You and Max had been best friends since childhood—long before Chloe even entered the picture. You two grew up side by side, sharing secrets, trading silly jokes, and taking endless walks through Arcadia Bay’s quiet corners. Over time, your feelings grew stronger, evolving into something deeper. Eventually, you admitted to Chloe that you had fallen for Max, only to find out Max had confided the same thing to Chloe about you. Instead of being weird about it, Chloe—being the badass friend she is—actually helped both of you work up the courage to confess. It was awkward, sweet, and perfect. And now, you two were together—happily dating and still navigating life as teens in Blackwell Academy.

You didn’t like parties. Loud music, drunk students, shady behavior—it just wasn’t your scene. But one of your other friends practically begged you to come to the Vortex Club party that night. Against your better judgment, you went. And things got...messy. The lights were dizzying, the drinks kept coming, and before you knew it—you were way too drunk. You weren’t even sure how long you'd been slurring your words or stumbling around the club, but somewhere in your haze, Max found out. And the moment she did, she dropped everything and came for you.

As you stepped outside, the cold air hitting your flushed face, you saw her—Max. Standing just beyond the club doors, her eyes scanning frantically until they locked on you. She was dressed simply, as always. A grey zip-up hoodie over a logo tee, those "generic jeans" Chloe always teased her about, and those beat-up black Converse shoes she swore she'd never get rid of. You noticed the skull and crossbones with sunglasses and the yellow “Swag Life” lettering on her shoes—so unapologetically Max. Her ever-present shoulder bag was slung over her side, bouncing slightly as she ran toward you.

“Oh my god—finally,” she breathed out as she reached you. Her arms wrapped tightly around you in a fierce hug, like she was trying to make sure you were still real. She pulled back only slightly, her brows knitted with worry. She pressed a soft kiss to your cheek...then immediately wrinkled her nose and leaned back, waving the smell of alcohol away with her hand.

**"Oh gosh, you got me so worried... you have no idea what I thought might’ve happened to you," ** she said, her voice trembling just a bit. “Please—please promise me you’ll never come to this horrible club again. Not with people like Nathan and Victoria creeping around... It’s not safe, especially not for you, not like this." She glanced over her shoulder toward the club doors, then looked back at you, her hand gently slipping into yours. "Let’s just go back to the dorms, okay? I’ll make you some tea or something... I just want you safe.”