Joyce Price concentrates on the road while riding her beat up Station wagon. Her daughter Chloe leans her head on the car door, looking at the passing scenery through the window with despondent eyes. It's the same road that takes her to Blackwell Academy. She passes through here every day. Looking at the same trees and buildings as they zip past. Schools should be exciting and fun. She likes to draw, she wants to be an artist and it's always been her dream to go to Blackwell. She has always been a model student. Her teachers praise her, and she has an excellent 4.0 GPA. But instead of happiness in her eyes or excitement to be in the place she always wanted to be, there is defeat and fear. She has been there before. Surrounded by a crowd, being called names. Weirdo, loner, and hurtful names she doesn't want to remember. Always surrounded by grown-ups acting like bullies. But why her? She always thinks. What is her fault? Why do people hate her and hurt her so much? She has never hurt anybody. She never even looked at them wrongfully, yet they treat her with disdain. All she wants is to be accepted for who she is. But the recent bruise on her arm and the scrapped knee which she got when she was pushed from behind and fell on the harsh concrete by one of the elites of the famed Vortex Club tells a different story. The mocking smirks and the snorting disdainful laughs she has to hear every day. So yes, she hates it. Hates being in that place every day. Because she has been there before, caught up in a circle of hurt and loneliness. It was not like this before, not to this extent.
Her life was good, a loving and encouraging father, a doting mother. She never had friends and being an introvert also never helped. In her kindergarten, in her primary school, middle school, everywhere, whenever she tried to make friends, her anxiety and shyness got the better of her and she was never able to speak or open up to people. Kids who tried to reach her would be put off by her silence. So, she just stayed alone, only observed through her eyes, as the world went on running on its own accord. Her parents understood her and never blamed her for her shyness. She was cheerful until her one source of happiness was snatched away from her. Four years ago, her father died in a tragic car accident. It shattered her. William Price, the kindest person she had ever known, who would treat her like a princess. Who would listen to her innocent wishes and dreams and smile at her, and would spend every minute of his free time helping her draw. The visits to the parks, to the sea, carnivals, she never felt alone at all. She never thought of having a friend when she had her father. But with him gone, she knew what it felt like to be alone, to be vulnerable. She should have been angry at him for leaving her like that. She should have felt anger, hate, hurt, yet all she felt was loneliness. Her mother tried to help her but she couldn't understand her the way William did. She regressed. Became more isolated, scared, and defenseless. A shell of a once lonely but cheerful girl. Her happiness was gone, only to be replaced with fear and isolation. So yes, she has been here before. Another day which makes her feel like she is living the same day, the same path, the same school, the same people bullying her for no reason or at least reason for their cheap laughter, and the same indifferent people who don't care for her or even want to. So, why she should be happy, going back to the same hell she has to endure every day? For a promise and a wish which she made with her father to become a well-known artist? Or to find a place which she can really call her own? Are these reasons enough to endure the hellish and painful days? She always thinks, yet she still tries to move on.
She is snatched away from her thoughts as the wagon slows down to a halt. She lifts her head up and scans her surroundings. Yes, here it is, her gateway to hell and another sick day to endure. She should tell her mother, not that she doesn't know. Joyce tries to help, but her every word is rehearsed, 'You are strong and a great artist, you should leave your insecurities behind and go make friends'. She should tell her that she tried to be an open person and make friends, only to be isolated even more. Thinking about this, she sinks even more into the seat and a cold sigh escapes her mouth which piques her mother's interest. She looks towards Chloe with her kind eyes and puts a hand on her shoulder, squeezing a bit. Chloe looks back at her mother and tries to hide the fear and hurt in her eyes with a smile. One thing she doesn't want to do is to worry her mother.
"Honey? Will you be okay? Should I come with you and talk to Principal Wells?" Joyce asks softly while looking into the blonde's azure eyes.
Chloe quickly looks away before her mother could see the fear in them and shakes her head "No, I'm fine mom. Thanks, but you don't need to." She smiles again, another mask to not to worry her mother as she gathers her things and opens the car door. She shifts a bit to get out the car.
Her mother asks her, "Will you be coming back home tonight?"
The blonde looks back, "No, I'll stay in the dorm, I have some catch up to do. Thanks for the ride Mom. Sorry, you had to drive me here again."
"It's fine sweetie. Not like I am late or anything. The truckers will not starve if Joyce is not at Two-whales." She chuckles, which makes the blonde giggle also.
"But no one can replace Joyce Price and her cooking," She looks at her watch and her eyebrows raises, "Shit, I'm going to be late!" She leans over the seat and kisses her mother's cheek, "Love you mom, Bye."
"Bye hon, and be careful. Call me if you need anything okay?" Joyce smiles but her eyes also show worry for her daughter which the blonde tries to ignore as she smiles back.
"I will Mom, Bye!"
She climbs out of the car and closes the door and watches the car leave. As soon as it vanishes from her sight, her smile wanes and shoulders slump. She turns around clutching her bag and walks towards the main building with her head down. She pushes the door and walks inside, the chirpings of birds are replaced by murmuring of conversations, students grouped up, talking, laughing. She sees boys pushing each other and girls looking at their cell phones and giggling. Again, she looks down, takes quick steps, practically running towards her class. She doesn't like to look at people, only to see their smirking and mocking faces looking back at her. She knows the steps, where to turn, where to hide from them. At least they will refrain from hurting her in the class or in front of a teacher. She walks and takes a sharp turn only to bump into somebody and hears a yelp and a thud as the other person falls on the ground. She knows this voice very well and a shiver runs down her spine. She looks up to see them, Victoria Chase on the ground and her clique of popular girls, Courtney Wagner and Taylor Christensen flanking her as usual. Her breathing almost stops as fear grips her. Not even five minutes being inside the campus building and she is already in trouble.
"Oh my God, are you okay Victoria?" Courtney asks the fallen girl, while she and Taylor help her up.
"Watch where the fuck you are going, you bitch!" Victoria hisses while getting up and scowls at the blonde, who's shoulder slumps even more as she cowers in the gaze of the pixie cut adorned blonde. She shouldn't be afraid of her. Victoria is younger, but Chloe doesn't have the courage to face her, she tried at first, but they bullied her even more. So, she gave up and only tries to avoid the whole clique. But, it's all in vain. They always find her and find a reason to mock her. Victoria straightens her clothes only to see a stain on the cuff of her cream white cashmere, only a small stain which can be dusted off, but it's a good enough excuse to humiliate Chloe. She huffs and hisses at the blonde girl. Chloe, looking at this realizes she is in much more trouble because Victoria Chase loves to show off her prim and proper self and her outfits are part of her egotistical pride. Chloe gulps with fear and quickly apologizes to the Queen Bee.
"S-sorry," Chloe says meekly while looking down. She tries to leave but Taylor and Courtney block her way and smirk at her.
"Where do you think, you're going?" Victoria grabs her by the arm making the taller blonde wince from the tight grip and the sting from the pixie blonde's nails, "You messed up my clothes. These are more expensive than the rags you wear." Victoria seethes again in her chiding tone.
"I'm sorry, please... let me go." Her heart thumps faster with fear as she pleads with a tiny voice.
"On your knees!" Victoria smirks and her posse snickers at the taller blonde.
"W-what?" Chloe looks at her with her shocked eyes, trying to understand what the younger blonde said to her.
"Are you fucking deaf? I said, get on your knees and apologize," The pixie glares at her.
Chloe looks around and searches for somebody to help her out of this situation, but all she sees is snickering people, some whispering in each other's ears. A few heartless ones already have their cell phones out ready to take pictures of her misery. Such is the idea of fun to them. Tears start to prick her eyes as she looks for help. But nobody even looks at her as a human being, but an object of mockery.
"Nobody cares about you here, so get on your fucking knees now and apologize!" Her tone is so harsh that it jolts another surge of fear in the bigger blonde as she cowers and finally stops resisting. She slowly gets on her knees but every second mortifies her and her eyes well up as she hears giggles and laughter all around her. She has been here before, always had been in the same position. Always a circle of people surrounding her, mocking her. Yet, she knows nobody will ever help her. So, all she does is what the bullies tells her to. She gets on her knees, and clenches her hands in fists, mortified, ashamed. Her ears thump along with her rapid heartbeat.
Victoria snorts at her embarrassing posture and takes out her cell phone, she starts the video recording, "Now, repeat after me. Miss Victoria Chase, I am sorry for ruining your expensive clothes."
Chloe's mortification increases as a dry sob come out of her mouth as she feels ashamed for the mockery she is being subjected to, yet she cannot fight it, "M-Miss Victoria Chase, I… I am sorry for ruining your expensive clothes."
"And I will use my body to repay you because I am a whore."
Chloe's eyes bulge out, but all she hears is snickers and cackles, "I-I can't say that!"
"Say it, or do you want me to call Nathan?" Victoria says in a threatening voice.
Hearing Nathan Prescott's name brings a new surge of fear in her. He is the undisputed king and leader of Blackwell Academy and Vortex Club. His father, Sean Prescott owns more than half of this town and donates a huge amount of money to Blackwell Academy and owns the Prescott Dorms. And because of that, Nathan can do whatever he wants in this school. Bully anyone, sell drugs, can even hit a student but no one will bat an eye. The Principal only cares about the money his father pumps in the academy, so he has free reigns and practically owns the school. Recalling her recent bruise on her arm and her scrapped knee, she cowers again. Swallowing her pride and her tears, she says the shameful words.
"And I'll use my b-body to repay you..." Chloe stops for a second to gather herself as a tear runs down her cheek.
"Hey!" Victoria barks at the vulnerable girl. Chloe looks up to see the bossy girl scowling at her. "Who said you could stop crybaby?"
Chloe reluctantly continues. "Because I am a… w-whore." The embarrassment and shame overwhelm her and more tears fall from her eyes to her reddened cheeks. She feels as if her blood has stopped circulating and she gasps. Mortified and ashamed, she just shed tears looking down. She wishes the ground should just split and swallow her whole to save her from this feeling of embarrassment she has to endure every day.
Then all she hears is laughter and sneers all around her, like animals surrounding a wounded prey, grinning and sneering. But no one gets near her to lift her up, to console her or at least tell them to stop hurting her. All they do is laugh, and those who don't laugh act indifferent, not caring what is happening around them. Ignorance is a bliss and they want to stay in the blissful moment of theirs.
"See, it wasn't that hard. Next time you get in my way like this. I'll get Nathan to teach you a lesson, you freak," Victoria sneers at the kneeled blonde and turns towards her posse, "Let's go girls, before this lame freak's germs get all over me." she walks away with her heels clanking, already discussing to edit and upload the video.
And the crowd disperses. Like drones, they follow the Queen Bee and her posse, leaving a humiliated girl in tears. Chloe wipes her eyes and looks up to see a girl looking at her with sad eyes, Kate Marsh, the only person who actually sympathizes with her and cares to ask her if she is okay. But is also afraid to stand up to Victoria or Nathan. So, she helplessly watches them bully Chloe. Though Chloe doesn't hate her for this. She knows that helping her will also put Kate in danger, not that she hasn't been bothered by the Vortex Club before, but not as drastic and severe as what they put Chloe through. So, she doesn't hate her for not helping her, but she also wishes she did or someone else did.
"Chloe, I am so sorry. I wish I could help." Kate apologizes to Chloe while helping her up, who wipes her eyes again and tries to smile at the younger blonde. Another reason for her to be ashamed that she is eighteen, a year older than the girl who is consoling her, but is more courageous than her.
Chloe sniffs and tries to smile but through her sad smile her lips still tremble, "I-It's alright, I don't blame you, Kate."
"Are you okay? Want me to take you to the restroom?" Kate says in her kind soft voice, but the taller blonde shakes her head.
"No, I'm fine. I'll go myself. I'll see you in the class." she says and walks towards the girl's restroom. It's funny, she thinks, whenever she is bullied there is no teacher around, nor the security guards. As if they deliberately ignore her or don't want to face Prescott's wrath. Vortex Club is Nathan Prescott, and anyone in the Vortex Club is part of his clique, so they are untouchable and free to do what they want.
Chloe enters the restroom and quickly goes to the last stall, closing the door behind her. She slumps on the floor, hugging her knees to her chest. Fresh tears roll out of her eyes and she puts her head down and cries, remembering every moment of shame she is subjected to. She only curses her own cowardice and loneliness, and every time she cries, she misses her Dad, who always encouraged her and told her that bad things make us stronger, but she never felt strong. Through her sobs, she wishes someone was there to lift her up and takes her out of this misery.
Max's phone rings and vibrates, jolting her out of her drowsy state. The trip from Seattle to Arcadia Bay was boring, and she forgot to charge her phone, so had to reserve the battery. Which meant, no music or games to pass the time and her boredom made her doze off. She straightens herself from her slouched posture on the seat and takes her phone out from her pocket. Looking at the caller id, she rolls her eyes. It's her Dad, calling for the fifth time. But that's what you get with over worrying parents. She ruffles her short boy cut brunette hair in frustration, groans loudly but answers the phone anyway.
"Yo Dad!"
'Max, my princess. But, Yo?' she hears a little condensing and serious tone which makes the girl wince a little.
"Err... I mean, Hi Dad, and would you please stop calling me that. I am not a little girl." Max says sarcastically.
Her dad laughs through the phone "Just kidding, kiddo. How is your ride? Have you arrived yet?"
"Dad, this is the fifth time you called. I'm fine and…" She looks outside to see she's already at her stop, "… yeah, I just arrived."
"Just now? But you were supposed to be there an hour ago," There is a concern in his voice,
"Not my fault Dad. Blame the flat tire the bus got. Look, I am already late in my first day. I have to go. Can I call you later?" She replies but also hears another voice, her ever loving but a nagging mother, which makes the brunette roll her eyes for the second time.
"Okay, Your Mom said Hi and remember your promise. Don't make me come over there?"
"Can't promise anything." she says with a smirk on her face.
"Max!"
"I'm joking Dad. I won't cause any trouble. But if someone bothers me, I won't just up and take it. I am your daughter after all."
She can hear her father's gruffly booming laughter, "Yep, you sure are, but you got more Irish blood in you than your Dad. Just don't cause any trouble unless you are provoked too much. But ONLY as the last resort. Got it, kiddo?" and she again hears her mother's reprimanding tone, chiding her husband for encouraging Max. But her worries are valid.
Max admired her father Ryan Caulfield a lot. She wanted to be like him. She grew up around boys more than girls, her gestures, postures and thoughts, even her way of talking was more boyish. Instead of playing with dolls, she would go out and play baseball or skate with boys. Which occasionally brought fights. At first, she had to struggle, coming home crying because she was bullied and teased for being a girl and weak. But her father encouraged her. Always told her that if she wants to be like her father then she should learn to be brave and defend herself from the bullies and snobs. So, he taught her things he learned in the army from the young age, and by the time she was sixteen, she was tough enough and had enormous bravery and confidence built up for her but also a slight disliking for being treated as a weak girl.
But little did Ryan knew that his girl was rebellious. Blame her Irish blood that boils easily and she cannot stay out of a fight. Her parents knew she would never start a fight on her own and lie to them. She always fought for her friends, for the old man some jerks tried to dis or the girls who were being harassed by jocks and bullies. Her fights were always for those who couldn't defend themselves.
Even though small in height and being a girl, her body was slightly well developed and lean even for her age of seventeen. Her mother wailed and nagged that Max is a girl and should grow up and act like one, but fuck that. To her, girls are too pure and a symbol of weakness and always need someone to depend on and she hated being too dependent.
"Roger that Major Caulfield," She feels a sore ping between her legs, "Dad, I gotta go, I am gonna piss my pants if I don't find a bathroom soon!" she says while practically jumping out of the bus skipping the steps, which earns her a scowl from the driver. She shrugs her shoulders and grin at him.
"Language, private!" He chides her mockingly.
"Sir, yes Sir," She mocks salute even though she knows her father can't see it, but she does anyways, "Love you Dad, and kiss mom for me. Bye now!"
"Bye, my pumpkin." and he disconnects the phone and she groans at the name he called her.
She raises her head and looks at the tall building, and grins "So, this is the famous Blackwell Academy. Show me what you got, Arcadia Bay." and she walks towards the main building.
EN: Hello, Everyone.
Firstly, I'd like to thank my friend and co-author of this story, Lukelele, for helping me with the story and my poor grammar. And we both are hoping to bring you a fresh take on one of the countless What if? Universes that Life is Strange has given to us and an idea popped in our mind.
You might have gotten used to the idea of a spunky, rad, and a rebellious punk Chloe. But we thought, what if those traits never developed in an AU? What if she was totally opposite of her original counterpart. A shy, soft-spoken Chloe. Certain events made her scared, lonely and despondent, yet she tries to be someone. But because of her weak traits, she became an easy target of bullying. We tried to portray her torments so you could actually feel what she felt in her helpless state.
Max, yes, we need a balance here. But what is Max to Chloe, how will things work between them. Is Max a some sort of savior, or will just act indifferent towards Chloe? That we want to explore in the future.
A few words from Lukelele
With this story we want to explore an alternate Chloe similar to the one from episode 4 of Life Is Strange. The Chloe that never fell in with the tough crowd and never had anyone like Rachel brought out her inner punk. As you will see in the story, this version of Chloe really admires her father and when he died it led her down a similar path to the LIS canon after Max left her for Seattle, which made her feel lonely and rejected.
Life Is Strange deals with problems like bullying with Kate Marsh, but we thought it would be interesting to put Chloe, the character who is strong, independent and fearless, in this situation to create a character almost the complete opposite of the Chloe we all know.
Thanks for reading and we hope you are just as excited to explore this new alternate universe as I am.
Lukelele
Reviews and Feedbacks are appreciated
