One day, having just taken a science test she probably failed, Max came home to find Chloe sitting on the couch. Judging from the look on her face, she was definitely up to something.

'Happy birthday, Max!', and Chloe sprinted down the living room to hug her girlfriend.

By blasting through whatever the courses assigned her, Chloe had proved those straight A's in the other timeline weren't an anomaly. It didn't take long for other students to pick up on the exciting blue-haired girl wonder, who were quick to identify her as the go-to person regarding homework assistance. This, in turn, ensured Chloe Price rose to become the coolest girl in class. One guy even had the guts to ask her out, even though she had been quite clear about her involvement with Max from the get-go. It took her all the self-restraint in the world not the give the dude a kick in the balls, but if she'd learned anything over the past year, it was that nothing good comes from being angry. The result was that she let him off with a 'polite' warning that the next time he tried to steal her from Max, she wouldn't be so forgiving.

'You didn't think I would remember your birthday after all those years, and would forget it once we started sleeping with each other, did you?' She was right, Max recalled, for she did manage to remember her birthday that special October day, a year ago.

'That's why I have you at my side, don't I?'

Things weren't easy for Max. She wasn't happy about returning to school, as it just reminded her of all the tiring Blackwell drama. Having Chloe there was a tremendous relief, but since they weren't classmates, she had to work through most of the school day alone. Contrary to Chloe, she wasn't popular at all, even though she wasn't unpopular either. Not that she cared for any of that stuff - she didn't at Blackwell, and she didn't now. But what did bother her, was that some of Chloe 'admirers' thought of her as 'unworthy' for the hottest girl in class. When Chloe told her about the idiot who wanted a date with her, she wasn't really surprised. She was happy about Chloe's response, of course, but she also recognized the sentiment behind his move, and she hated that some people were trying to drive her and Chloe apart.

'Here, I want to show you something.'

She turned to her laptop, and presented it to Max, who gasped at what she saw on the screen.

'You didn't tell me about this?'

Their apartment was transformed into a little showcase of happiness; their very own little piece of Seattle. Kristine had visited a couple of times and complimented them on what they did with the place, and so did Vanessa and Ryan, both calling out the circular brown bed as a definite highlight. Now, the only area that was in need of improvement were their shared cooking skills, although no steaks had been harmed in the month Max and Chloe had lived on themselves. Yet.

'No. It's my gift to you. I love you, Max!'

The e-mail Max had just read congratulated her with the top prize in a local photography contest. Apparently, Chloe had entered her without saying so, hoping to surprise her. She had sent copies of photographs Max took over the last year, and submitted them in the 'collections' category. The selection gathered glowing reviews from the jury, who praised it as the highlight of the contest, stating in their report that they were looking forward to meeting this promising photographer in person.

'I really don't know what to say...'

'Whattabout wowser?'

'Wowser!'

She gave Max a quick kiss on the cheek, her pair of eyes expressing jubilance; Chloe's radiating pride.

'Good girl! Now, what do you say we go out and celebrate?'

Max, still glowing, wouldn't refuse her offer for a million dollars. The couple snagged their coats, and proceeded towards the front door of their apartment. Chloe was already halfway down the stairs leading to the ground-floor entrance, but Max hesitated, left to reflect on the rollercoaster ride she had been on since she attempted to splash some water on her face a mere year ago. Standing where she was standing now, it made looking back on the past year nothing short of incredible. She now possessed her very own apartment, experienced what it meant to have time powers for a week, and was having sex with her dearest childhood best friend. Had she imagined this was the turn her life would take when she would go off to Blackwell, she probably would have stopped the bizarre fantasy in its tracks before the thought could even be entertained.

'Hey Max, are you still coming?'

She closed the door behind her, quickly making her way downstairs. Although she didn't know where she going, none of it mattered. On this occasion, she was happy to just confront anything Seattle would throw at her. After all, it couldn't be any more strange or freighting than the things that had happened over the past year. But if it was every bit as extraordinary, or only just a fraction as special, she was happy to bring it on just the same.

Hella yes.

Author's Note: This wraps up the story. I sincerely hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I loved writing it! If you have any questions or remarks about this fic, or about the Life Is Strange in general, feel free to leave a comment. I'd love to hear what you think!