Similar powers

Chapter 35. Trip to Portland

June 21, 2014 at 6:00 p.m.

Summer vacation has finally begun, and Kate has finished the May promotion of her book along with Max and Victoria, finally being able to move on to having some free time to herself by dividing her time between them and Alyssa and Stella, with whom she has always been in touch during her travels. Kate is tired, but happy with her goal and all the great support she has had from her classmates and school, managing to make new connections and have new experiences she never expected to have.

Max and Chloe

On June 15, they both left for Portland taking advantage of their summer vacation, and in addition to doing what they had planned such as eating donuts, getting a tattoo, and drinking craft beer, they boarded the Aeral streetcar from which they rode to Marquam Hill where they were able to take in the view of the city. In addition, Max persuaded Chloe first to go to Powell Bookstore where Max read books devoted to photography, while Chloe devoted herself to reading some manga such as Akira. They then went to the Japanese Garden where even Chloe was able to find a tranquility she never expected to find, thanking Max for insisting on going here. It seems that the vacation is coming to a close for the best, but Max needs to talk to Chloe about an important matter.

"These days have been wonderful Max, we have done so many things that I didn't expect we would be able to enjoy."

"They say it takes at least four days to fully enjoy the city, but I preferred to make it seven so that we could take our time to enjoy everything."

"That's why when it comes to certain things you're the brain and I'm the arm. Then I didn't expect you to decide to get a tattoo, and why specifically the uroboros?"

"I could give you the philosophical motivation etc. but I actually did it because I loved Fullmetal Alchemist."

"Nerd in everything."

"Cut it out! You, on the other hand, why of the tattoo did you prefer to have a lock of hair colored green?"

"I could tell you too that it symbolizes the color of hope and the like, I simply wanted to renew my look, and I particularly liked green."

"Chloe, I need to talk to you about something important, and I don't know if you will take it well or not."

"If you say that I worry, is it good news or bad news?"

"It depends on your point of view: during one of the last stops with Kate in late May I met a man who is in charge of an art gallery in New York, who was fascinated by my photos inside the book and would like me to work for him. The pay is great and room and board is practically free."

"Why didn't you tell me about this earlier?"

"I was afraid that if we argued we would end up ruining this beautiful trip, and I didn't want that to happen."

"Max, I  remind you that I'm no longer that Chloe who gets upset if you answer to Kate at the diner anymore, I'd like you to learn to confide and share certain news. I would be only too happy if you went to New York."

"It's not just that: I'd like you to go with me, too."

"What?! Okay you caught me off guard."

"Think about it Chloe, it could be the right time to start a new life outside Arcadia Bay and build something together, and this job could really be a godsend."

"I don't know Max, I think you're getting ahead of yourself. I understand the excitement and all, but I finally have a happy relationship with my mother again, with David in particular I'm getting along better than ever and he's teaching me so many new things about cars and the tools needed to fix them. I need to think about it, it's not an easy decision right off the bat."

"That's okay Chloe, and sorry I didn't tell you about it earlier."

"Don't be sorry, I don't want us to ruin the last day of this vacation, just as long as you promise from now on that you won't keep it all inside, but tell me about it."

"I promise."

"Thank you. Just one thing, but how soon will you have to give the guy from New York an answer?"

"By the end of the month, so we still have time."

"Okay."