Author's note: Well, this is it, the end of my first real fanfic! I hope you've all enjoyed reading it as much as I've enjoyed writing it, and I hope this ending does your expectations justice. For anyone who's been following the story, thanks so much for keeping up with it. I seriously thought about people who followed the story when I had to stay up late to finish writing. :)

And of course, let's all take a moment to appreciate Life is Strange. It has its flaws, but damn is it an awesome game.

...I'm gonna miss writing this. :( Fortunately I'm obsessed enough with Life is Strange that I have other things going on, but... This story has a special place, for me.

Enjoy!

Goes On

Chloe was walking quickly, determined to outpace Max on the slope leading up to the lighthouse. Max struggled to keep up, panting heavily, clutching the straps of her backpack with sweaty palms. Chloe was always the faster and stronger one. By the time Max could see where the path ended at the base of the lighthouse, Chloe was already sitting on the bench.

"Chloe?" Max called out, her childish voice raspy and strained.

The other girl ignored her, pulling her blonde hair to one side in a brisk, angry motion, revealing plainly the ugly bruise over her left eye.

Max dumped her backpack on the ground next to Chloe's and sat heavily on the bench. She panted as Chloe crossed her arms.

"I'm… I'm sorry, okay?"

Her best friend rounded on her. "You ratted on me. To a teacher. You're supposed to be on my side."

Max withered under Chloe's glare. "I was… I got scared. You were hitting him."

"He ran over Bongo!"

"His- dad did, Chloe, and… it was an accident."

The logic behind that seemed to be completely lost on Chloe. If anything she looked angrier. "You're supposed to be my partner, Max! Best friends stick up for each other!"

Max could already feel her eyes watering. She tried to hide it from the other girl. "Chloe, I- I just…" She trailed off, turning away to rub at her eyes.

A few seconds of silence passed. A strong wind had picked up, blowing in from the sea. Max looked down at the waves, stretching on and on to the horizon, trying to calm herself down. Everything looked washed out under the overcast sky.

"Max, are you crying?"

"N-no…"

"Oh man, you always…" Chloe sighed. "You always cry, Max…"

That just made Max cry even more. She sniffed heavily and wiped her nose as a sob escaped her. "I don't… I don't mean to…"

Another few moments of silence passed, punctuated by quiet sobs. Max didn't dare turn to look at Chloe's expression.

But eventually she felt Chloe's arms wrap around her shoulders in a hug.

"Okay, Max, come on… stop it."

"I'm s-sorry, Chloe, I didn't like seeing you fight…"

"I get it…" She pulled Max against her shoulder. The younger girl's tears stained her shirt. "I… probably did kinda go overboard. Got my pirate on… I just miss Bongo. A lot…"

Max tried to reciprocate the hug, holding Chloe tight. "I know, Chloe… I'm so sorry."

"Trust Max Caulfield to be the goody-two-shoes." There was a touch of fondness in her voice. "Now stop crying, okay? And stop apologizing."

"Still… still best friends?"

Chloe sighed. "Max, there's literally nothing you could ever do that would make us not best friends." She rubbed Max's shoulder. "You know I can't stay mad at you."

"I'm still sorry, though..."

"And I'll forgive you every time."

It had started to drizzle, and the small droplets were gaining weight. Soon it would be raining hard.

Chloe held out a hand to feel the water as Max wiped her eyes again. "Let me guess… you forgot your raincoat. Like usual."

Max didn't bother to reply. They both already knew the answer. Chloe made a big show of sighing heavily as she reached down and unzipped her backpack, bringing out a faded raincoat.

"Here. Put it on."

Max took it hesitantly. "But what about you?"

Chloe rolled her eyes. "Max, look at how awesome I look with a black eye. Do you seriously think a little rain's gonna hurt me?"

That brought out a shaky giggle from Max as she fumbled with the coat, putting it on as the rain finally picked up and started soaking everything.

Chloe pulled her into a one-armed hug, holding her really tight.

"I'll always have your back."

Max sniffed again. "Uh… I dunno know what to say."

The other girl laughed. "Forget about talking. Take one of your awesome pictures. While I still look cool."

Max obediently reached into her bag and pulled out her camera, snapping a selfie of the two of them. It was nice to practice- she thought a lot about the right distance to hold it, the right framing and exposure…

Chloe snatched the picture from the camera and tucked it quickly into her bag, before it could get any more wet. Max didn't get a good look, but they'd definitely examine it later. Maybe put it in an album. "My dad's probably almost here," Chloe said. "I'm gonna get the biggest lecture ever."

"Sorry…"

"Come on, Max, what's he gonna do? Give me a time out?" Chloe giggled. "That'd be pretty funny."

Max smiled.

"There's my best friend," Chloe said over the sound of rain. "No more pouts." She patted Max's arm as Max sighed slowly, letting a gentle calmness spread through her. "Are you feeling better?"

Max reached out and held Chloe's hands in her own. She squeezed them. The two girls- the two best friends- held on in the middle of the storm, rain pouring around them, and smiled at each other fondly.

"I'm getting there."