The home where I reside has been quite lonesome for some time, right after my move. I never one's in my life thought about moving back, and of all places back to where my troubles began….and as relief washes over me, I was glad that some of my high school classmates managed to survive the outcome of this storm such as….Alyssa Anderson, Victoria Chase, and….Chloe. I even manage to meet new and old wonderful people who had return to this abandoned town, to give it new hope and a fresh new start. Not to mention how I wind up having a new housemate, to which I managed to convince him to move in with me.
Let's just say that things got a little interesting between us, but, even though I was worried about having a stranger in my home…. Allen wasn't those kinds of people with trouble attitudes, he was the opposite. As Allen moved in with me, and with little things he had to carry, he completely smiled. But, a real smile, and not those fake smiles that he gives out while helping others out. It has been two days since he started living with me, and he did indeed respected my boundaries, as he said he would. I assured him that there is no need for that, just as long as there is respect.
Looking back that same night, after coming home from that warm summer night with Allen; I got a text from Safi for the first time in a couple of months after she wandered off from my life. What worries me the most is her mentioning my childhood friend, and how she managed to run into her as she wonders in search of others who have the same uniqueness such as ourselves. I didn't want to think about that surprising message I got from her, and instead had put my focus in helping Allen in landing him a full time job.
As promise, I was able to find Allen a more stabilized job, and it was all thanks to Victoria Chase.
During my phone conversation with Victoria who was in a middle of her spa treatments with Alyssa, she was able to tell me otherwise that she was in dire need of someone to help with reorganizing the electric wiring, and help with rebooting the school servers since no was capable enough to do it at a descent salary….
"So, there you have it Max. If you know someone who is good with their hands, and has capabilities of fixing our slow computers that we have just bought, than I would be grateful for it."
"Actually, there is someone who can help, and is willing to do it at a descent salary." I said, while giving Allen a thumbs up; indicating him a gesture of hope. "His name is Allen Zelonsky…."
Just before I can finish giving Victoria Allen's work experiences, she stopped me mid-way…. "Wait! You don't mean, the Allen Zelonsky?"
"Yes! Why?" I replied, feeling all worried and confused.
I could hear Victoria Muffling under her breath, as she tried to process the words that were coming out of her mouth through the phone…. "I don't know Max. I don't want to disappoint you and tell you that I might not be able to give him a job, even if I wanted too. But since, I heard good rumors of him, how he was able to fix Ms. Wallace's Jukebox, or the A/C from the 'Two Whale's Bar'…. Well than, what the heck, I will give him a chance."
Jumping with Joy, I gave Allen a brief smile, and a thumbs up; a gesture of hope. "You, will!? Oh gee that's great."
"Alright, I will inform Ms. Fayyad that Allen is to be schedule for a brief interview this Thursday at 11:30 am on the new Campus near the New Blackwell Academy…. And please don't be late. Anyways, I got to get back to my spa treatment; but it was wonderful to hear from you again." She said feeling all moody.
"Same here….Victoria, it was nice to hear from you again. By the way, before you go…. There is something we need to discuss, and it's not just you I need to discuss with; but with everyone else as well." I asked, with a worried thought.
"What is it Max? Is there something else that you have in mind? Because now you are starting to worry me," Victoria replied, with a concern tone.
"It's best to discuss this privately, and if you can….are you able to come this Saturday at 12 pm?"
Victoria didn't hesitate to reply instantly on my proposal, "Well, if you insist, than yeah I could stop by briefly for a quick chat. So yeah, I'll mark that in my calendar to come see you at your home this Saturday at 12pm….But, for peek sake Maxine don't do anything stupid that you would regret in the long run."
I laughed as I gave Victoria a sigh of relief, "Don't worry about me, Victoria. I won't be doing anything ridiculous….for now. Meanwhile, you worry about your Spa treatment, and I will worry about taking my own selfies." Victoria chuckled while ending the call with me.
As soon as I ended the call, I gave Allen the news about the job opportunity this Thursday at 11:30 am.
"Wow, I can't believe this Max…." He said, while looking at me with a soft tone.
"You better believe it Allen. I am sure that with your skills and talents that you had demonstrated to this town, I just know that Yasmin will give you a chance." I replied, as I took sit next to Allen on the couch, and drinking Tea that I had prepared for us earlier.
We both stood in silence reminiscing about the events that folded, of us meeting under weird circumstances. What stood out to me the most was having to learn about his tragic life, and how much he struggled….surviving without any fond memories of his childhood; nor does he have any family to rely on. It broke my heart to see someone, like him wandering the streets on his own, and had to cope with self learning, and getting by giving out his service to anyone who is willing to accept his service.
After a period of silence, I decided to ask him a rhetorical question, "Hey Allen, I been meaning to ask you about this…." I said, as I pointing it next to the empty guest room a small duffle bag, engraved with the name, 'Zelonsky' on the side of it.
He looked at the direction I was pointing at, and nodded with disbelief…. "So you were the pop tart thief. I left it behind on accident since I was in a hurried to leave the Junkyard area, where I resided; due to a security guard who was on patrol at that time. Fearing of being caught I quickly had the abandoned building all boarded up, but forgot about them."
"Yep, guilty as charged. Unfortunately, I finished gobbling up all of the delicious strawberry pop tarts with that sugary cream filling on the side." I said while giggling at myself, describing the tender taste of those delicious pop tarts.
However, to my shock Allen wasn't mad that I took away his duffle bag and ate all of his pop tarts, and instead laughed it off, "No worries, Max, considered that another payment of gratitude from me to you, as a sign of a thank you for helping land an opportunity of finding employment near the campus."
"Hey, Payment accepted." While laughing at my own response.
I finally felt a sigh of relief, of solving the mysterious duffle-bag and whose contents it belong to. As I was reminiscing, I noticed a concern look in Allen's eyes. Realizing his gaze staring right at me and began to ask me politely an embarrassing question….
"Um….Max, I hate to burden you further. But, I could really use a shower."
I blinked for a couple seconds, "No….not at all. Come! I will show you where the bathroom is." Responding to his question, while getting myself up from the couch and directing him to the shower room.
Allen didn't quest-ionize anything further and immediately followed me briefly to the upstairs bathroom. As we were taking the stairs upwards to the bathroom, I noticed that he was carrying another bag that contains his clothes and other necessities that he needed to take a shower. As we approached the front entryway of the shower room, I noticed clean scars that Allen carried at the back of his neck that was going downwards to the bottom torso of his body. Obviously, he had them well hidden from the public's eye.
"Wow! What is it with those scars that he has? I'm afraid to even ask." Mumbling under my breath.
Allen thanked me profusely as he made his way inside, and closing the door behind him. I didn't hesitate to be nosey, and decided to make my way towards my bedroom that was across the hallway from the bathroom. As I walked away, I immediately heard the shower head turned on, and heard him gasping for air slightly as he entered towards the running water. I laughed quietly and sat down at the edge of the bed, and begin to reflect on everything that has occurred to me these past couple of weeks.
There I stood lying down on the comfort of my own bed as I looked up towards the ceiling, and begin to vent…. "What is happening to me? I nearly got hit by a car today. And to make things awkward, I discovered a new power of mine. That allows me to freeze time, and travel through locations. But my biggest concern is how was I able to locate Allen? I mean…. Look at me, I was too focused on locating him, but, with mere luck this power of mine through the guidance of this unique Aura of light; that can only be seen when time is non-movable. This Aura acted as a navigator that directed me to Allen's location, but, at a rapid paste." I said to myself.
There I was mumbling to myself until I heard a knock at the door. As I stood up to see who it was, it was Allen; who disrupted my concentration.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you Max." Allen said, feeling apologetic.
There he stood near the doorway, all dressed in comfortable light clothing; which I could describe them to be his very own pajamas. Nothing but a simple plain light blue shirt, and grey shorts.
"N…No need to apologize Allen….did…did you had a good shower?" I couldn't muster my own words correctly after seeing him standing in my doorway of my room; catching me off guard.
While gazing at Allen's Physic, I notice him slightly skinnier than usual. With a sense of pity in my heart, I invited him in. I got curious of wanting to show him my Photo work display. Also I wanted to get to know him better….
"But, please? Won't you come in, Allen? I promise I won't bite." I replied while giving him a slight wink.
"S-Sure…." Looking all nervous, making his way inside. And not a second too soon, I stopped and turned to face my Picture display, filled with all of my Polaroid photos.
"What an amazing room you have Max. Not to mention your pictures here, you have in display. Including this one of the gothic punk rock good looking girl who has dyed blue hair, and has this well drawn tattoo of a skull with thorns and a rose…."
The person he mentioned, as I lean in close to inspect the one he was mentioning was that of myself and Chloe. She and I were indeed posing as a couple when we were together, until we weren't.
"Her name….is Chloe Elizabeth Price."
"Oh, what a lovely name she has. So what happened to her?" He asked, looking at me as I reacted uncomfortably. "I totally understand if you don't feel like talking about it.
I hesitated, but took a stab at it, and told him about my relationship with her…. "She and I are no longer in speaking terms. I for once never like to talk about it….but to make this brief for you; she was my childhood friend, and the love of my life."
Before I proceeded with my story, I gestured him to have a seat on my comfy bed; to which he nodded. I began to explain about everything that had happened to me while I was attending the Blackwell Academy, how I developed the ability to rewind and travel through time, and the consequences that came with it leading me to make that ultimate decision of allowing Chloe to live, and letting the old Arcadia Bay to perish by the Storm that I caused.
Meanwhile, Allen stood there giving me time to vape, all of this hurt that I had endured on my own, and how this issue led towards my break-up with Chloe. Thankfully, he understood and placed his hand on my shoulder, slightly.
"Oh, Max, I had…. No idea the pain you had to go to. Not to mention having to rewind time and undo the tragic faith of your best friend that almost cost her….her life under this so-called Nathan Prescott. But, there were consequences you mentioned as you figured out how this power of yours works…."