Episode 9

Near miss

Max stirred slowly keeping her eyes shut as she slowly became aware of her surroundings, She could hear a gentle chirping of birds, A fresh breeze with a faint sea salt smell washed over her. "Was it just a dream?" She thought to herself. As she began to fidget to get up she could make out a faint noise, At first she thought it was a fluttering as the image of a Blue butterfly popped into her head, concentrating a little more it became more prominent, A scratching, scribbling sound. "What the.." She thought as she propped herself up noticing the warm soft feeling of a duvet wrapped around her.

"Where am I," She thought to herself as she opened her eyes feeling a little confused she looked around her eyes widening and her mouth dropped open as the scene in front of her crawled to a halt. Her heart felt like it stopped as she stared across the room, Sitting in the chair at the desk facing the window was the unmistakable bright blue haired Chloe. "Fuck it wasn't a dream," She thought to herself "I actually fucking did it"

"Chloe" Max screamed as she launched herself off the bed towards her friend as time resumed Chloe just managing to turn enough as Max crashed into her knocking her off the chair and gripping her in a bear-like hug. "Goodmo...ooof OW" Chloe let out a shocked laugh as she was knocked to the ground. "Goodmorning to you too," She said as she wrapped her arms around Max ignoring the dull ache in her backside from the impact. "I did it, I did it, I did it" Max kept muttering to herself with her face buried in a smiling Chloe's chest.

Max lifted her head off Chloe's chest and looked up at her, Her eyes red, "I didn't think I'd see you agai.." Her voice trailed noticing a worried look on Chloe's face. "Max, You're bleeding," Chloe said slightly alarmed. Max's hand shot up to her face touching her top lip feeling the sticky red liquid "Shit, but I did'n..." She trailed off realizing that she actually did "Fuck shit sorry" She replied wiping the blood on her sleeve. Chloe looked at Max with an accusing look.

"Chloe," Max said feeling a little worried, "Max," Chloe said slowly before continuing, "What did you rewind what have I missed," She shot accusingly. "Uh..Nothing honest I swear" Max stammered feeling a small amount of embarrassment. "I sorta just stopped or really really slowed things down when I saw you, It...I wasn't sure if it was real, to be honest, I didn't even realize I had done it" she stammered as she wiped the rest of the blood from her nose.

"Max" Chloe started as she walked over to her desk and shuffled a few papers into a pile and turned back to Max, "Look it's ok, I'm here" And with that Chloe wrapped her arms around Max lifting her slightly off the floor and squeezing her, "And I am never letting you out of my sight again" She finished happily putting her head on Max's shoulder to hide her reddening eyes. Max wrapped her arms around Chloe just enjoying having her back and alive. "You're alive" she mumbled forcing back more tears. "I am, and I am so thankful for you Max" Chloe replied. The two just stood there embracing each other until in unison the girl's stomachs rumbled. "Shit I'm starved, Let's get some munchies" And with that Chloe released Max from her grip and pulled her out of her room and downstairs.

"Sh sh" Chloe signed to Max as they crept down the stairs to the hall. Following her friends cue the pair crept past the archway leading into the Kitchen, Max spotted Joyce at the sink washing a few dishes, And as they got into the dining room Chloe moved Max behind her making sure she was hidden from view. Max stood where she was guided too feeling a little confused as Chloe spoke "Morning momma" in a slightly choked voice.

Joyce froze at the sink "You haven't called me that in years" she replied in a warm voice as she turned to look at her daughter, "What have you.." She was cut short as Chloe moved to one side revealing Max. "Oh.." Joyce muttered as she flung herself across kitchen wrapping her arms around a rather bewildered max. "It's soo good to see you, Max, it's been too long".

Before anyone else could say anything the front door opened and closed and a pair of heavy footsteps came down the hall. "Oh er am I interrupting anything," David said as he came around the corner seeing the 3 of them standing in the dining hall. "Not at all" Joyce looked at David before continuing "er David this is Max, Chloe's childhood friend" Joyce gestured to Max as she stood to one side. "We've already met" he replied with a gentle nod. "Oh when was this," Joyce replied looking at Max. Max felt a little put on the spot but David came to the rescue "Chloe you haven't told ya mother yet have you" He shot an inquisitive look at Chloe.

"Told me what" Joyce replied shooting Chloe an accusing look who was turning a little pink in the cheeks. Chloe brought her hand up to her neck giving herself a stretch and took a breath "I hadn't got around to it ok we've only just got up" Chloe turned to face her mum "Mum I kinda er, ah fuck it, Mom, I almost got shot yesterday" Joyce's face went rigid, "But Max hella saved my life mum," Chloe beamed at Max, "She was so fast" Joyce's expression relaxed into one of confusion as she look from her daughter to max and then to David. "Perfect account as usual Chloe" David said with a half smile and sighed "Nathan Prescott was arrested yesterday for brandishing a firearm and threatening Chloe, But Max here had him in a rather impressive arm hold by the time I got there, Which by the way," He looked at Max with a grin, "Dislocated his shoulder," Chloe hung her mouth open looking at Max who was looking a little guilty and gave her a playful jab in the shoulder, "That's my girl," she announce. "And Chloe here must have been in a bit of shock as it took her five minutes to realize who just saved her" He let out a chuckle as he finished his sentence.

Joyce slowly walked over to the dining room table and sat in one of the chairs clearly absorbing what she had just heard. Chloe walked over and put her arms around her mom "Hey it's ok I'm fine". "I almost lost you and I didn't even know it" Joyce replied in a shocked tone looking at her daughter her eyes beginning to well. "But you didn't mom, you didn't" Chloe quietly mumbled holding back a tear. "And it's all thanks to you," Joyce said to Max holding out her hand in a come here motion, Max shuffled closer to Joyce extending her hand before Chloe reached out grabbing her arm and pulling her in for a group hug. "Thankyou Max, Thankyou so much" Joyce sobbed squeezing both girls tightly.

Figured this needed a little more so, I went over it again, added some and removed some. Hope it came out all right

Comments and critique welcome as usual