"Watch your step, Grandma."
Max caught Warren's Grandma just as she began to stumble. The two had done the now usual walk as Max visited the elder Graham. They were nearly to the stream that both Max and Warren had become accustomed to.
Max yawned. The two teens had been switching bodies for some time, and they had slowly become used to living in the shoes of one another. She was even becoming familiar with Arcadia Bay's layout, being able to easily travel from the Graham family home to his school, his friends, and even his Grandmother's.
This trek to the family stream, the one that Grandma insisted had been a part of the family for generations, was one of her favorites. Mostly because of the serene nature of the walk. She wished she felt safe enough to do these kinds of hikes in Seattle. In fact, she wished even more that she had her camera with her. Sure, she could take photos on Warren's phone, but there wasn't a point, really. She took the photos with her mind's eye, and that was good enough for her.
"I have something for you."
Max turned and raised an eyebrow. She had slowed her stride to walk side by side with Grandma. Grandma delicately handed her a blue wristband. The wristband seemed hand threaded by Grandma herself. She gently pulled in on Warren's wrist, and admired the way it fit snugly, yet comfortably on his arm.
"Thanks, Grandma. I don't know what to say."
Grandma smiled back at her, and they gingerly made their way across a small slope. "Have you heard of Musubi?"
Max scrunched her features. "I don't believe so."
"I wouldn't have expected you too, Warren. The Native American tribes and our family used to call the local guardian deity long ago, and its name means, "Union", and that word has profound meaning. Tying strings together, such as your wristband, connection between people, and the flow of time itself is a union. This is the god's power. The braided chords that decorate my home symbolize the power itself. They twist and they turn, they tangle and unravel now and again. They break, and reconnect again. That is what time is. That is what a connection is; what a union is."
The two stopped for a rest, just before the last leg of their journey. Max attempted to take all the information in, but it almost seemed too much.
"Would you like a drink?"
Max gladly accepted the water that was handed to her, and she drank deeply. She hadn't realized how thirsty she was. Thankfully, she thought better of finishing it, and only about half remained.
"That's also a union!" Grandma chirped happily as she drank. "Whether it's water, bread, or Cheetos, anything that is consumed by the body, becomes a union. That's why this next step in our journey is so important."
Grandma began the final part of the trek to the stream. Wordlessly, the two placed the flowers in their spots, and watched the plants flow down the stream.
"Is that a union, Grandma?"
Grandma beamed back at her. "Yes! However, we are not done yet. Come with me."
Grandma attempted to cross the stream for the first time. Max hesitated, not exactly thrilled with getting the jeans she was borrowing soaked. Nevertheless, her curiosity overcame her yet again, and she followed the elder woman.
Grandma once again stumbled. Max reacted quickly, and was able to catch her. After hearing Grandma's haggard breath, Max came to a quick decision.
"Hop on, Grandma!"
Grandma sighed with relief as she climbed on Max's back and Max began the piggyback ride. Warren wasn't the strongest, but fortunately Grandma was pretty light.
Max may not have been excited to exercise, but she'd deal with that to help Warren's Grandma. Besides, she thought sardonically, he could deal with the soreness tomorrow.
"The final part of our journey today: is our offering to Musubi."
"An offering?"
The two had descended down a deep slope. Grandma had climbed off of her to hold her and as they carefully made their way to a rock formation.
"Yes. The water you just drank, is very sacred."
Max swallowed a lump that developed in her throat. "Sacred? You mean, like, holy water?"
Grandma laughed. "You could put it that way!"
The duo approached the formation, and inside was a small cave-like entrance. Inside, there was a small shrine with a statue of a person. Max could only assume that this was Masubi. A small candle was lit on a table with simple white cloth in front of the statue.
"Place the water in front of Masubi. Remember, that the water is only half of you."
Half of me?
"And, now, we're done today. Let's head back home!"
With that, the two turned to head back the way they came. They ascended up the incline, and that's when Max noticed that the sun was just beginning to set.
"The Golden Hour," she muttered, almost to herself.
"Ah, yes. The Magic Hour." Grandma leaned on Max, placing her hand on her grandson's shoulder. Max felt her eyes well up with tears, and she felt odd. She felt almost as if she were frayed at the edges and slipping from within.
"Oh, Warren," Max turned to look over at Grandma, whose eyes were shining in the light.
"You're dreaming again, aren't you?"
*
Max woke up this time laying on her back. She slowly propped herself on her elbows and opened her eyes, where moisture was flooding.
She rubbed her forearm over her eyes, her curiosity scratching at her soul. "Why am I crying?"
She swung her legs over and glanced at the photo wall over her bed, specifically at the photo of the four girls from the night before. She had unfortunately had control of her body as she disastrously took part in finishing the DnD campaign Steph had managed. She wished that she was Warren right now. She wanted more than anything to be at that date, rather than stuck in Seattle.
He should be getting ready right now.
She felt strangely jealous of him. Or of Brooke. she wasn't sure. She knew that Warren hadn't meant to set Steph up with her. It just happened.
However, she had ignored Warren's wishes to not set him up, for the sole reason he deserved someone. He may not show it on the surface, but reading his notes and experiencing his life made her aware of the person he was on the inside. He deserved someone, and he and Brooke were good together.
*
The alarm cruelly blared its song, startling Warren out of his slumber. As became the routine, Warren immediately checked his phone for his notes.
He couldn't see what was written at first, because moisture had begun to dot the edges of his eyes.
"Am I… crying?"
And he was. For whatever reason, tears began cascading down Warren's face. With a huff of annoyance, he rubbed at his eyes to clear away the salt in his eyes, so he can finally see the message on his phone.
His eyes scanned the text on the screen.
"A date?!?"
*
We're sorry, but the person you are calling cannot be reached at this moment. Please call back later. Thank you.
Max threw her phone on the bed and grabbed the pencil that laid beside her canvas. She sketched several lines that formed a slope around the southwestern bend of a valley. It was an image that had been burned deep into her mind, almost like it was branded behind her retinas.
Max closed her eyes tight to concentrate, and to push back the headache that was slowly developing in her temple. She absentmindedly scratched the skin on her wrist, hidden by the weaved blue bracelet she wore on her left side.
That call was her ninth attempt. Not that she was keeping track. Every call she made went straight to that automated message. Every text she sent never could be delivered.
She wanted more than anything to talk to him, even if she couldn't remember his name. It had been weeks since they last switched bodies, and she couldn't remember anything besides this portrait she was drawing and feelings.
A half minute later, she went back to her phone and checked the notes tab. The notes were all still there. She scanned the notes that stayed, and she read the name Warren.
"Warren," she whispered. The name sounded so familiar, and yet so foreign.
It was exactly like trying to remember a dream she once had. She could remember shapes. She could recall bits and pieces and sounds and tastes. But she couldn't put two and two together.
But she would remember. She would find a way.
*
"You seem different today."
Warren loosened the tie he wore under his suit. He still wasn't exactly sure why he decided to wear his best (and only) suit. It was a pretty slick, navy blue coat with matching pants and a light blue undershirt with navy tie.
At least Brooke matched his formal attire. She wore a sleek black dress that reached just beyond her knees. It showcased her silky smooth legs, and she wore black flats on her feet. She wore a black necklace around her neck with a drone shaped pendant. At least she had her hair pulled back in a ponytail. That usual sight made Warren slightly more comfortable.
In other words, Brooke looked ferociously gorgeous. Yet, despite himself, he didn't feel attracted to her. Before all these events started happening, he admitted he did have the slightest crush on her. But he wasn't sure if that was because she was attractive, or because she was someone he hadn't met before who shared his interests.
No matter how much he implored Max to not set him up; she seemed hell bent on playing matchmaker. Unfortunately for him, he was powerless to stop the set up, as Max was smart enough to schedule the past dates for whenever they switched places. Both of them have figured out they seem to switch routinely every other day. However, Warren noticed that they have been switching less frequently. He wondered if Max also had the same observation.
For that reason, he was here today. His hypothesis was that Max thought she would be here in his place. Thankfully, Max had at least let him be aware that she had coordinated a date at some restaurant out of town for him and Brooke. It wasn't going to stop him from being awkward, however.
Make sure to dress as sharp as you can! Just kidding, I know I'm gonna be there instead ;) I'm really excited for the date, but just in case I'm not there, I saved some links for you to help you out!
Love, Max.
A small part of him thought she were making fun of him.
Now, he was struggling to answer Brooke's observation. "Well, um…"
"It's okay, Warren." She smiled sadly at him, but her eyes betrayed her sympathy. "The past few times we talked, you seemed distracted. Today, you seem distant. Like, you're a completely different person."
The words didn't sting as much as he thought they would. Still, he wanted to apologize to her. He hadn't meant to lead her along, in fact, he had pleaded with Max to not have this happen.
Their dinner date had been disastrous, for sure. He wanted to find some way to make it up to her.
The two walked down the pavement to Warren's dad's car. His dad had confessed he was proud of him for this affair. Warren guessed Dad was only grateful Warren had something more productive to do outside of schoolwork.
Warren tried to subtly check his phone to see the last half of Max's message.
By the end of your date, it should be time to head back to campus and watch the meteor for your project. If all goes well, you or I should be able to view it with Brooke!
That gave him an idea. Maybe the date didn't turn out the way neither of them expected, but he at least could make it up to her.
"I think I'm ready to call it a day, Warren."
"I understand," Warren sighed.
"Just one more thing though."
Warren eyed Brooke just as they approached the car. Warren opened the door for Brooke and let her slink inside. His heart dropped to his stomach as he dreaded the next thing Brooke was going to say.
Warren climbed back in the car. Brooke adjusted her dress before beginning her own observations. "If I'm not mistaken, you had a little crush on me for a time."
Warren's grip tightened on the steering wheel, as his cheeks radiated with heat. He wasn't sure how to answer the question.
Brooke saw his response and patted him lightly on the shoulder. "It's okay. It's really flattering."
Warren breathed a sigh of relief. He was just grateful she didn't take it to heart. He started the car as he was now just anxious to get her home and get away from this conversation. He managed to make it a couple blocks before she continued, albeit hesitantly.
"I'm sorry if I'm embarrassing you," Brooke continued. "But am I right in guessing that there might be someone else?"
Whatever heat that remained in his cheeks had now gone supernova! He took a hand off the wheel to rub at the soreness in his neck and turned his face away as much as possible from his companion.
"No, no! It's nothing like that!"
Through his peripheral vision, he could see Brooke adorn a knowing smirk. Her voice raised to a teasing tone. "Really? Are you sure about that?"
"I'm sure!" Warren squeaked. His voice was failing him, and that frustrated him almost as much as it flustered him.
Brooke's mischievous smile only grew broader. "Well, okay then. Thank you for today, at the very least. But I think it's best if we stay coworkers."
At least that was something Warren could agree with. He glanced at the clock for a second, and he noticed that the time was inching closer to danger. He only had about 45 minutes until he needed to arrive at the observatory. He might make it to Brooke's for the drop off and race home from there, but he wasn't quite sure if he would make it on time. Add the fact that this venture would take a large percentage of his grade, he may have to extend this date.
"Well," he cleared his throat, "something I may have forgotten to mention. I actually need to head home to the observatory and watch the comet that's descending over Arcadia Bay. It's, like, worth 50% of my grade. If I know you as well as I do… would you want to join us? As coworkers?"
Brooke's eyes widened. "I completely forgot about the comet! I heard your town is gonna be packed because it's flying over. I'd love to have a look at it from your observatory!" Then she smirked. "As coworkers."
Relief flooded Warren as he took a U-turn to head back home.
*
Warm sunlight filtered through the curtains that were hung haphazardly in the last few days.
Max turned over in her bed, and grunted with annoyance. She was in a restless state, and no matter how much she wanted to, she couldn't fall back asleep to dream again.
She opened her eyes suddenly. Now, she remembered that she had to get up; that she had made a promise she intended to keep.
Steph had mentioned that she wanted to hang out with Max, alone. Surprisingly, Max wasn't exactly worried about the prospect. Chloe had spent the night at Rachel's, and that left her at home by herself, for once.
Rather than being grateful for the lack of intrusion, instead she felt empty. Her being felt trepidations, as if she were walking on eggshells.
She got ready for the meet up. Steph had texted her earlier that morning to meet her at a museum on the south side of town. It was the sort of low-key place Max could vibe with on this grey, drizzling day.
Max pulled on a black butterfly t-shirt, some jeans and her gray hoodie. The girl had no intention of dressing up fancily.
She left her bedroom and ate a toaster pastry, if only so she could say that she had something to digest. She made small talk with her father, even gave him a hug, which felt like it was the right thing to do.
Ryan seemed slightly taken aback by Max's display of affection, but he accepted the embrace warmly and gratefully. Ryan seemed to be a lot happier in the last few weeks. Max wasn't sure why, but she realized she had spent much more time with him than she could remember doing so in the last year.
Ryan was now cracking jokes much more frequently, and Chloe even teased him for working out now, in which Ryan always had a witty retort for.
With a wave, Max said her goodbyes and made her way to the museum, where Steph was already waiting. She was wearing a black tank top, and baggy black cargo pants. Her usual beanie was completely absent, which even Max knew was unusual for the girl.
"Hey," Steph greeted, in which Max matched.
"You ready?" Steph asked next, in which Max nodded in agreement.
The two didn't talk as the girls made their way past the exhibits. There was even one section that featured several art exhibits. This, Steph said, was the main reason they came.
They made small talk about some of the pieces, including a portrait of two brother wolves, bounding happily along a forest area. There was a particular piece Steph was a fan of, a piece called: True Colors. A piece that featured splattering of messy neon colors like: pink, blue and red.
As Max listened to Steph describe what she liked about the portrait, Max's eye caught an exhibit entitled: Nostalgia.
It was a collection of photographs, which naturally caught her attention like a moth to the flame. Steph smirked as she teased Max. "I should have guessed that specific exhibit would capture your attention."
Max found herself smirking back at her as she gently shuffled past a small group of adults to the showcase. On the wall were several black and white photographs, mostly of different buildings, architecture, landmarks and people. Max's eyes scanned the beautiful photographs, until her eyes stopped cold on a specific one.
It was a simple landscape shot. The image within was of a valley with an overflowing stream that she saw that emptied out into the ocean. Beyond the stream was a familiar valley. If Max squinted, she could barely make out a rock formation. It was the exact same one she found herself sketching for the past few weeks.
A chill went down Max's spine and she shivered. Steph, who had trailed off to gawk at a different collage of photographs, peeled back to her companion to catch Max staring.
"You okay, Max? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Max blinked several times, trying to will the moisture away. "I'm fine, thanks."
Steph didn't seem convinced, yet she let the conversation drop. "You know, you seem like a different person in the past few weeks. More distracted. Less sure of yourself, especially during DnD."
Max turned her head away to avoid Steph's gaze. "I'm just going through some stuff."
"I understand completely."
Max felt Steph's hand grab hers, and Max flinched in surprise. She allowed her hand to relax into Steph's, mostly because she wasn't sure what to do next or what was coming.
"Max."
Max turned her body to look at her companion, who fixated her with a stare she didn't recognize. A heartbeat later, Steph's lips were on hers. She stood frozen, unable to truly react before Steph pulled away, tears dotting at her eyes.
"I'm sorry. That's just something I've wanted to do for a while now."
Max stifled the urge to swipe at her lips. It was her first kiss. She was in so much disbelief that couldn't think of anything to say next.
Steph smiled with one corner of her mouth. "I know it's sudden. I just really liked you."
"Liked?" Max whispered.
"Yeah, um," Steph let go of Max's hand and turned over to the exhibit in front of them. Her eyes zoned in on the photograph in front of the two girls.
"Like I said, you seem to be different than you were when we first met."
"I-" Max replied.
"It's fine if you're trying to figure things out," Steph cut her off, however not unkindly. She turned her head to glance at the fellow brunette. "I've been figuring things out too. Living in Seattle has been hard, especially today of all days."
"What do you mean?"
Steph, with her eyes shining, looked down at her feet. "I got a job offer about a week ago. A job in Colorado.. I decided I'm gonna take it. I leave tomorrow morning." She tucked some loose hair behind her ear. "A friend of mine died a few years ago, and it's just been hard being here since."
Max shuffled her feet. She wasn't sure how to feel. The kiss she had from Steph was admittedly nice, but the conversation that followed had only made her feel overwhelmed, when she was already becoming overcome by confusing emotions.
"I'm sorry, Steph."
Steph swiped at her eye with her wrist. "It's fine. It's just so hard being so close to it all."
"Did it happen in Seattle?"
Steph shook her head. "No, no in Seattle." She pointed to a photo on the wall. The photo with a stream, a valley, and the sun glistening in the horizon. "It happened there."