Chapter Text
It’s the crack of dawn when Max’s alarm pulls me out of a restful sleep. Her phone vibrates with the familiar tone of a song she likes. Some hipster shit- you know how it is. I have to admit though- some of her music has been growing on me recently. It’s so… Her. It’s still dark outside, but I can hear morning bird calls and rustling amongst the trees. Max leans over and presses her lips against my shoulder. She was the big spoon last night. Her arms always make me feel safe and secure. My tiny guardian. My best friend. My love.
“Chloe, time to get up.” Her voice has that croaky, just-woke-up sound to it. I love that sound. She’s always a bit out of it when she first wakes up. I smile and roll over, seizing her in a firm bear hug.
“Chloe!” She laughs. “Come on, we have to get ready…”
“I know, I know! I’m super-psyched about today.” I pull her closer and inhale deeply. “I just want to hold you for a bit.”
I want to remember it all. Her scent, her voice, her body. I’m careful not to take any of it for granted. Not after all we’ve been through. We were all too aware how precious life is and how it can be torn away in a single moment. Max had saved me each time my life hung in the balance- but still… I always make an effort to treasure these peaceful moments. I can feel her hands rest against my back. She doesn’t argue.
After cuddling and relaxing in bed for an extra half-hour, we decide it’s time to get a move on. It’s funny. I still find it a bit odd waking up and not reaching over for a joint first thing. I cut down recently and am planning to fully quit soon. Max said I didn’t have to, but I wanted to for her. Besides, it was getting to be a pain in the ass. All that bullshit with Frank and that money, made me realise it just wasn’t worth it. There weren’t many reasons to escape reality these days anyway. I smile at that thought and cast a sneaky glance over at my girlfriend.
“Max Caulfield. You gorgeous, hipster vision.”
We’ve been going out for almost three months now and it’s been a blast. A beautiful dream. I get to spend the rest of my days with the love of my life, and best friend in the whole damn world. Sometimes I still can’t believe my luck.
“I’m going to go take a shower.” She announces and hops up.
I watch her as she retrieves an outfit and towel she had laid out the night before across my chair. She really was Super Max: Ever-vigilant, ever-prepared. A sly smirk spreads across my face as an idea pops into my head. I stand and slip my arms around her from behind.
“Maybe I should… Join you? You know- to save water and all that?” She grins as I plant a kiss against her jugular.
Max chuckles lightly. “Chloe Price, you are an insatiable lush!” She turns and wraps her arms around my neck.
“Your instatiable lush.” I tell her with a smirk.
She smiles roguishly and leads me by the waistband to the bathroom.
Following our early morning rendezvous, we finish packing and gather our belongings.
“Ready, Max?” I ask her with a stupid-ass grin on my face.
I can’t seem to wipe it off and, you know what? I don’t want to either. I’m happy. The happiest I have been all year. I mean, it’s here- the day is finally here for us to get out of Arcadia Bay and into the world! Albeit… Temporarily. Max and I have a three-week road trip planned across the country. We’re gonna hit the major spots through Oregon all the way up to Seattle and wing it from there. The only definite stops so far? Powell’s for books, Seattle for family and the rest is free: Just like we are. I’m content to go wherever. Just the idea of travelling with Max was enough to make me euphoric. If Max wanted to, she could call the shots and I wouldn’t mind. But, she told me she liked the idea of us both making it up as we go along. After all, we’ve got all the time in the world. Well… Not quite, but we’re young and in love- so screw the rest of it!
“Seriously, that's all you’re packing?” Max asks with amusement.
I look at the overnight bag and hiking pack in my hands. My sleeping bag was already in the truck.
“Hey, I travel light!”
I eye her luggage. In contrast, she has a couple of travel cases, a day pack and her messenger bag.
“Pack the whole house, Maxine?”
She shoves me with a smile. “Shut up!”
We worked our asses off to gather the money for our trip. I attempted to work alongside Joyce at Two Whales, but couldn’t last the day. Working and living together, and having to listen to her instructions? It was too much. Instead, I found a job at a local construction site. It was hard work, but I actually enjoyed the physicality of it. Plus, the guys I worked with were pretty cool. That is, after I’d politely informed them that I wouldn’t take any shit for being a woman.
Max initially worked doing freelance photography projects (photographing events and the like) for students at Blackwell and other residents in Arcadia Bay. She enjoyed it, but there wasn’t much financial gain. Following that, Victoria actually helped Max land a job in town working as an assistant in a photography studio. Her help was a welcome surprise- but I kind of had the feeling it was because Victoria had taken a shine to Max. I told her my suspicion and joked about it- but wasn't worried. I trust Max completely.
Then Joyce and David started chipping in as well, and after that we saved the last of the money we needed in no time. So, in the end it was a… Family effort. God, it’s disgusting how the idea of that doesn’t make me cringe anymore. Recently, I’ve been finally coming to terms with David being my stepfather. It took me more than five years, but I realised after all that shit with Rachel, he’s a… Good man. We’re alike in some ways. Stubborn, proud to a fault and haunted by our pasts. David can be a douche at times, but he’s my step-douche. We don’t always get along, but I know he has Mom’s back- and mine if I need it. I think Max helped me understand that. That girl is a miracle-worker, I tell you.
Our bags are packed and it’s finally time to depart. Mom and David stand by the door. Joyce looks like she’s about to cry. Max moves forward to say her farewells first.
“Goodbye, Max. Take care of my little girl, okay?” Mom asks and pulls her into a tight embrace.
Max hugs her back with equal gusto. “I will, Joyce. I promise. I’m going to miss you...”
A small smile forms across my lips as I watch them. They love each other so much. Watching them interact and connect makes me happy. That is, when they’re not ganging-up on me. The duo love to team up and compare notes: I am a target of mockery- in my own home. Is nothing sacred? In all seriousness though, it’s awesome how close they are. Shit, even David and Max seem to get along pretty well nowadays!
She beams warmly at Max and rubs her arm. “I’ll miss you too, honey. And don’t get into too much trouble. I know how fond you both are of late night shenanigans!”
“Mom!” I interrupt her and cover my face. “She did not just say that!”
“For goodness' sake, Chloe. I meant breaking into the Blackwell pool that night! I wasn’t talking about sex-”
“Mom!” My face feels hot with embarrassment. “Friggin’ Joyce and her open attitude! Why can’t she be repressive and closed-minded like other parents?”
Max bursts out laughing.
After that, Joyce steps towards me. “Take care, honey. David and I are always here if you need us. If you get stuck, or into any trouble- we’re just a phone call or a text away.” She pulls me in for a hug and I wrap my arms around her. It suddenly dawns on me that I’m really going to miss her. This’ll be the longest I’ve been away from home in a few years.
“And… Have fun you two!” She adds with a tearful smile.
“Mom, we’ll only be gone a few weeks.” I tell her with an eye roll, trying not to let my emotions get the better of me.
“Yes, but we love you both very much and I want you to know we’re here for you if you need anything!”
“Ugh.” I can feel my cheeks getting warm again.
How embarrassing! Stupid friggin’ family-PDA! Feelings are to be bottled up and left to eat away at you internally- not expressed. Right? Okay, fine. Maybe I just don’t want to admit that I’ll miss them both. Yes, even step-shit. Not that I’d tell him that.
David awkwardly shuffles over to us. “Chloe. Take care. Be careful you two. There can be dangerous people-”
“David!” Mom interrupts him with a light slap on the arm.
He sighs and grips his forehead. “Just… Take care. Chloe, Max. You’ll love it out there.” He extends his hand to me for a handshake.
“Seriously, dude?” I ask with an unimpressed look. “A friggin’ handshake?”
I look over at Max who is highly amused by the gawky gesture. I sigh and take his hand in my own. It’s rough- worker’s hands, you know? After shaking his hand, I feel myself do something unanticipated. I move forward and bring him into a hug, making sure to give him a few hearty slaps on the back. As I pull away I notice him try to stifle a startled smile. Joyce watches us both with a content grin and places a hand over her mouth. I bet Max is smiling her ass off behind me too- little shit.
“Bye girls! Take care!” Mom waves at us vigorously, David wraps his arm around her and offers a simple wave as well.
“Later.” I turn and head through the door with a casual salute.
“See you, Joyce! Bye David!” Max adds with excitement.
After we've exited, I feel her lips against my cheek. I smirk with pleasant surprise.
“What was that for?”
“You’re so damn cute, Chloe.” She tells me with a gentle smile.
“This girl... What did I do right to deserve this amazing girl? Oh crap, I'm blushing again.”
“Absolutely not. I resent that accusation.” I inform her, trying to fight back a grin.
Max laughs and opens the passenger door. Once we’re inside, she starts rounding off a mental checklist.
“Keys?”
I rattle them in the air and slide them in the ignition.
“Safety-belts.”
On they go with a click.
“Music!”
For this step, she plugs her MP3 player into my stereo and turns it on. A sickeningly generic pop song starts blaring through the speakers.
“Max, no…”
I hear her giggle sweetly. “Hey, I like this song! Dana got me into it.”
“Max! No!” I repeat in a more desperate tone, shaking my head.
“You’ll like it if you hear it enough!" Max insists and leans over to me. “It’s called ‘Naughty’.” She whispers into my ear.
My body stiffens. She-devil. How dare she use her powers of seduction to entice me into playing such an appalling song!
“You did not just try that with me!” I wait a beat then sigh. "Fine… Whatever makes you happy.” It was a cheap move, but her tactic totally worked.
I take her hand in mine and place a kiss upon it. We intertwine our fingers.
“Ready?” I grin at my spectacular, doe-eyed love.
“Ready.” She replies with a beautifully radiant smile and kisses me softly.
“Seattle, here we come!”