"Behave yourself," Max teased as the girls approached Warren's door. "He's super into Brooke and she's skittish like a baby mouse. It'd probably be good to not freak her out that his two best friends," she flicked a finger between Chloe and herself, "are fucking crazy people."
"Why, I never!" Chloe held her hand to her heart with feigned insult. "When have I ever misbehaved?!" The brunette leered at her.
"I'm pretty sure it's synonymous with you having a pulse at this point." She laughed quietly, pulling Chloe close to her. "And I love it very much." The blue haired girl grinned, giving Max a thoughtful kiss.
"Does he really think of me as a friend like that?" She asked, her eyes flickering with thought.
"I think so, especially after your huge geek-splosion about Zelda the other day." Max wriggled her fingers between Chloe's. "You two were adorable."
"Wowser..." Chloe mumbled, an embarrassed smile growing. "I mean, that's kind of cool, right? Like...other people like me? It's not just that you have a weird immunity to Chloe venom, but...Warren and Kate like me too? We're all friends?" Max felt a small crack dash through her heart. She brought her hands to Chloe's cheeks and rested her forehead against the girl's. She swished from side to side, rubbing their noses together.
I wish I never had to leave you. You don't deserve to be this insecure.
"Chloe," she said, staring into her eyes, "you are amazing. Of course they like you! Besides, Warren and Kate aren't...well, the type to have a buttload of friends, anyway. Which is why we should be supportive in Warren's dating life." She kissed the punk on the lips. "Show 'em how it's done, you know?"
"Heh, okay, fine," Chloe laughed. "You make it sound like we're his parents. But, I'll be nice..." She took a deep breath and turned toward the door, straightening her posture. Without warning, she reeled back, and started slamming her fist into the door. "Sup, fuckers! Happy Halloween!" She shouted, her voice dissolving into laughter as she felt Max's hands wrap around her face. She stopped and eyed the brunette deviously.
"One sec!" Came Warren's voice.
I tried, at least.
"Well, you've got a pulse," Max giggled. "I'll take that over the subtlety any day."
The door opened slowly, Warren shaking his head with a smile. Max smiled too, opening her arms to give the boy a hug. He narrowed his eyes and frowned, worriedly nodding to Brooke behind him.
Okay, no hug. Jeez, Brooke.
"Uh, yes, Happy Halloween!" Max cheered halfheartedly, holding her arms out in a surprised gesture to play off the hug. She slid by him, glaring disapprovingly as she did so. Chloe, however, missed the exchange, instead wrapping her arms around him tightly and lifting him off the ground.
"Heya, Wah-Ren!" She greeted, setting him back down. "How's it goin'?"
"Great," he squeaked, rubbing his ribs.
Max found herself very excited to be having a Halloween get together with her friends. It was the sort of small, casual thing she desperately longed for all her years in Seattle. The added normalcy of it after everything that had happened earlier in the month just made it that much sweeter.
"Hey guys," she said, waving to Brooke and Kate. Brooke sat on the floor with her legs crossed, holding a controller. Kate was sitting on the couch wearing a witch's hat, a large, plastic jack-o-lantern in her lap.
"Hey, Max." Brooke offered a casual wave back. She glanced at Chloe, her eyebrows knitting together momentarily.
No need to worry, Brooke. That sweet ass is all mine.
"Hi, Max!" Kate added, jostling the jack-o-lantern. "I brought candy," she said quietly, a small amount of red spreading through her cheeks. Before Max could respond, she felt Chloe jolt passed her, flopping onto the couch next to Kate.
"Hey, pumpkin! How are you?" The punk asked, nestling into the timid girl. She peeked into the bucket, plucking out a candy and examining it. "I like these!" She said excitedly. Max snickered at the pet name bestowed upon Kate. She had asked Chloe where in the world 'pumpkin' came from, with the girl replying it was something Joyce had called her when she was younger. She didn't much appreciate when Max pointed out that it made her sound like an old woman.
"Hey, Chloe," Kate chuckled. "I'm okay. I'm watching Brooke and Warren play Smash Bros! They are very good." She gestured to the girl on the floor. "Have you met Brooke?"
"Sup?" Chloe greeted, flitting her hand in the air. "We may have met, I've been around."
"In passing, I think," Brooke said, scrunching her lips to the side. "I know it's probably getting old to hear, but I am sorry about everything that happened."
"Ah, it's old news," Chloe said, waving her hand dismissively. She popped the candy into her mouth and leaned forward. "Smash Bros, huh? Which one is this?" She asked as she chewed.
Oh, here we fuckin' go.
"The most recent one on the Wii," Warren responded, taking a seat in his desk chair. "I'm so excited for the new one, dude, you have no idea."
"New one?" She patted the space next to her for Max. "The last one I played was, umm...Melee?" She glanced at Max to fact check, receiving a nod. "Yeah, that game was sick. I was probably the best player ever. Could've gone pro." She heard Brooke snort. "Oooh, I know we just met, but I will absolutely destroy that ass." She chuckled, turning to Max as she placed a hand on her knee. "Not in the fun way, that's for you." Then she jolted her head toward Kate. "Sorry, that's inappropriate." The blonde simply snickered.
I love that motormouth of yours.
"Where's Alyssa?" Max asked, settling in next to Chloe. "Thought you said she was coming too."
"Yeah, she was supposed to, but her parents wanted to go out to dinner or something," Brooke responded. "Just us tonight." Max leaned over Chloe's lap, looking inside the bowl for candy.
Hmm...Starburst or baby Twix?
"Son of a bee sting," Warren sighed as his character flew off the screen. "You're too good at this," he said to Brooke, inciting a small blush from the girl. He leaned forward and shut the TV off. "So ladies, what spooky movies shall we watch?"
"Something classic." Brooke set the controller down and adjusted her glasses. "To start off the night right."
"I am very frightened!" Kate giggled nervously, flailing her hands. "I haven't really seen any scary movies before." Chloe's eyes went wide as she turned to the girl.
"Seriously? None?" She pinched the brim of Kate's witch hat, twisting it left and right. "What's the scariest movie you've ever seen?"
"Oh, I don't know..." She clapped a hand to her face in embarrassment. "Have you ever seen The Brave Little Toaster? There's this scene in there..."
"The fucking clown!" Max screeched, gripping Chloe's arm. Kate nodded her head frantically. "That was the worst. Chloe cried so hard." The punk scowled at her. "She made me sleep with her for like four nights...in a row...huh." She gave Chloe a knowing smirk. "You're a little schemer, aren't you?"
"Don't like clowns," she muttered, puffing out her bottom lip. "Warren, make Max stop being a meanie."
"Uh, no thanks, I'm staying out of it." He began clicking through the files on his laptop. "What about Nightmare On Elm Street?"
"Oh god, let's not," Max huffed. "This one," she pointed to Chloe, "has made me watch all of them in the past two days. The third one twice! Ever since you let her copy your flash drive, she's been consuming media like a glutton." She prodded the girl's abs.
"Yeah, Warren," Chloe grinned. "Ever since you flashed me." She wiggled her eyebrows seductively, causing the boy to turn red.
"Down, girl," the brunette said, tugging her earlobe.
"Let's just go with The Exorcist," Brooke suggested with a tint of annoyance, scooting over to the couch. "Any objections?"
There was a variety of 'no' from the group as Warren pulled the coffee table out a little, giving himself and Brooke more room on the floor. He set the laptop on the table and took his place next to her, scooching in closely.
"Are we all going to watch it on your laptop?" Brooke asked. "It's kind of...small..."
"Well..." Warren ran a hand through his hair. "I mean, I don't really have any other way to watch movies...I can't hook it up to the CRT."
"It is a touch far away..." Max added. "Small."
"You know, guys, size isn't-" Max clapped a hand over Chloe's mouth.
"Did you just lick my hand?" She cringed as she pulled a wet palm away. The girl nodded her head happily.
"I have no idea how I didn't think of this beforehand," Warren said, rubbing his temples. "So much for being the smart guy."
"It's fine!" Max patted him on the shoulder. "We can deal with it, not the end of the world."
"Well...actually..." Kate said after being quiet for most of the conversation. "I think I know someone with a nice TV that we can use!"
Kate hummed to herself peacefully, carrying the jack-o-lantern full of candy. Max matched her stride, furrowing her brow at their new plan.
"I don't think she's going to say yes," she said, hopping forward a bit to get the door to the stairs.
"No harm in trying," Kate responded, bowing quickly as she slipped passed Max. "I'm sure she likes scary movies."
Yeah, but that's not really the issue here.
"I know that she's been better lately, but I just think we may be banking on some serious faith right now." She slipped her hand in her pocket after feeling her phone vibrate.
"Faith is my expertise," Kate giggled. "For better or worse." Max could only 'hm' thoughtfully as she glanced at her phone.
Warren: Max, VICTORIA?! Come on, she's NOT going to want to hang out with us.
Max: Kate wants to try at least. *shrug*
Warren: Okay but be ready to console her when Victoria doesn't want to spend time with the nerds.
Max: Drama queen. You got a crown and robe and everything?
There was a quick flurry of more text alerts, these from Chloe.
Chloe: lol homie is so nervous for some reason
Chloe: take your time though, gonna whoop ass in smash
Chloe: xoxoxox...bg
Chloe: bg is for like booty grab, i couldnt think of anything else
I love my friends.
"Don't text on the stairs," Kate scolded.
"Good point," Max laughed, tucking her phone away.
They reached the landing, with Max once again getting the door for Kate. Cheerily, she waltzed to Victoria's door, glancing back with a smile as Max took her place next to her. The blonde straightened her witch hat and cleared her throat, knocking on the door with quiet enthusiasm.
Why does it feel like we're spelunking or deep sea diving? Like this is some high risk affair.
"Yeeeees?" Victoria asked as she opened the door, her face contorting with confusion the further it opened.
"Happy Halloween!" Kate said, holding the jack-o-lantern out with a bright smile. "I brought candy!"
Not how trick-or-treating works, Kate.
"Uh..." Victoria looked between them. "Thank you?" She reached in and took a piece without taking her eyes off of them. "What's uh, up?"
"Welllll..." Kate began. "Me and Max and some other people were going to have a horror movie marathon! But, um, we kind of don't have a TV." She laughed. "And I thought it'd be fun to invite you along anyway, in case you weren't busy, so..." She popped her lips. "Wanna hang out?" Victoria squinted, struggling to process the question.
"Who is it, Vic?" Max heard Taylor ask. Victoria stepped to the side, granting access.
"It's Kate and Max," she said, still confused. Courtney and Taylor sat on the carpet, each holding a wine glass. The room was illuminated by several candles, giving it an apropos atmosphere for horror.
"Hey, guys!" Kate greeted happily. "I didn't know you'd be here!" She shuffled over to them and held the bowl out. "Candy?" Max simply waved to the girls.
"Um, who all is with you guys?" Victoria asked Max.
"Well, it's me, Kate, Chloe, Warren and Brooke." She looked around the room. "We didn't know you had stuff going on, it's cool." Victoria held up a hand.
"Do you two care if we have some more people come and watch some films?" She asked the seated girls. "I mean, all we're doing is sitting around drinking wine like losers anyway."
"I don't care," Taylor said, her voice muffled against the lollipop in her mouth. She pointed at Max and smiled. "What's up, girl?" Courtney shrugged as well, offering her indifference.
"Great!" Kate hopped in place. "This will be so fun! Though that means there's more people to see me get scared. Oh gosh..."
"You gonna pee yourself?" Courtney asked, poking Kate's leg.
"I hope not! Is that a thing people do?!"
I seriously missed something somewhere. When did Kate get so buddy-buddy with these guys?
"Max, wanna go grab the others?" Kate asked, taking a seat on the floor.
"Uh...yeah! Sure. I'll be right back." She quickly slid back out into the hallway, hearing the door gently close behind her.
The fuck did that work what.
"He has two katanas, Warren!" Max heard Chloe shout as she reached his room. Smiling to herself, she pressed an ear against the door. "That's so badass! Do you know how hard it is to use even one katana efficiently? … Me either! But I'm sure it's difficult. You've got to give him props."
"But I just think...fuck! You killed me again!" That was Warren.
"Good, suck my dick, Kirby! Anyway, any other choice is ludicrous. Plus he's named after literally the smartest man to ever live."
"Okay, well I can't argue you there, but...haha, revenge! Thanks, Brooke."
"No problem!" Brooke said.
"Don't tag team me! That's not fair! If Max were here, you'd be getting owned."
Max quietly giggled, running her hand down the wood of the door. Since her and Chloe's return through time, she had periodically been experiencing what she could only describe as 'moments of clarity.' They came on suddenly and washed away just as quickly, but it was as if for one frozen fragment of time, she could see things only as beautiful. They never happened when you'd expect someone to have this realization, instead cropping up as she looked through the window during class or staring at a bookshelf. Just small, precious moments she could only capture with the camera in her head. She figured they were some compensation for her nosebleeds.
"Max!" Chloe pointed at her as she entered the room. "Best TMNT! Go!"
"It's Leonardo," she said matter-of-factly, laughing when Warren huffed in disagreement.
"So, what's the plan?" Brooke asked, sliding the controller away from her.
"Well, believe it or not, she agreed. Taylor and Courtney are down there, too, so looks like we'll have a bigger group than we thought."
"Sweet, Kate with the win!" Chloe hopped up. "Good, these guys were being unfair. Or they made Sheik worse. I dunno."
"Talk shit, get hit..." Brooke chuckled as Warren helped her to her feet. He took a hurried stride toward Max.
"Is this for real?" He asked in a hushed tone. "They're not going to Carrie us with pig blood or whatever?" Max looked behind him to see Chloe gently tugging on a strand of Brooke's red highlight, complimenting her on her choice of color.
"Yes, it's for real. Why are you so paranoid about this?" She watched as he fidgeted with his fingers.
"I don't know," he sighed. "This just feels weird? I'm used to being bullied by the popular people." He held his hand up as Max rolled her eyes. "Yes, I know that's dramatic, but it's true. That's why I was like...attacking you with hanging out when we met. I wanted you to get to know me before the cool kids dubbed me the loser and made up your mind for you."
"You are a loser," she laughed, poking his forehead. "But so am I. And...definitely her." She pointed at Chloe.
"What's up?" She asked as her and Brooke joined the conversation.
"I'm telling him that you're a loser," Max snickered.
"Oh, totally," Chloe nodded. "Without context, I can one hundred percent guarantee that I am in fact a loser." She pushed by Warren, sliding out into the hallway. "The kind of loser that desperately wants to see a creepy girl turn her head all the way around and walk around like a crab." She held her arms out crookedly. "I bet I could go down the steps like that."
"I think I'd like to see that!" Brooke laughed, following her.
"That really is a lot of throw up," Taylor droned as the demon on screen spewed its bile everywhere. She took a sip of wine and stretched her legs out in front of her. "It's like an anti-bulimia PSA."
The seating arrangement was Warren, Brooke and Chloe on the couch with Max on the floor between Chloe's legs. She sat next to Kate, who had Victoria and the other girls on her other side. Max shifted her head around as Chloe's fingers constantly slid through her hair, lightly dragging her nails along the girl's scalp.
"This is so scary," Kate laughed quietly with a look of horror. "When did this come out?"
"1973," Warren quickly responded. "They actually gave out barfbags in the theaters because people were freaking out."
"That's just a myth," Taylor added.
"I bet the church isn't very fond of this movie," Kate said.
Oh, right. Maybe not the best choice given Kate's beliefs.
"More wine, Vic?" Courtney asked, holding the bottle above Victoria's glass. Max saw the girl glance at Kate for a moment, a small frown on her face.
"No, thanks, I think I'm good for now." Courtney shrugged at her answer, pouring more into her own glass.
That's sweet, Victoria.
"Kate," Chloe whispered. "Candy me!" The blonde girl laughed as she tossed a piece of candy over her shoulder into Chloe's lap. "Merci beaucoup!" Kate let out a gasp and began digging through her purse.
"I forgot I had these!" She pulled out a Ziploc bag full of plastic vampire teeth. Excitedly, she took one out and situated it in her mouth. "Am I scary?" She asked in muffled speech.
"Oh damn, a witch and a vampire?" Chloe leaned over to pluck a pair out of the bag herself. "Good thing it's not a full moon tonight, right?" She put the fake teeth in her mouth and tapped Max on the head. "Hella hickeys comin' your way, Maxaroni." In retaliation, Max grabbed a set for herself and put them in, baring her fangs viciously. Out the corner of her eye, she noticed Warren and Brooke were holding hands.
Yeah, Warren! Get it! Go Ape!
Kate turned to Victoria and offered the bag. The girl stared at her with a small hint of disgust, as if suggesting 'how dare you ask me to wear these?' When Kate frowned, she huffed and plucked out a pair, slamming them into her mouth, causing Courtney to giggle.
"I'm getting kind of hungry." Warren patted his stomach. "You guys want to order pizza or anything?"
"Yes, pleeeeease," Max said, feeling a rumble in her stomach at the mere mention of food. "Anyone else want some noms?" The rest of the room raised their hands with mixed enthusiasm.
"I guess I can get us some," Victoria said, picking up her phone from next to her.
"Victoria..." Warren began sheepishly, practically folding in on himself, "we can...yanno, we can help pay."
"Yeah, dude," Chloe said, shifting around so that Max's head ricocheted between her knees. "Sorry, babe. Anyway, I've got crazy bank." She pulled out a wad of one dollar bills, now rubberbanded together at Max's suggestion. Victoria glared between them and sighed.
"That'd be cool...thanks."
After probably too long of a debate deciding on what to order – largely sparked by the inclusion of pineapple – Victoria placed a call for three large pizzas. By now, The Exorcist had reached its conclusion and it was time to decide on something else to watch.
"Cabin in the Woods!" Warren blurted out. "We should definitely watch that next!"
"What's it about?" Taylor asked.
"It's...hard to describe without ruining it. We have to watch it, though!"
Max turned to find Kate happily combing through the rest of her candy, humming to herself with the fake teeth still in.
"How ya doin', Kate?" She asked with a chuckle, rubbing the girl's shoulder. "Did you pee yourself yet?"
"Nope!" She proclaimed proudly. "My adrenaline was going crazy, though! Scary movies are kind of fun!"
"Good to hear," Chloe said, reaching forward to squish Kate's hat. "See, Max, she could totally handle Human Centipede!"
"I do have that," Warren laughed. Chloe held out a fist, which he promptly bumped with his own.
"Is that the movie where they stitch people's mouths to other people's buttholes?" Courtney asked, cackling. "I wanna see it!"
"I'm...not sure I'm ready for that," Kate said, a faraway look of fear in her eyes.
"Guys, if we were in a horror movie, who would die first?" Taylor asked, waving her glass in the air. She giggled when some splashed out onto the carpet. Victoria glared at her, before residing herself to a laugh.
"Dunno," Courtney said. "I'd stick with Warren. He's smart." Max noticed Courtney's gaze linger on the blushing boy perhaps a bit longer than needed.
Oh dear. Courtney...don't.
"Oh, pizza's here!" Victoria exclaimed as she glanced at her phone. She bounced to her feet.
"That was fast..." Brooke said with suspicion, her head comfortably resting on Warren's shoulder.
"Max, you mind giving me a hand?" Victoria asked.
Aw, but I wanna know who dies first!
"Uh...sure, no problem." She placed a hand on Chloe's knee, using it as leverage to lift herself up. The blue haired girl wrapped her arms around Max's waist, pulling her into her lap.
"I'll miss you," she said, giving Max a peck on the cheek. "And I love ya."
"Oh fucking gag me," Victoria laughed. "And hey, you, Little-Miss-Blueberry-Head. Don't think I've forgotten about the whole stabbing my throat thing."
"I'm entirely sure I don't know what you're talking about." Chloe smiled innocently, releasing Max. "Fine, go!" She said dramatically. "And do not return until you've obtained delicious cheesy, sauce bread!"
Max shuddered in the cold as the two girls stepped outside.
"Damn, it's getting chilly..." She wrapped herself in a hug. "Dude, that movie really holds up for being as old as it is. Roizman is a genius with his cinematography. He did the Sergeant Pepper movie too...Victoria?" She noticed the girl had stopped walking and was now leaning against the brick of the building. "I thought we were getting pizza?"
"It's not here yet," she said, pulling a cigarette from its pack. "They're not that fast." She held the pack out for Max, who shook her head.
"Okay so...what's up?" She stood next to her, pressing her back against the building. Rather than answer, Victoria closed her eyes and took a long, desperate drag of her cigarette. She peeked one eye open and pointed it at Max.
"So, what do you think?" She asked.
"About?"
"Our posses hanging out. Is it going okay? I think it's going okay. Right?" She took another pull of the cigarette.
Everyone is so concerned about what other people think of them. Even I'm guilty of that.
"Well," Max began, "it's definitely an interesting crowd. Very Breakfast Club." Victoria snickered, sending out a machine gun burst of smoke.
"It's fucking stupid that we like all the same stuff," she said. "Hate to break it to you, Maxine, but I think we might be compatible friends."
"Oh darn," Max said dryly. "However will I deal? Besides, I'm pretty sure everyone likes The Breakfast Club."
"I actually dated a guy who didn't," she responded, her eyes wide. Max scoffed. "I know right? Said it was a bitch movie."
"That doesn't even make sense..." She took a step from the wall and looked up into the night sky. "Big moon tonight."
"It's mating time for werewolves so, yeah, to be expected." She tapped the cigarette, sending ash to the concrete. "Sorry," she said, shaking her head. "I just panicked. I want everything to gel for...her, you know?" Max raised an eyebrow and turned to the blonde.
"For Kate?" She asked. "What's the deal with you guys?"
"I know she forgave me, but...you have no idea how horrible I still feel about everything." She sighed, more smoke flowing from her lips. "And she's so sweet. I can't believe I did that to her. That day when we went to her room, I actually stayed there for like two hours. We talked a lot."
"You need to forgive yourself," Max said. "Look, can't you see how weird and kind of awesome this is? This is a weird group of people I never expected to chill together. And everyone's having fun! I just think, now that..." She stopped herself and rolled her eyes.
"What?" Victoria pressed.
"The Vortex Club was dividing way more than it ever brought people together. And I know that why it was disbanded isn't cool, but I still think it was for the best." She cracked a smile. "The Vortex Club sucked."
Heh, got 'em.
"Yeah..." The blonde winced as she ran a hand along her arm. "That wound's still fresh, but you're right. You ever just...try to think of how things happen the way they do? Like what sets everything in motion? I don't know, it's kind of silly butterfly effect shit, but I try to think about how far back it goes." She looked at Max with an icy gaze. "With Nathan, I mean."
Silly butterfly effect shit. Sounds about right.
"I know exactly what you mean, Vic. More than you could know. But...Nathan's problems started a long time ago. Way before you had any chance to fix them." She clenched her teeth and held up a hand. "Sorry, I know that sounds harsh but please just trust me on this one. Sean Prescott is solely responsible for all of this shit." Victoria 'hmm'd.'
"Have you taken any photos?" She asked after a beat of silence. "I mean, since everything happened? It's...really hard for me." She chuckled with spite. "I tried to sleep with him, you know? The prestigious Mark Jefferson!" She waved her hands in mock amazement, then threw her cigarette to the ground and stomped on it. "Everything is ruined," she said quietly.
She didn't even get kidnapped in this timeline and she's having trouble with photography.
"It was hard for me at first too..." Max said, willing herself to breathe evenly. "It was almost like I could imagine what it was like in that room." She felt her hand tighten into a fist of its own free will.
"Exactly," the blonde replied. "I can almost feel it and it's disgusting."
"Chloe helped me with it," Max continued. "She helped me realize that photography wasn't the enemy. Art is a powerful tool and can be a weapon in the wrong hands. But that doesn't mean it's forever ruined. We just have to reclaim it."
"I don't have a Chloe though." Victoria frowned as she brought a hand to her forehead.
"Kiiinda sounds like you might," the brunette said with a smile. "I saw how you stopped drinking as soon as she walked into the room. And those fake teeth? It looked like you were in actual pain when you put them on. Must take someone pretty cool to get Victoria Chase to swallow her pride like that." She grasped the blonde's hand and squeezed gently before letting go.
"Huh..." Victoria mused thoughtfully. She cocked her head in confusion. "Oh fuck off, Doctor Bill," she laughed, pushing Max's shoulder.
"That's me!" Max cheered, pointing to herself with her thumb. "But seriously, she clearly likes being your friend. She was practically skipping to come knock on your door. Maybe try talking to her about it? See if it helps."
"Things are so fucking weird right now," the blonde said. Max clapped a hand to her thigh as she felt her phone vibrate.
Chloe: yo wtf everyone is saying i would die first
Chloe: EVEN MY PRECIOUS BUNNY KATE
Chloe: ET TU KATE ET TU
"It's a good weird, I think," Max laughed as she put her phone away.