Chapter Text
Chloe and Max had been ‘best friends for life,’ or at least that was the lie she told to make herself feel better. She had known about her friend’s leave of absence and how fast it was approaching. Though she knew, she said nothing. Chloe hated the way Max’s eyes shifted to a faraway place whenever she was about to bring up the topic, so Chloe tried her hardest to distract them. Whether that be with playing pirates, cleaning out her room, or ‘blowing shit up in the name of science.’
Chloe loved playing pirates in the backyard, however, there was always something missing with that eyepatch covering up Max’s beautiful right eye.
Chloe felt it, even in the dead of night, in the darkest room, Caulfield’s eyes lit up. They would be sitting on Chloe’s bed, way past midnight, the clock ticking, glowy bear, and the stars outside the windows being the only light source. Max would be rambling about a new photographer she’d been interested in, Chloe listening silently, mesmerized. Max’s eyes always seemed to be captivating to her. Chloe always makes eye contact, no matter the situation. They were her favorite thing about the brunette.
Chloe thought of the ocean. That was the way she had always remembered her.
Maxine Caulfield, the perfect embodiment of everything beautiful about the ocean: How far it stretched, its calm and serenity, the color, how there was so much life in it, and how you could know everything and nothing about it, all at the same time.
When William passed, Chloe laid there in her room, crying, for days on end. Max laid next to her, saying nothing, the silence saying everything for her. Max’s piercing eyes, studying every tear dripping down Chloe’s pale skin, every wrinkle in her forehead, and the furrow of her brows.
Those eyes hid the fact that she had wanted to help her best friend but knew it was better to be silent and present than loud and nosey. Chloe was appreciative of Max, even though she didn’t know how to tell her.
Their time together was almost over, and Chloe knew it. She wiped her tears away, finally having the courage to sit up at the edge of her bed. Max quickly jumped up, never taking her eyes off Chloe.
“Are you okay?” Max asked, a brief silence followed. “I…I’m sorry, Max. I know this isn’t the way we planned to spend the last few days together.“ Her voice broke as the sentences left her lips.
“What?” The shorter scoffed. “I know, that you’re moving.” Max looked at Chloe stunned, not knowing what to say.
“I’m sorry, that I didn’t tell you. I mean I was planning to, but I didn’t know how… Wait, how did you know?” Max continued apologetic remarks spewing out of her as if she couldn’t stop them. She was nervous.
“Our parents do talk, you know? I overheard my mom and dad talking about it, trying to figure out when they should tell me, waiting to see if you would do it first.” Chloe sighed before continuing. “I’ve known for a couple of weeks, seeing you try… I kept interrupting you, delaying the inevitable. Maybe if you didn’t say it, it wouldn’t be true.” The tears welled in her eyes.
After what felt like forever, for once, Max was the one to initiate eye contact. Deep ocean blue meeting light sky blue. At that moment, Chloe felt that same rush that happened whenever she looked her in the eyes. But this time, it was more intense.
Max looked at Chloe, tears forming in the corner of her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Chloe.” She moved from her position, inching closer to the other, pulling her into a hug.
Chloe wanted to stay there forever, with Max’s head buried into the crook of her neck, the brunette's arms wrapped around her. The older girl moved, holding Max closer. Max was supposed to be the one comforting Chloe and yet to her, it felt like the opposite. But to Chloe, this was everything. Holding her best friend tight, fighting the urge to cry. It felt as though time itself had paused.
Max backed up slowly, wiping the tears from her face, a string of apologies leaving her. Chloe sighed and unfurled on the bed. “Don't apologize, Max. Just hold me… Please?” Max turned to Chloe who was staring at the ceiling with a blank expression on her face, her long blonde hair strewn about on the pillows. Max looked surprised and taken aback, but who was she to refuse the request of her best friend, not knowing how much longer they had together?
Max laid next to Chloe, opening her arms as Chloe hugged her. This felt like possibly the most intimate thing they could be doing as 13-year-olds. Looking back on it, it probably was. But none of that mattered to them, at least not anymore.
The next few days came and went, as did Max. On the day of Williams' funeral, Ryan and Vannessa Caulfield had other plans. Though it pained them, to leave Joyce standing at the wake, not knowing what to say or how to comfort their friend, they had no choice but to leave. Ryan’s job had allowed him to postpone his arrival in Seattle, but only for a week. If they did not leave today, he wouldn’t make it in time.
The Caulfield's packed their entire life into their SUV, not knowing that they would have to leave their daughter's behind in Arcadia.
Max sat in the backseat, turnt around to stare at the cemetery as they drove away, tears staining her face. That was the last memory Chloe Price would have of Maxine Caulfield and her ocean blue eyes.