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Man, I fucking hate this day.
Chloe’s leg made a few nervous taps as she peeked at Max: the freckled brunette was surrounded by books and notes on her bed. They spent most of the afternoons like this lately, Chloe picked Max up after her classes and they hung out in Chloe’s room or killed time at the junkyard. Max wrote her homework and they talked about stuff. About life and all. It was still unbelievable, reuniting after five fucking years. Captain Bluebeard and Long Silver Max back in action. Max was always kind of calm and goofy. But aloof, too. Today she was clumsy enough to break her precious camera into pieces and she was just… sad, mourning the instant camera she carried around for years. And it was hard for Chloe to see her in such a state.
“Sorry for your camera, hippie. You really loved that bad boy.” Chloe said quietly.
“Whatever,” Max mumbled and dug herself deeper into homework.
Chloe stood up and put on some music before she started searching for something; she stepped in front of Max to offer her the old machine that was hiding among Chloe’s belongings for years, unused.
“Max, uhm… Here, take this.”
Max’s eyes widened; she took a glimpse at the camera Chloe was holding and flashbacks of their childhood hit her. Then her gaze shifted to the punk’s face.
“Is that… is that William’s camera?”
“Yep. I want you to have it.”
“It’s so cool… But I can’t take it.” A sheepish smile and a blush appeared on Max’s face when she touched the machine.
“Dude, you need a camera and I have one I… literally never used ever since... "Chloe held a short pause. "But now I know it will be used awesomely.”
Max lingered for a few seconds before her frown turned upside down.
“Thanks, Chloe.”
She lay back on the bed and started nerding out with her new toy: she checked its condition and if it had any film in it. Chloe watched Max taking a selfie with her father’s camera and just contemplated for a while. At least she is happier now. Oh, man. Rachel bailed on me to live her dreams in LA or… somewhere else. And Max is more into cameras and photography than literally any breathing-living humanoid. I bet she’s watching camera porn when… Uh, where the hell did that thought come from.
Chloe let out a sigh and continued scrolling her feed on Facebook and looked at all the cheesy selfies people posted.
“That’s hella lame.”
“What’s lame?”
“This Valentine’s day bullshit. I mean… look at that, suddenly everyone’s so fucking in love.” She grunted and closed the tab.
“Yeah, it kinda sucks if you’re single,” Max murmured and took another selfie, heads in the cloud.
“I don't give a damn but... oh come oon, everybody thinks they’re fucking special snowflakes. And all they do is like… giving stupid gifts to each other, taking photos to prove how fucking deeply in love they’re... uh... they watch mushy shit together, have these dinner dates going full cuddly lovey-dovey shit and then they… bone." Chloe snorted. "Hypocrites with all these fake hearts and flowers and cakes and...”
“The cake is a lie,” Max murmured absentmindedly as she listened to Chloe raging. From the corner of her eye, she watched Chloe sitting at her desk, her blue hair and slender figure perfectly framed by the dim sunbeams. She took a photo of her, then placed the camera next to the broken one and forced herself to continue her homework.
"Do you even listen?"
“Yeah, Valentine's day sucks. Big time.”
Max only realized that she was staring at the photo of Chloe instead of reading when her phone buzzed. She reached for it and opened the new messages. Chloe focused on the screen of her laptop and held her breath. Who the fuck is that? She bit her lips and tried hard to fight against the sudden flesh of jealousy.
“So… who’s the lucky one, Mad Max?”
“Uh, just Warren. But he’s not so… lucky.” Max sighed and dragged her fingers through her hair nervously. “He asked me out two weeks ago to… ‘Go Ape’ together in a drive-in sixty miles away."
"Jeez, this Warren dude never heard of watching movies online?"
"I think he was born in the wrong time.”
“That guy is so fucking in love with you,” Chloe commented and started drumming with her fingers on the desk.
“Yeah, I know.” Max laughed awkwardly and sighed.
“Okay, then just… go!” Chloe grumbled, lit up, and rested her head against her palm. “Bet you have better plans than rotting in here with me on fucking Valentine’s day.”
“Chloe, I turned him down. He asked if I changed my mind.”
“Shit, dude is so desperate.”
“He’s nice, for reals… but… I don’t know. I’d rather just hang out with you. It’s just like any other day.” Max shrugged, put her phone away and took a pen in her hand and focused on the text she needed to read.
Chloe’s face suddenly cheered up, she jumped into the bed to lie next to Max.
“You better.” She took long drags and watched Max reading the assigned chapters and taking notes. Look at her. She smiled and tried to blow smoke rings, it just felt so good chilling with Max without words. Fuck, Max is so cute. And watching her learning is... kinda hot. Her face and nose… all those freckles, oh man… and her lips and.. ugh. I’m a sucker for her, aren’t I? Poor girl, I bet she’s hella straight... or just so goddamn shy. Or both.
“Max, you never told me about your boyfriends in Seattle.” Chloe turned to her side and continued staring at Max from a different angle. Jeez Chloe, you can’t be any gayer. Knock it off.
“There’s nothing much I can talk about,” Max said with a reserved voice, not taking her eyes off the book.
“Yeah?”
“None, to be more precise.”
“Oh. Hear ya, sista.” Chloe made a smug grin with the cigarette between her teeth.
Max’s stomach made a loud grumbling sound, the blue-haired punk didn’t miss the chance to tease her.
“Oh, is the schoolgirl hungry?”
“I forgot to eat.” The brunette closed her book and started putting her stuff back in her camera bag hastily. “I better get back to the dorms, you must be sick and tired of me anyway.”
“Shit, no!” Chloe suddenly sat up on the bed and her face saddened. “I mean… just stay right here and uh… finish your stupid homework. I'm gonna grab some grub if stepass is not there. Cool?”
“Yeah.” Max giggled and smiled at Chloe. “So cool.”
And the sound of that giggle made Chloe’s heart melt each time she heard it. Her hand went up to rub the back of her neck in embarrassment. Dammit, no time for your shitty gay feels. You’re on a mission, Price. Just get the goddamned food, the girl is starving. Chloe opened the door and popped her head out to check the perimeters. It’s all clear, thank fucking god. She stomped down on the stairs and attacked the fridge. Hmm, look what we have here. What woulda little hipster eat? Milk, egg, bacon, cheese… Yeah, I could totally cook some shit for her, it’s not that I don’t know how to make an omelet but… Ah yes, jackpot! She found a cardboard box there hiding a few donuts and cupcakes from the diner. She made a fist pump, grabbed it, and ran back to her room with the treasure box.
“Look at this loot, Super Max."
“Oh lord, I’m drooling already!"
"Mom always brings food home from work." Chloe shrugged with a big smile on he face. "I think that's what they couldn’t sell.”
“Diabetes, here I come!” Max checked the delicacies and giggled again, then looked at the taller girl with a shy smile on her face and reached for a donut. So fucking worth it. "Thanks, Chloe. That’s so cool we can eat cakes whenever we want.”
“Yeah, that’s definitely the best part of being adults.” Chloe snorted and shook her head sarcastically before she started munching on a chocolate muffin. “You haven’t changed a bit.”
“And you're still eating like a pig, Chloe.” Max touched Chloe’s face to wipe away a chocolate stain from the corner of Chloe’s mouth.
“Fuck Max, you…” Words got stuck in the back of Chloe's throat when she felt Max’s fingers touching her lips in the effort of cleaning them. She couldn’t finish the retort, her mouth hung open and furrowed brows when she realized that Max didn’t pull back after she finished the movement. Whoa, that’s… The fuck is happening in my stomach. Damn butterflies and all crazy shit. Uh, I think I'm just gonna puke all those butterflies out. She looked into Max’s deep blue eyes and tried to read the contortions of her face. Max swept away a blue stray lock from Chloe’s eyes before her fingers slipped lower to cup Chloe’s jaw.
Oh. OH. Chloe’s heart started pumping frantically, she felt her lips trembling. Shit Max, what the… GAY ALERT, holy hell. Wait, she’s gonna, she’s totally gonna…
Chloe bit her lips and broke eye contact, she tried to replace the box from her lap to the bed without dropping it to the floor. She needed her hands to reciprocate the gentle move… or something. But the moment was gone, Max also shifted her gaze to somewhere else but Chloe and started slowly pulling back her shaking hands.
“NO!” Chloe yelled in panic and placed her palm on top of Max’s hand, dragging it back to her jawline.
“No? No what?” Max got confused, but Chloe’s warm hand felt so nice on hers. Even though it was a little sweaty.
“No… It’s cool.”
No way she wanted to kiss you, better get your gay head out of the gutter. She just cleaned your dirty face because you eat like a fucking pig. But she’s still… Arrgh fucking hell, where should I put my hands anyway, it’s getting awkward. I’m a total disaster. They locked eyes again, Chloe let Max’s hand off to place it on the smaller girl’s waist. Okay, play it cool. It’s not like groping her, totally not.
“I want… I mean, uh… shit.” God dammit Price, pull your crap together, you’re hella useless.
“Oh.”
That was all that Max could say as she looked deeply into Chloe’s eyes and the realization hit her. She was out of words with a mind blanked out, ready to feel and experience something she never felt before. And she wanted it from the bottom of her heart.
They didn’t know who took the initiative – their lips met somewhere halfway. But it felt like a kiss that should have happened ages ago. Tasted like chocolate and cigarettes, embarrassment and relief, thrill and comfort. It was both warm and chilly, sweet and bitter, but nonetheless so soft and so real. They both smirked into each other’s mouths, Chloe let out a quiet sound that could either be a moan or a laugh.
“Am I... am I doing it right?” Max backed away and gasped for air, cupping Chloe’s jaws with both hands like she would run away otherwise.
“Whaa –”
“I just… I’ve never kissed and…”
“Shit Max, it’s fucking perfect.” Chloe cut short Max’s overthinking and leaned in again to shut her up and kiss away her insecurities. She also moved her hands: one resting on Max’s face, the other started playing with her hair as her tongue pried open the smaller girl’s mouth with wary movements asking for permission. Max moaned into her mouth surprised by the sensation she felt. Hella yes. Max blushed and tilted her head at a different angle and opened her lips wider. Chloe was gentle but confident, sweet, and caring. She was everything Max ever needed.
They got lost in their tongues dancing this impromptu waltz, not sure who’s leading who, but they kept moving. Some of the steps were clumsy, some were hesitant, others were demanding, and a little too enthusiastic. But there was no cookie-cutter for kissing your childhood best friend after being so madly in love with her since… god knows when. On an otherwise shitty and pointless Valentine’s day. Their tongues just came up with this improvised choreography telling stories that cannot be put into words, embracing this long-awaited new beginning with softs sighs, and caressing hands. Eventually, they needed air.
“Wowser,” Max chuckled softly, she pulled her head back and tried to get rid of a slick of saliva hanging between them using the sleeve of her hoodie. “Oh dog.”
“Yeah, it’s like this.” Chloe laughed at Max’s grossed-out face, turned her head down, and smiled. Warmth filled her chest and she couldn’t remember the last time she was this happy. She peeked at Max, her messy hair and cheeks flushing and… How can she be this hella fucking cute? She couldn’t hide her smug grin anymore. Chloe stood up, unplugged her laptop, and placed it on the bed.
“Still wanna watch that sci-fi movie, nerd?”
“Uhm, yes.”
“As you wish.” Chloe typed something into the browser bar.
“Wait, Chloe.” Max touched her shoulder, seeking her attention. Oh, shitfuck. One of Chloe’s eyebrows went higher and a lump formed in her throat. Maybe she didn’t want that kiss at all. I fucked it up. I fucked everything up.
“Yeah? Just give it to me straight, Max Factor.”
“I uhm…” Max blushed even harder if that was possible at all and wrapped her arms around Chloe’s neck to continue kissing her. It was so hard to not kiss Chloe, dog dammit.
“Okay, okay.” Chloe laughed into Max’s mouth as a wave of relief washed away her fears; she returned the kiss and the touches. Max grabbed Chloe’s beanie and tossed it on the bed to get better access to the short blue locks. She dug her fingers in Chloe’s hair playfully, scratching her scalp with her trimmed nails. “Movie can wait, get it.”
Jeez, making out with Max is the best fucking thing ever.
They both jumped when Max’s phone buzzed.
“Hah, suck it Warren! TOO FUCKING LATE!” Chloe broke the kiss and snickered. “This girl is hella mine.”
“Am I?” Max raised one of her eyebrows and her doe eyes searched for Chloe’s gaze.
“Uh, aren’t ya? I mean…” Yeah, fucking nice one Chloe. Moving a bit too fast, don’t you think? You’re on a roll today. ”We don’t have to, but I thought… uhm...”
“Yes.” Max nodded with a sheepish smile on her face and planted a feather-light kiss on Chloe’s lips. “I’d like that… pretty much. Yes.”
“Fuck yeah!” Chloe laughed and embraced Max tightly. And holding her was the best feeling on the whole goddamned earth.
“Shit, I wanted it like… forever.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“I thought you’re into that nerd guy.”
“And I thought I’m out of your league.” Max shrugged. “I’m nothing like Rachel Amber was and…”
“No, you’re Max fucking Caulfield. My First Mate.” Chloe placed her hands on Max’s shoulders and tried to shake some confidence into her, literally. “Okay, we’re getting too mushy. Let’s just watch that movie, hippie.”
Chloe hit the play button, lay supine, and stared at the screen. And smirked. She had absolutely no idea what they were watching, her brain could not process a single frame. Chloe slipped her hand next to Max’s to entwine their fingers and peeked at the girl lying next to her. Her girlfriend. Max looked at Chloe with smiling eyes.
“Chloe, can I…”
Chloe suddenly spread her arms and lifted them into the air in surrender, ready to take anything that Max wants to do to her.
“YES, anything. Uh, you can do anything.”
Max put her hand over her mouth and giggled before she crawled closer to the blue-haired turn turtle and snuggled up to her, resting her head on Chloe’s shoulder.
“Cuddly much, huh?”
“You’re comfy,” Max whispered, Chloe answered patting her chest proudly.
“I know, this is fucking first class.”
“So glad I have a ticket.” Max laughed. Chloe was warm, soft, and totally cuddleable, her tough-girl outfit was for the rest of the world but Max. And she couldn’t take her eyes off the freckled girl, no matter how hard she tried.
“Chloe, the movie is over there.” Max pointed at the laptop screen and chuckled.
“Yeah yeah, but you’re prettier.”
The taller girl wrapped one arm around Max and pulled her closely then started rubbing lazy circles on Max’s arm and side, trying to accommodate to this new situation. And find ways to show her affection she suppressed for so long. Max reached for her old-new camera and took a shot of them.
“Better not post it anywhere, Maxipad.”
“Don't you worry. It’s an unsupported format,” Max said as she was shaking the polaroid. Chloe’s fingers wandered back to Max’s hair and face, softly caressing the area behind her ear and trailing down to her neck. Max squirmed, that touch was so intimate and felt so good; a trail of goosebumps appeared on her skin leaving her speechless.
“Ohh, you loved that, didn't you?”
“Mhmm.” Max closed her eyes and let herself drink in all this sensation Chloe did to her. Of course, she hugged Chloe a hundred times before and held her hands, but this was different. These uncharted waters were so exciting yet a little scary, she felt awkwardly inexperienced. She knitted eyebrows.
“Whatcha thinking?”
“I’m…” Max blushed and turned her head away. “Chloe, I’m so not ready for the last part. I hope that’s okay.”
“What? What last part?” Chloe reached for the leftovers in the box and started shoving it into her mouth in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“Of Valentine's day essentials, you know.”
“Not sure I can follow you,” Chloe said with a mouth full, trying to feed Max with the last piece of the cake.
“You know.” Max munched and gulped the bite down. “The gifts, the dinner, watching movies, taking pictures, cuddling and then… that part.” Poor Max’s cheeks were on fire.
Chloe started choking on the cake and her face went red. Jesus Christ, I’m a fucking moron. Okay, maybe this day wasn’t hella lame.