"Yeah, love you too." I heard Chloe from the bedroom.

I sat in the living room, laptop on my lap, watching a movie, and holding a mug of coffee in my hand. The movie wasn't too interesting and I was more focused on drinking coffee than what was going on. My class wasn't until the evening, for the "nerd class" Chloe kept poking fun at me for, but I felt I was going to have some fun with it. Just a while ago, we were both making calls for therapy (I was going to forget if I didn't do it), setting appointments up for tomorrow.

She came back into the room, yawning and cracking her neck, falling onto the couch with a thud—regrettable choice, might I add. Her face scrunched up in pain; I even heard her land on the metal bar under us.

"Fucking shit…" She hissed through her teeth.

"Nice one," I held back a laugh, handing her my cup of coffee, "Not morphine, but I can't offer you much."

"Thank you." She rasped, grabbing the cup, and taking a mouthful. She was feeling more symptoms of withdrawal, like a shitty headache and being more irritated than usual.

"What did you and Rachel talk about?" I changed the subject, moving my laptop to the coffee table.

"Just, normal shit? Her day, my day, her drama, my drama. What's mine is hers and all that shit."

I only smiled, side-eyeing her, and feeling a giggle coming up. She can't just say that so casually. Sounds like someone who wants to get married would say.

"We're not getting marriage fever, Maxercise." She pushed me, hard enough to tip me over and nearly fall.

"You two don't mind being my moms."

She scoffed and shook her head. "Don't make me strangle you."

I only chuckled and turned my attention to my head—the length of it, really. It was touching my shoulders now, but at least my bangs were consistently straight across my forehead. Chloe's colors were fading into pale blues and pinks. We really needed to fix ourselves up again.

"Excited for school again?" Chloe asked.

"Nope," I shook my head, "At this rate, I'll finish in three years."

"Hella shitty, but then, you'll be Max Caulfield, famous photographer and can also draw really good, but can also do magic tricks."

"You're such an asshole." I decided to push her back. She chuckled and drank more coffee.

"If Rachel catches you back on your coffee fix, she's gonna lose her shit."

"I can't help it! Coffee is so good and I've never been so awake."

"Call her and say that. I'm sure she'll love it."

"No, thanks." I stood from the couch. "How about you? Ready for therapy tomorrow?"

She scoffed, "Never will be, but do I have a damn choice? That phone call was shitty enough."

I can't complain. I went through the same phone call three times before, so I was just repeating what I said. Hearing Chloe use her "customer service" voice with the caller was slightly hilarious, though.

I left to the bathroom, shrugging my shoulders to Chloe's response.

I'm meeting Kate again. Like, actually speaking to her. I better clean up nice and maybe it was for the best that my hair grew out; new quarter, new me. Or, something like that. Rachel would know what to do, probably something illegal or very gay or even both, and she would help me right now. I looked down at myself; I looked like garbage. Everyone did in their pajamas, but I was the whole dumpster.

I got dressed and put my hair up in a really tiny bun—one Kate would definitely appreciate. I left the bathroom and felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I pulled it, noticing that it was just Kate reminding me to meet up at five at the curb. I smiled; felt nice to see her name and face on my screen again.

"What are you so smiley over there?"

I looked up and Chloe was smirking at me. I felt a little embarrassed by it. I put my phone away and sat next to her again, "It was just Kate reminding me to meet her at five."

"You're hella happy about that."

"Is that bad?"

She breathed in, ready for a snarky response, only to say, "No, I'm happy for you. I've been hella upset about her not talking to you too."

"Don't be. We're gonna see her! I won't ask her anything about that day! I just want it to be the same way we were before we went on the trip!"

"And if she asks first?"

I gulped. She's right. What would I do in a situation like that? I might panic and completely ignore it.

"I don't think so. She was the one who said to not talk about it. Why would she do that?"

"Right, but… you never know."


So, I waited. I sat in the same spot in the Starbucks, drinking more coffee, and waiting for time to pass five o' clock. I felt the same nervousness as I did when I first started talking to Kate, and the second time around felt even worse. I could barely breathe and it was a lot quicker than the first time. I stayed calm, took deep breaths, and tried to be positive. My legs were shaking, but the feeling was slowly changing to excitement. I considered asking Dana for help, but she was most likely sleeping (having a job at night seemed so good, yet so bad). I made sure to get cake pops from Chloe, just a form of "sorry, things are kinda awkward, maybe?"

I watched the time on my phone, slowly changing until it was about four-fifty-eight. I stood up from my seat, "Chloe, I'm gonna go, alright?"

"Alright, see you after class."

I took a walk to the school curb and I saw Kate was already sitting on it, hair down and using her sketchbook. My heart dropped seeing the same cardigan on her, knowing she was hiding something. I really wanted to scare her again, but I wasn't sure if it was too harsh or not. I was close and she hasn't noticed me yet, so I went around her and snuck up again.

I grabbed her shoulders, "Boo!" I kinda regret doing that. So stupid, Max, now she's gonna hate you forever! Oh dog, I'm overthinking.

She squeaked, dropping her pencil. She turned to look at me, eyebrows furrowed and lightly slapping my arm, "Max, stop it!"

She was still smiling at me. It still felt the same, I think, and I sat next to her, handing her pencil back. She took it and placed it in the fold of her book. It stayed pretty quiet and we were just smiling at each other. It felt almost the same.

"Hi." I greeted first.

"Evening, Max."

"Uh, these are for you." I handed the box of the cake pops to her.

"Oh, thank you." She grabbed it, opening it and taking one. "Excited for class?"

"Not really. School is not fun, Kate. Chloe has been making fun of me for taking Magic/Ritual."

"It sounds like a fun class. I might take it eventually."

"How's your schedule?"

"I have Storyboarding today. I heard it was a tough class, so don't be surprised if I become very stressed this quarter."

"That's fine. That's just the college life." I hope she bothers me more. I would hate for her to feel stressed more than usual.

She chuckled and nodded, "Exactly."

I cleared my throat, "So, uh, how was hanging out with friends?"

"It was nice! Ledah just kept texting how valid I was and her letter also consisted of how valid I was and am. It's funny; she tells everyone that. Which reminds me, my friends hold a little gettogether every first quarter. If you're comfortable, that is."

"Tonight?" I felt a pain in my chest. Maybe Chloe will be okay? Shit, I dunno what to do!

She nodded again, "Yes, but only if you want to. We just sit around and drink soda and talk about what will happen next. Most of them are working on the short film, so talking to them would be interesting, right?"

"They'll make fun of me too, huh?"

"Maybe, but only three of them."

"Great…" I rubbed the back of my neck. "That's just what I need."

"You don't have to go if you don't want to." She placed her hand on my shoulder.

"Chloe and I have been… not good, so I would have to ask her if it's okay to go. We sorta made a promise between the three of us to get the help we need."

"That's very admirable." She smiled warmly, gripping onto her sweater, "I wouldn't want to get in the way of that."

"But, if I end up going… I have one condition."

Kate took her hand off, leaning on her book, "And what may that be?"

"Please don't leave my side." I grabbed her wrist. "I don't do well in parties and… and—"

"Of course." She smiled. There I was again, melting into a gay pile of goo from her smile and the way she looked at me. Those hazel eyes will be the death of me. I blinked and smiled back, "Yeah…"

"Is that an answer to my question or…?"

"I'm agreeing with you agreeing."

She giggled. "You're so funny, Max." She checked her watch. "We better head to class."

I stood up first, waiting for Kate to stand up.

"Is it a special kinda day?" I asked her.

She tucked her hair behind her ear, "What do you mean?"

"Your hair's down, so I figured something is happening today? Or am I overthinking it?"

Her cheeks became a light pink, I almost missed it, "No, I was just lazy today."

I nodded my head. She started walk into the building and I followed her. Crap, I don't wanna separate already! Think of something!

"Um, where's your class, Kate?" I changed it again as she went into the elevator. Mine was on the second floor. "I—I wanna walk you."

"Fifth floor." She replied. We were already on the second floor, but I didn't want to go. I took short steps back. "You don't have to do that, Max. I would hate for you to be late."

I gave in, walking onto the floor.

"Text me if you're coming along, okay? It's at midnight, so tell me soon."

"Yeah." I nodded my head and waved my hand as the elevator door's closed. "Will do." I saw that she was waving back.

Okay, Max, stay calm. It's a new class, but you'll be fine. There's just ten weeks left.

It was a smaller classroom, three rows of desks, but not a lot of walking space or any kind of movement. I sat in the back, next to a one guy and one girl. The guy was kinda nerdy and geeky and the girl gave off a chill vibe. I wanted to compliment her white beanie or her shirt, but being awkward stopped that.

I took a notebook out and started to doodle on a blank page.

"This classroom is really small." The girl spoke in a low voice. The room was small and there weren't a lot of students taking up the seats. Any noise in this room would be too much noise.

"Do people not want to learn about magic?" The guy asked her.

"Guess not, but could be good."

The teacher stood up suddenly, "Alright class, it is now six, class is now in session! You're already doing the bare fucking minimum of being here, so you don't get a slap on the back just yet!"

I gulped. I felt quickly nervous and anxious, balling my hands into fists under the table.

"So, icebreakers! Those are fucking great, right?! Name, major, and a fun fact about you! There isn't a lot of you in here, so we could do some talking aloud, yes? Let's start with… you!"

My sucked in air and felt a lump in my throat. The teacher looked towards me with a patient smile.

Hi, my name is Max… Hi, I'm Max… Um, my name is Max…

"Do I have to stand up?" I asked first.

"If you would like to."

I did so, but maybe I shouldn't have. The feeling only worsened. "My name's Max, uh… photography major and… fun fact? Uh…"

"Hey, I recognize you actually!" The teacher saved me, kind of. "You did the cover for Vanity Fair!"

"Yeah, I guess that's a fun fact about me."

"Incredible work! You're fucking talented, kid."

I released a stifled chuckle, "Thank you." I sat down. I didn't really hear everyone else; I was still stuck on introducing myself in front of this class of fifteen. Turns out, introductions took longer than the teacher thought and we were already on our ten-minute break.

"Oh, my god, you're Max." The girl turned to me. "You're friends with Rachel Amber."

"Pretty much, best friends for a while now."

"I love how you take pictures. They look so cool."

"Thank you. I like your beanie and your shirt." Thank dog, I had to get that out!

"Thanks! I'm Steph. You probably knew that from the icebreaker. This is my friend, Mikey." She waved her hand to the boy next to her.

"Hi." He waved at me. I waved back.

"I've been a fan of Rachel for a long time." Steph said, almost in an embarrassed tone. "I love the way she… walks."

Mikey interrupted, leaning over so I could see him, "Steph had a major crush on her before she came out about Chloe."

"Hey, I'm fully supportive of them! They're great together and I'm convinced that Rachel's crazy outrage was just to protect her girlfriend."

"You're completely right, actually." At least she knew.

"Do you think I could ever talk to her? If Chloe's super possessive, I'll back off."

I hummed. Last time Rachel met someone who was her fan, it was Victoria and she was all over her too.

"Maybe if we hang out a little more. I'll be sure to tell Rachel I met a fan today."

Steph lit up, "I wanted to be friends with you anyway."

"I'm sorry, but I blacked out while everyone had their turn. What did you guys say during the icebreaker thing?"

"Oh, Steph Gingrich. Film major. Said I loved films and used to sell them in high school. Fifth quarter."

"Mikey North. Game design major. I enjoy tabletop games. Dungeons and Dragons and whatnot. Also, fifth quarter."

"Max Caulfield. Or as Chloe would call me: Maxercise, Pac-Max, Maxaplex, Maxtropolis, Maxtually—"

"She's really good at nicknames." Steph chuckled amusedly.

"You have no idea."

Classmates started to come back into the room and the teacher stood up again, "Okay, break is over! Time for the first lesson of the evening!"


Class was drawn out and slightly boring, as crazy as the teacher was, but they were more serious in real lessons. It was so boring that Steph and I started playing tic-tac-toe and I was losing twenty to zero. Eventually, we went onto Hangman and created our own connect-the-dots. Somehow, she was still winning.

"Okay class, please read chapter one and write a full page of what it was about! That's the easiest assignment you'll ever get! Now get out of my face! Unless you have a question, of course."

I groaned. "Guess I won't be doing that until Friday."

"Everyone does it." Steph slung her backpack on one arm. "Hey, where do you usually go after class?"

"I go to Starbucks. Chloe is just there, you know."

"Oh really? Mikey and I never go because of the gaming club."

"That's cool. I have to talk to Chloe, though. My… other friend asked if I wanted to come along to a party."

She looked at me, up and down, "Do you like this "other friend?'"

I licked my lips and chuckled, "I need to stop being so obvious."

"It'll help in the long run. Saw the gay panic in your eyes."

"Thanks, Steph." I walked to the exit. "See you guys next week, Steph and Mikey."

"Bye, Max."

I walked to the elevator, waiting a few trips as the elevator was full of students. I waited until there was no one and got on. I went straight to Starbucks and saw Chloe sitting outside of the shop. Right. Class was six to ten, so it was dark and Starbucks is closed now.

"Hey Max." She stood up from the floor. "How was…? Magic class?"

"Surprisingly boring. I met two cool people." We walked together to her car. "Hey, uh, Kate invited me to a little gettogether. I wasn't sure if you wanted me to go because I was supposed to watch you, but—"

"Maybe… Split it in half?"

"Huh?" I tilted my head to the side.

"Maybe go to party then come back? Or, come with me to the club and then the party? I can't break this promise with Rachel."

"I know. I need to talk to Kate about it."

Me: Hey Kate. Have a problem with the party.

Kate: Yes?

Me: Chloe wants to split the party and me being with her. Would it be weird for me to stay about halfway and then leave?

Kate: Of course, you can leave early, Max. I could leave with you as well if you feel strange about it.

Did I read that right? Taking Kate to HUE?

"Hey Chloe. Kate came up with an idea."