The Ballad of Mark and Max

Maxine "Max" Caulfield

My name is Maxine Caulfield, but everyone calls me Max. I am 18 and I moved back to Arcadia Bay, which is my hometown, from Seattle. My family moved there when I was 13. I left my best friend, Chloe, behind right after her dad died in a car accident. I felt horrible. I always wanted to write, text or call her, but I had no idea what to say. I plan on contacting her as soon as I get settled in at my dorm. Unfortunately, now, I am in a similar situation as she was when I moved away. I don't have anyone in Arcadia Bay anymore besides her and her mother Joyce. Joyce was just as much a mother to me as my own, she raised me right along side Chloe. Chloe and I were going to be pirates and take over AB when we were younger. I hope she'll forgive me for my utter lack of communication while I lived in Seattle and be my best friend again, just like we were 5 years ago and the many years before.

I am going to be attending Blackwell academy on a scholarship for photography. I use an old analog Polaroid camera. I love taking pictures of nature and I'm fond of "selfies." The only picture I have of myself that I didn't take is the one of my dad and I at the top of the Seattle Space Needle. I'm really excited about my photography class! It's going to be taught by Mark Jefferson, he is my photography idol. He's even written his own book and been on the cover of a magazine! He's one of the main reasons I decided to come back home to Arcadia Bay and attend Blackwell. While I lived in Seattle I collected every magazine that he was featured in either as the photographer or the interviewee. He really inspired me to become a photographer with the way he used the chiaroscuro technique in all of his photography.

Ugh! The more I think about it and him the more anxious I get about being around him as my teacher. I'll admit I've always had a huge crush on him. He's always dressed to the 9s. With a black blazer over a white button down shirt that just shows the top of his chest, which looks well defined. His black and white glasses make him look very refined, smart and so classic. He has a shock of dark brown hair that always looks messy and a perfectly trimmed beard. Everything about him is just very sophisticated.

I finally finished unpacking and making my dorm as home-like as possible, after fretting about being in Mr. Jefferson's class, for what seemed like hours. I look around my room and decide I am satisfied with it, now it's time to take a shower. I gather up my essentials and head for the bathroom. As I walk in I see a very pretty girl standing at the sink, brushing her teeth. We give each other a nod, as her mouth is full of toothpaste, I head towards the shower that's farthest from the door. It's my favorite because the hot water never seems to run out in this one. I hear the girl offer a greeting. "Hello" she says, "I'm Kate, Kate Marsh." Hey, I say, I'm Max Caulfield nice to meet you Kate. I notice that Kate is very soft spoken and proper. Her blond hair is pulled back into a tight bun, a few tendrils have escaped here and there making her look more youthful. Her blue eyes are clear, sharp and very kind. She's wearing a t-shirt and shorts, her pyjamas, no doubt and a golden cross necklace. "Are you in Jefferson's photography class?" Kate asked. Yes, I am, how'd you know? I asked Kate. "I just have a sense about people, I am in his class too, would you want to walk to class together tomorrow, so we aren't walking alone?" Sure, I say, it's nice to have a friend already! Kate smiles a 1000 watt smile, "YES! It is. I'll see you tomorrow for Mr. Jefferson's class." See you then, I say.

I make it back to my dorm after my shower and sit on my bed, contemplating my first day of school tomorrow. I stand up to walk over to my closet and shuffle through some of my clothes. Deciding on my favorite jeans, pink Jane Doe shirt and my white Converse for my outfit. I set it out neatly on my couch next to my camera bag for the next day. Lying down in my bed I smirk to myself as I begin thinking of the year ahead of me with Mr. Jefferson and being under his tutelage. I hope he doesn't think I am lame because I have my old analog camera. What if he thinks my pictures suck? My heart throbs at that thought, so I sweep it out of my mind and focus on how good he looks. My cheeks heat, and I get this funny feeling in the pit of my stomach. Wowsers, I need to keep my mind clear if I plan I getting any sleep tonight. I reach over for my phone, set my alarm, send a quick text to my mom and turn over to go to sleep. Little did I know, how often Mark Jefferson would inhabit my dreams that night.