Spring is near, but not all of it is sunshine and roses for me. I never imagined moving back to the place where I least expected, Arcadia Bay of all places. My old hometown I once lived here as a child before moving to the city of Seattle, with my parents. Thankfully, I wasn't the only one going, everyone from Caledon University such as Moses, Gwen, and Yasmin all accepted a new opportunity to work at the 'Nathan Foundation of Arts, Science and Literature', all except for Vinh Lang. He decided to pursue his actual calling in show business, and ended up going to New York to audition for Broadway; I wished him good luck out there… and good riddance. Some of the students from Caledon University, including Loretta, Reggie and Diamond had taken interest in transferring to this new Academy to finish their remaining semester.
I was thrilled to have Amanda alongside with me for the joyride, her purpose was to take over the new and improved bar that she was assigned to manage all on her own, with fresh new staff and better pay. Even though our relationship didn't blossom, our bond as friends stayed. After giving Victoria my response and accepting the new job offer… she immediately came over that same day with paperwork for me to sign, and a new location where I am going to be residing at. It took me nearly two days to get my stuff packed and ready to go from Lakeview to Arcadia Bay. Thankfully, Victoria took this time to hire some movers to have my stuff transferred to my new location. To my shock, the residential area that I was to be residing in was Chloe's old home. According to Victoria the old foundation was torn down and modified to fit in the new and improve atmosphere that represents the new Arcadia Bay.
"So Max, what do you think? Home sweet home… wouldn't you agree?" said Victoria, feeling all prideful and arrogant as always.
"I guess?" I said feeling worried, trying to hide my expression with sarcasm. "To be fair it is kind of big for me to stay at. Now I feel bad for the little Old Lady who lived in a shoe,"
"It looks homey in my perspective," said Amanda while giving me a soft nudge on the shoulder.
Victoria as usual was re-checking her phone and immediately had some urgent matters to attend to… "Gosh! Look at the time; I have to prepare myself to give a proper greeting to the newcomers who are settling in for the first at the new academy… not to mention I even had to address Madam Yasmin what her new role is as the new Chairman of the academy. Hope you be there for the announcements and the grand opening ceremony," said Victoria while making her way to her car, giving us a wave and a wink.
Amanda and I waved goodbye to her, as she sped away to the Academy to meet Yasmin. As soon as she was gone from our sight, I took a glance back at the home that I was gifted and began to reminisce the times I came over to visit my dear old friend Chloe. Not realizing that Amanda was there admiring my ignorance.
"Hey Max, you feeling good," Amanda said while tapping my shoulder and bringing me back into focus.
"Yeah… I was thinking about something," I replied looking all confused
"What's wrong Max? House too big for you?" Amanda said with a sarcastic tone. "At least you have a nice house. While I have small little house that is two blocks away, not to mention my little sister is moving in with me.
I was amazed to hear that her sister was moving in with her, "Your sister is moving in with you as well? That's amazing, at least you are not going to be living alone,"
"Please don't rub it in Max. I rather live alone, than wanting to deal with her obsession with my Bartending job," said Amanda while giving me an awkward look… "Her name is Selene Thomas and she is 15 years old. Reason why I had to bring her along was that she got herself an acceptance letter to attend the prestigious school here in Arcadia Bay."
"Wait you don't mean, Blackwell Academy?" I said while giving her a worrisome smile.
"Yep! Blackwell Academy… and she is the first of my family to be on her own as a teenager, and attend freshman in August of this year…" She said feeling proud of having her sister tag along.
"Aren't your parents going to get worried, of leaving your sister in your hands?" I said while giving her sarcastic glance.
Amanda seeing how entertaining I was getting at, regarding not keeping my nose away from her Family Matter, she didn't hesitate but to reply honestly my question, "Relax Max, my parents trust me as usual, and my mom is finally relaxed since she knows that Selene is in good hands. However, they still treat me like a child sometimes and by asking me a favor to let Selene move in with me, they don't have to worry about me much. Besides my home has enough space for at least two people. All courtesy from my old boss, who was indeed pleased to have me onboard running the 'Two Whale's Bar'.... As a manager of course,"
"Coming back to this place, it feels wrong…. This house is exactly the same as the one Chloe's parents owned, before the storm," I said feeling sad and afraid.
"Well Max, let's not wait out here all day… LETS GO INSIDE," Amanda said all excited, and eager to explore the new place I am going to be staying.
The home's front entry way was the same in all its décor. The windows however, where changed into a slight rectangular shape, with a slighting door hinge on each and every one of them, all except for the Attic window which still had its round shape. As I made my way to the door with keys in my hand, I immediately went inside and saw the changes of all the interior part of the house. The kitchen was moved closer to the entry way of the door while the living room of the house that was located at the far corner area where the laundry room stood, has been relocated near the fireplace. The Laundry room has been converted into a guest room, but the garage entry way still remained the same where the Price family had access to their vehicles.
I was amazed how well the house was built and improved with a fresh new set of paint that gives that unique vibe in the atmosphere. The only thing that remained the same was the upstairs bedrooms, only this time the attic became another guest room with accessible stairs.
Amanda was mesmerized with the layout of the house, and didn't have words to tell me of what she thinks of my new place…
"Wow!!! This place is huge, and roomier… and oh look… here are the stuff the movers brought in earlier today. All set neatly in the living and some in the bedrooms," she said feeling all amazed, with her eyes set on the front patio of the backyard. "And what an amazing view of the backyard… Wouldn't you agree…? Max,"
"I guess… but seeing all this reminds me of Ms. Joyce…." I paused for a moment and decided to take a seat on the entryway of the stairs.
Amanda…. Feeling all worried about me, sat right next to me and embraced me… "Max, it's going to be ok, you are not doing this alone this time. But the question is who was Ms. Joyce, if you don't mind asking?" she said, now curious to know more about Ms. Joyce.
"Her name was Joyce Price… She was Chloe's mom who sadly, met her end during the storm, and this house used to belong to her…. And stepping foot in this house really takes me back to a time where she was alive and well, and tried to be the best mom there ever was to both me and Chloe," I replied trying to hide my sadness… "Fuck, I feel like shit today…. Amanda, I know I should move on from all this, but I keep getting these nightmares… and sometimes I see them in my dreams and they all blame me for everything… I am frightened by all this…I feel like I am not cut out for this."
"There… there, Max, don't beat yourself up for this, none of this is your fault," said Amanda while trying to give me comfort… "Remember, this is a new day, and you need to stop reminiscing about the past and move on. You did tried to help many people in the past… which is a good thing Max, and you should always continue moving forward, and you can start by getting your ass up. It is time for you to unpack…Remember you have a new day ahead of you," said Amanda as she started to pull me away from sulking in the stairs.
I was confused at her gestures, but knowing Amanda too well... I know that she is right. I am a new person and will not let anything distract me while I settle here in this new home. As soon as I was done sulking, I got to work. With Amanda's help we were able to unpacked most of my stuff. Within 3 hours we were able to put away most the items in their rightful location such as the Kitchen, the Dining room, and the living room. Keeping my mind occupied in cleaning and setting thisnew place of mine, it made me forget about my sorrows of the past completely. But as the minutes roll by, I knew I had to get ready for the opening ceremony of the new Academy. I did promise Victoria that I will be attending, and not to mention most of my Colleagues will be there as well. Amanda on the other hand had to go back to her place to get things ready and obviously, her youngest sister too tagged along for she had been accepted to attend the new Blackwell Academy in the fall. Luckily, for Amanda her shift wasn't set until next week.
The Academy was intriguing as I made way out of the parking lot and with camera at hand I decided to photograph some scenes in the surrounding area for references, and of course to keep my mind occupied and not fill like a lowlife geek. A place that is quite enormous for the Foundation itself, it is a structure so unique that it fits the décor that resembles that of the original Blackwell Academy; even though it is located next to old high school academy. I spotted Moses who was all dressed up in his casual clothes.... and obviously, I decided to catch up with him and see what he has been up too during his move here at Arcadia Bay.
"Moses! How you been buddy?" I said feeling all goofy for one's.
The moment he spotted me, he immediately rush towards me and gave me a strong big hug, "Max!!! Oh my God, I know it has been only a couple of days, but I am glad you are here… So how you been? You are doing ok so far?" He said with a smile, while still worried about me in regards to me moving back to my old hometown.
I didn't hesitate for a moment as I begin to strike a descent conversation with him… "So Moses, what do you think about the Town and this new Academy?"
"To honest Max the town is great and not to mention the shopping areas in the middle of town. But what excites me the most is the brand new Astronomical Observatory and its enormous telescope that this new academy has installed… and…" Moses paused looking all excitement after mentioning the new telescope.
"And what? COME ON MOSES…. Don't leave me hanging." I said with curiosity in mind.
Moses laughed as I was getting a little annoyed, "Ok, ok, Max the enormous telescope that I am excited to use is located in the rural area on the other side of the hill and as part of the academy I will be in charge of it and I get to use it whenever I want. Obviously with permission that is for its studies and educational purposes,"
While Moses and I were reminiscing about the new place we are set to work at; Gwen too joined in…. surprising us as usual with a strong attitude and with the smell of Marijuana in the morning… "How you all doin? Come here… give it all in," Gwen said with open arms, and as always she did mention being a hugger and not a fighter.
"Dr. Hunter! How you been so far, and how's Klaudia doing?" replied Moses who was all hyped up to start a new semester at this Academy.
"It's Gwen for now, I am not a professor yet… and as for my wife… well she was thrilled to hear that I am now working at a new academy and with better pay than that old Fucked up University. In fact I am actually the new Head department of Literacy. So yeah all good," Gwen said with a smile.
"So Gwen, what have you been up too right after settling here in Arcadia Bay?" I said with a happy tone and curious look.
"Geez Max, always with the questions," replied Gwen.
"Sorry Gwen I didn't mean to go that far… If you want I will stop asking too many questions," I said while apologizing to her.
Gwen smiled and gave me a hard tap on the back of my shoulder, "Come on Max, and lighten will ya… you know I am only teasing you. So relax…"
"Ok…" I said while giggling at her sarcastic tone.
"Well after I decided to work here… I immediately went home to tell Klaudia the news, and oh boy was she jumping for joy. So we decided to celebrate and spend some quality time together as a couple…. However, she he had to travel to Europe for at least three months before coming back to join me in this town… In other words we are settling completely here and away from the drama that I had to go through back in Lakeport. Plus this town seems pretty chill…" said Gwen with that happy tone and a calm demeanor.
While Moses, Gwen and I were chatting, someone called out to me. As I turned my gaze towards the source of the voice... I couldn't believe who it was, and that person was none other than…. Alyssa Anderson.
"Max Caulfield? Is that really you?" said Alyssa with same monotone attitude, but with a slender physic.
"ALYSSA…?" I replied.
We embraced each other, for it has been nearly 11 years since I saw her before the storm. It was during the times when my time reverse was in full swing. And each time she was facing mere moment of bad luck, I was there to warn her of her untimely doom before it happens. But what puzzles me the most since the disappearance of almost half of the town after the storm was how on earth was she alive after all these years.
"Wow Max, it's so good to see you old friend. How you been?" said Alyssa with that sweet smile of hers, and with the smell of strawberries she has sprayed herself.
"I had been good Alyssa. I was a little worried for I thought…"
"I thought what, Max?" Alyssa replied with a confuse look.
"I thought you were dead…. Like everyone else…" I said as tears begin to come out of me, knowing full well that someone like her had survived the storm.
"There…There, Max. No need for tears..." she said while giving me another tight hug and wiping away my tears. "Time to wipe those tears away; you wouldn't want to be crying on your big day, especially since we are going to be seeing each other from now on,"
"Wait you are also going to be working here as well?" I said with a shocking look.
Gwen jumped in, after seeing me embracing my old high school classmate for the first time in my life. "You must be one of Max's old friends from high school"
"That's right, and who might you be?" Alyssa replied with a smile, and shaking Gwen's hand.
"Gwen Hunter, and I am one of Max's Colleagues and will be starting here as the new Head Department of Literacy. And this guy here is Moses Murphy…" Gwen said while introducing to Moses, who also shook Alyssa's hand during the introductions.
"Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Alyssa, I am Professor Murphy who will be in charge of the department Astronomy and will be teaching Astrophysics as well in the fall."
"No the pleasures all mine… I am amazed to see brand new faces on this re-established campus and I am glad that Max was able to make new friends along the way," said Alyssa as she stared at me and giving me a sweet smile. "Oh and Max, I would like to say to you for all that time, when we were teenagers you did tell me to look out for myself. And thankfully, I was able to avoid the incoming storm on time before it hit the town, and due to my ignorance I accidently took the bus all the way to Newport, never realizing that it was a one way ticket to the next stop over. So I would like to say to you… Welcome home. Arcadia Bay wasn't the same without my friends and seeing you back sure gives me hope in taking on this task as the new principle of Blackwell academy."
As we all gathered for the grand opening of the new academy and the reconstruction of the old Blackwell academy, Victoria stood there with scissors in hand ready to cut the red ribbon of the entry way in front of the School bus stop; Ms. Yasmin too was there alongside with her, holding on to the ribbon.
"Students and Faculty of all ages… It has been my pleasure to announce the grand opening of both Blackwell, and a brand new college campus that commemorates those that we have lost tragically 11 years ago during the storm…" Victoria paused for a moment trying to hold her tears as she proceeded to announce the new school's name, "We will call it the 'Nathan Foundation of Arts, Science and Literature'…. Ms. Fayyad will you do the honors?"
Victoria handed the scissors to Yasmin, and with that she cut the ribbon while everyone cheered. Meanwhile, I took the liberty of snapping a pic of the two of them together as they waved to the crowd, with smiles on their faces.
I smiled ever so slightly, "One thing I learned from that old geezer, Mr. Jefferson… Whenever there is an opportunity out there, to always take the shot," I said mentally.
Meanwhile, I suddenly got an incoming text from Amanda who sounded so worried and requested for us to meet.
Amanda: Max! Are you free later on tonight?
MAX: Hey Amanda! Yeah I am free tonight…
What's up? Is everything alright?
Amanda: Great! Meet me at the 'Two Whale Bar'
tonight, And let Moses, Ms. Fayyad, and
Gwen know as well.
MAX: What's going on? That's urgent…
Amanda: I will tell you all tonight. So
please come…
MAX: Ok, We'll do… see you there at 6pm.
Amanda: For sure… See you soon.
"That was weird… Oh well. I will let everyone know about tonight." I said with a strange look.
As everyone scattered, I immediately decided to see the old High school building and the foundation itself. Its unique structure was indeed the same as always. All except for one place in mind… that was the area leading to the entryway to the Prescott dormitory. My curiosity got the better of me as I saw all the structure fully restored and well maintained, and to my surprise I spotted the one thing that had frightened me as a child, that was the old Tobanga Totem statue.
"I don't believe it, how did you survive the storm…? I thought you were destroyed along with the town…" I said feeling all shocked and amazed to see the old wooden design still standing; with its colors still the same, and fading.
With a snap of my new fancy camera that was gifted to me by Yasmin, I took a couple of shots of it from a different angle, and slowly…. As I was aiming the camera at another angle, I noticed someone from afar. He was wondering into the forest, a young man with descent glasses, and was wearing some old worn-out clothes. But, what caught my attention was the semi big luggage that he carries on his arm, as he slowly disappears into the background of the forest. Without a second, I immediately took aim at his direction and snapped a quick photo of him, right before he disappeared into the forest that led away from the school campus.
"Who was that person? He looks so young… is he also a student from this Campus?" I said with a puzzling look. I knew for ones that whoever he was, he sure was wondering into the forest all alone in the middle the evening, right before the sun was about to set.
"Whoever, that person was he sure looks suspicious and I will get to the bottom of it, but for now I need to get back to my vehicle and inform everyone that Amanda needs us urgently at the bar… tonight…. I sure as hell don't want to get a scolding from her, for not keeping my promise to her like the last time," I said feeling unease on my surrounding areas while making my way to my vehicle.
I gave everyone a quick text to meet me at the 'Two Whale Bar tonight…
MAX: Moses, Yasmin, and Gwen are you guys there?
Moses: Hey Max! What's going on?
Gwen: Hey Max… Is something the matter?
Yasmin: Good Evening Max! You need something?
MAX: I just want to ask each of you and see
If you guys aren't busy at 6pm tonight…
Yasmin: I am not doing anything tonight. Why?
Moses: I got nothing to do tonight, so yeah I am free. What's going on?
Gwen: I got nothing…So yeah we can chill for a while?
MAX: Great! Can you all meet me at the "Two Whale Bar" tonight
…. Amanda has something urgent she needed to tell us, and she
wouldn't say it on the phone.
Yasmin: That sounds serious… Yes I could make it then.
Moses: Yeah! For sure I could meet you all there.
Gwen: Alright, I'll be there soon…Don't start the drinking contest without me.
MAX: No worries Gwen, no one will start the drinking contest without you. LOL
MAX: And thanks everyone, you guys are the best…. See you there.
With all set in done, I made my way to the new bar area where Amanda is going to be working at. But, I will find out soon enough when all of us are gathered to hear what she needs to tell us. What she is about to tell us will impact what we are about to face soon enough.