Similar powers

Chapter 23. ... Before The Storm

After having breakfast, Max and Chloe go up to the room following Joyce's advice; in fact, they decide to undress, wear pyjamas and go to bed. After doing so, Max and Chloe start talking.

"Did you see that coming?"

"What?"

"That David and Joyce would believe our story?"

"I didn't expect it at all, in fact I was almost certain they would have taken the opportunity to kick me out of the house."

"They would never have done that, and you know it."

"I mean, having a drug addict as a daughter who additionally tells you that there's a vampire who kidnapped a girl would make you think about what that family did wrong."

"In that case, they should have attacked me too, since I was the first one who had to deal with that vampire."

"It's different with you though: you're the classic girl next door, a little shy but able to instill confidence when needed, with a great talent for photography and who won a scholarship to a school like Blackwell. What am I, on the other hand? A blue-haired chick who got kicked out two years ago for poor grades and bad behavior."

"That's not true, you are so much more than that. Remember when we used to play pirates as kids? You were the perfect captain, always keeping the crew's spirits up even when it seemed there was nothing to be done, comforting me when you heard I had to leave for Seattle. You were so good at science that when you entered competitions you almost always won, showing how talented you always were."

"Too bad all that went to shit when Dad died, from there on I was unable to cope with the grief, then fortunately Rachel came along, and I finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel."

"Would you like to tell me some facts?"

"Sure. You know Shakespeare's The Tempest?"

"Yes, I know it well."

"Basically what happened was that the person who was supposed to play Ariel, that is, Juliet, got stuck in traffic, so I had to replace her by learning her lines in the span of a very short time."

"Oh man AHAHAH, I'm already imagining the scene."

"Don't laugh, because to your misfortune I was able to recite those lines alongside Rachel, who was playing the role of Prospera.

"Then I take it all back. How was Rachel in her role?"

"She was perfect in every way, both with her makeup and her acting, it seemed like she had to take off as far as she could convey her skill on stage, especially with the offstage."

"What offstage?"

"Here comes the kicker: Rachel went off script, and at that moment she asked me to stay by her side for a little while longer, and that we would then fly off the island. She asked me if I would go along with her wish, with one in the audience saying I should say yes, and so I did. It was an incredible moment."

"I've really missed out on a lot in these five years..."

"Stop, don't talk again about how sorry you are, I've already told you it's water under the bridge."

"I know, I'm just sorry I couldn't witness that moment, I would have been happy to see you on that stage."

"It doesn't matter Max, in the end we are together again now, not only as friends, but also as partners."

"Do you think Rachel will accept our relationship?"

"If she accepts it I would be happy; if not, I will get over it. With her there was a time when we were in a relationship that went beyond friendship as I already told you, but when I learned about Frank and Jefferson I realized that Rachel has no idea how feelings work, ending up hurting people. I want the relationship with you to be different: no lies, and for any problem we will learn to dialogue."

"You really sound like a different person Chloe, sure I'm talking to you and not some alien out of Invasion Of The Body Snatchers?"

"You can be hella sure. I'm Chloe Price, and no alien can ever replace me, not least because I'd kick his ass as soon as he tried to touch me."

"That's why I love you, you always manage to make me laugh even at times like these. Would you like to take a picture of us kissing?"

"FUCK YES! Good thing you forgot your camera here, otherwise we would have risked getting it smashed to pieces in the accident."

"That's right, I was so tired that taking pictures was the last thing on my mind, now though, I want this moment to stick."

Max takes the camera and snaps the picture while kissing Chloe.

"How does it look?"

"It's perfect, but it couldn't be otherwise since you took it."

"How sweet you are Chloe."

"Listen, since we still have a whole afternoon free, would you like to pick up where we left off yesterday?"

"With pleasure!"

Max and Chloe kiss passionately and then have sex. Chloe shows herself from the start to be the most confident and prepared during the intercourse, but at the same time sympathetic to Max for whom it is the first time having such an experience with a person. Max, on the other hand, tends to be gentler and more awkward, yet manages to create such a synergy with Chloe that they both enjoy the moment, where they realize 100 percent the feelings they have for each other.

1 hour later

"It was a wonderful experience."

"Who knows Max, for your first time you didn't do too bad."

"Thanks Chloe, for this time I can say I didn't do so bad."

"See? I want you to be more confident, you're finally pulling out a different side of your temper, and I'm sure we're gonna face this situation head-on tonight."

"With you by my side I feel like even the biggest of obstacles can be overcome, you've shown me a strength that I didn't think I had, but which I'm now starting to bring out."

"You too Max have been a great help to me, before I was always pissed off at the world and people who didn't deserve it got in the way, but thanks to you I am making peace with my past. I'm not saying I'm going to be a good girl like you, but at least I'm not going to act instinctively like I have for the past few years."

"I'm proud of you Chloe."

"I'm proud of you Max."

After these words, the two girls embrace each other affectionately, crying tears of joy. Afterwards, they take advantage of the moment to sleep hugging each other, before tonight's meeting at the dump.