Chapter 3
Family isn't just by blood
"Dam! I gotta say,whoever makes these breakfast sandwiches really know their cooking skills."Kate said as she chowed down on her sandwich.
"Kate slow down!"Max warned her. "You might choke." "Oh look who's giving advice about slowing down and not choking."Warren teased. Chloe bust out laughing. Max glared at him and smacked the back of his head. Rachel at the whole scene with a smile on her face. These are the moments i'll never trade she thought. "I can't be believe I have to deal with you for the rest of my life."Max groaned. "Well that's family for yeah,"Warren said. "Always there until the end." What Warren said quickly put Rachel's good mood into a sour one.
Yeah right she thought bitterly. Family is just another word for strangers that share the same blood as you. She suddenly didn't feel like eating anymore. She put down her burrito and got up. "Where are you going?"Nathan asked. "Just gonna get some fresh air."Rachel replied and left. She walked out the door and ran. She ran as fast as she could taking long,shallow breaths as she ran.
She made it to her favourite stop on the block. It was a tall,old abandoned building that gave a great view of the streets below and the sky above. She jumped up and grabbed the ledge of a window. Then she swung herself up and onto the roof. She sat down on the edge of the roof,legs dangling over the edge. She looked down at the streets. Cars were bustling,people were walking on the sidewalks and she even saw a few rival gang members in the distance doing their own thing. Warren's words echoed in her mind.
Well that's family for yeah. Always there until the end.
She knew that that wasn't true. She knew family was never there for you,especially when you need them the most. She remembered that day perfectly. The day when her father had kicked her out of her house. Since Rachel had turned five her mother had left her and her father,telling him that she couldn't take care of her and wasn't ready to be a mother. Her father had cared for her and loved her as any father would. Over the years,however,Rachel noticed her dad getting more and more depressed. He started drinking,going to late parties and even taking drugs.
One day for some reason he had lost his cool.
"I can't keep living like this!"he shouted angrily. He had three drinks and was shouting like hell, "Dad,calm down."Rachel said calmly. "No! You don't tell me to calm down! You're the whole reason my wife left me!"he shouted. The words sliced right through Rachel like butter. She knew he dad was drunk and wasn't thinking straight but that didn't make them hurt less. Her anger had gotten the best of her and she retorted,"I'm sure mom would come crawling back to a drunk and unless husband." That had gone over the line and even she knew it. It wasn't before long that he and pack everything in a suitcase and practically thrown her outside. She had been living on the streets until Nathan found her and brought her to his gang. Her one and true home. But she would never forget the words her father told her and how he threw her out. She felt tears fall down her face and she brushed them away.
"Rach…"a voice said. Rachel turned around and saw Chloe walking to her. "Hey Chloe."she said turning back to the streets. Chloe sat down beside her and also looked at the streets. "You ok?"she asked. "Yeah i'm good."Rachel replied. Chloe looked at her for a moment then lightly placed her hand on Rachel's. Rachel looked at their hands then at Chloe. "Rach,if something's bothering you,you can always tell me."Chloe said sincerely. Rachel looked at Chloe face,touched by Chloe's words. "When Warren had said that family was always there for you,it...it reminded me about what my dad did to me."Rachel explained. Chloe eyes softened as she looked at Rachel. She continued speaking. "I know I shouldn't really care about that stuff anymore but... I just couldn't believe he'd actually do that...to his own daughter."Tears were falling once more down Rachel's face.
Chloe scooted closer to her and hugged her tightly. Rachel pressed her face against Chloe's shoulder and sobbed. "Hey hey,it's ok. Just let it all out."Chloe said softly. Rachel continued crying while Chloe rubbed her back softly. Minutes later Rachel finally stopped. Chloe lifted her face up and gently wiped away her tears. "Hopefully you're finished cause my shirt is soaked."Chloe joked.
That brought a smile on Rachel's face.
Chloe looked deep into Rachel's eyes for a long moment before leaning in and kissing her softly. Rachel kissed her back. Seconds later,they pulled away and rested their foreheads together. "Thank you Chloe,"Rachel whispered. "For always being there for me." "Anytime."Chloe whispered back with a smile. "After all,I'm your guardian angel."she added. Rachel laughed. "You know that's my line."she said. "And now it's our line."Chloe replied entwining her hand with Rachel's. They sat like that,foreheads pressed together and hands entwined together. At last Chloe got up and extended her hand to Rachel. "Ready to go back?"she asked. "Yeah."Rachel replied taking her hand. She got up and jumped off the building. They walked back to the gang. "What took you both so long?"Warren asked them. "I can think of one reason."Max joked. "Haha very funny Max."Chloe said.
She went back to her chair. "Hey,where if hell is my wrap?"Chloe asked. Everyone immediately turned their heads to Warren. "Wow guys. I know who to count on when I want to keep something secret."Warren said sarcastically.
"Warren,i'm giving you five seconds to run."Chloe said. Warren leaped out of the chair and ran up the stairs as Chloe leaped to him. "Get your ass back here Warren!"she yelled as she gave chase. Everyone burst out laughing as Warren yelped for help. "I'm gonna go help him before Chloe actually kills him."Nathan said and ran to Warren's assists.
Rachel smiled to herself. My real family my have abandoned me but these guys are my true family and will always be there for me.