Life is Strange Before the Storm: Star Crossed Paths

Chapter 10 of my Before the Storm novelization, so at last I start Episode 2, hope you enjoy it.

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Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Life is Strange or its characters.

Brave New World – Blame Game

I hurried to follow mom as we made our way to Blackwell. After the fire that was still raging and being combated by the local fire crews, Rachel and I managed to sneak home, avoiding our families, but now, well, now it was time to meet Wells and face the music for yesterday. Unfortunately, we were running late, due to mom's shift at the diner.

"Chloe c'mon." Mom urged.

I nodded. "Yeah, I'm right there."

Honestly, we were already late, it wasn't as if another few minutes would make much difference. Before long however we reached Principal Wells office and entered. Rachel was there, along with two people I guessed were her parents.

I fought the impulse to glare at her dad, now knowing him for what he was. Wells was seated behind his desk and spoke quite sarcastically when we entered.

"Good of you to join us, Miss Price."

"Sorry." Mom said quickly. "My-my shift ran late at the diner and then, just...sorry."

I rolled my eyes as I sat down. 'That's not how to do it mom, you tell the old crab where to stick it.'

Wells just nodded. "Let us proceed. One of you here is new to the Blackwell disciplinary process...And the other is all too familiar with it."

I didn't reply, just casually stared back, honestly, if this was the best Wells could come up with, I don't know why I even came.

He continued rambling.

"Blackwell's code of conduct is built upon, a foundation of mutual respect meant to foster an environment conducive to education and enrichment..."
As he continued onwards with his spiel, I zoned out, thinking to myself.

'Okay, reality check time.' I told myself. 'Yesterday did actually happen...I ditched school with Rachel Amber. And then Rachel really did start that fire...and that was after we actually agreed to run away from here...right?'

"Are you paying attention to me, Chloe?"

Wells voice shook me from my reverie. "Uh, what?"

"Ms. Price." He said with a sigh. "The last time we met, an agreement was brokered, do you remember what it was?"

I didn't even care, but knew I had to make some semblance of trying. "Uh, don't get in trouble again."

But Wells was not impressed. "Trouble is merely the by-product, Ms. Price. What's at issue is your attitude. We agreed that you would rededicate yourself to becoming an exemplary Blackwell citizen."

"We did?" I shot back, now he was trying to put words in my mouth, nice try.

He returned to his chair, serious as ever, boring as ever. "In the event that you were unable, or unwilling to do so, we also agreed that it would become pertinent to reassess your future status at the academy."

I rolled my eyes, here we go.

"Despite all this..." Wells began, listing things off. "You engaged in the following actions yesterday. Insubordinate language...Disregarding posted signs about trespassing on the stage, implications of possible drug-related activities."

Oh yeah, that was a good one, he was really reaching now, looking to blame me for anything.

Even mom wasn't happy about that one.

"What does that mean?" She snapped.

I smirked. "Yes, what does that mean?"

Wells sighed. "It means Ms. Price has developed a reputation as a user of marijuana and I would strongly recommend you take a careful look through her room at home. Shall I continue?"

I really did roll my eyes at this.

"Witnesses say you were involved in bullying Nathan Prescott."

Okay, bullshit, now he was just making stuff up.

I wasn't letting that lie. "The hell I was, I stood up for that little weirdo!"

He shook his head. "I suppose that is one interpretation of events."

And now he tries to twist things just to suit himself.

"Say what you will about my daughter." Mom jumped in, furious. "But she is not a bully."

I decided to set the record straight. "Maybe you should be talking to Drew, instead of me. You know, the guy who actually did what you're accusing me of."

No dice, Wells, typical corrupt oaf that he was didn't budge.

"Mr North's situation requires, sensitivity...It will be handled separately." He explained, lying as usual.

"And Chloe's situation is less sensitive!"

"I do not discuss other students situations." He deflected, talking out his arse, again as usual. "We are here to discuss your daughter and her actions."

"Convenient." Mom spat venomously.

I turned to mom at that point. "Mom, you know this is all bullshit right."

She just nodded.

She then glared at Wells before adding.

"I'm beginning to suspect that myself."

"I am sorry you feel that way." Wells replied falsely. "But your daughter's misbehaviour is real and serious. And yet, even with your prodigious disciplinary record, Ms. Price, we needn't discuss any of it."

That, I'll admit, confused me. "We needn't?"

"No." He snapped. "Because you severed your relationship with Blackwell the minute you left school grounds without permission."

I bit my lip at that. "What does that mean?"

He sighed and shook his head. "It means, you've forced my hand. This is a consequence of your actions Chloe, I have no choice but to-"

"I made her do it."

We all froze, variously reacting Rachel's suddenly outburst, even me.

"Yesterday was...all me." She said. "My idea, I...was having a bad day, I needed to blow off some steam and I took it too far."

She actually began sounding upset, I was actually impressed.

"Chloe tried to talk me out of it. 'I've been down that road' she told me 'you're better than this'. But I wouldn't listen." She 'explained'. "See, Chloe was afraid I'd get in trouble or hurt, so she came with me. But only to keep me safe."

I was almost laughing at this, damn she was good.

She turned to me now. "I'm just sorry you got caught up in it Chloe. That you allowed me to drag you down to my level. Can you forgive me?"

"Yeah, sure..." I replied. "We're cool."

I was utterly amazed by this.

Rachel Amber was taking the blame for what happened yesterday, I mean, yeah it was crazy, what happened. But even if she hadn't invited me, I would've skipped anyway, but this, this was new.

"Thank you." She said, settling back in her seat. "I'll make it up to you, I promise."

"Chloe, is this true?" Mom asked.

I nodded as Rachel replied. "It's true."

'Totally not true.' I thought to myself. 'She really is an amazing actress!'

But Wells it seemed wanted more confirmation. "Ms Price?"

"Fine, yes, it was her idea...But it's not like she kidnapped me. We were in it together." I replied.

Wells nodded slowly and turned to Rachel. "Ms Amber. Based on what you've told me, I have grounds to punish you. Are you sure what you've told me is the truth?"

"Yes."

"This can't be the full story, Rachel." Her father insisted.

'Oh you'd know all about full stories, wouldn't you cheating asswipe.' I thought angrily.

"Just to be clear, Ms. Amber, you're sure Chloe Price didn't coerce you or-"

"Coerce her!" Mom snapped.

Wells turned, sighing. "I'm just trying to get to the bottom of why someone like Rachel..."

But that of course just set mom off again. "Oh, I think we're clear , Principal Wells, someone like Rachel. But not my daughter."

"Excuse me?" He had the nerve to pretend to be incredulous, like he didn't know what he was doing, elitist bastard.

Mom narrowed her eyes and made her accusation clear. "Do you have a list of students you assume the worst about. You have no right to treat Chloe this way. This is because she's on financial aid isn't it."

God I loved watching that pathetic fool squirm.

"Let's all just calm down."

But mom wasn't for listening, I couldn't help but smirk. "After everything we've...she's, been through in the last two years...You should be ashamed of yourself."

"Ms. Price..." He tried no doubt to subject mom to one of his famous bullshit lectures.

Mom narrowed her eyes at that. "Mrs. Price."

Stopping Wells wisely corrected himself.

He began again.

"Mrs. Price, I appreciate your position, but I assure you it only your daughter's past behaviour that has led us here today."

Mom spoke calmly and sadly, made the unwise decision of not calling the bullshitting liar out.

"I understand Mr. Wells, there is no doubt Chloe's behaviour must improve." She said; totally missing the point here. "But given what we've just learned about the negative influence she was under, I hope you will allow her just one more chance."

Honestly mom, that was worst way to go about it, you don't make yourself look pathetic, or beg the stunted slug in the suit, you put him in his place, like you almost did.

Wells however sighed and turned back to Rachel.

"Ms. Amber. I am as surprised as I am as disappointed in you." He said firmly.

"I understand."

Wells continued. "This being your first infraction in no way reduces its severity. Still we will not be suspending you at this time. But you have squandered our trust, you will no longer be my administrative assistant first period, and you will no longer be involved in Blackwell's production of the Tempest."

I was shocked at that, Rachel slumped back in seat, looking defeated. Surely I couldn't be the only one who just saw the massive error he committed, the show couldn't possibly proceed without Rachel, it was due to begin tonight, which meant there was no time for a replacement to learn all the lines and all that other theatre stuff, whatever it was. Other characters maybe, but not the lead like Rachel was playing.

I immediately jumped in on that.

"What? Are you insane?" I snapped.

But before I could get my point across, Wells cut me off. "Your discipline is still pending, Ms. Price."

"Ray..." Mr. Amber suddenly spoke up. "She loves that show, since it's her first infraction, don't you think..."

"Mr. Amber." Wells snapped. "I don't tell you how to run the District Attorney's office. Please don't tell me how to run my school."

I had to admit, I had mixed feelings about that. Wells was obviously lying, since he clearly had no idea how to properly run a school, given his 'track record'. But he was giving Mr. Amber a harsh warning and with what I knew of the man, there was some satisfaction in that.

"There's a reason we have understudies, for all circumstances, accidental and deliberate. I'm sure that your understudy."

Rachel muttered at that. "Victoria Chase."

"Yes, I'm sure Victoria Chase will do fine."

'Wow, I never imagined Wells would want to sabotage his own school's play that badly, he cannot be serious about that, there's no way she'd be in any way fine or whatever. Bitch'll ruin the whole play.' I thought, muttering angrily. "That is such..."

"What was that Ms. Price?" He queried, warningly.

"Chloe is upset for her friend." Mom cut in. "But we are both grateful she is not going to be unduly blamed for what happened."

Some hope mom, Wells won't be satisfied until he's kicked all normal people like me out of his precious school so he can suck up to all the elitist rich assholes that infect it, like Victoria Chase.

Shaking his head Wells spoke up.

"There is plenty of blame to go around." He shot back. "Chloe's future at Blackwell will be discussed next, unless you had something to add first, Ms. Price."

I thought for a moment, considering the consequences, and what I'd have to do. It'd be hard, it'd be severe, but there was a chance I could save Rachel here. All it would take is one sacrifice.

I quickly made up my mind. 'No way is Rachel missing the play for me, but thanks to her acting skills...I'll have to go down in flames if I want to fix this.'

So I began, I practically leapt to my feet, slamming my hands down on the desk.

"Get your head out of your ass, Wells!" I snapped as I did so, ignoring mom. "You seriously think yesterday was Little Miss Sunshine's idea?"

Wells returned to his seat, eyeing me suspiciously. "Ms. Amber has accepted her responsibility."

"Don't you have the slightest idea how this works? You don't wake up one morning and decide to be an outlaw. You need priors, you need training."

"Rachel confessed." Wells pointed out. "Are you calling her a lair?"

I smirked at that. "I confess to thinking she can act like a motherfucker you just bought her crap hook, line and sinker."

I could see Wells digesting what I said, seeming uncomfortable and unsure. It was always strange albeit amusing to have him on the back-foot.

Rachel however nearly spoiled things.

She began pleading with me. "You don't have to do this, it's okay, really."

I had to shut that down pretty fast. "How about you don't take credit for my shit? You don't see me claiming I did my homework, do you? Because that's your...stupid thing."

"Chloe." Mom burst out, shocked. "This can't be you, apologize this instant."

Oh I would, just not in the way mom wanted.

Leaning back on the desk I spoke directly to Wells. "Fine. Mr. Wells, I'm sorry for exposing the flaws in your campus security. This must be very embarrassing for you."

There was a stony silence and then, either Wells bought my act, or he could see what I was trying to do and just wanted things over and done with.

Whatever the case he threw up his arms. "I've heard enough! Rachel, you were clearly trying to cover for your classmate. I appreciate the motive, but I appreciate honest
more, is that understood?"

As he said this I sat down, still shocked I had actually done that.

"Yes, sir."

He nodded. "You will not be removed from the play."

"Was that so hard?" I quipped.

She thanked me and then Wells turned to me.

I waited for it, I knew it was coming.

"And Ms. Price, I came into today's meeting planning to suspend you for the rest of the school year, with a chance for reinstatement in the fall."

"And now?"

He continued. "You are expelled."

"What?" Mom gasped. "No..."

"I will have Skip Matthews escort you to clean out your locker. You may wait outside my office until he arrives."

I just nodded; it was totally worth it, I don't care what anyone else said.

Wells then stood up. "That is all. Good day Mrs. Price. Mr. and Mrs. Amber."

With that we all stood up and left the office.

As we left Rachel and I ended up next to each other.

"I'm sorry." She whispered to me.

I just nodded, whispering back. "Nothing to be sorry about."

"Meet me at the junk yard later?" She asked.

"You bet."

She walked over to join her parents who I saw waiting for her. I glared at Mr. Amber again.

"I didn't get the chance to introduce myself earlier." Mom said as she approached them. "I'm Joyce."

"Mrs. Price." He replied stoically.

'Stuck up asshole, bet you'd lose that arrogant attitude if I said one word about that woman...but Rachel doesn't want me to.' I thought angrily.

Mrs. Amber on the other hand smiled and held out her hand, mom shook it.

She then introduced herself. "I'm Rose, this is James. I'm sorry we had to meet like this."

"No, I'm sorry." Mom said. "I'm sure for you this is an unusual circumstance."

Nodding slowly Mr. Amber seemed to unbend fractionally and didn't sound quite as aggressive as he spoke again.

"We really should be going...Nice to meet you." He said, gesturing for Rachel to come and join him.

I heard footsteps and saw Skip approaching, just as the Ambers all left, I turned to mom.

"Mom, I'm-"

"I'll see you in the parking lot." She said, her tone severe.

With that she turned and left.

I heard Skip sigh as he approached.

"Hey Chloe." He said softly. "I'm supposed to walk you out."

I turned to him, calming down, I smiled. "Just you and me, eh Skip?"

He shook his head. "Fuck 'em, bunch of fascists."

He gestured and I walked along, heading for my locker. As we walked Skip seemed to want to talk.

Sure enough, he did. "Hey, uh...Just wanted to say...It sucks what is happening to you."

"Thanks Skip." I said playfully shoving him.

He just smiled. "You're gonna be missed."

So, with Skip waiting, I opened my locker and narrowed my eyes.

I looked at all the crap inside, all those...school books.

'I don't really care about any of this shit, except my secret stash.' I reflected. 'Might as well grab my emergency joint while I'm here.'

So I began the tedious process of pulling the various books, papers and such out of my locker and dumping them in the nearby trash can, not caring about Skip watching me with a raised eyebrow every time I did so. I did take my photo of my old cat, the late Bongo.

I even decided to play along and sign the locker, like many before me had, being sure to make it clear I didn't make it to the end of the year. Finally I found what I was looking for and, after some effort, I pulled it loose, only to realize something wrong. The joint was gone, in it's place was a note, I read it and glared.

'Dammit Justin.'

Furious I slammed my hand against the locker, before binning the note. I turned to glare at the corridor.

'Fuck every inch of this place...Wish I could tag it from floor to ceiling...But with Skip watching me...' I thought carefully and then smiled as I began calculating my plan.

I shut my locker loud enough to draw Skip's attention.

"Bathroom, then I'm out, cool?"

He sighed but nodded. "Okay, but try and make it fast, will you."
I just nodded and we made our way over, while he waited outside I went in, closed the door and narrowed my eyes, time to go to work.

It took me quite a while, clambering over sinks and cubicles until soon I had tagged almost every inch of the bathroom, with pictures, quotes and god knows what else. I grinned, now that was what I was talking abut. Just hoped someone would find some way to make it immortal before it got cleaned up.

As I left the bathroom and Skip began escorting me out of the school, I saw just the person, for at that moment, Victoria Chase was walking towards the bathroom, I smirked as I passed, I couldn't wait for her to see my work.

Casually walking alongside Skip I exited Blackwell, already savouring my new freedom.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.