Flashback to before the very first chapter. I never wrote about how Max and Chloe reconnected in this fanfic. So again this is before Pillow Fort, before their first kiss.
Consider this like a prequel to the very first book.

*insert flashback music here*

Max's POV

Finally the school bell rings, putting an end to my misery.
Bye bye Jefferson. It's not that I don't like him, he's an amazing photographer and a great teacher, he is just... aloof.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy his lessons but Victoria's ass kissing was particularly high today.
Another person I am glad to leave behind in this classroom of hell.
Even though that mister Jefferson doesn't respond to Victoria's pathetic attempts, of creating sexual tension, he still seems like someone that would go to bed with a student.
Especially one with a big mouth like Victoria.
But enough about these lame asses, today is special. I'm going to visit a friend that I abandoned a long time ago. It wasn't on purpose, I didn't force my parents to move out of Arcadia at the worst possible time ever.
I don't know why my stupid nerd brain never thought about contacting her. She wasn't just some friend either, she was my best friend; my captain.

But I had to sail solo for awhile, all the way to Seattle, only to end up back in this strange little town. A place I call home with pride.
Even though Arcadia always gives me some kind of nostalgic vibe, especially the forests, I can't help but miss Seattle a little bit.
My parents have been trying to get me home since the day I arrived here.
They love me so much, I will never take it for granted that they actually let me venture on my own in this weird world.

I make my way towards the house where I spent a big part of my childhood in, to beg for forgiveness from someone who I haven't seen, heard or spoken to in the last 5 years.
You gotta be honest with yourself Max, that was a dick move.
It was totally the biggest mistake I made untill now, but I'm ready to fix it. Fuck my inescurities, I can do this.

When I near the house I start thinking.
Do they even still live in the same house?
When William died, time sort of stood still for the Prices and for me as well.
William was like my second father, I have great memories of him. Whenever I saw this house I knew my day would be down right amazing but all I feel now is sick.
My stomach feels as if I at a shit ton of rocks, and my palms start getting sweaty.
Come on Caulfield, get yourself together!
I take a deep breath and ring the doorbell.

A man with a security guard uniform opens the door, when I see the mustache, I freeze.
He's the security guard at my school, his name is David Madsen. I have only been here for 2 weeks but I already heard insane rumors about this guy.
Most of them just try to emphasize hoe big a dick he is. And then there's some weird stories that he harasses students.
I haven't seen it for myself but this guys face just has douchebag written all over it.
"Uhm I'm sorry, I think I got the wrong house."
I say, slowly trying to move away from the doorstep.
"I know you. You are Max Caulfield.
You're new."
I just nod. I don't want to start a conversation with this guy, I'm on a quest to fix my biggest mistake.
"David? Who is that."
A very familiar voice screams.
No way... it's Joyce.
She appears next to David and stares at me.
"Max Caulfield. Well I be damned."
"Hey Joyce."
David stares from me to Joyce, with a face full of confusion. I don't blame him, I'm just as confused as him. Joyce married the security guard from school.
"You know her?"
David asks.
"This is the girl Chloe always talks about." Joyce says.
Chloe still talks about me, maybe this won't be so difficult.
Don't jinx yourself Max.
"Come inside Max, we got a lot to discuss."

Chloe's POV

"Chloe! Come downstairs, you have a visitor."
What? Who the fuck would come to my house.
The possibility of it being Rachel takes over my mind and makes me rush down the stairs like roadrunner.
"Rache... Max!"
No fucking way. Max Caulfield.
I haven't seen her in 5 years and now she's standing infront of me.
"You've got to be shitting me!"
I exclaim.
"Language."
David says.
"Shut up, I haven't seen this hippie in years."
I stick out my hand and Max immediately smacks hers against mine, ending our signature handshake with a fist bump.
"I can't believe you are actually here dude."
"I told you I'd be back."
Hearing Max her voice, it does something to me. Everything just got a little less dark.
"It took you long enough."
"I know and I'm sorry... I just..."
"Forgot about me."
Max her eyes shoot up.
"What? No..."
"You don't have to explain yourself Max. You were living your separate life in Seattle. Chloe has to realize that she can't control time."
Shit, of course my mom takes it way to serious. I cross my arms out of annoyance.
"Geez mom, chill. I didn't mean it like that."
"Well alright, why don't you two head upstairs so you can catch up. I'll yell when dinner is ready."
I just turn and head upstairs while Max thanks my mom and shortly follows me after.
"My room went through some renovating in the last years."
I apologize as I swing open the door to my kingdom.
"So did you."
Max answers.
"Yeah, I got sucked into a mosh pit one day and woke up as a punk the next morning."
I jump onto my bed and lean back onto the pillows.
"That would make sense."
A short silence.
"But seriously though what happend to you."
She says laying down next to me.
What happend to me. That sounds so... negative.
Is Max really that shocked about my appearance. I mean, the blue hair is certainly different, and the tattoos, not to think of the shit ton of weed that I smoke.
She changed a lot too, her hair is longer, she looks and sounds so mature, it's still hard to process that this is Max Caulfield. The girl I spent my childhood with, creating stories, plotting our future. There are so many things I want to ask and she probably has questions for me as well.
There's one thing I'm certain of.
This is gonna be a hella long night.