Never Forget Me (Life is Strange)

The Choice

Rain was hitting my cheek, bringing me back to reality. My head was spinning, and I felt like I was about to throw up.

"Max! Are you okay?" Chloe asked worried.

"Yeah, I'm... Oh no."

The tornado in my vision was heading right for Arcadia Bay. Chloe had brought me to safety at the lighthouse, but now all I could do was watch in horror. A pit started to form in my stomach. No, it can't be real. Even after all I did, it wasn't enough. I couldn't stop the tornado from destroying the town.

"I didn't stop the storm, I didn't save anyone!" I cried.

"Max it's okay. There's nothing you can do," Chloe said. "It's not your fault!"

"Chloe, I caused this," I said, tears filling my eyes. "My powers changed fate and destiny so much, that I created this storm. This is all my fault."

Chloe grabbed my shoulder, and looked me in the eye. "Max, this is not your fault. You never asked to get this power, and you never asked to make this storm. Stop believing that bullshit you're saying!"

I tried to listen to Chloe, I tried to believe her, but I couldn't. I knew about this storm. I knew that it would kill everyone, but there was nothing I could do to prevent it. Chloe's grip on my shoulder loosened.

"Max," she said as her hands fell to her side. "You can fix this."

She pulled out the picture of the blue butterfly out of her pocket. I had only taken that picture a few days ago, but it seemed like a faded memory.

"Max ... you can go back in time. You can go back and let me ... let me."

"Chloe ... I can't .... I can't let you die! You're my best friend!" fear started to swim in my stomach.

"Listen to me Max," Chloe said cutting me off. "For the past few days we've been together, you have been saving my life over, and over again. I am so grateful for you and your powers for saving my life... But I think it's time I accepted my destiny. "

I couldn't believe what Chloe was saying; I didn't want to. She couldn't die, not now! We just got back together, our life together was just starting.

"Chloe, I don't want to lose you again!" I cried.

"Max, think of everyone in Arcadia," Chloe said. "They deserve so much better. I've been so fucking selfish for the past week. Now it's my turn to give something up."

I looked at the photo. Though my mind was racing, it was as if time stood still. I could go back, and let everything play out, or I could let the storm destroyed Arcadia bay. I thought of Joyce and Warren trapped in the dinner, helping Frank out. Would Victoria be there? Probably not. She's probably be hanging out with Juliet and Diana in the Vortex club. Kate would be stuck in the hospital. She'd never get the chance to leave. No one didn't deserve to die like this.

"Max, it's time," Chloe said, snapping my attention.

"Chloe ... I'm so sorry! I-I don't want to do this!" Tears started to fall from my eyes.

Chloe wrapped her arms around me, trying to comfort me. I hugged her back, trying to hold back my tears.

"I know Max," Chloe whispers. She pulled out from the hug. "Thank you for giving me the best farewell gift. Go, save everyone. And make sure you make those fuckers pay for what they did to Rachel. Now get out of here ... do it before I freak! ... And Max, don't you forget me."

I nodded, and Chloe ran down the path toward Arcadia bay. I wanted to stop her. I wanted to tell her that I changed my mind, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I turned to the picture, and tried to focus on it. My tears made it difficult, but somehow I managed to do it. Before I knew it, I was back in the girls bathroom with the blue butterfly. Any second now, Nathan will come in, and shoot Chloe. I watched the door, holding my breath. Maybe fate had decided to give Chloe a chance. Suddenly, the door opened and Nathan walked in.

I hid behind the bathroom stalls, unable to watch the scene play out again. I curled up, and let it all play out.

"What are you doing? Put that thing down!" Chloe yelled.

"Don't EVER tell me what to do. I'm so SICK of people trying to control me!"

"You are going to get in hella more trouble for this than drugs."

"Nobody would ever even miss your punk ass, would they?!" I felt my heart sink as Nathan said those words. I wanted to comfort her. I wanted to tell her it wasn't true. I wanted to tell her that Joyce would miss her, David would ... I would miss her.

"Get that gun away from me psycho!"

BANG

I flinched as the gun went off. Tears started to pour out of my eyes. She was gone. There was nothing I could do now. As I started to return to the present, new memories started to flood my head. Memories of talking to the police, and comforting Joyce and David entered my mind. They didn't replace the old memories I had with Chloe, but I knew those memories never happened. The new memories were very bitter sweet. Rachel was found, and Kate was able to get help, but now I could only see Chloe through the pictures taken of her. I wanted her back.

I opened my eyes. The storm was gone. The sun was rising over the bay. The golden rays looked beautiful reflecting against the blue water. I wanted Chloe to see it. I know she'd like it. I took one last look at the bay. It was a calm, peaceful morning. I left to head to the funeral. All of Blackwell's teacher attended the funeral. Some of them where once Chloe's teachers before she dropped out. Some of the students came to pay their respects. Looking at Chloe's coffin was very hard. I could not believe that wild Chloe was in that box. She should be dancing to her metal music, or shooting bottles in the junkyard, not dead.

Before they lowered her into the ground, a blue butterfly landed on her coffin. It reminded me of Chloe. I smiled, picturing Chloe as a butterfly. She would still be badass, even with her beautiful wings. I thought of Chloe cursing the universe for turning her into a butterfly, then I pictured her flying all over arcadia bay. Peace started to come over me. Chloe was free now. She was happy. And even though she won't be by my side anymore, I will never forget her.

Never.

The end