Life is Strange: Tides of Friendship and Sketches
Chapter 1 - New Beginnings
The rain was coming down in sheets, the kind of relentless downpour that made everything look greyer than it already was. Cole pressed his face against the car window, watching the droplets race each other to the bottom. It was still strange, this new place. Everything felt damp and heavy, the air thick with the smell of pine and the ocean. It was nothing like home.
"Are you excited, Cole?" his mother asked from the front seat, trying to sound cheerful despite the exhaustion in her voice. Moving across the world with four children was no small feat.
Cole shrugged. "I guess. It's just... different."
"Different can be good," Eddie chimed in from beside him, always the optimist. Eddie was good at this, being positive, and making friends. Cole envied him for that.
"Yeah, maybe," Cole muttered, returning his gaze to the blur of trees outside.
The car finally pulled up to their new house, a large, slightly old-looking place with a wraparound porch. It looked like something out of a movie, the kind where families lived happily ever after. Cole wasn't sure he believed in that kind of thing anymore.
As they unloaded the car, Cole found himself staring at the house next door. A girl about his age was sitting on the steps, reading a book kicking her legs against the steps. She had long, strawberry-blonde hair and seemed completely absorbed in her own world. Cole wondered if she'd noticed him. He hoped not.
Inside, the house felt overwhelming. Boxes were everywhere, and his parents were already busy trying to organise. Ben was crying, Sam was running around excitedly with his arms outstretched making plane noises, and Eddie was helping Dad with something heavy. Cole decided to slip away, unnoticed.
He found a spot in the backyard, a small patch of grass under a big tree that was completely dry. It was quieter here, the rain less oppressive. Cole took out his sketchbook and a pencil and started to draw the tree. He let his mind wander, thinking about what it would be like to start over in this strange place.
Suddenly, he heard a chirpy high-pitched voice. "Hey, what are you drawing?"
Cole looked up, startled. It was the girl from next door, her book now tucked under her arm. She peered curiously at his sketch.
"Oh…Um, it's just a tree," Cole replied, feeling a bit self-conscious.
She smiled. "It's good. Hey, I'm Chloe. Chloe Price."
"Nicholas. Nicholas Brown, but everyone calls me Cole."
"Cool. Nice to meet you, Cole. Welcome to Arcadia Bay. I noticed your family earlier and got curious, we haven't had neighbors in forever."
Chloe sat down next to him, her curiosity evident as she sat cross-legged with her head in her hands before blurting out "So, where are you from? You've got a funny accent."
Cole, a little taken aback, blushed a little, not sure if she meant it as a compliment or an insult "Oh…Uh, England. We just moved here. My dad got a job offer from... The Prescott Foundation? I think?"
Chloe's eyes widened. "The Prescotts? Wow, they're like... really rich and kind of annoying. You're lucky you don't have to go to school with any of them. I heard they are total jerks."
Cole nodded, not knowing what to say. "I didn't expect to end up in a place like this. When I heard my Dad got a well-paying job I thought it'd be in a bigger place"
"Yeah, Arcadia Bay's kind of small and boring. But it's got its good spots and it's my home. And also hey, now you know someone. Me!" Chloe grinned pointing her thumb at her chest, and Cole couldn't help but chuckle and then smile back.
"Thanks, Chloe. It's nice to know someone."
She leaned back against the tree, looking up at the branches kicking her legs in the grass. "So, do you like it here so far?"
"I mean I've only been here for what, like 30 minutes but it's... different," Cole said again, trying to find the right words. "It's beautiful, though. I like the trees and the ocean and the countryside. It reminds me of some of England."
Chloe nodded. "Yeah, I guess it's not all bad. There's also a really cool lighthouse not too far from here. You should come check it out sometime."
"I will," Cole said, already imagining how he could capture the lighthouse in his sketchbook.
They talked for a while longer, Chloe asking him questions about England and what it was like to live there. She seemed genuinely interested, and Cole found himself relaxing, enjoying her company. She was different from anyone he'd met before from back in England, and he liked that.
"What was your favourite part about living in England?" Chloe asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
Cole thought for a moment. "I guess... I miss the old buildings. There's so much history there and they were great to draw. Oh and my friends, of course. But I guess it's nice to have a fresh start."
Chloe nodded. "Yeah, I get that. Sometimes I wish I could start over too."
"You? Why?"
Chloe shrugged. "I dunno. Things have been kind of boring around here lately. My dad's always at work, and my mom's busy with her stuff. I mean, they're great, but sometimes I feel like I'm stuck in a rut. But I have my best friend, Max, so it's never lonely and I'd probably go with her somewhere. You should meet her. She's really cool."
"Who? Max?" Cole asked, curious.
"Yeah, Maxine Caulfield. But she goes by Max never Maxine She's like super into photography and stuff. I think you'd like her."
"That sounds awesome. I'd love to meet her," Cole said, feeling a bit more hopeful about making friends.
As the rain began to pick up, turning from a light drizzle into a heavier downpour, Cole glanced at the sky as a bit of rain hit his face making him flinch. "I think we should probably head back inside. It's really coming down now and I don't think this tree will stop it anymore"
Chloe looked up and sighed. "Yeah, you're right. My mom will freak out if I catch a cold or something."
Cole stood up and closed his sketchbook. "Well…uh thanks for talking with me, Chloe. You're my neighbour so I guess I'll see you around?"
"Definitely," Chloe said, standing as well. "Welcome to Arcadia Bay, Cole."
Cole waved goodbye and made his way back into the house, feeling a little lighter than before. Maybe this place wouldn't be so bad after all. As he stepped inside, he glanced back to see Chloe running to her own house, her book held protectively over her head to shield it from the rain.
Cole stepped back into the house, shaking off the raindrops that clung to his hair and clothes like some sort of dog. The sound of his family bustling around filled the air, and he smiled at the organised chaos. His mother was trying to calm Ben, who was still crying, while his father and Eddie manoeuvred a heavy piece of furniture into the living room.
"Hey, Cole, give us a hand with this, will ya" his dad called, nodding towards a large bookshelf he and Eddie were struggling to position.
"Sure, Dad," Cole replied, setting his sketchbook down on a nearby box and hurrying over to help. Together, they managed to get the bookshelf into place, and Cole stepped back, surveying their work. The house was starting to feel a bit more like a home, piece by piece.
His mother smiled at him from across the room. "Thank you, sweetie. How was your time outside?"
"It was good. I met one of our neighbours, Chloe. She seems nice," Cole said, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"That's wonderful, dear. It's important to make friends here," his mother said, relief evident in her voice.
As the rain continued to pour outside, Cole helped unpack boxes and arrange furniture. Sam and Ben eventually calmed down, and the house began to take shape. The rhythm of unpacking and organising was oddly comforting, and Cole found himself lost in the tasks.
Hours passed, and the rain finally began to let up, the sky lightening as the storm moved on. The house was still cluttered with boxes, but there was a sense of progress. Cole stood by the window, watching the last few raindrops fall, when the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it," Cole called, hopping over the sofa and heading to the front door. He opened it to find two people standing on the porch, smiling warmly. The man had short strawberry blonde hair, kind eyes and a gentle smile, while the woman had blonde hair and was wearing what looked like a diner uniform she also had kind eyes and a gentle smile.
"Hello there!" the man said with a soft-spoken Southern accent. "We're your neighbors, William and Joyce Price. We just wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood."
"Hi," Cole said, a bit taken aback by their warmth. "I'm Cole. It's nice to meet you."
William extended his hand, which Cole shook. "Ah, nice to meet you too, Cole. We heard about you from our daughter and that you have quite the full house here."
Joyce laughed her accent heavier than William's but still friendly. "Yes, we figured your family could use a proper welcome. Moving is never easy, especially with kids. If you need anything, just let us know."
"Thank you, that's really kind," Cole said, feeling genuinely touched by their gesture.
"Is your mom or dad around?" Joyce asked, peeking her head slightly into the door. "We'd love to say hello and properly introduce ourselves."
"Oh…Yeah, right, they're inside. Come on in," Cole said, stepping aside to let them in. He led them into the living room, where his dad was busy sorting through more boxes and his mother was holding onto Ben.
"Mum, Dad, our neighbours are here to welcome us," Cole announced.
His parents looked up, smiling before his Mother spoke "Hello! I'm Linda, and this is my husband, Mike," she then extended her open hand before shaking with William's and Joyce's.
"It's lovely to meet you," William said. "We just wanted to extend a warm welcome and let you know we're here if you need anything."
"Thank you so much," Michael chuckled. "We really appreciate it. Moving has been quite the adventure."
Linda joined in on the laughing. "Yes, it's been a lot, but we're glad to be here. Thank you for stopping by."
"Of course," Joyce said. "We know how challenging moving can be from the other people who have moved here. We brought over a little something to help you settle in." She handed over a basket filled with homemade cookies, a bottle of wine, some local brochures and some hand-drawn tickets for free meals to The Two-Whales Diner.
"That's so thoughtful, thank you," Linda said, genuinely touched as Mike grabbed the basket to place it down somewhere.
William looked at Cole. "So we know, you've already met our daughter, Chloe."
Cole nodded. "Yeah, she's really nice. She was telling me about a lighthouse nearby."
"Ah, the lighthouse," William said with a smile. "It's one of Chloe's favorite spots. You'll have to go see it once you're settled."
As the conversation continued, Cole felt happiness spreading through him. Maybe this move wouldn't be so bad after all. With friendly neighbours like the Prices and new friends to be made, Arcadia Bay was starting to feel a little more like home.
Cole watched as his parents and the Prices exchanged pleasantries, feeling a sense of warmth and community that had been missing since they left England. Linda and Michael seemed to relax a bit more, grateful for the friendly faces.
"You've got a beautiful home," Joyce said, looking around the living room. "It's got so much character. A perfect place to raise a family."
"Thank you," Linda replied. "It's a bit of a mess right now, but we're getting there."
William chuckled, his hands extending wide "That's all part of the fun, isn't it? Making a new place your own."
"Absolutely! That's what I've been telling Linda" Michael agreed. "We appreciate the warm welcome. It means a lot to us."
"Oh god, there's two of them," Joyce chuckled before she turned to Cole. "So, Cole, Chloe mentioned you're an artist. We can let you know where to get art supplies. You should check it out when you have the chance."
Cole's eyes lit up. "That sounds great. I'd love to."
"And Chloe would love to show you around town," William added as he turned to look at Nicholas. "She and Max spend a lot of time exploring. I'm sure they'd be happy to have you join them."
"That would be awesome," Cole said, clutching his hands into fists, feeling a flutter of excitement at the prospect of exploring his new home with new friends.
Linda smiled at the interaction. "It sounds like you're already making friends, Cole. That's wonderful to hear."
"Yeah," Cole said, glancing at William and Joyce with a smile.
Joyce said warmly. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to come over. We're just next door."
As the conversation wound down, William checked his watch. "We should probably let you get back to unpacking. But please, don't be strangers."
"Absolutely," Michael said, shaking William's hand again. "Thank you so much for coming by."
"Yes, thank you," Linda echoed, shaking Joyce's hand. "This means a lot to us."
Joyce smiled. "We're happy to help. Welcome to the neighborhood."
With that, William and Joyce made their way to the door. Cole walked them out, feeling a sense of connection he hadn't expected so soon after moving.
"I suppose we will see you around with Chloe and Max more often Cole," William said as they stepped onto the porch.
"Yeah maybe, see you," Cole replied, waving goodbye.
As they walked back to their house, Cole stood on the porch for a moment, watching the clouds break apart, letting the late afternoon sun peek through. The rain had completely stopped, leaving everything fresh and glistening. He took a deep breath, feeling the damp, cool air fill his lungs.
He turned back inside, where his family was still busy organising and unpacking. There was a lot of work left to do, but it didn't seem as daunting now. With new friends next door and the promise of new adventures, Arcadia Bay was beginning to feel a little more like home.
Returning to the living room, Cole picked up a box labelled "Books" and began to unpack it. As he placed the books on the shelves, he couldn't help but think about the shop Joyce had mentioned which had art supplies. He made a mental note to ask her about it the next time he saw her.
His mother walked over and hugged him. "You okay, sweetie?"
Cole nodded. "Yeah, I'm good. It's nice to meet friendly people."
"It is," Linda agreed, smiling. "I'm sure we are going to be fine here."
As they continued to unpack, Cole felt a growing sense of belonging. The move had been difficult, but it was starting to feel like a new beginning in the best possible way. With supportive neighbours like the Prices and a new friend in Chloe, he felt more optimistic about their new life in Arcadia Bay.
That night, as they settled into their new home, Cole's room was dimly lit by the soft glow of a bedside lamp. Cole sat at his desk, the hum of the house settling into a comforting background noise. He opened his journal, the first few pages were full but as he flipped through previous entries and sketches he saw a few blank pages that looked inviting, ready to absorb his thoughts and experiences.
He picked up his pen and began to write:
Sunday 1st May, 2005
Today was a whirlwind of new beginnings. We finally arrived in Arcadia Bay, and although everything felt strange and unfamiliar, there was a small spark of hope that things might turn out well. I met our neighbours, Chloe, William, and Joyce Price. Chloe seems like someone I could become good friends with; she's got a way of making things feel less daunting. William and Joyce were incredibly kind and welcoming, bringing over a basket of treats and offering their help.
I've already got a list of things I want to explore, starting with the lighthouse Chloe mentioned. It feels good to have something to look forward to. There's still so much to do—unpacking, adjusting to this new place, and finding my footing. But for the first time since we arrived, I feel like there might be a chance to enjoy my new life in Arcadia Bay.
I hope this place becomes home in time. I'm determined to make the most of it.
Cole set down his pen and flipped to the next page of his journal, pulling a pencil from his pencil case. With a deep breath, he drew a diagonal line through the middle of the page before he began the sketch. First, at the top, he drew Chloe, capturing her inquisitive expression and the way her hair seemed to glow even in the grey light of the rainy day. Her eyes were full of curiosity and friendliness, a sharp contrast to the uncertainty Cole had felt upon arriving.
Next, at the bottom, he sketched William and Joyce. He depicted them with gentle smiles, their welcoming demeanour clear even in the lines of his drawing. He wanted to remember this moment, their kindness, and how their visit had brightened his day.
Cole leaned back as he finished the last touches, admiring his work. The sketches weren't perfect, but they reflected how he felt about his new neighbours. He smiled to himself, feeling a sense of accomplishment. It was the first real step towards making Arcadia Bay feel like home.
Cole closed his journal and placed it on the desk. He turned off the lamp and lay in his bed, the day's events replaying in his mind. The room was quiet, the only sound was the soft rustling of the trees outside. He closed his eyes, ready to embrace whatever tomorrow might bring.
Notes for Chapter 1:
This is something new that I wanted to try and this is the first time I'm putting my writing out there, I wanted some feedback on how this story is and what could be changed going forward, and also to explain the different spellings of certain words I'm from the UK so there will be those spellings outside the characters from Life is Strange speaking, this might change in the future but hopefully you enjoy.
DismalHovercraft70