"Don't be so dramatic, Chlo, I'm only gonna be gone a few weeks."
The way she said it made Chloe almost believe it'd be alright. But Rachel's smile burned a little too bright - a little too much, like the sun on a day that was just hot enough for a burn, only you didn't figure that out until a day too late.
At least Rachel knew that it wouldn't be alright. Summertime in hicksville with her step-monster was never alright, but it would be a hell of a lot worse without Rachel there to give her an excuse to get out the house.
"I'll write you tons, promise." Rachel tossed her suitcase into the trunk of her car and slammed down the door before turning and grinning at Chloe.
"Pff, write me? Planning on upgrading to the twenty-first century anytime soon? My dad might be an overseer, but I'm still allowed to have a phone." For now. Chloe had her suspicions that the only reason she could keep it was cuz her dad had a tracker in it, but her mom didn't like it when she brought those theories up.
"Postcards have more adventure to them," Rachel smiled, quickly pecking Chloe's cheek.
"Yeah, and I'm the dramatic one."
There was a brief silence broken only by their laughter as Rachel leaned into Chloe, pulling her into a swift hug before her parents came to deliver the inevitable news, that it was time to go. It was that feeling she used to get on those play dates she had with Max, hearing their parents downstairs talking and knowing that soon - soon Max would have to go. They did their best to get out of it - Max hid in her closet, or under the bed, and their parents pretended they couldn't find her; but in the end, it didn't do any good. Eventually, Max had to leave.
Now Rachel had to leave, but it was a hell of a lot more painful than some play date with Max ending.
"I'll call you when we're there, Chlo. Don't get into too much trouble without me."
Chloe cracked a smile, bounced her fist off Rachel's. "No promises. Get there safe and all that."
I'll miss you.
Just a few weeks. She could do that.