Chapter 18: Sleepovers

Chloe

Feeling that sleep is about to avoid her, Chloe opens her eyes. The first light of the day already seeps through the windows, yet the sun hasn't risen entirely, telling her that it's very early in the morning. With a groan the bluenette gets up, stretches, massages her sore neck and lets out a big yawn. Granted, sleeping in Dana's room had been better than sleeping at home, since she isn't able to stand David's proximity anymore, but the cheerleader's couch has been anything but comfortable.

'Last night had been so fucked!' she thinks as the events of last night are passing her mind. 'Poor Maxi! The last couple years I always thought that she had a great time in Seattle, but this…?! Dammit, she was just 13 years old! Maybe I should've kept in touch with her instead of throwing her out, but…I can't change it. Things happened and now we all have to live with it, even if it sucks.'

Yawning once more, Chloe gazes at Dana, who's still asleep. The cheerleader probably didn't want Chloe to find out, but the punk-girl had heard her crying for a long time, telling her that for someone who never experienced such traumatic episodes, coping such events and stories turns out to be very difficult.

Being abstinent from weed, alcohol and tobacco, Chloe decides that a walk through Arcadia Bay could help her to think things through. Plus, she could get her truck while being at it.

With a quiet groan she gets up, stretches some more, grabs her boots and her jacket and wants to sneak out as suddenly Dana's drowsy voice makes her stop.

"You're already leaving?"

Like she has been caught in the act, Chloe slowly turns her gaze towards the brunette cheerleader, seeing that she looks at her with half-open eyes.

"Uhm…yeah! I…uh…I need some fresh air and…uh…wanna get my truck 'n' stuff."

"It's okay, Chloe. Just…just take care, okay?" Dana replies and turns around to catch some more sleep.

Hearing the worry in Dana's voice, Chloe glances at her with wide open eyes as she remembers her very friendly behavior towards her the night before.

"Dana?" she eventually says, which let the cheerleader turn towards her once more. "Why are you…I don't know…care about me so much? It's not like we had a lotta to do with each other before."

For a while, Dana just looks at Chloe in silence, like she's giving the blunette's words some deeper thoughts before she answers. "Let's just say that I always cared about you, but was too much of a chicken to speak it out loud."

"Really?!"

"Yeah," she answers softly before her expression darkens a bit. "Chloe, I knew what Rachel was doing to you and…actually, it hurt me. You, over everyone else, never deserved this! I wanted to say something, but…I was too much of a chickenshit and…ugh, I always suck on making a move on the good treats. I mean, it took several fucked up relationships with guys to realize that the girl's department might be better. Ugh…just ignore my jibber-jabber! It's early and my brain is still half asleep. Just…just take care of yourself!"

With these words said, Dana turns around again, leaving an entirely stunned Chloe standing in the middle of her room.

Slowly, the blue-haired punk makes some sense out of Dana's words. What they meant and what she wanted to say. For quite some time, Chloe simply gazes at the cheerleader until she feels a longing. A yearning for closeness, which had been build up for a long time now. She's pretty sure now that Dana has in fact some feelings for her. If it's love or simply sexual desire doesn't matter at this point. Sometimes, people need only a single moment of closeness and intimacy to feel better, independently if it comes with a bond.

Now feeling a hot sensation inside her abdomen and the need for body contact, Chloe begins to strip off her garments. Not knowing if she's probably wrong with her interpretation, she wisely keeps her bra and panties on. Then she crawls cautiously into Dana's bed, which makes the beautiful cheerleader spin around quickly.

Without another word, both stare at each other for some time, their breathing heavy and their hearts thumping. Softly, Chloe brushes with her hand over Dana's cheek, leans in and placed a faint kiss on her lips, like she just wants to test if everything is okay so far. This peck is soon replied by a more intensive kiss, which grows into a lustful dance of tongues and touches on each others body.

Now being entirely on fire, Dana immediately takes off her pajama shirt and already wants to let follow her shorts, as she's stopped by a heavy panting Chloe, who whispers one word in her ear with a hot breath.

"Slowly!"

Answering her with a nod of acknowledgement, Dana plants some more soft kisses on Chloe's lips, slowly opening the bluenette's bra. Then, she cautiously pushes her on the bed, enjoying the beauty of her for some seconds, before she starts to caress her mounds.

Haven't experienced such pleasure for over a year, Chloe groans out a "Fuck!" as she feels Dana's tongue playing with her nipple. Right away, the bluenette realizes that her lover isn't unfamiliar having her way with girls. This becomes even clearer as she draws a trail of wet kisses along Chloe's body until she reaches her center, pulls down her panties and gives her sensual, soft treatment, which makes her moan out.

"D-Dana…I…ugh, fuck…I want you, please!" Chloe huffs between her moans as she already feels her climax closing in.

With a chuckle, Dana stops the oral message and eventually strips off her shorts, revealing her nether region to Chloe, who now takes the lead and pulls the brunette closer. In the need for more friction, Chloe eventually positions herself in a way that they're able to rub their sexes against each other.

Their bodies now covered in a thin layer of sweat, both girls give each other more and more pleasure with slow and cautious grinds, accompanied by soft moans.

Dana had always assumed that Chloe is a softy. A girl, who needs some time and wants to be caressed and not dominated or forced. And she's right. The bluenette's face is already flustered; her eyes closed shut and her breathing almost shallow, indicating an imminent orgasm. And only a minute later, Chloe's moaning intensifies while her legs begin to shake and her body spasms.

Not wanting to be left alone, Dana focuses on Chloe. Her body, her moans, the facial expression she had during her climax. And while Chloe has already rode out her orgasm, Dana follows, biting on her lips to suppress her loud groans of pure lust.

Both girls now fall back onto the mattress, panting heavily. But while Chloe is being busy to come down from her very intense orgasm, Dana just starts to chuckle out of joy.

"Damn, Price!" she speaks between her breathings, "If I would've known how good you are in bed, I would've fucked with you way earlier!"

"Th-…thanks…likewise!" replies Chloe, reaching for Dana's hand to get some hold. But instead, the brunette lays down beside the bluenette, gives her a peck on the cheek and covers their bodies with a blanket.

"So, how was your first time with a cheerleader?"

"Better than I thought, though you're not really the stereotypical cheerleader, 'cause you actually care about other people."

"Chloe," Dana then says with a serious voice and a stern gaze, "Not every cheerleader is an asshole. Yes, some of us are real bitches, but others just do it because they like cheerleading as a hobby and sport."

"Yeah, I already figured that out. Yet…" Sighing deeply, Chloe breaks the contact and stands up, "…it's hard for me to trust someone like a cheerleader or actress, especially after what Rachel had done to me. But you, Max and Kate…you guys give me hope!" she eventually says with an honest smile, before she picks up her clothes from the ground and starts to dress again.

Once more, Dana thinks about Chloe's words, staying silent. Only as Chloe wants to leave, she calls out for her and makes the bluenette turn around.

"Chloe…I know what we just did doesn't make us girlfriends, but…if you wanna stay another night, you're more than welcomed!"

Both share one last warm smile of affection, before Chloe leaves with a friendly "Thanks, Dana! See ya!"

Max

She takes a deep inhale.

'Inner peace!'

And exhales again.

With crossed legs, Max sits on her bed, her eyes closed and her mind entirely focused on her meditation.

'Fight your inner demons! Don't ignore them!'

Inhale.

'You're not alone anymore!'

Exhale.

'You started a new life, now come to peace with your old one!'

Inhale.

'You can't change the past, neither can you run away from it!'

Exhale.

'Kate accepts and loves me the way I am! There's no need to hide the truth anymore!'

With one last inhale Max opens her eyes and gazes at a piece of paper that is lying on her nightstand.

Good morning, my love!

I didn't want to wake you up, because I know that you need that sleep and I had to get to classes. But I also didn't just want to leave you alone, so I got you some breakfast and left Alice with you so that she could comfort you in my place.

We'll see us at lunch!

Kisses,

Kate

"Thanks for keeping me some company, little bunny!" whispered Max to the pile of fur in her lap, fondling the black and white bunny behind its ears.

After what happened last night, Max had suffered a heavy breakdown as the detailed memories about her time in Seattle; memories she thought she'd left behind, had crawled back to the surface. She also had told Kate about them and Jefferson's sexual harassment. But like Chloe had told her, Kate understood right away, stayed at her side and gave her comfort.

After she had her breakfast, Max had done some exercises and began to meditate in order to think about last night's events.

'Though Kate said that she wants to help me, I'm actually worried how she'll take this eventually. I saw how much she was hurting while I told her about what had happened to me in Seattle. I…I just hope that she'll be fine.'

Sighing deeply, Max gives Alice one last brush and puts the bunny back into its cage. She then stretches with a groan and changes into her daily clothes, ready to meet Kate for lunch. She has just put on her shirt as a shimmering object on the floor right beside her desk catches her attention.

"Kate's necklace!" she whispers in surprise. "I've never seen her without it and I bet she hasn't just lost it by accident."

Cautiously, Max picks it up and puts it in her pocket, planning on asking her about it later. She then puts on her black hoodie, grabs her bag and heads towards the cafeteria.

Because classes aren't over yet, the campus is pretty much deserted. But Max doesn't mind. She always enjoys quietness and rather spends time with people she likes than with others.

The black-haired girl has reached the entrance of the main building as the bell chimed. In merely a minute a flood of students exit the building, eager to enjoy the sunny day or to simply leave the school stress for at least a few hours behind. Fighting through the masses, Max eventually reaches the cafeteria and spies for her girlfriend. As she spots Kate entering the room together with Dana, Max immediately heads towards her and embraces her beloved Katie warmly.

Both exchange a long look, entirely ignoring everything around them. A short solemn moment of deep love.

"How are you?" asks Kate with some worry, which is answered with a warm smile and whispered words.

"I'm okay! You?"

"Actually…I don't know." Kate eventually answers, breaking the gaze as her eyes begin to well up. "But I'm glad that you're better now!" she continues with a soft smile and closes in for another hug.

"Hey Max!" Dana then says, so that Max backs away from Kate and focuses her attention on her. "I'm so sorry for what happened to you!"

"Thanks, D!" she sighs. "Sadly, we can't change it. I'm just glad that you guys stick with me."

"Always!" Kate adds with a warm smile and, to Max's surprise, takes her hand.

Max & Kate

After they had eaten their lunch, Max and Kate had spent some more time together outside. Though they wanted to avoid it as often as possible, Max's past came again multiple times, eventually. Never wanting to suppress it ever again, the black-haired girl had told her girlfriend everything she wanted to know.

Then, Kate had to go back to classes and had her detention, but eventually, those hours went by, too. What had followed, was an entire evening of cuddling, fast food and movies, but no attempt to have sex, since both girl's had agreed that they hadn't been in the mood.

Now, it's Saturday morning and Kate and Max prepare to leave for the Marsh' residence outside of town. Upon meeting her girlfriend's family, it would be a lie if Max would say that she isn't nervous. With a deep inhale the muscular girl shoulders her backpack and not a second later, Kate knocks at her door and opens it.

"Ready?" she asks with a smile and gets answered with a kiss and a nod.

"Let's bail!"

Due Max has her own car, both girls don't need a lift from Kate's dad. Putting their stuff and a small cage with Alice in it onto the backseats, Kate and Max leave Blackwell Academy.

"Max," Kate then says after a few minutes of silence to gain her girlfriend's attention, sounding a bit upset. "There's something we need to talk about."

Knowing that her beloved Kate is still dealing with that horrible story about her past, Max gives her a worried gaze. "Sure, what's up?"

The blonde's head drops as she sighs, "My parents, they…they don't agree with…what we are. Especially my mom." She inhales once more to suppress a sob. "Max, believe me, I wanna out myself soon, but…"

"It's okay, Katie!" Max replies, soothingly brushing over her girlfriend's thigh, "Don't stress yourself! Coming out is extremely important and should never be rushed!"

"I-I know. This is why I want us to be as unsuspicious as possible! No kissing, no holding hands or any other mushy stuff."

Retrieving her hand from the blonde's thigh, Max calls out a loud "Yes, ma'am!" followed by a wink and a smirk. But immediately, Kate places her loved one's hand back where it belonged, giggling upon this goofy behavior.

Max let the good mood sink in for a while, until she huffs out deeply and reaches with her hand inside her pocket and pulls out Kate's necklace. "But if you wanna be unsuspicious, you should wear this!"

Kate's following loud gasp tells Max more than any word could've done. Reluctantly she takes the necklace, gazing deeply at it in silence.

"Wanna talk about it?" Max then asks with a soft voice, which tells Kate that she isn't mad at her, but only wants to help.

"The night you told me about what had happened to you in Seattle, I lost my faith," she answers quietly, a tear dripping down onto her lap. "I mean, how can there be a kind god, if good people like you have to suffer like this?! You were totally right! If there's a god, then he's a fucking asshole and I don't wanna believe in assholes!"

"Kate, what I said in that bar was just stupid! I never wanted to…"

"You didn't, Max! I thought about it the entire night and made a decision," Kate interrupts her before she gazes at Max with determination, "And I think I'm old enough to do such things."

"Yes," replies Max with a soft smile, pressing Kate's hand to give her reassurance, "Yes, you are!"

Kate

After fifteen minutes of driving, they're finally approaching the house of the Marsh family. A rather big, wooden house with a big lawn in front of it, dating back from the time when the first settlers habited the Bay area and Kate's ancestors belonged to said very first settlers.

Kate's entire family is already standing in front of the house, ready to welcome Kate and her guest, as Max drove her car up the driveway and parked it in front of the garage. Both girls share one last glare, before they disembark the vehicle and get out their stuff from the backseats.

Though this visit shouldn't be something big, Kate nevertheless feels very nervous, her kind heart pounding in her chest and her throat being dry. She would love to hold her girlfriend's hand for some secureness, but is damned to not do it. To finally get it over with, Kate immediately closes in on her family, giving everyone of them a hug, and then it's her turn to introduce Max.

"Mom, Dad, Carla, Lynn," she says with joy, signing at the black-haired girl, "This is my best friend, Max Caulfield!"

"Ah, the infamous Max Caulfield," Richard Marsh speaks warmly with a smile, reaching Max his hand, "I'm Richard and I welcome you to our home! Kate has already told us a lot about you."

"Thanks, Mr. Marsh!" Max responds, smiling and shaking his hand, "Hope I'm not too much trouble for you."

"Of course not! The Lord tells us that every guest at our house is a gift that should be cherished. Now, come on, I'll introduce you to the rest of my dear family." He points at the blonde woman beside him. "This is my wife, Janine!"

"Heya, Mrs. Marsh!"

Scanning her appearance from head to toe with cold eyes, first, Janine Marsh reluctantly reaches her hand to Max, shaking the girl's one only slightly. "Welcome, Max! I hope you enjoy your stay with us!"

Everyone immediately feels the coldness, which Janine radiates towards her daughter's friend. This rather awkward moment gets only broken as Richard Marsh speaks up again, now resting his hands on Kate's younger sisters' shoulders. "And these are our other beautiful daughters, Carla and Lynn."

The older one of them, wearing as conservative clothes as her entire family, glasses and her blond hair bound into a pony-tail, steps forward with a big smile, happily giving Max a handshake. "Hi Max, nice to finally meet ya! Neat car!" she says, immediately earning a chiding glare from her mother and a "Thanks!" from Max.

Kate's youngest sister, dressed like the rest of her family too, but wearing her hair open like her mom, shyly approaches Max. "Uh…H-hi, Max!"

"Hey there, little munchkin! Nice to meet ya!" Max responds to her with a happy smile.

Seeing that her sisters and at least her dad have welcomed her beloved Max warmly, makes Kate happy and gives her hope that this weekend might turn out really great.

'Maybe if my mom accepts Max too, then my family will probably tolerate our relationship as well, and this would be just insanely cool! But…I think it's a long, hard way until we get there.'

"Well," Richard then addresses Kate, "now that we know each other, how about you show Max the guestroom and lead her around the house until lunch is ready?"

"Will do, Dad!" replies his daughter. "And…uh, maybe we'll even take a little walk around the area."

"That's a good idea, my dear! We'll see us at lunch, then!"

One by one, the Marsh family walks back into the house, Kate and Max following at last.

"C'mon! I'll get you to the guestroom, where you can put your stuff down and then I'll show you my place!" says Kate, grabbing her girlfriend's hand to drag her upstairs.

The guestroom is nothing fancy, only a bed, a closet and some old pictures and a cross at the wall. Right after Max has thrown her backpack onto the mattress, both girls head towards Kate room at the end of the hall. On first sight it seems pretty boring too, but as soon as Max looks at the quietly hidden details, it becomes way cool.

An entire shelve is stuffed with Kate's drawn comics and pictures. On one wall are a lot of pictures from her family, mostly showing her and her sisters having fun. The wall right beside her common sized bed is peppered with pictures of Max. Of course only photos, which show the two of them as close friends, nothing more. Still, it's like a shrine for her beloved girlfriend.

After placing her bunny in its bigger cage, Kate sits down onto her bed and watches how Max takes a look around her room.

"Wowzer! Did you draw them all by yourself?" the black-haired girl asks as she's rummaging through some of her girlfriend's artwork. Instead of giving her an answer right away, Kate stands up and walks over to her.

"Yeah, you know that it's such a huge passion of mine. Here," she then pulls out a specific comic and reaches it to Max, "I drew this a week ago, when we were separated for the first time."

Now looking over her girlfriend's shoulder, both are gazing at the images. They showed a tigress, which is defending a poor bunny against a bunch of big, bad wolves with some Kung-Fu-moves.

"I-I hope you don't mind that I named the tigress Max." Kate eventually whispers, and as she recalls the symbolism of this comic and the events it presents, she leans her head against Max's and flings her arms around the freckled girl's waist to cuddle closer. "I'm so glad that I have you! You're my guardian angel and I love you so much!"

Not knowing how to answer such a huge amount of affection, Max simply answers with a soft, "I love you, too!" and closes her eyes to enjoy this solemn moment that shouldn't even happen in this house but did nonetheless until it gets broken eventually.

"Katie?" Carla's voice suddenly chimes from outside the room and immediately Kate and Max back off from each other right on time before Kate's sister stands in the door, eyeballing the two slightly blushed girls for a moment. "Uhm…sorry to disturb you guys, but I need to talk with you about tomorrows gig at the sermon!"

Giving her loved one an excusing gaze, which is answered with a nod and a soft smile, Kate follows her sister into her room, leaving Max behind.

Chloe

'Okay, Chloe, remember Maxi's teachings! Inner…'

Her phone chimes.

'Ugh! Fuck you, not now! Again, inner…'

Chloe's phone chimes once more.

'Dammit, should've turned that fucker off! Inn-…'

Again her phone sounds. This time, twice!

"Ugh, shitfuckingsonofabitch! Who the fuck is so hella annoying?" yells Chloe as she grabs the phone from her nightstand and gazes at the display. Her eyes suddenly widen as she realizes who'd just bombed her with messages. "Dana?!"

[Dana]: Hi Chloe! Just wanna say how awesome yesterday morning was. Hope we can repeat it sometime soon.

[Dana]: btw. Max and Kate aren't at Blackwell this weekend. Kinda boring here. Wanna come over for a movie night? Just asking. Gimme a call!

[Dana]: Okay, who am I shitting here? Wanna go on a date with me? Kinda wanna know some more bout you.

[Dana]: sry, ignore my last text.

"Shit!" mutters Chloe silently as she realizes that Dana means business with her. With a huff the bluenette let herself fall onto the mattress and stares at the ceiling.

'Actually, I never wanted to get that serious with Dana. Yes, she's hella sexy and good in bed, but…I'm so afraid to get rejected again; to get used again. Besides, my heart belongs to someone else, even if it's never gonna happen. But isn't it stupid to waste a chance to get happy again? Ugh, what the hell! It's do or die!'

Chloe gazes at her phone again and starts to type a reply.

Max

"Kate, Carla, Lynn! Lunch is ready!" sounds Janine Marsh's voice throughout the house. Immediately, everyone gathers at the dining table and sits down. On the table stands a big bowl with Spaghetti, as well as a big pot with sauce and meatballs.

Seeing and smelling this delicious food after a long walk around the area with her girlfriend, Max's stomach rumbles loudly.

'Gosh, I could eat a whole cow right now…or Kate. Geez, Max, hold it together for just these two days!'

"Max," Richard Marsh suddenly addresses her friendly, "it is kind of a tradition that the guest of the house has the honor to speak the prayer."

At first, Max is simply taken aback by this offer, since she rejects religion entirely. Lucky for her, Kate jumps in to help her.

"Dad, Max isn't a believer. Is it okay, if I do the praying part and Max just says some thankful words?"

While Kate's father shows tolerance and nods in agreement, her mom simply frowns, staying stern.

"Dear Lord," Kate begins, bowing her head like the rest of her family, "we thank you for this meal on our table!" Then she reaches for Max's hand under the table, squeezing it softly. "Please, protect us from all evil and give us strength on our way through life! Max?"

Being surprised again by Kate's touch, Max needs some time react and clears her throat before she speaks. "Uh…I…uh, I-I wanna thank you guys that I can spend the weekend here with you. It's some time since I had a family moment, so…well, just thanks!"

"Amen!" completes Kate and her family chimes in. Then, everyone takes some of the food and as soon as all plates are filled they start to eat.

At first, there's only silence as they all enjoy the delicious meal, until Richard Marsh breaks the quietness.

"So, Max, Kate has told us that you're from Seattle?"

"Uhm, not entirely," answers Max between some bites. "I lived there for the last five years, but I was born here, in Arcadia Bay."

"And how was the big city?" Carla then continues to ask.

Knowing that this is difficult topic, Kate and Max exchange a glare first, before the black-haired girl answers sternly, her expression darkening. "Different…"

Once more, Kate jumps in to support Max and save her from further questions about her past in Seattle. "Max doesn't want to talk that much about Seattle. It was a difficult time for her, but let's just say…" she than looks at her with a soft smile, "…everything's getting better now."

Right at this moment, Max would've loved to kiss Kate; instead she smiles back warmly and speaks, "Yeah, thanks to Katie!" which causes the blonde to blush.

"That's good to hear and we're glad that our Katie has found such a good friend! And what are you studying at Blackwell? Art? Science?"

"Photography," she answers with a smile to Richard Marsh as she's reminded of the only anchor that had held her alive before she met Kate. "Since I was like ten years old I loved to run around with a cam and take pictures of everyone or everything that came into my viewfinder."

Joining in on the interview, Carla continues the topic with another question. "So, it's also a big hobby of yours?"

"Definitely! Making it a profession had…well, always been a dream for me."

Then suddenly Janine Marsh joins in, despite she has been ignoring the conversation so far. "And what kinds of photos are you shooting?"

For a moment, Max has to think about the question, because she never had asked herself before, if she is fixed on a certain type or technique of photography. "Uh…actually, I never specialized in a style. So, it can be said that I shoot everything."

"Even nude shots?"

The question hovers for a moment above the people on the table and everyone acts differently. Richard clears his throat. Janine keeps a piercing gaze at Max. Carla giggles. Lynn drops her fork. Kate stares at her mom with big eyes. But Max? Max just pinches her chin, deeply in thoughts.

'Huh, never thought about this, but it's actually a great idea and Kate's the perfect model!'

"Hmm…haven't done it yet, but maybe in future, yeah!"

"I see," is the only thing Janine replies, before she turns her attention back to her meal.

Being used to the more or less functioning heating system of Blackwell – which means sometimes it does work, sometimes it doesn't – and her stomach already filled, plus the well heated Marsh household, Max opens her black hoodie and strips it off in order to let some fresh air on her body. Only wearing her typical black tank top under it, Max therefor reveals her muscular arms and the sleeve tattoo, and once more she's in the middle of everyone's attention.

"Nice tat!" says Carla with a smirk, receiving, once more, a "Thanks!" from Max and a chiding glare from her mother, which let her look away in an instant.

Only Kate is still gazing at her girlfriend's body from the corner of her eye until her breathing slightly increases and her face starts to blush.

And once again, it's Janine Marsh, who breaks the silence. "Are you alright, Kate? Your face suddenly turned red."

At first taken aback, Kate needs some time to muster enough countenance to answer her mom. "Uh, y-yeah! I-I'm fine, just…y'know, it's pretty warm in here."

Now Kate takes off her blazer, too. And while her family focuses on their lunch again, Max and Kate share another glimpse. Max can see the yearning in the blonde's eyes, which makes her form a wry smile, followed by a jokily mouthed bad girl!

Kate

After the lunch, Kate's parents had left to visit some friends and won't be back until late night, leaving the four girls alone.

Being the oldest sister, Kate is now in charge to watch over her sisters. Of course, Max is more than glad to help her girlfriend out by taking care of the youngest sister, Lynn, while Carla is upstairs in her room.

At the moment, Kate sits on the couch in the living room, drawing some more flicks. But it's more a scribbling, because most of the time she dreamily watches Max and Lynn, playing a board game. It's a happy atmosphere and in comparison to the last days, Max seems to be happier and carefree, having fun and acting like a young girl.

'I wonder if this is the true Max behind this hard shell. Geeky, funny, smart…just a normal girl. I bet she'd be a great mom someday!'

The longer her sight is fixed on her freckled girlfriend, the more her yearning increases and as Max laughs kindly because of one of Lynn's jokes, her heart skips a beat. Right at that moment, Kate knows that Max will be the love of her life. Marriage, kids, spending the rest of their life together…all of this she already imagines in her mind.

"Kate?" Carla's voice suddenly chimes beside her, making her jump in surprise, which gets her a curious frown from her sister. "Katie, don't get me wrong, but you're acting pretty strange since last weekend."

"Oh, it's…it's nothing, just…just this stupid contest." Kate lies, averting her sight from her sister.

Still looking at her in unbelief, Carla simply drops the topic and smashes a bunch of sheets of paper on the couch table, which also draws the attention of Max and Lynn towards her. "I don't wanna be annoying, but we still need to figure out which song we're gonna play tomorrow."

"Song?" Max then asks with interest, which gets answered by Kate immediately.

"Lynn, Carla and I are supposed to play a song at tomorrow's sermon, but…ugh! It's always the same stuff. We know them all and that's just boring. For days we're already debating over this, but…"

"Why don't you pick this one?"

Max has taken a sheet of paper from the pile on the table after browsing through it and reaches it to Kate, who takes it and looks at it for a while, considering the idea. But Carla simply gasps and shakes her head.

"No. Way!" the sixteen years old girl with glasses says. "Mom's literally gonna kill us, if we play this song."

"Then why is it in this pile in the first place?" Max wants to know with a shrug, getting an answer from her girlfriend.

"As I said, we're always supposed to play the same stuff and from time to time we need something different." Then, she gazes at Max deeply. "You know that I like this song and…I think you're right! We should give it a try and play it tomorrow. Maybe they'll like it and we can play some more of this in future."

Carla just scoffs upon this idea, crosses her arms and shakes her head. "You guys are crazy, but count me in. Adolescent rebellion for the win! I only have one condition: we keep Lynn out of this."

"But I wanna play, too!" the 10-year-old contradicts, but as she wants to pout, Max grabs her softly on her shoulders and looks deeply into her eyes.

"Listen, Lynn, Katie told me that you play guitar. Am I right?"

"Mmh-hmm."

"Y'know, I'm playing guitar, too! And it would be pretty cool if I could borrow your guitar and take your place just this one time. Plus, I'm gonna buy all of you some Milkshakes afterwards! How does that sound?"

Immediately, Lynn's mood lightens up and a big smile is formed by her lips. "Okay!"

"Well, then it's settled!" Kate says with determination. "Let's practice!"

Dana

She ignites the wick of a candle with a lighter and takes a gaze around her room.

'Let's see…Candles, check! Wine, check! Chillin' music, check! Condoms…check, but I won't need 'em. Girl on girl is just so much easier…and better!'

Feeling entirely nervous, Dana tries to dry her cold, clammy hands by brushing them over the fabric of her jeans, but of course it isn't doing any good. She checks her attire one last time in the mirror. Chloe loves it natural, so Dana didn't bother using too much Make-up or perfume.

Then, it knocks on her door. Taking one last deep breath, the brunette grabs the handle and opens the door. Behind it stands a wryly smirking Chloe, simply wearing her standard punk clothes – ripped jeans, leather jacket over an old band shirt, boots and her dark-blue beanie.

"Uh…heya, Dana! Here, I…uh…I got ya somethin'!" the bluenette says with some insecurity, reaching Dana a six-pack of beer.

"Uhm…thanks, Chloe! Come in!"

After Dana has taken the bottled beverage, Chloe walks past her and gazes around the room, while the cheerleader closes the door.

"Wow! What a mush-pit!" commented Chloe as she takes of her jacked and throws it on the small couch, letting herself plummet right on it, too.

'Shit, I overdid it!' is Dana's only thought, but she tries to act normal, because, actually, this isn't an official date. "Well, I kinda like it mushy. Does it bother you? Should I…?"

"NO!" Chloe accidently blurts out, tuning down a moment later. "No, it's fine! During the right occasion I like mushiness. So, it's okay, Dana. Really!"

'Right occasion?! So, is this a date or not? Ugh! C'mon, Dana, just ask her, you little chickenshit!'

"Chloe," Dana starts, putting the six-pack on her couch table. "Sorry that I'm asking, but…uhm…are we having a date right now or…"

"Actually…" Chloe replies, but hesitates for a few seconds, "Shit, I don't fucking know. Do you want it to be a date?"

"Fuck, I don't know either," answers the cheerleader with a shrug and an insecure smile. Upon this answer, Chloe begins to laugh out loud, Dana joining in a moment later. She then takes two bottles of beer, opens them and hands one to Chloe. "A toast; To the worst not-date ever!"

"Cheers!" Chloe calls out and both of their bottles collide softly, followed by a big swig. Gazing over Dana's shoulder, the punk-girl spots several bottles of wine, standing on the desk. "Dammit, did you expect some more people?"

Following the bluenette's sight, the brunette just shrugs, answering nonchalantly. "No, but I'm always prepared."

"Okay, this is gonna be a hella long night!" eventually states Chloe, and she'll be right.

After emptying the beer, both girls continue with the first bottle of wine and soon enough, Chloe and Dana are on a good way to be entirely wasted. Lots of giggling and laughing are chiming through the room as they are telling each other jokes or anecdotes from their life. Right now it's Dana's turn.

"So, I was lying there, totally naked, legs spread wide open 'n' shit, freazin' my ass off and this idiot right 'bove me. I mean, it was in the middle of the night and pretty cold, and this stupid asshole couldn't score. You know that my pussy isn't that tight, but this fuckhead…"

"Pft, jocks; all muscles, no balls!"

"Waitwait! It get's better! So, he was tryin' to stick it in for…I don't know…a minute? Two minutes? Ugh, doesn't matter! Anyway, suddenly he grunted like a pig and collapsed on me."

"No fuckin' way! He did not…?"

"Yes, he did, Chloe. He came and fell asleep right on the spot…ON ME! So, I was lying there, buried under 180 pounds of idiotism, still horny and no possibility to fuck myself."

"What did you do?"

"Well, thanks to cheerleading, I've a good cardio and strength and managed to wiggle myself out from under this shithead. And as a little Thank-you for this fucked-up shit, I threw his clothes over the cliff, parked his car two miles away and threw the keys into the sewers."

"Kudos!" cheers Chloe, giving Dana a fist bump and taking another swig of wine.

"Okay, Chloe, your turn! Frustrating sex-moment ever!"

"Geez, good question," Chloe says as she thought about the topic, scratching the back of her neck. "I actually had a lotta fucked-up sex-encounters, but…uhm…I think this one comes close to frustrating."

Already relaxing on the couch some more, Dana gazes at Chloe with interest. "Just do tell!"

"Okay! So, I was fourteen years old and, uh…yeah, my world was still alright back then. Dad was still alive and Max hadn't moved to Seattle, yet. Anyway, my puberty was at its best. Raging hormones, mood swings, blowing up your old dolls and, of course, finding out that you can do things with your pussy and have a lotta fun with it."

"Gotcha there, gurl!"

"During that time, Max spent a lotta time at my place. In retrospective I'd say 't was because she was pretty pissed at her parents, 'cause they planned to move to Seattle. So, we had a sleepover and, as always, Max slept in my bed. So far, everything went on as always, until…well, until I became horny. Max was asleep and I thought to myself, why not?"

"Ah, okay. I think I know where this is going."

"So, I was there, rubbing myself one, maybe two or three freakin' rubs away from gettin' off and exactly at this fucking moment, Maxi woke up and looked at me like, what the hell?, and I mentally prepared myself to have the fucking bees-and-flowers- talk with her, but instead she just cuddled me, mumbling somethin' about stupid nightmares and was back asleep in no time."

"Shiiiit!" hisses Dana, taking another sip of wine. "Close call, huh?"

"Oh, it's gettin' better! So, I was lying there, totally on the edge, Maxi's leg on my crotch, blocking any chance to continue and above that, I got even hornier from the cuddling."

"Fuuuck! What did you do?"

"Truth to be told: nothing. I just gulped it down and tried to sleep. The rest of the night was filled with frustration, a cramping uterus and wet dreams, followed by even more frustration. The morning after that, I took the longest shower of my life. I just say: three times! Yes, I came three freakin' times in a row!"

"Wow, Atta girl!" Dana cheers. After that, some minutes of silence occur, weighing with a heavy tension. "Chloe?"

"Hmm?"

"It's pretty obvious that you had and still have a crush on Max. Why did you two never become a thing?"

Dana knows that she has just entered unsafe territory, but this question has been burning under her nails for quite some time, yearning for an answer. Chloe takes a deep swig from her bottle, emptying it, before she replies.

"Simply said: I blew it…twice! Right before she left, my dad had died and I felt so empty and done, only Max was able to give me hold. During that time we became even closer, but…then she told me about the move to Seattle and how much she was sorry and that she'll always be there for me." She stops for a moment, gulping down a big lump with another swig of wine, which she takes out of Dana's bottle. "I was such a stupid cunt! Instead of taking the opportunity and finally telling her about my feelings for her, I just raged and threw her out for good. I broke her little heart. What kind of a person does that make me?"

"You're not a bad person, Chloe!" speaks Dana soothingly, brushing with her hand a single tear off Chloe's cheek. "You were traumatized and made a mistake. That happens, y'know."

"The hell it happens!" yells the bluenette, jumping up. "I'm the reason why all this fucked up shit happened to Maxi!"

"No, you're not!" Dana contradicts, getting up, too. "Granted, you fucked up…twice, but you're not bad! Life fucked you over again and again, but still you're helping others. Max is still your friend, so am I and Katie. Chloe, we all dig you. We…love you!" With these words, Dana embraces Chloe, plants a kiss on her lips and whispers, "I love you, Chloe!"

Immediately, Chloe turns away with a sigh, frees herself from Dana's arms and grabs her jacket. "Dana, I can't give you what you're lookin' for, okay?"

Although her heart gets a crack, Dana acts once more like nothing happened, reaching for the punk-girl before she could leave. With a soft smile on her lips, she closes in for another faint peck. "Chloe, please don't leave! I'm sorry that I brought up this hurtful topic and pressured you too much. Hey, I'm fine if we stay just friends…with benefits, if you want to."

Silence occurs. Nobody speaks a word. Both girls just gaze at each other deeply. Eventually, Chloe drops her jacket again and kisses Dana with passion. Both know that they will end up in bed and that it comes with no strings attached. Although Dana has wished for a relationship with Chloe, she also respects the punk's wish for freedom and tells herself to enjoy their encounters as long as they're lasting. Maybe there's still a glimpse of hope in the end?

Max

Max is lying in the small guestroom which is dimly enlightened by a small lamp on the nightstand. Since the incident in Seattle, over four years ago, the freckled girl had developed a panicky fear against dark, enclosed spaces. It had become better over the years, so that she didn't freak out entirely as soon as enters dark places, like a cinema, but it still makes her feel uneasy, which makes sleeping under such circumstances impossible.

Gazing at the ceiling and in deep thoughts about the past day, Max smiles and feels warmth in her heart.

'Katie's family is so awesome, though her mom seems to be a bitch, but I can live with that. For the first time, since the move to Seattle, I felt like I had a whole family again. Especially Kate's sisters are sooo cool! Carla seems to be like Kate, very tolerant and open-minded, yet more rebellious. And Lynn…Lynn is such a sweetie-pie. Gosh, I wish I would've had a sister like her, but Vanessa never wanted to. Once I overheard her and Dad talking about it, and she just said that being pregnant with me had been enough trouble for the rest of her life. Well, I think that's everything I've ever been for her, an inconvenience. Fuck you, Vanessa!'

After some time, Max drifts more and more into slumber. One by one her senses shut down. She faintly hears some noises, but shoves them as unimportant aside, the need for sleep weighing heavier. But then she feels some movement on her mattress and the cover, and eventually, soft kisses on her face. In merely microseconds, Max's eyes snap open. At first, her sight is covered by a vail of lose dirty-blond hair, until the kissing stops and Kate's face appears as she backs away a bit.

"K-Katie! Wh-what are you doing?!" stammers Max, being entirely taken aback.

"I'm so sorry, Max, but I couldn't wait anymore!" Kate replies quietly with a lustful gaze, wanting to place another kiss, but gets stopped once more.

"B-but what about your folks?"

Now finally closing in again, Kate starts to plant many soft, yet wet kisses all over her loved ones face and neck, making Max moan quietly out of lust. "Don't worry…everyone's asleep," the blonde whispers between her treatments, her hand now starting to explore Max's body, which fuels her yearning even more.

Softly, the black-haired girl embraces her lover with her arms and legs and pulls her closer for even more body contact. Just to feel Kate's body through the thin layer of fabric that is still covering their bodies almost drives Max crazy and makes her want to feel more.

Quick, yet cautiously, she spins the both of them around, so that Max is now on top and Kate under her. After another passionate tongue-kiss, Max sits up and takes a long gaze at her beautiful girlfriend, while her hands start to explore her body. She lets them brush from Kate's cheeks, deeper down over her shoulders, the side of her body, her belly and, eventually over her breasts.

Being so excessively touched, Kate's breathing intensifies, faint moans chiming with it. Through her chest, Max could feel how her heart is thumping faster than normal. She knows that this time they want to go the whole way. There won't be no boundaries, no restrictions, and no limits. Therefor, Max reaches for the hem of her thin top and strips it off. Then, she grabs Kate's slightly trembling hands and leads them to her mounds, signing the blonde that she can touch them.

As soon as she feels Kate, softly fondling with her breasts, Max isn't able to prevent a slight louder moan from escaping her mouth. Additionally, she starts to roll her hips as her nether region pleads for some friction and, only a second later, Kate joins in.

Next, Max leans in and gives Kate a soft peck on her nose, followed by another one on her lips. The next one is planted on her neck. Instead of a normal shirt, Kate wears a button-shirt tonight, which needs to be undone. Therefor, Max opens the first button and let a kiss follow on this very spot, then comes the next one and again a kiss wets the former covered piece of soft skin. This procedure continues for the rest of the other buttons, too. Now that the shirt is only loosely lying on top of Kate's chest, Max gives her girlfriend one last glimpse to silently ask if she's allowed to go further and receives a faint nod.

Max parts the shirt and reveals Kate's bare chest. Although she had already felt her lover's breast through the thin fabric, Max couldn't hold back to immediately touch them again, which leads to Kate moaning even more.

Not able to resist the urge, Max now begins to softly kiss and lick Kate's mounds. As a response, the blonde digs her fingers into her girlfriend's back and intensifies the grinding.

Max could feel that her boxers are entirely drenched and is pretty sure that Kate's are in the same state. She just thought about going deeper to have a taste of her sweet girlfriend as it suddenly knocked on the door.

In merely a second, Kate gasps and sits straight up with a start, her hands already clenched on her button shirt to cover her chest. Max, who has been actually still busy with Kate's breasts, isn't even able react, is thrown off her girlfriend and out of bed, shrieking until she hits the ground, butt first, with a groan.

It knocks again and both, Max and Kate, give each other a quizzical glare, until Max takes the initiative, grabs her top, puts it on and walks over to the door, rubbing the sore spot on her behind. In the meantime, Kate buttons up her shirt again, gets out of bed and puts on her on the ground lying bathrobe.

After throwing one last peek at Kate in order to see if she's dressed and her scruffy hair a bit styled, Max slowly opens the door. Almost expecting one of Kate's parents in front of it, the freckled girl is even more surprised that Carla and Lynn are standing there. Whereas Lynn seems to be somewhat tired, Carla is very awake and gazing at the black-haired girl, sternly.

"Uh…hey guys, 'sup?" Max greets them, a wry, insecure smile on her face, while she's hiding her wet shorts behind the half-opened door.

"Is Kate in there with you?" asks Carla, though it seems that she already knows the answer, and before Max is able to reply, her shoulder gets softly touched by Kate.

"It's okay," she says quietly. "Come in, you two, and close the door!"

All four girls are sitting now in the small guestroom, not saying a word. Obviously a bit agitated upon the anew interruption of her love-play with Max, Kate nearly blurts at her sister.

"Why are you not in bed? It's late and…"

"Oh, funny story, that…" interrupts her Carla, "But Lynn had a nightmare and wanted to sleep in your room, but you weren't there, so she woke me up and asked me where you are."

Feeling the tension between the two sisters and seeing that Lynn let out a big yawn, Max decides to give Kate and Carla some space and bring Lynn back to bed.

"Hey, Lynn!" she whispers towards the young girl, very cautiously bumping her arm with her elbow, "Should I bring you back to bed? I can protect you from those evil monsters!"

"Yeah!" the 10-year-old cheered, turning to Kate with a toothy grin. "Katie, can Max spend the night in my room?"

Already aware of her girlfriend's plan, Kate gives her little sister a soft smile. "Of course, little bunny! Have a good night, you two!"

Right after Max has put on her sweatpants to cover up her still wet boxers, she leaves the guestroom with Lynn and heads to the young girl's room, which is, like most of the rooms in this house, pretty boring styled.

'Looks like Christian folks don't believe in unicorns and princesses.'

Both lay down in Lynn's bed. Max with her back to the wall while Lynn cuddles herself very close to the older girl.

"G'night, little munchkin!" speaks Max quietly, receiving a softly spoken Good night from Lynn, too. Silence now fills the room, which luckily is illuminated by a nightlight, until Lynn's voice breaks the quietness once more.

"Max?"

"Hmm?"

"Are you gonna marry Katie?"

At first surprised by this question, Max eventually sighs, a big smile forming on her lips. "Yeah…I mean, one day. If she wants to."

"That'd be cool, because I'd love to have you as my auntie!"

Max's heart skips a beat as she realizes that Lynn already sees her as a part if her family, but this doesn't mean that the other members, especially Janine Marsh, would agree with her or the fact that Kate is in love with another girl. Only time will tell, so timing is of an essence!

"Lynn, I know it's hard to understand, but I need you to promise me that you won't tell anybody else about this, especially not your parents, 'kay?"

"Why?"

"Because it's a surprise and telling them too soon would spoil everything."

"Oh…okay!"

"Pinky-swear?"

"Super-pinky-swear!" replies Lynn finally and both entwine their pinkies, before they close their eyes and drift into sleep.

Kate

Kate closes the door behind Max and Lynn. After it's locked, Kate rests her head against the wood, not knowing how Carla might react.

"So, you and Max, huh?"

Her sister's voice doesn't carry any grudge or accusation, still Kate wants to be sure. "Carla, you mustn't tell anybody about this, especially not Mom and Dad!"

The 18-year-old girl hears some shuffling behind her and as she turns around, Carla stands right in front of her, a big smile on her face.

"The hell I'm gonna tell 'em!" she says and instantly hugs her sister. "I'm so happy for you! Max is so awesome and you're so awesome! You…you two just deserve to be happy!" Then she backs away and gives Kate a soft push on her shoulder. "And you know very well that I'm not like Mom. I'm totally cool with to have a lezzy as a sister!"

Now Kate is the one who embraces Carla. With some tears of joy in her eyes she quietly says, "Thank you! You're so awesome. I love you, Carla!"

"Said the most awesome sister!" replies Carla with a chuckle. "I love you too, Katie!"