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“Are you sure we won’t wake your mom?” Max got a little nervous at the absence of silence from Chloe the moment they opened her house’s door.
They miraculously hadn’t gotten caught in Blackwell’s swimming pool – Max still prayed they weren’t seen, getting into more trouble was the last thing she needed, and next thing she knew, Chloe was grabbing her wrist and leading them to her house. Not that Max was complaining about that, she had missed sleepovers at Chloe’s.
“Not even a bomb would.” Chloe laughed, her voice louder than Max’s. “Believe me, it’s not the first time I come home late. And since David’s working, we won’t have to endure his pathetic scoldings either.”
“I don’t doubt you come back late often, but I’m supposed to be a good influence for you, according to Joyce.”
“Why says you’re not? I’m haven’t been caught so far.” Chloe shrugged. “And I doubt I ever will with your time powers.”
“Keep your voice down.” Max couldn’t help it, no matter if they were the only ones awake inside the house. “I can’t keep using them for fun, Chloe.”
“Don’t be a buzzkill now, Max.” Chloe spoke while opening her room’s door, not looking back at the other girl. “Tonight was pretty awesome, wasn’t it?”
Max took a deep sigh, unable to argue. Her powers were scary, of that she had no doubt, but her choices had already been made. “Yeah.” Max agreed, following Chloe inside and closing the door behind them, a little giggle escaping from her lips. “It was.”
“Then quit spinning your head now.” Chloe spoke while kicking off her boots, her jacket immediately joining them on the floor. “I don’t even have the energy to shower now.”
“Me neither.” Max did the same, leaving her own jacket on the hanger and her bag on Chloe’s desk.
Even if she did, part of her still worried about making noise at a late hour – no matter Chloe’s insistence on Joyce not waking up, so leaving the shower for next morning seemed more than reasonable. She started getting rid of the rest of her clothes, except the thin shirt covering her upper body and underwear, not realizing Chloe had done the same.
“Hot.” Max whispered unconsciously, giving herself some air by waving her hand.
“Thanks.” Chloe winked.
Max scoffed, realizing the other girl was as half-exposed as her. “Glad to see you’re still confident about your looks.”
“You better believe I do.” Chloe laid on the bed, her hands behind her head. “If you can’t be smart, then be hot.”
“You are smart.” Max then dared to be a bit bold. “Pretty hot, too.”
“I might start to think you’re flirting with me if you keep going.” Chloe gave her a sultry look, patting the scape next to her. “Come here.”
Making herself comfortable on the bed as well, Max gave herself a moment to breathe. Their exploration through Blackwell at night was more than just a little adventure, the girls had an objective. Though as Chloe said, Max decided to stop spinning her head then, closing her eyes and allowing her rest to keep her mind black for the night.
Apparently, not thinking caused her to make a funny face, because she heard Chloe laughing before pinching her nose. “What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing.” Max grabbed Chloe’s wrist with a chuckle, retiring the other girl’s hand from her face. “I’m trying to keep my mind blank for now.”
“So your overthinking is finally over?”
“I said, for now.” Max emphasized.
“I know, I know.” Chloe freed herself from her grasp. “Ugh, I still smell like pool chemicals.”
“One of the consequences of our late-night swim.” Max brought the collar of her own shirt to her nose, confirming she did as well.
“And I would do it again.”
“I’m sure you would.” Max turned to the side to her body was facing Chloe, her lips forming a fond smile. “I really missed you.” Before the other girl could open her mouth, she spoke again. “Please don’t mention that I could’ve messaged you again. We’ve talked about that.”
“I was actually going to say that I missed you too.” Chloe hissed playfully. “Also, that you’re cute when you get all sappy. You should do it more often.”
“That’s not true.” Max got a little flustered, but in a good way.
“It absolutely is.” Chloe teased. “Look, even in the dark, I can see your face getting a little red. Say it again, who did you miss?”
“You know what? I got sleepy all of a sudden.” Max turned around, her back facing Chloe. “Good night.”
“Come on, don’t be a child!” Chloe’s fingers quickly found Max’s ticklish areas – she remembered that from when they were kids, and began making her laugh.
“Chloe– you–” Max clamped a hand over her mouth to avoid being too loud. “Stop! I’ll wake everyone in this neighbourhood if you keep going!”
“That would be a pity, wouldn’t it?” Chloe eventually retired her hands despite wanting to go on with her teasing. “You still get flustered so easily. I’m glad to see some things haven’t changed at all.”
Max faced Chloe again, still wary in case she “I’m still Max.”
“Keep staying Max forever.” Chloe’s gaze switched to the ceiling then. “My mom and you are what’s left of what my life used to be, I might go insane if I lose either of you. More than I already am, I mean. Life doesn’t like treating me well.”
Max remained silent for a moment, unsure of what to say. Things had been so complicated for Chloe that she feared choosing the wrong words and make it worse. “Chloe.” Max fondly poked one of her cheeks. “You told me to quit the overthinking for today. I think you should do the same.”
Taking a deep breath, Chloe faced Max again. “You’re right.” Her face showed a tiny smile. “Sorry for bringing the mood down.”
“No need for apologies.” In an unconscious gesture, Max took some of Chloe’s blue strands of hair behind her ears. “I’m here, with you. I won’t leave again.”
Now Chloe was the one getting flustered. To avoid Max teasing her back, she got close to her and buried her face in her neck, her body. “I’ll never let you live in peace if you do.”
“Scary.” Max chuckled, her fingers threading through Chloe’s hair.
“I mean it.”
Max didn’t mention it, but Chloe needed to do more than look like a needy puppy to be threatening. “I know you do.” They stayed like that for a few minutes, hugging in silence, purely enjoying each other’s company. “Chloe?”
When she didn’t reply, Max assumed she had fallen asleep. She remembered Chloe mentioned that she used to have trouble succumbing to slumber ever since Rachel’s disappearance, so she considered that night’s drowsiness a good thing. They both need that, just peace and staying together. Even if it was just for the time being.