Note: Chapter 2 and 3 is going to take place in a different timeline from Max's timeline in Chapter 1.
Elizabeth: "Rachel, you have a fever again. You stayed up too late last night. It was cold too."
Rachel: "Mom?"
Elizabeth: "I'm sorry I have to go to work soon. But does it hurt, honey?"
Rachel: "A little...but not as much as other things."
Elizabeth: "Like what?"
Rachel: "Maxine's parents kick me out of their house last night."
Elizabeth: "What? Did you do something wrong?"
Rachel: "I think so. I said to Maxine I saw a tornado out in the ocean."
Elizabeth: "Haha...really? And they got mad?"
Rachel: "Well...I also said that my blue jay feather earring has Dad's spirit in it. That I feel he is with me all the time, when I wear it."
Elizabeth: "I see..."
Rachel: "Mom…?"
Elizabeth: "Yes, honey?"
Rachel: "They told me I need to go see a doctor."
Rachel Amber
Pineview Apartments - Room 203
August 23th, 2016 7:59 PM
Maxine's phone alarm begins ringing on the nightstand in their dark studio apartment. She previously set the alarm to 8:00 PM, so she can take a short nap before the party.
Rachel's body jerks slightly, awaking from her slumber. It was a short nap but still able to have a vivid dream. She was talking to her mom again. On that terrible day that marked the beginning of the decline between the relationship of her and Maxine's parents.
The blonde girl lifts her head off from her pillow, eyeing across the small cramped dim room at her best friend. Faint, thin shards of moonlight were able to slip through the window blinds, lighting enough to outline several parts of the room, including Maxine's bed. Of course, she is pretending to be still sleeping and too lazy to reach over to turn off the piercing loud alarm on the phone. Rachel purposely lets out a deep snort to give an audible cue that she is awake, in hope the brunette will get the idea.
But still nothing. Finally, Rachel pushes her body up angrily, causing her bed to creak more than it needs to. She slides her legs off to the side of the bed, reaching towards the obnoxious phone to dismiss the alarm. She sits back on her bed glancing over at Maxine, as the faint blue glow from the active phone illuminates the lazy girl's figure. "Get up. I know you're awake." Rachel's head drifts back down, dangling loosely and looking at her lap, as she still have some sleep inertia from the nap.
You can hear Maxine's calm breathing in the silence of the room. "Go with me." She mutters in a perfect tone, with no signs of grogginess. She must have been awake for a little while. The blonde lets out a frustrated sigh at her request. She continues, "I want you to get to know Nathan some more."
Rachel looks up blankly at the dimly lit ceiling, running her fingers through her blonde ponytail. "I'm serious Maxine. Don't push me." Nathan Prescott, is the son of the most wealthy and renowned family in Arcadia Bay. There is something very off with him and his family. Though nothing ever publicly confirmed, there has been rumors about very shady deals, kidnappings, and even murders with the Prescotts.
Maxine ignores her warning and hastily continues, "It's his 21st birthday party. And I think he might be a little into me." She says it in a singing voice, turning her head towards her friend with dreamy smile. The moonlight is being reflected perfectly off her grinning teeth. "Or maybe he is into you?" She continues in a playful tone. Her smile slowly subsides, sensing the blonde girl's uneasiness to her tease.
Rachel recoils her body away from her. Maxine rolls over, to get a view of the disapproved girl's posture in the dark. Well first of all, a damn rich kid's 21st birthday is going to be a fucking huge party. No way in hell would an introvert like Rachel be remotely comfortable in a place like that. The blonde snaps, "Do you even care about how I feel? I don't want my best friend to be anywhere near the family that murdered my father." It came out rather over dramatic but she meant every word about it. The energy she spent pouring that out, has her mouth gaping for air.
Maxine reaches over to switch on the table lamp, finally giving light to the rest of the room. She rises up to the edge of the bed, with her long wavy brown hair draping down from both sides of her head. She already has on what she is going to wear to the party. A gray light jacket with a dark blue crop tank top and jeans. Her eyes focus on her friend with an irritated look. But seeing the distress in Rachel's face, the brunette takes a minute to rethink what to say. She looks down at her lap. "This again? It wasn't Nathan's fault at all. Please don't put it on him." She lifts her head to look at Rachel. "Nathan's father, Sean Prescott, I know you feel he is responsible. But it was an accident Rachel."
Rachel interrupts Maxine by standing up from her bed abruptly. "Accident?" Barely pushing that word out of her mouth. She hated people calling that about her father's death. It just always implies that was an excusable death and action. People that died from accidents are instantly forgotten in our society, and that is the last thing she wants for her father to be. Forgotten. The idea of not being remembered, or simply easily forgotten is Rachel's greatest fear. She approaches Maxine slowly until she is right in front of her, looking down at her.
Maxine's eyes were terrified in what her best friend may do to her next. "Rachel...I'm sorry." She looks back down. "I know-"
Rachel hisses through her teeth, interrupting her. "You keep saying that." She reaches down, clenching Maxine's left wrist and squeezing it with force.
The brunette flinches with the sudden pain on her wrist. Slowly, calmness creeps back into her as she realizes this is getting familiar. She has come to be used to blonde's violent and abusive outbreak. "Rachel, please." She looks up with apologetic eyes.
Rachel takes a deep breath and gently releases her grip on Maxine's wrist. She runs her hand up along her arms and hold on to it, softly. "I love you." She mutters that out with awkward and inept. Even her own eyes were steering clear from looking at her friend.
Maxine looks up to her, and smiles back. Rachel has never been one to be able to truly show her heartfelt emotions. Maxine, always given her the benefit of the doubt. The beautiful brunette smiles slowly fades away, as her face drops back down. She couldn't say the same thing to Rachel. Not right now.
Rachel wanting to hear something or anything back from her. "You could never say that to me."
Maxine shakes her head, "You have been scaring me." She looks up but then quickly to the side, as she couldn't maintain direct eye contact with her. "You need to give me some space."
The blonde tilts her head to the side, to get a view of Maxine's face. "Some space?" She says it in a condescending tone. "So you can do whatever you want with people?"
"You mean make friends?" Maxine snarls back quickly.
Of course, Rachel didn't mean just friends. She always loved Maxine. While the both of them has made subtle hints of affections with each other, nothing has truly been established. Could be due to Rachel's lack of self confidence. But also could be Maxine's feeling fluctuates from time to time. Rachel has a very unstable personality that her best friend can only tolerate so much. Regardless, Rachel just doesn't want Maxine to be with anyone else. She doesn't want to be left alone.
Rachel glares back, almost wanting to cry. "I can't stand the idea of you with anyone else." Her throat tightens, and grips the brunette's arm some more. "I only want you and me. That is all I ask for in this world."
Maxine stares blankly ahead, slowly digesting her friend's words. She looks up at her with a serious expression. "You can't do this to me." Her head drifts to the side, biting her lower lips. Then it just occurs in her mind. "You always…" Maxine pauses for a moment. She collects her thoughts with confidence, glaring back at Rachel. "You always been doing this to me my entire life."
Rachel lets out a soft whimper, tearing up. It is true, this miserable adventure, that these two friends been doing, has been pathetic. Maxine, very well can leave Rachel any moment, to move on to a much better life without her. Rachel knows this. Maxine knows this, too.
Maxine looks on with a concerned look, wanting to comfort her. Instead, she gently pushes Rachel back to give her space to stand up. She heads towards the door. "It is just irrational." She stops a few steps in front of the door. "You need to understand other people's feelings. Before it's too…"
She stops, having regrets with her last sentence. She swallows to clear her throat and approaches the door. Rachel darts towards her from behind, pinning her against the door. This startles the brunette greatly, causing her to let out a scream. Rachel grips Maxine's right hand tightly against the door, almost as if she trying to silence her. With her other hand she clenches onto Maxine's left shoulder. The blonde brings her head close to behind her friend. They were both breathing hard, as they can feel each other's warm breath. Maxine finally whispers calmly, "Rachel…I have to go, now."
Maxine is waiting for Rachel's response, however there were nothing but her breathing. The blonde gently presses her nose into brunette's hair, running it down to her neck, smelling her.
Maxine didn't feel comfortable at all. Rachel's breathing became heavier. Her facial expression seems to be almost impervious her friend's discomfort. Maxine gently backs up, pushing the blonde back as well, to give enough space to open the door.
Rachel didn't let go at first. But brunette forcefully shakes her shoulder until she freed herself. She opens the door to leave room, letting the door crash shut.
Rachel continues to stares at the door where her friend was just a few moments ago. It has been frustrating lately, with this abnormal insecurity in herself. And her inability to effectively communicate her emotions and thoughts in a way that wouldn't put Maxine down. There is something wrong with Rachel. And she hated herself for it.
She, then bites her lower lip, and slams the side of her head into the door frame. It hurts, but not enough to soothe the real pain deep inside her head. She does it a few more times, with increasingly force and an agonizing scream through her teeth, until the last one has left her severely dizzied.
The door opens abruptly but slowly, and Maxine peeks her head in with curious eyes. Rachel tilts her head slightly, barely able to face her friend. Everything is spinning in her head.
Maxine's mouth drops opened, as she look at her in shocked. She heard the loud banging of the noise and had to confirm what she heard. This isn't the first time Rachel has exhibit a violent behavior outburst. She has done this many times, mostly to her own self. She reaches her hand out almost to place it on the blonde's shoulder, but she stopped.
The brunette's blank eyes drift down slightly, looking past her friend. Rachel didn't move a muscle, other than her heavy breathing. Maxine ponders just about how much can she put up with this. She shakes her head in disappointment and again, left the room.
Rachel still staring at where her friend was. Stupid… The world slowly stopped spinning, as she drags herself to her bed, where she collapses there.
There is nothing but complete silence. Hoping that Maxine will maybe change her mind to check up on Rachel again or comfort her within the next few moments. But she didn't come back.
Rachel stares at the dark ceiling from her bed, being consumed by its emptiness. She has a severe headache from the blows to the head she inflicted on herself. But it is the least of her worries. She can't stop thinking about the conversation she had with Maxine. She tilts her head. and reaches for her phone. It is 12:25 AM. It's already past midnight and has been over four hours since Maxine been gone. Rachel hopes she could just go to the sleep to just end this miserable shit of a day. Or maybe it will be better if she never wakes up again. Rachel will love that.
I need help. Badly. I'm going to be alone real soon. I'm going to be dead, and not a single soul in this world will care.
Almost three years ago, both Maxine and Rachel ran away from her home. Maxine's parents kept putting increasingly amount of pressures on Maxine to get into prestigious colleges or Blackwell Academy. Maxine became sick of being a failure to their eyes and decided to leave home with Rachel when they became adults. Both of them changed their cell phone numbers so their parents wouldn't be able to contact them and can begin their new adventures together. At least that's the story they tell people, if anyone do ask.
Maxine's parents also had a strong hatred towards Rachel, claiming she was an ill influence on Maxine. Rachel and her family moved from Long Beach to Arcadia Bay when she was six years old. She met Maxine and became best friends. However, shortly after Rachel's father Bradley died in a work accident, Rachel never had been the same. Being widowed, Rachel's mother, Elizabeth had to work extra long hours, forcing her to leave Rachel alone almost all the time. She felt very neglected and lonely all the time.
Maxine's parents saw this as an opportunity to take Rachel in, almost like an unofficial foster parents to her. This help brought some sanity back into Rachel, by being close to her best friend almost all the time.
However, Rachel started hearing voices in her head, and seeing dark figures in her dreams. She claimed they are friendly and that one day she wants Maxine to meet them. Rachel started telling Maxine what words the spirits shared with her. The young brunette never really took anything too seriously. She just thought Rachel has a creative imagination or probably watched too much Bambi, when she said a deer is always watching her.
She just accepted Rachel for who she was. She maybe thought the voices is just a result of Rachel growing up isolated and lonely. Perhaps, when a girl gets that depressed, she also becomes delusional and looses her grasp with reality. Maxine figured the best way to make someone less lonely, is well...be by their side all the time.
Maxine's parents found out about this. For them, it was very frightening news to discover. To anyone it was unnatural, even for a young girl that lost her father to be behaving like this. Maxine's parents recommended Rachel to seek some professional assistance for her mental health, as it could be proved to be dangerous, if it remains to be uncorrected. Because they weren't Rachel actual parents, they had to approach Elizabeth with it.
Elizabeth saw this as a complete insult to her daughter. The last thing a fatherless girl wants, is to lose the last remaining threads that makes her a rational human being, and that is credibility. You lose all of that when you get declared mentally unstable. Once you get diagnosed with it, there is no going back. She was always a lesser human in the eyes of others already. There is no need to twist the knife. This led to a falling apart between the two families. A chain of emotional crumbling events between the two families, eventually caused Maxine and Rachel to run off together. Maxine, always have been very sympathetic with Rachel, and kept siding with her. She felt she is the only person that can save Rachel in this world.
But someone can only bend backwards so far for someone. When you lose the only person that is keeping you alive, you are already in hell.
Ryan: "Rachel, I know you said something about tornado in the water. Which is by the way, called a waterspout. What was the other thing you said again?"
Maxine: "Dad, please stop."
Ryan: "No, I really want to hear. You don't want Maxine to go to Blackwell Academy?"
Rachel: "Yes."
Maxine: "Rachel, you don't have to say anything."
Ryan: "No, this seems serious. You said something about Maxine going up to the roof?"
Rachel: "Yes, and she jumped off."
Vanessa: "I can't listen to this anymore, Ryan."
Ryan: "No, I really want to hear more. How come Maxine jump off the roof?"
Rachel: "Because you guys died in a car accident."
Maxine: "Mom, please get back."
Vanessa: "You say all of this very casually, Rachel."
Rachel: "I-I really don't mean any harm. But it is true."
Ryan: "Rachel, you really need some help."
Rachel didn't fall asleep. She really hoped she was able to, but she have been awake the entire time. The dream she had earlier, made her think about the past some more. About what she said to Maxine's parents.
She reaches over for her phone, for what felt like the millionth time. It is 1:46 AM. She pauses for a little bit to ponder, if it is appropriate to text her. It has been almost six hours.
Maxine's words from the past, echoes in Rachel's mind. I will always be here for you Rachel. No matter what you may think. Those words in her head, almost causes her to cry again. Maxine knows Rachel always have lots of self-doubt and misinterpret everyone, including herself. So to hear Maxine say that, was probably one of the best thing anyone can say to her.
She unlocks her screen, hesitating for a little bit. Have some confidence! Rachel sighs and closes her eyes. Maybe I will have more self confidence if I stop fucking around so much. She opens her eyes and proceed to send a text to her best friend.
Rachel: Hey, I'm sorry about everything. How are you doing? Do you need me to pick you up? (1:47 AM)
Rachel slides her phone down her body to rest it on her stomach, waiting for it to vibrate with Maxine's reply.
Few minutes has passed, and still nothing. Her face starts to become uneasy. That familiar feeling of hopeless and loneliness overwhelms her. And...this is why I don't have any self confidence. I internalize just about everything and I can't help it. She can imagine that Maxine is probably looking at her phone right now, only to put it away and proceed to be pulled away by Nathan for a make out session.
He is about the same age as Maxine, which is a year younger than Rachel. Both the girls met Nathan at a bar, that did not card because Maxine and Nathan were underage. Maxine started to show some interest in him. Maybe it because he has cash. Lots of it. They both could use the cash.
Both Maxine and Rachel still lives in the same city as their parents, which is a bit funny, because they both ran away from them. They both have a dream of going to Los Angeles, which is the area where Rachel originally from.
Rachel's phone lights up and begins to vibrate. It wasn't a text, instead it was a phone call from Maxine.
A smile emerges from her face, almost tearing up in joy. Thank you for the one thousandth time. She quickly swipes the phone to answer the call.
"Hey Maxine. Are you okay?" Rachel's breath quickens very sharply, that she almost cough.
It is Maxine's phone that called, but there is some other girl on the other line. "Hi, are you a friend of- Umm, well shit." The caller hesitates for a second. The blonde is growing impatient on her side, hopefully she would finish. "Max? Or is it Maxim? No wait, that's my magazine." Rachel's heart stops for a moment after being mentioned of her friend's name.
Sometimes is wrong…
She replies back quickly. "Yes, Maxine. Who is this?" Her face becomes pale. With the previous thoughts about Maxine jumping off the roof and her parents dying in a car accident has made Rachel very anxious. Her voice becoming more demanding and already jumping into conclusion. "Is everything alright? Is she alright?"
The caller replies. "She is alright, just a little shaken up. But please, come to the corner of 1st Street and Stillwell Avenue in Downtown. We are-where are you going? Dad?" The caller became distracted and something is going on her side. "Shh! Alright!" She sounds agitated. "We are in a parking lot. You can't miss it."
This stranger has Rachel very suspicious of. But she doesn't have a choice. However, her voice seems very casual and genuine. And her father is with her, so maybe there is nothing to worry about. Right? But Maxine is shaken up? Did something happen to her? Rachel clenches her fist, digging her nails deep into the flesh of her hand. She is filled with anger just thinking about the type of jackasses that could be in the party. But she calmly replies to the caller. "Please stay by her. I'll be there in ten minutes. I'm leaving right now."
"Don't worry we'll be here." The lighthearted tone in the caller's tone continues to comfort Rachel.
There is a short pause. "Sorry but I would like to know. Who is this?"
"My name is Chloe. I'm here also with my dad," said the caller.
"Thanks Chloe. I'll be right there," Rachel then hangs up the phone. Without thinking much for once, she dashes out the door.
Please be okay, Maxine.
A/N: I know this chapter is totally different from the first one, with the introduction of the timeline. This is a fairly challenging chapter for me. To develop a new timeline and Rachel to be more of flawed character and not the one portrayed in the game is little challenging. The next chapter will continue where this left off.
