A/N: This is my attempt at a short story. I imagine it will be only a few chapters long. I am throwing this first part out there with hopes for any pointers or criticism (good or otherwise) which will help me improve my technique. I am here to learn.

January 2013

Rachel Amber gazed at the simple beauty of Arcadia Bay while Chloe Price drove the ancient pick up. Leering at her best friend and casual lover, Rachel knew she was playing with fire. Juggling her secret boyfriend Frank Bowers, her casual girlfriend Chloe and her New Year's resolution to get into bed with her photography teacher Mark Jefferson was getting harder and harder by the day. Was she a slut? She didn't have any answers but she always went after something when she wanted it bad enough.

"Hey! You there shit head? What is your answer?" Chloe's attitude and blue hair were famous throughout the town. No filter, no holding back. She spoke her mind and Rachel loved that about her. The topic of goals for 2013 had come up and Rachel wanted to keep Chloe in the dark about Mark along with Frank.

"Okay okay let's see. Goals for this year? Less vortex parties and more actual parties. Get my modelling career off the ground annnnnnd ahhhhhh make more time for me and my vibrator." Rachel giggled at that last one. She knew it was a lie. She hadn't had to take matters into her own hands since she started things with both Chloe and Frank.

"Damn girl. I thought I was the master of rug muching. Now you gotta make me jealous of a battery powered inanimate object?" Chloe's voice was dipped in sarcasm. Rachel just wanted to get a rise out of her best friend.

"Relax. I'm just fucking with you. My needs are covered." She had written in her diary on numerous occasions that Chloe rules the South while Frank rules the North. Rachel had no doubt that Chloe was looking to make things more serious between them. The feeling was not mutual. Rachel cared deeply for Chloe as a best friend but wanted to keep their friendship and sexual encounters separate. That's where alcohol came in. If they ever fucked whilst sober it would send a message to Chloe that she was ready to move forward. She couldn't allow that to happen.

Determined to get off the subject of sex Rachel started up the reversal round. "Your turn Blue. 2013 goals. Lay it on me." To no surprise, this question threw Chloe off her game. Chloe was always a lost soul. It's like she was waiting for something or someone but Rachel never knew was it was.

"Shit okay. Well ummmmm. GOT IT!" Rachel's interest was clearly piqued since she actually thought of something. "One, either smash step dick's face in or convince my Mum to give him the boot." Chloe and David were not destined to get along. Chloe is a classic punk whose actions and foul mouth got her expelled from Blackwell whilst David Madsen is a retired Marine and combat veteran who brings his anger and PTSD with him to work every day. As head of security at Blackwell academy David always looks for an excuse to yell at or intimidate students. Rachel and Chloe shared a mutual hatred for him.

Chloe continued. "And two, get the hell out of this town forever by any means necessary. Both of us of course." The two friends knew that there was no future for either of them in Arcadia. The ultimate goal was to hit Los Angles. Rachel wanted to be a model and Chloe only wanted to escape the captivity of her birth place. Of course, it wasn't that simple. Rachel wanted to graduate from Blackwell before leaving and sort out her feelings for Frank. Chloe on the other hand was ready to leave at a moment's notice.

"That goes without saying Che. We will. I know it." Chloe didn't seem to notice the subtle hint of doubt in Rachel's voice which suited her. A familiar song came from the sound system of the truck. Rachel knew what was coming next but didn't mind regardless. Chloe started moving as much as her position as driver would allow and was clearly getting psyched.

"HELLA YES! NEVER GETS OLD" Chloe's shouting was nearly as loud as Sparklehorse's Piano Fire. Hearing the song over and over started pissing Rachel off but she knew no one was perfect. This song was always accompanied by the story of the 'legendary time where Rachel squirted all over Chloe's face and bed while Piano Fire drowned out the screams'.

This always made the two girls blush. "Just say it Blue!" Rachel shouted over the music, clearly exasperated.

"Baby it was like a fire hydrant! HELLA awesome to know it was me that caused that! More epic than The Dark Knight and Blade Runner combined! I do feel sorry for my bed sheets though!"

Rachel shook her head and smirked "I can't believe I let a nerd slash punk see me naked" she said it more so to herself than Chloe.

Not hearing the comment Chloe lost herself in the music. Rachel loved watching Chloe when her favourite music was playing. All her defences were down and it was just pure, genuine human expression. Rachel tells herself over the deafening music "If I had my camera right now, Mark would be so proud of me."

Chloe pulls into the drive way of her home with intent written all over her face. "Come on bitch, lets blaze up!" Rachel loved that idea. Since David's car wasn't there getting baked was basically mandatory. Joyce was a lot more chilled about the idea of her daughter and best friend getting high in peace. "Sounds like a plan Bluey. The sooner the better".

Chloe and Rachel walked through the front door where they were greeted by Joyce, Chloe's Mother who was just coming down the stairs. "Hi girls. Before you walk in any further shoes off. The carpets have just been cleaned."

The two instinctively took off their boots, left them by the door and enjoyed the cool temperature of the freshly cleaned carpet. Chloe asked her Mum "Since when do we get the carpets cleaned? Are we rich now?" The sarcasm in Chloe's voice was off the charts.

"Don't be a wise ass Chloe. A new carpet cleaning company was offering great deals to help build up a client base." Rachel always loved Joyce's accent along with the banter between her and Chloe.

"Whatever. Carpet is carpet. You coming Rach?" Chloe is half way up the stairs before she hears a response.

Rachel offers a half smile to Joyce "Yeah I'll be up soon Che."

The two signature sounds of Chloe's door slamming and punk rock music starting did not surprise neither Rachel or Joyce. "The clean carpets make the house look brand new Joyce. Mind if I steal a bottle of water?" Rachel's eyes were cast down as she admired the uncharacteristic cleanliness of the carpet.

"Sure thing honey. There is a bag of chips on the counter as well. You and Chloe always need something to munch after all." Joyce's reference to smoking weed was not the least bit subtle.

Grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge and the pack of cool ranch doritos off the kitchen counter Rachel continues to admire the clean carpets. "Thanks Joyce you always seem to-" Rachel's words are cut off by a stain on the carpet that stands out quite distinctively since the rest of the carpet is immaculate.

"Rachel? Sweetie?" Joyce is confused and her gaze follows Rachel's but doesn't notice anything off.

Regaining her composure Rachel notices the concern that is emulating off of Joyce. "Oh sorry. It's just that you might want a refund from whoever cleaned the carpet. Look at that big ass stain in front of the TV. How can anyone miss that?"

Joyce smiles "Oh that. They said that stain was too old to remove and there was nothing they could do. It's okay though. I prefer that stain stay right where it is." Rachel is confused by Joyce, who is gazing at a carpet stain with nostalgic fondness.

Rachel walks over and takes a closer look at the stain. "Looks like red wine to me. You and David spill a glass after having a few to many?"

"Nope. I wish. Hell would freeze over before David drank red wine. That stain was caused by Chloe and Max." Joyce chuckled. "Those two rascals opened a bottle of one of Bill's favourite reds and they ended up spilling half the bottle. Bill and I walked in on them trying to clean up the mess." Her chuckle has evolved into nearly full blown laughter. "Bill and I weren't too happy at the time but a permanent stain is worth the memory of seeing little Max get into trouble. Chloe was desperately trying to make up and excuse but Max just stood there blushing with a guilty look on her face."

Joyce's brief walk down memory lane was halted by Rachel and a look of obvious confusion plaguing her face. "You okay Rachel? Is there another stain you found?" Joyce mockingly looks around for any marks or stains on her carpet.

"Sorry Joyce, who is Max? Is she a distant cousin of Chloe's or something?" Rachel quickly thought about that name. Max? Max? Who was Max? She was quite positive that Chloe had never mentioned that name before.

Rachel couldn't determine what was going through Joyce's head at that moment. Joyce spoke with a tone of concern "Max. Maxine Caulfield? Are you telling me Chloe has never mentioned that name to you before?"

"No, I've never heard that name before. Who is she and why are you suddenly so worried?" Rachel's desire to get baked vanished and was replaced by a need to know who this Maxine Caulfield was.