Max & Chloe's Hella Shitty Coffee (Life is Strange)

Chapter 8

Sunday came and Max awoke feeling giddy at the prospect of spending the day with Chloe. Max grabbed her phone and saw Chloe was already up and messaging her. Max was certain that Chloe never used to be such an early riser. Then again Chloe never really cared for attendance or punctuality, a consistent work schedule is doing her some good.

Chloe: So you finally gonna tell me where we're going?

Max: You said I built a new life without you in Seattle, so I want to show you that you were always a part of it.

Chloe: Seattle hmmm? I don't know Max...

Max: You have to come, I already bought your plane ticket.

Chloe: You fight dirty Caulfield. It's really just a day trip?

Max: Scouts honour

Chloe: You were never a girl scout

Max: Touché. Flight out is at 9.30

Chloe: I'll pick you up in half an hour

Max: You have a car?

Chloe: Perks of living off campus Caulfield, I have a parking spot. See you soon X

Max: See you then 😎😎😎

Chloe: No emojis.

Max chuckled but didn't respond. Dropping her phone, she struggled out from under her duvet and climbed out of the twin bed. The two dorm showers were currently occupied, and Chloe was set to be there by 7:30. Sighing at the grossness of it all, she settled for using baby wipes where she needed them and antiperspirant where she didn't. Her hair was a greasy nest and desperately needed a wash, but she settled for dry shampoo and five minutes of angry, curse filled. brushing. By the time 7:15 rolled around she almost looked presentable. She toyed with the idea of make-up but decided against it. All she had to hand was an unopened lipstick and eyeliner that she normally ended up blinding herself with, Chloe would have to deal without. She had spent the first 10 years of their friendship clean faced, why not continue?

The communal kitchen was surprisingly busy for a Sunday morning. Dana and the big football lug she's seeing were asleep on the couch, reeking of day-old spirits. Taylor was quietly humming show tunes to herself by the counter, staring impatiently at the toaster. Victoria, as pristine looking as ever, was loading fruit into the juicer with one hand while she poured coffee with the other.

"Someone is up at a sociable hour. Busy morning?" Victoria turned to look at her, a knowing smile crossing her lips. "You didn't have anyone keeping you up, did you?" Max couldn't help but smile. She had been smiling a lot lately, it was a new feeling for her.

"Chloe is picking me up in..." she checked her phone "eight and a half minutes. Is there coffee?" She also needed something to eat but would have to settle for one of Victoria's bananas.

"Well well well. On Friday you have her in your room, today you're going out together. You're not actually listening to your heart are you Max?" Max could feel her face turn bright pink.

"It's not like that. We're just friends. Good friends, or at least we're getting there." Max accepted the coffee that Victoria handed her, as hot as the sun and as black as space. "I'm taking her to Seattle for the day."

"Seattle? Lucky girl." The juicer sprang to life and for a minute Max couldn't hear herself think. When she tried to sip the coffee the combined taste and heat and caffeine rush almost took her off of her feet. She found she didn't so much mind the bitterness of it.