Max Caulfield was working on an assignment. She had erased the paragraph she was working four different times and she sighed with contempt. Her headphones, which were playing a low-fi beat to help her concentrate, were starting to irritate her.

"Ugh, I need a break," she mumbled. She then took the headphones off and gazed at the window, where she could see the sky lit with glistening stars.

She moved her chair back and grabbed her gray hoodie and ran out the door and up to the roof. She stopped dead in her tracks and stared in wonder at the brilliant scene before her.

A streaking blue and red comet shone in the atmosphere. The ball of fire and the iridescent nature of its trail was so beautiful that tears cascaded down her eyes. She wiped them away quickly before someone saw her and teased her for it, but for some reason, they just kept coming.

"It was a once in a lifetime event when a comet passed so close to our atmosphere just 10 years ago…"

"I'm here for my appointment."

The receptionist blinked her eyes rapidly from her computer screen and stared blankly at me. I blinked twice before shuffling my feet. "I, uh, have a meeting."

"Oh! Name?"

"Max Caulfield."

The receptionist clicked on some keys and searched for something… I guess. I adjusted my shoulder bag and looked around the room as I waited for her to find the schedule.

"Yeah, looks like you're in 2B. They're waiting for you."

I nodded and thanked her before heading out. Through my anxiety, I thought about what she was watching. I remembered that night surprisingly well. It was the night of the comet that appeared in the sky 10 years ago. I remembered thinking that I had never seen something so beautiful, yet for whatever reason I found it so incredibly tragic.

I opened the door to 2B and inside there were already three men in suits waiting. Here goes nothing…

*

The train whipped ahead as the sights of skyscrapers slipped in and out of my vision. To say that my meeting "hadn't gone well", would be an understatement. Nobody just wanted to invest in a photography project of Hidden Horizons of America.

The train pulled to a stop. My stop. I stepped out with the crowds of people. Each person living their own lives. Each person with something precious to go home to. Maybe even someone precious to go home to.

A light rain began to fall. I sighed again before pulling up my hood and pulling out an umbrella out of my bag. I unfurled in and held it aloft to keep the rain away.

I walked casually down the sidewalk, still trying to push down the sting of rejection, another one in what seems like an entire slew of them. I looked around me. The only sights and sounds were the familiar ones of rain, crowds, cars and advertisements. A typical rainy Seattle morning.

I stopped to adjust my shoes. It just so happened that I stopped by a TV display. They were showing footage of the comet from 10 years ago.

It's funny. I feel like I keep getting reminded about that damn comet. I remembered being bored of an essay I was writing and running up to the roof to see it in person. It was beautiful; I could still picture it in my mind's eye to this day.

I continued to walk home, my mind still on the comet. It reminded me of when I was so obsessed with the disaster that occured in light of it.

Somehow, the comet entered the atmosphere in such a way it swirled the wind to a point a massive tornado that engulfed a small town.

Even more bizarrely, by some coincidence, the town's population was running an emergency drill that same day. The citizens had already evacuated to the local lighthouse outside of the impact point of the storm. 0 dead, all shocked. Conspiracy theories sprang, suggesting that the Mayor of the town was a member of the Illuminati, or some other crazy bullshit.

To this day, I'm not sure why I was so drawn to the comet, or to the town. It's not like I knew anyone there. Who had ever heard of Arcadia Bay before the incident?

FFFFTTT FFFFTTT

"Hello?"

"Hey sista! Guess whose home?"

I smiled. "Hey, Chloe. I'll come home right away."

*

"There she is!"

I had to bear a Chloe and Rachel hug before they would even let me sit down. Both looked amazing as usual. Chloe threw her garish green hair behind her shoulder and smiled wide.

"I haven't seen you in what feels like forever!"

"Ditto," I smiled back. The three of us sat down by the kitchen table. I should feel embarrassed by the Chinese takeout that littered the place. And don't even get me started on the state of the kitchen, but I couldn't find the energy. Besides, Chloe was messy enough for the three of us.

"What brings you guys back to Seattle?"

Chloe and Rachel had moved out years ago. We kept in touch, whenever we could, but visits had become few and far between. Chloe still kept a key to the apartment to walk in at any time, but she'd never come for a surprise visit like this.

Chloe hid her face and blushed. Very unusual for her. Rachel only beamed with pride as she explained: "we wanted to be the first to tell you and invite you to our wedding!"

I'm not sure if I was able to hide the surprise on my face. "You two? And Chloe agreed?"

"Don't push it," Chloe warned, but she still wore a mischievous smile like she was damn happy. "But hells yes, we are. And we wanted to share the news with you first."

"That's… that's so great guys!" I replied.

Chloe got up to grab some champagne she brought. Rachel poured for the three of us and I indulge, but only for the one glass in celebration.

"So when is the wedding?" I asked after the sip.

Chloe shrugged while Rachel took the question in stride. "Not until next spring. We'll tell you the exact date when we have it, but we wanted you to be the first to know."

I nodded. "Makes sense. I'm just so happy for you guys!"

"Well," Chloe said whilst downing her champagne, "enough about us, sister! What about you? Did your little job thingy work out?"

I just shook my head. "No, no, it didn't work out."

Chloe soldiered on. "Don't give up, Max Attack! You'll get it someday!"

"I agree," Rachel nodded. "You've got a lot to offer, Max. You'll find something soon."

I forced a smile at them before glancing down at her ring. Chloe must have been the one who proposed. I felt wistful looking at the ring.

Rachel must have noticed the look on my face because she pulled her chair out and stood. "I think we should go out for lunch. Anyone else feel the same?"

*

"Are you guys ready for the check?"

The three of us nodded, and the waitress disappeared shortly after. Lunch was fun, but all I felt was the need to go home and lay down. We all caught up on what was going on in our lives. Chloe was working as a mechanic, while Rachel was still currently modeling, and working on booking some TV shows.

They offered me to move in with them down in L.A, but I declined. For whatever reason, I feel like my place right now in my life is in Seattle. I might be struggling to make the photography dream come true, but somewhere deep down, I knew it was going to work.

Chloe disappeared to go to the bathroom. Rachel and I sat there somewhat awkwardly as we waited for our check and for her to return.

"I'm just saying, Alyssa, maybe we should have invited him."

"I thought about it, but he's busy. He's got interviews and stuff. I thought it'd be fun if we just got lunch together."

I almost whipped my head around at the voices. They sounded incredibly familiar, but I couldn't place them. Maybe if I saw the voices I could…

"Remember that time you dragged us out to that town. What was its name again?"

I blinked rapidly, trying to bring myself out of my reverie. I adjusted in my seat and turned towards Rachel, who was giving me an odd look. "I'm not sure I remember," I lied.

"Me too," Rachel leaned back in her chair and stretched. Her ring glinted in the light. "Maybe it's just getting old, but I don't remember much. Still, it was quite a trip. I think we were still in high school then?"

"I think so. I remember waking up on some hill. I don't know why I was so drawn to it," I shrugged.

"Well," Rachel said, picking up her wine glass and lifting it up. I took the offer and brought up my glass to clink together. "Cheers to that. I'm going to go find Chloe, see what's taking her. Don't worry about today; I've got it."

I nodded. "Thanks, Rach."

Rachel beamed. "Anytime.

"Listen, we'll be around. Don't hesitate to talk to us. But we're probably going to head back to L.A. do you want us to go home with you?"

"No," I shook my head. "I think I'll take the train home. I want to get some fresh air anyway. I'll see you later. Say bye to Chloe for me."

Rachel nodded and I grabbed my bag and slunked off. I glanced around me for the voices I heard earlier. Either I didn't see them, or I didn't recognize them, but I put it out of my mind. How often do people recognize voices anyway?

I took my time walking down the block to the nearest train station. Luckily for me, Seattle is home to many. I didn't have a hard time finding one within walking distance from the restaunt.

That wistful feeling I had before had come back in full force. Seeing Rachel's ring and hearing all the talk of the comet and that town returned the feeling I've been experiencing for so long. I'd always felt like I was searching for something… or someone.

I looked up at the sky. It seemed like it might rain… or it might not. The sky was a bit gray and cloudy, but sunlight was reaching through the clouds, like fingers of light reaching to caress Seattle's cheek.

I searched in my bag, to check that I had my wallet and umbrella… just in case. I ascended the steps to the nearest station, paid my fee, and quietly got on the train. Of course it was packed for a relatively pleasant afternoon.

I squeezed myself by the window to watch the familiar buildings go by. For some reason, I could never tire of the sight of seeing landscapes go by, but nothing could ever erase the sight of the valley of Arcadia Bay.

We were approaching the next station, where another train was going to catch up with us and ride side by side. I glanced at my phone to check the time, and when I looked up, a face was staring back at me.

Simply put, he was beautiful. His almond brunette hair was messy but covered his fair face pleasantly. His kind chestnut eyes opened wide seeing me. He wore a suit, as if was prepared for some sort of interview or formal event. Something about him was so familiar that I wanted to reach out and touch him, to hug him, to…

The train whipped by, but I had to find him! The train pulled into the station, and I pushed and shoved my way out the door and out to the fresh air. I shouldered my back and raced out to the steps.

I was always searching for something. But maybe that something was someone!

My heart was hammering in my chest. A lump appeared in my throat. My breathing came out heavy and my shoes slapped the concrete.

His face was shining bright in my mind. So familiar but so foreign. I wonder what his name was?

I pulled up to the stop on the other side of the road, the other end of the station. A set of stairs, maybe 40-50 in all, laid above me. At the top was a boy.

Rain came, but it was a very light drizzle. Out of habit, I took my umbrella out and put it above my head.

The young man was even more handsome in person. His face was red as if he was blushing, but judging from the sweat on his brow, maybe he was running too? Could he feel the same way?

Shyness took over me. I think it may have gotten the best of him too. I climbed the stairs while he descended. Every instinct was telling me to just talk to him, but I couldn't find the words. Why did he seem so familiar? What was this tether that was pulling me to him?

I had reached the top of the stairs. What should I do next? What do I-?

"Excuse me? Um, have we met before?"

I turned slowly, my umbrella, forgotten, fell to the concrete. Tears were now cascading down my face. I had never understood why they do that sometimes, but now I had a theory. It reminded me of when I saw that comet 10 years ago. I wondered how he felt when he saw it too…

"I was wondering the same thing," I answered back. I felt relieved that tears were falling from his eyes too.

"Can I ask-?"

"Can I ask-?"

We both laughed.

"You first."

"You first."

Now we just smiled at each other. He took a step up the stairs, while I took a step down. Now that we were closer; I knew for a fact that I knew this person... somehow, but there was one thing I still needed to know.

"What's your name?"

"What's your name?"

Your Name is Strange

Author's Note: Wow six years... that's... a lot. I'm thankful for everyone who was ever invested in this story. Whether you had followed from the beginning, lost interest, lost interest because I lost interest, or finished with me to the end, I thank you for at least giving me a chance.

And for those of you who stayed and got the end? Thank you, sincerely. Especially those who messaged me and asked for me to continue until the end, I appreciate you asking, truly.

Special shoutout to Shitanohasan. You're a great writer and a great friend. Thank you for the belief and inspiration to finish this out. I especially hoped I lived up to your expectations and hopefully more.

Shoutout to Assassin master ezio 91, even if you don't read this story. Still, I appreciate your friendship on here.

Last shoutout, watch the movie this story is based on! It's practically a ripoff with some added stuff with LiS characters. High recommend! I hope I did it justice.

Thank you,

Holywoodunderfed '24