A/N: At this point, the plot has changed completely from the original draft. So, I'm lowkey having trouble writing chapters, but I know the path and important parts. Wish me luck, honestly, lmao.
Enjoy.

Pretending I never heard what Amber and Chase were talking about was fucking difficult.

The phrase "I'm done using my body to get you shit" stayed in my brain, burning itself into my memory, her voice and everything. It kept me awake, to be fucking honest. I could've sworn to God that everything was just a little game the Vortex do for fun. In fact, I was almost convinced Rachel didn't rule the school at all.

It was a hard idea to believe in. I believed for so long that she was the fucking bitch that controlled everyone and everything.

I don't think she was at all.

I got up that morning and put my uniform on, even though it was wrinkled to hell. It was five a.m. (a time that seemed to stay by me somehow) and I knew that if we were gonna get to school and to our dorms, it had to be early. I was sore in every joint and felt heavy and stiff, my ankles and knees cracking as I stood from bed.

First of all, I woke up to another water bottle at my door, which I figured out was Amber's doing. I appreciated the gesture that time, wanting to believe it was her doing that out of real kindness.

I was stuck in a vicious cycle of I hate her and you're not so bad. I didn't blame myself; I still had some bullshit left in me to be a punk. Thinking about starting a conversation was making me sick, but I dunno what type of sick. I knew those hateful feelings were gonna take time.

Then again, I had to avoid her because of my charges. Which, I feel like I should ignore that after the restroom incident. It was fair to her.

Still, while I was under her (or her dad's, I guess) roof, I stayed away.

"I didn't sleep at all, Steph." I was walking around my room, holding my phone to my ear and looking from corner to corner. I was done getting ready for the day, even though my clothes were wrinkled as hell from shoving them into my bag.

"Why? Were you afraid of Rachel's dad might sneak in and kill you?" She was laughing, clearly forced. I think she believed that was possible.

"No, uh..." I scratched at the back of my neck. I can't talk about what I heard. I need to tell her about Chase. "I"m still fucking sick and then working just made me feel like shit."

She was up early too, because she couldn't sleep either. But, hers was a better reason: movie marathon.

"Sounds pretty serious."

"It kinda is." I sighed and chuckled; I had to force my laugh too. "But, this is my life now."

"You'll be okay... Hey, by the way, how are you getting to school?"

"I'm riding with... her, in her car. One of her cars. I don't fucking know, but we're gonna go together."

"And you said you can't even talk to her?"

"Nope. Mayor's orders."

"Damn... that's gonna be awkward..."

"Yeah, well, us riding together was her idea."

"See? Rachel's nice!" I could hear Steph's excitement. I guess I sounded a lot pettier and angrier than I thought whenever I talked about her. Damn... maybe I was fucking annoying.

"Yeah..." I mumbled under my breath.

"Huh? I couldn't hear you." Her tone was mocking, so she heard me, she just wanted me to say it again.

"See you at school." I sped through and hung up before she could say anything else.

Sitting in the same car with her, an empty seat between us, it was pretty awkward and annoying me. Felt nice for not paying for a ride and having a comfortable seat to be on. Though, sitting so close to Amber without even looking at each other made me jittery as fuck. Maybe there was a cough or someone clearing their throat once in a while, but that only made it worse.

I knew it was risky, but I turned my head to her. She was looking out the window, avoiding to move at all. She was leaning on her hand and her other hand on her lap, her legs crossed. A small part in me still wanted to hate her. As if the punk in me was still digging for that feeling again but, for the first time ever, I tried to ignore it.

Before I knew it, we were already outside of school. I was genuinely shocked. I think I was distracted from trying to figure everything out. Come on, stupid brain, figure out what to feel. I got out before her, unlocking the door myself, and left. I threw my backpack over my shoulder and went towards the dorms.

"Max!" I called out. She was outside the dorm, taking a picture of the totem pole again. I saw the look of surprise, then turned into a happy smile.

"Chloe!" She put her camera away and jogged towards me. "How was cleaning the house?"

"… Pretty strange, I guess." I huffed, my eyes darting around a little from remembering it. "You won't believe shit."

She crossed her arms, furrowing her eyebrows at me. "Try me."

I chuckled at her expression and went on talking. "So, I finished work a little close to midnight and I was gonna hitchhike back—I know it's bad—to here and guess who saved me?"

"Who?"

"Amber, Max. Rachel Amber convinced her dad to let me stay overnight."

"I believe that!" She slapped my arm, but it was so gentle, it felt like air. "I told you, she's nice!"

Steph said the same thing. "I'm not done yet." I pulled her to the side, away from everyone else, lowering my voice. "A little later after that, I stayed in one of their rooms. She decided to knock and then walked away. I dunno why, but I left the room so I could see what she was doing."

"Chloe! Why would you do that?"

"I dunno I was tired!" I raised my hands defensively. "You can't tell anyone this. Not even your girlfriend. I dunno if I wanna tell her yet."

"Okay?" Max dragged, confused but intrigued. I smirked at her. Not rejecting Kate being your girlfriend, huh, Max?

"There's something going on." I got close to whisper. "Victoria fucking Chase seems to be calling the shots around here."

Max's brow lifted. "Chloe."

"Listen, I overhead Amber and her on the phone and, I don't wanna assume anything, but let me repeat a phrase I heard Amber say."

I whispered it into her ear and, when I pulled away, Max's face was shocked, eyes wide and mouth hanging open. "Holy shit..."

"Do you believe me?"

She paused for a couple of seconds. "To an extent. With that club, it doesn't sound too far off, but... I dunno." It sounded like even she didn't wanna say it.

"Come on, Max—"

"I'm used to you not trusting her, okay? Can you blame me?"

I thought about it. I was fucking annoying. "No, I guess I can't."

"So... how do you feel about her?"

I bit my tongue, remembering Amber's face when I choked her, seeing fear in her eyes. "Um... I don't hate her? My brain still wants to, but I don't think I hate her." I felt weird saying it. I had to start believing it.

"Good." Max placed her hand on my arm. "But, you said you can't talk to her, right?"

"Nope."

Max then smiled, as if in a sly and knowing kind of way. "You're Chloe Price. Are you gonna talk to her anyway?"

I smiled back. "I've been thinking. It feels so weird talking about her so nicely!"

"I like it!"

I rolled my eyes. I think I like it too.

I got through the whole day of school without leaving to tend to my bruises. My black eye and other bruises were turning yellow, slowly but surely. I didn't wanna waste my energy on other people; I wouldn't wanna be angry when I was working in that damn house again.

I was sitting in my last class, Math. I sighed, drawing a person holding a gun at itself in the paper margin of my worksheet. Still, I wanted to disappear for a little, until I was fully healed. It was hard working on painting a place when one hand is still cut up. It was stupid and I cursed at that impulsive reaction. It should be fine now. In fact, mom never asked about the mirror... Maybe she knows and doesn't wanna tell me.

I tapped my finger on my table, interrupting how quiet the room was. Chloe, focus on one thing at a time. I don't even know which thing is the most important one. Everything in my life right now seemed equally important! I dunno if I'm tired or what... I could at least focus on two at once, but which ones?

Justin and Trevor. In fact, I didn't see them today. I never did. The cigarettes in my bag: I need to get rid of them. The house: I need to fix it. Amber.

The school bell rang and everyone got up, packing their bags and running out the door. I was the last one to leave, saying bye to Professor Terry.

"Hey hippy." I caught Max at her locker, shoving books back into her locker. I leaned on the locker next to hers.

"Hey." She smiled on me, shutting her locker closed. "You seem to be feeling better now."

"A little better, if I'm being honest. Can I ask you a stupid question?"

"Sure." She nodded and we started walking together towards the exit doors.

"Where the fuck did Justin and Trevor go? Did they leave the state or something?"

Max had to think about it. I thought it was weird. Justin and Trevor never hung out in other places, so she should know if they were around or not.

"I don't remember if I ever saw them recently. Ever since the party, they've been MIA. I've tried texting Justin, but he never replied. Nobody really wants to talk about that around here. This party really messed this place up. Why?"

That was weird to me. Well, not them missing on campus, but missing in general. The last time I talked to them was when they sent those stupid text messages. "Not shocked to hear that. I thought I was ready to talk to them. Never mind now, I guess."

On our way out, we pass by Amber, Chase, and I think Christensen, another blonde chick in their little posse. Of course, Chase being the bitch she was, had to knock her arm into mine. For someone who was high and mighty about the rich and the peasants, she didn't mind touching and talking to me when she had the chance. I didn't respond. I couldn't give her that satisfaction today.

However, for a small moment, I looked at Amber. There was a noticeable sadness in her face and I knew that she wasn't in on the quick push. Her eyebrows lifted when we made eye contact again; I had a gentle expression when I looked. She may even looked happy after that.

I gave Max an annoyed look and rolled my eyes. She laughed and we went on our way.

I caught up on homework for my classes. After I cleaned my desk of all of its shit, I took out all of the worksheets and worked on them, my radio playing in the background and my phone on silent while it charged on my bedside table.

I had a huge wakeup call from this experience. I still haven't fully wrapped my head around my short prison time. I should've only gotten juvie. It has to be her dad. Her dad must've told the police to put me there instead. I tapped my pencil against a math problem to the beat of the music. I finished all my homework as the sun was about to go down. It had to be a little over half, even. I still had my genius brain in here.

I huffed and got up from my desk. Now's a good time to get dressed and then head to the bus. I need to dig around for change again... and maybe ask Max.

I changed into my janitor suit and dug around my room. So far, I haven't even found enough for a quarter of the way. I huffed and strode to Max's door, banging on it. I didn't have to wait very long as she opened the door and revealed her and Kate inside. Kate waved and I waved back.

"Did I interrupt something?" I saw Kate's position and it seemed like she was lying down until I came by. I didn't hear anything, so they weren't watching a movie or listening to music.

"No, we were just hanging out. Talking about a movie Kate watched recently."

They're totally dating now. I just nodded, not pushing that subject anymore. "I just came by to ask for some cash. I don't have enough for the bus."

"Sure! Let me check." She left the door open and I leaned on the doorframe, wondering what the hell they were actually doing.

"I could lend you some as well, Chloe." Kate got out of Max's bed and went to her backpack.

"You don't need to do that." I stretched my hand out to stop her.

"I'm happy to help you, Chloe, okay? You don't have to pay me back." She grabbed a twenty out of her wallet and handed it to me. "I insist."

I knew I couldn't tell her no anymore, so I took it and put it in my pocket. "Thanks, Kate."

"No problem. I hope you get plenty done today at the Manor."

I groaned, thinking about more standing, more paint fumes, and more ringing in my ears from silence. "I hate thinking about how many hours I have to do it, but thanks." Maybe I learn more about Amber. I dunno how, but I'll try. I don't think they'll let me stay over again.

I pressed my head against the bus window, feeling the vibration through my temple. I watched as we passed buildings and cars. I hope he won't get mad a-fucking-gain. He just might. God fucking damn it.

"Chloe?"

I lifted my head and followed the voice. There wasn't that many people, so it wasn't hard to find who it was. I blinked a couple of times before I said, "Dana?"

"Hey!" She moved seats and sat next to me. "Damn, we never get to talk."

Dana Ward. She was one of Blackwell's cheerleaders and, from seeing her around, she was in the Vortex Club too. We've had conversations before and, to my shock, she was one of the nice people that came out of that fucking posse. It was shocking because I didn't think anyone could be nice. Hm... ironic. If one person could be nice from there, others could be nice too. Oh Chloe... I can't fucking believe you.

"Well, you're a cheerleader and I've been busy... doing this shit."

"I heard. The whole school is fucking bullshit, am I right?"

"I agree. What are you doing here, though?"

"I am friends with Rachel after all." She nodded. "I'm guessing you're heading there for your work thing."

"Yup. Maybe with you there, her dad won't yell at me for whatever reason. Wait, that doesn't explain why you're going there? Rachel just wanted to hang out?"

Dana pressed her lips together, hesitating, and she stiffened a little. "She just wanted someone to talk to other than Victoria. I had cheer practice, so that's why I'm here now."

I hummed, ignoring her hesitation and sudden change in posture. "She's not feeling good nowadays, from what I could tell."

"Oh, she's been down for a while."

"... How long is a while?"

"It's not my place to say that, but she's getting better, if that helps."

I chewed on my cheek, my curiosity was peaked at this point. For what Amber said about her body and now "a while." I was even getting a little nervous; I think I drew blood from biting into my cheek too hard. Something's going on... I really need to find out now. "Only a little bit."

"Good. But... I'm sorry that you have to do this crap."

"It's whatever, Dana. You calmed my nerves, actually." I should ask about Trevor. Or, I could just do that later. I doubt she would wanna talk about that fucker.

She smiled and bumped her arm with mine. "I'm glad."

When we got to the house, Mayor Amber answered the door again, wearing another suit, but in dark gray instead.

"Rachel, take your friend to your room." He raised his voice, then lowered as he looked at me. "I need to speak to you."

Dana gave me a nervous look, leaving right away to wherever Amber was.

"May I help you, sir?" I emphasized "sir," snarky with a hint of poison, as I walked in.

"You listen here," he pointed his finger at me, "I would never do this but, since my daughter can never take no for an answer, I have to say this."

I lifted my eyebrow at him. My heart raced a little at that. But, if it was her, maybe it wasn't bad? I was trying to not think of her as a bad person anymore. Please world, stop making me doubt.

"You're allowed to stay overnight for the entire duration of your service." He sighed, like he was holding his breath the whole time. Does he think he's being held at gun point? "Along with providing you with transportation to and from Blackwell."

I actually smiled at that. "Thanks, uh... tell that to her for me." I walked passed him and went towards the basement.

What the fuck am I feeling right now? I think I'm relieved that I don't need to spend money anymore. Or I get to sleep in that comfortable ass bed again...

Maybe I'm glad that Amber's still proving me wrong about her.

A/N: Review and shit!