Chapter 5
For Max, this day is getting stranger and stranger. Knowing she is now sitting next to the girl she saved in the bathroom by Nathan Prescott in her rusted beat up truck is so bizarre. To make it even more so, this same girl is her childhood best friend Chloe Price.
Max felt overjoyed and anxious to see her again after five years. Ever since her father, William has died and her and her parents had to move to Washington, Max severed all ties to Chloe potentially ruining what friendship they had left, which was the last thing she wanted despite not even trying to reach out to her ever since she came back to her native home of Arcadia Bay. The eighteen-year-old leaned back into the scratched up leather seating feeling the nostalgia taking over preventing her from speaking making her get a quick soft tap on her arm.
"You still with me, Max?" The punk looking girl asked with her sky blue eyes focused on the road.
Max returned her attention to Chloe and still can not believe how much she has changed. "Where else can I be?" She asked grinning.
"Back at Blackwell at the mercy of Nathan Prescott?" Chloe answered semi serious leaning her head against her free hand while the other was one the wheel. "Why was that freak so hell bent on choking the life out you?"
Max went rigid but found her voice. "Hopefully nothing..." She lied really wanting to change the subject to get out of the spotlight. "So... how do you know the guy?"
"He's just another Arcadia Bay rich boy asshole." Chloe told her casually like Nathan was not much of a big deal. A smile crept across her face. "It was quite a sight seeing those skaters giving him the biz."
"I'm worried Trevor might get suspended." Max expressed her concerns for him and the other skaters who probably saved her life.
Chloe whinnied her lips. "The worst that could happen to them is probably 4 weeks of detention. I'm speaking from experience of course."
Max eyes rounded in surprise. "You attended Blackwell?"
"About a couple years back, 'till I got expelled." Chloe described. "Good riddance to that place. And you're already causing trouble."
Max shook her head. "I just thought it would be quiet here." She looked out the window sighing. "Just feels so weird to be back."
"So I guess Seattle sucked hard?" Chloe asked with a little hopeful that Max would answer yes.
"No it was pretty awesome." Max admitted. "It felt like a city full of real artists. All big and bright and exciting. So many awesome stuff to do there. And a great place to take pictures."
"Yeah." Chloe resented. "Must suck to come back to Hicktown Arcadia Bay huh?"
"Not after seeing you saving my ass." Max said gleefully.
"Please girl," Chloe still kept her smile but a hint of annoyance was seeping in her tone. "You came back to Blackwell Academy."
"Well of course!" Max expressed ecstatically. "It's one of the best photography programs in the country. One of my life long dreams of course."
Chloe dropped her smile replacing it with a scowl. "So you came back for a passion. Not your best friend. Good to know" She concluded by what Max told her.
Max was taken aback by that. "You don't think I'm happy to see you?"
"Nope. You were happy to wait five years without a call or even a text."
Max's brows furrowed. "Oh give me a break!" She said irritated looking over at her punk friend. "I wasn't the only one going through changes."
Chloe scoffed. "Turns out some of those changes include dumping your best friend."
"You know that's not true, Chloe."
"Bullshit." Chloe was brewing a storm. "You were eager to hook up with all those art pricks in Seattle, but that didn't turn out so well, huh?"
Max rolled her eyes looking away. "Someone's merciless today."
"You've been at Blackwell for almost a month without letting me know." Chloe snarled. "'Nuff said."
"I didn't forget about you, Chloe." Max countered. "I was going to contact you, but I just wanted to settle back in and just not be such a shy nerdy geek."
"I bet you don't use these sad excuses on your teachers. Don't use them on me, Max." Chloe growled staying silent after that.
Max leaned back in her chair sighing. "Look I don't want to fight. Can we just... drop this whole thing and try and be friends?"
"We can try." Chloe emphasized on the try part.
Max grinned and nodded. "Good. Because last time I checked, Joyce still works at the Two Whales Diner. Best damn burgers we ever had."
Chloe looked over at Max. "You're trying to rekindle our friendship with burgers?"
"My treat." She offered. "I got my wallet with me. Afterwards you can take me back to your house. Be nice to take a trip down old Price lane."
"Well when you put it like that, how can I say no?" Chloe's mood was brightened by that proposition. "Mom's still working a shift down there as we speak, so you'll get a chance to catch up with her."
"Good!" Mac beamed. "I can't wait!"
Chloe looked over at the hipster shaking her head and smiling. "Welcome home, Max."
"I'm glad to be back, Chloe." Max said feeling so happy to see Chloe Price again, even if it was almost a month late.
The worn out truck rolled on down the long empty road with the beach out in the distance. Max was staring out at the beach just zoning out everything on the ride up to the Two Whales Diner. A sudden flash blinded Max only for a second to see that out in the ocean, tall sleek bright buildings were far off into the distance. The view paralyzed Max in complete amazement.
"Oh my god..." Max whispered in awe. "That's so beautiful." She reached down to the floor to grab her camera wanting to get capture those buildings on a picture, but she quickly remembered that she left her bag back at her dorm room. "Fuck! Are you cereal?!"
"Wow haven't heard that in awhile." Chloe remarked. "You okay?"
"Chloe look out at the ocean!" Max was getting all excited pointing her finger rapidly. "There's..." She couldn't find words for the wondrous view was now gone before her eyes.
Something did caught Chloe's attention, but it wasn't anything to be eager about. "Jesus..." She whispered. "There a reason for so many dead seagulls?"
Max focused on the shoreline to see numerous seagulls laying on the sand motionless. "Wh- When did that happen?"
Chloe shrugged equally bothered. "You're answer is as good as mine. We're almost there."
Max exhaled sadly. "Glad I left my camera then.."
They finally made it into Arcadia Bay proper where it was fairly busy with people walking to or from work and a few cars driving by. The truck made a sharp turn into the parking lot next to the Two Whales Diner and stopping abruptly in a parking spot, which Chloe parked into mediocre at best. The doors opened and both girls got out of the truck with Chloe locking it up after the doors were shut all the way.
"Alright, Caulfield." Chloe started being all jumpy. "Be ready for one big Mama Bear hug from hers truly."
Max snickered at the thought. "Oh I'm counting on it."
As the two girls approached the entrance of the diner, faint jazzy music can be heard and only became loud and clear as soon as Chloe opened the door letting Max enter first. Max smiled and let her nostrils fill her nose of that nostalgic smell of good food.
Man that amazing smell and the sound of clanging silverware. Makes me feel thirteen again.
Chloe strolled on past her walking over to an empty booth, but was cut short by an expected interruption.
"Chloe!" A woman's voice called out to the Punk girl and Chloe can see a middle aged woman with a uniform skirt with and apron over and heels marching towards her with her heels clicking on the floor. Her blonde hair was prim and proper and her brown eyes did not look pleased to see her. "If you think you're going to be served another free meal, you have another thing coming, young lady." She spoke quietly not to let other customers hear her. "You already have enough at the house, and I'm almost done with work anyways so you go on home and..."
Chloe smirked and motioned her head toward the door when Max was slowly approaching the two. The woman looked over at Max and gasped with her hand over her mouth and rushed over to give the girl a big hug.
"I can't believe it!" The woman exclaimed eagerly. "Max Caulfield is here again. It's so good to see you, honey. We missed you so much!"
"Hi Joyce." Max greeted happily hugging back tighter. "I'm so happy to see you too." The both pulled away and Max's smile did not left her lips. "You look the same."
"Like I'm still a waiter working at a diner?" Joyce teased.
"No! I mean you're still pretty." Max answered a little shy just thinking of that out of the blue.
Joyce chuckled. "Very nice save, kid. You always were smart."
"Well good to know you guys are getting all mushy n stuff." Chloe barged in walking away towards the restrooms. "Brb. Gotta take a dump."
Joyce sneered at her daughters vulgar comment but didn't say anything and turned her attention back to Max with a big grin. "Go on and take a seat, I'll be with you shortly, sweetie."
"Thanks, Joyce!" Max grinned dismissing herself and walked over to the empty booth with Brooke sitting at the booth behind right where Max was going to be sitting. She was in deep focus on her DSI not even paying attention to the roasting steak, toast, and bacon sizzling off of her plate.
Max hopped on one side of the booth resting her head on the top of the seat staring at Brooke for a few seconds before deciding to get her attention. "Hey, Brooke. You know your food is right there right?" She joked.
That caught Brooke's attention as she glanced her head up really quick to see Max. "Well a Pokemon dual requires your full attention." She stated rather rapidly.
Max rolled her eyes. "Pika Pika?" Imitating in a babyish high pitch voice.
Brooke sighed. "More of a Venusaur girl."
Max raised her eyebrow in an inquisitive manner. "Who's that?"
Brook looked back up at her and scowled. "Seriously? He's the dinosaur looking one with the large flower on his back!"
"Oh yeah!" Max quickly spoke laughing at the discovery. "I seen him a lot."
"Bet you don't know what he does do you?" Brooke didn't give Max a chance to answer. "Well one of his traits is getting people to calm down with that big flower on his back, and he gets that energy from the sun." She darted back down at her game. "It's weird that you know the name of the drone, but don't know Pokemon."
Well I know that part now Hehe.
Max brought her hand up rewinding time back enough to start up the conversation with Brooke again.
"What are you playing?"
Brooke quickly looked up at Max. "Pokemon. I'm in the middle of a crazy duel right now." She looked back down muttering to herself.
"I love Pikachu, but I do like Venusaur, too. He looks pretty awesome, not to mention one of his abilities is to..." She struggled to remember what she was going to say next, but remembered in a second. "Give people more positive emotions from the flower on his back. And he can regenerate that energy from the sun."
Brooke's eyes shot up impressed by her knowledge. "Wow! Wonders never cease with you, Max. I can see why Warren digs you." She gave her a wry smile.
Max looked down didn't know how to respond to that. "Oh... Okay then."
"Oh come on! You should be honored! Warren is everything a girl wants!"
Max looked back at Brooke. "You like him?"
"No!" Brooke exclaimed without hesitation. "Why would you think that?"
"You two seem like the perfect match." She explained. "You're both smart, nerdy, and you both bleed science fiction and sci fi movies."
Brooke brought her head down with her cheeks turning a little red. "Well... when you put it like that.."
"Just ask him out or something. Girls can do that too." Max offered. "He may take you down to the drive in to, as he would say, 'Go Ape!'"
"Hmm... alright, Max. I'll take your word for it." She quickly got to her feet and jumped around a little. "I can't hold it in any longer, I gotta go!" She lightly jogged across the diner over to the bathrooms.
Max leaned back grinning taking in the memorable smell of delicious food.
Good old days... Why haven't I come here sooner?
The sound of smooth clicking on the diner floor made Max look up to see Joyce coming by with a steaming mug as she set it down on the table next to her. "One hot cocoa for the young lady."
"My favorite!" Max cheered carefully cradling it in her hands to avoid the risk of burning them. "It's so good to see you again, Joyce."
Joyce too a seat across from Max. "You too, honey. I really didn't expect we wouldn't see you again. It's so good that your back."
"I am glad to be back." Max said putting her mug down saving it for later on when it was cooled down.
"So how are your mom and dad doing in the big city?"
"They're doing good! Mom is a doctor at a hospital, and dad's still an engineer. Me? I'm here hoping to set up my lifelong career as a photographer."
"I'm glad." Joyce said. "It hasn't been easy for us. Ever since William died, Chloe just... she just became sad and angry." She brought her head down solemnly laughing bitterly. "Went through all the phases with tattoos, drugs, bad boys, expulsion, running away, blue hair and..." She cut herself off not wanting to diver further about the topic.
"Chloe has a reason to be mad." Max confessed. "I didn't kept in contact with each other when she needed a friend. Now right now, I'm all by myself at Blackwell. Guess it's my Karma."
Joyce looked up at her smiling. "You did the right thing moving on. I did when William passed on."
Max's brows risen. "You remarried?"
Joyce nodded. "His name is David Madsen. He can be rough around the edges, but he's a good man."
Max internally scowled at the thought of David.
If Chloe is in this state, David is most likely not helping out the situation...
"I'm happy for you, Joyce." Max simply said.
"Same for you, sweetie." She sighed. "I still can't believe you're a woman now."
Max chuckled. "I can hardly believe it myself."
Joyce stood back up. "Now let's get down to the nitty gritty. What would you like to eat?"
Max beamed. "Last time I remember, the Double Burger Deluxe was the most amazing burger ever."
Joyce smirked. "One double Krabby Patty coming right up."
Max laughed at that part. "Yes. One Krabby Patty please."
Oh Spongebob... The influence you had on me.
My pocket made a chirpy chime making me pull out my phone seeing that I got a text from none other than Victoria. And what she said was somewhat surprising.
Victoria: We may not be friends but thanks. Ur kinda kul, Max.
"Huh. That's a first."
"Glad I showed up just in time." Chloe called out walking up behind Joyed and leaping into the seat across from Max. "I think I'll have the same thing."
Joyce glared at her. "Did I just say we had food at the house?"
Max came to Chloe's aid. "I'm treating Chloe for today."
Joyce looked over at Max and back at Chloe and smiled. "Consider yourself lucky, young lady." She told Chloe marching away writing down their orders.
Chloe rolled her eyes and looked back at Max. "Hadn't had myself a Krabby Patty in awhile. Thanks, Max."
Max giggled. "Least you still love a certain yellow sponge."
Chloe shrugged. "Please. Can't be all that grown up right?"
Blackwell Academy
The BMW entered the parking lot of Blackwell Academy and carefully parked into the empty lot next to two cars close by. Rachel shifted the gear and turned off the car.
"Well here we are." Rachel announced opening up the door.
Dot opened her door and hopped on out groaning as she stretch her entire body. "Ahh! That feels so gooood!"
Rachel smiled at that and looked over at Kate who was staring down at her feet motionlessly. "Kate?" She called out gently placing her hand on her arm.
Kate snapped out of her frightening trance. "Yes, Rachel." Her voice was one of weariness and gloom.
Rachel's heart ached for the poor girl. Kate being thrown down a dark and scary pit and everybody has been calling her a viral slut and a hypocrite even though that was not true. She was drugged and taken advantage of and she will be there for Kate no matter what. Rachel remembered six months ago she was thrown into that same scary situation, and she considered herself very fortunate that she was still alive, and so grateful Kate was alive next to her as well.
"We're here, sweetie." She flashed her a caring smile.
Kate nodded. "Okay." She opened her door and forced her limbless body out of the car.
Rachel was the last to exit the vehicle and locked her car once all the doors were closed.
"Wow." Dot liked what she was seeing. "This place is pretty cool."
"Wait 'till you see the main campus." Rachel told her. "It's pretty much packed almost everyday."
"You two go on ahead." Kate said. "I'm going to head up to my room."
The two girls looked over at Kate worryingly. Rachel approached her and gave her a big hug.
"We'll all go up together." She suggested. "I'm going to my room too."
"Okay."
Dot's POV
I really wanted to know what was tormenting her so much so I can help the poor girl in any way she can, but pushing her to tell her what's wrong is probably not the best move right now. I really wish I can help her in any way I can.
If anyone had hurt her in any way, dicks and or ovaries are going to be ripped from bodies. Not literally... maybe...
I was followed Rachel and Kate from behind, a strange whooshing sound coming from my left caught my attention reminding me of the ocean on one of those brutal summer days. I turned to where the noise and was pretty surprised that there was a calm ripple the height of a person formed most likely out of nowhere. I don't know why, but it did had some calm feeling to it. I shook her head vigorously thinking it was some after effects of heat stroke or something of that shit, but it was still there! The temperature is somewhat cold, and I'm not on dust, so this has to be real. I quickly looked back and Rachel walking side by side with Kate with her arm around her shoulder, and both looked oblivious to the strange ripple I was seeing right now.
The ripple suddenly shifted into the figure of a young woman that looked around Dot's age. She was fairly beautiful with faint freckles around her cheeks, light blue eyes that looked somewhat tired. and short shoulder length brown hair looking a little rough, but had a nice effect to it. Like most people she had come across, she was blessed with comfortable looking clean clothes consisting of a light grey sweatshirt unzipped revealing her pink shirt showing with some animal she has never seen before, and the two words Jane Doe.
Is that... No!
That was the girl from the tower! The one who woke me up when that tornado was going to mess up Orchard and Arcadia Bay! She looked as shocked as I was to see me as well, and slowly approached me. One thing I'm kind of envious of is that fact that she looked to be the same height as Rachel and Kate. Sometimes I hate feeling like the short one.
"I..." I almost couldn't find my words. This was so freaking strange right now. "I recognize you. From the tower."
"Where the storm took place." She added stupefied.
"You coming, Dot?" Rachel called to me from up the stairs.
"Sure!" I shouted back. "Just Give me a second!"
The girl looked over to Rachel and Kate and looked back at me looking like I got hit in the head hard. "Who... who are you talking to?"
Wait. She can't see her?
"She's right there. See her?" I pointed over to where Rachel was with Kate.
She still looked clueless. "I- I don't see anyone." She looked back at me probably going to ask me what the hell was I inhaling or something to that nature, but then she had this look of being scared shitless in her eyes. Before I could ask you what's wrong, she just charged forward yelling, "Look out!"
"Woah!" I shouted darting back a few steps only to find that the girl falling to the ground disintegrated on impact. "Holy shit... oh fuck..." Was she dead? She couldn't be. I didn't hear her screaming in pain.
I cast that thought aside for now remembering now to draw any attention of sorts and rushed over to where the two were waiting for me. "Sorry I'm late. I... thought I saw something out of the ordinary."
Rachel gave me an inquisitive look. "What do you mean?"
I shook her head. "Nothing. Thought I saw one of my old friends for a second."
Wow thought of that one quick.
Rachel nodded and we all carry onward from the parking lot, and made our way to a very spacious field with concrete walkways, a few trees some of them with their beautiful shade of brown and orange, and grass. Real grass! And the fact that all these natural stuff would be right next to a building! Even if the entrance looks like it's having a paint job done. The people occupying the grounds here made it more interesting as I can see two tall burly dudes throwing some kinda weird brown pointy ball. I know it's an American sport, but I can't get the damn name. underneath a tree, there were other a few young women hanging down next to a man of ebony complexion and another guy all having looking like they're relaxing big time. I can see another guy with a stocky build, short hair, tan skin and glasses all by himself with a sketchbook. He looks shy.
Clean clothes, school, and doing your own hobbies. If I had a jealous meter on me, it would be full.
"Yo Rachel!" One of the burly guys looked over to where we were at. "Heads up!" He pulled his arm back and thrust it forward releasing the ball as it spiraled towards us at full speed.
Rachel caught the ball in her hands like it was no big deal, but she did not look at all happy based on that look she was giving him. That means this guy must've done something to piss her off.
The dude bailed on his friend and jogged over to us. He was even taller up close. He looked over at me and brought his head up smiling. "Sup? You new?"
I smirked. "Just showed up." I replied.
"Cool." He turned his attention to Rachel. "Hey listen... I've been thinking..." He brought his head down pausing for a brief moment. The hell was he up to? "If you wanna come hang with us on the beach this Saturday. It's not just Vortex Club members. All are welcome."
"I'll think about it, Zach." Rachel told him politely.
"Okay no worries." His tone still sounded hopeful. Zach then looked back at Kate and grinned. "You know you really did the Lords work when you spread those legs." He whistled.
What the fuck did this douche say?
Kate's sniffles forced me to look back at her and I was horrified to see she was struggling to break down in tears with her teeth grinding together. "That wasn't me!" She didn't even let Zach speak after that as she just marched towards the entrance with her head down sobbing.
Rachel furiously slapped him across the face sending him off balance. "Congratulations." She sarcastically hissed. "You lost a date to the beach." With that she rushed over to Kate calling for her name.
When her least expected it, I brought his knees to his balls making him groan in pain as he fell to the floor. "Say anything like that again, and it'll be with a baseball bat." I warned him.
"Dot!" Rachel shouted out to me egging me to come with her.
"Nice to meet you, by the way." With that I jogged to meet up with her. "Is she okay?"
Rachel did not look happy with me. "What the hell was that?"
I was confused. "What?"
She let out a frustrated sigh. "You can't just going around doing that to people here! You could get in trouble!"
We both walked up to the stairs leading inside the building trying to catch up to Kate.
"Okay, I don't know what happened to Kate, but when someone hurts her.."
"That's not the solution!" She didn't waste any time cutting me off. "What happened with Frank was a different story. He attacked me. But with Zach? He deserved it, but you just can't go around pulling off that kind of shit."
I know it was pointless to carry on with this argument knowing she was not going to be convinced otherwise, so I had to accept defeat. "Fine." I sighed.
Rachel stopped me by grabbing ahold of my arm. "Say it." She told me looking down at me. "No more senseless violence."
"No more senseless violence." I repeated annoyed.
Rachel nodded. "Okay. C'mon."
A muffled beep went off and Rachel reached into her pockets pulling out her little device staring down at it and shook her head. "Oh Kate..." She murmured sadly. "She texted me saying she wants some time alone." She opened up the door leading into a room with stairs leading up to the next floor. "C'mon. Let's go."
I nodded. "Lead the way."
Like the first floor, the second floor was dimly lit with only the rays of the sun piercing through the windows to be the only efficient light source around here. It wasn't even that dark. There were doors on both walls left to right with white boards next to them with some of them already have separate colored words or pictures. Some of them were pretty cool while others were just kinda stupid.
That's what she said!
Be the change you want to be in the world. -Ghandi
Repent! The Vortex Party is Nigh!
We finally stopped on the right side of the room with the number 224 designated on the top. Rachel reached her hand into her bag letting her hand shuffle around trying to find something.
"Sorry." She said a little preoccupied. "Gimme a sec."
"No worries." I assured her.
224? Wait!
Looking at those three numbers made my heart jump and I forced my hand to the back of my neck feeling a smooth natural surface, but it was still there.
Calm down. Check it out later.
I exhaled softly trying to think of something else. I looked over at the white board to see an inspiration phrase written in green.
Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full with the overcoming of it. -Helen Keller
A smile involuntary formed on my lips and I felt a small spark in my heart that felt pretty awesome.
Someone knows how to see the bright side in things.
A faint jingle filled my ears.
"Aha!" Rachel cried. "There we go." She pulled out a ring of a few keys and inserted one through the lock letting it make a sharp clicking sound unlocking the door. "Come on in."
"Thanks."
Rachel's room has a nice contrast that was mushed together really well. On the wall there was a poster with four ruffled men with drums and guitars with the two words THE BEETLES all in caps, and right next to it was a huge glittering peace symbol. Her bed made my legs feel like jelly and I felt very tired for only a few seconds, because her bed with a light purple felt blanket, and soft pink skull pillows looked like the most amazing piece of furniture I have seen. There was a simple wooden couch with a few magazines littering the brown cushions on it, and by the windows was a cluttered desk with laptop.
A laptop? Jeez! What doesn't she have?
"Your room looks... awesome." That was an understatement. It was freaking amazing!
Everything in here is amazing. But I feel... wrong being in this room. Feel kinda sick. Maybe I'm just hungry.
Rachel smiled taking off her jacket casually tossing in on her couch. "Thanks. Sorry hella messy in here. I mean, if I knew I was gonna have some company over, I would of.. you know cleaned this place up a bit."
"Oh don't worry! I like the messiness." I told her sincerely.
Rachel laughed. "You're an awesome guest. Uh.." She walked over to the closet opening up the slide doors revealing a gold mine of clean clothes. "There's some clothes in here you can use." She pulled out a dark green checkered shirt grey t-shirt with a four leaf clover, and the cleanest pair of khaki pants I have ever seen giving them to me.
The texture on these clothes felt so smooth and soft that I let my fingers caressed them nonstop. I can't wait to have them on me.
"Is it okay if I borrow socks too?" I asked hoping I didn't sound rude by asking for more. "Just in case I... get back into my shoes."
Rachel nodded not looking offended at all. "Sure!" She answered happily giving me clear white socks on my pile. "Showers are down the hall to your left and they'll be on the right." She told me.
Running water? Oh man this is awesome!
"Down the hall to the left. Make a right." I clarified. "Thank you very much."
"I'll have your bed ready for you by the time you get back." She promised.
"Thank you again, Rachel. You're pretty awesome."
She giggled "Aww thanks."
With that I turned to the door with my pile of clothes in my hand and made my way out into the hall.
"Enjoy your shower!" She called out.
"I will thanks!"
I was definitely going to enjoy this shower.
Max's POV
I wish Chloe would be all happy eating burgers with me. After all, nothing makes her more happy than a combination of one Max and one Krabby Patty. But at the Two Whales Diner, she was just quiet most of the time, and even when I tried to make small talk, she would just reply in short answers and after that silence unless I asked her a question or mention some old memories. I know she went through some hardships, and didn't help matters by not calling her, but I don't want Chloe to be down almost all the time.
I've been away from home longer than I thought.
We were on the road again already entering the old suburban area of Arcadia Bay. I even caught a glimpse of my old house! I'm glad that it has some new owners, and they even gave a fresh coat of orange paint.
Looks like Barnacle Fortress is no more. Looks like we'll have to find a new pirate hideout.
We finally made it to Chloe's house, making it a bitter sweet moment. So many memories came flowing on back to me from that time from our pirate ship, to making pancakes with Chloe and William. And the news that William died in a car crash...
The look on Chloe's face... I don't wanna think about that.
The truck came to a stop right outside the closed garage and Chloe turned off the truck hopping out of it.
"Come on in." She offered. "Don't be shy."
"The house looks..." A little run down but nostalgic. "Nice."
"Home shit home as I like to say." Chloe mumbled not even looking at me as she jingled her key into the front door and opened it up allowing us entrance.
Most of the lights were off, but it was bright enough to see everything in our path. Not a lot has changed around here since the old photos are still on the wall, Joyce still has that beautiful collection of china stashed underneath the cabinet. Chloe was the first to go up the stairs with me following her upwards.
We made it to her bedroom door, and when it opened, it was totally bizarre. Everything was chaotic with grafiti and numerous posters of boobs and guys on the wall as well as some very depressing phrases. An worn American flag covered the window behind her bed making the room look like as if it can be seen through reddish lenses. I already am feeling the dreariness this room is inflicting upon me.
"My room is a bit different the last time you saw it." Chloe explained indifferently walking over to her bed sitting down on the edge.
I forced a smile. "It's all good. At least we can still chill out."
She rolled her eyes. "Well this isn't exactly my 'chill out' zone, step fuhrer makes sure of that. Close the door would ya?"
I complied gently shutting behind the door while Chloe was reaching over to her nightstand. "Put some music on while I get my medication on."
My mouth dropped a little. "Medicate?"
"Yep. Gotta fuckton of weed at my disposal."
Well that explains the smell.
"Okay... Well where do you keep your music at?"
She leaned back with a cigarette dangling from her fingers. "Underneath the bed."
I frowned but didn't say anything. I crouched to my knees beside her bed to see more of a mess underneath with empty bear bottles, crumpled up papers, and other debris. One thing that stood out was a dented metal box probably containing the music discs I needed to kill the silence. I pulled it out and opened it up revealing a disc labeled MP3 MIT.
Guess this is the music disc she was looking for.
I was about to close the box until I saw a photo of someone who has been mentioned a lot today. It was Rachel Amber! But why would Chloe have a picture of her in here? I grabbed it and examined the picture a the beautiful girl from her straight dirty blonde hair, shiny hazel eyes, smooth porcelain skin, a cool blue feather, and pretty smile. She really looked amazing. I noticed that the photo was folded, so I brought out the other half revealing a familiar punk rock girl flipping off the camera.
She knew Rachel! They were friends!
"Give me that!" Chloe's hostile tone startled me and her hand snatched the photo from me.
"Sorry!" I quickly reacted. "I didn't mean to be nosy. Obviously she was a good friend."
Her scowl softened to a sadder look. "That's putting it mildly..."
I got up and sat on the bed with her trying to help as best I can. "I've seen missing person flyers all over Blackwell. Everyone seems to like her."
"Yeah. I put them up." She told me. "When dad died and you left... I lost all hope... but the day I met Rachel..." I heard a soft sniffle as she caressed the photo with the palm of her thumb. "She saved my life. She gave me hope when I thought I had none."
I swallowed feeling horrible for what she has been through. If I stayed in contact with her, maybe she wouldn't be in this state. "I had no idea it was that bad..."
"Well you never made much effort to find out." She scorned me. "It was when I was sixteen, and we became best friends." She grinned as tears fell from her cheek. "She taught me not to be afraid. We were gonna kick the worlds ass." Her voice was cracking.
"She's so beautiful." I confessed. "Like... she would be a model."
"That was her plan. Our plan. Bail the hell out of this hick hole and into Los Angeles." She chuckled sadly. "That's no longer the case when she went missing."
"Well how do you know that?" I countered that way of thinking. "Maybe she just wanted a life of her own or maybe just needed time to breath."
"Unlike you she would've told me, got it?" She angrily replied. "Something happened to her and I want to fucking know." Her fist was curling into a ball shaking violently but quickly loosened.
"Going all the way to LA? You think Joyce would have stopped you? Or David?"
"Sergeant Shitstick and mom are all over each other to focus on me."
I scoffed. "Feeling the love alright. But when did she disappeared?"
"Six months ago. That was the last time I heard from her... My Angel..." She suddenly slammed the photo on her nightstand making me jump. "Just start up the fucking music alright? I need to be the fuck alone for a bit."
I was frozen for a few seconds by her sudden aggression, but complied going over to her radio set and inserted the disc with some soft depressing music filling the room. It wasn't long until there was a quiet raspy woman's voice singing along.
"Max I need some time to myself please. Can you leave my room for a bit?"
I felt hurt by what she said, but I understood that she was not in the position to talk right now.
"Sure, Chloe." I didn't want to be in here anyways. I needed to find the bathroom.
I exited her room gently shutting the door and walked at a quick pace over to the restroom locking the door letting the immense pressure of tears about to burst any second. I collapsed down to my feet burying my head into my arms and knees sobbing to myself silently sobbing.
That's not Chloe! That's not her... This isn't real, it can't be! Chloe Price is a happy to go skater and nicest girl ever, not whatever... whoever that is! She was always talking about never doing drugs and then...
I loud hiccup escaped my throat at more tears streamed down my cheeks knowing that was indeed the same Chloe from five years ago.
"This is all my fault... She's like this because of me..."
I was so eager to forget those sad memories. So eager to move to Seattle and start a new leaf. I got what I wanted, but I allowed Chloe to suffer for it. And it cost me our friendship.
This was my doing... Shit...
Dot's POV
I wasted no time stripping out of my sweatshirt and pants until I totally naked. The mirror in front of me showed a reflection of my small acid scar on my shoulder, one straight scar diagonally located where my belly button is, few bruises around my stomach, and my good luck necklace around my neck. I can see my deep blue veins being shown through the mirror followed by surgically burned scars on my wrist.
I laughed. "Feels like my body can breath again."
My eyes darted down to my shiny metal legs that ran all the way up to where my thighs were. I gave them both a little movements to make sure I would't have any more glitches. I examined the sink glancing at the valves and curved pipe and with one twist of one of the valves, I could barely contain my happiness seeing the majestic sight of water pouring endlessly from the pipe. Feeling my throat getting drier by the second, my head dived in gulping as much water as I could. The lack of oxygen forced me to pull my head back as I huffed like crazy feeling such an amazing taste coursing down my throat.
That didn't sound right...
I placed my clothes right outside my shower while the clothes Rachel lent me were already behind the curtains in protected by plastic coverings. I stepped into the shower waiting for the water to hit me any second, but nothing came out. Was there something wrong with the pipes?
Oh right... the valve thingy is probably it.
I turned to valve all the way letting numerous freezing droplets hit my skin forcing me to shout in shock of the punishing temperature.
"Cold! Cold! Cold! Friggin cold!" I whimpered messing with valve trying to see if I can make it warmer somehow, and much to my fortune the water warmed up quick. Maybe a little too much warmth. "Fucking Mother- mmmm!"
After a little bit of tinkering with the valve, I got it to a very relaxing temperature. I can feel the warm water easing all the tension and stress on my body. I looked down at the ground where a large thick brown puddle was formed by all the muck that was all over me.
The Outside world is pretty freaking awesome. Even if I'm in the past.
That's when I started to have worries.
Am I really stuck in this time forever? If that's the case, I'm going live through history when the seas swallowed up all the land. What if... there is no land back in the present? No. There has to be. If the island hasn't been swallowed up, that means America or Europe might still be around. Oh god... I don't wanna have to think about this...
Turns out I didn't have to when everything got much darker and the water was starting to build up to my chest. I no longer felt the ground forcing my body to stay afloat as the water was climbing faster and faster. I looked up only to see I was trapped by rusted metal with me pounding like an animal, but it was no use for the water was up to my chin. I was so scared that I was going to drown. I inhaled deeply to hold my breath shutting my eyes, but when they opened, I was back in the shower with the warm water still trickling down my body. My breath was slow but shaky, knowing how horrifying it was to be trapped on that fucking rust tub.
I don't even know why I made it out...
Shaking my head, I turned off the water and dried myself off with a towel. I placed the shirt over my head instantly gasping of how amazing it felt with it on my upper body. It felt like a soft light blanket with a nice cool feeling to it. I tried on the pants delivering the same comforting feeling, leaving the socks for last as the covered my synthetic feet.
Now in fresh new clean clothes, I pulled the curtains out leaving the shower and walked back over to the mirror shocked to see a totally new person in front of me. The scars were still present, but everything on the skin looked so much smoother and clear. Although the hair was damp, it looked more soft. I smiled at my new reflection elated that I looked all brand new and fresh. A little to new and fresh.
My stomach felt twisted as I leaned in gripping the outlines of the sink as I gritted my teeth breathing like some rabid animal. My whole body frozen and tensed up thinking of the fact that I look like some sell out or uncaring privileged child, or even someones plaything.
You know that's total rubbish. Yeah you may look privileged, but you do care.
But I look like one of them...
So did Price, same with Rachel and Kate. And they are some of the most caring people you have come across.
I chuckled. "Touche. Total rubbish."
I finally relaxed and looked back up at the mirror smiling. "Still me." I whispered tying my hair into a knot back to it's former ponytail state. "There we go."
With that little drama ended, I grabbed my old rugged clothes and exited the woman's restroom already hearing the sounds of others nearby.
"Where's my favorite Blackwell Ho going?" Some snobbish girls voice taunted. I know that wasn't directed at me.
"Studying." That was Kate's voice!
When I looked over to see Kate, she was encircled by three girls that looked like live those shopping mall mannequins. Clothes, hair, even the makeup says it all.
Least Rachel knows how to use it.
"Tongue Fucking 101?" Another was in on the harassment. "Based on what happened, I think you're off to a good start."
The girl with the short cropped blonde hair came behind Kate and gave her a firm smack on the bottom, making Kate gasp in horror. I can see the tears coming out of her eyes.
Oh no you fucking didn't! "Hey!" I shouted marching over to them. "Back away from her! Now!"
The three snobs were a little frightened by my outcry, even Kate jumped a little. The blonde bimbo looked over at me with a scowl. "Uh... and who are you again?"
I smirked. "What do you mean, again? We haven't even met before." I pulled the smartass card. Just remember not to rip her head off.
Another blonde long haired one strolled around me like she was some predator cornering her prey. "Well just incase you don't know, we run this dorm. It's our little personal kingdom."
The other blonde nodded smirking. "I think it's best you should know your place, cheri. I mean, we if you're not careful, someone can accidentally ruin your whole life all over the web. And we don't want that to happen like to poor sweet innocent Kate, right?"
Don't you touch her...
I kept my cool and smiled at one error she made. "You pronounced it wrong, pal. You need to work on your French."
That touched a nerve with her big wide eyes.
I gently pulled a frozen Kate behind me leaving me to these utter twats.
The third one with short dark brown hair gasped and looked over at her friend and back at me. "Victoria.."
"Shut it!" She growled at her before turning back to me. "And what do you know about pronouncing things correctly, you tiny scarface?"
Oh this was going to be good.
"Peut-être que si vous passez plus de temps à l'école , peut-être vous seriez un naturel, vous amateur."
All four girls were looking at me in total shock that I just insulted her in French causing me to smirk. "Va te faire foutre , mon cher."
I'm pretty sure Victoria understood what that meant because her eyes were on fire.
That's enough! I think she got the point.
I gently grabbed ahold of Kate's hand. "C'mon let's go." I whispered gently letting the both of us leave those three girls to their humiliation.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
She nodded. "Why... why did you defended me?"
I frowned. "I know... I know we just met, but I don't like people being abused by others."
Kate smiling is truly heartwarming. "That makes me feel so blessed for the first time in over a week.. Dot I... I don't know what to say."
I placed my hand on her shoulder. "Don't say anything. I may be new in town, but me and Rachel? We got your back."
She sniffled, but her smile did not leave her face. "Rachel gave me hope when I thought I had none."
I nodded. "Do you... wanna talk about it? I-I mean, if you don't want to, I get it, but I wanna help."
"I... don't want to talk about it. At least not right now..."
I nodded understanding her hesitation. "Okay. I'm gonna be in Rachel's room. Let us know if you need help okay?"
Next thing I knew Kate wrapped herself around me with a tight and comforting grip. My eyes fluttered and tear flowed freely knowing that being hugged by Kate is truly an amazing feeling. "Thank you so much..."
"Anytime, pal."
We eventually had to pull away knowing we had to go our separate ways. At least for now.
"I'll catch you later, Kate."
"Sounds good, Dot." She replied waving as she turned and walked away looking more hopeful for which I'm grateful.
The number 224 rang in my head making it easy for me to remember what room Rachel was in.
Rachel's POV
Former Blackwell Instructor faces Life Sentence. Prescott Foundation still under investigation.
The first part of that headline brings a smile to my face knowing that sick bastard is going to pay for what he has done. I can't believe I didn't saw that coming.
The Prescott's have been under investigation for months, but ever since Nathan was killed, it's hard to pin the blame on them. They do know that they're hiding something, but are not having much success.
I exited out of the article and clicked on my email hoping checking to see if I had any new today, but all it was was just some ads and junkmail. Sighing, I exited out of everything and left my laptop on the desktop menu.
"Jesus fucking Christ!" I cursed banging my hand on the desk. "Why is it taking so long it's just a fucking-" My fist slammed on the desk again feeling all the anger. I was angry at myself, angry at my stupidity, and so fucking angry that this is taking forever!
Thinking of her, I looked over to a photo faced downwards and picked up looking at my best friend by my side flipping away. I smiled at her knowing that was a pretty awesome day.
My finger gently strolled down her face giving her a smile. "I'm not giving up, Lily. I'll find you. Promise."
Reluctantly placing the photo back on the desk, I got up to see if I can add anything to Dot's makeshift bed that's my couch. Apart from the blanket, and pillow, maybe it would be cute to place a stuff animal on there. Nah I think she'll be fine.
I didn't even expect the door to open up right about now.
No One's POV
Dot entered Rachel's room making her look startled for a brief second. "Jesus!"
Dot laughed. "Sorry. I'll knock next time."
Rachel looked over at Dot and beamed at the new look she was pulling off. "Oh my god! You look awesome!"
Dot chuckled and did a cool pose bringing her hip out with her hand on it giving Rachel a confident smirk.
"Love it!"
"Gee thanks." Dot got back into her regular stance. "Oh is this my bed?"
"Yeah, I wanted to put a cute little penguin on top, but sadly I don't have one."
"I think I'll be fine, thanks."
"Oh good. I feel much better now."
Dot sat down on her new bed and lay on her back with her head flopping onto the pillow. "Oh! So comfy!" She groaned approvingly. "You're spoiling me."
Rachel gave her a toothy grin. "Well one of the perks of being my friend and heroine of the day." She walked over to her closet looking trying to see if she can find something. "You wanna go back outside later on? I can show you around the school and you can meet some of my peeps."
"Hell yeah!" Dot exclaimed.
Rachel giggled. "Okay, Ms, Badass. Lemme just look for something really quick." She went over to her closet shuffling stuff around. "Won't be but a sec."
Dot hopped out of her bed and walked over to her messy desk where something immediately grabbed her attention. She grabbed the photo of the punk looking girl next to one of a beautiful model. She instantly made the connection giving her the goosebumps.
"Holy shit." Dot cursed under her breath. "Rachel and Price were friends?"
"Hey gimme that!" Rachel's happy to go mood suddenly went vicious as the photo was immediately snatched from Dot's hands. Rachel cradled it close and placed it in her closet where she wouldn't lose it.
"Easy." Dot brought her hands up meaning no offense. "I wasn't gonna bend the edges." She felt like an asshole making that joke being more serious. "I take you two were close."
"To put it mildly." Rachel mumbled sadly. She walked over to her bed and sat on the edge looking down at the floor. "You might have seen some of the missing flyers around town when you came in."
Dot sat down at her side. "I've seen a couple of them." She admitted.
"I put them up. When I came out here to Arcadia Bay, we became the best of friends." She explained.
"How did you two meet?"
Rachel smiled at the day they first met. "It was in the hallway, and she was kicking some prick's ass, and I helped her from getting nailed by security. She was kinda hard to open up to, but... when we hung out, she was so happy and carefree. We basically kicked all of Arcadia Bay's ass." Rachel sniffled a little. "She called me her Angel."
Dot smiled. "Well I think you saved her life."
Rachel forced out a laugh. "That's what she told me. Ever since her dad passed away, her best friend bailing on her and her stepfather... I just wanted to protect her from the world."
"Whaddya mean?"
"You remember that asshole who was scaring Kate?"
Dot nodded. "That guy is her new pop?"
Rachel nodded. "David Madsen. He was in the army, but he still has that gung ho soldier attitude on him." She let a tear fall to her cheek. "There was no way I was gonna let that bastard touch her again."
"Again?"
Rachel nodded. "We were up in her room, and David was throwing a fit coming up the stairs. Chloe told me to hide, and I did. But... When they were arguing David just... hit her." She sniffled. "She couldn't live like that."
Dot placed a comforting arm around Rachel's shoulder.
Rachel brushed a streak of her hair out of the way and wiped her eye. "I told her we could just run away to Los Angeles and start all over again."
"Why Los Angeles?"
"We both wanted a new life. One with freedom, fun, and with each other. Once I graduate from Blackwell, I was going to take her with me and never look back."
"But... things didn't go so well..." Dot predicted.
Rachel nodded. "Things... happened. Then last September... poof. She just vanished."
Dot's brows arched in worry. "Any clue or anything at all of where she could have gone?"
"That's the same fucking bullshit the cops asked me! Fucking useless!" Rachel smashed her fist down on the bed. She let out a shaky breath. "I'm sorry... I just... I'm scared of what could've happen to her."
"I'm betting she's still alive." Dot assured her firmly. "From what I can tell, Pr- Chloe is pretty hardcore."
"But she's not some street fighter!" Rachel sighed calming herself.
"Let me help." Dot offered.
"What?" Rachel looked surprised.
"Yeah." Dot nodded. "Your friend is missing, and any friend of yours is a friend of mine."
"I'm sorry... I... didn't think you would be willing to help me find her. I mean I know we're friends, but..."
"Save it." Dot interrupted. "After landing up here in this state with no future plans and for my new pal, I'm ready, willing, and able."
Rachel pulled her in for a tight embrace for a few sweet seconds before pulling away with a warm smile. "Thank you." She got up putting a red checkered shirt on her. "C'mon. I promised you I'd show the rest of the campus."
"Lead the way!"
Rachel closed the door as soon as both her and Dot were out of the room locking it behind her. "Shit. Holdup!" Rachel brought out her vibrating phone bringing it to her ear. "Hey, Kate. Did something happen?" Rachel's voice was full of sweet concern. "How about we come by for a quick visit."
Dot smiled and nodded.
"What? Are you sure, sweetie?" Rachel looked down the hall in the direction where Kate's room was at. "Yes! Of course! We'll visit you tonight. I promise I'll show up." She smiled. "Okay. Call me or text me if anything comes up, 'kay. Bye hun." Rachel placed her phone back in her pocket.
"She okay?"
"She says she's fine. You mind we both come over to her room tonight?"
"Sure, no problem."
Rachel smiled. "Cool. C'mon this way." A smooth chime went off making Rachel pull out her phone to look at the screen. "One of my peeps wants us to come hang with her for a bit."
"Us?"
"Yep. You're with me." She grinned heading down the stairs with Dot following.
"What's her name?"
"It's Nina. She's been here a few months, but she's fun to hang around with."
"Can't wait to meet her."
"I think she'll like you. I know I do."
Dot looked over at Rachel. "Flirt much?" She teased.
Rachel giggled. "Only on the cute ones."
"Oh god.." Dot looked away with her cheeks blushing a little.
Rachel laughed at her shyness. "I'm sorry. Oh man this is gonna be so much fun."
"You evil woman..." The shorter girl groaned.
"Mmm hmmm." Rachel smiled.
Max's POV
I don't know how long I was in this bathroom, but it sure did felt like years. I finally calmed down after sulking in silence, but I still did not want to move from this spot.
A loud knock shook me. "Max? It's Chloe. Can you open the door? Pretty please?"
I slowly got up and hesitated on whether I should open it up.
"I promise I won't be a total bitch, just please open up." Chloe pleaded.
I mustered up all of my strength and went over to the door unlocking it releasing me from my protective prison. All the rage on Chloe's face was now covered in worry and regret, and that just released a whole new set of floodgates as I hugged her so hard not even caring if she didn't want one right now.
"I'm sorry, Chloe. I know I didn't... What I done was wrong... god I'm so sorry..." Sobs were just wrecking me.
I kind of expected Chloe to push me away and tell me to suck it up and deal with it. That's what she was dealing with ever since Rachel and me left her, but I felt her hands enveloping around my back and pulled me in gently.
"Shh... it's done." Chloe whispered softly in my ear. "It's done." Her breath tickled my ear a little making me sink in further. "You're here now. That's what matters." I can feel her rocking me gently back and forth. I closed my eyes feeling so blessed that despite what happened earlier, it was so good to see Chloe Price again for the first time in five years. "C'mon." She murmured taking my hand.
"Chloe... where are we going?"
"A place with an awesome view." She said beaming. "Besides, I hella wanna get away from the house while I still can."
I gave her smile still sniffling a bit. "Okay. Lead the way."
"C'mon, Captain Max. Ships doesn't wait around for slow pokes."
Captain Max? Chloe you are one of the best first mates any captain could have.
So this story isn't gonna follow the same kinda walk through as the game. So I hope to let this go down smoothly.
Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter! More is on the way! And for any RWBY fans, there may be a surprise! (Sorry just watched RWBY yesterday and I was like hell yeah! Different topic)
Assassins Creed II Reference
Cya guys!