Chapter 1
Prologue
Every time I close my eyes I’m back there on the cliff with her, someone I thought I’d never see again because I was to much of a coward to call her, write her or even text her. But now I’d give anything to tell her how much she meant to me and how much I loved and, by the end, hoped we could’ve been more than best friends. Now I’m sitting here in my dorm room, looking at this picture of a blue butterfly on a bucket, thinking about how I could go back and save her and make the choice to just wait out the storm with her by my side on the cliff. But then I think about that moment we shared, a kiss, that hurt just as much as it felt right, because it meant goodbye. ”And Max Caulfield, don’t you forget about me.” I hear her say this over and over, and each time it hurts even more. It’s been 12 hours and 17 minutes since her funeral where she was laid to rest next to her father, even though it’s been 5 days since she was killed (in this timeline) but it feels just like yesterday that I lost her. Looking at this picture isn’t going to do anything since I’ve lost my powers. I tried to rewind on Wednesday when I had broken my mirror out of frustration… it didn’t work. I think the universe is content with my-Chloe’s choice- to go back and not interfere with her fate. There’s just one thing I wish I would’ve told her before- “I love you.”
After another moment of looking at the picture, I make my way over to my desk and set it down. I feel the tears welling up in my eyes and before I know it, I’m sobbing on my knees with my head in my hands. I pull out my phone and scroll through my contacts to “K” before calling. After the second ring, a soft and sleepy voice picks up…
> Max, are you okay?
> I’m sorry to call you so late Kate but I don’t want to be alone right now. Could you come sit with me, please?
I manage to choke out in between sobs.
> Of course. I’ll be over in a minute.
> Thank you.
I hang up and sit there for a moment still crying and kneeling on the floor before a soft knock comes at the door. I make my way over and open it to see Kate standing there in a t-shirt and pajama pants with messy hair and a concerned look on her face.
“She’s gone!” I can’t help but cry out as Kate puts an arm around me and makes her way inside, closing the door behind her. She guides us to my bed before we sit down with our backs up against the wall.
In between sobs, I softly let out, “Why?” In a choked whisper.
My heads resting on Kate’s shoulder and she has me wrapped in a side hug and is rubbing my back, “I don’t know Max, I’m so sorry.”
“I wanted to t-tell her how much she-“ I can’t finish my sentence because I start crying even harder and wrap my arms right around Kate like a vice.
“She knows how much she meant to you even though you didn’t say it.”