The wonderful smell of Joyce's pancakes is soon replaced by… the wonderful smell of Joyce's pancakes. I can tell I'm awake, this isn't a dream, but that awesome scent is still there, impregnating my nostrils, suddenly making me hungry. I need them.

Only when I brush my knees together I realize I'm still wearing my jeans - all of my clothes - from last night. I blink my eyes a few times to adjust my vision. It's harder than usual, since my eyelids are swollen from all the crying. The first thing I see is hair. Brown strands from my bangs everywhere. My head must be a complete mess. I brush it away from my face and I encounter Jar Jar's t-shirt sitting on a chair next to the bed I'm lying on. I can't believe someone would even make that, let alone buy it. It takes me a few more seconds to take in the rest of the room. A 'Save the Clock Tower' poster. A few shelves with more books than I could count. Warren's back just a few feet away from me. I can hear the clicks of his index finger on the computer mouse. Finally, I find it. There is a blue-ish tray on the desk, next to his keyboard. Breakfast.

I'm suddenly taken aback by the furious growl from my stomach. I'm hoping Warren hasn't heard it, but he instantly spins his chair back to me.

"Morning, you. Hungry?" He chuckles.

I can't decide whether I'm more embarrassed about the telltale sound or the fact that I actually spent the night in his bed.

"Hi. It's not my fault." My voice comes out raspy and sleepy. "Pancakes are my deathly weakness."

"I know." Warren gets up, takes the tray and lays it on top of Jar Jar. Pancakes, waffles, coffee and an omelet. Please let it be bacon. "I went to the Two Whales and got a good load of breakfast."

"So these are actually Joyce's pancakes?" The excitement in my voice must have made me sound like a child.

"Well, not really. She's not working this week, another lady has taken her place… but I bet they're amazing anyway."

"Oh. Right." Of course she wouldn't be at the diner the day after she buried her only daughter. "Thank you. For letting me stay and… Thank you."

"Of course." Warren shrugs and sits by my side. My stomach is growling again. "Can I go for that waffle or am I in danger of losing my hand in the process?"

"You can try." I smile and take the red plastic fork, ready to attack those pancakes. Even if Joyce didn't make them, they are some of the best I've tasted in my life. "So since when does the Two Whales have a take-out service?"

"They don't, I think. But I'd promised Joyce I'd check that broken jukebox there in exchange for this tasty reward." Warren takes the last bit of his waffle to his mouth. He's enjoying it just as much as me with my precious pancakes. "I almost die from starvation, there was so much food. That place gets packed at lunchtime."

"I know." I then stop chewing. "Wait, what? You said lunchtime? What time is it?"

"It's… 3.15." He answers after checking his phone.

"Holy shit. How much did I sleep? Why didn't you wake me?"

I remember falling asleep on his chest and then… nothing. I was so shattered there could have been a fucking earthquake - or a tornado - and I most likely would have gone on sleeping.

"It's okay, don't worry about it. I woke up at 9 and it was cold so I put the cover on you and… I couldn't wake you up." He smiles as he scratches the back of his neck. "I mean, literally. I tried, but you were like in a coma, you looked exhausted. So I decided to wait a bit longer and do some homework… and then I remembered about the jukebox and thought it would be cool to get some food. And then I came back and I guess the pancakes accomplished the almost impossible mission of waking you up."

My brain is taking its sweet time processing all of that information. I eye a blanket and pillow on the floor right next to the bed. Is that where he slept? Did he leave it there just so that I would know? And, if I have indeed slept in this much… what am I really worrying about? It's not like I wasted a perfectly productive day or anything. It's finally fucking Saturday and I can do whatever I want.

But first, food. I gulp down the coffee and strike the omelet. Oh, glorious bacon, come to me.

"You're not mad at me, are you?" Warren is examining me, I can tell.

"Oh no, I'm just really hungry." I don't even bother to swallow before I speak.

"That's great, you can eat all you want." He chuckles and walks to his computer.

"And I will. I really wish I could eat this forever, because once I'm done I'll…"

I don't finish my sentence because I'm not sure what I meant by it. Warren seems to know though, from the way he nods his head.

"I think… the best thing you can do right now is keep yourself busy. You know, to keep your mind off things. Do you have any plans for the weekend?"

"I…" I was going to say I have none, but how would I know? Substitute Max may have made any kind of plans on this timeline. "I can't remember, honestly."

"Well, we can always hang out and watch some movies. Only if you really feel like it." He spins his chair back at me and gives me one of his serious, this-time-I'm-actually-not-joking looks. "But please feel free to say no. Or say nothing. And just text me later and let me know. Or don't text, that's fine too."

"Thank you, Warren." I stop him. "It actually sounds like a great plan."

And I mean it. Right now, this bedroom feels like being out of space and out of time and far from everything else that reminds me of all the things I don't want to be thinking of. Instead, I can focus on this last crunchy, wonderfully tasty piece of bacon. My love for breakfast has been officially reborn.

"This is incredible. I could hug you right now." I say as I go for the last waffle.

"Well, you know I'm a sucker for hugs. But I really smell like an ape right now. You mind if I go hit the showers?"

I mumble something along the lines of "it's okay" with my mouth still full of food. Warren then grabs some of his things and leaves the room. I'm almost embarrassed when I realize I've eaten two thirds of the tray myself but again, why the fuck should I care about that today? Once I'm finished, I remember to check my phone. A quick glance around the room and I find it's on the desk. Its battery has probably died and Warren has plugged it to charge.

I sit on the same chair Warren was on a minute ago, and notice there's a flyer for the drive-in we were supposed to go to by the keyboard. Getting away from Arcadia Bay for hours sounds really inviting. Before things got so over-complicated, the idea of going to watch movies with my friend on his new car sounded like fun. Like… normalcy. And I happen to be craving that even more than pancakes.

As I reach for my phone, I accidentally move the mouse. The dark screen quickly lights up and reveals a Facebook profile. It's Chloe's.

Warren has been reading the comments left on her timeline. There are only a few, but at least they sound like they cared. Chloe hadn't used this page in a while, and all her last pictures are with Rachel. I click on her profile now, and it's filled with dozens of goodbye messages. I keep scrolling, and more of them keep showing up. I know it's not fair to be mad at her for it but… I can't look at it. Why was I even on the computer? Right, my phone.

I had left it on silent mode and there are seven missed calls from my mom. I don't even get to check the texts when it starts ringing in my hand.

"Mom, hi." As I say those words, my body feels the need to feel her arms around me like never before.

"Oh, Maxine, finally!" I hear both my mom and dad sigh on the other side. "Where are you? Your dad and I have been waiting for more than an hour now, we were worried!"

"Waiting for what?" I glance at the time again, it's 3.30 now.

"For you, of course! We were supposed to meet for lunch at the Two Whales, remember, honey?"

My parents, in Arcadia Bay. And I knew nothing about it. I knew I should have given a second thought to the idea that I might actually have plans. Damn you, Substitute Max.

"Oh, I… overslept. Sorry, I…"

My mom is about to complain but then I hear my dad's voice He's using his soothing tone and I can imagine him placing his hand on her arm and closing his eyes. He says something to her, she replies, he speaks again, and then she's back.

"Okay, honey, don't worry. We'll eat something here and meet you at Blackwell in an hour, is that okay? Do you want us to take some food? Or would you like something different? Is there anything you need?"

With my lips tightly pressed, I tell her it's fine and finish the call with a sigh. So they're already in their ultra-cautious mode. The last time that happened was when Mrs. Allen took our dog Dante for a walk and lost him. At least that's what Dad said. I'm pretty sure he died, because both my parents started behaving suspiciously tolerant with me after that for two weeks or so. No matter what I did or said, they wouldn't get mad at me. I would even put on a scene just to see if they cracked, but nothing.

It's not that I don't appreciate it, their intentions are nice. But there's that normalcy that I keep craving and that they probably won't be serving me.

Once the phone call has finished, I need to make sure I'm prepared. I guess I could start by I checking my parent's texts from this week quickly.

They were sorry they couldn't make it to the burial, but they came for the day to see me and to pay Joyce their respect. I really want to see them again, but I don't like the thought of them asking questions I don't have the answers for. I clearly don't know shit about what "I" have been doing this week, or about anything that's been going on, only the basics. And they're pretty fucking basic - I don't even know how Jefferson was busted. I'm guessing Nathan spilled the beans but most of my knowledge is just that, guesses. And the worst part is I can't think about that right now because I really, really need to pee.

I'm going up to the door when it opens, and I jump in place. A just-showered Warren walks in wearing his Schrödinger's cat tee.

"All clean as new. Everything okay?" His hair is damp and for a moment I'm distracted by the little drops of water that fall on the skin around his neck.

"Uhm… yes. No. My parents are in town and I was supposed to meet them for lunch but… like I said, I forgot."

"Great. I'm sure that will be good for you. Guess I'll see you in class then."

"Actually..." I reach back to his desk and grab the drive-in flyer, which I hand to him. "You think you can get tickets for tomorrow?"

I could read the expression on his face as surprised, confused, or both at the same time.

"T-the drive-in in Newberg?"

"Yeah, I… heard they're screening ape films so if that's still going on…"

"Sure! You read my mind, I wanted to ask you… Just wasn't sure it was the right time."

"Trust me, I could really use some time away."

"Then let's go ape! I'll see if I can get the tickets now."

And just like that, a little wave of excitement washes over me. Like I have some control over my choices again. Like I can actually escape for a while and get away with it. Which I literally need to do right now. Warren makes sure there's no one in the hall first so I can leave no questions asked, and I accomplish this just as swiftly as I got in the previous night.

The girl's dorms are virtually empty when I go back to my room. Now I can't be that mad at the party-goers who are now hangover and hiding in their caves. I make a stop at the restroom first and then head to get my shower supplies. I should start thinking about which topics my parents are going to tackle, which questions they'll ask and which names they'll name. There are many things I'm not supposed to know that I should keep to myself, but it'll be hard to fill the void of those I'm not aware of and should be. I'll try not to talk about Mark Jefferson. Or the dark room. Or Nathan Prescott. Or… Chloe. I might as well just talk about squirrels.

I'm ready to get in the shower when I notice my appearance in the mirror. The bags under my eyes look even bigger than I thought, my hair is fit for any bird to nest in and my face in general looks like I'm going through at least phase 1 of zombification, which is actually kind of cool. Or maybe I've spent too much time with Warren.

I shake my head and rush under the hot water. Last time I had a shower here, Kate was being bullied right on the other side of the curtains. Bullied until she… No, you're not going back there, Max. Shampoo, scalp. Rub, rub, focus on your fingertips, on the movement. The warm water running over your face, your eyes, your nose, your mouth. I'm made of that, only water. Water that suddenly turns cold and forces me to jump back.

"Water!" I shout out to whoever has turned on the faucet.

"Sorry!" I think that's Kate's voice.

The water is running again but this time I rush to finish before I turn it off. I quickly dry myself with my towel, put on the fresh clothes I chose and step out. The déjà vu feeling strikes again as I see Kate standing by the washbasin. She's wearing a delicate light blue blouse and a knee-length white skirt.

"Max, hi, I'm so sorry," she says as she fidgets with her hands. I've rarely ever seen her do this. "I was distracted and I didn't notice there was someone in here."

"Hi Kate, it's okay. You look really nice," I say.

"You think so?" She smiles and then looks down at her clothes, twisting her mouth. "I wanted to wear something smart since my parents are coming…"

"Yes, that color suits you. So, is that why you're nervous?"

"Is it that obvious? It's just… you don't know my mother." Kate looks away. "I mean, she's… good, but she expects a lot from me. They were supposed to be here by now, but they've just texted they're delayed."

"Relax, it's going to be alright." I try my best 'comforting' tone but I know it's not as effective as my dad's. "And actually, my parents are coming too in a while. You should come and meet them."

"Oh, I don't know. I wouldn't want to intrude."

"You wouldn't, at all. They'll love you. We can wait for them outside, if you're not busy."

"If you say so…" Kate half-smiles and we walk together out of the bathroom. "By the way, how did it go last night with Warren?"

"Great. We stayed in and watched Planet of the Apes." I can save what happened next to myself.

"Yes, that sounds like him. I'm glad you two are spending some time together. He asked me a few times about you this week. I think he didn't want to barge in."

"Uhm, yeah. It was really nice. He's a really good friend." This last word causes a knowing smile to draw on her lips. We've now stepped out of the building and are strolling towards the campus. "I don't think I'm as good a friend as he is…"

"Of course you are, Max. Everything you said the other day meant so much to me. I can't believe we talked so much that our 'afternoon tea' turned to dinner."

"Right. Me too," I reply. I wish I knew what that long chat was about. Pretending to know things is already proving to be exhausting and I have just started. I'm kind of scared to ask, but I try anyway. "And how have you been feeling?"

"I'm… better. I'm not going to lie, it felt good to see Nathan Prescott and Mr. Jefferson go down. To see justice being served. To truly understand what had happened to me. But we've yet to see what their fates will be like. Especially since… oh, are those your parents?"

I turn my head in the direction she's looking and see my mom and dad walking straight towards us. My feet and my heartbeat pick up their pace until soon I am being held by my mom. Her hair smells of lavender, one of my favorite smells that takes me back to being 5 years old. Thank God Kate is here because otherwise, this hug would last forever and then my mom would cry, and I would cry, and my dad would cry, and we would all be a crying mess.

As soon as she lets me go, I walk into my dad's arms, whose super-tight embrace barely even allows me to breathe. I can feel my eyes water again, so I let go quickly and introduce Kate to them. My parents have decided we'll walk to Mario's, that café they used to go to when we lived here, and luckily, they stick to the banal questions on our way. Kate's family is still delayed, so my mom insists on her joining us, and I'm so glad she does.

I really wish we could talk about the weather and how good the dark coffee is here forever, but Mom starts talking about Chloe, and about how they're going to visit Joyce after coffee.

"I won't be joining you today, I'm still really tired," I hurry to say before she invites me. I definitely don't feel like going to her house if Chloe is not there.

"It's okay, honey, we understand. I talked to Joyce on the phone the other day and she told me about how much you helped her these days."

"I did? I mean, she did?"

"Oh yes, she's so grateful. She told me about how you went to see her every day, you helped her out with Chloe's things, with the funeral arrangements… We're so proud of you, dear."

"Wowser." I'm honestly surprised. Keeping Lisa alive, tea with Kate, helping Joyce, maybe I shouldn't have been so hard on Substitute Max after all. She sounds like a great Samaritan.

Now here come the more serious questions, about Jefferson and Nathan. I try to answer as vaguely as possible and this is when I'm most thankful Kate's here. I pay close attention to every word she says.

She mentions that not much is heard about the cases - which is no surprise, since the Prescotts pretty much own the media and want to keep it all as quiet as possible - but it seems Nathan's dad has been pulling some strings to try and take him home. Just hearing that makes my blood curl, and brings together a whole load of mixed feelings. I know first-hand how fucked up Nathan Prescott is, and I don't want him anywhere near the people I care about. I remember him threatening and killing Chloe. All the sick things I saw in his room. Everything he did to aid his 'mentor'. But I also remember the voicemail he left on my phone trying to warn me. The panic in his voice. The smirk on Jefferson's face as he talked about twisting Nathan's mind.

As for Miste-… Mark Jefferson, his case has been overshadowed by the Prescott's scandal and as of now, even less information has been released to the press. Not even Nathan's dad has said a single comment on the man who fucking toyed with his son. Does he even care? I don't want to be pitying Nathan right now, but the more I learn about this family, the more I realize there was no way he wouldn't turn out to be a sociopath.

Kate then stops herself and changes the topic to the recent changes in Blackwell. The security staff has doubled –ironic, since I snuck in and out of the boy's dorms without anyone seeing me - and a new teacher has already been chosen to replace Jefferson, and it's Andrea Something – I don't catch her last name-, a photographer from Los Angeles. My attention drifts away from then on. It's not that I'm not interested, I'd just rather hear more about the cases. I focus on staring at my mom, who smiles and nods as she listens to Kate, whereas my dad eyes me from time to time. He's not a big talker, but his looks always let us know how he feels. I can't figure this one out though.

Kate excuses herself when her phone rings and gets up from the table.

"I'm so glad that man is behind bars, Maxine." My mom frowns and takes a sip of her coffee. "It sickens me to think he was there with you kids this whole time. I'm so, so glad he never got to you."

I fake a poor smile. My parents can never know, it would destroy them. Ignorance is definitely bliss here.

Kate informs us that her family has finally arrived so she says goodbye, adjusting her already-perfect bag strap. I give her a reassuring hug and wish her for the best. Just looking at the way she is all worked-up, you would think she is the one hiding a thousand and one secrets from her parents. But she's here, she's alive, and well. And that makes the burden a little lighter.

I sit back on my chair, and my parents are awfully quiet. I stop myself from stupidly raising my right hand to freeze time. This is when I would do that and plan something smart and comforting to say to them so they can depart without a doubt their daughter will be just fine. But time keeps moving on, they have already finished their coffee and since I'm not ordering anything, Dad asks for the check. I now hear him speak for what I believe is the third time all day.

"You know honey, your mom and I have been talking and… maybe it's time you come home."

"Home? To Seattle?" It is really starting to sink in just how heavily I have been relying on my freezing-time skills to process information and carry on a conversation.

"Yes. We think it's for the best."

"This town is clearly not what it used to be," my mom adds. "You've no idea how much we've suffered this week thinking about what could have happened to you. And poor Chloe…"

"But it didn't. Nothing happened to me." I can't look at them as I say this. "I can take care of myself." I take a quick look at them and realize I haven't convinced them one bit. "I can't leave. This place is all that's left of her. I don't want to leave her."

"Oh honey." My mom takes my hand across the table.

I focus my eyes on the gray tiles on the floor. Please, believe me. Don't see through me. Please, time, move faster. From the corner of my eye I observe them share a long look before my mom sighs.

"It's okay, Maxine. Take as long as you need. But remember you can always come home."

I smile at them, a sincere smile this time, and take my chance to change the topic to Seattle. Mom says my friends miss me, but the only one she can actually name is Mrs. Johnson, whose kid I babysat twice. Because in all seriousness, I didn't have any true friends there. There were a few people I cared about, but not enough to stay in touch with, I guess. Or maybe that's just me, always neglecting friendships. For the following minutes, we just ramble about everyday things, which helps me ease my anxiety.

By dusk, we say goodbye at the café's door and I watch them walk away, heading to Joyce's. The sun is setting and long slender figures dance under their feet for shadows. They still share the same pace, just like a perfectly choreographed couple. I am so lucky to have them. But I am also so happy I can stop pretending now that they are gone. I open my bag and find William's camera. Joyce must have given it to me, or to Substitute Max. I snap a picture of my parents' silhouettes as they grow smaller.

Blackwell is only five minutes away, enough for me to overanalyze the sour feeling growing in the bottom of my stomach from the talk about Seattle. I wasn't lying when I said I needed more time, I need it to make sure everyone in this town gets what they deserve, whatever that means. I can't just leave everything behind, thinking it will all probably turn out fine. Especially after I sacrificed her for this place.

Even from outside the dorms, I can already hear girls giggling, music playing, boys arguing. If this afternoon this looked like a ghost town, now all the ghosts are ready to go out haunting. I'm standing with my feet buried by the front steps when I get a text.

"We are so GOING APE! Newberg is 60 miles so we should leave tomorrow around 5. I drive."

And there it is again, that thrilling feeling of normalcy. Some things clearly haven't changed. I stare at the door in front of me, already picturing me walking through it, being bombarded with everyone's Saturday night plans. No, thank you. I'm already leaving as I type a reply.

"Hell yeah we will in your new ride. You busy right now?"

A/N: Thank you for reading! Your reviews make me happy and happy equals faster writing which means more chapters. It's a win-win.