Life is Strange 2: Unexpected Trials
Chapter 4 of Episode 2, enjoy.
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Disclaimer: I don't own Life is Strange 2 or its characters.
Episode 2: Doubts
Chapter 4
Tuesday 1st November 2016
It was another day at school and Lyla was worried, she dusted down her clothes as she bit her lip, her clothes being a medium yellow T-shirt, brown pants and sneakers. She was sitting with the rest of the group, all of them dressed up for a new day too, Ellery in a dark green sweatshirt with dark jeans and sneakers. Eric also wearing sneakers, along with black basketball shorts and a brown T-shirt. Meanwhile Adam was wearing a grey hoodie, jeans and boots, while Harv had a purple T-shirt, grey pants and boots. Lyla's attention however was mainly on Sean. He kept messing with his black T-shirt, dark blue jeans, or tapping his sneakers clad feet against the floor as they sat in the cafeteria.
'What is up with Sean these, days, he keeps acting so weird.' She wondered. 'I thought we finally got past all that brooding stuff, but now, ever since yesterday, he's been withdrawn again and...oh, he's got that look again, yeah, there they are...'
She spotted Sean's expression change, he seemed to be seething. Following his gaze Lyla took note of Jenn, looking as amazing as ever with her hair down this time, clad in a pink T-shirt with white denim shorts and simple slip-ons. There, talking to her was Derek, clad in red basketball shorts, a black T-shirt and sneakers. Sean had been reacting even more strongly today to Derek talking to Jenn. Something clearly wasn't right here and Lyla was determined to find out what.
Shaking her head she decided enough was enough, she needed answers.
"Sean." She said, getting his attention. "Can we talk alone for a minute?"
Sean blinked, looking surprised, but then nodded. "Um sure, no problem."
He stood and followed her out of the cafeteria until they reached an empty classroom. She turned to face him at once.
"Alright, what's going on?"
Sean stepped back. "Huh, what…?"
"Don't give me that Sean." She hissed. "You've been acting weird all day, you practically growl like some beast whenever you see Derek Anderson, even more when he goes near Jenn. I thought you were past this, you haven't even talked to her?"
Sean shook his head. "Lyla, I, it's not like that, things have just got more complicated, it..."
Sean sighed, clearly in turmoil, he wasn't sure what to say. If he told Lyla the truth, he wasn't sure how she'd react, especially since her name was on that 'top ten' list.
'Fuck.' He couldn't hold back anymore. "It happened yesterday, when I was in the locker room. I found something...a journal belonging to Derek, what I saw was just..."
He shuddered before he composed himself and finally began to tell Lyla about what he had seen, the plan between Derek and a number of other boys, the points system, even the top ten list, not omitting the fact that Jenn, Lyla and Natalie's names were on it.
Lyla stood, frozen, unable to believe what she was hearing.
"What the fuck Sean, that's..." She burst out. "That's messed up, you, are you sure this…?"
Sean sighed. "I know, it sounds crazy, but look."
He then showed her his phone, the pictures he had taken of the pages, Lyla gasped in horror.
"Shit. that's..." She whispered.
There was an awkward silence until Lyla spoke again.
"Sean, even with this, it's gonna be difficult to prove what he's up to, what they're up to, even to Jenn..."
Sean nodded. "I know, that's what's got me so worked up. I'm worried, what if Derek just won't take no for an answer and...tries something...or what if, if Jenn stops ignoring him…?"
"Okay, that last part, that won't happen." Lyla said knowingly.
"Huh?"
She grinned. "You still have a chance, Sean, not to mention you can figure this out, I know it. Besides, Jenn told me, she's been wanting to talk to you, she's just...as unsure as you are about how to make the first move."
Needless to say, that shocked Sean even greater than anything so far.
He was surprised by this, that Jenn actually wanted to talk to him, that she might actually feel the same. He never considered that. But with everything going on, he knew.
"I...wow, Lyla, that's..." He composed himself. "You know I can't just blurt out how I feel...especially with all that's going on involving Derek and his creep friends..."
Lyla bit her lip. "You may have a point, we need to stop them first, but how…?"
Sean sighed. "I don't know, I don't think there's anything we can do...until tomorrow at least."
Lyla sighed, she didn't like it, but Sean was right, they had no other choice. So, thinking about what to do, while very wary, especially when one of Derek's said friends approached Lyla, they resumed their day. Until tomorrow, where they would have more time, they had to try and focus on just carry on as normal. No matter how difficult it was.
Daniel smiled as he left school along with Chris, both dressed for a new day. Daniel in a pair of blue jeans, a black T-shirt under a red jacket and simple boots. Chris meanwhile wore a sky blue hoodie with dark grey pants and boots.
"So, what now?" Daniel wondered aloud.
Chris thought for a moment, biting his lip, before he smiled. "Say, why don't you come around, hang out at my place?"
Daniel grinned and agreed and they headed to the Eriksen residence at once. They spotted Charles working out in the backyard and he greeted them before they entered the house. Once inside Chris shifted.
"So, um...say I know, come with me."
Daniel followed and they entered Chris' room and that was when Daniel saw them, the various drawings and sketches, mostly of superheroes, as well as opposing villains.
"Wow, did...did you do all these?" Daniel asked.
Chris smiled lightly and nodded. "Yeah."
It was then Daniel noticed another one. "Say, this one looks kinda like you."
"That's Captain Spirit, the leader of the superheroes." Chris replied with renewed enthusiasm.
It was then Chris began to explain all about Captain Spirit, as well as the other superheroes and villains. As this was going on however, Daniel couldn't help but note something which worried him. It was clear that, despite Chris' happiness talking with him, something had Chris on edge.
A short while later, they heard Charles calling from the back garden.
"I'll be right back." Chris said, leaping to his feet. "Just hold on."
With that he left the room and Daniel looked around, left to his own devices. It was then he spotted something, partly hidden from view, it looked like a small box. Unable to help himself and his curiosity, Daniel approached the box and opened it. Perusing the contents he paused.
'Photos, who...wow...' He thought.
Inside the box was a collection of photos, all showing the same woman; a rather beautiful woman with long sandy blonde hair and green eyes.
'I wonder who she is…?' Daniel couldn't help but wonder.
But then he heard the footsteps and before he could react, the door opened and Chris entered the room.
"Daniel, I..." The boy began, his enthusiasm draining as he saw Daniel with the photos.
Daniel bit his lip, guilt instantly eating into him as he saw the colour drain from Chris' face. It was clear the boy was hurt and becoming more agitated.
Too late Daniel put everything back in the box. 'No wonder, come in, find your new friend snooping like that.'
He felt bad, already he had broken Chris' trust.
Chris seemed to take a moment to try and compose himself.
"I was, just gonna ask if you wanted to go out back...the treehouse is ready."
Daniel gave a weak smile. "Sure, sounds fun."
Chris nodded, clearly noting Daniel's guilt. Together they left for the treehouse, climbing up easily and hanging out some more, managing to enjoy themselves again. But then it happened, just when there was hope of things calming down and a certain indiscretion being forgotten, Daniel put his foot in it once more.
He asked what he felt was a simple question. "So, I've seen you and your dad around but...where's your mom?"
But when Chris went rigid, Daniel realized he'd made a mistake. It was too late to do anything about it now, he realized, when Chris looked up from where he had been lying on his stomach, drawing, his eyes filled with tears.
"Sh-she's dead..." He choked out; then revealed. "You've seen her though, that was her pictures you were looking at."
As he said that, he moved around to a sitting position, his back now to Daniel, his knees drawn up to his chest as he buried his face in his hands. Daniel remained frozen, rooted to the spot; if anything the guilt was worse.
"I...I didn't..." He stammered, trying to back down.
Chris choked back another sob, but wouldn't look at him. Daniel's shoulders slumped as he realized exactly how bad things were.
'And I just had to make things worse...' He thought sadly.
Knowing he had no other choice, Daniel quietly left the treehouse, despondent and headed back home.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.