Chloe didn't even have time to take her phone out of her pocket before she heard Max scream, the noise escalating in volume and accompanied by the pounding of feet on the pavement. Just as she was looking up, Max crashed into her, trapping her against the truck and catapulting herself into a slew of feverish kisses.

Daaayumn, Max.

"Hey," Chloe said breathlessly as Max finally let go, falling back onto firmly planted feet. Max gave her a beautiful grin.

"Hey yourself," she said, placing her hands on Chloe's cheeks and stealing another deep kiss. "How are you?"

"Um, pretty great now," Chloe responded, slightly slouched over with half-lidded eyes. "That's a hell of a hello."

"Oh yeah?" Max purred, slowly dragging her fingers beneath Chloe's jaw. "You have an interesting concept of hell." Once again, she kissed her, pushing her so that she was wedged between Max and the truck. She whimpered pleasantly as Max bit and pulled on her lip.

Oh, holy fuck.

"Okay," Chloe giggled, prying Max off of her and holding her by the shoulders, "you need to chill or we're looking at a felony. Public indecency." Max pouted, then smirked.

"It'd be decent," she said, casually waving her hand. "Buuuut fine." She wrapped her arms around Chloe and nestled her cheek into her chest. "So, how do you feel?"

"About the same," Chloe replied. "Maybe...wiser?"

I leveled up my wisdom stat.

"Sure, babe," Max chuckled, adding a quick nip at her neck. She clapped her hands and smiled. "Okay! You have to come with me!" She took hold of Chloe's sleeve and turned around.

"I mean, I do try to time it," Chloe laughed. Max didn't bother to turn around, but did swing her foot behind her on her next step in an attempt to whack Chloe. "Where we going?"

"Inside?" Max said with a lilt of 'duh.'

Damn it, it's like smartass fencing.

"Oh, silly me," Chloe said, shaking her head with a roll of the eyes. She followed Max's pep-filled step up to the main campus.

There was something about Blackwell at night that felt almost magical. She had so many memories of hating this place in broad daylight, but the darkness of night transformed it into something altogether lovely. Instead of school and the constant reminders of her troubles that came with it, she thought of her and Max sneaking around or the late night mischief with her other friends. Things like breaking into the pool or screaming on the roof with Kate. Things like her smoke breaks with Victoria and hiding out under the bleachers with Trevor and the gang. The way they would constantly move from dorm room to dorm room as if the the building was theirs, like it was just on big house full of roommates. When the time came for her to never need to return, she knew she'd actually miss it a bit. It was practically already oozing with nostalgia.

It's crazy to think that when it's all said and done, this place might have more good memories than bad ones.

"Hey, wait," Max said, coming to a stop in front of the fountain. She looked it up and down contemplatively, then fished around in her pocket. She brought out a penny and handed it to Chloe. "Wanna make a wish?"

"Oh?" Chloe peered into the water, looking over the countless coins glistening from far away light sources. "What do I wish for?"

"That's your call," Max responded. She sat down on the wall of the fountain and skimmed her hand on the water, humming to herself. Chloe held the penny between two fingers as she looked Max over. Her bullet necklace hung loose, dangling above the water as she bent over and she was wearing the purple flannel Chloe had gotten her for Christmas. Her hair was messy and long, with a faded, rosy-blonde streak where a vibrant pink used to be. She was even wearing a pair of black jeans that clung tightly to her legs, an organic tear in the material on her shin from an accident she was too embarrassed to speak about. Chloe let out an involuntary sigh of awe.

God, I can't believe how wrong I was when I said you didn't have a style. You have EVERY style. How do you make everything look good? You look like a fucking rockstar. Okay...a wish. I guess...I just want things to stay like this?

She situated the penny on the nail of her thumb, applying pressure with her index finger as she prepared to flick it. Then she made a quiet 'oooh' sound.

Also! If we could get the macaroni bites back in at work, that'd be awesome too! I mean, definitely focus on the first thing but...if there's any leftover magic afterward...

She flipped the coin and watched as it spun end over end in an arc, finally plopping into the water with barely a splash. Max clapped and hopped back to her feet.

"So, what'd you wish for?" she asked, bumping into Chloe playfully before continuing on her way to the dorm.

"Psht, like I'd tell you, you little weirdo," Chloe snarked. She hurried behind Max and gave her a solid smack on the ass, eliciting a shrill gasp from the girl.

Oops, that one was loud. Didn't think I'd make that good of contact.

"Handsy," Max teased. "That was a test, anyway. It won't come true if you tell someone!"

"That sounds like such a scam," Chloe laughed. "Like, maybe nobody's wish ever came true but they don't say anything on the off chance it eventually does." She thought it over. "That's a great business model, actually. We should get a wishing well."

And then just repel down every couple of days to collect the change.

"Well, you should have wished for one, then," Max shot back, pulling open the door to the dormitories. She grabbed Chloe by the wrist and dashed forward. "Come on, come on!"

"Gee, I wonder what could possibly be going on," she said, projecting her voice dramatically as if on stage.

"Oh, shut up," Max giggled, glancing over her shoulder. She slowed to a stop in front of Victoria's room. Chloe perked an eyebrow when she noticed a coffee table and desk pushed against the wall under the window at the end of the hall. Max took an excited breath in, then knocked on the door. Immediately, a choir of 'shhh' could be heard.

You guys are so bad at this and I love it.

"Come in," Victoria called, her tone bordering on the singsong nature of a Disney princess. Max turned to Chloe and gestured to the door, her eyes crinkled around the edges with delight. Chloe snickered under her breath, then opened it.

She was met by a loud and enthusiastic 'happy birthday!' from the group. Though it was by no means a surprise, she still stood in the doorway, staring dumbly with a big smile. Max gave her an encouraging nudge forward and she stepped into the room. The lighting was dim, most of it coming from strands of fairy lights strung up on each of the walls. There were streamers too, which she could only imagine was a product of Kate's meddling. Music drifted through air from a pair of speakers hooked up to a laptop.

"Wow, guys," she said, "thank you!" Kate skipped toward her happily and blew on a party horn, whacking Chloe in the nose as it unfurled. Laughing, Chloe scooped her up in a big hug and swayed side to side. "Okay," she turned with Kate still in her arms so she could see everyone else, "definitely an F for surprise factor but A+ just for being awesome!"

God, I love you guys.

"That's a decent average!" Taylor cheered, raising both of her arms in triumph.

"Chloe, can I have my girlfriend back?" Victoria asked, smirking as she crossed her arms. Chloe glanced up at Kate and pursed her lips.

"Nah," she said, turning around and taking a step toward the door. Max jumped in front of her and held her arms out to block her.

"You can steal Kate later," she said, "we have to celebrate!"

"Yeah!" Kate added, trying to hold up a fist in celebration. She wobbled forward without the extra support on Chloe's shoulders. "Woah!" With a snicker, Chloe set her down. Max laughed and closed the door, then escorted Chloe further into the room.

"So, how does it feel to be ancient?" Warren asked, greeting her with a fist bump.

Yeah, yeah. At least I'm legal, you literal baby.

"Still spry enough to kick your ass," she replied, baring her teeth viciously. "I don't know, not a ton different." She held her hands out. "I mean, I do have a sudden craving for prunes."

New hobby: stashing sewing supplies into those cookie tins to fuck with people.

"That's a tough break," he said. "Man, two decades around the sun." He tipped his cup at her in a show of respect. Her eyes focused on it and she cooed.

Oooh la la. I guess I could go for a sip or two.

"My good sir, wherever can I get such a marvelous beverage?" she asked. He snickered and pointed to a collapsible table set up where Victoria's desk used to be. "Jackpot!" She reached beside her and hooked her fingers in Max's collar, dragging her with her to the table.

"Feelin' thirsty?" Max asked, cuddling into her side.

"Parched," Chloe responded deviously. She yanked a red solo cup from the top of the stack and looked over her shoulder. "Who helped move all of her shit out into the hall? Did you make Warren do it all alone?" She looked over the bottle of Jack Daniels analytically and gave herself a satisfied nod.

"I did!" Max laughed. "You should have seen it, we were literally dying. I mean, Warren's our only boy but he's not exactly..." She narrowed her eyes and pointed at him, seizing his attention, "you need gains, bro." He huffed dramatically, then smirked as he turned back to Brooke.

"Wow, I can totally picture that," she said. "Well, at any rate, I appreciate the self-inflicted trauma."

"Anything for you," Max said, kissing Chloe's arm. "I'll let you massage the kink out of my back later."

"That's fair," Chloe chuckled, adding some Coca-Cola to her cup. She felt a hand on her shoulder, then nodded at Courtney as the girl stepped beside her. "Hey, what's up?"

"Nothing!" Courtney gave her a one-armed hug, since Max was still claiming ownership of Chloe's other side. "Happy birthday!"

"Heh, thank you," Chloe replied. Max leaned around her and scooped up a bottle of hard cider, her fingers writhing as if cartoonishly pickpocketing someone. "Have to admit, this is the most people I've had at a birthday party since...fuck, grade school?"

"I imagine the atmosphere is a little different," Courtney giggled, her eyes focused on Max. Chloe nodded with a smile, palming Max's head and ruffling her hair. "Well, I'm very happy we could be here for it! You deserve a nice day."

Deserve a nice day... huh.

"Doesn't she, though?!" Max asked, fiercely snatching Chloe into her arms. "Twenty years old! My cradle robbing girlfriend!"

"I guess...I am the old one," Chloe admitted with a chuckle. "You'd never be able to tell."

Note: Hang out with Frank ASAP to feel less old.

"Age is just a number," Courtney said, trying on her best sagely tone as she held up an index finger. "Beauty is eternal."

"That sounds..." Chloe arched an eyebrow, "like the exact opposite of how that saying is supposed to go. Beauty fades or...some shit?"

"I'm talking like, inside, duh!" Courtney placed a hand on her hip. "You know, your heart beauty!"

"She do got a smoking hot heart," Max agreed, still latched onto Chloe. Courtney rolled her eyes.

"Sure," she said, "that's exactly what I meant."

Once she finally had her drink the way she preferred, she made her rounds to properly say hi and chat with the rest of the group. Taylor was already a bit tipsy and kept talking about how much she wanted to go ice skating with everyone ever since she dreamt about it the night before. Her use of the word 'like' as filler in her sentences had increased twofold with the alcohol. Then, she moved on to Kate, who was merely giddy to be having the party and talked with wonder about how thankful she was to have Chloe as a friend. Leaving Max with Kate, she circled back to have a better chat with Brooke, being sure to put the extra effort in since she was the one she interacted with least. Then it was Victoria's turn.

"So, thanks for offering your room as sacrifice," Chloe said, sitting next to Victoria on her bed.

"It's no problem. Rather mine than Kate's and," she smirked, "I sort of figured Max's room would be where you two eventually ended up, so it's easier to keep things simple." She took a swig out of her cup. "Are you having fun?"

"Yeah, of course! I'm with my friends!" Chloe smiled, propping one of her legs over the other. "This is fucking great." Raising her cup to her lips, she peaked over it and looked at Max with something close to bashfulness.

And Max is just being...so fucking cute. Why...why do I have butterflies?

"Good," Victoria said, contentedness in her tone. She glanced around her to make sure no one was paying attention, then sighed. "Look, I don't think I've ever actually said it but...I'm really glad we're friends." Chloe turned to her with an open-mouthed smile. "Seriously! This isn't a troll job. I mean, you've been...really cool, you know? It wasn't that long ago that one of my best friends tried to...kill you." She stopped for a moment to settle down her disgust. "And you've helped me with Kate... Everything got kind of turned around in a good way."

"I have that effect," Chloe laughed. "Thank you, though. Really. I'm happy too." She took a big gulp, finishing off her drink. "So, uh, have you heard anything about Nathan? Or the Prescotts?"

America's favorite dysfunctional family.

"Not really, no," Victoria responded. "I haven't really tried either. It's kind of..." She closed one eye as if accommodating a headache. "I really like Kate. Thinking about what they did to her...it makes me so fucking sick in my stomach. You can't even imagine."

Yeah...

"I have an inkling," Chloe said absentmindedly, then cleared her throat. "But that makes sense, I don't blame you for wanting to torch that bridge to ashes. It's pretty terrible." Chloe dragged her finger around the rim of the empty cup. "They really are a scary bunch. It's like...Jefferson was such a monster, but there's something about the Prescotts that's actually creepy."

"I know what you mean," Victoria responded somberly. Then, she snorted. "What the fuck, this is supposed to be a good time!" She smacked Chloe on the shoulder. "Shut up about sad shit and get more booze."

"Ah," Chloe laughed, standing up from the bed, "you are an artist!"

"Yeah, Max and I watched it last month," Chloe said, standing in front of Warren and Brooke who were sitting on the couch. She thought it was cute how Brooke was actually sitting in his lap for a change of pace, since it seemed PDA was somewhat rare for them. "It was decent. Crazy gory and like, Ash wasn't in it but I think it stands on its own."

Leave out the part that this was our Valentine's Day movie.

"I bet it's not as good as the second one," Warren replied, thinking it over. "But I definitely have to give it a watch." He sat forward with a jolt as he remembered something, jostling Brooke around. "Oh, there's all this buzz about some new horror flick called The Babadook, we should totally check it out."

Heh, Bababrooke.

"That's a funny name," Chloe snirked, "but yeah, you know I'm down." She reached forward and collected a red strand of Brooke's hair. "You pull this color off so well. It's very badass."

"Thanks," she said, glancing down at the compliment. Then she looked back up, squinting. "Can I have my glasses back?"

"Oh! Shit, yeah," Chloe giggled, taking them off and handing them back to her. "It's concerning that they kind of helped. Maybe my eyes are getting fucked."

I bet Max would dig the thick rimmed glasses look, though.

"You should get them checked," Brooke responded. Chloe moved her head left and right in reluctant agreement.

"Probably, yeah," she said. "I just hate the thought of having yet another thing to carry around that I'll probably lose."

"Oh my god, babe!" Max came up behind her and slipped a hand under the crook of her armpit. "I love this song!" She went onto her tiptoes and kissed the corner of Chloe's mouth. "Dance with me?"

...dance?

"What?" Chloe laughed. "Nobody else is dancing." Max threw her head back and huffed, then pulled Chloe to the center of the room.

"Come on," she said, a bit of pleading in her voice and already swinging her hips to the side. She took Chloe's hands into her own. It didn't take long for Taylor to give a hoot of encouragement and start rocking herself to the music. "What, now you're going to be shy?" Max teased.

FINE. It's on.

"Oh, okay," Chloe said, smiling wickedly. She stepped forward and pressed herself against Max. "You want to play that game, eh?"

"Yeah! All the time!" Max shot back, beaming brightly at the girl. She moved against Chloe, then stepped back, closing her eyes to take in the music. Now Kate was tugging on Victoria's hand, trying to coerce her into joining in. Chloe slipped her hand across Max's lower back and dipped in, leaving a slow, breathy kiss on the girl's ear. Max grinned at the contact, then pulled out of Chloe's grasp. As the chorus kicked in, she began jumping in place, her arms raised and head swaying to the music.

"And I am what I am, a natural disaster!" Max sang, grabbing Chloe's hands and hopping close to her so that their noses almost touched. "Pick me up at three, send me off to sea and maybe I'll come baaack for ya!" She shouted, wearing an enormous smile and staring into Chloe's eyes in a sort of rambunctious serenade. Chloe roped her in closer, feeling her against her body as the girl continued to bounce in place. "See, I lost my clothes, I'm skinny dipping..." Max winked, giving an extra thrust of her hips against against her lover's thigh as she tangled a hand through blue hair. "And I can't understand what I'm aaaaafteeeer!"

Fuck, you are so beautiful.

To Max's credit, it seemed she had successfully convinced everyone else in the room to at least move with the song, as even Warren and Brooke swung left and right on the couch. Chloe closed her eyes, allowing herself to be swallowed by the moment, moving with and against the love of her life, surrounded by the people she cared most about in the world. With an inward, giddy plea, she repeated her wish to the fountain.

Chloe watched the flames flicker on the candles as the group finished singing to her. They licked back and forth, illuminating the 'happy birthday' lettering on the cake. It was such a surreal feeling, whisking her back to days of innocence. She had forgotten how much she missed them.

"Blow them out before the place burns down," Victoria laughed, though it had a bit of 'no, seriously' attached to it.

Heh. I'm a twisted firestarter...

"Sorry," she snickered, sucking in a deep breath and then heaving it onto the flames. They blinked out immediately, releasing a milky strand of smoke that climbed to the ceiling. Everyone around gave a few seconds of solid clapping, then Max grabbed her shoulder and leaned in close to her ear.

"What'd you wish for?" she asked.

"Still testing me?" Chloe smiled and brought her hand up, sliding it through Max's hair. In response, she received a quick kiss on the cheek, with Max seemingly satisfied with her answer. Warren appeared beside her and held out a knife.

"You have to cut it," he said. "Mandatory birthday labor."

Weeeak.

"Ugh, fine," she groaned in jest, taking the knife from him. As she set the blade into the cake, she stopped and turned to Max. "You and Dana didn't happen to bake this, did you?"

"Ohhh shut up," Max laughed. "It's store-bought, you demon."

"Juuuust checkin'," Chloe said, plunging the knife into the cake. She cut through, trying her best to make all of the pieces as even as she could and then distributed them onto tiny, plastic plates. Once everyone had their slice, she took a seat on Victoria's bed next to Max to enjoy her own.

"I like the little cookie parts in the middle," Max said, tapping her fork on the section she was talking about.

"I like your little cookie parts in the middle," Chloe mumbled as she chewed.

"That doesn't even make sense, I'm not a cake." Max brought the fork from the plate up to Chloe's cheek and prodded her gently, leaving a bit of frosting on the girl's face. "I'm not a baked good."

"Hey," Chloe said, crinkling her brow as she wiped the frosting off, "don't be starting food fights." She chomped down on her next bite with purpose, as if sending a warning. Max raised an eyebrow.

"Don't," she began, dipping her finger in the frosting and dragging it across Chloe's cheek once more, "tell me what to do."

GIRL WHAT.

"Excuse me!" Chloe violently dug two fingers into the cake, then smashed the chunk against Max's lips. "I'll fuck you up, you little monster!"

"Oh, wow," Max said, somewhat stunned. "Okay then..." She picked the entire slice of cake off of the plate and lunged at Chloe, cramming it into and around the girl's mouth and nose. Chloe fell backward, cackling wildly as she tried to fight Max off. She grabbed what remained of her own piece and retaliated, swinging her hand up between Max's arms and successfully finding her face. She then threw her weight to the side, slipping from underneath Max and over top of her in one smooth motion. Max squealed in laughter and buried her face in the blankets for protection.

The sound of an 'ahem!' drew both of their attention.

"Guys," Victoria sighed, "what the actual fuck?" Chloe looked at her and blinked, then at everyone else and realized they were all staring with various degrees of amusement. She then looked down at the bed where streaks of frosting and chunks of cake were embedded in the sheets.

Hm. Uh...

"Sorry," Chloe said, cringing as she straightened her posture. "We kind of, uh, got carried away..."

"Shit, I'm really sorry, Vic," Max added, taking Chloe's hand as she was pulled into a sitting position. "I started it."

"What?" Victoria scrunched her nose. "I don't...care who started it."

"Right, but it was Max," Chloe said, baring her teeth in an awkward smile. "We'll wash it for you." Victoria narrowed her eyes and thought it over.

"Okay, but the whole bed set," she responded. "Doesn't make sense to just do the one." Kate came to stand next to Victoria, shaking her head when the girl gave her a devilish wink.

"Woah," Chloe protested, but shut her mouth when Victoria conjured a dramatic pout.

"I guess if you guys don't care," she said with a drawn out sigh, "even though it was your fault..."

Oh, you drama queen.

"Fine," Chloe said, rolling her eyes, "we'll be your little maids."

"We don't have to like, wear the outfits, right?" Max asked. She brought her hand to her mouth as if in deep thought and gave Chloe a quick look up and down. "Actually, that's fine."

Down girl.

"Hehe, yesss," Victoria hissed proudly, wringing her hands together. "I'll make sure I drop everything off at your door tomorrow! Don't want to sleep on a...possibly disgusting uncovered dorm bed."

"Um, I mean," Kate said, her eyes slowly straying away from Victoria to the upper corner of the room. "You could, I don't know...just stay with me tonight?" She cleared her throat and yanked her eyes down to the floor, turning pink. "My bed is comfy and has...all of the blankets clean and..."

Holy shit that's cute.

"Uh..." Victoria's eyes were wide as they moved one by one from every other person in the room. There was an audible gulp as her face became flushed.

"You don't...have to," Kate said quietly. Chloe braced her foot against Victoria's rear and pushed, moving the girl forward a few inches. She pushed again, hoping they'd be understood as advice to say yes. She shot a quick look at Taylor, who held two thumbs up with an impossibly large smile.

Vicky, I swear to fucking god if you do not cuddle her tonight.

"No, I'd like that," Victoria said. "That'd be cool. It'd be great." She giggled nervously and clapped her hands together. "It'd be really good! A fun time! I'm looking forward to it!"

"You're cute when you're flustered," Kate teased quietly, pecking Victoria on the nose and then turning to go over to Courtney. Victoria spun back around to Max and Chloe.

"Whaaaat just happened?" she asked in a hush.

"I believe you were just thanking us for causing a mess," Chloe said proudly, sticking her tongue out.

The party pushed onward, rising and falling in its level of energy. One moment, they were dancing and laughing, knowing full well they were being much too loud. Then they watched a movie with sincere attentiveness, the only sounds made by involuntary reactions and the clinking and crumpling of drink and food. After, they were revitalized, going through several different drinking games. At one point, Chloe ducked out into the hall to answer a phone call from Frank. She was truly surprised that he even knew her birthday.

Chloe leaned against the wall by the door while she watched the current round of the latest game, waiting patiently for her turn. Max came up to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Hey," she whispered, her eyes crackling with mischief, "come on."

"Oh? Where to?" Chloe asked. Max only shrugged, then slowly backed toward the door. She opened it, then beckoned Chloe with a hurried wave. Without a moment's hesitation, she followed her.

"So, did I just ditch on my own birthday party?" Chloe asked with a smirk as they walked down the hall.

"Sure did!" Max responded, linking their arms together. "We can go back in a little if you want. I just wanted some alone time."

"Well, I'm not one to turn that down," she said. "Man, I'm feeling that booze. How about you?"

Definitely not smashed but...at just the right level of buzzed.

"Yeah, I'm a bit floaty," Max giggled. When they reached the door leading outside, she heaved it open with flourish. "Did you see Warren's nose all red? I thought that only happened in cartoons."

"Dude looked like Rudolph," Chloe laughed. She breathed deeply through her nose and held one arm out, savoring the cool night air. Spring had started early and, truthfully, she was glad to be done with winter.

Goodbye, heavy jackets. Get fucked.

"Isn't this place so different at night time?" Max asked, straying off the path and into the already green grass with a bit of a swagger.

"I was actually thinking that earlier." Chloe came up behind her and took hold of her waist, resting her chin on the girl's shoulder. "I've noticed everything feels a bit more..." she pursed her lips, searching for the right word, "mystical at night."

Does that sound drunk?

"Uh huh." Max said it like she might know something Chloe didn't. She pointed at a small congregation of fireflies hovering around each other in a noble attempt at a swarm. "You know something weird?"

"What's that?" Chloe asked, following her gesture.

"Fireflies don't usually come out until it's much warmer," she said. Chloe gave a casual 'huh' in response. "But, know what's even weirder?" She turned to Chloe.

"I don't," she said, genuinely curious.

"Oregon doesn't..." Max turned back to the lights clumsily flying around, "Oregon doesn't have fireflies. At least, not like this." She looked at Chloe expectantly.

Pfft, what?

"But...they're right there, Max," Chloe chuckled, gesturing at them. "They're everywhere."

"Yes," she nodded, "but only...here. In Arcadia Bay."

"Come on," Chloe cocked her head to the side and narrowed her eyes, "that can't actually be true. You're fucking with me."

"Seriously, I'm not," Max insisted. "Warren was telling me about it, I didn't believe him at first either. I guess there's some like, in the mountains or wherever? But here they're...well, like you said, everywhere."

"That...uh, seems like kind of a big deal. You know, ecologically," Chloe said, looking back at the flying lights.

"Heh, yeah, you'd think, right?" Max snickered. She shrugged, then took hold of Chloe's hand again as she began to walk. "I don't know, I just think it's interesting. Arcadia Bay is fucking cray cray."

Award for understatement of the night goes to...

"It sure is," Chloe agreed. Max was quiet for a moment as she wandered aimlessly, her thumb moving rhythmically against the back of Chloe's hand. Chloe was spellbound, drinking in every look and movement of the girl.

What is wrong with me tonight? I'm so...nervous.

"Do you know what Arcadia means?" Max asked, breaking the silence.

"Uh, no. Not really," she responded. "That saint or whatever that was a soldier?" She took note of the symphonic insect chirps and calls that came from everywhere.

"That's Joan of Arc," Max laughed.

Durr.

"Right," Chloe chuckled. "Then what is it?"

"So, it's like this...beautiful, uncorrupted place, right?" Max said. Upon receiving a nod from Chloe, she continued. "Kind of like some Garden of Eden stuff. Just this perfect patch of nature."

"That's...huh..." Chloe shook her head. "I can't tell if that's fitting or a total oxymoron."

Arcadia Bay, the gold standard of nature? Right...

"Mhm." Max suddenly let go of her and took a few quick steps before jumping in the air and clapping her hands. She returned to Chloe and opened her hands enough that she could see inside. A firefly crawled around docilely, lighting up every few seconds.

"It's pretty," Chloe said, staring down at the bug. "Where...like, where is all this coming from?"

"I dunno, it just came up in conversation with Warren," she replied. She held her arm out and the firefly took flight. She took Chloe's palm in her hand, tracing the Fate Line so lightly that it tickled. "Hey," her voice was quiet but curious, "have I ever told you about the doe?"

The doe? Like...the one I've seen?

"I don't think so," Chloe said, her brow furrowing with a tint of unease.

"When I got my powers, I started to just see this...doe," Max said. "But it didn't look quite right. It was like it was made of...static? I always saw it in my weird, space out visions." She moved her head side to side. "Except once in the junkyard. I tried to take a picture of it..."

Wait...

"Like the one I saw at the cemetery..." Chloe cleared her throat. "I saw it there again when I had the dream about Dad." Max quirked an eyebrow.

"Really?" she asked.

"Yeah, it...it looks weird." She scanned around her slowly. "What...the fuck is that? What does that mean?" Max giggled and gave a wide smile.

"No idea! As usual!" She shook her head. "Samuel told me it was my," she wriggled her fingers, "spirit animal, but I mean, come on." She nuzzled into Chloe's chest.

Of course.

"Alright, so this is fucking weird. How...how drunk are we?" Chloe snarked, kissing Max on the top of the head.

"I don't think very," she answered. "I don't know, it's just...pretty crazy, huh?"

"Yeah, definitely," Chloe replied. Max sighed dreamily, then took her hand once again as they continued to walk.

"Just reminded me when you said mystical," Max said. "I doubt it is...I think, but it's weird." She spun around and brought Chloe's hand to her lips, then turned back around just as quickly. The butterfly feeling bounced around in her stomach.

Speaking of mystical...

"You know," Chloe began, "you're very Manic Pixie Dream Girl tonight."

"Am I?" Max asked casually.

"Yes," Chloe responded, "you have me all...I don't even know. Stupid."

"Don't call yourself stupid," Max chided. "Anyway, wouldn't it be Maxic Pixie Dream Girl? I like that better."

"You don't even know you're doing it, do you?" Chloe's eyes rolled upward in exasperation.

"I'm not trying to do anything, so no," Max said.

You're so frustratingly attractive, AGH!

"Fair..." Chloe sighed, "fair enough."

Max led Chloe through along the walkway to the main campus, then to one of the picnic tables. She hopped up onto the table, planting her feet on the bench.

"So, how did you sleep last night?" she asked.

"Like a log," Chloe said. "No dreams." Max sighed and nodded in relief.

"That's good," she said. "Haven't had one since the night you told me everything, right?"

"Nope." Chloe sat on the bench, propping her elbows behind her on the table. "I would have told you. Promise." She bounced her heel against the grass a few times, creating a shallow indent. "You know, I realized I haven't had any other dreams since we came back. Like, the normal kind?" She looked back at Max. "At least, not that I remember."

"That's...well, that's another interesting bit of information," Max said. "We'll add it to our bulletin board."

"We're running out of room on that thing," Chloe responded. "On our mental bulletin board."

"Well, you're not wrong," Max said. She clicked her tongue against her teeth. "Hey, so... I was wondering..."

"Mhm?" Chloe turned around in her seat and supported her chin on her fist. Max sat forward and dug into her back pocket, making a contemplative sound.

"I took some photos, I wanted to get your thoughts on them." She pulled out a small stack of Polaroid photographs, crinkled and bent from being sat on.

Oooh, Max pics! My favorite.

"Oh, yeah, of course," Chloe answered. "I mean, you know I'm going to think they're great but...I'd love to see them."

"Okay, awesome," Max said with a smile, placing one of them down on the table for Chloe to see. "They're prototypes, that's why I didn't mind them bending." It was just a photo of the letter 'P,' taken from a sign or poster in just the right way that none of the rest of the word was visible. "It's like, I was kind of going for this series thing, right? Be a little ambitious." She held her hands out proudly for emphasis.

Argh, I know this is a thing but I can't tell what it's...supposed to mean.

"Um, yeah," Chloe said, "I have to admit, I don't really...know what this one's about. It's the letter 'P.'"

"Yeah, it's a little abstract," Max agreed. She placed another photo down next to it, this time the letter 'R.'

"Oooh, it's like hangman," Chloe said with a smirk. "Can I guess?"

"Shoot," Max encouraged.

"Is it going to say 'Price?'" she asked.

"Nope," Max shook her head. She set a third photo down, now of the letter 'O.'

"Pro..." Chloe elongated the word, thinking it over. "Prooooo... Hm."

Professional wrestling? Propane? Pro...bono?

"Here, I'll help," Max snickered, setting down the last photo. Chloe quirked her head, her lips moving as she read the word.

"Proam?" Chloe asked. Her eyes grew big when she realized. "Oh fuck, wait," she grinned, "prom!"

"Prom!" Max repeated, sliding off of the table and onto the seat next to Chloe. "It's next month...and I figured, you know."

"You're asking me to go to the prom with you?" Chloe asked, the smile audible in her tone and warmth of both love and alcohol cradling her body.

"Uh huh," Max said, scooting closer to her. "If you'd be so kind as to take me..."

Well, yes! Obviously!

"Yes, of course I'll take you! Yeah! Fuck yeah!" Chloe laughed, pulling Max into a hug. "That's so cute and awesome, we'll crash that shit so hard! Hell yes!"

"Um," Max giggled softly into Chloe's ear, her breath lapping sensitively, "I kind of assumed it'd be a yes. Those were two different statements." Chloe pulled back and narrowed her eyes in confusion. Max simply shook her head and clawed into Chloe's shirt tightly. "Take. Me."

There was a loud thud as Chloe fell into the wall, Max pressing on her ravenously. They engaged in a brief battle of control, and then it was Max slamming into the wall. Chloe's hands snaked beneath her shirt, scrambling along her stomach until they kneading pleadingly at Max's breasts. The girl released a petite moan, then braced her foot behind her. She bounded forward and crashed into Chloe, attacking her neck with her teeth. They took a few halfhearted steps down the hall before they found the opposite wall with a bang. By this point, it was fairly obvious that they were making a good bit of noise and Chloe started laughing.

"Come on," she commanded, hooking her fingers within Max's waistline and tugging her down the dorm hallway.

"Don't get bossy with me," Max shot back, taking a quick step to lessen the resistance and grabbed Chloe so that they tumbled softly to the floor. "I like to take my time," she said, straddling the girl.

"You're driving me actually fucking crazy," Chloe said, only managing a word or two between each kiss.

"Oh yeah?" Max asked, drifting her hand along Chloe's leg.

"Yes." Chloe summoned all of her strength and sat upright, catching Max from falling backwards. She slipped her knee beneath her and pushed herself to her feet with Max in her arms.

"I like when you carry me," Max said happily, dragging her finger across Chloe's lips.

"I bet you do," Chloe replied, making her way down the hall. When she finally reached Max's room, she set the girl down in front of the door and reached around her to open it. Gently, she placed a palm on Max's chest and pushed, causing her to step back into the room. Chloe glanced down the hallway, then grinned wolfishly as she ripped her shirt over her head, tossing it in Max's face. She stalked forward, hooking her foot on the door and swinging it backward, slamming it shut.

"The red lace," Max said, casually pointing at Chloe's bra, "I like that one."

"I know you do," Chloe responded. She stepped closer to Max and slid her finger under the shoulder of her flannel, slowly moving it to the side until it slid down her arm. She did the same to the other, then tugged it off completely.

"Hang on," Max said, slipping teasingly away from Chloe and gliding over to her laptop. After a moment, music started and she turned back around. "Have I ever told you how in love with you I am?" she asked as she slid one foot against the other, stepping out of her shoes.

Please do it again.

"I could always go for a reminder," Chloe said. Max giggled and nodded expectantly, then jerked her shirt over her head.

"Always, huh?" Max asked, dancing toward her as she unbuttoned her jeans.

"Always," Chloe repeated, losing her patience and snatching Max by the wrist. She guided her to the bed and pushed her down onto it.

"I like when you get all predatory," Max said, batting her lashes.

"And I like when you don't have these," Chloe responded with a bit of a growl, pulling Max's pants by the ankles. The girl arched her back to help with the process.

"Yeah?" Max quickly got to her knees and wrapped her arms around Chloe, undoing the clasp of her bra. "I'm thinking..." She eased her fingers around Chloe's nipple and pulled gently, causing the girl's knees to quake, "that we should really get your birthday celebration started."

"Okay," Chloe said, sounding a lot more nervous than she even knew she felt.

I can't believe you can do this to me after all this time.

"Okay," Max confirmed, baring her teeth as she went in for a kiss.

"So," Chloe said, kicking a tiny stone across the the parking lot as they walked to the shore "what do you think you'll take pictures of?"

"I don't know," Max said, looking down at the digital camera in her hands. "Everything, I guess?"

"Even me?" Chloe spun around, flashing an innocent smile.

"Probably mostly of you," Max giggled. "You'll be my, um, muse? I think that's what it's called."

"I can do that!" Chloe trotted over to the end of the parking lot and hopped down into the sand. "Take one of me with the sunset!"

"Okay!" Max held the camera up, clicking on the arrow buttons to find the settings she preferred. "You should do a pose or something."

"Hmm..." Chloe looked around her, then ran to pick up a branch. She held it out like a sword and crouched at her knees, raising her other hand above her head. "How about this? I'm like a swordsman. I chop up bad guys."

"That's perfect," Max said, nibbling her lip as she focused the shot. She pressed the button, summoning an artificial shutter sound from the camera and capturing the image of Chloe. "You look really cool."

"Thanks," Chloe replied, "I bet I could beat anyone."

"With a stick?" Max asked, joining her friend on the shore.

"If I had to," Chloe answered matter-of-factly. "You have to work with what you got." She 'hmm'd' then dropped to her knees, touching the stick to the sand, and began writing. When she was finished, the writing read 'MC + CP.'

"That makes it look like we're dating," Max chuckled. Chloe scowled.

"Nuh uh! It's a contract! If I'm going to be your muse thing, we need to have it in writing," Chloe said, pointing the stick at Max.

"I guess that's true," Max said, thinking it over. "How long does it last?"

"What?" Chloe snorted, getting to her feet and locking arms with Max. "Forever, of course."

"Oh," Max said as if she should've known. She tucked the camera into her pocket as they walked further down the beach toward the waves. "Yeah, forever sounds good."

Chloe awoke, but this time without a start. She simply stared above her into the darkened ceiling. The slow rise and fall of Max's body against hers felt like absolute heaven, and she moved as carefully as she could to be able to see the girl. It suddenly all made sense. Just like when Joyce and David came back and just like how being with everyone earlier in the night had reaffirmed bits and pieces of her torn up mind, she now understood why she felt so nervous around Max all night. Without realizing it was happening, she fell in love with her all over again.

She knew she wasn't out of the woods yet with the dreams, but she was at least finding solace in the truth that everyone and everything was 'right.' There, sleeping soundly within her arms was the girl she was meant to be with. She kissed Max on the forehead and whispered that she loved her before closing her eyes and returning to sleep.