A/N: :,D Thanks for the reviews gais, it makes me happers.
The room was dimly lit. The moon reflected light off structures from outside, that in turn hit through the glass of the window centered above from where I sat. The air had a slight chill, but not enough to seem too much or too little. While I still felt myself processing the scene before me, I eventually came back into the conversation Chloe and Rachel were having.
It wasn't as though it was a boring conversation. In fact, it was probably the most necessary thing we could be discussing right now. I just can't help it. Looking at Rachel for too long makes me feel more than just awkward. It seemed like only yesterday Chloe and I had dashed passed numerous objects and broken down vehicles to find the spot that matched that picture. Probably one of the worst pictures I had ever seen. That pastey morbid grin plastered on Nathan's face as he laid next to...
"...wow, that's harsh..." Rachel said sympathetically. Chloe looks down slightly, recalling all the hurt and turmoil she had tried to bottle up into the back of her mind.
"In three months... it'll be a year." Chloe said, her voice conflicting between fragile and upset. I put a hand to her shoulder, watching as her hurt blue eyes met mine. Her demeanor seeming more at mercy to whatever could happen next than the Chloe I had reunited with in the first timeline.
Chloe sniffled, trying to recompose herself.
"... I understand why you wanted to get away from it all." Rachel said, glancing between us for a moment, "... since you shared with me, it's only fair I do the same." She said with a breath that made it clear she was trying to find the right way to explain things.
"Sure, shoot." Chloe cued her, seeming to have an easier time ridding herself of her despair the more she talked about it. I'm glad that this time around I'm here with her, comforting her...
"My mom's crazy." Rachel said bluntly, "She's been a nutcase for as long as I can remember... and she hates when I do anything. Probably because my dad ran off when I was young." She stated as her eyes eventually fell from contact with ours, "That guy you saw was one of her attempts to prove to herself she's normal since my dad left her. He's an ass... thinks he can control me and what I do. Words of advice, step fathers- step anythings are bad news. Avoid them like the plague, and don't let them stop you from doing what you love to do..." She explained.
I glance between Chloe and Rachel as Chloe scoffs.
"Like, yeah. There's a reason they're the villains in almost everything, right? Ugh, I can't even imagine..." Chloe trails off, her mind clearly going to the possibility. I already knew what was coming. And now I was starting to realize that Rachel was probably one of the reasons Chloe resented David so much. It was only a hunch...
It wasn't as though I didn't recognize he could be a douche at times. He wasn't exactly very good at expressing his care and affection for Chloe. But clearly this mind-set wasn't exactly going to help what was to come.
"I don't know, your mom could get lonely..." I mutter under my breath. Oh no, why did I say that? Hopefully she didn't hear me. And then Chloe glances to me, her head turns slightly. Her eyes were narrowed as I found myself inwardly biting my lip. Way to go Max, you seem like a total ass now. She didn't need to hear that...
"She only loved my dad. Period. She wouldn't just forget that!" Chloe says clearly annoyed, "I can't believe you'd say that Max..." She stands up and goes to the other side of the room, sitting down on the bed. My eyes follow her, before going to Rachel. She looks away from me slightly, seeming as though she doesn't want to get involved.
How could I be so thoughtless? She doesn't need to think her mom would forget about William! I just wanted to ease her into meeting David... her mom does meet him soon... but-god, I need to rewind and fix this...!
I lift my hand slightly, concentrating my mind into that moment. Go back, go back... ! Everything seems to warp. It's all a dark purple, and fuzzy, but I'm not going back. It's a stand still.
"I..." I murmur, finding myself the only source of noise as everything else was waiting so patiently. I loosen my grip, as time skips and several beats of motion go forward. Chloe is sulking to herself, her shoulders slumped forward as her back is to me. Rachel moves to the window and looks out before eventually her head turns toward Chloe. But it's quick, and then reverses just to play over again and again.
No... !
This isn't right...!
I let out a small cry, and it all stops. I'm back to the second I had started, clenching my chest slightly. But I keep standing despite it all, and look toward Chloe. I'm so aware of my mind racing, my heart beating. I can't mess this up! Everything is too sporadic- more than usual. And it won't allow my control... don't ruin your friendship Max! You can't just fix a bad answer anymore...
"Chloe, I'm.. I'm sorry... I didn't mean to-" I manage as I go toward the bed.
"I don't want to talk to you Max." She says coldly, "Leave me alone."
I pause, as I stare at her for a moment. You can't go back... You can't take it back. You just... have to deal with the consequences, Max. I glance to Rachel, seeing her in front of the window. She eventually looks toward Chloe as I follow her gaze.
I guess, she really just needs some space... from me.
I look away from them. My head is throbbing, but the adrenaline manages to help me get passed it. I go to my back pack and grab my pills. There were still quite a few left... and they do help. I go to the bathroom, and close the door behind me.
Way to go Max. Now you're in the dog house... and you can't just fix it with magic time and space powers.
I couldn't believe how flustered and lost I felt. I've been so used to rewinding and fixing things to my own benefit. Manipulating people's emotions, turning back time just so I can avoid actually learning something. That's the big problem, isn't it? I've just become so... spoiled.
Eventually I find my way out of the bathroom. Chloe and Rachel are sitting together, talking quietly. I look toward them, as their voices seem to go to nothing once I'm present. Rachel looks to me unsure, as Chloe looks pissed, only at the quilt beneath her. Fine, don't look at me Chloe.
Damn it, didn't take long for the teen angst to settle in. If I didn't know what bittersweet meant before, I definitely do now.
...but you know what? It's fine. She had to hear it from someone. Joyce doesn't deserve to be alone. It doesn't change the fact she'll always love William, Chloe. And even though David can be a douche bag, he cared- will care more about Chloe than she even realized it.
I don't deserve this Chloe. I'm just trying to help you...
I frown, finding myself getting more angry just thinking about it. I'll just go for a walk. I put on my shoes and grab my coat before leaving. Not even giving them a second thought. These past few days have been pretty rough. I should take some time to clear my head anyway...
The neighborhood we're in right now isn't too bad. It wasn't too far from where we first met Rachel. It was kind of unsettling, thinking that Rachel's step-father could find her here. Rachel did say she had tried to run away before. I was kind of surprised she wanted to stay somewhere so close to begin with... but she claims she's friends with the manager or something.
I sigh, looking up to the sky, finding the moon in my wake. It's round perfect form shined down on to my face. It's beauty helped put everything behind me. But for only a second do I think I see a second sphere floating beside it. I look down to my hand. So, I can't rewind period? It seems more like I just hiccup forward and back but only slightly. That's not very reassuring... how am I going to handle life-death situations?
This is scary... but... hopefully it's temporary... at least I can still kind of tap into it.
I walk around for a little while, keeping close to the motel. I find myself hiding discreetly every time I hear someone walking around nearby. After getting freaked out a couple times I head back to the room. I lost track of how long it had been.
Rachel and Chloe are in bed. There was only a two bed room available on short notice. I'm surprised Chloe didn't sleep in Rachel's bed, since she hates me right now and all. Great, now what am I gonna do? Is she telling me to sleep on the floor? I'm tempted to see if she made a sign that says 'Don't even think about laying next to me Caulfield'.
I go to my back pack and change into my pajamas, eventually looking back to the bed. With my blanket in hand, I look to the floor. It seems like the only logical place to go right now...
"... Max."
I jump slightly out of my skin, making the quickest breath I've had in a week. I look to Chloe. She was looking to me. I just stare at her dumbfounded as she gestures next to her, clearly having less patience with me than usual as she gestures again. I hesitantly look to the spot next to her before climbing in. My body was sure to keep as far to the edge of the opposite side of Chloe's half as possible.
Chloe's staring at me, that much I can manage through the darkness. I looked away, feeling rather awkward because, well. Drama and junk. I hate it when it's like this. And I hate it even more when I don't know what to expect. Was there something I was supposed to do?
I hear Chloe giggle, trying to be quieter than her usual laugh.
"Seriously Max? Think I'll bite your head off or something...?" She whispers, as I then look to her. She looks amused before she scoots toward me. That only makes me feel a little unsure, but she sighs slightly, "... sorry, I didn't mean to get so heated earlier..." She mutters under her breath, "I didn't really... give you a chance..."
I watch her, conflicted on whether I should feel relieved or reluctant to take her apology. Did Rachel talk her into chilling out? If that was the case, then I don't really want to forgive her. I would rather this just be between us... honestly. I look away from her again, before I feel her take my hand.
"Come on Max. I hate it when we fight..." She says quietly. I already knew she was trying to give me the puppy-dog eyes, " ... don't make me get all mooshy. You know I love you to death..." She says rather nonchalant, "Please, please..."
"Gosh, whatever Chloe." I give in as she pulls me toward her before I can fall off the bed.
"Yay~ Glad that's over with..." She murmurs before letting me go, "I know I can be a pain sometimes... but, I'm really... no, more than grateful... that you're here. I just... have to remind myself that you could be all the way in Seattle right now..." She says softly before looking to me. I couldn't help but watch her, realizing how genuine she was being. I smile and hug her.
"I wouldn't rather be anywhere else."
I can't believe we've been away from home for three days... and we're not in Arcadia Bay anymore. We're in a small city east from there. We had taken a bus.
I left my phone off. I feel so bad for doing this to my parents. So bad for Joyce. I can't help but spare them at least an hour of regret every day. But I was doing this for an important reason... They wouldn't understand.
Meanwhile, Chloe and Rachel are having the time of their lives. I mean, it is a lot of fun... going new places, seeing new people. Rachel even insisted we go on a shopping spree, using the card. It probably wasn't the best idea to give that option to Chloe, who had been dying to completely rethink her wardrobe.
I wasn't surprised she was trying to deck herself out in punk style. And Rachel was right there with her. Much to my suspicion before even meeting her, Rachel was a fashionista. I mean, d'oh. She was a... model, or going to be.
"Come on Max, you don't have to just watch you know." Chloe says after she had tried on her seventh outfit. She was now in a plaid button up shirt over a white tank top and some loose fitted black jeans with belts running along each side of her legs. Chloe really likes the dangley belts look...
"Uuh, I'm okay with my clothes. You don't need to get me anything." I say. Jeez, I must seem like such a stick in the mud. But I feel like all of this is just... not right. Besides, I'm not lying. I think I have a pretty good taste in clothes. Despite what the critics say...
"Really, Max? If I see that pink sweater with the koala on it again, I'm going to have to take some scissors and make it my personal project to transform it into a gem. And I really don't think either of us want that." Chloe offers her hand to me as I hesitantly take it and she helps me up from the chair I had been sitting on.
Chloe used to like that sweater...
"But Chloe... I don't..." I mutter as she watches me expectantly.
"Come on, just a couple of things, please? I think you'd really have a blast if you tried something on..."
"I got some things for you Max." I turn and look toward Rachel who had a mischievous but excited look on her face, "Come on, we'll surprise Chloe~" She says, waving for me to approach.
"Awh yeah, shock me Caulfield!" Chloe ushers me toward Rachel as I feel more like a doll than I ever have with all this manhandling. It's rather frightening.
I'm in a dressing room with Rachel Amber. This is surreal. I look to her as she's finding some things in her pile of clothes.
"You know what? You seem like a vintage tomboy to me." She states, looking at me, "What do you think? Vintage tomboy with a hint of punk just to add some points with Chloe?" She smirks at me. I blink dumbly before blushing slightly. Whoa whoa, what was she insinuating?
"Uuuh... it's whatever..." I say, impressing Einstein himself with my impeccable intellect and reasoning. Jeez, I've hardly said a paragraph to Rachel since I've met her.
"Oh, no need to be shy... she can't hear us in here..." She says. I mean, she was right. This place definitely had enough money to make this dressing room almost as impenetrable as a bomb shelter.
"I don't really know what you mean..."
"You're cute." Rachel says before holding up an outfit, "Try this on." She says as I look to it. It didn't seem like anything special. Just a coat with a blouse and some shorts and leggings. I guess I've never really thought too much into fashion... as long as I'm comfortable, what does it matter...? At least my socks match. Okay, maybe I don't have fashion taste...
I eventually put on the clothes, realizing Rachel didn't intend on leaving the room until then. She looks me over, as though trying to find something.
"If we got you a pair of clogs, you would look so cute... Or maybe you'd prefer a tie? Then we'll have to rethink your shoes."
Oh jeez, what have I gotten myself into...?
I look at myself in the mirror. I look... good. Watch out runway, Max Caulfield's on her way to a modeling career... ha, no. What am I kidding? I don't have a face for that... Right in the nards of my self esteem.
Rachel is beaming at me from behind, which I notice in the background of my reflection. I glance to her, as she watches me expectantly. We went with the clogs. And while I like the look and all, I kind of don't like sticking out too much. Crap, should I tell Rachel...?
"You look so great Max! Chloe's gonna totally fawn over you." She says, happy with her work.
"Rachel, we're not really... a thing or anything..."
"I'm not really a fan of labels..." Rachel states as she fixes my collar.
There's a knock on the door.
"Yo, you guys okay in there? I can break down the door if you need me to... just uh, don't say anything. And I'll get right on it." Chloe says faintly through the door.
"Oh be patient!" Rachel calls back before looking to me, "Alright, time to show her your stuff~"
Jeez, this is so embarrassing...
I stand there, trying not to look too much like a coat rack. Chloe's watching me. Oh god this is weird. Why am I so nervous? Chloe approaches me, and looks me over. She then gives the slightest smile, and said a lot quieter than I expected, "You look... hot."
Her hair is blue and her cheeks slightly flushed. I look to her surprised as she smiles warmly.
"Been holding out on me Max?" She takes my hand before pulling me close, "I didn't know you were such a trendsetter. Is there more your hiding from me in that closet of yours?" She chuckles slightly, "Sorry, couldn't help myself..." She trails off.
I look at Chloe oddly. She's a woman. Not young 14 year old Chloe, not the angry rebellious 19 year old. We're not in the store anymore. We're in a room I hadn't seen before, plastered with portraits and posters. My gaze was more captivated by Chloe. Her hair was still blue, still short. But there was something different about her.
She seemed happy... and comfortable.
Noticing my stare Chloe watches me curiously, "What?" "What's-wr-" She fades into that orange, that damned orange and white, But now I see younger Chloe in front of me. Her smile slowly fell from her expression. Her brows raise, and she's struck with slight horror as she quickly steps toward me.
She touches my face, and there's blood. She says something, but I'm not sure what. It's that ringing sound again. But voices find their way into my head. Things I recognized, things I didn't. They were all Chloe, speaking to me. Some were reversed, but I recognized a lot of them from the cliff.
"-11!" Chloe says toward Rachel. Rachel hesitates before looking to the door then to Chloe.
"We can't call someone. If we do, they'll catch us." Rachel says quietly, looking sternly to Chloe and myself. I was starting to come back to. It wasn't as bad as last time.
"What the hell are you saying?" Chloe said sharply toward Rachel, "She could be dying-!"
"No, Chloe..." I mutter quietly, "She's... she's right..." I look down, catching some blood before it can hit my blouse. Chloe looks to me, shaking her head .
"No, Max. I knew this was a bad idea from the start. You're in no shape to be doing this." She says, internally beating herself up. I shake my head. You really think this is your fault Chloe? We both wanted this. Stop being so stubborn.
"Come on." Rachel gives me a handkerchief. She carries around one of these? I wipe the blood from my nose, trying my best to ignore my headache. I should have taken a pill before we left...
Chloe's watching me, looking as though she's on edge like I'd shatter into a million pieces any second. Oh Chloe...
I managed to clean up enough to not look like a complete zombie. Rachel bought a whole load of apparel. I don't know if she kept the outfit I tried on, but I didn't really care. I just really, really needed to lay down.
Chloe wouldn't leave my side. She was there all the way until I could finally hit the bed. Oh how glorious it felt when my body smashed into the soft surface. It probably would have been better if it was my own bed... or Chloe's. But it was definitely an improvement from standing and walking around half there.
"If you need anything, let me know..." Chloe says as I glance to her.
"Yeah..."
Everything is dark and fades into a warm brown. Lighter colors beak into the warm brown as I hear her. She's grunting angrily as she rips pieces of paper. With each shred, she's feeling a little further gone.
"Why did he leave me? Why doesn't she call me? My mom just married a fucking douche!" Her words speak onto the pages of her journal, "My life is a fucking hell. I just want to die. Just let me die... I'll be right there with you... but with you be there waiting, Dad?"
"Chloe, you know he wouldn't want that. Besides, there's too much life has to offer." Rachel smiles as Chloe looks to her skeptically.
"So far life's only gold has been the ability to wake and bake. And even then step-shit's on me with his paranoid ass." Chloe says.
Rachel takes her hand, "I know, you live in a shit hole. I think everyone in Arcadia Bay relates to that. So, how about we get the fuck out of here?"
"Serious Rache? You fucking read my mind!" Chloe is ecstatic.
"I fucking loved her!" Chloe cries as I watch her from a far. Everything is dark, and a spot light shined on Chloe and Rachel's grave. Chloe then stood and looked toward me, "You have to do something Max! Turn back time! Save her from that prick!"
Jefferson chuckles as Chloe is gone.
"You couldn't even save me. How do you expect to save Chloe?"
I opened my eyes, only to flinch as light found it's way through the window onto my face.
Another terrible dream. I was losing count on how many I've had since I beginning. It was becoming a norm for me...
I hear Rachel and Chloe's laughs in the background. Putting in a bit of effort, I sat up and looked toward them. They were putting on clothes and... Chloe's hair, it was cut.
Rachel notices me awake as she prods Chloe slightly and gestures. Chloe looks and smiles.
"Max! Are you feeling okay?" She asks, going to me. I stare at her as she realizes what I may be thinking, "Oh, you like? Rachel said she could cut hair so I just went with it..." She laughs nervously, seeming the most shy I could possibly expect her to be, "Don't I look dope?"
"Dope? Heh, well I like it... it suits you. You look ready to raid a mosh pit for sure." I say with a smile as Chloe grinned. She modeled her new look, as I found myself thinking that Joyce would enjoy seeing her daughter express herself. Oh, there's the guilt again...
"Glad you like it Max~" Rachel says as she picks up her purse, "I'm gonna go run an errand. I'll be back."
Chloe turns as we both look to Rachel, "Uh, you sure you want to go alone?"
"I'll be fine. Don't have too much fun while I'm gone..~"
The door shuts behind her as I look toward Chloe. Chloe stares at the door before eventually looking to me. She sits down and sighs.
"Can you believe how far we've gotten? Not gonna lie, I thought we'd get busted before the end of the first day." Chloe laughs sheepishly.
"Do you regret leaving...?" I ask softly.
There's a long silence before Chloe falls back on her bed. She stares at the ceiling, as I go from beneath the covers and flop down beside her. She sighs before smacking a hand to her forehead.
"Honestly, I feel like shit!" She proclaims before groaning. She turns toward me before sitting up, "I miss my mom." She says pathetically, "... no, we can't go back! Like? Who am I kidding? She'll flay me alive." Chloe was clearly having an internal struggle, "I'm too young to die, Max. And... and we can't let them take you!"
"I know... I get it..." I let off a laugh to add to the pathetic pile. So Chloe did feel like this was kind of a horrible idea...
"What are we doing Max? We don't have jobs- who would hire us? I mean, aside from some shady place full of creeps?" She sighs, "I know we're probably dumb for doing this, but I definitely don't regret it."
I look down slightly, "This is pretty crazy Chloe..." I trail off. I felt like... telling her. Again. About... well, my power. But, it wasn't exactly working right now. So maybe it should wait...
"Maybe I should call my mom... just to let her know we're okay..." She mutters, "Oh! I know, I'll call her during her working hours and leave a message."
"You don't want to just... talk to her?"
"Hell no. She'll probably blow up on me without without giving me a chance to explain myself..." She pulls out her phone and sighs, "... alright, here goes. ... damn Mom! That's a lot of fucking texts!"
"Yeah Chloe, she's worried about you..."
"I know, jeez. I already feel like crap, I don't need hella judgement from Madam Maxi-Pad. Besides, you got parents too slick."
"Gee, thanks. Way to come in swinging..."
"Hey, I'm just sayin'..."
Here we are, being phone zombies. Every button takes me at least a minute to press. I'm afraid to see how much my phone's blown up since we left. Yeah... there it is... about 50 texts between Mom and Dad. God you're such an ass-hat Max.
"What's the damage?"
"... eeh..."
"Let me guess... 100?"
"... no. 50..."
"Ooh..."
"... and a crap load of missed calls..."
"Bet you a donut it'll add up to 100."
"Come on Chloe, be serious. Are you going to call her?"
"Yeah, yeah..." Chloe brushes me off, though I could see her hesitating on pressing the call button. She presses it eventually, before quickly muttering under her breath as it rang, "Oh, well me and Max are fine, hanging at a motel using a credit card a friend we picked off the street offered for our convenience and-" The phone stops ringing, as Chloe holds her breath. Someone answered.
"Hello?" But it wasn't Joyce. It was a man... wait, I know that voice...
"... who are you?" Chloe asked caught off guard. I flinch. Maybe she shouldn't have said anything.
"... is this Chloe?" It was David. Chloe is quiet, "Your mother is sick with worry about you." He said rather accussingly, but his tone changed to concern, "Now, tell me. Are you alright?"
"Who the fuck? I want to talk to my mom." Chloe said angrily. I grimace, this isn't the sort of introduction I was hoping for them.
"Excuse me? ... She isn't here right now. Chloe, I need to know where you are. Is Maxine with you? Are you safe?"
"Look Pal, I don't know who you are. But you better get the hell out of my house! And her name is Max!" Chloe hangs up. She stares at the phone before looking to me, "There's a random guy in my house! Where's my mom? Why is there a guy in my house? What the fuck?"
"Erh- Chloe. Maybe... he's a police officer..."
"He better hope he's a police officer. He better not mess with my mom or-" She pauses before grunting, " ... Max, we have to go back."
"What?" This catches me off guard. Chloe looks to me, her anger melting away as I watch her.
"... I wanted to be strong for you. But... I'm fucking terrified... I can't take care of you, let alone myself. And- now I feel like I need to go hella whoop ass on whoever the fuck was in my house." She hides her face into her hands, "I'm so sorry..."
I hug her, "Chloe, don't be. I... feel the same way... this, got pretty crazy..." She hugs me back.
"Max, everything is so screwed up..."
"I know it is..."
"God, I know Rachel isn't going to like this. We had this big conversation while you were sleeping on why we couldn't call 911 when your brain fucking exploded." Chloe face palms, "She's really serious about this..." I look to the side.
"... maybe she'll understand."
"I don't know. I mean, she's pretty bad ass. I bet she thinks we can take on the world." Chloe says. They sure have bonded a lot without me...
"I don't doubt we can. But we should probably be more prepared next time..."
"... yeah, you're right. Guess we gotta break the news to her..."