Chapter Text
Max took one last look within the casket of the lifeless body that once belonged to William Price. His body looked peaceful, relaxed, and his eyes were closed. This expression was the complete opposite of his wife Joyce and his daughter Chloe, who looked completely torn. Their eyes were puffy and swollen with a pink tint, their backs hunched over, and their skin pale. Despite the atmosphere and Max’s love towards William, whom she considered a second father, could not bring herself to cry. She wanted to be strong for Chloe and provide a shoulder for her to cry on. The young photographer offered Chloe her hand, which Chloe took in an instant, intertwining their fingers and gently squeezing her best friend’s hand. Today was the day Max was supposed to leave for Seattle, so did her mother and father still plan on going through with the same date? Max winced at the possibility and thought of different scenarios in which she would have to convince them to let her stay with Chloe. Even if it was just temporary, she needed to be there for her friend. The problem was that even though her parents were very loving, they could also be quite strict and did not take "no* for an answer. Also, once they made plans, they were dead set on them; they were stubborn. She never asked what the plan was about the move, due to the fear of what they may say, but they’ll have to tell her what’s going on soon.
“Max, could you come here for a second please,” her father called.
Max gave her friend a final, reassuring squeeze before slowly breaking their contact. Chloe had a look of pain when they separated, but Max would soon return to her side once she was done talking to her father.
“Y-yeah, dad?” Max asked nervously as she approached the bearded man.
“I know that today was supposed to be our moving day, but with all that’s been going on with Chloe, I think it’s best we postponed our move and stay here in Arcadia Bay for a little while longer.” He placed his large hands on Max’s shoulders, looking over at Chloe and Joyce. “Chloe lost an amazing father and she needs a friend right now. She needs you, kiddo.”
Max’s face brightened in joy and relief, but she had to make a confirmation.
“Really? This means a lot to me and I’m sure it will to Chloe as well,” Max said as she looked over at her best friend. “And I’m sure William appreciates it too.”
“Yes, your mother came up with the idea soon after all of this happened and I couldn’t agree with her more. We discussed how long we’ll postpone the move and we decided that we’ll stay for another three weeks and that you can spend that time at the Price’s,” he explained. “I know most of your stuff is packed, but we can help you unpack some stuff for your stay if you’d like and we’ll pick you up when it’s time.”
“Right… Thank you, dad. I should be okay with the packing though, but again, thank you for letting me stay a bit longer.” The girl wrapped her arms around her father and tears of relief started to stroll down her cheeks. She could no longer hold them back since she discovered that she had more time with her best friend, at least for a little while longer.
“There’s no need to say thanks, sweetheart,” he returned the gesture as he wrapped his arms around his beloved daughter.
Max’s parents approached Joyce, letting her know of their plans. Joyce had a look of relief as well when she began talking to the photographer’s parents. It was most likely the only time Joyce had smiled that entire day, even if it was just a little one.
“Hey Chloe,” Max greeted her best friend, taking her hand in hers.
Chloe looked a bit less anxious as their fingertips touched once again and it made Max feel a little better too.
“I’m going to be staying in Arcadia for a little while longer,” Max announced.
“Really?” Chloe asked, bewildered.
“Yes,” the younger girl confirmed. “There’s no way I’m leaving you behind. Not like this. We need each other right now, Chloe, more than ever.”
Tears began to well up again in Chloe’s eyes as she intertwined their fingers. “I’m glad to hear you say that Max because I don’t know what I would do without you right now.”
Max’s mother, father, and Joyce exchanged hugs and farewells. Vanessa and Ryan also said goodbye to William, one of their beloved friends. Max promised her Chloe that she would return to the Price house as soon as she gathered her things. Max wished she could stay in Arcadia Bay forever, but she figured that she should be thankful that she at least got to spend these last few weeks with Chloe.
Max and her parents soon returned home and she quickly packed her things. Anticipating a long sleepover, she gathered all of her necessities. Vanessa made tuna rice casserole with vegetables for dinner, but Max wasn’t feeling very hungry at all. She felt bad for not wanting to eat her mother’s delicious cooking, but these recent events had caused her to lose her appetite. Thankfully, Vanessa was able to convince her daughter to at least fix herself a sandwich. Max didn’t want to worry her mother, so she made herself one. When Max was ready to go, she and her parents got into the car, taking her to Chloe’s house.
“Okay sweetie, we will call you in a few days or so, but don’t be afraid to contact us if you need anything, okay?” Vanessa assured.
“I will Mom. See you guys soon.
“Miss you, Maxine!” Vanessa called after giving her daughter a quick peck on the cheek.
“Take care Max, and watch over Chloe. See you real soon and we love you,” Ryan added.
“Love you too, see you later,” said Max as she exited the car. She waved goodbye to her guardians before reaching the front door of the Price household and seeing her parents drive off.
Max knocked on the door, awaiting an answer; instead, silence welcomed the young teen. She knocked again. When no one answered after several knocks, she turned the doorknob, thinking that the door might be unlocked. The door opened, and even though the photographer had visited the Price home countless times and Chloe and her mother were expecting her today, she felt as if she were intruding. She went through the kitchen, dining room, and living room, only to find all of them abandoned.
‘Where are… Chloe and her mom?’ Max wondered to herself.
Max then noticed Joyce standing out in the backyard, her back facing Max.
“Hi Joyce,” Max called out hesitantly as she opened and closed the slide-in door.
Joyce quickly turned around; her eyes were still puffy, but they weren't as severe as how they were at the funeral.
“Oh, hello Max,” Joyce began startled. “How on earth did you get in here?”
“I’m… sorry. I knocked for a while, but no one was answering, so I checked to see if the door was unlocked and I just sort of… came in,” Max explained.
“No, don't apologize hon, I must've forgotten to lock the door when we came back. It’s still weird being in the house right now...” Joyce held her head in shame.
“It's all right, don't worry about it,” Max insisted as she waved her hands. “I understand…”
“So, do you want anything to drink or to eat? I can fix ya’ up somethin’.”
“I'm good, Joyce, but thank you though,” said Max. “Is… Chloe in her room?”
“Probably. She went straight upstairs as soon as we got home. Didn't say a word on the way back. Can't say I blame her though.”
“I know… And then I’m going to Seattle in a few weeks. I feel so terrible…”
“It’s not your fault, Max. It’s nobody’s fault. And it’s not like you and Chloe will never see each other again. You can always call and email too.”
“I know, but… William was her whole world. And now, her best friend is leaving her as well. I just… feel like I’ll be adding to her problems,” Max said as she eyed the ground, finding the dead grass as a comforting distraction.
“Max, you could never be a burden to Chloe. You two will always be friends, no matter what,” Joyce assured.
“Thanks, Joyce. I just don’t want to see Chloe in any more pain. She or you.”
“We’ll be okay,” said Joyce as she placed a hand on the teen's shoulders. “Why don’t you go see Chloe now? I’m sure she’s expecting you.”
“Yeah, I’ll go see her right now,” said Max. “And I’m really sorry about William… He was just as much as your world as he was Chloe’s, and I thought of him as a second dad, he was really amazing.”
“I know. He was a good and loving man. Thank you, Max. It’ll be tough for a while… But Chloe and I will be okay,” the blonde replied as the tears once again began to seep through. “Anyway, you go on up and see Chloe now. Thank you for being there for her.”
“Of course, I’ll always be there for Chloe.”
Max crept up the stairs, heading towards Chloe’s bedroom. The door was kept shut, so Max once again found herself knocking on a door. This time, however, she was welcomed with a response: a hushed and dull, “come in.”
The brunette opened the door and stepped in. The room was left exactly how she and Chloe had left it earlier today before going on their treasure hunt. However, the atmosphere the room gave off was much darker, literally and figuratively. The Barbie dolls that were blown up that afternoon didn't seem so humorous anymore, but rather more grotesque and scary-looking. Max used the light that was illuminating from the window to guide her towards Chloe's bed. The young blonde was lying on her back and looking up at the ceiling while listening to soft rock. Her expression was hopeless and plain; even the small spark she did manage to arouse at the sight of her best friend wasn't too obvious.
“Hey Max, I was wondering when you'd get here,” said Chloe, trying to put forth a smile.
“Yeah, sorry. I was talking to your mom for a little bit,” Max replied as she sat on the edge of Chloe's bed.
“Oh. What was she up to?”
“Just out in the backyard,” the brunette informed.
“Oh? What’s she doing out there?” Chloe asked.
“Just getting some fresh air. She feels weird about being in the house…”
“Like the backyard will make much of a difference. Dad was out there a lot too,” Chloe turned away, crossing her arms.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right… because of all the barbequing and painting the house,” said Max. “But whatever works best for your mom.”
‘Who would finish painting the house now?’ Max thought. ‘I guess they could hire someone to do it.’
Chloe didn’t respond and kept her arms crossed and remained turned. Maybe Max shouldn’t have said anything. She decided to change the subject.
“Is it alright if I lay down with you?” Max asked.
“Of course, this bed is practically yours too, you know. We've slept together on my bed so many times, so you don't have to ask,” said Chloe as she tried to smile once again at her best friend.
The younger girl blushed at Chloe's statement. Max wasn't sure if Chloe was being innocent or if she was flirting as she would every so often. Either way, Max's mind was in the gutter, which she pulled out of quickly. Chloe was right, however, regardless of her intentions. Max remembered how she brought over a sleeping bag to Chloe's house on their very first sleepover. Chloe insisted Max just sleep with her on the bed. Max would bring her sleeping bag over for the next few visits, but eventually just stopped altogether since she always ended up sleeping in Chloe’s bed anyway. Max then quickly slipped out of her clothes and put her pajamas on before joining Chloe on her bed. The younger girl just awkwardly looked around the room, sometimes sharing long glances with her friend. This amount of awkwardness has never occurred between the two of them before, not even when they first met each other as small children.
“Um…” Max began; she scoured the room, looking for something to talk about, perhaps. Her eyes landed on the Barbie dolls again and the conversation instantly went to them.
“Blowing up those Barbie dolls sure was insane,” Max stated.
“Insanely awesome,” Chloe corrected with a rueful smile. Max returned the smile as she felt Chloe scoot closer to her and wrap her arms around her.
“Do you think… it was quick... and painless?” The taller girl spoke out of the blue. Max knew that she wasn't referring to the dolls.
“I’m sure it was,” Max answered. While Max wasn't sure if her answer was completely accurate, she also hoped that what she said was true. Besides, there's no way she could tell Chloe she was unsure about something like that.
“I miss him so much. I can't believe he's gone,” Chloe began sobbing, burying her face into Max's chest.
“I miss him too,” Max replied as she too wrapped her arms around her best friend, snuggling closer.
“He left me, and now you will too,” the blonde stated as she wiped away her tears.
“Chloe, I would never leave you. I could never leave you,” Max assured.
“You’ll be moving to Seattle though so I’ll be… all alone,” said Chloe.
“Yes, but with what’s happening now, I’ll still be staying in Arcadia Bay for a little while longer, as I told you earlier,” Max explained.
“But you’ll have to go eventually…”
“True, but I won’t be gone completely. We can text, we can call, we can write. And Seattle isn’t very far, so we can visit each other once in a while. I’ll always be here for you, Chloe, even if I’m not here here.”
Max hesitantly raised her hand as she slowly brought it to Chloe’s face, gently caressing it. They’d been best friends for years yet this was something Max had never done, and neither had Chloe. It felt weird to Max, yet so right; she couldn’t speak for Chloe though, and now the butterflies were beginning to pile up in Max’s stomach.
Chloe sank into the caressing, letting out a soft coo. Was this something that best friends did? Well, even if it was a little odd, they were both girls, and girls could get away with this stuff.
“Is that a promise, Max?” The older girl asked. She put on a small, bittersweet smile as more tears began rolling down her cheeks.
“Of course, it is,” the photographer replied. “I would never let you down.” Now it was Max who wiped away Chloe’s tears before the two of them eventually drifted off to sleep.