Max's first (actual) day of classes since Kate tried to kill herself weren't as refreshing as she was hoping. In retrospect, she should have expected it, but sitting in class all she could think was 'what's the point?' In her mind, she had experienced something so incredible and devastating in the past week that her classes just seemed...trivial. It didn't help that the class she had come back to Blackwell for was canceled for the time being. Though that was certainly understandable.
She glanced at her phone, hoping to see a text message from Chloe. She sighed when the screen only showed her clock. There was an upside to her day, though. She was able to reconnect with some of her classmates. She spoke with Daniel, Stella and even managed to snag a positive interaction with Taylor. Though she felt it wasn't all that great, having relied on information about her mother to fuel the conversation.
You're still using your rewind, just in a different way.
Still, she was happy to rekindle her friendships, even if the spark was from another timeline. Interestingly, Daniel had asked if Max wanted to pose for a sketch for him. She accepted, though she told him she didn't have time to do it at that moment. She wondered if the sketch would be the same or if one pencil stroke would be off by just a hair. Maybe it would be entirely different. How tangled could the web of time really get?
Again she imagined the slide puzzle of possibilities in her mind; one piece moving right so all the others had to shift position while more and more pieces were added. She couldn't grasp what the overall image was meant to be, as a new variation appeared every second, simply causing more chaos. Thinking about it too much made her head begin to hurt, so she willed it away, a scowl on her face as she did so.
So many possibilities. Infinite possibilities, I guess.
Dragging her feet through the hallway, headphones in her ears, she surveyed the Blackwell hall. The calamity of high school, something she loathed only a week...or really, two Max Weeks ago, was comforting. It was an expected chaos, something that felt incredibly dull yet needed in the wake of time travel gambling. She thought of that – how she would leap through a photo basically crossing her fingers, hoping that whatever she did would magically have the outcome she desired. It made her feel...kind of stupid. And incredibly naive.
"Most models are cynical. They lose that...naivete."
Fucking psycho.
She began to rummage through her locker, choosing to focus on the music marching through her head rather than Jefferson. It was typical Max music, a soft tune from some small band Said the Whale. She closed the locker, jumping a little when she found Ms. Grant standing next to her with her arms crossed, a knowing smirk on her face. Max quickly pulled the headphones from her ears.
"You scared me, Ms. Grant!" She waved a hand toward her face, wearing an embarrassed smile.
"Sorry, sorry," she chuckled, holding her hands out defensively. "I just couldn't help but notice your fashion statement." Max cocked her head to the side, confused. Ms. Grant cleared her throat, nodding at Max's neck.
"Oh!" She reddened immediately. "I uh, I had to uh...vacuum cleaner?" She offered, shrugging, resigning herself to her fate.
Face the music, Max.
"I'm not here to lecture, Max," Ms. Grant said. "Maybe this is...inappropriate for a teacher to say to a student, but it sort of makes me happy to see that you have someone in your life willing to..." She gestured to her neck. "Do that. I was worried you were going to remain locked up in your head, not interacting with anyone."
I feel like this...should be an awkward conversation, but Ms. Grant is so damn cool.
"Yeah," Max blushed. "I uh, got pretty lucky."
"To be young again," Ms. Grant said in a singsong voice, gyrating her body whimsically. "Things have been difficult here lately. It makes an old fart like me feel good to see her students carrying on as best they can." She got serious for a moment. "How are you holding up, Max?"
"I'm...okay, Ms. Grant. It's just kind of difficult to wrap my head around." Honesty without being too honest.
"Well, I'm always here if you need to talk," she said, glancing over Max's shoulder. "I'll see you in class tomorrow, okay? Now, if you'll excuse me..." She bounced around Max, heading over to a couple making out in the corner, waving her arms. Max chuckled, shaking her head.
Ms. Grant seems like an adult I can go to...then again, I thought that about...
Max turned, her breathing catching in her lungs. She stared at the door to the art room, feeling a threatening presence creep up through her mind.
It's just a room, it's just a room, it's just a room.
Her vision twisted, imagining shadows and camera flashes dancing behind the fogged glass of the door. Her breathing quickened as she clutched her chest, feeling a familiar pressure in her head. Her phone sounded its alert, snapping her back to reality. Tearing her eyes from the door, she began walking down the hallway, pulling her phone out to examine the text.
Warren: Maaaaaxx you free to hang? Just chilling in my room.
Max smiled, grateful for Warren's usual perfect timing. She tapped back, glancing up occasionally to make sure she didn't run into anyone.
Max: Yes! Omw to you now.
"Hey, uh, your nose is bleeding!" Someone called after her as she quickly left the building.
Max knocked on Warren's door, examining the slate next to it. It was a poorly drawn portrait of Bill Nye, a disembodied head floating on a polka dot bowtie. Underneath was scribbled in big letters 'Bill! Bill! Bill! Bill!' Max chuckled to herself.
What a total dork.
The door opened, Warren smiling brightly. Max hadn't noticed at Rachel's service just how odd it was to see his face completely devoid of any bruises. She returned the smile.
"Max!" He said, holding his arms out. Max's mind went into bullet time, her thoughts processing that he was in fact going for a hug. In quick reflection, she felt sort of bad about all the times she mindlessly ignored his advances, friendly or otherwise.
You get one this time, Warren.
She embraced him, feeling quite relieved when she noticed how chaste he was keeping it.
"How've you been, dude? Feels like forever," he said, pulling away from the hug. He glanced behind him, rubbing the back of his neck. "My room's kind of a mess, sorry."
"Don't worry, mine looks like a bomb blew up in it," she responded. "You'll get no judgment from me." He moved to the side, allowing her entrance. She glanced around the room, crossing her arms and nodding. "Not bad, Warren."
"That sounds like sarcasm," he laughed, brushing several energy drink cans into the trash.
"No, it's totally cool," she said, trying to prove her sincerity. "It's very Warren." She noticed the video games hooked up to a relatively small tube television, grinning to herself.
It feels like forever since I've even touched a video game. I should school his ass sometime.
"So," he said, moving his laptop from the couch to a small coffee table, "how have you been, for reals? You totally vanished after all that crazy shit went down with Nathan." He looked a touch concerned. Max took a seat next to him on the couch, facing him.
"Yeah, it kind of got away from me," she blushed, assessing how much of this conversation was going to be truth. "The girl he shot was my old best friend from five years ago. I've been with her mostly since that happened..."
"I see that," he had a small smile. "Pretty big news on your F-B this morning." Max internally facepalmed.
Of course he saw that.
"Sorry," she said. "I would have told you before but..."
"Hey," he held his hands up, "it's cool. Just because I waited to say anything to people before I told you my cool news, doesn't mean you had to." He shrugged indifferently, a playful smile on his face.
"Your cool news?" Max asked, an eyebrow arched. "And what's that?"
"Brooke asked ME out!" He exclaimed with a giant grin. Max brought a hand to her mouth, snickering innocently behind it. "What's so funny about that?" He asked, pouting.
Oh man, this is too perfect.
"Nothing's funny!" She waved her hands at him dismissively. "You two make a good pair."
"Yeah," he ran a hand through his hair, "she told me after...Chloe?" He asked, double checking her name. Max nodded her head. "After Chloe was shot, she thought about how life's too short to just wait for what you want and that you have to go out and get it." He blushed a little. "I didn't even know she liked me like that!"
Chloe Price, time traveling matchmaker. Un-fucking-real.
"It was sort of obvious," she smiled, nudging him with her elbow.
"Psht, whatever," he nudged back. "I'm just not used to..." He furrowed his brow, as if struggling for thought. "Girls..."
"Girls doing what?" The brunette asked.
"Just girls." He admitted, shrugging. This prompted another small laugh from Max. Her attention turned to the laptop.
"So," she said. "What're we watching?" She slid her shoes off, sitting criss-cross, feeling too tired to care at all about the usual anxiety of keeping shoes on in another person's home.
"Uh, Mean Girls, actually." He shrugged again. "I know some people think it's like a chick flick but I think it's funny."
"Oh psht, it's a classic for all races, genders and creeds," Max snirked. "And it doubles as a Blackwell documentary!"
"Yeah, no joke," Warren scoffed. "Aside from the creepy, rapist teacher and murder." Max made a thoughtful 'hmm' noise. "Do you want me to start it over or...?"
"Nah, that's cool, I don't know how long I can stay anyway. I have a date tonight!" She wriggled her fingers on the word 'date.'
"Well, la-di-da," he mocked. She playfully pushed his shoulder.
Weird. I guess in this timeline Warren didn't grow quite as attached to me...I guess that makes sense. And god knows Brooke is all about that nerdy booty.
He pressed the space bar on the laptop, kicking the movie back into play. They sat in relative silence for a while, with Warren chuckling loudly obnoxiously every so often. She found the movie funny, but admittedly had seen it so many times that it no longer produced any audible reactions.
"So, this is nice," he said after a bit. "Good to finally hang out with you after all this bullshit whacko craziness."
"Agreed." She smiled cheerily. "And look at us, both not single and living life."
You never really appreciate how hard that second part is until it's too late.
He reclined a bit, resting his elbows on the top of the couch behind him. "Never thought I'd get a girlfriend," he mused aloud, causing Max to roll her eyes.
"You're so dramatic," she teased.
"I'm serious, Max! I feel like it's going to start snowing! It's like the apocalypse," he broke out a goofy smile, though it was quickly erased when he saw Max's expression. "You okay?" He asked, concerned.
She had managed to stuff the notion of explaining everything to Warren to the back of her head, instead just relishing the opportunity for normalcy. But that specific mention of snow caused her mind to whirl.
Let's do this...tactfully...
"Warren," she began. "What do you think of time travel?" The boy's eyes lit up as he slammed on the space bar, pausing the movie.
"Time travel is crazy awesome! I have a bunch of movies about it if you want to check them out sometime!" He grew confused. "Wait, that was really random. Where did that come from?"
"Uh..." Max stalled, her eyes scanning the room. "Just curious, you know. Do you think it's actually possible?"
"Mmn," he tapped his index on his chin. "I don't really see how, at least not from a technological standpoint. Scientifically, probably not."
"Well, what's the alternative?" She asked, exhaling slowly.
"Well, mysticism I guess, but that's the land of...un-science. A land I dare not tread!" He grinned again. "That's artsy territory, I just put the numbers together."
"So you don't believe in like, time machines or anything like that?"
"Well, I believe you can build something and call it a time machine but it probably won't work. Plus, Stephen Hawking did that time traveler party thing." He fiddled with a piece of lint on his shirt. "Ain't nobody came to that party."
"Okaaaay, well let's assume someone doesn't use a device to time travel, but it's a power they've gained, but it has limitations and rules."
"Like a superhero?" He asked. Max shrugged, then nodded. "Sounds kind of O.P."
Not nearly as much as you'd think.
"Would it be, though? I mean there'd have to be some negatives to it...time travel is dangerous, right?"
Asking questions that she knew the answers to felt oddly like confronting her parents when she knew she did something wrong. She was simply buttering him up to drop the bomb.
"Yeah, you could totally screw everything up," he said casually. "Where's this coming from? I didn't know you were nerdy into timey-wimey stuff." Max sighed, sinking deeper into the couch.
"Can I tell you something, Warren? Just between you and me. I'm serious." Her voice was far away as she stared at the wall opposite her.
"Don't insult me," he said warmly, the words making Max smirk. He turned in his seat so he could face her.
"This is going to sound...completely insane," she said, already thinking about how to play it off as a joke if it didn't go well.
"That sounds about right, these days," he admitted. Max sighed deeply before beginning.
"I...can rewind time. Like for real." The words tasted strangely metallic in her mouth. Or maybe that was just the blood from earlier. Warren chuckled and nodded his head, acknowledging the joke. His expression shifted when he saw how hers didn't.
"Uh, what do you mean?" He asked.
"I mean I can manipulate time backwards...and also travel through photos to different events in my life." As soon as the last word left her mouth, she began cackling maniacally, slapping a hand on her face. "God, saying it out loud is always so fucking weird."
"You kinda sound like you're high..." He said slowly and carefully, his brows knitting together.
"That's what Chloe said," she laughed, shaking her head. "I was able to convince her by predicting the future and telling her what was in her pockets but...I'm not doing it anymore." She sighed, a crazed smile on her face. "I've been through a lot."
"Okay, so..." Warren blew air through his lips. "I can't tell if you're fucking with me, seriously. You have to be but...your acting is on point."
Think, think...how can I convince him without using my powers?
"Well, I can't give you a grandiose example, but...I know for a fact that you were thinking of asking me to go see Planet of the Apes at the drive-in." She shrugged her shoulders, smiling innocently. Warren turned red.
"Er...yeah, I was..." He shivered, wrapping his arms around himself. "No, okay...I guess that's weird, but time travel? Come on, Max."
"I said no because...well, I was obviously dealing with a lot of shit. But I know that you planned on asking Brooke as your backup. Which is a little shitty, might I add," she pointed at him, still wearing a smile to let him know she was mostly teasing. "But the great twist here is that Brooke is like, uber-crazy into you. She was super salty when you asked me." Warren shuddered again, glancing at Max with a gaze full of...fright?
"Uh...o-okay. Anything...else?" He was sinking into his side of the couch. Max reached a hand toward him and she noticed he winced.
"Warren, are you okay? What's wrong?"
Something isn't right, here...
"Yeah, yeah, fine...just...what else?" He pursed his lips, his eyes full of anxiety.
"Well, you beat the shit out of Nathan Prescott...to protect me." She tried reaching for him again, but he sprang up from the couch, holding himself as if freezing. "What is it?" She asked, beginning to feel nervous. "Warren?"
He paced around the room briefly before stopping and looking at her. She couldn't quite read his emotions.
What is it now?
"All three times you mentioned something I...did," he used air quotes, "I felt this really weird shiver in my body and like...a giant strobe light going off in my head." His eyes lit up with different emotions, mostly fear from what Max could see. Finally, he sat back down, the gears in his head spinning in overdrive. "Tell me everything, Max."
So she recalled her tired, timeless tale, one that starts off ever so jauntily and quickly unravels into tragedy. Warren remained quiet, watching her intensely even in moments where she let a small silence fill the room. He offered none of the conventional 'I'm listening' quirks like nodding or affirmation noises, instead staying deadly silent. She began to regret her decision to bring it up, seeing him contort uncomfortably whenever his name appeared in her story. Judging by his reaction, she would no longer be able to play it off as a joke either. A small dread wriggled into her mind.
She included only what she thought would be important for his understanding, leaving out many of the more intimate moments with Chloe and glossing over the Dark Room in a stuttering mess. She stressed the concept of photo-hopping, the butterfly effect in motion. All the while, a slow storm built in her head, a small tornado tearing up her thoughts. She winced when explaining the day of the storm, pressing a palm into her temple. This brought Warren to life.
"Hey," he said, leaning toward her and putting a hand on her shoulder. "You okay?"
"I don't know," she whispered, finally releasing a few tears. "This is actually why I wanted to talk to you about this so badly..." She stretched her neck. "I know you're just a teenager like me and we're in high school...you don't have a degree or anything, but you're the only one who knows anything about this stuff that I can trust." He gave her a smile when she said that. "Everything's...okay now, but I'm having this horrible anxiety about everything and my nose bleeds if it gets too bad. And then Chloe started to see my memories in her dreams and...now you're reacting weird."
"Max," he said, looking deep into her eyes. "I have...no fucking answer for this."
Oh.
"Oh." She said.
FUCK.
"Fuck..." She added.
"Hey, hey." He moved closer as she buried her face in her hands. "This is just...a lot to get at once, you know? I didn't even think it was possible and it's just..."
"You do believe me, though?" She brought her knees to her chin.
"I mean, the logical side of my brain isn't quite on board but I trust you, Max. And there's no denying the weird feeling I get when you mention things the 'other me' did." He reclined into the couch. "Fucking time travel. Parallel universe...what the hell." He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I almost feel bad. You come to me with all this and...I mean, I just watch and read a lot of fiction based on it. I guess I'm kind of a poser."
"It's okay..." Max sunk into herself. "It's unreasonable to expect you to explain any of this. I was just hoping..."
"Okay," he said, straightening his posture. "Humor my poserness for a second." Max offered him a forced smile. "If infinite timelines and the multiverse exists, then they just kind of...happen behind the scenes of what we know. The average human isn't built to experience that kind of thing. It's kind of like, the idea of losing your mind if you see an angel in its true form or something. Total Scanners head explosion stuff."
"You think my head's going to explode?" Max asked, snickering. "Thanks."
"No, I just mean it's an incomprehensible concept!" He giggled too before growing concerned. "This is serious stuff, Max. How does someone process that they've been in several different realities?"
"Or creating them..." She said, shaking her head. "I just don't know what this means for anything. The entire concept of life as I know it has been altered. I don't know how to just...carry on. And the nosebleeds are...concerning. What if I have like a time aneurysm?"
"I don't know. I really don't. But, you have Chloe and me and Kate and everyone, we'll be here for you." He thought for a moment. "I promise I'll do a bunch of research to try and help. I mean, it's all theoretical, but it sounds like some of it is based in fact..."
"Yeah," she said. "I tried to do my own research and...sometimes it seemed like some of these people knew too much about it, you know? Maybe someone else has experienced this before?"
"That sounds crazy. And you sound crazy. But what the fuck do I know anymore? I'm completely on board so I must be too." He sighed exasperatedly. "Bunch of fucking crazy people. And Chloe can...obviously corroborate your story? She went back in time with you?"
"Yeah," Max said, nodding. Then she chuckled. "So basically it's her fault Brooke asked you out." Warren looked at her for a moment, the thought ricocheting through his brain.
"Niiiice." He grinned. "Well, tell her thanks for me, I guess. Are you...uh, going to tell anyone else?"
"Oh god no!" Max huffed. "I was barely going to tell you and then when I did it gave you like, brain zaps! Nope, this is just between you, me and Chloe. Seriously, Warren, don't tell anyone. Not Brooke, nobody." Her eyes were pleading.
"Dude, I won't! And do you think they'd believe me, anyway!? This has 'Bill Murray Story' written all over it!" He grew hesitant. "But...the nosebleeds, if they get bad or you actually get sick...Chloe and me will have to do something, okay? What, I have no idea, but probably something."
"That's fair," she conceded. Her phone beeped from next to her, startling her briefly.
Chloe: lol dude i have the dumbest shit to tell you on our date
Chloe: are you almost done hanging out with wallace
Max giggled, flashing the screen in Warren's face. He tried to conjure an annoyed expression, but the weight of the last hour or so had sapped most of his sarcasm.
"I think that means I should go get ready or something." She smiled, then grimaced. "Hey, I'm...sorry. I really didn't know it would do that to you. It didn't do that to Chloe...even in the other timelines when I explained something she did."
"Well, it kind of sounds like you...I dunno, broke some stuff when Chloe went back with you. Like I imagine this ancient time deity bestowing these powers unto you and now he's like 'well you done fucked it all up now!'"
"Whyyy does the time deity have a broken, Southern drawl?" She asked, an eyebrow raised. He simply shrugged in return. "And if that's the case, whatever, fuck him. I didn't break anything, I fucking fixed it."
"I agree with you!" He said. "I'm just saying, look at it from his...hypothetical point of view." He placed a hand on her shoulder. "And seriously, don't sweat the brain zaps. I'm honored you trust me enough to tell me about this, even if I'm a total poser who knows fuck-all."
"Thanks, Warren. You rock." She put her shoes back on and stood up, swinging her arms from side to side to stretch. "I guess I should head out...sorry to, I dunno, drop this in your lap and bail. We'll talk about it more soon."
"I hope so," he said, wrapping her in a hug. "And you're not doing it anymore, right? I know you did what had to be done and I'm proud of you, but I definitely think...let's not shatter the universe, okay?"
"Deal," she said, turning to leave.
"Oh, and, Max?" He asked after her. "I was going to make a joke about this sooner but...I think Chloe might be a vampire."
"Dude, that's what I said," she said, laughing as she left.
The hall of Max's dorm was surprisingly empty, save for one very flustered Victoria Chase pacing in circles in front of Kate's door.
"Uh...Victoria?" Max called, approaching the blonde.
"Oh Jesus Christ, thank god you're here." She waved her hand about frustratedly. "I've been standing out here for like fifteen fucking minutes trying to work up the balls to knock on her door." She grasped Max's bicep frantically. "Your stupid speech earlier motivated me to try and talk to her but I haven't had the chance and now she's playing violin." She squinted. "Maybe we should just let her be. Probably, right? I mean, she's probably in the zone. I wouldn't want to distract her."
"I have never seen you so nervous before," Max giggled.
"Oh shut the fuck up!" She hissed, winding up to continue her insults. Her tirade was cut short as the door in front of them opened just barely. Two big, shy eyes peeked out from Kate's (thankfully well lit) room.
"Max?" She asked, confused. She opened the door further to see Victoria which only served to further her confusion. "And...Victoria?" Her eyes narrowed when she saw Victoria's grip on Max's arm. "What's going on?" Her voice contained no small amount of bite.
This is a total misunderstanding...but I'm so glad to see that you're willing and ready to go Kung Fu on bullies.
"It's okay, Kate!" Max assured. "Victoria and I were wondering if...you were willing to talk for a bit?"
Oh, is this what we're doing now? We're going to mediate this? Okay, Max. Good job.
"Mm...sure," Kate's tiny voice showed some uncertainty. "Do you want to come in?" Victoria shot Max a look, causing the brunette to roll her eyes. "We'd love to."
Chloe and Frank yesterday, Kate and Victoria today. Tomorrow? Stay tuned!
Once in the room, Max hugged Kate quickly before gliding over to Alice, lazily resting in her habitat.
"Aw, hello Alice," Max cooed, poking one finger through the slot in the cage. "How is the bun bun doing?"
"Oooh, I'm good, Max! How are you?" Kate said in a high pitched voice before blushing and chuckling. Max turned to give her a 'look' but her eyes settled on a very uncomfortable Victoria. She nodded toward the girl, a 'go ahead' prompt.
"You're, uh..." Victoria stammered. "Your playing is beautiful." She gestured toward the violin. "How long have you been playing?" She clenched her fists. "Ugh, no, that's stupid." She threw her hands up. "Not your playing! That really is beautiful! Just..." She sighed, letting out a small laugh. "I'm trying to apologize but I have no idea how to do it."
Kate eyed her suspiciously, then smiled. That beautiful, patented Kate Marsh smile that actually tricks your brain into thinking 'everything will be okay.'
"I forgive you, Victoria," she said before turning and drifting over to her desk. Victoria stood, mouth open.
"Wait, just like that? Kate, I'm serious! I'm so, so sorry. I didn't know everything that was going on and..."
"It's okay!" Kate said, holding up a hand. "Seriously. I'm a big believer in forgiveness. And just the fact that you came to apologize means a lot to me." Max had taken a seat on Kate's bed, content to watch the scene play out before her. "I know you didn't know about Nathan." Kate mustered his name with less poison than it truly deserved. "And even though you were a big bully, I understand that we're all just teenagers and it just kind of..." She shrugged. "Happens."
"No, but...no, no!" Victoria stomped halfheartedly on the ground. "I've been freaking out all day trying to figure out what to say to you! You can't just...cockblock my apology!" She brushed her cheek, flustered. "It was supposed to go like, I'm sorry that I made your life a living hell! I'm sorry I constantly defended the piece of shit who tortured you! BOTH of them! I'm a constant nervous wreck just trying to make myself feel superior because I consistently think less of myself than I probably should!" She dragged a hand down her face, momentarily pulling at her eyelid. "I'm sorry, just so fucking sorry! I don't know what my problem is! I just wish the world worked like when I was in fucking middle school, when there wasn't all this insane drama that for some reason I help create..."
The room was very, very quiet. Kate stood shocked. Victoria stood as vulnerable as ever, tears in her eyes. Max glanced between the two before unleashing a splendidly stupid chuckle.
"She doesn't even go here!" She said, her eyes growing wide before it was fully out of her mouth. Victoria snapped in her direction with an insane gaze.
Whoooops that was definitely supposed to be internal monologue.
"Uh..." Max stuttered. "That was...that was...I just watched Mean Girls with Warren and it reminded me of that." She could practically see smoke rising from Victoria's precious little pixie cut, but a shrill laughter broke the silence. Kate was doubled over in absolute hysterics. This was enough to confuse and pacify Victoria as Max's cheeks grew red.
"I love that movie!" Kate said, gasping for breath. "That was so reminiscent of it too!"
"What the fuck," Victoria huffed. "And I suppose you two are the mean girls." Kate inhaled before laughing again, tears building in her eyes.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" She waved her hands in defense. "Victoria! You are completely forgiven! I swear to God! And I never do that!" Feeling still just a touch embarrassed, Max was relieved when her phone chirped to give her a distraction.
Chloe: be ready be ready be ready i want to date you
Chloe: i want your tongue around and inside my mouth
Chloe: gimme dat ass
Chloe: also im madly in love with you
Max clasped a hand to her face, hiding further cheek reddening and building laughter. She stood up, feeling it was time to take her leave.
"Okay, well this has been a good team building exercise. I'm sorry I Tina Fey'd you," she said to Victoria. "I must leave now because I will combust if I embarrass myself further. You two good?" Kate nodded, then swept in to give Max a hug. Victoria gave a much smaller, but still noticeable nod.
"I guess I should leave too, then..." Victoria said, unsure of herself.
"You can stay if you want, Victoria," Kate offered. She glanced at her violin, a small smile budding in her cheeks. "I've been playing since I was like...gosh, I don't know, five?"
"You're very good at it," she responded, running a hand through her hair nervously. "And, uh, you can call me Vic. If you...want, I mean."
Max grinned to herself as she pulled the door shut behind her, shaking her head in disbelief.
Yep. Chloe and Frank, check. Kate and Victoria, check. Tomorrow...hm, let's see if we can't just fix that old Montague and Capulet squabble.
A/N: Hello friends! So this took much longer to upload than I would've liked. Turns out I caught a case of the "busys" which brought along their friend the "depressys." Ah, well, aaaaand we're back!
So I know this chapter might be kinda butt for some people. There's a LOT of Warren and very little Chloe. But I am being SNEAKY! I am planting little story seeds that will someday bloom into plot point trees! (Foreshadowing - Chloe is ACTUALLY a vampire!) I will make it up to you all as the next chapter will be supremely fluffy. Like, prolly 14 sheeps.
Thank you so much for reading, guys, it means SO much to me! And your reviews give me actual life! Please, keep those up, they really do bring a huge smile to my face. Until next time~
P.S. I played Oxenfree. It is very, very good. Definitely recommend.