Chapter 5

Jefferson

The day after a shoot is always very dramatic. A lot of reflection. Triumph and regret and hope and sadness etc etc. The day after a shoot I consider what I've become as a photographer and where I'm going.

No matter how well a shoot goes, and my shoot with Kate could scarcely have gone better, the complex, contradictory emotions afterwards consume me. I spend an entire day in the dark room. I agonize over every detail of my session with Kate. I'm forced to re-evaluate my old work against my current work, so I agonize over all the other girls too. My tastes are always changing in new and subtle ways and nothing reveals this like the latest girl.

Back when I was younger I was less invested. A lot of people would say it only benefitted my photography. It gave me a very raw, spontaneous quality. I know a lot of my fans would prefer I remain that way because it was a key component in the style that defined me. But my photography now is all about evolution and transition. Innocence tarnished and corrupted. Each girl represents this and enforces this idea. But when this work is finally revealed to the world perhaps I will be the prime example of change, over any one of my subjects.

This makes me think about Nathan. I need to explain this to him. Explain the vision behind this. This, I should tell him, is why I quit drugs. The change in me, in my photography, is all organic and natural. There are no chemical impulses driving me. Nathan constantly changes and in drastic, fascinating ways but it's all artificial. He maintains a style, but is it dishonest? Is it never a true reflection of where he is in the moment? Or could it be that his photography is the truest reflection of Nathan as a person? That no matter what state of mind he finds himself in, his photography remains consistent and displays who he is as a person? Perhaps photography is his only escape from his complicated mental turmoil? Is his artistry independent from his madness? And is this a bad thing? Can he ever really grow without one feeding the other? I would like to discuss this all with Nathan but catching him in a state where he can hold an intelligent conversation is difficult. Perhaps I just have to glean what I can from his photography.

I think of Max as well, of course. Possibly my next subject. Possibly my next accomplice? Max doesn't have an identity as a photographer yet. She thinks that sticking to polaroid gives her personality but her photography lacks direction. She's simply an opportunist, accepting whatever shot falls into her lap.

Now I was like this when I was younger. My photography was impulsive and rash and reckless. I'm not criticizing Max. But Max doesn't have the benefit of growing up in the time and place that I did. A scene so ripe with possibilities. My life back then was sleazy back when sleaze was shocking. For Max there are no possibilities in Arcadia Bay. Except in the dark room.

I've talked about her as a potential ally. Someone who can identify subjects for me and put them under my control. But I don't see Max as just a tool. I want to give her the opportunities the dark room presents. I want her to understand my work. I want her to grow as an artist. I didn't just become a teacher to have rooms of doe-eyed girls under my command.

Kate's shoot was incredible. One of the most precious, most vulnerable subjects I've had. Unaware of where she was or what was happened she wept like a child. Total honesty. Generally, when girls cry in my shoots it's a result of whatever fearful hysteria they can muster up through the crippling haze of the drugs. Tears are just a byproduct. Kate was not hysterical. Once her survival instincts kicked in she was so incapable, the thought of resistance or struggle so far from her mind, all she could do to protect herself was cry. A genuine, instinctive appeal for pity. I was overcome with emotion.

Yet my session with Kate feels incomplete. I'd like to bring her back to the dark room. Her reactions were so pure, but I feel the shoot lacked a range of emotion that's present in most of my subjects. Kate is socially and emotionally underdeveloped. She may not remember her experience here, but I hope it changes her on some subconscious level so that next time her instincts will give a different take.

When Nathan brought her to the dark room he told me, quite enthusiastically, about the events of the Vortex Club party in which Kate was groped and molested by god knows how many boys. A quite dramatic reaction to the drugs he had given her, and I wonder if he'd fucked up another dose.

Ordinarily, this kind of behaviour poisons a subject but for Kate I can forgive it. I hope she remembers the party like I hope she remembers, to an extent, the dark room. That would be transformative for her. She'll have never been more vulnerable, more hopeless than she'll be after these recent events. Nathan and I will need to recapture her at the right moment, and we'll have to rethink our tactics because I doubt she'll be attending any more parties. I will be keeping a close eye on her in the coming days and weeks.

Something else Nathan mentioned to me was that Max had a new boyfriend – Hayden. One of the boys in my class. I was surprised because I've never seen him take much of an interest in Max, although he is part of the Vortex Club clique. Hayden is a good student and seems like a halfway decent guy so it's not the worst choice she could've made. Still, I think about maybe accelerating my plans for Max before her relationship with Hayden moves through the levels. I would not want her becoming too attached as I hope to fill that void in her life.

Something else that's on my mind the day after this shoot – sex. Did it improve my photography? Did it change my perspective on Kate? My approach, my mood, anything? I had fucked Abbi the night before the shoot, of course. Abbi and I were both very aggressive towards each other. I expected this of Abbi but not so much of myself. Unless I'm truly invested in a person I'm a very passive lover. I did not care about Abbi, but still, I fucked her with rabid enthusiasm. But it may just be because I hadn't had a woman since Rachel. Did it affect the shoot? I felt relaxed, but then Kate was such a calming influence on me. In any case, I can't draw any conclusions yet.

As for Abbi, and my question over whether I could make her into an accomplice, a woman who could gain the trust of subjects and bring them under my influence – I'm not sure. She was impressed by my performance sexually. I was definitely not just a one time fuck. She may become obsessed with me. That would be potentially irritating, but possibly useful too. It'd mean she'd become invasive and curious. Possibly jealous of my subjects and unwilling to manipulate them on my behalf. But an element of obsession seems like it'd be necessary for the relationship I would hope to have with her.

She is however not the submissive type. Fucking her was a constant battle for dominance. Both of us barking out instructions. She needs to be tamed. The kind of loyalty and dependence born out of that process may be exactly what I need. I would have to research the topic more. For now, Max seems far more viable as a partner.

Max

I'm sat on the floor with Victoria and Taylor in Victoria's dorm because Victoria's dorm is next to Kate's dorm and we're listening for signs of life. After the party last night we found Kate propped up against the door to her room, passed out but still alive and vaguely responsive. We were far too drunk and tired to mess with her. Everything after Kate left the party is a blur because I was drinking.

"I wonder if she'll even remember what happened?" asks Taylor.

"Probably not. She looked braindead," I say "Nathan dosed her with something, didn't he?"

"If he did he lied to me about it. I don't see why he'd lie to me. I wanted him to dose her."

I guess I believed her. I just have a funny feeling about Nathan that I can't shake.

"Are there even drugs that can make you act like that?" asks Taylor "That would scare the shit outta me."

"You'd make out with the Bigfoots team after a little sugar water." says Victoria. Taylor throws a little kick at her and giggles.

"Someone else could have dosed her maybe?" I ask.

"Maybe. The real question is what do we do with the video?" Victoria asks.

We'd watched the video three times that morning. It was pretty gross. I wouldn't want Kate to see it.

"What are you thinking?" I ask Victoria.

"We post it online." she says.

"That'd be evil." says Taylor, giggling.

"Evil as fuck." I say.

"The whole idea was to get her to loosen up and make some friends, right? You said yourself she probably can't remember a thing. She needs to see how friendly everyone was with her."

"It'd ruin her. I mean like an instant mental breakdown. If not the moment you show her the video then definitely after the whole school sees it and starts treating her like a gutterslut."

"Max, you're being dramatic. All she did was make out with some guys. No one will care after like a week. She needs to toughen the fuck up."

I want to agree with Victoria over this, but fragile as Kate is I don't see her toughening the fuck up. She'd probably end up in a psyche ward for the rest of her life.

"I'm just saying give it a few days and figure out where her head is," I say "Besides, you think it's a good look for the Vortex Club for this to happening at one of our parties?"

"Max, I repeat, all she did was make out with some guys! You're making this into a much bigger deal than it is." Victoria says.

"She got grabbed pretty hardcore though," says Taylor "A few guys got a hand up her skirt."

"It's not like she was fighting it! She had the time of her life!" says Victoria.

"I guess." says Taylor.

I decide to appeal to Victoria's dark side.

"Showing her the vid would be wasting the whole thing. I don't know what you have against Kate, but wouldn't it fuck with her more if she didn't know exactly what happened and everything was just a rumour swirling around? You love that kind of stuff."

"I suppose that does sound like fun. But then we just do that for a few days and pow! Post the video! Besides Max, do you really think I'm the only one who thought to film that whole thing? There were a ton of people around."

I hadn't thought of that. I hadn't noticed anyone else filming but then my eyes were kind of fixed on the sleaze.

"So why post the video? Just let someone else do it and that way you won't feel like shit afterwards when Kate kills herself."

"Oh please. You think some drooling jock asshole's gonna have better footage than mine? I'm a pro. Plus I was the most sober person in the room."

"I don't think you're gonna change her mind, Max." says Taylor with a giggle.

And I think she's right. And for all I know someone else is posting the video as we speak. Perhaps I could warn Kate? Prepare her for the shitstorm that's coming?

"Fine. You are going straight to hell though." I say.

"I know!" Victoria says, excitement in her voice "Anyway let's change the subject to Hayden."

"What about him?"

"You can't let him control you like he did last night, Max."

I suppose I get what she's talking about. He was touchy, but I didn't mind, exactly. At least he didn't make any big moves. If anything, I made the big move by basically asking if he wanted a three-way with me and Victoria. Where did that come from? It's like the time I brought up foursomes with Jefferson. I hope this doesn't become a habit.

"Control me? I don't know what you're talking about."

"He was practically elbow deep in you the entire party!"

"Jesus, gross!" I say.

"Ew you are so nasty Victoria!" says Taylor. More giggling.

"I'm serious. You shouldn't let a guy even touch you until he's earnt it. You just suddenly get a date with him and five minutes later he's all over you? He's just going to think you're another one of his usual sluts. He was testing you to see how easy you were."

"She's right, Max. Hayden may seem pretty chill, but we all know he fucks like a rabbit." says Taylor.

"How do you know?"

"Rumours!" she says, laughing "He hasn't made any moves on me, yet. It's a little insulting actually."

"Ok I get it. He needs to cool off a little." I say. Pretty pathetic, needy tone of voice. I guess it wouldn't hurt to let my guard down and take in some advice. I'm such a fucking child when it comes to guys. Victoria and Taylor are old hands.

"Don't worry," Victoria leans forward and puts a hand on my knee. I look into her eyes and she seems genuine. "You can still take charge. Just tell him he copped enough feels last night and he can't touch you again for another six months or so."

"Sure." I say. I suppose it's a pretty obvious course of action but hearing it from Victoria gives it more authority. But I suddenly feel awkward and change the subject. "Where was Trevor last night, by the way?"

"You're still pining for Trevor! I knew it!" Victoria says. I pout as Taylor giggles.

"You're so cute, Max." says Taylor.

"I'm over Trevor. Completely." I say. I'm not sure if I am or not. I have so much other stuff on my mind. I cycle through my problems quickly. Suddenly I'm thinking of Chloe, which is a real gut-punch. I'd prefer to be with Trevor over Hayden. "Just want to know if he saw me with Hayden. He could be totally heartbroken."

"I guess he didn't show up. Or he didn't hang out in the VIP area. He was on the list. Before we move on from Hayden - I'm pissed with him."

"Why?"

"He was full of shit about that Paul guy. He acted like he'd never met the guy. And he didn't look 30 either. I feel like a total moron."

"If you talk to Hayden find out about him, Max," says Taylor "He seemed ok but who knows?"

"He looked like he hadn't showered in months. She could've just dressed up a bum for all we know." says Victoria.

"Hayden definitely didn't know that guy. Mistaken identity, I guess." I say.

"We're lucky we didn't get Logan and his thugs to break his legs."

I'm back thinking about Chloe again. I'd kind of semi-planned to finally meet up with her this Sunday. A new boyfriend acting as a big distraction from all the real drama between us. We could dish on Hayden. I'd tell her about his grabby hands and she'd be ready to nuke this entire town for me. Would she still do that for me?

I'm nodding along to a conversation about Victoria seeing Zach and Juliet make out at the party last night. I would be supportive but Victoria is all blood and thunder so I listen to her vent, waiting for a lull in the action so I can leave.

Lately I've been thinking I should just text Chloe. I know it's kind of dick move to re-introduce myself back into her life by text but I'm so scared of showing up on her doorstep and surprising her because all the tension and resentment and darkness could just explode in that instant. If I texted her ahead of time it'll cool everything down. I'm pretty sure William and Joyce will put in some good words and pour some water on that inferno.

Now Victoria is talking about a hookup that might've happened last night between Jordan and Tyler. It doesn't sound like anything really serious happened so I take the chance to excuse myself and Victoria can't believe I don't want to hear about Jordan so I tell her to text me the details once anything's confirmed. I walk into my dorm and get dressed. I lay on my bed and play with my phone trying to motivate myself to text Chloe and finally I say fuck it.

Chloe

The pain wakes me up, which has pretty much been the routine lately, and I call out for my dad who already has my morphine ready. He's really happy this morning and I can tell he wants to talk to me about something, but he sits and waits for my pain to go away. I can get retarded after my morphine injection sometimes so I guess he wants to make sure I can understand basic English.

"I've got a surprise for you …" he says, trying to add some mystery into his voice.

"Double morphine?"

"Don't joke about that, sweetie," He's paranoid about me becoming a dope fiend. I like to joke about it. "No, look at this!"

He shows me his phone and … Max has texted me. She wants to see me. Why didn't she just come round?

"Well?" My dad says with a big smile on his face.

"I mean, ok!" I say. I can't believe I'm finally going to see her again. I don't know how I should play it. Should I be pissed? Fuck it, the moment she shows up I'm probably not going to have any control over what comes out of my mouth. My Dad starts texting her.

"Of course … Max … please … bring … booty."

I sigh.

"Are you sure you're over your pirating days?"

"Just … say yes. Only yes."

"Then it doesn't sound like you're excited to see her!"

"She doesn't need to know that."

"Come on you're back together! Don't tell me you haven't been waiting for this!"

"Why did she send a text? She could've just knocked on the door."

"It's just awkward for her. She doesn't know how things are over here. Look at this."

He shows me the phone and the text he wants to send – "You can come round anytime Max."

"Boring, but fine. Send it."

Max

I check my texts and see that Chloe has responded. No big drama – she didn't call me a complete asshole or anything. It dawns on me that Joyce has to text for her and that sounds like something Joyce would think to say. I hope Chloe knows I'm showing up and Joyce isn't hiding it from her so it's a big scene.

I dress up nice. Not too nice. No matter what mood Chloe's in I know she's going to break my balls and I don't want her making fun of my preppy clothes. Or maybe that'd be good? Something else to distract her from our real problems. I change again into some cute designer gear that I know is going to make her roll her eyes.

Chloe

My mom dresses me up and moves me into my chair. Of course, she wants to dress me like it's a big special occasion. I'd rather just stay in my pajamas, but we agree we'll just put on a t-shirt and some jeans. I need to keep Max humble. We're not getting dolled up like she's royalty. I don't know how she feels about me anymore. I think a lot about what kind of life she must be having. Honestly, I just want to sit and listen to her tell me about her new friends. Seattle. Blackwell. Boyfriends? She probably has a boyfriend and I want to know everything.

I'll try not to ruin her day by telling her how my life's going. Or how it's been for mom and dad.

Max

On the bus ride I'm confident. I've started thinking about when I arrived at Blackwell and all my sparring with Victoria before we became friends. I could handle myself when it came to petty squabbles now. That's something I always thought I just had to pick up on the mean streets of Seattle, but I guess I really take it from Chloe. I wouldn't say we used to squabble exactly but she kept me on my toes. Back then I was too lame to match her head on whenever she'd tease me, but I liked her teasing me. So in an odd way I'm now excited about this roast I'm going to get. And maybe I'll show I can give her a little back now?

The bus reaches the stop and I get out and start walking. I take some deep breaths. Chloe's the coolest girl I've ever known, I tell myself. If she asks why I sucked so hard at keeping in contact I'll be 100% honest about it. I still love her.

I walk through this familiar neighborhood to that familiar house and memories drift into my head. It's very calming. It's been so long since I've been here. Almost feels like I've gone back in time.

Chloe

I hear a knock at the door. My mom and dad both give me big smiles. My dad heads to the door. I stay in the living room and wait for him to call out to me so I can make my grand entrance. I'm nervous. Max has never seen me like this. How is she going to react? I hope she doesn't cry or anything.

Max

William opens the door and for a moment I feel a little overwhelmed. William was a big part of my life.

"Max! We've been waiting for you!"

"William!" I give him a big hug.

"Hey you might wanna save the hugs for the star of the show! Chloe?"

I see her. I guess I wasn't really prepared for this. She's in a wheelchair rolling up to me and she breaks out into a big smile. For a moment I feel like bursting into tears so I rush in and give out another hug, burying my face in her neck.

Chloe

Just seeing Max again is a rush. I haven't felt like this in a long time. She hugs me and somewhere in the back of my head I tell myself I can't completely forgive her. Not yet. I don't want to get mushy but I feel like there's a tear in my eye. A while later she stops with the hug and starts apologizing to me, which I thought would be a good move but now I feel bad.

"Max, just relax. I'm really happy you came."

"I should've come sooner."

"I'll guilt trip you later. We don't have to talk about it now."

"We're real glad to see you, Max," mom says, stood behind me.

"Joyce, hey!" Max says before giving mom a hug too. "I feel so bad, guys."

"Don't feel bad," says my dad "All that matters is you're back now! Chloe has been dying to see you!"

Max stands beside me and puts a hand on my shoulder. I wish could feel it. I want to spin around and face her but I don't want to run over her feet. I can hear her voice breaking and the sniffles coming along. As long as she doesn't start bawling her eyes out I should be fine.

"We should give the girls some time alone together," my mom says to dad "Why don't you take them somewhere? Make a trip out of it?"

"Maybe we could go to the beach? Max?"

"Sure."

"You got it, ladies. Just let me everything fired up."

Max

It was tough watching William load Chloe into the van. She really is helpless. I don't know what I expected. I suppose a part of me didn't want to believe the accident happened. I flaked out of sending texts and letters and I always just put it down to not knowing what to say, or of being afraid of upsetting her and never having a chance to fix things face to face. But I guess I just didn't want to spoil all the fun in Seattle hearing about how badly she was suffering. Out of sight, out of mind. Some friend.

During the trip to the beach I talk with William mostly and he's still cracking jokes all the time. He hasn't changed. A lot of his jokes are pretty lame and I tease him about it but he manages to squeeze some genuine laughs out of both me and Chloe. Besides that Chloe seems pretty quiet.

We arrive at the beach and once William has Chloe out of the van and into her wheelchair we set off down a path and William follows a distance behind us. I suppose something could go wrong with Chloe at any moment? I appreciate him being around. We walk alone in silence for a little bit and I'm trying to think of how to open the conversation.

"You're so lucky to have you dad. He's exactly like I remember him."

"Yeah, he's happy to have you back around. He could always make you laugh. He's got years of built up material to try out on you."

"Bring it. Your Dad's material becomes my material."

"He's a bad influence on you, Max."

I start giggling. We've had this same conversation before. I really have tried out some of William's better jokes on people but I guess I don't have the same delivery.

"Anyway, why did you text me first? 'Can I see you today?'. You know you can just stop by anytime, right?"

"… I guess I just would've felt like an idiot if I showed up like it was some big surprise."

"I've known you were back in town for a while. Why now? Did you meet my mom or dad somewhere? Did they guilt you into coming?"

"Of course not, Chloe. I was always going to visit you sometime. I just didn't know how you felt about me anymore. I wouldn't blame you if you thought I was a total asshole."

"You kind of are. But you know I'm a pushover when it comes to forgiveness. Besides I understand you not wanting to keep in contact with me. You probably had a whole new life in Seattle, right? And you probably didn't want me dragging you down telling you my sob stories."

"It's not that. You know how awkward I can be. There were so many times I freaked out of texting you because I didn't know what to say or I didn't want to bug you."

"Look I don't want you to feel bad, Max. Just make sure you suck up to me for a while."

"Whatever you want."

I spend a while telling Chloe about Blackwell. My teachers and classes. I tell her about Violet in the Two Whales and how she's pretty nice but I'd rather Joyce still worked there. Chloe tells me that she had the grades to go to Blackwell but it didn't work out because of wheelchair access.

"So what was Seattle like? I see the whole hipster art student thing you have going on."

"This is kind of in right now," I say "I'm not a hipster though. I don't know what it's called. I think it's like yuppie chic."

"You make a lot of friends in Seattle?"

"I had friends. Enemies too."

"Enemies? Wow. The world of hipsters isn't all peace and love, huh?"

"I'm not a hipster. Don't make this into a thing."

"It's gonna be a thing, Max," she says with a big smile "I'm not calling you a yuppie, whatever that is."

"I think it just means I'm super-fashionable."

"I think yuppie's the wrong word – you're thinking of douche," she says, laughing this time "I can't exactly make fun when I've gotta wear whatever my mom puts on me anyway. Come on, I want to hear about your friends though ... Do you have a boyfriend?"

"I mean, I guess. Kind of."

"I can tell that relationship's going places."

"We just started dating. But I don't think it's really serious."

"So he's like a fuckbuddy?"

"No. We haven't done anything."

"You're blushing! You're a terrible liar, Max."

"I swear. We've only been to one party together."

"Hard partying as well! You really have changed."

"It was a really shitty party," I say "Ugh, nothing happened except one thing but I don't want to talk about it."

"You're teasing me now! You know I want in on your whole life, right? It's not like I've got one of my own."

"Don't talk like that," I feel bad. Not like she can get out of the house much. "I'll tell you some other time. It doesn't involve me though or Hayden so I don't know if you'll even care."

"Hayden? Is that your boyfriend? And I want all the hot gossip from Blackwell!"

"Yeah his name's Hayden. And it's not really gossip. I saw it happen and it's gross. I don't want to talk about it here."

"You know you're just making it so much more interesting now, right?"

I wonder how I can spin the Kate thing into a funny story but it's not coming to me.

"Seriously, it's a total drag."

"Err, seriously, lay it on me! I want dirt!"

"Just … some girl got wasted and made out with a bunch of guys at a party and I feel kind of bad because it wasn't like her at all."

"Lame, Max. There's something you're not telling me. That's all that happened?"

"See? I knew you wouldn't be interested. I'm probably just overthinking the whole thing."

"Yeah, probably. Probably you do crazy things when you're wasted. Not that I know anything about that. I'm glad this is all so shocking to you, Max! Now I know you're not the type to go wild with a room full of guys."

"Gross."

"But seriously, that's all that happened? No hookups? No fights?"

"We're kinda lame at Blackwell I guess."

"Did you drink? Are you hungover?"

"I drank after the whole thing with Kate. Major, major headache." I say. Actually it's not that bad.

"You seriously need to pay me a visit while you're drunk! Maybe smuggle in a bottle too. Anyway we've been out too long, can we head back?"

"Sure … this has been fun."

"We're still hanging out when we get home, right?"

"Sure thing."

Chloe

My Dad lays me on my bed and tucks me in. I can see Max is pretty curious about all the gear in here. I wonder what she's thinking. She really hasn't changed much even if she does have a boyfriend and friends and dresses like a hipster. I expected she'd spend the whole day saying sorry, and I'm not saying I wouldn't have enjoyed it a little bit, but it didn't take long before we forgot all that and started yapping like kids again.

My mom and dad leave the room. I can tell they want to catch up with Max as much as I do. I want to know about Max and her friends though … and her sex life, obviously. I guess I've grown up to the age where gossip should be my #1 hobby, and I finally have a source.

"So … tell me about this boyfriend. Hayden."

Max is looking around the room. Looking through some of the cards I got and I'm pretty sure one of them was from her. She didn't completely break contact with me. She pulls up a chair to my bed.

"Well, what do you want to know?"

"Have you banged him yet?"

"I told you! No!"

It's so cute to see her all bothered by this. I can tell she still doesn't have a lot of experience with guys. Whenever I bring up sex it's like she wants to curl up into a ball.

"Ok I believe you. I just like seeing you squirm. So, Hayden. That's a pretty hipster sounding name."

"He's not a hipster. More just a stoner. He can be classy sometimes though."

"A stoner? I've always wanted to try that out. Do you think …"

"I'm not getting you stoned, Chloe."

"Why not? It'd be like a medicinal thing. You know I might be a vegetable but I get pain and stuff."

"It stinks. Everyone in the house would smell it. I'm pretty sure your mom and dad will stop me coming here if they find out I'm running drugs for you."

"Fine. I'll keep trying to talk you into it though. And don't forget – alcohol too."

"No promises."

"We'll see. How did you and Hayden meet?"

"We're both in the Vortex Club."

"Is that like a secret society?"

"Not so secret. We throw parties. That's pretty much it, I think."

"Did you make the first move?"

"He did. It only happened recently. It was a surprise. The guy kind of dates a lot and usually not girls like me. I didn't think he was into me."

"So he's boned every girl at Blackwell except you?"

"No! He has a bad reputation, but it's mostly just rumours."

"Uh-huh. Well, let me know when he gets lucky. What about your friends?"

"Well, there's Victoria. It's like, more of an alliance than a friendship."

"What does that mean?"

"We were huge bitches to each other when I first started at Blackwell, but then we kinda decided we should team up. Victoria can be pretty cool sometimes. She's the one who got me into the Vortex Club. Then there's Courtney and Taylor. They hang out with me and Victoria. Victoria's bitchiness kind of rubs off on them but they're basically pretty sweet."

"Victoria turning you into a bitch as well?"

"Maybe I was already a bitch? I picked up some things in Seattle."

"Picked up some latte's for your Yoga class?"

"Plus I learnt how to stick up for myself. I got bullied a little at first but you know - fight fire with fire. I got a little of that attitude from you."

"It's nice that you learnt how to be a huge bitch from me, Max."

"Ok maybe not a huge bitch. Just feisty!"

Max

Chloe's really curious about me. She asks a ton of questions about Blackwell and my life in Seattle. It's fucked up, but I suppose I'm glad we've been out of touch for so long because we're not hurting for conversation. It's so much easier talking to her face to face than by text. She teases me a lot, but then I guess that's the price I have to pay. She still knows how to push my buttons. But it's nice to take a little punishment without having to retaliate guns blazing like I always did with Victoria and so many girls in Seattle.

I've spent a while telling Chloe about Seattle. About my friends, my boyfriends (Of course she wants my entire sexual history even though there's not much to say), my teachers, the city …

"So why did you come back to Arcadia Bay? Seattle sounds kind of awesome. Don't say it's because of me because I'll know you're full of shit."

"You were one reason I came back. Really. And I always loved Arcadia Bay. But remember I told you about Mark Jefferson? The guy who does my Photography class? He's one of my idols. I really wanted him as my teacher."

"Must be kind of weird getting taught by a guy you idolize."

"It kind of is. You don't want to let him down. You want to be at your best. But you also don't want to come off like a groupie or something."

"Are you a Mark Jefferson groupie?"

"I'm not the biggest groupie in the class. That'd be Victoria."

"Victoria? The bitchy girl you're allied with?"

"Yeah. She's trying hardcore trying to get into Jefferson's pants."

"So how far would you go to get in his pants?"

"I haven't even thought about that."

"You're such a liar, Max. Seriously, is he cute?"

"I guess so …"

"How old is he?"

"I think he's nearly 40? I can't remember exactly."

"You've got serious daddy issues."

"He's just a good teacher that's all."

"You sound like one of those guys saying he only reads porno for the articles."

"It's seriously nothing. Can we move on now?"

"You're so obvious, Max. It's cute. But we can move on, sure. But … only if you tell me something secret …"

"Like what?"

"I don't know, anything. Something good though."

I didn't have big secrets. What would shock Chloe? Should I pretend like I want in on Mr. Jefferson's pants? That I made out with some girls back in Seattle? That I made out with a teacher in Seattle? That I still have my Hawt Dog Man pajamas? I tried ecstasy once and threw up over my friend Jamie?

"I … made out with a girl once back in Seattle."

"Seriously? Girl on girl?"

"It was just a kiss."

"You said it was a full-on make-out session."

"I was a little drunk."

"Uh-huh. Although like I said before, I have to see drunk Max someday!"

"Why? You looking for a make-out session?"

"It's not like I could stop you."

"Creepy! Interesting point though."

We both start laughing.

"Just if you visit me again just show up a little drunk. Just a little. I want to see what kind of drunk you are."

"A very sleepy drunk, usually."

"A sleepy drunk who gets it on with other girls! You're seriously repressed."

Chloe

Max is a funny girl. One minute I have her all embarrassed teasing like she has a crush on teach, the next minute she tells me she's been getting it on with girls. This is the one side of Max I was really interested in. I wanted to cut right to the sleaze. Not that there's an awful lot of sleaze to be found, but it's still way sexier than my life. I'm sure Max has a dark side! She just needs to meet the right person.

Suddenly I need another morphine shot. I didn't want to get like this around Max. I ask her to go upstairs and find the drugs stash. She takes her time and I guess she got caught up talking to mom and dad. I hope they're not telling her about how shitty life is for everyone here. I know I sure as shit don't want to tell her. Not yet anyway.

Max

Chloe's in pain and she wants me to grab her a morphine shot. I hope this isn't a routine thing for her. I wonder why I'm not allowed to tell William or Joyce. I do know morphine can be addictive, but they wouldn't let her lay there in pain, would they?

As I'm heading for the bathroom, where Chloe thinks the shot is hidden, I run into William and Joyce and while at first we rush through a friendly conversation, we end up talking about the costs of the accident. It seems like they're hanging on by a thread. Just one look at Chloe's room and the van they use to drive her around in and I can imagine they're under a lot of stress. William and Joyce were never drowning in money.

I ask Joyce what happened to the Two Whales. She left to work real estate for the Prescott's. I'd be happy for her, but it doesn't seem like she enjoys it there. Hopefully it's at least helping pay the bills.

After the conversation I pretend like I'm going to the bathroom and I find the morphine shot hidden away.

Chloe

Max is so nervous with the morphine shot, but I've been busting her balls all day so I tease her like it's a life or death situation. She does fine in the end. She was asking why mom or dad wouldn't do it and whether they'd let me lie here in pain and I say they kind of do. Not that I blame them because the morphine's expensive. The mood kind of takes a turn and I guess mom and dad have been telling Max how much money I cost them.

Me and Max were having a lot of fun today, but I guess things had to get serious at some point. We have a long talk about my deal. I don't think today's the day I ask her to put an end to it though. Hearing about her life has been the most fun I've had in a long time, and a big part of me just wants to stick around to see how she turns out. What's going to happen with this Hayden guy? Does she have more sexy secrets from Seattle? Is she going to get creepy with this teacher? Before she leaves I tell her I need all these questions answered.