I'd sat at my desk with the same question going through my head over and over: What was the point?

I went through a week of hell trying to save Chloe and for what? To lose her. After spending all that time reconnecting with her. Realising just how much she meant to me. Realising I...It doesn't matter now. I went through all that for nothing. Just to say goodbye to her for the second time in my life. This time forever.

That week just seemed like one cruel joke. Helping Chloe search for Rachel only to find she was dead all along. Being stuck in the dark room more than once with Jefferson's voice and face burned into my mind. Seeing my work displayed in a real gallery and being an artist for a few minutes before having to leave that all behind. Showing Chloe how much she meant to me before leaving her behind too. What a fucking joke.

The worst part wasn't even the stuff I went through. It was the fact I could never tell anyone about any of it. About everything I went through to try and save Chloe. About all the fucked up time lines I saw. About what Jefferson…did to me. I couldn't tell a soul.

I guess I had almost told Warren at the start of the week in the parking lot. At the time all I had was a vision of tornado destroying the town and the discovery that I could rewind time.

You know, the usual.

Then in the diner I really did tell him the full story. He was such a sweetheart, believing everything I told him without question. I mean what exactly was the difference between then and now? I guess at the diner I knew I was about to take it back when I used the photo. If I told Warren or anyone else now then it would be forever.

I looked at my guitar which had remained untouched for a while now. I then looked over at the camera sat on my desk. The one that once belonged to William. Joyce had given it to me along with some of Chloe's other possessions a few days after she died. I'd lost all my urge to take any pictures in the past week. My biggest passion just gone, like everything else. What did I have left?

I hadn't been to classes for the past week, nor the one before based on my journal. Principal Wells seemed surprisingly understanding, telling me I could take a week or two off if I wasn't ready to come back yet.

So I'll have a shit load of work to catch up on. Great.

I checked my phone and saw no new messages, not even from Warren. He seemed to have finally taken the hint I wasn't in the mood to see anyone right now. I felt bad, he promised he'd make extra copies of all our shared work and everything.

My mom and dad were coming from Seattle tomorrow to see me. Probably to try and convince me to come back home for a while. I tried to tell them not to bother but they didn't listen. I don't deserve to see anyone. Not with these thoughts I'd been having. Wondering if I had done the right thing. I mean of course I did. Hundreds of lives versus just one? It's just the rational decision to make. But then, the Prescott's did have a vice grip on this entire town. It was totally corrupt. Maybe it would be good if it was-

NO! No, Max.

I couldn't think like that. Sure, this town wasn't perfect but did that mean everyone deserved to die? No. Did Chloe deserve to die either? Fuck no. I thought back to her speech at the lighthouse about how selfish she had been. The horrible thing was that it was true. I know she'd been through a lot of shit in her life but she never stopped to think how it affected Joyce or anyone else. But in admitting that, sacrificing herself for her mother and everyone else in Arcadia Bay she proved she wasn't that person any more. She had changed. Had she changed because of me?

No. Don't be ridiculous, Max.

I buried my head in my hands and thought back to Chloe's funeral. I "woke up" standing at the lighthouse looking out into the ocean as the sun set. The only other time I had done that was with Chloe. I remembered walking up the cemetery behind everyone else. I guess I just didn't want people looking at me. I could see Joyce barely able to stand from crying. Luckily David was there to support her. When we reached Chloe's grave I couldn't even look Joyce in the eye. I could have saved her daughter. But if I did then…

I looked over at my mirror to see my reflection staring back at me. The only company I could bare to deal with. I'd even stopped keeping up with my journal. Every time I tried to put pen to paper I realised how much I did not want to think about everything that had happened.

Yet, here I am. Thinking about it all anyway.

What was the one thing worse than not being able to tell anyone about everything I went through? It was that no-one would ever know how much of a hero Chloe was. That the stubborn, wallowing, self centred person I had met at the start of the week became someone willing to die for the town she had hated so much. For Joyce. She would never know how proud she should be of Chloe. I got the feeling from the time I spent with Joyce that she was worried her daughter wouldn't amount to much...

I'd made my decision. I had to stick with it. I had no choice. I looked over at the photo frame I had spun round to face the wall. I had no choice.

Right?

KNOCK! KNOCK!

I nearly jumped out of my chair. Who the hell would be trying to see me? I got up and opened the door. It was Kate. She was wearing her usual dress and sweater with her cross around her neck.

"Hey, Max," she said. "I really hope I'm not intruding. I just wanted to see how you were." She looked back with unease, clearly from seeing the shock on my face. I had seen her at the funeral but I guess my attention and thoughts were all over the place. As I stood looking at her now I realised that she should be dead. I saw her jump from the roof right in front of me. Only now did it hit me that I'd undone that.

"Kate!" I sprang towards her and wrapped my arms around her. She staggered back a bit but got her balance back and returned the hug. We just stood there for moment until I released her and stepped back. She smiled at me, probably glad I might be talking to people again.

"How are you doing?" She asked.

"Not great," I confessed. Kate's smile vanished.

"We've been missing you in class," she said trying to make me feel better.

"Yeah, just not up to it right now."

We both stood there kind of awkwardly.

"Look," she said. "You might not want to and it's fine if you don't. But we haven't had a tea session for while now." She looked at me hopefully.

She was right, we were over due. My head was still spinning from seeing Kate in the flesh again. I mean, without so much other shit going on.

"I um…"

Kate caught my hesitation.

"It's fine," she said. "You're not there yet. I understand. If you change your mind or just want to talk you know I'm just a few doors down." Kate smiled again and backed up before turning around and walking down the hall. I watched her walk away while I tried to piece together what had happened in this reality. Kate had still been drugged by Nathan and photographed by that sick bastard Jefferson. She obviously hadn't attempted suicide this time. The whole story coming out no doubt meant even Victoria and her cronies wouldn't dare attack Kate. How was Kate dealing with this? I wasn't in any place to talk about what I had gone through but maybe Kate was...

"Kate!" I called out. She stopped and turned around. "I'm not really in the mood to go out but we can sit in my room if you'd like?"

A beaming smile spread across her face.

"That's sounds great, Max. I've got a kettle and supplies in my room. I'll bring them right over."

"Cool," I looked down at the bed clothes I was wearing, and had been wearing for several days straight. "Just give me a couple of minutes to put on something a bit fancier. I mean not fancier just..." I didn't know what the hell I was saying. Kate headed off to her room. I went back inside and shut the door. I honestly just wanted to stay in my bed clothes but seeing as I totally let Kate down in the worst way possible the least I could do was make an effort for her. Also my bed clothes were starting to smell. I looked through my wardrobe. Really wasn't in the mood to wear my usual pink shirt and jeans. I eyed up a blue shirt too before moving swiftly on. I settled on a plain white shirt and pants. Nothing amazing, but it was better than what I had on now.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

Having got dressed I opened the door to see Kate stood holding a tray with her kettle and tea supplies. I shut the door behind her when she came in. I gestured to an empty plug socket.

"You can plug it into my socket down there," I said.

"Great," Kate said.

She plugged in the kettle and switched it on as I stood around awkwardly. She set up the cups on the tray. She turned to me, not sure what to say. I was in the same boat. I kinda hadn't planned on really talking to people yet.

"Sorry my room is such a mess," I said sheepishly.

"It's fine. Mine's gotten a little out of hand too recently."

"How have you been doing?" I asked.

"I think I should be asking that, Max."

"You've been through stuff too," I said. "I'm so sorry I haven't been there for you in the past week. I guess I've just been…wrapped up in my own problems."

"You know I understand. You don't need to be sorry."

"Yes I do. You were... Nathan and Jeff-" I cut myself off as the memories of being trapped in the dark room flooded into my mind.

"I should have been there for you. I should have-" I felt tears in my eyes as I saw Kate jumping off the roof in my mind's eye.

I felt Kate's arms around me. I opened my eyes and was looking over her shoulder, her hair brushing the side of my face.

"Max, it's okay," she said. "Don't beat yourself up like this. I'd had people around me. My family and friends have been supporting me. You had an awful thing happen to you too," she said in an attempt to comfort me.

I withdrew from Kate.

"No, I didn't. My friend died. So what? People die all the time. What happened to you isn't something anyone should have to go through." I crossed my arms and looked at the floor, letting out long, shuddering breaths.

Kate seemed lost for words. Behind her the kettle was letting out steam. She stayed looking at me though.

"The kettle's boiled," I said looking down at my bed. Kate still didn't move.

"Max," she said as she reached for my hand. I pulled away and turned away from her, unable to look her in the eye.

"Both of our problems can matter. It doesn't have to be one or the other," she said behind me.

I just said "I know."

"Then it's okay to be thinking about what's going on with you. I'll get the tea."

Kate poured some water into each cup and stirred. She knew I liked just a little sugar with no milk. I felt her stood behind me, giving no choice but to turn around. However I felt, Kate didn't deserve to be treated like this.

"Thank you," I said as I took the cup and coaster. I didn't want to say much else so without thinking I took a sip.

OUCH!

I fanned my mouth and moved the cup away.

"You okay?" Kate asked.

"Yeah I'm just…stupid," I sat down on my bed. Kate was smarter and blew on tea.

"So um, how are your classes?" I asked.

Seriously? That's the number one thing to talk about?

Luckily for me, Kate obliged my dumb question.

"They're okay. They haven't found a replacement teacher for photography yet," she said.

"Wouldn't have to try too hard to be better than the last one," I retorted.

Shit. Max, what the hell is wrong with you?

"I'm sorry Kate," I quickly added.

"Max, you don't have to keep apologising." She put her tea down back on the tray before sitting down next to me on my bed.

"I don't want this to be about me, okay? Yes, I'm still dealing with what Jefferson and Nathan did to me but I've had people who care around me," she said.

"Me not being one of them," I said, still looking at the floor.

"Max, look at me," Kate pleaded.

I looked to my left to see Kate looking at me in a forlorn manner.

"You've been isolating yourself and I want you to know that I'm here for you." She put her hand on my shoulder.

No.

"I don't deserve you, Kate." I confessed.

"Why do you keep saying that, Max? You've been such a good friend to me since we started here. You deserve nothing less in return." I just shook my head, sick of hearing the same lie over and over.

"Max, talk to me. Why do you think that?"

I looked in Kate's eyes. She really cared. I wanted so badly to tell her the whole truth but how could I? She would never believe it. Kate looked on patiently waiting for me to speak. What could I possibly say?

Maybe start with one truth and take it from there?

"I miss Chloe so much," I finally said. Kate moved closer and put her arm around me. She didn't interrupt, she just listened.

"But it's worse than people know," I added. Kate rubbed my shoulder, encouraging me to go on.

"I think I loved her," I said. It was then I suddenly realised how crazy that would sound to Kate. I mean to her, and everyone else, the last time I ever saw Chloe was when I was thirteen. I was the only person in the world who knew what we went through that week. I waited for Kate to say something like "Don't be ridiculous, Max." Instead though…

"I'm so sorry, Max." I could tell she meant it. No judgement, just consideration.

"Chloe's dad, William, died in a car accident. He was on his way to collect Joyce from grocery shopping. The reason Joyce was having to get groceries was because I was sleeping over at their house. For the longest time I blamed myself for William's death. I severed contact with Chloe because I thought she would be better off without me. It took me over a year before I could finally come to terms with the fact it was just a horrible accident. By the time I realised this, it had been too long. I didn't know how I could possibly just call Chloe up after a year of silence with such a stupid reason. Then one year turned to two, then to three, four, five. Even when I got back here I was still too afraid to find her. I never forgot her though."

I put my cup down on a coaster on the floor. I got up and opened my drawer. I took out the picture of Chloe and I as pirates and handed it to Kate.

"I kept this safe those whole five years. It's my favourite photo of us," I said.

"You both look so cute, Max," she said.

"I just wish she could have died knowing how much I cared. Not thinking I'd abandoned her." I started sobbing. I buried my face in my hands as all my guilt flooded back. I felt Kate's arms around me again. I didn't hesitate to hug her back this time.

"I'm so sorry, Max. That's awful. Is this why you don't feel you deserve anyone on your side? You feel guilty for not contacting her?"

That and so much more, Kate.

She had been so understanding about what I just told her.

Can I tell her everything…if I dress it up a little?

"There's something else too," I said. Kate stepped back slightly and looked in my eyes. I went over to my desk and picked up the photo frame. I pushed it close to my chest before sitting back down on my bed. Kate sat back down next to me again.

"Ever since Chloe…Chloe died I've been having this nightmare. Every single night. It's pretty messed up," I started. Kate put her hand on my knee.

"I'm listening," she said.

"It starts in the bathroom. I'm behind the stalls watching Chloe and Nathan arguing. Nathan pulls the gun on Chloe. This time though it's different. Instead of sitting there doing nothing. I activate the fire alarm. Chloe is able to get away. Later we meet up for the first time in five years. She's a little pissed at me at first. She doesn't know why I stopped contacting her. But we get back to how used to be pretty quickly."

"What's dream Chloe like?" Kate asked.

"Everything I'm not. We're like ying and yang. We have so much fun together. I know it sounds stupid but the week we have in my dream might be the best week of my li-" I cut myself off by sobbing. I felt Kate put her arm around me again. She waited for me to compose myself.

"But then something horrible happens," I continued. "At the end of the week there's a giant tornado heading straight for Arcadia Bay. And I realise- I don't know how, call it dream logic or whatever- that Chloe being alive has caused the tornado. Anyway, Chloe and I are stood by the light house watching the tornado head straight for the town. Chloe tells me I have a choice to go back in time to change things. Again, dream logic. I can go back in time to when I initially saved Chloe. I can take it all back to stop the tornado. In the dream I go back using this."

I turned around the photo frame to show Kate. It contained the butterfly photo. The very thing that had been taunting me since I made my decision.

"I took this picture in the bathroom. Right before Nathan and Chloe walked in. I've been wanting to tear it up but I haven't. I don't even know why I've kept it. All it does is remind me of the dream. How it ends."

Kate, still having not left my side, offered me a tissue she had grabbed from a box on the side. I took it and just kept it palmed.

"How does it end?" she asked.

"The exact same every time. I use this photo to go back to that moment. This time I don't change anything. I cower behind the stall as I wait for the gun shot to go off. Then everything starts to fade away as I wake up. But not before I feel the most intense feeling I've ever had, awake or asleep. It's like a stabbing pain in my heart. I think it's regret." I turned to face Kate. The least I could do was say this to her face.

"I regret letting Chloe die. I want to take it back and let Arcadia Bay be destroyed."

I waited for Kate to back away. To look at my like the monster I am but she didn't. She just looked back at me and nodded.

"Kate, didn't you hear what I just said?"

"Of course," she replied.

"Then h- I- what is wrong with you?" I said trying not to scream. Kate leaned back in surprise.

"What do you mean?"

I got up of the bed, leaving my photo frame there.

"I just told you I want to let hundreds of people die just to save someone I love. How can you be okay being friends with someone as selfish as me?" I shouted. Poor Kate looked terrified.

"It's just a dream, Max," she finally said.

"It's more than that, Kate," I said through sobs. "It's so much more. I miss her so much I want her back whatever it takes. Even if it means destroying so many more lives in the process."

Kate was silent. Obviously being careful not to set me off again. She waited for what felt like hours but was probably less than a minute. Her face changed, like she had the answer.

"You think this is what your dream is trying to tell you?" Kate finally asked.

"Sure, I guess." I said.

That and, you know, the actual thoughts I have when I'm awake.

"You guess?"

"I don't know! What else could it mean? That pain I feel before I wake up so fucking intense, Kate! What else could it mean other than I want to just let everyone die?" I shouted. This time Kate didn't back away. She got up off the bed.

"So why don't you?"

"What?"

"You say the dream is exactly the make every time?" She continued.

"I can remember every tiny detail."

Almost like it really happened or something.

"In a dream you can do whatever you want. There's no limits. Yet, every time you choose to sacrifice Chloe, don't you?"

"Yeah?"

Where is she going with this?

"Then maybe what that dream is really trying to tell you is not only can't you change it, you shouldn't. You miss Chloe an extraordinary amount, Max. But you know that even if there was some way to bring her back you couldn't do it," Kate said. I just stared at her for a moment. What she was saying was true. I mean not about the dream, but about me. I'd kept the photo because I thought I would want to use it to take it all back. To have Chloe back. So why hadn't I? It had been a week, what was I waiting for? As I thought to myself, Kate stepped forward and hugged me.

"Not only that Max, you let Chloe go to save hundreds of people in your dream. You always do. You know what that makes you?"

"No…" I said back automatically. Kate hugged me tighter.

"It makes you a hero," she said. "I know you're not a believer in God, but I think He would agree."

Hero?

I couldn't even process that. Without thinking, I hugged Kate back and cried on her shoulder. I felt Kate rub the back of my head gently. I'm not sure how long we stood there for. Eventually I stopped crying.

"Didn't realise you were a psychiatrist, Kate," I said. I felt her vibrate as she giggled.

"Just call me Doctor Marsh," she said as we released each other. I wiped my eyes with the tissue she had given me.

"Hero...That's quite an honour, Kate."

"One you deserve," she just smiled at me and, for the first time in a week, I smiled back.

"Sorry," I said.

"What for?"

"The tea went to waste. It'll be cold now," I said. Kate giggled again.

"That's fine. We'll have plenty more cups in the future."

"Yes, we will. Thank you, Kate. You er…helped me figure out some stuff."

"I'm glad I could help, Max," she said.

"Um, I don't want to sound…is it okay if I be alone now?"

"Whatever you want. You know I'm always a text or door knock away, right?"

"I do. Thanks Kate." I gave her one more hug before she collected her tray. I opened the door for her as she stepped out she turned around to give me one last smile. I looked at her and suddenly had a thought.

"Wait!" I said. I quickly ran across to my desk and grabbed the William's camera. I rushed back over and looked through the view finder. Kate immediately looked at her feet, self conscious.

"I'm not exactly in my best clothes…" she said.

"Don't be silly. You look great," I said. She smiled and held up the tray. I took the picture and the flash went off.

"I'm glad you're getting back into the habit, Max. Even if I have to be the guinea pig."

I took out the photograph that popped out.

"You're the cutest guinea pig I could photograph," I said. Kate laughed, which made me laugh.

"Listen, Kate. I'm sorry I haven't been there for you this past week, maybe longer. If you ever want to talk about what happened to you then I'm here. Or if you just want to forget about it and never speak of it again that's cool too. Whatever I can-"

"I'm glad you're back, Max," she said, coming to my rescue to shut me up. I looked down at my now developed polaroid of Kate.

"Me too," I said with what felt like the hundredth smile that day.

"I'll see you later," she said.

"See you, Kate." She walked down the hallway to her room. I shut my door and sat back down on my bed.

Kate's words were still swirling through my head.

Had I been looking at everything wrong? I'd spent so much time thinking my powers and the week they created were a curse. But what if it was…a blessing? What if it was never about saving Chloe?

What if I had never had my powers? What would have happened? I would have gone in the bathroom and seen a blue haired girl get shot. Only to find out later it was my best friend, Chloe, whom I hadn't seen or even contacted for five years. What would I have thought? I'd have had so many questions.

What was she like now? Did she hate me for not contacting her? Could we have been friends now?

I'd have driven myself crazy knowing I could never know. But I do know. I knew what she was like now. Brash, and a bit stubborn sometimes. She was also really funny, charismatic and daring.

I know I failed to save Kate in the original time line but you can't fail without at least trying. And man, did I try. Would I have done that if I never had my powers? I don't even mean just reaching her in time. Would I have just been so afraid I would mess it up that I would have stayed down on the ground with everyone else? I might not have saved her but at least Kate died knowing someone tried to be there for her. I tried.

What about Rachel? I helped Chloe investigate, all to find out she was dead. In this time line she was discovered anyway after Nathan confessed everything. Okay, that was a tougher one. I don't know if I'd ever figure that one out.

Then the dark room. Ugh, maybe I should skip that one too. Being so vulnerable with Jefferson taking pictures and spouting his sick thoughts about me. I remember being so afraid. And so…angry. Fuck, was I angry… And I wasn't afraid to show Jefferson that. Could I have done that at the start of the week? Could a pre-powers Max have handed her photo to Jefferson, knowing what he was and stared him down? Could a pre-powers Max have told him, at the height of her fear, to "eat shit and die?" I mean, that was kinda badass.

And as much as I hate to admit it. As much it disgusts me…Jefferson had been right all along on some things. I handed in the photo I had once torn up thinking it was no good. It won me the Everyday Heroes contest and I found myself in a real art gallery. Not as an observer but as an artist. With my name on a damn plaque. It all happened. I thought my time in that reality was just a cruel glimpse of what could have been. Who says it can't still happen? I've seen proof that I have talent. That if I put myself out there I can succeed. That psychopath Jefferson had been right all along. Damn...

And then Chloe and I…

She was my first kiss. I had been into a few other boys and girls while growing up but I was always too shy to ask them out or let them know how I felt. I didn't even quite know when my feelings for Chloe appeared. I didn't remember seeing her in that way when we were kids. Maybe it was there subconsciously or something. When we had our time in the pool I remember her saying "I'm never leaving you." I think I almost melted hearing her say that but I guess at the time I put it down to being lucky enough to have such a good friend.

The next morning when she dared me to kiss her I don't even think she thought I'd do it. She was just teasing me.

I guess my nightmare gave me no choice but to confront my thoughts and feelings head on. Not least of all my feelings towards Chloe. Seeing her kissing everyone, even Victoria…it was so random there was no mistaking what I was afraid of. Chloe's rejection.

But at the lighthouse, I knew I had to go back and this would be the last time I would ever see Chloe. As I looked into her eyes she told me I was her hero. I felt a pain inside me like nothing I had ever experienced before. I didn't feel like I was about to just lose my best friend. I was about to lose the other half of me. As afraid as I was that Chloe would say "dude, what the fuck?" I had to do it. I had to try. So I did. In the movies and stuff people usually pull the the person they love close or lunge at them. That wasn't me. So I did the Max thing and slowly moved closer to her. I put my hands on her face, leaned in and kissed her. My first real kiss. With the girl I had gone on pirate adventures with when we were kids. I felt Chloe put her hands on my side. I don't really even know if Chloe did feel the same or if she just thought "fuck it, the world's ending and I'm kissing my best friend." If there was a moment I could have rewound over and over forever, it would have been that one. But I knew I couldn't. When we separated we didn't even talk about what just happened. We didn't need to. It was the best goodbye I could ever had had from her.

And that was the biggest blessing I received. I got to say goodbye. Without my powers the last goodbye I would have said to her would have been when I was thirteen. Not knowing what was awaiting the both of us five years down the road. I got to show Chloe just how much she meant to me. I knew that the hole she had left in my heart would take a long, long time to heal. But it would heal.

I picked up the framed butterfly photo on my bed and looked at it. I opened up the frame and held the picture in my hand. I'd been keeping a hold of this thinking what I wanted to do was take it all back. I'd spent the days since Chloe's funeral isolating myself from everyone. Thinking I had to deal with all of this shit myself because I didn't deserve to have anyone else. Kate helped me understand. She came back, like an angel, to help me realise I miss Chloe more than I can take and that's okay. It's not just okay. It's normal.

I looked down at the picture. My temptation I had been holding onto, thinking I would need it. I would never know who or what gave me these powers. I could only guess. Right now, my guess was they were given so I could spend one final week with the person I most cared about. To get a chance to say goodbye.

With that, I put my fingers on the top of the photograph, ready to tear in two. I took a deep breath. Then stopped. I realised that now, thanks to Kate, I could look at this photo in a different way. Not filled with questions about why everything happened or over what I had lost. I could look at this and see everything I had gained. I went back to my desk and opened my journal to the present day. I placed the photo in the center of the page. I grabbed a black marker and wrote in the top left corner of the page.

1. You always tried.

I didn't always succeed and, maybe I hadn't always wanted to make everyone happy for the right reasons. But I still tried. I went to the top right corner and wrote:

2. You pushed past your fear.

I was so damn scared that week. About the tornado, being in the dark room and telling Chloe how I felt. But I didn't let it beat me. Bottom left of the page…

3. You know what you are capable of.

I saw a glimpse of my dream coming true. I was an artist with people admiring my work. Admiring the very picture I had originally torn up from shame and embarrassment. I hated to admit it but Jefferson was right. I have to put myself out there. I could do it. Bottom right…

My pen hovered over the page. I was hesitant to write this last one. It just felt like I was taking it too far. Like I was being far too generous to myself. Even though Kate had said it herself I just didn't feel comfortable calling myself… Then I remembered something. Something I had written in my journal during "that week."

"Oh wait... I did say I would go to the drive-in with him. Hope he doesn't make a lame move on me... (Not that he would, egomaniac.)"

The problem had been there all along. I mean, I knew Warren was in love with me, but just the idea of him making a move on me seemed so ridiculous. The idea of ANY guy (or girl) being into me seemed ridiculous. I had gone my entire life thinking I was never anyone special. That I was just some awkward, shy dork. Even when I got my powers I refused to believe I was more than that. But the shit I went through happened. I had seen some horrible things but I made it. I'm here. I let the person I loved go for the good of everyone else. Fuck it. I wrote in the bottom right corner.

4. YOU ARE A HERO.

I looked at what I had written and began welling up again. Then I laughed a the fact I was crying. Again! Not from sadness this time. For the first time in life I felt I could be proud of the person I was. Not having to worry about being arrogant or ego-maniacal for thinking good things of myself. I looked at my little "Max Motivation" page and smiled. Then worried that five things would be a more round number. Damn it. I knew what to put. Below the photo I wrote:

5. You are Max Caulfield.

So I would never forget to be proud of who I was. Well, okay I saw it on The Simpsons. I realised I hadn't watched that show in forever.

I gotta correct that.

It felt good to finally feel like I had something to smile about. All the pain was still there but for the first time I felt like I hadn't made a mistake in sacrificing Chloe. That numbness that had plagued me felt like a distant memory now. Even if I could feel the loss and pain at least I was feeling things. I felt like, maybe, I could start to move forward. It would take a long, long time. But with my family and friends behind me I knew I could make it. I just had to take it one day at a time. Life doesn't have plans, things just happen.

Er, like getting rewind powers for instance.

It was then I realised I hadn't even tested to see if my powers still worked. I'd been so afraid of messing everything up. I picked up a stress ball on my desk. Something that had really come in handy the past week. I threw it onto my bed. Then I stuck out my right hand the same way I'd always done. I felt that familiar shifting sensation. I saw my ball fly back off the bed and sit back down on my desk. I put my hand down. I guess this supports the theory the power was to help me, not anyone else.

I was tempted to try photo jumping but that had caused too much trouble. Maybe at some point in the future I'd try, even then I'd go back no more than an hour. Whatever. That was for another day. I'd had enough epiphanies to last me the rest of the week.

Okay, Max you seemed to have found some peace for just a moment at least. Better make the most of it before all the grief comes rushing back.

I looked over at my mirror to see myself smiling back. I'd forgotten what that looked like. Another thing I'd forgotten was what it felt like to strum my guitar. I sat down on my couch and positioned the guitar on my lap. My dad had bought it for me when I was fourteen. I always felt bad for never really learning anything too advanced. Just enough to strum along to my favourite songs. I'd always been too scared to try my hand at writing my own music. Because of what people would think. Not any more. It doesn't matter if I write anything good. Just so long as I can say I tried.

A/N: If you made it to the end of this then thank you for reading! I've read some fan fiction on this site which I've loved. A recurring theme I've noticed however is the idea of Max not being able to live without Chloe. That even is she sacrificed her she then is compelled to try anything she can to get her "happy ending" with her. I'm not slighting people who take this angle at all, it's your writing and you can do whatever you want :)

But my intention was to try and portray a post game story that shows Max can, at some point, move on. Not only that but a Max who could see what she had gained from her week with Chloe and how she might use it to continue with her life. I'm aware this is probably not the most action packed, drama heavy story you'll read on this site. Two thirds Max monologue and one third a conversation so I hope it's not too boring.

I'd like to ideally keep this going as a continuous story which will be (ir)regularly updated :P If you'd like to see more then do let me know and I also welcome any feedback/criticism you think I may find helpful :) Even if I don't actually ever get around to continuing this I think it works quite nicely as a standalone epilogue to the game so win-win I guess.

If it does continue then I don't really have a long term plan. I'd just be taking it one chapter at a time pretty much. Like how life may not have a plan, neither do I.

Thanks for reading!