Chapter 10: Us

CHLOE:

I stood in the shower, staring down at my feet. Warm water poured down from my hair, covering my face like a curtain.

My hands shook as I ran them through my hair, this would be the day.

The day I was going to see Rachel again.

Water trickled over my mouth and I blew it away, stepping out of the shower onto the cold tile floor.

I'd brought my favorite pirate towel, with its skull and crossbones. I dried and wrapped myself in it, getting out of the bathroom and shivering at the change of temperature.

Max sat on the bed, folded towel and clothing by her side. I saw her cheeks turn a deep rose color as I stepped out.

I smirked, "You gonna take a shower, or just stare at me?"

She snapped out of it, blushing even harder, "Y-Yeah, I'm gonna take a shower."

She grabbed her shower stuff and went in, locking the door behind her.

I heard the water begin to run as I started changing.

The motel room was fairly cramped, having only one bed this time. An obsolete TV set stood on a small table at the very front of the room. Earlier that morning I tried to turn it on. It wouldn't, not even after I made sure it was plugged in.

She got out of the shower, already dressed. Complete with her plain grey hoodie and skinny jeans.

She dried her hair, making it messy as she did.

"So, what do you feel like having for breakfast?" I asked, plopping down on the bed.

She chuckled, "I have a weird craving for cereal right now...I'm being totally cereal."

"Cereal, huh?" I raised an eyebrow, "That'll do."

We ate some bomb ass cereal that morning.

Chowchilla

CITY LIMIT

POP 17,827 ELEV 237

The main road was lined with palm trees on both sides as a cloudless sky hung over us, small shops and buildings stood amongst those trees.

As we were moving, my door was making a weird rattling sound.

"Oh shit, I left my door open," I pushed it outwards and slammed it shut with a grunt.

Max shut her book, "So...this is Chowchilla."

I looked around at our surroundings, "Yeah...quaint…"

She scratched her head, "At first glance, you wouldn't really be able to know this is a prison town."

A few minutes later, I turned onto a road that went into a large, flat grassy area. Not a single tree was in sight as we drove through the dull green field.

I pointed at the horizon as two large structures came into view, sitting side by side "That's it up there...the one on the right…"

The realization struck me...Rachel was in there.

Anxiety shot through me, leaving me feeling weak, "Oh fuck…"

"Are you okay?"

My breathing sped up, nearing the point of hyperventilation, "I-I...Jesus, Max. I'm scared."

"We don't have to do this, Chloe."

I shook my head, "No, we do...I do…"

We continued to barrel towards the prison, finally arriving at its gates.

Well, we got shut the fuck down, real quick.

I wasn't going to see Rachel that day...or ever.

In our haste, we'd forgotten to fill out all the necessary forms and background checks.

I felt like a complete sack of shit for feeling this way, but I was relieved. I'd come to the realization that I didn't want to see Rachel.

"Max..." I muttered, glancing over to her as the facility grew smaller behind us.

She looked over at me, frowning, "Sorry we couldn't see her, Chloe."

I gulped, "I don't want to see her anymore."

Her jaw dropped, "Really?"

"Yeah...I think I'm done...I won't be able to forgive her."

We sat in silence, tension building up within me like a wound-up spring, "I can't imagine what she went through...in the dark room. Shit, I guess I can't blame her for running away...It's the Frank shit I'm caught up on."

Tears flooded my eyes, "Her and I are through because of that, I've been giving it a lot of thought."

Her voice shook with sadness, "Chloe...I'm so sorry. I feel like I did this. I should have stopped her from going to prison."

I clenched my teeth, warm salty tears ran down my cheeks, "You know what, Max? Fuck you."

She shrunk back in her seat, face contorting with grief and near tears.

I stabbed a finger at her, spitting, "Fuck you for thinking this is your fault, because it isn't! You saved her, she's fucking alive for fucks sake!"

The truck stalled with a lurch as I pulled over, "You saved her, me, everybody! Yet you still think this is your fault."

I pointed to myself with both hands, "News flash, Max. It isn't...it's my fault."

"I did this to her!"

Wide, fearful eyes stared back at mine, "W-What are you talking about?"

I stuttered, "I'm talking about how…I…uh..."

She wiped her eyes, "Chloe, this isn't your fault either. It's nobody's fault."

I glowered, "How the fuck isn't it my fault?"

A hint of annoyance sounded in her voice, "Because, Chloe! You couldn't have done a single fucking thing about it!"

Shit, she was right...I couldn't have.

I sighed, "Max, I hate arguing with you."

I turned on the truck and we began to roll again, remaining silent for the rest of the drive.