Life is Strange
Epilogue
"I don't want to. Not again" Her voice was quiet, but sincere.
"If you don't, the world will fall apart" The threatening response got her attention, but it was hard to convince her to do these horrendous actions a second time.
"How would you know?" she asked, finding it hard not to focus on the serious look on her face.
"The Gods... they informed me of the dire situation... do it" A trail of smoke was rising around her, almost framing her figure in a perfectly nefarious way.
She sighed regrettably. "Fine..."
Taking a step backwards, as the cold substance in her right hand made her tense up, Max took a breath and closed her eyes. Preparing herself to once more, do what was demanded of her.
Here goes nothing...
"My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard, and they're like, it's better than yours, damn right, it's better than yours, I could teach you–" Max sang out embarrassed while making subtle dancing movements as her friend Chloe nearly had tears streaming down her face from holding in the laughter.
"I can't, Chloe! I appreciate that you bought me a milkshake to cheer me up, but this is just mean!" Max let out, trying not to blush, but having an even harder time to hide her obvious smile.
Chloe could no longer hold it in and began laughing out words.
"I'm sorry Max, but I expect to get something in return. Milkshakes are expensive, you know" Chloe's laughter slowly faded, but her smile remained.
"Besides... I missed you. I want to make the most of it" Her lasting smile went hand-in-hand with the look of delight that her blue eyes managed to pull off.
"I missed you too..." Max couldn't help but to return Chloe's look.
"But you're still a dick," she quickly let out.
Chloe didn't respond, giving Max time to quickly study her surroundings. She felt weird being back in Chloe's room for numerous reasons. First of all, it looked different, but it also brought back memories of when they were younger, eating pancakes in Chloe's bed, talking about how they would both ditch school and become partners at their own company. She couldn't quite recall what their business plan was, or if they even had any, but looking around, memories of a different time appeared. A mixture of emotions was brought to the surface, but it was hard for Max to describe it. The more she focused on the memory, the more blurry it appeared to become. She quickly decided to brush of the slightly uncomfortable thoughts and instead paid her attention to the basket of flowers on Chloe's desk. It brought an inner smile to Max, knowing that Chloe had bought them for her. It was an explosion of colors that was placed in the basket. Lily's, daisy's, even sunflowers were stuffed in there. It raised the same question as before however...
What happened to me?
Without realizing it, Max had a tense look on her face, which she kept for a good amount of time, leading Chloe to interrupt Max's thoughts.
"You wanna talk about it?" It surprised her how Chloe's voice had changed from joy, to concern so quickly.
"There's not much I can say, Chloe" Max answered honestly, looking at the friend before her. It created a sense of comfort to see that Chloe was wearing a white tank top and a hoodie. She was unsure why, but it eased her emotions ever so slightly.
"You really don't remember what happened?" Chloe had questions, but they were few answers.
"No" Max was quick to respond with a downhearted voice, as she adverted her eyes from her friend and looked down into the ground, placing her left hand on her right arm.
There was a couple of seconds of silence, bringing the atmosphere down to an unbearable level.
"Sit down on the bed," Chloe suddenly let out, making Max look back up.
"You don't like my posture?" Max questioned with a subtle smirk.
"Just do it" Unfortunately, Chloe kept her emotionless facial expression as she said this.
Max decided to not question as to why she should sit down and instead did as Chloe asked. She turned around, placed her half-empty milkshake on the nearby desk and began walking towards the bed. A bed that was slightly messy, but at least it wasn't downright dirty, so Max felt fine as she sat down on the edge of the bed, looking back up at Chloe for confirmation.
"Not like that. Sit in the middle, on the far side of the wall," Chloe specifically requested.
Max kept getting more confused, wondering what Chloe had planned, but there was no hint to find in her expression, so she decided to simply shuffle to the middle of the bed, almost leaning up against the wall behind the bed. As she crossed her legs, she looked up at her friend again, checking to see if she was sitting correctly. Chloe didn't answer her silent question and instead walked towards the bed herself, before gently placing herself in front of Max, sitting in a similar way with crossed legs. As they were now sitting close on the bed, facing each other, it almost felt as if Chloe studied Max's eyes with great intensity. Before Max could question anything, Chloe blinked once before making a second request.
"Hold out your hands like this" Chloe kept showing no actual emotions in her voice nor expression, as she held out her hands with her palms facing upwards. Max took a second, but began slowly imitating Chloe's actions, holding out her hands. A surprising chill passed through her, as Chloe began squeezing the tip of Max's index finger. She kept staring into Max's eyes, with an indecipherable look.
"Do you feel it?" She asked calmly.
"I feel you squeezing my finger, yes," Max responded with an odd look.
Chloe gave a slight nod before using her index finger and thumb to squeeze Max's middle finger.
"Yea?" Chloe continued.
"Ehh... Yeah. I feel it," she responded, rather confused.
"Good" Chloe shortly said before continuing to Max's ring finger.
"Chloe?" Max let out.
"What are we doing?"
"Testing your nerves or some shit" Chloe finally decided to let out a gentle smile.
"Why?" Max nodded to let Chloe know she could feel it.
"The nurse told me someone had to check if your body hadn't taken any damage"
"Oh, you're checking if my spine still send out nerve responses," Max let out in realization.
"Probably," Chloe responded, revealing that she wasn't actually sure what she was doing.
Max took a short moment to look at Chloe as she began squeezing her pinky.
"I know they said I should stay with someone for at least the remainder of the day, but I don't think it's necessary to do a check-up. I feel fine," Max admitted, nodding again.
"I just want to make sure," Chloe sighed.
"Besides, I want an excuse to touch you," she jokingly let out with a smile.
"You creep," Max chuckled, looking down onto her hands. She felt slightly embarrassed by the fact that it had been a while since she had cut her nails, and they weren't even long in the pretty feminine way. It wasn't too big a deal however, as she knew Chloe couldn't care less.
Chloe couldn't help but to let out a gentle laugh as well.
"By my qualified expertise, I must say, you do seem fine," she said as she retracted her hands.
"You haven't checked my other hand yet," Max was quick to say while bending her index finger on her right hand. There was something she just had to try...
"Don't get needy now," Chloe sighed with a smile as she began squeezing the fingers on Max's other hand.
She made a subtle smirk, waiting for Chloe to get to her pinky. Luckily, it didn't take long before Chloe placed her fingers around Max's pinky and began squeezing, and just as she did, Max let out a deep, sensual moan. She couldn't hold it long however, as she saw the surprised look on Chloe, making Max burst into laughter.
"You're the freaking creep!" Chloe began laughing as well, as she realized Max was joking.
They both spend a couple more seconds laughing before Max looked back at Chloe.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't help it," she smiled, feeling rather giddy.
Chloe simply rolled her eyes, before turning her head to look out the window. It looked like she had something on her mind, though her subtle smile remained. Her thoughts were quick to reveal themselves however, as Chloe placed the palm of her hand on top of Max's hand, almost holding it in place.
"It's nice to chill with you again Max. My life has been a little too dramatic after you left"
Chloe held a little tighter around Max's hand.
"I really need to just relax with a friend," she let out with the tender smile.
Max wanted to say something, or at least give off a smile in return, but her mind was occupied, as indistinguishable memories began forming inside her head. She could remember parts of a situation similar to this one, but not the source of the memory, or even the exact happenings. Just sort of a déjà vu feeling.
I keep remembering something when I talk with Chloe. At least when she says something specific. It feels as if I was with her before my accident, but she told me that we haven't talked since the day I left Arcadia Bay, but the look in her eyes just seems so familiar.. And why is it I feel so weird when she is close to me? I guess I could have just dreamt about her and later forgotten... but... it's partly remarkable joy when I really think about her... and partly heart shattering sadness.
"Or we can just sit here in silence while I hold your hand," Chloe whispered out as she hadn't gotten a response from Max.
"Not awkward at all..."
"Oh, sorry!" Max was quick to apologize, as she shook her head.
"Kinda got lost in my thoughts for a second," she admitted, before squeezing Chloe's hand as well.
"I know how you feel. Even though I can't exactly remember what has happened the last few days, I feel as if it was somewhat dramatic as well"
Max looked down, having a hard time sharing her thoughts while looking at the blue-haired girl. Looking at her own legs instead, she paid close attention to the hole in her pants around the knee area. The hospital apparently couldn't clean one of the bloodstains and had to cut it away. They apologized for not sewing it back together in time...
"Chloe... being with you brings up memories. Memories that shouldn't really exist..." she said with a nervous voice. She didn't want to confuse her friend with thoughts that were probably inconsequential, yet it was difficult not to speak her mind, just after Chloe opened up to her.
"I think I know you, better than I should. Like, as if we have spent days together... just sharing our deepest thoughts and worries" Max finally had the courage to look up at her friend; an action she was quick to regret. Chloe didn't seem to feel the same way, as her facial expression just showed hints of confusion.
"Or something like that..." she tried to retract a little.
"That wouldn't make much sense," Chloe said bluntly, making Max feel despondent.
"But what kinda freaks me out..." she continued.
"Is that the shirt you were wearing when I found you– the shirt you're wearing right now- I have the exact same shirt," Chloe ended while looking at Max's torso.
Automatically, Max looked down onto herself, seeing the red shirt she was wearing. It had an outlined drawing of a cute little monster on it, but it was nothing out of the ordinary. It did feel somewhat recognizable, oddly enough.
I can't believe I haven't changed my clothes yet... but Chloe is right. I don't even remember this shirt.
"I honestly don't know where I got this from. I don't even remember having a shirt like this," Max admitted. She could feel a subtle anxious feeling, filling her head. It felt as if she had been wearing this shirt before...
"The lines on the chest, is Solid Ground's logo," Chloe let out while staring at Max's shirt.
"A scream-o band?" Max managed to pull off a small smirk, trying to block out the rising anxiety.
"Hey. Just because I own a shirt like that, doesn't mean that it's some trashy rock," Chloe responded, slightly offended.
"Well, is it?" Max questioned.
"No!" The blue-haired girl was quick to answer. A few seconds passed...
"...yes" Chloe decided to change her answer with a downhearted voice, while keeping her attention on the logo.
Max noticed that Chloe had been staring at her chest for quite a while and even though she was surely just staring at the drawing of the monster, it still felt slightly embarrassing.
"Can you please stop staring at my chest?" Max requested, failing to advert Chloe's eyes.
"But those boobs..." Chloe let out, a little too sincere, with a hazy look in her eyes.
"My god, Chloe!" Max almost squealed as she was quick to cover her chest with her arms, as she could feel the heat appearing around her face.
While Chloe quickly began chuckling, she placed her right hand over the right side of her face. It didn't take long for the chuckle to turn into a girly laugh however.
"Come," Chloe's laugh slowly became softer.
"Sit on the edge of the bed, with your legs hanging off the side"
Max raised an eyebrow.
"Why do you keep requesting me to sit in a specific position on the bed?" Max questioned, feeling rather curios about Chloe's requests.
"We need to check your reflexes," Chloe smiled as she lifted herself up from the bed, before grabbing the wool cap on top of her head and throwing it with impressive accuracy on to a chair across the room.
"Do we need to, or do you just want to?" Max questioned with a sigh, as she looked at the top of Chloe's newly revealed hair.
"I just want to," Chloe admitted without hesitation.
It was with slow movements that Max shuffled to the edge of the bed, letting her legs hang off the side.
"Can't we just... eat and sleep?" Max meant it as a joke, but as the words came out of her mouth, it actually sounded like a brilliant idea.
"In a perfect world, yeah. Besides, we need to read that letter you had on you before we go to bed," Chloe responded as she bend down before Max to get in knee-height.
"I told you Chloe, I don't feel comfortable reading that letter. What if it really is a suicide note? I honestly can't remember" Max prepared herself for whatever Chloe was about to do.
"But what if it isn't?" Chloe was quick to answer with a question.
"It might give us an idea of why you were at the lighthouse in the first place, besides, didn't you mention that the paper looked like it was ripped out of your journal? That has to mean something" Chloe did make a solid argument, but Max still looked uncertain. There was just something about the mysterious letter that felt wrong.
It actually is rather late... and I'm probably going to read at some point. I just–
"Ouch!" Max suddenly exclaimed as Chloe hit her on the knee with the side of her hand. It didn't really hurt, but it was mostly the surprise that made Max exclaim the word of pain.
"What are you doing?" She asked, looking at Chloe who was making odd motions with her hands.
"Checking your reflexes. If I hit you on the right spot, just under the kneecap, your body should automatically react" It was confident response Chloe presented, but the fact that it looked like she was pretending to be some sort of ninja, didn't really help her credibility.
"Well, it obviously didn't work, so can I hit you now?" Max questioned with an obvious hint of desire.
"It didn't work because I didn't hit you at the right spot. Maybe it's because of your pants getting in the way. Take them off," Chloe said with her usual 'not-sure-if-joking' voice.
"That would be a no. Why not just hit me on the other knee, you know, since there is a hole, exposing the knee?" Max was quick to deny Chloe's request, by offering a compromise.
"I would've, but I was kinda worried that you had bruises or something" Chloe looked up at Max from her kneeling position. For some reason, Max found it rather adorable.
"Do you see any bruises?" She responded.
"No, but–"
"The reason I have the hole, is because there was a blood stain on my pants, remember? There is no actual damage to my body... oddly enough," Max interrupted.
Chloe waved her head from side-to-side while silently mouthing Max's words.
"Don't make fun of me," Max smiled, looking back down at Chloe. The lingering apprehension that had been hanging in the air was ever so slowly brought down and replaced with the sensation of a fulfilling, friendly atmosphere.
"Hiya!" Chloe suddenly cried out, before hitting Max on her exposed knee with the side of her hand.
No response.
"Wata!" Again, Chloe yelled out a random combination of letters as she repeatedly hit her friend on the knee. After a few more tries, Chloe stopped exaggerating her actions and switched to quickly hitting her friend on different spots around the knee area, with less force. This went on for a while...
"Do you really think the letter is a suicide note?" Chloe asked while keeping her attention on hitting her friend's knee.
"And shouldn't we refer to it as a note, instead of a letter then?"
"What is the difference?" Max asked, before pondering the question herself.
"A letter is usually considerably more formal than a note, in addition, it would also be longer, consisting of several paragraphs, whereas a note is usually just a short, informal, message" Chloe enlightened Max, quite surprisingly.
"Stop doing that" Max demanded with a cold tone.
"Doing what?"
"Being smarter than me... and using big words," Max mumbled.
She had always known that Chloe was smarter than most people would think, but it was rare that she actually showed that side of herself.
Chloe looked thoughtful for a while, but kept hitting her friend on the knee.
"A letter is hella boring and long, but a note is really dope and short," she finally said.
"Way better" Max smiled whole-heartily.
"But to answer your previous question: no. I can't imagine it being a suicide note... or letter. I honestly don't think it's even related to my accident. It might just be a list of groceries or– woah!" Max suddenly interrupted herself, as Chloe seemed to finally hit the right spot on Max's knee, leading her to quickly and involuntary kick her foot up, unfortunately hitting her poor friend in the stomach.
"Sorry! Chloe, are you alright?!" Max panicked as she looked at Chloe who was holding a hand to her stomach, seemingly having a hard time to breathe. It looked relatively painful.
"Soldier down..." Chloe managed to let out with a hoarse voice as she fell to the side, curling up into a ball.
"Chloe..." Max said carefully, as she got off the bed to check on her friend. Her body looked tense and she seemed to have one eye closed in an attempt to cope with the pain.
"Dude... you alright?" Max had a hard time getting a response from her friend, so maybe a casual approach was the way to go.
"Been better," Chloe finally responded, but kept her ball-like position on the floor.
Max couldn't help but to give off a relieved smile. "It worked" Max decided to state the obvious fact, as she placed herself down on the floor next to her friend, lying down. There was no apparent reason to do so, but since it was mostly Max's fault that lead Chloe to the floor, it would only be fair if she got down on her level as well.
Seconds quickly became minutes, as both the girls were lying next to each other on the floor, not saying anything. Chloe no longer showed any sign of being in pain, as she had been softly looking into Max's eyes for quite a while. Max had been doing to same, having a lasting smile on her lips. The room had become darker, but there was no mistaken the soft smile Chloe was wearing as well. Max couldn't recall a time where she felt more comfortable... more relaxed. It was odd, considering she was lying on the hard floor, but she had gotten lost in Chloe's blue eyes. They were almost reaching out to her, begging to tell her the story of the things they had seen and they things they imagine the future will bring. Chloe's black eyelashes brought out the feminine features that she didn't always bring into the light. The distance they have had when Max left Chloe in Arcadia Bay, had slowly been wearing out the bond they had spent years creating, but given how strong it was, it had remained intact through the years, and there was nothing that could change that. A familiar feeling crept up on Max, but as usual, she couldn't describe it. The best word would be anticipation. Almost as if her body tried to push her to do something. As if it knew something that Max's mind didn't. Not being able to fully understand the feeling, Max decided not to act on it and instead closed her eyes with a smile.
"Should we read that damn letter or what?" Max decided to break the silence, with something that she knew would please Chloe. However, she got an unexpected response.
"We don't need to," Chloe said with a quiet voice. Her point of interest didn't change, as she kept looking at Max, with the lasting sense of contentment.
"You're not curios anymore?" Max questioned, having a hard time not to faulty react to the sensuous ambiance Chloe's current presence provided.
"Of course, but it doesn't really matter. If you feel uncomfortable reading it, then let's just burn that shit and stop it from bothering you" Chloe had the most sincere and genuine smile, that Max had witnessed coming from the girl next to her. She seemed so mature, yet so playful.
"Thanks Chloe," Max didn't choose her words, they simply slipped out of her mouth.
"How about we read a little, so we know what it is, then we can choose whether or not stop?" The proposition was worded oddly. In reality, Max wanted to read it herself without Chloe, but the word 'we' just seemed natural in that particular sentence. Spending this amount of time– however short it may have been- with Chloe, had displayed a sense of trust Max hadn't experienced before.
Chloe needs to know what the letter says. She says she's curios, but it seems like she is concerned as well. I can't leave her hanging.
"Sure Max. If that's how you want it," Chloe responded before stretching her entire body, looking like she was about to yawn.
"Go sit on the bed and I'll get the letter," Max said while getting up from the floor, quickly having to adjust to a sense of mild vertigo.
"You're not the boss of me," Chloe smiled before getting up as well, and despite her statement, she began walking towards the bed.
"I should remember that response" Max made a mental note as she walked towards the desk, where the letter was placed off to the side.
With a thump, Chloe had lifelessly fallen down onto the bed, practically face-first, even missing the pillow.
"I said sit on the bed, Chloe," Max sighed without even turning around.
"Not... rag-doll on the bed"
"Mmmfmmf" Was the clear response she got from Chloe, having her face buried in a blanket.
Looking at the letter lying on the desk, Max experienced as sense of uncertainty. Imagining what the letter would say, the letter that she had on her when she was found, lying in a pool of blood. It was almost as if she could recall writing it, with a heavy heart. The thing that made Max doubt, was the fact that she didn't want anything to change... maybe the letter did provide answers, for better or for worse. What would be the point of reading it, if it only caused heartache? Why seek answers, if you're happy with living in ignorance? Is satisfying ones curiosity really worth it, if it would mean sacrificing ones well-being? Max had been happy to spend time with Chloe, overjoyed really... maybe there was a reason not to be happy... maybe it was wrong to fell carefree. There must have been a reason why she was found half-dead at the lighthouse...
As the thoughts showering through Max's head kept making her more anxious, something caught her eye. Next to the letter was the basket of flowers her friend had bought for her, however, she had missed something. A white letter was buried in the middle of the basket. Only parts of the white corners could be seen, with the rest being covered by the sprouting flowers. Chloe probably forgot to tell Max that she had written a letter to her as well. She considered asking Chloe about it, but something stopped her. Maybe there was a reason that Chloe didn't mention it... Looking back at her friend still lying on the bed with her head buried into a blanket, Max couldn't resist peeking. As she went to grab the letter, the mixed scent of the different flowers made its way to her nostrils and filled her with a sense of delight. She first noticed the hand-written words written with black letters all across the white paper, which she was now holding in her hand.
I've never been good at writing my thoughts down, but there is something you need to know.
Max... I bought these flowers for you. I hope you like them. I'm sorry I won't be there when you wake up.
Max stopped reading for a second.
She must have thought I was still unconscious when she brought the basket with the letter. Maybe that's why she haven't mentioned it...
But whatever the reason for you being unconscious at the lighthouse; whether it was an accident, whether it was someone who did this to you, or if it was your own choice... you need to know that I will always be there to find you and pick you up.
Max barely had time to feel happy about Chloe words, as she noticed there were several line breaks before a new paragraph started, written with dark-blue letters instead of black.
She must have written this with another pen. Maybe the first part at the flower shop and the rest at the hospital?
Whatever the reason, Max decided to read the rest, holding the letter firmly in her right hand. Something told her that she needed to read these words carefully.
Max, even though it has been years since we have talked face-to-face, I still feel as if something have happened between us recently. I can't describe it accurately, but somehow I can't shake the feeling that I had something to do with you being at the lighthouse... I remember the sun going under the ocean... the birds singing... and I remember standing beside you through it all. I know I am just imaging this, but it feels like something happened between us. Something important... something I never wanted to forget.
It pains me that I can't put it into words... that I can't tell you what you mean to me.
The letter ended. Not even her name was placed at the bottom, but there was no mistaken the shaky handwriting Chloe had when she was nervous. Max kept looking at the words, reading the last sentence a couple of times, having a hard time fully grasp her words.
She does feel like we have been together recently, but... she told me that she didn't.
Max looked up, letting the last beam of orange sunlight light up her face.
No. She avoided answering...
It slowly came back... parts of her blocked memories presented themselves, with frightening clarity. Not everything Chloe said was something she imagined. Something did happen.
Max could feel her eyes watering, but there was no hint of sadness in the mixture of her emotions. She didn't remember why she was at the lighthouse, she didn't remember writing the letter that was lying on the desk before her, but it did not matter. She remembered what she felt was important... she remembered being in Chloe's room, lying beside her with their fingers intertwined, wearing a smile as they moved closer to each other...
Max turned her head slightly to the left, looking at the other letter lying on the table. The letter she had written herself. There was nothing it could give her... Max was already aware of everything she wanted to remember... and she knew there were things she didn't want to know. Time passes... fate leads everything. Simple as that.
"Let's burn it," Max said with a confident voice without moving a muscle.
"Hm?" A muffled voice came from the bed.
"Burn the letter," Max clarified, feeling the consequences of the choice she was about to make.
"Are you sure?" Chloe finally lifted her head from the bed, so she could form clear words.
Max turned her head towards with Chloe with an optimistic smile on her lips.
"Positive"
There was a sense of suspense hanging in the air as Chloe got up from the bed and grabbed a lighter on her nightstand with no protest. She must have seen the assuring expression on her friend, so she didn't feel the desire to ask questions. Only a look of confirmation was needed as Chloe placed herself next to Max. A quiet nod lead Chloe to lean forward and open up the window behind the table before she grabbed the letter and placed it in the middle, face-down.
"Don't we need a tray or something to place underneath, before we burn it?" Max questioned, not having much experience in burning things.
"Think I would have a flammable table in my room?" Chloe made a crooked smile.
"It'll just leave a mark"
Max looked at the table. It was hard to tell if it was expensive or not, but it had been in her room ever since she could remember.
"And that won't be a problem?" Max asked as Chloe began flickering the lighter until a small flame appeared.
"It'll be our little memento," Chloe smiled softly as she moved the lighter closer to the crumbled letter. Max tensed her body as the flame reached the edge of the piece of paper. As soon as the paper had a sustainable flame slowly proceeding to surround the entirety of the letter, Chloe turned off the lighter and took a step back to stand next to her friend. It was a beautiful sight to see the flames faintly lighting up the room, as the sun no longer provided the light that was shining through the window a couple of minutes ago. Dark, thick smoke began to rise, but was luckily lead out through the open window. The flame spread slowly, as the first pieces of ash fell from the paper.
"I read your letter," Max said with a gentle tone.
"The one in the basket," she added, hoping that Chloe wouldn't respond with hostility.
It took a while, but Chloe finally reacted as she took a short breath.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
"I should have told you that I feel the same way as you... that I feel like we have experienced something together"
Max kept quiet as she looked at the friend next to her. She wanted to break in, but she could see Chloe had more to say.
"It just seemed so odd... when you told me that you felt like something had happened between us recently, I kinda freaked. I played it off as if you were the weird one," Chloe's voice was downhearted, but she managed to let out a gentle chuckle.
"It's the situation that is weird Chloe," Max decided to comfort her friend, yet she hesitated to place a hand on Chloe's back.
"That's why I wanted to read the letter... if it is just a grocery list, then maybe it would put my mind at ease," Chloe sighed.
"If it confirmed that something actually did happen between us, then... then we could take it from there"
Max kept resting her hands down her sides, as she focused her attention on the burning paper in front of her. Half of it was already gone... the rest was still readable.
"Why did you agree to burn it then?" Max questioned, getting ready to put the fire out if there was a hint of regret in Chloe's voice.
"I could see it in your eyes... you felt uncomfortable when I brought it up. You didn't want to know," she responded with a soothing voice. Max kept still.
"I'm glad you're here with me Max. I don't want to risk you being unhappy, just to help my curiosity. I just want to know... if I should do something. I have had these thoughts when I looked at you and I am unsure if it would be right or wrong to go through with them," Chloe had a discouraged voice, but for some reason she sent of a smile, before she continued.
"But a letter shouldn't decide that"
Max could feel her heart beginning to beat harder as she adverted her attention from the burning paper and looked back at her friend. There was something beginning to rise to the surface. Something that had been buried under a pile of fear and uncertainty. Max took a breath and braced herself, as she silently began moving her hand closer to Chloe's, trying not to shake. She had felt her failures, she had watched her passion leave, but she was still breathing, the possibility was still there. Time almost stood still as Max could feel her index finger making contact with Chloe's hand. A silence only disturbed by the burning letter filled the room, as Max could feel Chloe opening up her hand and letting her fingers intertwine with Max's. Now both looking at the final piece of the paper being turned into ashes, everything felt content as the two girls were holding hands. There were still a lot of questions hanging in the air, but Max was satisfied by what she knew and Chloe was satisfied as long as she had Max by her side.
Only a small piece of the paper was left and due to the rise of heat, it had been flipped over to reveal the text at the bottom of the letter. Max was unsure if Chloe could read it from this distance, but she herself could clearly recognize her own handwriting.
Fate is repetitive until the proper outcome has been reached.
Chloe is the only one who matters. Don't forget that you–
That was all it said. The final sentence was incomplete. As much as Max wanted not to care, the words she read, raised her curiosity.
Fate is repetitive?
Without the context, Max found it difficult to interpret the meaning of the specific sentence. There was nothing to do however, as the remainder of the letter had been completely enveloped in the flames. The uncomfortable feeling of doubt slowly became non-essential though, as she could feel Chloe gently rubbing her thumb across the back of Max's hand. As if she knew something concerned her.
With a smile, Max leaned closer to Chloe so she could rest her head on her friend's shoulder as the fire slowly died out. There was no reason to agonize, trying to interpret the meaning of those lost words. The only thing that mattered was the meaning of the unfinished sentence, the very last on the page. The things she had experienced and the things she might have forgotten, all while the dear memories were hidden securely inside her mind, made the unwritten words seem clear. Maybe Max was wrong, maybe it was just wishful thinking, but she would always imagine the very last sentence on the letter, saying:
Don't forget that you love Chloe.
The end.