Chapter Text
A head of blue hair lays on a pillow, smoke billowing from a mouth like a chimney. It's become all too common a routine for one Chloe Price as she stares at that damned ceiling. She swears that it changes every time, but she couldn't be bothered to really note anything that seemed different, just like she couldn't be bothered to do much of anything these days.
She had been kicked out of school, her job was mediocre, and the town seemed to get smaller each day. Her stash was lessening with each joint rolled, and seeing Frank was becoming more of a chore each time, especially with the reminder of her debt constantly being shoved in her face.
It wasn't just those things that were wearing on her. Her mother's new husband, or step-dick as she called him, always seemed to have a bigger stick up his ass with each passing day. If it wasn't issues with the students at Blackwell, it was issues with her. Her habits were constantly called disrespectful, or simply wasteful, and she didn't know what else to do to even appease him.
Chloe had gotten a job like she was "asked" to, and all of her pot, booze, and cigarettes came from her pocket, not theirs. She even helped with bills from time to time, even if that meant going through withdrawals until her next paycheck.
Thinking about helping out reminded her of the first time she contributed to the bills. Joyce was adamant that she didn't have to, but Chloe inherited her mother's stubbornness and refused to take no for an answer.
The smile on Joyce's face that day was the happiest she had seen her mother since her wedding day to David, but it didn't compare to the smile she always had when Ryan was around, making the worst jokes that somehow made you laugh.
The thought of her dad made her sad again, just like every other time she thought of him. The light of their house gone forever. The memory of her father was made worse by today of all days, because today was Chloe's birthday.
Today was supposed to be one of the best days of the year. The day when your loved ones celebrate the miracle of your birth, yet that hadn't happened for the past few years.
Ever since Chloe's father was taken from her, her birthdays had gotten worse and worse. Her mother always had to work since bills had to be paid, but she always made sure to make something for Chloe, and Joyce always brought back a cake. It may have been store bought, but goddamn it that cake tasted like heaven after a smoke session.
On the other side of that marriage, David hated birthdays. He had thought them to be pointless since, "Why would we celebrate being born?" He did always make sure to get Joyce a gift for her birthday, and in fairness, he did always give Chloe some money, but it was always followed up with, "Don't waste this on your usual shit."
Chloe never followed through with that.
There was one person who usually shined light on any shitty day Chloe had, which was admittedly most of them.
Rachel Amber.
Rachel was always that golden ray of sun that made Chloe feel like the world wasn't so shitty, just mostly. Every time Rachel stared into Chloe's eyes, every time she laughed, or even the quiet moments when Rachel would run her fingers through Chloe's hair, it made Chloe feel better than any drug could.
Usually on Chloe's birthdays, Rachel would be the first to wish her happy birthday, then they would make plans for later, and that was enough to get Chloe through the day. However, today was different. Chloe had received no such text, they didn't make any sort of plans, because Rachel was gone.
The drama club had gone to Portland for a production of some play that Chloe couldn't remember the name of, but Rachel had been so excited, that she literally couldn't wake to get going. Rachel had told Chloe that this was her chance to perform on a big stage, but Chloe knew the real reason. Rachel wanted out of Arcadia Bay, and this was her best chance. She would get noticed on a stage, and then she would be whisked off to Hollywood, leaving Chloe in the dust, forever trapped in Nowheresville.
Chloe looked at her phone from time to time, still expecting that message, but she knew it wouldn't come. Rachel was probably too busy rehearsing, and planning her escape from Arcadia.
Escaping from Arcadia Bay was such a pipe dream, that even a tornado could blow through, and they'd all still be stuck there. The town was a vortex of life, that even the most lively of people became shells, if they hadn't left already.
Just like Max had left.
Max Caulfield was the last person that Chloe wanted to think about, because every time that girl came to mind, tears soon followed.
Max was the polar opposite of Chloe. She was shy, meek, and polite compared to Chloe's outgoing, confident, and brash nature. It made her wonder how much Max must've changed since being forced to move to Seattle.
Chloe could imagine Max having a trail of followers behind her, worshipping her every step. She knew Max had the ability to be the biggest flower in the garden, yet she always seemed to be content with remaining as just one of the patch.
How would Max react if she could see her now? She'd probably be grinning ear to ear about the hair, but the smoke, drugs, alcohol? Max would definitely be disappointed with her. Her small friend always had the most judging stare hidden within a gentle gaze.
Chloe always thought about what if Max decided to text her. She initially had when moving to Seattle, but the messages winded down, until they completely stopped.
It had been about two years since the last message, yet Chloe always hoped that Max would finally get back to her. Chloe dreamed of getting the message that Max finally remembered her, and they would go back to being the pirates that they once were.
So, sitting alone, Chloe took the last draw of her joint before putting the remnants in her ashtray. Music drowned out the silence as the earphones sit snug, blasting whatever she could to get her mind away from the numbing loneliness that surrounded her.
The shaking of the front door closing alerted her of Joyce's arrival, and that meant cake, along with greasy bacon, a delicacy that trumps all others.
Chloe got up from her bed, removing her earphones, but leaving the music blasting as she heads to the door.
Joyce puts the grocery bag on the counter, making sure to not wreck the cake she had bought for her daughter. It was another reminder that she hated how much she had to work, but bills don't stop for no one.
Joyce then put down the letters she grabbed from the mailbox, seeing the familiar letters of debt that she had grown accustomed to, but there was one that caught her eye. Usually, the letters would be white, but this envelope was blue with a words written on the front.
"For Chloe Price."
Joyce eyed the envelope for a few seconds, before recognition sparks in her mind. Before Joyce can even get anything out of the bag, the lanky visage of her daughter stalks into the kitchen.
"Hey, mom. Good shift?" Chloe asks, hinting at what she's really down for.
Joyce smiles. "I swear, bacon does a better job at getting you up than that damned alarm clock." Joyce opens the bag before pulling out a wrapped plate of greasy goodness. "Happy birthday, sweetheart."
"Thanks, mom. Now, lemme get at this cake so I can make a sandwich.
Joyce looks at her daughter with a raised eyebrow. "Chloe Elizabeth Price. Please don't tell me that you're going to make a sandwich with chocolate cake and strips of bacon?"
Chloe avoids looking at her mother for a few seconds. "It's my birthday."
Joyce shakes her head as she chuckles before getting the cake out of the bag. "Have at it, just don't come to me when your teeth rot out."
Chloe has a small smile on her face as she grabs the cake before putting it and the bacon down before grabbing a knife to open the box.
Both mother and daughter go about their current business. Joyce is putting groceries away, and making sure to clean up some of the mess that Chloe is making while the daughter is currently Frankenstein-ing some sort of concoction that only Chloe Price could.
Once Chloe is done making her "masterpiece", she hands a piece of cake to her mother whole grabbing another one for herself. "Toast?" Chloe asks, making her mother smile before the two tap their slices of cake and take a bite.
As Chloe grabs some napkins to clean herself up, Joyce grabs the blue envelope before turning around. "Now, take that whatyoumacallit up to your room along with this while I clean up the rest of this."
Chloe takes the envelope, and looks at it confused. "You didn't have to give me another card, you know?"
"I didn't. Now, shoo."
Joyce gives Chloe a loving push out of the kitchen, and the blue-haired punk starts ascending up the stairs, her eyes transfixed on the envelope.
Chloe gets back into her room, closing the door with her hip as she takes her abomination on a plate to her bed, carefully putting it down before grabbing one of the pieces of bacon that she kept as desert before munching with delight.
That delight is momentary as she looks back at the envelope. The words "For Chloe Price" stare back at her, and there's something familiar about it, yet she can't quite remember.
Chloe quickly opens up the envelope, and grabs the card inside. She pulls said card out, and is met with the sight of a themed birthday card clearly meant for kids. The only thing that intrigues her even more, is that the card is pirate themed.
"Arrrr Ye Ready for the Best Birthday?!" The card is slightly amusing, seeing a pirate with an eyepatch and a hook cutting a birthday cake for his crew.
Chloe let's out a muted chuckle before opening the card up, and her eyes widen as she begins to read.
"Happy Birthday, Chloe. I know I've been a horrible first mate, and that's unforgivable, but I want to explain it all to you. This is my new number. Please call me, I miss you. Long Max Silver."
Tears hit the card as disbelief sets in, and speech is a thing of the past.
"It can't be, surely. There's no way in hell that this is actually Max... is it?"
Chloe looks at the number written down, and without hesitation, she grabs her phone. The number is typed fasten than Chloe has ever typed before, but her finger stops just before hitting call.
Chloe takes a breath, wondering what is going to happen if this actually is Max. Should she start shouting at her for going radio silent for two years? Should she bombard her with questions? There's a million other things she thinks to do, but Chloe can't decide.
Chloe takes one more breath before emptying her mind, and doing one of the hardest things she's ever had to do. Hit the call button.
Ring... ring... ring...
The phone keeps going, and it only causes her anxiety to grow. She should hang up right now, shouldn't she? It's pointless. Why would Max finally reach out after all these years just to-
"H-H-Hello?" A familiar voice says through the phone, and Chloe's heart melts instantly.
"Max?" Chloe immediately says involuntarily, her body taking control for now.
"Chloe! You got my card."
Chloe can hear the joy in Max's voice, and all those thoughts about what to do seem to fade away for good.
"Of course. I just can't believe you remembered."
Max laughs. "Chloe. I could never forget you."
"What about the last few years?" Another involuntary remark, yet a necessary one.
"I.. deserve that." Max relents. "But before you rightfully bite my head off, would you give me the chance to explain where I've been?"
Chloe smiles. "For you, Maximus. I have all the time in the world."
Max let's out a little chuckle again. "Thank you, Chloe. Oh, and before I start... Happy Birthday."