the world of Max Caulfield?" Chloe smirked, sitting on the photographer's bed. The brunette joined her, creating minimal space between the two.

"Just hangin' out with a really cool person I met who knows a lot about trees. It's kinda weird but unique at the same time," Max smiled.

Chloe chuckled. "I bet they are weird. Knowing a lot about trees is kind of dumb because no one really cares about them anymore."

"It's not dumb! I think it's adorable and I still care about trees. They're the best source of oxygen we have," Max protested.

"Well, at least someone does. I thought everyone was into big businesses nowadays," Chloe shrugged.

"Chloe, it's not unusual that you care about trees. A lot of people want to help the environment, and you could even start a revolution," Max encouraged.

"Maybe you could help me." Chloe smiled

"I'd like that," the brunette returned it.

They were both silent, looking at everything except each other. Then Max thought of something. "Hey, I never asked you what you wanted for Christmas."

"Oh, uh. . . . Y'know I haven't really thought of anything. Maybe some new hiking boots, stuff like that. I feel pretty satisfied with what I got. Nothin' new I really need or want." Chloe shrugged.

"C'mon, you seriously can't think of anything? Now I feel hopeless into getting you a Christmas present!" Max pouted.

Chloe chuckled. "Just get me a card or something, I'm not a hard buyer. Having you as a friend is a great Christmas present enough."

Max blushed. Chloe really knew how to charm people, or maybe she was just easily pleased. She was determined to get Chloe something special because it seemed like the lumberjack was already planning something. "I at least wanna get you a little something."

Chloe took Max's small hand in her own. "Max, meeting you was the greatest present I've had in awhile, so please don't dote on giving me something. Just please be there for me and I'll have a great Christmas."

The brunette looked down at their hands, feeling Chloe's calloused fingertips and rough texture. Chloe thought Max's hands were very soft and she squealed internally on how little they were. The two girls were suddenly staring into each other's eyes, feeling a little awkward with growing heat on their cheeks. "I'll always be there for you Chloe, I promise." Their faces were inches apart and it felt like the world was closing in on the two. "I will too," the blue-haired girl whispered. They both started to lean in, closing their eyes.

"Maxine! Chloe! Dinner's ready!" Vanessa called from downstairs, popping them out of their trance. The two laughed nervously while Max shuffled her feet and Chloe rubbed the back of her neck, both girls' cheeks red as a tomato.

"So Maxine, huh? I was wondering why you had such a masculine nickname. Your real name's quite pretty," Chloe smirked.

"Thanks, but it's Max, never Maxine. I hate my name," Max brushed it off.

"I like it, it's got a nice ring to it," the lumberjack said.

"So does your little jingle," the freckled girl shot back.

"Shut up, nerd!"


The Prices and Caulfields were gathered at the table, with a bunch of food in front of them. There were William and Ryan at the heads, Joyce and Vanessa on one side, and Max and Chloe on the other. They started digging in and talked for a while, the dads catching on old time and the moms also, and the daughters were just picking at their food. Max glanced over at Chloe, who looked a little down.

"So, Chloe, what's it like cutting down the big pine trees up in the mountains?" Ryan asked. The lumberjack realized she was being asked a question and got out of her rut.

"Uh, pretty great. Y'know, swingin' an axe here and there, collecting wood. Just normal lumberjack things," Chloe smiled.

Ryan chuckled. "I'm sure it's a hard job. You must have some serious upper arm and back strength."

"Well . . ." Chloe pondered, "maybe. I mean, I work out a little to keep myself in shape for the job but other than that I guess?"

"Probably more muscular than William when he was your age. This kid was scrawny. Now look at em'! A lotta meat on the bones!

"Ryan, please don't look back on childhood," William muttered.

"Dad, I think you've patronized William enough," Max said.

"Yeah, not like you were the perfect kid in school too. You were probably worse than William," Vanessa protested.

Max and Chloe stifled laughs at Ryan's shocked face. They chatted for a while well into the night. Vanessa got up and went to a cabinet, taking a bottle of something out. "Could I interest any of you in a glass of wine?"

"I'll have some," Ryan said.

"Why not?" William shrugged.

"I will too," Joyce smiled.

"Uh, no she won't!" Chloe interjected. All eyes were on her as she had an expression of nervousness on her face. "She's . . . a lightweight! Yeah! Doesn't take much for her to get a little tipsy! Heh, Mom I think you should sit this one out," Chloe smiled awkwardly.

"Chloe, is something wrong? You seem on edge," Vanessa said worriedly.

"Nope, I'm perfectly fine! All dandy over here!" Chloe stuttered a bit, feeling sweat on her forehead.

"Okay, well, I'll get everyone a glass," Vanessa said, getting wine cups from a glass display.

Chloe sighed, feeling sick to her stomach and knowing something was going to go wrong. She felt a hand on hers and looked over to see Max give her an expression of concern. The blue-haired girl managed to make a half smile for false reassurance. "May we please be excused?" Chloe asked.

"Sure, you kids probably don't wanna hear adults talk all night. Go off and do your own thing, we're just gonna chat about things," Ryan said.

Chloe immediately got up, pushed in her chair and went to the living room. Max scrambled after her, wondering what had gotten into the lumberjack. She didn't know what was eating her. One minute Chloe was fine and the next thing she was all jumpy. Max would do her best to investigate. She spotted Chloe looking at the Christmas tree covered with lights, ornaments, tinsel, and candy canes. Of course Chloe would go in here. It's where Bertha is, the brunette thought. Her camera instincts told her that it was a great photo opportunity, but she knew it was a very inappropriate time to take one. The way the Christmas lights reflected on Chloe's hair was mesmerizing, and her stance was like a critic examining a piece of art. "Hey, are you okay? You really seemed shaken up at the dinner table." Max put a hand on the blue-haired girl's shoulder, feeling her tense up.

"Uh, yeah, I'm good. Can we not talk about it right now?" Chloe asked a little snappy.

"Sure. What do you think about Bertha?" Max looked at the tree.

"She is definitely looking spiffy. It's like she went to the ball and is searchin' for a hot date," Chloe joked.

"Have you ever watched any Disney princess movie at all?" Max laughed.

"Nah, not really. I was more into the animals and Pixar when I was younger. Then I grew out of it and started watching more adult themed stuff."

"Well, I know for a fact that the princesses don't just get gussied up then go to the ball. They have to have some sort of carriage and the prince has to be totally oblivious to her-"

"Then they dance then fuck," Chloe interrupted crudely.

"Chloe!" Max hissed, but still grinning. "My parents are in the other room!"

Chloe snickered while the brunette slapped her arm playfully. "I'm sure Bertha would love to have a pine prince sweep her off her feet. Not like she could get anyone though."

They were quiet for a second then Chloe feigned a look of disgust. "'I get more action than you'?! Bertha, how dare you! I thought you were my friend!"

Max giggled at Chloe pretending that Bertha could talk.

"Oh, like you could do any better getting someone. I could probably pick up anyone I wanted!" Chloe challenged.

"Chloe, don't get angry. Bertha's just trying to push your buttons," the freckled girl tried to say without laughing.

"I'll prove I can pick up anyone!" Chloe scooped up Max and put her over her shoulders.

"Chloe! What the hell? Put me down!" Max pounded on the blue-haired girl's back.

"Not until I prove to Bertha I can pick up anyone," Chloe protested. "C'mon, Max, we're going for a walk.

Max prayed to God Chloe could not look up her dress. They were out the door when four slightly drunk adults looked over in their direction. "Did Chloe just carry Max out the back door?" Vanessa said faintly.

"I don't-" William hiccuped, "know."

"Whatever, I'm sure they're responsible," Ryan shrugged. "Now, back to the story of when I filled the football captain's jockstrap with hot sauce and peanut butter."


Chloe and Max had walked a few blocks down just talking. Max had gotten cold so Chloe gave her her blazer while the blue-haired girl untucked her shirt and rolled up her sleeves, while putting her hair in a ponytail. The moon was full and bright, shining on the two like a spotlight. Both girls felt like they were in someplace magical as the stars lit up the sky. "Wow, I feel like I can do anything! This cold air feels so damn good!" Chloe cheered, lifting her arms. Max could see a little exposed stomach from it and felt heat rising on her face when she saw a bit of toned muscle. Chloe really was in good shape.

"You're happy," Max smiled at the lumberjack's enthusiasm.

"Hell yeah! I'm the king of the trees!" Chloe yelled. Max grabbed her and put a hand over her mouth.

"Shhh, Chloe! Are you trying to get us in trouble?" Max whispered.

"Sorry, Maximilian, I'm just so hyped right now!" Chloe grabbed the brunette and swung her around. Max squealed as Chloe lifted her up in the air.

"What is up with you?" Max couldn't help but laugh at the punk's sudden change in heart.

"I have no idea! I just feel so… ecstatic. Like I could climb the tallest mountain and scream to the top of my lungs!" the lumberjack took a deep breath.

"Easy tiger, we don't want you having a seizure because of your adrenaline rush. Why don't we tone it down just a notch," Max said, putting her hands on the blue-haired girl's arms, accidentally feeling the muscles.

"Sorry, I'm just happy to be outside is all. The indoors are seriously a bore."

"I'm sure a lot of lumberjacks carry that same vibe."

"You'd be surprised at how many of them complain about their jobs. Not many are as into it as me and my dad, so it's kinda special to us. But the outdoors you can just do anything instead of being limited to what's inside. With the outside, there's animals, plants, rocks, just nature in general. You can let your imagination literally run wild," Chloe explained.

"You always have something deep to say," Max smiled.

"So do you. It's like your eyes are cameras. What a regular person sees is a park bench, to you it's a whole journey. It's like you can create a backstory for almost anything in your photos."

"I guess we both see the world differently than the average human. We're the weirdos who people think have all of these mental illnesses when really it's just the way we see things. I know because I was usually called a wallflower back in middle school."

"Max, you're more than a wallflower. You're the flower everyone wants to pick but is too afraid to ruin the natural beauty of it. You're like a delicate red rose that people would never want to pick because you're too beautiful so they get the trashy hibiscus instead."

"Hey, I find hibiscus flowers to be quite pretty. And what is that supposed to mean?" Max pouted.

"I'm saying people don't know what true beauty is even if it smacked em' in the face. You're the delicate rose because you're unique, Max. You see the world through your own eyes rather than the standard person. You find the meaning, good, bad, evil, or anything. Because you're you. You don't need to fall into the trends or anything big going on to be cool. You just have your personality and quirks to make you special, nothing more."

Max felt a pang of happiness in her chest. She hadn't had anyone say anything that nice to her in a long time, even if it was a little hard to understand at first. She knew Chloe meant well with it. "Chloe, that… that's the nicest thing someone has ever said to me."

"You deserve more than the world, Max. If anything the world doesn't deserve you for how special you are." Chloe took Max's hands in her own, feeling the same thing as she did in her room earlier.

"You deserve everything, Chloe. No matter what anyone says, nothing will stop us from living our lives as a tree loving weirdo and a photography nerd. And we'll go on all types of adventures in our own little world," Max looked at the lumberjack's face, really seeing the detail. She saw Chloe's right eye was blurred when she stabbed it, and just a few faint scars here and there.

"I'd like that," the blue-haired girl whispered. They leaned in again like before, Max rising on her tippy-toes to reach Chloe's height. When their faces were just inches apart, Max's phone buzzed. She stepped down and took it out of her pocket to answer. "Hello? . . . Hey, Mom. . . . Yeah I'm still with Chloe. . . . Oh okay. . . . Alright I'll see you in a bit," the brunette hung up. "That was my mom, she said it's time to come home, that your parents are ready to leave."

Chloe's face immediately turned to sorrow at those words. "Oh. . . . Yeah, alright," she said sadly.

"C'mon," Max took Chloe's hand and they walked back to the house in the starry night.