A/N: I didn't know what to write, so this is it. There are lots of flaws and jumping, (and kinda boring) so please be gentle and when I can, I'll jump back in to fix everything.
Enjoy.
[Kate]
She couldn't believe that she kissed her. After what felt like hours, she was lying down on Max's messy bed as Max rested on her chest. It was quiet, ambiance was calm in the dark room, and the fairy lights created a romantic setting. Her camera stayed on the tripod, the picture still waiting to be reviewed, and the few knocks on the door from time to time, waiting to be answered.
She ran her hand through Max's hair as they lied down. Before this, Max was trying very hard to apologize to her and trying to make up for it by sprinkling her in kisses over her cheeks.
Kate listened and gratefully took the kisses, which eventually led to this very moment.
She seemed exhausted after all her apologies, so she let her rest.
Kate only remembers some points in the apology; something along the lines of "being a mess," "nervous wreck," and "uncertainty."
Max had her arms around Kate's torso, holding on tight and Kate continued to brush her fingers through her hair.
"Did you think about it?" Max mumbled.
"About what?"
"About what happens when people see us together? Did you ever think about that too?"
"Of course I did," Kate lets out a sigh, she can feel her chest hurt a bit, "It hurt to. All I want to do is be happy, but after being bullied from my beliefs... I can't imagine what it'll be like when we're seen. I have no idea what everyone's opinion on that is."
"I hate thinking about it too. I've seen those other girls outside sometimes."
Kate starts to grin, "It might be Dana and Juliet. Well... I'm ready for whatever is thrown at me, but I feel with Rachel and Chloe they'll beat everyone up."
"It would help." Max sits up, "You want to check out the picture now?"
"Sure," Kate replies. They get out of bed and Max grabs the camera. She stares at the screen, looking at the two silhouettes, the lights surrounding them with the pictures in the back, giving off serene and tranquil atmosphere.
"I really like it." Kate said as she looked closer to the picture. "Will it go on the wall?"
"I was thinking we should turn it in," Max suggests, "For our assignment. If you're okay with that."
Kate thought about it. The teacher was cool and she thinks she would be okay with such a picture. Also, the picture does express the good in life and she can feel hope in her heart from looking at it. It was a solo project; maybe with some convincing it'll be okay.
"How are you going to convince her to make it a joint project?"
"Uh... with the power of love?"
Kate giggles, "Maybe!"
Later on, it was about midnight when Kate was on her laptop, still talking to Max. The thought made her cheeks heat up, finally knowing who it is and that she was just across the hall.
Maximum Overdrive: Talking here now is so weird! I know who you are!
Saint_Beverly: It is! Maybe because we forgot to give each other our numbers lol
Maximum Overdrive: Oh
Maximum Overdrive: That's true (^ ^)"
Maximum Overdrive: Hold on, someone's at my door. BRB
Kate went on to get her camera from her bag again. She hasn't changed into her pajamas and she ended up doing work and speaking to Max. She wanted to look at the picture a little closer.
She looked at it dreamily, with only her lamp lighting the picture up and the sound of Alice moving in her cage filling the air. She has not forgotten how soft Max's lips were against hers. She hasn't forgotten how her body was basically pushing against hers.
Oh, I should print this out.
Kate gets up to her printer, taking slow steps as she continue to look at it. As she looked, she can slightly hear muffled voices on the other side of her door.
"... for what I did."
Kate goes up to the door, hearing the familiar voice.
"It's okay, I understand that you were pissed off at me. I should of just said something to her earlier."
Kate immediately knew it was Max replying.
"So, what happened then? You didn't show up to class. That's usually my thing."
"Rachel came by and so did Kate. She wanted to know how to take one of the pictures on my wall and then we kissed a little bit-"
"Whoa Maximus, you kissed her first?"
"No, she kissed me."
Kate listened to Max as she can hear her tone become more timid.
She then feels her phone in her pocket vibrate, causing her to jolt slightly.
"Hello?" Kate replies, walking away from the door.
"Stella, it's midnight, why are you awake?" Kate sat at her bed. She rested her camera on her lap.
"I was with Alyssa and then I had to get something out of my room. I passed by Max and Chloe and I heard something about kissing or something. They became really quiet when I passed."
"I can hear them." Kate admitted with a chuckle.
"Oh so, you don't think they're talking about each other, right?"
Kate lets out a sigh, the corners of her mouth curling into a smile, "Actually there's something I've been meaning to tell you and Alyssa..."
"No way!" Stella grabbed Kate by her shoulders and shook her back and forth. Kate had hung up on Stella as soon as she screamed. This is what happened when they saw each other the next day.
It was still morning and they were still outside. Kate text her to meet up in front of the school.
"You two look great together and you two were talking online?! That's crazy!"
"Yes, well, I was feeling a little bold."
"Where is she? You two should be with each other right now."
"We spent plenty time together yesterday."
"Knowing each other for two years and then suddenly together here?" Stella raised her brow, "Also, are you sure this whole thing will be okay with your family?"
"I mean, I'm really not sure, but I'll give them time. I'm still very devoted to god and the church."
She started to walk to the bus stop, Stella staying by her side, "It was so surreal. She kept apologizing, so that's something."
"Well, if you didn't do anything, she would still be apologizing to herself, right?"
"That's what it seems like."
"HEY KATE!" An explosive voice called her out behind her.
It scared the daylights out of her and was too afraid to turn, but she ends up looking when Stella spins her around quickly.
It was Rachel and Max, but Rachel was the one that yelled out. Max stood next to her shyly and only looking at Kate.
"Great timing," Stella boasted with a smirk, "Well, I gotta go! I wouldn't want to bother you two."
"Oh, see you later then." Kate waved her goodbye.
Rachel and Max has walked up to her, with Rachel's hand on Max's back, pushing her closer.
"Good morning, Kate." Rachel greeted, "I'm going to leave her with you now, take good care of her. And if someone is bothering you, call me, and I'll run over."
"I will," Kate nodded, "and I'll keep that in mind."
Rachel struts to the school parking lot, leaving Kate and Max.
"Did you sleep well?" Kate asked with a sweet smile.
"I barely did. Chloe wouldn't let me." Max then grabs Kate's hands and starts to gently swing them from side to side.
She continues with a grin, "What about you?"
"About the same," Kate replies, "What are you doing?"
"I just felt like it. I wanted to hold your hand."
"So you wanted both of them?" Kate asked with a teasing tone. She couldn't stop smiling after just feeling Max's hands.
"Why not?" Max shrugs her shoulders.
"You're too cute." Kate complimented, avoiding eye contact.
"I should be saying that to you."
The next few minutes was just silence, until Max's eyes widened.
"Were you and Rachel just hanging out and we just happen to pass?"
"She forced me out of my room."
Both girls laughed and more silenced came over them.
"But, let's turn it into a date then!" Max suggests. "You wanna go to the boardwalk and go to the cafe? Food and drinks are on me."
"I would love to, but only if on the next date, I'll pay for everything." Kate wagered.
"That's fair." Max nodded and started to guide them to the bus stop, "Let's go!"
At the cafe, Max and Kate sat outside, under an umbrella covering them perfectly in the morning sun, with white mugs filled with chamomile tea. The both looked out to the water, smelling the sea salt in the air.
"Are you sure you didn't want anything to eat?" Max asked once again.
Kate smiled at her. She appreciated her generosity, but she would rather just drink at the moment.
"I'm fine," she grabs her cup, "Are you hungry?"
She watched as Max takes her own cup to sip, "Only a little."
"I can get it for you." Kate starts to get up, but only to get a tight hand wrapped around her wrist.
"No, it's fine!" Max let out a nervous laugh.
She sits back down. She's so cute...
"I still can't believe that this is happening," Max admitted, "I was stunned by how pretty you were when we bumped into each other..."
"That's how I felt when I bumped into you! You have really pretty eyes."
"Oh, you," Max waves her hand, "You're way prettier."
Both girls giggle and then silence again. Kate grabs her cup and then drinks it in small sips. She turned towards the water again.
She hasn't felt this good in a while; she didn't want it to end. In the corner of her eye, she can see Max starting to take her camera out and aiming it right at her.
She allowed herself to grin. She saw the flash go off, so she turns to look.
"I couldn't help it." Max shined an embarrassed smile.
[Max]
Holy shit.
Back at the dorms, Max and Kate stayed in Max's room as they watched movies on her laptop. They were cuddled together against her headboard.
"What do you think of Warren?" Kate asked.
"He was cool, like a brother I never had." She replied. She mentioned the science geek earlier during the date. She had a class with him and they shared a love for older films.
"He's very nice." Kate acknowledged.
Max didn't remember much of the movie, and she certainly didn't remember this part of the movie. The two main characters shared their first magical kiss, making the girls simultaneously look at each other.
"Why did you look at me?" Max asked.
"You looked at me first." Kate countered.
Max grabbed Kate's chin and started to pull her closer, but as their lips made contact, a loud banging could be heard on the door.
Max groaned, "It's Chloe... YES?!"
Max noticed that she scared Kate when she yelled.
There was no reply.
Max got up from bed and opened the door, expecting to see Chloe's teasing-smirk-of-no-regrets, but instead there was no one.
Around the corner, she can hear Rachel's voice, "CHLOE WHAT THE FUCK LEAVE THEM ALONE!"
Max let out an amused laugh; Chloe is too much sometimes.
"What happened out there?" Kate asked.
"Chloe is being scolded." Max closes the door again. Max climbs back into bed again, having to crawl of Kate in the process, and pulling her into the kiss that was rudely interrupted.
For the rest of this day, Max video-chatted with friends, introducing Kate to her friends from Seattle and London.
"You're so beautiful." Max complimented boldly, after ending the last chat.
Max started to kiss Kate's cheek again, making her blush and let out that giggle that makes Max's whole world light up.
"Please stay," Max rested her head on Kate's shoulder.
"I did leave Alice with Alyssa for the day," Kate mentions, "So, I could."
"Please?" Max begged.
"Well, since you asked so nicely," Kate smiled at her, "Shall we get ready for bed?"
In the bathroom, Kate was in the shower while Max brushed her teeth. In a plain t-shirt and blue sweatpants, Max was ready to cuddle the life out of her.
'I can't lie to myself. It's still a little weird. This is someone I've messaging online for two years, someone I was attracted to, even though I didn't know what she looked like, and now we're actually together and she's my girlfriend, HOLY SHI-'
She washed her face as she had this thought. She can hear the shower curtain slide across the metal bar that held it behind her.
Max was going to say something after drying her face, but she was speechless. Kate with her hair down was divine. Her hair stopped at her chest, the dirty blonde hair damp and framed her face so well.
"Are you okay?" Kate asked as she dried her hair.
"I'm good." Max replied right away.
The bathroom door opens, revealing Rachel with a towel and new clothes.
"Hey Max, hey Kate," she greeted, taking the next available sink, "I hope the loud knocking earlier didn't bother you."
All sinks were occupied; Kate was in the middle of the two girls.
"I might have heard you yelling at her," Max added a laugh after, "We weren't really doing anything."
Max trailed off at the end, making it sound like she meant to hint at something.
Rachel was raising her eyebrow, waiting for another sentence to be said.
"We were just watching a movie." Kate added.
"Oh, alright," Rachel nodded and started to remove her makeup, "That's nice! I mean, I wouldn't be into it, but it fits both of you!"
Max knew she was implying that they were boring.
"What is Chloe doing right now?" Max leaned over to see Rachel better.
"She fell asleep."
It was quiet after that. Max wanted to continue, but she had nothing to say.
"Max, can I talk to you outside?" Rachel suddenly asks. "Nothing against you, Kate, but it's real important."
"I don't mind." Kate smiled understandingly.
Max and Rachel walked out.
I don't know what she wants. Did I say something weird?
"Are you happy?" Rachel had a proud smile plastered on.
"Yeah, today was a great day."
"I'm glad. I was worried about you when you locked yourself in your room."
"I'm sorry about that. I was going crazy for a second."
"I'm glad you two finally confess to each other! So, what movie was it?"
Kate then walks out, ready for bed and her hair up again.
"I'll text it to you." Max said. "You need to get ready still."
Rachel smirked at the two, "Alright then. Sleep well."
"You too."
"She doesn't think that we..." Kate asked as she got into bed.
Max had to think about it.
"Oh! I hope not, I already know about your abstinence." Max gets in next, sitting closer to the door.
Max gets on her phone, seeing Rachel's text message:
Kate looks great with her hair down, huh?
Max smiled at the screen and turns to her girlfriend, who had her hair down again.
"You look pretty with your hair down." Max puts her phone down. She puts her arm around the other's waist.
"Thank you," Kate got closer to her, "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, anything."
"Do you still feel weird about all of this?" Kate's smile goes away, looking at her with sad eyes.
Max paused, but she replied, "Only a little bit. I haven't been in many relationships that made me feel... Feel so good."
"I haven't been in any relationships... It feels strange to suddenly feel so close to someone."
"Would you like to slow down a little more?"
"I don't mind what we're doing. I'm happy."
Kate reaches over and caresses Max's cheek, making Max feel relaxed and safe. She basically melted under her touch, feeling how warm and soft her hand was against her skin, automatically making her sleepy.
"In the morning, I have to leave," Kate changes the subject, "I have to go see my family and go to church with them..."
"That's fine. I don't want you to be uncomfortable with bringing me along."
Kate was suddenly quiet, but Max didn't think much of it.
(Tbh I have a separate, sadder story for Kate and her family, so I'll just skip to the day of turning in pictures.)
Max had gotten up early for the first time in her life to see her photography teacher. She had printed the picture that very day. She left Kate in bed, who was exhausted and stated that she felt sick.
She passed Dana that morning, who stopped her.
"Hey Max!" She greeted as she grabbed onto Max's wrist.
"Hey Dana," Max decided that she had time to chat, "How are you?"
She has only spoken to her in the hall just to say hi. When there's no one else there, she felt she had time to finally speak in a full conversation.
"I'm pretty good! But um, have you seen Kate? I haven't seen her in a while."
"She sorta slept over with me. She's still in bed and a little sick today."
Dana smiled, "Aw, that's nice, I wouldn't want her to be alone wh-"
Max lost it, "Oh god, you know already, don't you? You know that we're in a relationship!"
She said it without really thinking about it for a second longer.
Dana was confused at first, but her face lit up and she gasped.
"Oh, my god!" She exclaimed in the middle of the hallway.
Max was glad no one was in the hallway, but she shushed her.
"I can't believe it!" Dana whispered, yet yelled at the same time, "You and Kate are together?!"
"It's only been a couple days. Up until now, it was only Rachel and Chloe that knew."
"How cute! We should go on a double date sometime!"
Max lets out a loud huff; she cursed herself for even saying anything so quickly.
"I just thought you guys were really close already and you wanted to take care of her," Dana admitted, "But, being gay was a second guess."
"You aren't surprised or shocked that she's dating me?" Max was taken aback, "That she's dating a girl?"
"I always spoke about Juliet and me to her, and she gets this longing in her eyes, you know? Like, she was feeling jealous, even. So, I'm not surprised at all."
Max hums. I would have never thought she reacted in such a way.
"But, are you going somewhere?" Dana asks.
"I have to head out and turn in a picture. It's me and Kate, so I have to ask if that is okay."
"Can I see it?" Dana clasped her hands together.
"It's a surprise," Max clutched her bag, "For all of us, this photo happened very suddenly."
"Aw, well, I hope you get a good grade. I gotta go, I got kicked out again because she realized I forgot to do the laundry."
"I hope you get back in eventually."
Max arrived to school, with a few students chatting or sitting in the grass, and she can only hope the teacher was already there.
She walked through the halls with her earphones on, the picture in her hand, and beads of sweat going down her forehead.
"Hey Mad Max!" She crosses paths with Warren, who was somehow also already there.
"Hey Warren," Max stopped for him. She takes her earphones out to listen to what he has to say.
"What are you doing here so early? I expected you to be a little late."
"I have to... run some errands for Kate. She stayed over because she felt sick and needed me to do some things."
"Oh, she okay?" Warren sees the picture, but he didn't acknowledge it in a follow-up question.
"She said it was something about the weather and how it changes rapidly. It gave her a headache and all that. She wanted me to show this to the teacher to let her know she at least did the project on time."
"That's cool! You want to hang out after school? I'm going to create explosions!"
"That sounds awesome, but I have to take care of Kate. Maybe tomorrow?" She starts to leave right away.
"Good luck!"
She arrives to her class, the only person inside the classroom was the teacher.
"Miss Caulfield, you are too early now." The teacher checks her watch.
"I know, but I just wanted to ask about this picture," Max handed the printed picture to her, "It's asking for a lot, but Kate and I ended up taking a picture together. We just wanted to try to see if you would be okay with us turning in as a group project... sorta."
She takes one look and there was a smile on her teacher's face, "I see what's going on. Did you take backup photos just in case I reject?"
"I took... one." Max reaches into her bag to take out the picture of Kate from the impromptu date they had.
Her head turned, the cloud-free perfect blue sky behind her, the white table and matching-colored mug in front of her, and parts of the boardwalk and its stores are showing on the left.
"Good thinking," she compliments, "But, I think this first one is just fine. I'll critique right now and hand in your grades."
"I just wanted to ask if it was okay."
Her teacher put on a thoughtful look, but she then said, "Or, I could mark you present and let you go after this."
Max raised her eyebrows, shocked yet relieved, "Why?"
"Well, judging by this picture, this is a huge deal," Her teacher sits down at her desk again, "I'm honored that you wanted to ask and show this to me."
"We thought it fit the theme. It made us feel optimistic and hopeful. I feel like a picture like this could give off that feeling to a specific kind of audience. It's also sort of based off another picture I already took."
"If it was a contest, I would kick you out for repeating a picture. It's just an assignment. I love the soft lighting, giving the tranquil and peaceful ambiance. Your silhouettes add romance, yet very mysterious as well. The pictures in the background add... nostalgia."
The sudden silence made Max anxious; she was already nervous enough about even showing the picture.
"I really admire it," She finally says, "Would you like to know your grade now or later?"
"Maybe later. This is a lot to take in." Max lets out a huff.
"There's no need for you to be so scared. In this room, I want you to feel safe and comfortable." She stands and places a hand on Max's shoulder.
"Thank you, Ms. This relationship happened so suddenly and I've never felt like this. Are you sure that I can miss today?"
"I'm sure. I've always liked Miss Marsh and all she has ever done is engage and work harder than everyone else. Where is she?"
"She's sick today."
"Then I'm very sure you can miss today. I was like you once, Max. I fell so deeply in love with this incredible woman and it drove me crazy!"
"What happened?" Max felt better that she can relate to her. She smiled as she asked the question.
"She's my wife now and all we do is laugh about how embarrassing I was," she laughs lightly, "So, take care of her. Would you like to have your picture back?"
Max paused for a few seconds, "You can keep it here. When Kate comes back, you can praise her in person."
"Alright, have a nice day."
Max leaves, letting her "you too" trail off.
A/N: I have another story about this in the works! It's definitely sadder and will delve into Kate more and her depression. It's a super unsatisfying ending, but I desperately wanted to get this last chapter out.
Review and shit. (and see you in the next story.)