Welcome Home, Max

Secret Lair

A/N: Okay, another chapter for you guys, hope you enjoy it.

She was running down a hallway, a hallway that was new to her. She could hear her labored breaths as she ran reaching a doorway. Quickly, she slammed through it and rushed up a flight of stairs. After the first flight was a door, but it wasn't the one she was looking for so her legs didn't stop moving, hurrying up the last flight of stairs. She pushed roughly, forcing a metal door open only to be greeted by whiteness. She couldn't see anything, it was just blank. Then a sound reached her ears, a buzzing sound. Annoyed, she opened her blue orbs slowly. Max cringed when the sunlight pierced her pupils and her head pounded as if it were a base drum being harshly played with a mallet.

Slowly she propped herself up on her elbows and looked at her still buzzing phone that lay next to a bunch of empty beer cans. "Guess that's why my head hurts like a bitch." She grumbled, picking up her hand held device and stopping the annoying alarm. Tossing the technology down she struggled to keep her eyes open due to the very painful light seeping into her room. Max forced herself to stand with a low groan and started her morning routine. She didn't want to look like death when she went to meet Chloe, even if said woman didn't show up.

She changed out of her night time clothes into a more relaxed look than yesterday because she didn't feel anywhere near 100% today. Putting on some sneakers, baggy and ripped jeans, and a plain white, long sleeve shirt. Knowing it would be chilly she looked around for her black jacket, but she couldn't find it. Searching all the bags she had around she still didn't see it anywhere. Fuck it. Forgetting about her jacket, she headed to the bathroom to brush her teeth and fix her hair, that looked like a giant tornado had flown through it. Taking a brush to the mess she worked out the knots, wincing because all the pulling made her head throb.

Grabbing her normal things, she made sure she had everything before exiting her apartment to take the normal route to the Two Whales diner. Part of her was nervous and afraid of what Chloe's choice would be, but another part was actually excited at the thought of being able to reconnect with her after so long. Yeah, she felt like shit for never calling or texting, but she honestly didn't have an excuse or reason as to why. I'll do whatever I can to let her know how happy I am to see her again, if she shows up that is. Max frowned at the possibility of the blue haired girl not showing up.

On her way to the retro looking diner, she passed in front of Blackwell Academy and stopped when something caught her eye. There was a row of flowers near the side walk and on one of the white colored flowers was a bright blue butterfly. Girl, you don't get a photo op like this everyday. Max thought happily, a small smile forming on her lips. Taking out her camera, she got close enough to the butterfly to get a good shot and not scare it off at the same time. Just when it opened its wings she took the shot, the light flashing. When it spat out the photo only then did the insect flutter off and Max watched it go. Taking the photo she watched it develop after putting the Polaroid device away into her bag. When it was done the corners of her lips twitched upward slightly. The picture was perfect.

Remembering that she had somewhere to be the brunette put the photo up and walked the rest of the way. She went through Chloe's neighborhood again, but didn't stop to stare at the house instead she kept her eyes forward and marched along her route. Today she didn't bother with her music in fear they it would irritate her hangover more than the daily sounds of Arcadia Bay. Her head still throbbed anyway and her eyes were still pretty sensitive to light, but with some nice, hot, black coffee she believed she could deal with it until it passed.

When she reached Two Whales she walked right in and sat at the same booth she had the day before. Joyce was already walking around with a pot of coffee and happily greeted Max and poured some of the hot liquid into a mug. "Good morning, Max."