"Um, hi?" Chloe stammered. Max was all grown up and cute as hell and that was going to be a serious problem. "What are you… Rachel set this up, didn't she?" Chloe glanced over Max's shoulder to Rachel, who had that unbelievably smug look she got when she was being unbelievably smug. Of course she would do something like this.

They hadn't been together long when Rachel had thought it would be funny to snatch Chloe's phone and flip through all her text messages. She'd immediately found the old thread with Max.

"Who's Max Caulfield? Seems like she really burned you."

"Give it back!"

"Come on, who is she?" Rachel handed the phone back. "I'm curious."

"She's my… she was my best friend. Moved to Seattle right after my dad died."

"That sucks. And then she just ghosted."

"Pretty much."

"What a bitch! Who does that to their best friend?"

"She's not a—" Chloe cut herself off. "Can we not do this right now?"

"Aren't you pissed at her for bailing on you?"

"Yeah I'm fucking pissed! Just leave it alone, alright? Anyway, maybe you only like me because I'm lonely and pissed, and we have Max to thank."

"Those aren't the only reasons, Chloe Price. Come here."

It wasn't the their last conversation about Max. Rachel hadn't forgotten. Chloe returned her attention to her erstwhile best friend.

Max was looking up at her, smiling timidly. "Your band is awesome," she said. Behind her, Rachel was making a shooing gesture. Get out of here. Good idea.

"Uh… let's go somewhere quieter?" Chloe said.

Max nodded. "Sure, I know a place near here."

"Done."

Chloe threw on her jacket and led Max out the back exit, into the cool night air. The tall, tightly-packed buildings of downtown loomed above them. Only a handful pedestrians were still out, either bar-hopping or heading home. Max pointed the way and they walked, side-by-side. "You really like our stuff?" Chloe asked.

Max nodded. "It's not what I usually listen to but… I can dig it. Especially watching you play. I can't believe you're in a band."

Chloe scowled. "You would have known all about it, if you'd ever texted me back."

"I know… what a disaster."

"Disaster is fucking right. Good thing I happened to be in town so you wouldn't have to go out of your way to see me."

"Yeah," Max said, ruefully staring at her shoes, "it is a good thing. I'm really glad to see you."

Chloe sighed, shaking her head. "After all this time, you're still Max Caulfield."

Max was silent.

Chloe frowned. Two minutes in and she was already fucking it up. She changed the subject. "So this is Seattle, huh? Seems okay."

"Yeah, it's cool but… I get kinda lonely, it still feels a little out of my league."

"Please. I'd think you'd be teaching hipster lessons around here by now."

"As if. I've got nothing on you."

"You call this hipster? This is punk rock, girl. And… where are we going?"

"Ice cream parlor."

Chloe laughed. "It's 11 on a Friday night and you're taking me to an ice cream parlor? That is hella adorable."

"Well, we can't get into any bars and this place is open late so… shut up, you'll like it."

"Is this where you take all your first dates?"

Max shrugged. "Could be. I guess we're one for one."

"Um. What was Rachel hassling you about back there, anyway?"

"She wanted me to promise not to abandon you again."

"What, really? Thanks, mom."

Max giggled. "She really cares about you. It's sweet."

"So… what did you—"

"I promised, obviously."

"Obviously."

They arrived at the ice cream shop. In Chloe's imagination, an ice cream parlor was lit up like a clown factory and packed with squealing kids, but this was something else entirely. Hip wood decor, calmly lit, with secluded booths where you could gorge yourself on artisanal chilled dairy products. All for only three times the price of the kid stuff. Good thing Max was buying.

Chloe picked a booth while Max went up to the counter; she returned with the largest sundae Chloe had ever seen. Two split bananas, six scoops of ice cream, whipped cream, hot fudge, caramel, nuts, and three cherries on top. She stared in wide-eyed admiration as Max carefully set it down, taking the seat opposite and handing her a spoon. "They said it's for a family to share. I told them we're a family."

Chloe grinned and dug in greedily. "Welcome to the family, Max Price."

Max laughed. "In your dreams, Chloe Caulfield."

It felt like no time had passed. Except for the part where they weren't awkward kids anymore. Or, less awkward, anyway. The sundae was a formidable challenge, and Max tapped out first. Chloe finally ran out of room with half a banana and about one scoop worth of melted ice cream lying desolately at the bottom of the bowl, flavors mixing into an unappealing brown goop.

The place closed at midnight, so they again found themselves on the sidewalk. "I think there's a coffee shop that might still be open," Max said, uncertainly.

"Screw that. Give me the downtown tour."

"Okay." They started walking again. "It's usually so crowded here… this is nice and quiet."

Max led her up and down and around, pointing out the occasional landmark, but Chloe didn't really pay attention. She mostly just enjoyed the fresh air and catching up with Max. Eventually they ended up sitting on a bench on a hill, with a clear view of the city lights.

Max pulled her hood up and hugged herself, sliding up against Chloe on the bench. "This hoodie's not very warm," she said.

Chloe put an arm around her and pulled her tight against her side, and Max leaned her head on her shoulder, gratefully cuddling. Rachel had done exactly the same thing, years ago, but she had been trying to hide from a fucked-up family and a fucked-up school in a fucked-up town. Max was just cold.

"Thanks," Max said.

"Any time you need a tattooed hottie to keep you warm, let me know." Chloe thought she felt Max smile.

"Rachel seems pretty cool."

"Yeah. She really saved me, after you left."

"I'm glad. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you."

"Things got kinda fucked up between us, though. We're friends but… I don't know."

"What are you gonna do when you get back to Arcadia Bay?"

"Dude, I don't fuckin' know. I just wanted to get out of that town. Rachel and I were going to move to L.A. together. That's not gonna happen."

"Oh." Max was quiet for bit, then she yawned. "This is making me sleepy. I guess I should head home, but… you're leaving for Portland tomorrow, right?"

Chloe nodded. "Yeah, and now I'm super bummed about it too. Don't go home yet, just stay with me tonight."

"Okay. And actually… school doesn't start for a few weeks. What if I came with you? Do you have any extra seats on the bus?"

"Lots. Although if we didn't, you would totally fit on my lap."

Max chuckled. "Too bad. Do you think your mom would mind if I stayed over for a while?"

"Do I care if she minds? Step-douche will absolutely mind, but fuck him."

Max shifted, pulling in a little closer. "Good. I'm not gonna lose you again."


Aboard the tour bus the next morning, Chloe gave Max the window seat, where she promptly leaned against the glass and nodded off. Chloe's phone buzzed. A message from Rachel, who was sitting across the aisle from her.

Rachel: Score!

Chloe: get ur mind out of the gutter

Chloe: just friends

Rachel: For now. She's cute af and obviously crushing on you.

Chloe: bs

Chloe: ur just jel

Rachel: I'm not. You should at least thank me.

Chloe is typing…

Chloe: Thank you, Rachel.

Rachel is typing…

Chloe: ?

Rachel: nvm. love u