Life is Strange: Fateful Meetings
Prologue chapter of a new LIS self-insert story, while not a sequel to my previous one, this story will see the return of myself and Brian, as well as another OC in the form of Kyle Sherman; created by Holywoodunderfed to represent himself, together we worked to come up with this idea, anyway, hope you enjoy it.
Disclaimer: I don't own Life is Strange or its characters.
Prologue
Jamie
July 31st 2014
7:30 PM
I let out a slow steady breath as I finished getting ready.
'Am I really going for this, I mean...a party...' I thought worriedly.
Parties were always difficult times for me, it was there my anxieties always played up and my social struggles were on full display. It was part of who I was, shy, introverted, I wanted to be more social but struggled. Standing before the mirror in my dorm room, I did one last check of my appearance.
Staring back at me was a five foot seven fair skinned young man of eighteen. I had a toned build but also a slight paunch, short dark red hair and hazel eyes, I wore glasses due to my appalling eyesight and, although pretty much covered by clothes, I had a few moles, on my arms and back and the skin on my left knee slightly lacked pigmentation, being a little paler than the rest of my skin.
I was dressed up in a pair of dark jeans, a grey T-shirt, simple black socks and black sneakers.
I sighed. 'Not exactly a fancy outfit, but the party didn't specify anything, it's comfortable, that's all that matters to me.'
That was me, I dressed for comfort, not style. I stepped back, looking around my dorm room as I considered if I was really ready to go through with this. My name is Jamie Townley, I'm a new student here at Blackwell Academy, having entered on scholarship to pursue my passion for photography in the specialized courses on offer at the school. Coming all the way from Scotland to pursue my dream here, in Arcadia Bay, Oregon.
I had been here about a month; in that time I had got around to making sure my dorm room was a place I could feel comfortable in. It was a simple room, like most of the dorms, but designed by myself. The bed was situated against one wall, beneath the window over which heavy curtains hung.
Aside from the various wardrobes and dressers which held clothes and such, only the TV and games consoles were set up to add personal touches. Next to the door was a large bookcase filled with various books, my passion apart from video games, as well as my inspiration as, in addition to photography, I also had an interest in writing too. The final touch for my personal belongings was my laptop, set up on the shelf by my bed.
I was jolted out of my thoughts by my phone, which I quickly checked, smiling when I saw who it was from.
Stella: "Hey Jamie, we're almost all ready and heading over for the party, are you really coming?"
Stella was Stella Hill, one of the friends I'd managed to make here, by some miracle. I immediately replied, more sure of my decision now than ever.
Jamie: "Sure, I'll be there in a few minutes, just leaving."
Sending the text I pocketed my phone, smiling and, feeling ready for a change, I left my dorm room and headed out for the party.
Brian
July 31st 2014
7:30 PM
Stretching and grinning I finished getting ready, looking forward to the upcoming party. While I knew all my friends would be at the party, I briefly wondered if I'd meet anyone new while I was there. I was always eager to get to know new people, as well as being somewhat talkative, part of my easy-going nature I guess.
My name was Brian Baker and I came to Blackwell Academy about a month ago to study theatre; arriving I was surprised to note I wasn't the only new arrival. I was even more surprised to discover that the other new arrival, Jamie Townley, was a friend I had made online, we were both writers on a fanfiction site.
'Definitely a surprise there, who would've thought we'd actually meet.' I reflected. 'But still, it was good, good that we could be friends in real life now too.'
Brushing down my clothes I checked my reflection one more time. Standing at six foot one I was somewhat taller than my other friends, even though we were most all the same age, eighteen. I had a lanky build, blue eyes and dirty blonde hair.
Dressed up for the party I wore simple dark blue track pants, a white T-shirt with a grey sweater over it, white long socks and black sneakers. Very casual, yet very comfy, especially as the party was expected to be a long one. Being comfortable for a long period of time would be important.
Taking a seat on my bed and relaxing for a moment, I looked around the dorm room. The bed was set up against one wall, under the window, there were two wardrobes for my clothes, there was also room for two bookcases which held a TV and DVD player, and finally my laptop was situated on a shelf next to the bed.
Satisfied with my examination of my room, I stood up, briefly checking my phone. I knew I'd better hurry if I hoped to get to the party on time. So I quickly left the dorm room, unaware that this party would indeed result in quite a surprising meeting for me.
Kyle
July 31st 2014
7:30 PM
Having finished getting dressed after drying off from my earlier shower, I smiled lightly as I stood before the mirror, fixing the dark green hat I wore backwards. This was only one part of my outfit, the rest consisting of a pair of dark jeans, a light blue V-necked shirt and simple black shoes. I had to admit, I was looking forward to this party, especially hanging out with my friends, always doing my best to make them laugh, even with jokes and simply being easy-going and extroverted.
'Well, ready now, guess I better get going.' I thought to myself. 'Strange, I feel like something's missing though.'
I remained standing, trying to work out what it was, my reflection in the mirror looked back at me. An eighteen year old young man of five foot eleven with an average frame but broad shoulders. I had olive green eyes and a tan skin tone, I also had close cropped reddish brown hair and reddish brown facial hair resembling a five-o'clock shadow.
It was then feeling I had before changed slightly. 'Okay, now I feel that someone is watching me...what the hell?'
Slowly I turned around, but couldn't see anyone actually in the dorm room.
'Or is there someone?' I thought, jokingly.
Shrugging I decided to try and ignore the feeling, but it didn't go away.
I took a more careful look around my dorm room now. I've been here for a few years, but it's always been simple. The walls are plain white like most dorms. Posters of rock bands adorn the walls, as well as video games I like. There are blinds on the windows.
The bed is pushed off in the corner as if it were unimportant. A gaming chair sat in the middle of the room, and a guitar sat next to two shelves. One shelf is my collection of music, the other is a collection of games. In between the shelves lies my TV. Underneath the TV are my game consoles. I then got my answer to that strange sensation when suddenly the window to my dorm room opened.
I tensed, but then relaxed and grinned as I recognized the figure who clambered in. Said figure was a girl, not much older than me, tall at five foot nine and pale skinned. She had a slender lanky build, blue eyes and dyed blue hair, she also had a notable tattoo sleeve on her right arm and wore her usual punk-esque clothing, ripped jeans, a tank-top bearing the All-Seeing-Eye symbol, combat boots, a few notable bracelets and her usual beanie.
"Chloe." I greeted her; shaking my head. "A call or text wasn't good enough?"
She laughed lightly and shook her head. "Hella no, you know me, spur of the moment, go with the flow."
I laughed too; she was right about that.
Still, I couldn't help myself."You know I have a door for a reason right?"
Chloe shrugged and replied. "There's only so many grand entrances I can make through a door, Kyle"
"Fair point."
I smirked at that, she was absolutely right.
Said girl was Chloe Price, a good friend of mine who I had known throughout my time in Blackwell, even though she was now no longer a student here.
"So, what's up anyway?" Chloe asked.
I shrugged. "Well, actually, timing is kinda bad, was just about to go and head for the party that's taking place."
"Party huh, let me guess, invite only?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.
I shook my head. "Actually no, it's not."
That brightened her expression and I knew right away what she was thinking.
"You're serious?"
"Yeah, you think I'm gonna miss a party?" She shot back. "You know me, I'm always ready to party."
Laughing at her statement I nodded. "Yeah, I knew that from day one."
We both got the same expressions on our faces then, both recalling how we first met and how we became friends, as well as something else, something which sadly came from our friendship forming.
Flashback (No POV)
May 13th 2011
0:12 AM
Chloe, clad in a pair of ripped jeans; her red Raven shirt; a black unzipped hoodie; black combat boots and her navy blue beanie, grinned as she lay back, enjoying the intense music. Her favourite band Firewalk were playing a concert at an old mill not far from her home town, but she had been refused permission to go.
Being the rebel she was, Chloe went anyway and, after some misadventures, including an incident when she had been knocked into some skeevy loser, making him spill his beer over himself, she found herself here. She was on a balcony from which she could see the room the band was playing in, sadly missing out on the mosh pit below but she made do. But of course there is always a buzz kill.
"You spilled my beer, bitch!"
Standing over her were the two skeevy assholes from earlier. Rolling her eyes she stood up and glared at him.
"You should be more careful, it's a tough place." She shot back.
He glared at her as his friend laughed. "I think she's calling you out dude."
Snarling the first guy got in her face again. "I don't like your attitude."
"Well how about I show you how unimpressed I am with limp-dick assholes, who get butt-hurt over a spilled beer." She snapped angrily.
"She thinks she can take you." Skeevy 2 taunted.
They were advancing on her and she stepped back, until soon there was nowhere else to go.
"I'm serious." Se warned. "Are you trying to make me angry, because I'm getting there, and it won't be pretty, it won't."
But Skeevy 1 was not impressed. "I think it's time to teach this little punk, some manners."
He smashed his beer bottle on a nearby railing, now giving him a jagged weapon, and seized her arm.
That was when it happened, a voice that was familiar to Chloe cut through the tense moment.
"Hey!" It cried. "Pick on someone your own size!"
Looking back to the rotten staircase which led up to the balcony, Chloe and her would be assailants spotted the speaker. A tan skinned teenaged boy with close cropped reddish brown hair and olive green eyes. He was clad in a pair of black jeans, a black Firewalk T-shirt, simple black sneakers and a dark green cap worn backwards.
Chloe recognized him at once. 'Sherman?'
She couldn't deny she was curious, but she quickly grabbed her chance and got free, running over to him as he threw a beer bottle which brained the guy who had been holding her. They quickly made their escape down the stairs and with Kyle's help she was able to make it into the mosh pit at last. Although not before seeing their pursuers checked by Frank Bowers, her dealer. She laughed and flipped them off as Kyle dragged her out of sight.
Taking a brief moment to recover, she started incredulously at Kyle Sherman.
"What are you doing here, Sherman?" She queried.
He laughed. "Grateful much? I'm a huge fan of Firewalk obviously. Why else would I be here?"
She shrugged. "Sorry, I just assumed you were just a nerd."
"Oh I'm still a nerd." He replied with a grin. "But I'm a nerd of many layers.."
Chloe snorted playfully. "Apparently. But thanks for saving my ass back there."
"You're welcome. But enough talk Price, let's mosh!"
"Hell yeah!"
With that they quickly got lost in the mosh pit, ready for the greatest night ever.
Flashback (No POV)
May 16th 2011
7:12 AM
Chloe, clad in ripped jeans, a white T-shirt with red and black raven designs and simple grey sneakers, entered school, sighing.
'Another day at Blackhell, God...still, it might not be all bad...' She thought to herself.
She thought back to the Firewalk concert a few nights ago and grinned. Ever since then, with their surprising meeting there, she found herself actually forming a friendship with Kyle Sherman. She gave him a chance, noting that there was more to him than met the eye.
She reflected. 'He makes Blackwell bearable...almost.'
Just as she found herself thinking that, she spotted said boy up ahead. She noted something different about him straight away. He was seated against the wall, looking distant, he wore simple denim jeans, a dark red dragon T-shirt and black sneakers. His usual cap was absent, so too was his usual cheerful expression. She approached, curious and, strangely enough in her mind, concerned.
"Hey Kyle." She greeted; trying to sound casual."
Hey Chloe." He replied. "I didn't know we were on a first name basis already."
She narrowed her eyes, he was joking but he sounded tired, something was definitely up.
"Is something wrong?" She asked, crossing her arms.
He looked up at her, considering for a moment. "No, nothing is wrong."
There was a pause and Chloe wasn't sure what to make of his reply.
It was clear he wasn't being sincere.
"I just don't feel like classes, I need to blow off some steam." He then admitted, surprising her.
"I hear you." She said however, trying to cover her surprise. "Classes are about as entertaining as watching grass grow. I know a hella ton more stuff to do than that shit."
"Show me." He replied instantly.
Chloe froze, she couldn't have heard that right.
She only paused for a beat however. "Really?"
"I'm a hundred percent serious."
Chloe found herself surprised all over about but then smiled.
"Alright then." She said, grabbing his wrist. "Let's go."
With that she led the way as they made their escape from school.
12:03 AM
Chloe fought not to sigh as she tried to figure out what to say or do. They were at the junk yard, a place Chloe had claimed as her personal hangout. They were seated on an old tractor tyre while Kyle listlessly kicked at the junk around his feet. His behaviour was strange, so different from what he was usually like and Chloe wished he would confide in her, but she wasn't sure how to go about it.
"So..." She began awkwardly. "Blow off enough steam?"
"Hardly." He grunted.
"What's wrong, dude?" She then asked bluntly.
He turned to her, eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
"I've never seen you like this." She explained. "You're just so...quiet, it's freaking me out."
He glared and shook his head.
"My dad left my mom and me. One day he was here, the next, gone, okay?" He snapped angrily.
Chloe froze, eyes wide at that. "Oh. Shit dude, I didn't know."
They sat in silence for a moment, the revelation made the air heavy between them.
Chloe wasn't sure what led to it, but suddenly found herself wanting to talk about something she usually never talked about.
"You know..." She said, sighing. "I know something about disappearing dads..."
That caught his attention. "Yeah?"
"Yeah." She replied. "I was...I was fourteen at the time; I was hanging out with my friend Max, she's your age. Anyway, my dad left to pick up my mom at the grocery store. He never came home."
She paused and then sighed before revealing the truth.
"Some asshole blew through a red light..."
Kyle fit the rest together without any further story.
"Oh...I'm really sorry." He gasped.
"Yeah." She replied, trying to compose herself. "I'm just telling you so you know. I understand."
He sighed but nodded, realizing what she meant.
"Thanks Chloe." He said softly. "This all just sucks."
"Tell me about it." She replied. "Let's just hope your mom doesn't shack up with some douche like mine."
"God I hope not."
Still, one good thing came from this little excursion, Kyle had to admit he was feeling a little better.
Flashback (No POV)
May 17th 2011
7:00 AM
Things were tense in Principal Wells office that morning. He sat, his expression tight and serious. Seated opposite him, awaiting his judgement due to their actions yesterday was Kyle and Chloe. They weren't alone either.
Standing next to Chloe was a tallish woman with long blonde hair, tied up and brown eyes as well as fair skin, it was her mother, Joyce. Standing next to Kyle was a short yet wide woman, only five foot two compared to him. She had the same olive green eyes and tan skin, but her hair was dark brown, it was his mother, Cindy.
"I cannot believe that you two would disrespect Blackwell Academy to the point of cutting class." Principal Wells remarked, observing the duo critically. "Do you have anything to say before I punish you?"
There was a brief silence, then, shocking practically everyone in the room, Kyle spoke up.
"It was my idea, Principal Wells."
None were more shocked than Cindy. "Kyle?!"
He shook his head and continued. "It was my idea to skip class, sir. I just didn't think I could make it through classes yesterday. I told Chloe I was going to skip. She tried to stop me. Told me I was being an idiot. But I didn't listen. She only went with me to make sure I didn't do anything that would get me in trouble."
There was silence again after that, during which Cindy gave Kyle a harsh look, but he ignored her, keeping his focus on Wells. Wells returned Kyle's gaze, his own full of curiosity, Chloe looked at Kyle in curiosity too, yet for an entirely different reason.
Finally, Principal Wells turned to Chloe, eyebrow raised.
"Is this true, Ms. Price?"
Chloe tensed, fighting with her torn emotions. 'Fuck, what do I say, if I deny it, it's gonna be bad for me...on top of all the other times I've got into trouble. But if I don't...then the consequences for Kyle, and I encouraged him to skip class...'
She bit her lip but then, despite feeling the guilt weighing her down, she spoke.
"Yeah, I wanted to make he didn't do anything stupid." She replied at last, self-preservation winning out, at least initially.
What happened next pushed her to her limit.
Principal Wells sighed. "Well, in that case. I will have no choice but to suspend you Mr. Sherman. You will also be removed from any athletic activities and removed from the club which you run with Warren Graham."
Kyle bowed his head sadly. "Yes sir."
'What, no fucking way, that's way too harsh, especially for a first offence, fuck sake!' Chloe thought, outraged.
The look on Kyle's face as he miserably accepted the punishment was the last straw. Totally ignoring Kyle's mother's attempts to speak, despite the fact she looked like she was about to pop a blood vessel she looked that outraged, Chloe made up her mind.
"Hold on a second." She interrupted.
Wells turned to her. "Something to add, Ms. Price?"
"Yeah, Principal Wells...This is all bullshit."
"Chloe!" Joyce hissed, shocked.
All eyes were on her now, she knew there was no going back, not that she intended to now.
So, ignoring her mother and speaking clearly, she replied.
"Kyle's lying to protect me. It's true he wasn't feeling the greatest, mood wise, but I am the one that made us skip. I wanted to cheer him up. And you know what? It hella worked. Much better than anyone else could've done, especially in this place."
"Hmpf." Wells snorted before contemplating. "Well then, I find that story much more believable."
Joyce immediately react. "Just what are accusing my daughter of, Principal Wells?"
"I am simply stating a fact, Mrs. Price." Wells replied. "Your daughter has been a...disciplinary problem in this school for months and today's act is the final straw."
Kyle started at that, he had been surprised and amazed at Chloe suddenly speaking up as she did, but that jolted him into alertness.
"Wait, what are you implying?" He asked nervously.
"First, Mr. Sherman. You will not be suspended, instead, you will be given detention for the rest of the week." Principal Wells explained.
"That's better," Cindy stated emphatically. "If you're going to suspend anyone, you need to suspend that punk."
"That "punk" is right here," Chloe growled.
"Nevertheless, Ms. Price, I have no other choice but to expel you from Blackwell Academy." Wells cut in. "You will have to pursue your academic interests elsewhere."
After that meeting, Chloe was no longer a student at Blackwell, yet despite his mother's initial outrage at it, she and Kyle remained good friends.
Kyle
July 31st 2014
7:41 PM
"Earth to Kyle, hello?"
I started but then grinned as I saw Chloe still standing there, an amused smirk on her face as she waved her hand in front of my face.
"Sorry, was...lost in thought." I replied.
She nodded. "Uh-huh, noticed that. So, what about?"
I shrugged. "How we met and the uh...stuff afterwards."
"Ah..." She realized and nodded. "Well, enough dwelling on the past huh, time for the present, shall we get going to this party or what?"
"You read my mind." I replied.
With that we left my dorm room, heading for the party at last.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.