Chapter Text
Chapter One
Max sat anxiously in her first class at Blackwell Academy, scanning the sea of faces around her. She had arrived the day before after her parents had dropped her off with all her bags, giving her a long hug goodbye and asking her to stay in touch as much as possible. They were slightly over protective, they always had been, but Max appreciated that - she was lucky to have them.
She felt a slight pang in her chest as she thought about her family and her home. Well...in truth, it wasn't that Arcadia didn't feel like home, she had grown up here, but it had been a long five years. She wished she had kept in touch with her closest and dearest friend Chloe with whom she had spent most her childhood in Arcadia with. Moving here would have been a lot easier if she had had her partner in crime by her side.
She smiled as she thought of Chloe and their time together, and then she swallowed a large lump in her throat as all the emotions of leaving Chloe right when she needed her the most came back to her. It was going to take a lot to get Chloe to talk to her again after Max hadn't even bothered to send so much as a text message over the last five years.
"Okay everyone..." Max's thoughts were interrupted by her teacher Mr.Jefferson addressing the class "...welcome to Intro to Photography. I'm looking forward to seeing the range of talent we have in the room and I expect a high level of commitment from you all and in exchange I will bestow on you all of the knowledge I have gained during my illustrious career."
'Wow...' Max thought '...look up ‘Pretentious’ in the dictionary and I'm sure you'll find a picture of Mr.Jefferson.' Mr.Jefferson was one of the reasons Max came back to Arcadia, he was a renowned photographer and photography was Max's calling. The other reason, if she was honest with herself, was Chloe.
She had never met anyone like Chloe or been as close with anyone since she moved away. She yearned to have that connection back, which was ridiculous considering she had done nothing to keep it alive over the past five years. She didn't know how to begin building bridges with Chloe, or if she even should. Chloe may have changed completely since Max left, she might not even be in Arcadia anymore and who knows what losing her Dad did to her? Max shook her head at the thought and brought her attention back to the class.
. . . . .
As the bell rang signaling the end of class, Max picked up her bags and one of her classmates approached. There was only one word to describe this girl, absolutely beautiful, "Max right?" she asked. They had done a cringeworthy ‘Go round the room and say something interesting about yourself’ introduction earlier in class but she was surprised that the girl remembered her name.
"Yeah, hi." Max replied shyly.
"I'm Rachel." she propped herself up on the desk, "So you're new here right? I mean...to the town? I've not seen you around before."
"Actually...I used to live here about five years ago but I moved to Seattle with my parents."
Rachel's eyes widened, "Oh...Max!" recognition washing over her face.
"Ugh, yeah...Max." she replied confused.
Rachel laughed slightly, "Well, since you're new here, you should come hang out with us at this totally lit party I'm throwing tonight. Everyone from class is going, plus a few others." Rachel smirked slightly.
"Um, I'm not sure..."
"Oh come on, I promise it’ll be fun and what a better way to get to know all your new classmates?"
'I suppose I should make the effort to get to know everyone...' Max thought, '...it's either that or sit in my room all night feeling sorry for myself and debating getting in touch with Chloe.'
"Sure, why not? I mean, I'd love to come...thank you."
Rachel beamed, "Awesome, here's my number." she scribbled down her number on the back of Max's notepad. "Drop me a text later on and I'll fill you in with the details."
"Great. I'll see you then." Max smiled and collected her bags and left the class.
. . . . . .
Max walked outside the front of Blackwell Academy, proud that she had some-what made an effort to be sociable and didn't stick to her introvert ways. She sat on the grass outside and pulled out some polaroids she had taken earlier that day. She pulled out her camera and took a shot of a squirrel as it scurried past.
"Did you get it?”
The voice behind her made her jump. She turned around and saw a tall nerdy looking guy with mousy brown hair smiling at her. She had met him yesterday when she was finished moving her stuff into the halls and had gone for a wander around campus. He seemed pretty harmless and they actually had a few geeky interests in common.
"Sorry! I didn't meant to scare you." He said, then sat cross legged next to her.
"That's okay Warren, how are you doing?"
"I'm good Max, how are you? How was your classes?"
"They were okay as first days go, we had the awkward 'stand up and tell everyone about yourself' moment, I’ve got a list of books that’s going to put a huge dent in my funds but I did get invited to a party."
Warren beamed, "Rachel Amber's? Are you going?"
"Yeah I think so."
"Me too! We should go together! I mean," Warren back pedaled, "I could walk you to the party, I know where Rachel stays."
"Won't her parents mind her having a party?"
Warren laughed, "Yeah they probably would, if they were ever around to know about them. Rachel's parents are out of town a lot."
"Well that would be great Warren, and at least I wouldn't have to walk in alone."
"Great, I'll meet you outside the dorm at 8?"
"Sounds great." Max smiled at Warren as he stood up and left. Max liked Warren but she hoped he didn't have any ulterior motives for escorting her to the party. The last thing Max needed was a love interest....not that she had much experience of that, but if she threw that into the mix right now on top of everything else, life would get way too complicated.
. . . . .
Max looked at herself in the mirror, debating her fourth outfit choice. She settled on a black tee, jeans and converse. She had applied a little make up in an attempt to fit in with the other girls who would probably be judging her outfit choice the second she stepped inside the door.
Max's phone buzzed, it was Warren alerting her that he was outside. She quickly put her camera in her duffle bag and stepped out of the dorm. Warren was standing outside and grinned when he turned and saw Max, "Wow Max you look great."
Max tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "Thanks Warren, you look good too. " Warren blushed and she hoped she hadn't given him false hope.
They started their walk to Rachel’s, “Are you excited for tonight?” Warren asked.
“Hmm mostly a bit nervous to be honest.”
“You’ll be fine Max, if anyone starts any trouble, I’ll be on it.” Warren said then kissed his non-existent muscle as he flexed which made Max giggle.
As they approached their destination, Max heard the house before she saw it, the booming music could be heard down the street and when they approached there were some people milling around outside drinking and smoking. Max gulped as she felt nerves wash over her 'What have I signed myself up for?' she thought, ‘Max - this is what you’re supposed to be doing at your age, get your ass inside!’ she was standing outside the path to the front door, her pep-talk hadn’t helped.
"You ready?" Warren asked, offering his arm for Max.
"As I'll ever be." Max smiled and put her arm through Warren's. It was nice to have someone by her side when she entered the house and was crushed amongst the throng of partygoers.
It was loud and chaotic, there were people drinking, sitting on the sofas, stairs, floor. "Do you wanna get a drink?" Warren half-shouted.
Max nodded and he lead her to the kitchen. It was slightly quieter there and people were standing in a half circle talking and leaning against the kitchen counter. Warren offered Max a beer and she shook her head.
"Not that I'm all for underage drinking but I think in certain situations some dutch courage wouldn't go a miss.” he said.
Max stood, debating internally and then reached out and took the can, "Why not?" she said and gulped down some of the beer. It tasted vile but she knew it would calm some of her nerves.
A few girls, one of which Max recognized from her photography class 'Victoria?' Max thought trying to recall the girls name
"Who invited the nerd's?" Victoria said, looking at Warren and Max in disgust."
"Get lost Victoria." Warren stated.
"Oooh careful or people might start to think there's testosterone somewhere in that dweeby boy body of yours."
"What's your problem?" Max asked, surprised at her own confidence. 'Who the hell does this biatch think she is?' she thought.
Victoria squared up to Max but was interrupted by Rachel, "Now now ladies." Rachel said, swinging her arm around Max, "I invited Max, Victoria. In fact - she's the guest of honor."
"Huh?" Max asked.
Victoria walked away mumbling something under her breath. She knew better than to go up against Rachel who was renowned as the queen of Blackwell Academy.
"There's someone I want you to meet." Rachel said. "Well, not really meet, ‘see’ I guess?"
Max looked back dumbfounded. "Wait here." Rachel said, smirking.
Max felt uneasy at how smug Rachel looked and turned to Warren.
"What was that about?" he asked.
"I have no..." Max started but spun round when she saw Rachel returning, her hand over a Blue haired girls eyes.
"Rachel what the fuck I was having a smoke, can't this wait?" the girl shouted as she was manhandled over to where Max was standing.
'Is that...?' Max thought but her thought was confirmed when Rachel took her hand away from the girls face. "Chloe?!" she exclaimed.
"Max?!" Chloe stated, her jaw almost dropping to the floor.