Out in the clear night sky, I decided to go home and reflect on the things that had happened to me during my stay at Caledon University, knowing full well that the school would be shutting down by the end of this week. In reality, I felt as though life had other ways of messing me up and making me repeat that same tragedy all over again. First Chloe and now Safi, who turned out to be alive and was indeed out for revenge on those that ruined her life, and the one she cared about.
"Safi, where are you? I hope you are doing well out there. Oh, how I wish you could be here at a time like this?" I said to myself as I turned to the clear night sky and the beautiful full moon that I once considered it to be a good omen, but now I see it as something so gloomy and hard to look at.
As I was walking on the corridor of a snowy clear path of the sidewalk, the area around me was chilly… and in a way for me to have a clear head. I still needed to give Victoria my response… soon. At the same time, I am scared… I don't want to go back there and at a crucial time like this. I know that I will need to find another job elsewhere since I am officially unemployed, and being a Freelance photographer is hard to come by nowadays.
As the minutes went by I finally made my way to my humble home… or at least it was until someone broke in and turned the place upside down searching for something, and that someone was none other than Safi herself. I didn't even bother to check my phone for any incoming text messages or incoming calls. I am glad for now; all I want to do is to be alone and to finally get some sleep. I slowly approached the door and made sure that the coast was clear. To be fair, I did not want any more surprises than the one I had encountered with Safi breaking into my house and posing as me.
It was a shocker to see her true nature for the first time, and how she demonstrated her talent of shape-shifting to anyone she had in mind… including myself. I lit a fire just to keep my home warm. I sat down on the sofa just to clear my head, and I began to reminisce the events that had occurred in which I discovered that I was capable of jumping from one alternative timeline and on to another. I was confused to see that my powers were not just capable enough to allow me to rewind time, but to open up portals to alternative timelines and be at two places at once. However, with both my powers and Safi's combined we ended up creating this new alternative timeline that has both timelines combined into one reality. And this Reality has indeed created a lot of confusion to those that were affected by it. But, I am glad to have both Safi, and Chloe alive and well here in this alternative timeline, I just wish that things went back to being normal, yet I am indeed all alone once again.
My home was semi-cleaned, and yet I know for a fact that I will have to move somewhere else. I was deciding whether or not I should accept Victoria's offer of wanting to teach at the new University back in Arcadia Bay… But with my powers no longer working, time is not by my side, and I for one will have to do this alone without Chloe by my side. I started to pull out my old Box collection of Vintage items I had stored away; memories of my old home that was … Arcadia Bay. I looked at all of the Polaroid pictures and one of them stood out and that was of Ms. Joyce Price; who looked all joyful in her work attire as she usually was when she used to work at the "Two Whales' Diner". I flipped through pics of each person I took with my old Polaroid camera and in them as well I stumble upon myself and Chloe posing ourselves as weirdoes. In the next couple of pics I saw Warren and Brookes giving out their peace signs and sticking out their tongues in a goofy way. And lastly, I saw Kate Marsh who was one of the few friends I had made while enrolled at Blackwell Academy all posing while holding a book near her lips… covering her face. Tears started coming out of me, as regret started to pull in…
"What have I done…? I chose to save Chloe and yet here I am all alone and reflecting on my actions all because of my selfishness. And now with everyone sadly gone… I live with constant fear of seeing them sometimes in my dreams… all of them blaming me for my actions and allowing the storm to sweep over the town… God! I am so scared..." I said to myself mentally.
As I was sitting still on the sofa, I decided to give it a go to see if my powers haven't completely left me. So I spotted the Polaroid pic of the one with Chloe and me acting all goofy and began to focus hard on it. But, no matter how hard I tried to focus on the pic, no reaction. I tried again to focus hard on the image itself, but all I ended up getting myself was nothing but a migraine…
"It's no use… My powers aren't working anymore…Fuck!"
My concentration was suddenly broken as I heard a knock at the door.
"What now? Another bad day…" I said feeling all frustrated, but I knew too well that I can't just sit around and feel all guilty; so I took the stand and immediately gathered all of my old items and started placing them back in the old box. Except for the old camera itself, to which may still be useful for me in the long run.
I immediately got up while wiping my tears away, and jested towards the door…
"Coming!" I replied with a soothing voice. I quickly straightened my hair and approached the door… and very slowly I knew who it was based on the silhouette itself that was plastered behind the glass door of my home.
Slowly, I jiggle the doorknob as the door slowly open, and to my surprise it was Amanda. She was there wearing a striped red and blue coat, with a hint of yellow. The one she wore when I was grieving for the death of Safi…
"Sup Max," Said Amanda while waving her hand.
"Amanda? What a surprise you usually only come when things get tough for me." I replied… feeling sarcastic and blushing at the same time.
"I wanted to see how you are doing today. And with everyone gone, I thought about closing the bar early today," She said with a bright smile. "Well?"
"Well… What?" I said looking all confused.
"I know that the weather is nice and all, but aren't you gonna invite me in? It is getting kind of chilly out here…" She said while giggling at the same time.
"OH MY GOD! I am so sorry Amanda… but please come in… come in…" I said feeling a little dumb of not inviting someone I am acquainted with to my home. "Welcome to my crib… again." I laughed while inviting her to my home.
Amanda laughed and made her way in, and hung her coat onto the coat rack revealing her sky blue t-shirt… "Don't mind if I do Max. Since I am here, I also brought us something we can both share to our delight…" she said while holding a big bottle of 'Maui Wine'.
"Amanda… I just don't know what to say. I am flattered that you came all this way just to see me." I said while covering my face.
I couldn't stop my gaze from staring right at Amanda's gorgeous eyes. I had almost forgotten that sweet romantic evening we had a few days back when I was feeling depressed right after Safi told me to give her some space. Reason for her giving me attitude was that I found out from her, that her book deal was getting revoked, and blamed me for possibly getting involved in her personal matters.
"Max?" Said Amanda as she poured me a glass cup of 'Maui Wine'… bringing me back to the present time.
I blinked a couple of times and immediately got on track with wanting to converse with her more just to keep me occupied and to forget about what had happened back then. We sat on the sofa and started to chat more, and the more we chatted, the more things got interesting between us…
"I'm sorry Amanda for being such a nuisance to you," I said, feeling regretful.
"What are you saying, Max? You aren't a nuisance to me… it's just that you have been spacing out a lot, just like you did today and I am worried about you." She replied as she slowly touched my hand.
"Your right I have been dozing off a lot since that incident with Safi and with the school getting closed down. I feel like my life has gotten worse after this, and with Victoria Chase making an appearance and wanting to offer me a new job in my old hometown… I just don't know what to do," I replied, feeling all worried.
Amanda didn't hesitate but to give me a warm smile and wanting to shift our conversation elsewhere… "Ok Max. Enough of this depressing atmosphere of yours and lets shift our conversation to something else."
I looked at her all puzzled as to what she was about to say next… "Let's play a game, to which I like to call it… TRUTH or dare…"
The way she said it gave me the chills. Her attitude indeed has reminded me of someone who gave me a dare, and that someone was Chloe Price.
"Alright! Lets do it." I said feeling a little unease but joyful to do some activity with her.
"GREAT!!! I'll go first… Truth or Dare…" Amanda said while giving me a flirtatious look.
I blushed as she asked me a simple question. Seeing her beautiful face and her soft lips, I simply couldn't resist staring directly at her as my heart began to race.
"What is this feeling that I am getting at? Is it me? Or have I gone crazy?" I said to myself mentally while deciding which one to choose… "Um… I will go with…truth."
"OK!!! Truth it is…" she replied with that menacing tone, the one she always displaces when it comes to squeezing out one's inner personal life, and the way she said it reminded me so much about Safi; and how she tried to force out my personal feelings I had when she discovered my hidden picture of Chloe that I had kept always in my wallet.
Amanda with a small giggle said something that really put me unease… "Who was your first? And you cannot back out of this one…Max…"
"Really? You want me to reveal something so personal." I replied feeling uncomfortable with her question.
However, she pushed further, expecting me to say it… "Come on Max! I promise not to tell anyone. And besides, you as well will ask me a question too." She said while trying to comfort me.
So I caved and gave her my response… "Fine… my first was none other than my childhood friend, Chloe Price."
She looked surprised, and felt satisfied as I had answered her question.
"Wow, look at you… Wait a go Max." she said while giving me two thumbs up and a smile.
"Ok… My turn… Truth or dare?" I said feeling all joyful of wanting to get back at her for the embarrassing question she forced me to answer.
"Hmmm! I say…Truth." She replied showing that same joyful attitude of hers.
"Who was your first? Amanda…" I said, returning her that same question she gave to me earlier.
She didn't hesitate and gave a sweet smile as she gave me her answer… "Well! Since you are going down that rabbit hole… My first that I gave to was a girl name, Samantha Basil. And yeah she wasn't who I thought she was for she wasn't even a girl…"
I was confused by her answer since she paused and stared at me for a moment. However, I pushed a little further and begged her to tell me more about this mysterious person she had an intimidating relationship with… "So what happened next…? With you and her of course…"
"Well since I have gotten us this far… Let's just say that Samantha Basil was in fact a dude in her previous lifetime ago and decided to have a sex change to show that she was indeed a woman in a man's body. And man did I fall for her beauty. However, our relationship didn't last… until I found her cozying up with another girl who was a lot prettier than me. So I stopped seeing her and decided to move away, and wound up here at Lakeview working as a bartender." Amanda said, feeling kind of sad and a little relief.
"Gosh Amanda… I am so sorry for pushing that question further to you." I replied while feeling regret of asking her that question.
She came back to her senses and finally smiled at me as it was her turn to ask me a truth or dare question… "Ok, enough of me Max… it's my turn now"
"Ok…Shoot." I said, feeling all distracted by her courageous charm.
"Truth or Dare?" She gave me a flirtatious wink as she finished asking me her question.
As I was fiddling with my fingers, I paused for moment and looking at her now, made me go completely insane for her. She was indeed gorgeous and I was eager to get away from her beauty. With her gorgeous eyes and her sweet smile… it felt mesmerizing. But, without Thinking I chose 'Dare'… "Ok I will have to go with dare this time."
"Well for this special occasion. I dare you to…. Kiss me…" she said while leaning forward towards me.
"You dare me to kiss you?" I paused and stared at her for a moment… As I felt the world spun around me, and without a second to think I took that Leap of Faith, and slowly my lips got closer to hers.
Very gently, she placed her hand on my cheek and I placed my hand on her cheek as well as we embraced ourselves for the second time. With our lips gently caressing, the world around us started to shift slowly… Making me forget about the incident we had to deal with at the bar.
Her lips were indeed soft, and with a sweet taste of raspberry. However, this kiss felt longer and mesmerizing as my tongue made complete contact with hers, and a couple of seconds later we backed away from each other just to take a breather.
Amanda too was shocked as she looked at me with those exciting eyes of hers as she stared at me… "Whoa! That was intense; I never felt that kind of kiss in my life."
"I am sorry Amanda, I couldn't hold myself, and seeing you for the second time in my life… has indeed helped me to forget about the incidents that I had to go through with me losing my job and as well deciding of whether or not I should take Victoria's Offer of wanting to work at the new academy that is located in Arcadia Bay… and I…" I was stopped mid-way during my explanation when Amanda just got closer to me and gave me another kiss.
This time I didn't pause for a moment and just like that we ended embracing each other like if there was no tomorrow.
"So? Are we still playing this game or should we proceed with what we are doing right now?" I said feeling sarcastic and full of excitement.
Amanda having no other words to say nodded and proceeded to tell me her answer… "I am hyped for this alternative game we are playing…" She said leaning closer to me.
"Fuck it… Let's do this." I replied and immediately got up from the couch and grabbed Amanda's arm, I then guided her to my upstairs bedroom and started our new fun activity there.
Things got super exciting in the bedroom, as it was the first time someone had ever been in my room… except for Safi who broke in and flipped my whole place upside down. The whole house was quiet and the only sounds were the ones Amanda and I were making as we got deeper into this lustful relationship we had gotten ourselves into. With our clothes scattered everywhere in my room and with Amanda wanting someone to take the lead, I for ones didn't hesitate to take the lead on this relationship.
Things got a lot sweeter for me as we were enjoying each other's companionship in bed; admiring Amanda's gorgeous body and her smooth light brown skin I forgot what it was to feel love again. With her gorgeous breasts, and the major torso part of her body as I am enjoying myself on her; while fondling between her legs. It reminded me of that faithful morning when she came over to my home during my grievances and brought me a meal to enjoy, and how hilarious it was that I mentioned to her that if I were feeling better.... that I would definitely.... get her under the table. However, this time, I am doing just as I told her, that I would have.
By the next morning Amanda and I lay restlessly after our so-called fun activity we went through last night. Feeling better of wanting some companionship, and with myself having Amanda under my arms, I awoke and began to carouse her loosely semi-long black hair. I kind of enjoyed seeing her in both her 'space buns' hairstyle and this loose hairstyle as it brings that attractiveness to her. With the sun rising in the corridor of my living room window, I laid there reflecting on the relationship I had with previously with Chloe. How things could have been if we didn't had that heated argument, and how I wished to have her back in my arms again. But, I have a feeling that we will cross paths soon.
Amanda awoken a few minutes later, and immediately after seeing my bedroom for the first time she finally smiled and saw me…. "Sup, slept well Max?"
"Yeah, I sure did, all thanks to you…" I replied while giggling at her question.
"So, tell me Max… did you made your decision of what you are going to do with yourself since you are no longer working, and with the school shutting down?" She said while getting up from my bed just to stretch her arms.
I paused for a moment and as we finally got out of bed…. we got dressed for the morning and with days away for me to having to leave my home here at Caledon University; I finally came with a decision on what I am going to do for myself next. Without any more delays I turned my gaze to Amanda and told her what my next plan is….
"Ok… I finally made up my mind, and that is to no more running away from my past and will need to face it… I am going back to my old home and will take on Victoria's offer of wanting to teach at the new academy there." I said feeling all energize and ready to go.
Amanda laughed after I gave her my response… "Finally, now that's the Max I admired the most… However, you aren't going alone this time."
"What do you mean Amanda, of me not going alone?" I replied feeling all confused at her gesture.
She smiled and gave me her honest opinion… "Max, what I am trying to say is that I am going with you to Arcadia Bay, and hopefully I will find someone there who will appreciate me and not take advantage of my feelings like my previous relationships…. And Max… what happened last night was indeed romantic. However, I know deep down that your heart is still attached to the past, and sooner or later that past will collide with you where you least expect it."
I was shocked to hear Amanda say such honest words, and it kind of felt as though she had read my mind.
"Don't get me wrong Max, I am not disappointed in you, but I feel like it would be best if we remain friends… I got to admit I was thrilled that we manage to come this far and knowing you and how you cope with the past… I noticed one picture in particular that shows you smiling for once in a lifetime, and that is with the one you are truly meant to be with…" Amanda said while pointing at the picture that had Chloe and I; embraced in that picture all lovey dovey during our stay with David Madsen who was relocated in Arizona right after the storm.
I was sad at first, knowing full well that she was right for the first time, and finally understood where she is getting at. However, I wanted to at least make things work for us in this relationship, but obviously I didn't want to ruin my relationship with Amanda for any other reason.
"I am so sorry Amanda, I do love you and I am willing to make this relationship work…. Ever since Chloe…. Whom I was in love with left me during our heated argument, I wanted to make things work for us, but obviously I ended up being all alone. When I met you during my arrival here at Caledon University, and finally settling down… I was able to open up more about my own private life, and to be fair last night was indeed romantic and I don't want to lose you either…." I replied while holding her hand.
She looked at me with sympathy in her eyes and held my hands longer and closer to her cheek, as she finally gave me her answer to my feelings…. "Max… I understand your feelings towards me, but I don't want my friendship to blossom into a relationship, for it to fall apart and make me feel sad and alone as well. However, I care for you and I want to be with you more than ever like a sister, and you are not doing this alone… You have Moses, Yasmin, Glenn, and others who are as well going to be a part of your life Max…. including me. So don't ever say that you are going to lose me. Obviously, I am not leaving you alone at all and I am actually moving to Arcadia Bay as well."
"What!! But what about your job here at the Snapping Turtle? What is your boss going to say when you decide to leave? You don't have to do this for me." I replied feeling worried about Amanda quitting her Job at the Snapping Turtle.
Amanda laughed hard right after seeing my reaction towards her decision and assured me that everything was going to be alright. "MAX! I am not quitting, in fact, my boss is promoting me to attend another bar area at that new location. In fact, his cousin who is sadly retiring due to health complications wants me to take over the new bar over at Arcadia Bay called 'The Two Whale Bar'…. So yeah, I am set and I think relocation is a good thing to get away from all these issues we had to deal with. So start packing Max because you are going as well… even if I had to drag your ass all tied up to Arcadia Bay."
I was stunned to hear Amanda tell me the news that she was moving to my old hometown, and as well threatened me with rope if I didn't join her in this new Journey to Arcadia Bay.
"Alright you win Amanda. I will give Victoria a call and will start packing soon…. Arcadia Bay…. Here I come." I replied with confidence in my heart. Only this time I am not going alone, I will have friends to accompany me to the place where it all began.