Prologue: Quantum Mechanics states that there are an infinite number of worlds. This is boring, and you have likely heard it before. Something more interesting that you might have not heard is that on one of those worlds, Max Caulfield never met Chloe Price before leaving Arcadia Bay. Let me tell you the story of what happened when she came back.

Chapter 7: A Lover's Quarrel

Monday, September 16th, 2013 (12:00 PM)

Chloe's worn-out pick-up truck pulled up infront of Blackwell, and I opened the door to get out.

"See you later, Maxie." She called out as I left, and I leaned over before I stepped out, planting a light kiss on Chloe's cheek.

"See you later, Chloe." I whispered to her as I pulled away, stepping out of the car and quickly walking off, forcing myself to not look back, because if I did, then Chloe would see the blush that was currently burning up my face.

I walked back to my dorm, my blush fading, and starting to be replaced by a bright smile. As I walked, I saw Kate intersect my path, and she fell into step besides me.

"Max, where were you yesterday? Did you have a nice night with Chloe?" She wiggled her eyebrows, and I hit her lightly on the shoulder.

"You knew I was going to Chloe's? Why didn't you say anything?" Kate was smiling as much as I was, though her's was more mischievous.

"I didn't know you were going to her place, you just said you were going to dinner. Rachel let me know after you left." Kate explained, and I responded in kind.

"I knew that she knew it was Chloe's. Anyways, I may have blacked-out at Chloe's yesterday, so I stayed the night." Kate gave me a look, and she spoke a moment later.

"You blacked out? Were you drinking at Chloe's?" She had that stern motherly look on her face, and I almost laughed.

"Relax, Kate. I blacked out because of my concussion. It's one of the… aftereffects." I said the last bit hesitantly, realizing what was about to happen.

"Ohmygod your concussion has aftereffects? Are you okay? How long?" I think Kate would have gone on longer if not for the fact that she needed to draw in breath, so I cut in during that brief respite.

"Yes it does, I'm fine, and all it means is that I'm going to get nosebleeds, be a little off balance, and have the occasional blackout for the next week. Don't worry about it Kate, it's not your problem."

That prompted a glare from Kate, and I laughed again.

"I thought you would know by now, Max Caulfield, that I care about people regardless of whether or not their problems are mine. Okay?"

This in turn prompted even more laughing from me, so much that I could barely speak.

"I'm sorry-", "It's just that-" I managed to recover a bit, and spoke properly. "I just can't take you seriously when you're acting all strict and stuff, ya know?"

Kate lightened up a bit, and nodded.

"I'm not the best at being strict, it feels a bit too much like I'm being mean to people." I nodded. I felt like that sometimes too, but I liked to think I was a little bit better at standing up for myself then Kate was.

"We'll work on that, can't have people bossing you around, Katie."

"All right then." Kate responded, and I had to repress a chuckle at the irony.

And then I had to repress a gag at the person who crossed our path. Victoria Chase, though interestingly enough, she was without any of her usual posse.

"Hullo Max. Hi Kate." I swear I saw her blush a bit, and decided to comment on it.

"You're looking a bit flushed, Victoria. Anything or anyone catch your fancy?"

"No! I was just, um, jogging! Yeah, I was jogging." She spat out hastily, and I looked her up and down. She was wearing trackpants and a t-shirt, which was unusual for her, and it was what I would expect someone to go jogging in…

"Okay. Any particular reason you decided to grace us peasants with your presence?" Victoria snorted at that, and I realized she wasn't looking at me, her attention was focused on Kate. Ideas started to form in my head…

"Didn't you hear me, Lamefield? I said I was jogging. The reason I happened to meet up with you guys is that I was walking back to the dorm, just like you two were. Has the brain damage got to you?"

Then the impossible happened. Kate Marsh stood up to Victoria Chase.

"Sh-shut up Victoria! That's really mean! Max just got out of the hospital, and you're being mean to her for no reason! J-just go away if you're going to be-" Kate drew in a deep breath. "If you're just going to be a bitch." The last bit was quiet, not the yell that the rest of her statement had been, and I was shocked.

What happened next shocked me even more. Victoria walked away, silent, and I could swear I saw her shoulders shaking, like she was crying. Then her pace quickened, and I saw her dash back to the dorm. I stood there, shocked, for almost a full minute before Kate grabbed my hand. She seemed quite upset, though more angry than sad, oddly enough.

I was pulled back to the dorm, and Kate left me at the door, running to her room, I assumed. Should I go comfort her? I wasn't sure what to do, and I stood at the door to the dorms, paralyzed.

Time passed. I wasn't sure how long, maybe 10 minutes. I walked into the dorms, and saw that at the end of the hallway, Victoria's door was open. I walked over and looked in. On the bed, their arms wrapped around each other, slept Victoria and Kate, both looking equally emotionally exhausted. Huh.

AN: Okay, I think I've figured out what works. I'm going to upload chapters on Wednesdays and Sundays. Each will be small, potentially less than a thousand words, unless I feel the scene involved requires more description. This story will be one of events, one of emotion, not one of sweeping narrative. Plus I don't have THAT much time to write.

Uploaded Wednesday April 6th, 2016