My head was pounding the moment I awoke, all spooked, and out of my mind of what I had witnessed in my dream. Before I could process anything, I saw Max, who wouldn't stop holding my hand. Seeing her for the first time after our breakup, I felt ashamed, not wanting to meet her eyes. Yet here she was, leaning on me, and with that worried look she always displayed.
"Oh, Chloe! I am so glad you are alive." Max said as she gave me a warm hug. "I thought I lost you again."
"Whoa there Max," as I tried to calm her down. "I am alright, girl."
After I regained my composure, I was able to embrace my dear old friend back. Hugging her so tightly, as I smelled her gorgeous hair, the sweet aroma of Lavender, with that sweet raspberry scent that so happens to be one of her favorite types of shampoo. While embracing her, I begin to notice everyone who was in the room looking right at me with a worried look. Filled with disbelief, I may have assumed that these people are in fact, Max's new friends. Not to mention the obnoxious Victoria Chase, who was standing at the corner, feeling a bit worried as well.
Now fully awake, I notice where we were, "What are we doing in my parents' home?"
I know it sounded stupid to say that question, but as I recalled, the town, including my home were destroyed by the storm. However, never thought about it being fully restored, but something felt odd about this house. The living room itself was indeed astounding, to say the least, but feeling a bit confused as well.
Before anyone had the decency of answering my question, this big guy with glasses came up to me with that worried look, "You must be Chloe Price?" he asked, as he reached out to give me a soft, shaking hand.
"Yeah, that's right." I nodded while shaking his hand politely.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Price…. I am Moses Murphy," he responded while giving me a warm smile.
"Sup, gorgeous, I am Amanda Thomas. I, too, am one of Max's acquaintances." Taking this opportunity to introduce herself while shaking my hand.
"How are you doin hotshot, I am Gwen Hunter. At your service," chuckling as she approached me to shake my hand as well.
"Uh! It's a pleasure to meet you all, I am Chloe Price…. And I would assume you all must be Max's colleagues and friends." I responded while turning my gaze away from Max once again.
Seeing Max again for the third time, I just couldn't look at her the same way. Let alone interact with her, since I had the audacity of abandoning her at the hotel after our huge argument regarding our relationship and what the future holds for us. I looked like an asshole to begin with, and seeing her happy to have made new friends along the way… it made me feel a bit jealous and left out. However, before I could process anything, Victoria approached me, and looking a bit worried at my current situation….
"Chloe, what happened to you?" She asked as she embraced me, cautiously.
"I…. I don't want to talk about it right now." I said nervously.
Reason being was that I was extremely exhausted and still a bit traumatize of the things I had to witness, all over again. Not to mention another person who isn't Max has some rare superpower that allows them to turn to anyone they so desire.
"Right!? Totally understandable." Victoria said nervously as she slowly got up and gestured all the people to give me some space, "Why don't we all pause this so-called meeting you all had suggested. And do this once everyone is well enough to open up regarding the situation we are all dealing with."
"I agree," Gwen nodded
"Yeah, same here," Amanda responded as she slowly made her way to the front door.
This Moses, guy who was standing next to me, nodded in agreement and arose to his feet before saying goodbye to Max and me, "I will have to agree with Ms. Chase here. Let's all continue on this important conversation another day.
"Alright, everyone…. And please be careful out there." Max said while giving all of them a kind smile and a farewell hug as each and every one left the house quietly.
Just before Moses was the last one to leave, he replied to Max with a worried look… "Oh, and Max, call us if you need anything….my guts are telling me that whatever we are about to face isn't over yet."
He dismissed himself, leaving only Max and I. Meanwhile, I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder, and as I turned around, I saw another male person whom I didn't notice earlier was standing there holding cup of warm tea, and a bag of food. The warm smell of a well-made burger and fries.
"Whoa! You scared the living daylights out of me." I shouted as I stared at him, handing me a cup of tea and the bag of food.
"I got you something to eat. I am assuming that you are indeed hungry." He said nervously, while handing me the items carefully, "I am Allen, by the way…. Allen Zelonsky."
"Uh, it's a pleasure to meet you, and thank you for the food," I responded while taking them off his hands and placing them on my lap.
"Now if there is anything else you need, please don't hesitate to ask." He smiled at me as he made his way towards another room that was across to where the old washing machine area once stood; leaving Max and I officially alone.
Just then, my stomach started grumbling, for I hadn't eaten all day. "Fuck!"
I unscrambled the aluminum foil that was covering the burger, with its contents still intact, and I immediately started munching on it. I didn't care about the toppings that were on the burger, but I was glad to at least have something to eat for once.
"Whoa there!" Max shouted as she placed her hand back on my shoulder. "Take it easy, Chloe. You are going to choke on it."
My eyes began to bulge as I tried ever so slightly to keep a serious look, yet my heart felt empty because of what I did to Max. Obviously, Max was worried about me, noticing tears coming out of me, slowly leading me to drop my façade. Dropping my half-finished meal to the ground, I begin to sob really hard…..
"Chloe, what's wrong?" Max leaned in close and hugged me so tightly.
I was sobbing so badly, I couldn't pronounce words properly…. "I… I am so sorry, MAX!"
"Oh, Chloe, it's alright." She said, while brushing my hair smoothly, "The important thing is that you are safe, and I am glad you are back here with me."
"No, Max, it's not alright…. 'Sniff'." I replied, trying to keep calm of the situation I was dealing with.
"I am a fuckin asshole…."
"No you are not." Max shot back, calmly.
"YES I AM…" I said, now facing her for the first time after arriving back to Arcadia Bay. "I should have stayed with you at that hotel…. I should have at least supported you on this decision making of wanting us to settle down…."
"Chloe, it's fine…." Max, now giving me a warm smile as she finally embraced me with love and care, "I want us to forget about that incident we had back then. I know now that I should have discussed this with you more and worked it out together as a couple."
"Oh, Max….after leaving you behind and finally joining a group band that I was with, I felt empty….no matter where I went; you were there. Giving me that warm smile, even though I was in another relationship with one of the band-mates, only to realize that I was just a fling to them and nothing more." I turn my gaze towards the ceiling and facing it like a stone cold statue.
"What happened to you, Chloe, out there?" Max, looking all worried. "You can tell me."
I was hesitant, for I didn't want to involve Max in another situation she was dealing with. However, I couldn't keep this secret anymore….so I told her everything, including that woman who goes by the name of Safi.
"I was abandoned by the group that I was tagging along with, and with nowhere to go, I met up with this nicer girl who goes by the name of Lyla Park, and she was kind enough to give me a ride back to Arcadia Bay."
"HOLD ON! The band left you in the middle of nowhere?" She said, showing a bit of rage.
"Yeah, but it doesn't matter." Sounding coldly, while sitting all curled up on the sofa. "I ruined my life by making the worst decisions ever."
Max, still looking a bit worried, just shot up and gave me a strong, deep hug. Her hug was so warm, and feeling that kindness in her heart, that I began to cry again; only this time it was tears of joy.
"Welcome back, Chloe."....