It's very late at night. The bluenette walks back to the bedroom after a shower, wearing her robe she smiles and sits on the bed behind Max. She gently kisses her neck and the photographer sighs, not looking up from her papers.

'I'm not done yet'

'It's very late, baby'

'I have to study. I can't fail tomorrow'

'If you push yourself further your brain won't work tomorrow. Everything will slip that little dome of yours and then you may fail. If you exhaust yourself it's exactly as good as no studying at all. Have a little rest. It's almost midnight, Max'

'I'm so not ready for this' she sighs.

'You've studied a lot. Everything will be fine. I'm sure about that'

'Thanks' she drops the papers on the floor and faces the tattooist 'And what's under your robe?' she grins as she kisses the bluenette.

'Nothing' she whispers to the brunette's ear 'What if you'd just take your top and shorts off?'

'You'd love that'

'You started it!' she giggles, gently kissing the photographer's neck.

'You're right. I'm really tired though. But…' she gets rid of her T-shirt 'I may sleep better after you fucked me hard' she grins.

'Let's not fuck it up this time' she grabs her phone 'I'll set the alarm now. Last time I was late Matt almost ripped my head off. Plus, you're taking an exam tomorrow. No sleeping in this time.'

'You're so responsible' she laughs then wraps her arms around Chloe's neck.

'You changed me' she smiles but goes on as she sees worry in the brunette's eyes 'for the better'

'You definitely changed' she kisses her 'You're growing up.'

'Maybe' she caresses Max's back.

'I'm so happy with you'

'So am I' she smiles and kisses her neck.

The punk gets on top. She's halfway through the photographer's upper body when knocking interrupts them. She frowns and sighs. Who could that be at this hour? She looks into the brunette's eyes.

'You invited someone?'

'At this hour?'

'I'm gonna go check'

'But hurry back' she winks.

'If I catch you studying' her hand is already on the door handle 'I'm gonna punish you'

'I'll think about it' she giggles.

Chloe walks to the main door, sighs once again then opens it. She faces Rachel. At first she thinks she got her hands on some weed because her eyes are red and puffy. But it can't be, she wouldn't look this terrible if that was the case.

'Sorry' the blonde's words are so quiet they can be hardly heard 'Did I wake you up?'

'We were getting ready… to sleep. Max's taking an exam tomorrow'

'I'm not gonna disturb then. I'd better go'

'Tell me what's wrong' she grabs her wrist.

She bursts out in tears. The bluenette pulls her in and sits her in the living room. She sits before her. She analyzes her for a little. Chloe thinks she knows what's going on. The brunette walks out of the room. She stands behind the punk.

'What happened?' she asks.

'We… broke up.' Rachel quietly says.

'Why?' the bluenette raises an eyebrow.

'Quit acting, Chloe. We all saw it coming. I just can't get it… he… cheated on me'

'What?' Max eyes widen.

'Please don't make me repeat myself'

'With whom?' the punk asks.

'I don't know. He didn't tell. All he said was we grew apart and recently we really had our fights. I mean, he was really tense lately, I guess this whole being Matt's partner thing pushed him to his limits. You know how grumpy he is recently'

'Can't you work it out, Rach?'

'He doesn't want to. He said we're too different now. He needs to be alone. I'm sorry. I didn't know where to go' she covers her face.

The couple exchanges a look.

'Stay the night, Rach' Chloe offers.

'You may move in as well. Until you find somewhere to go. It sounded mean. I didn't… You can stay as long as you want to' she smiles 'Right, Chlo?'

'Sure thing! I can get your things from his flat in my lunch break!'

'That's kind of you' she forces a smile.

'You may stay up' Max stretches 'I have to get some sleep'

'I think it's the better for me too' the blondie sighs.

'I'll make the bed for you' the punk stands up.

'It's okay. I can handle myself'

'Are you sure you're okay, Rachel?'

'I just… need some sleep now.'

'Shall I wake you up in the morning?'

'I'll be fine. Goodnight.'

As Rachel closes the door behind herself, the couple exchanges another look.

'Did we really see it coming?' Max asks.

'I don't really know' she answers quietly after deciding not to talk about her conversation with Darren on New Year's Eve 'They had our fights, but who doesn't? Even we fight sometimes. I bet Matt and Amy have their fights every once in a while. I didn't think things were this bad' she sighs.

'Don't go hard on Darren'

'Well, what else could I do? He just ripped out her heart, Max!'

'I know, I know. Let's get some sleep, okay? Try to relax a little bit'

'Okay' she sighs as she stands up and starts her way back to the bedroom 'I'm just getting hella worried for her'

'What do you mean?'

'I mean she really loves him. She can be tough but she really loves him' she finishes as she sits on the edge of the bed.

'She'll get through him, right? She's a strong girl'

'Yeah, but what if… The tension will be unbearable in the parlor'

'Hey' she lies down 'She'll be alright'

'And…' she grins.

'And?'

'You're not jealous anymore?'

'If you wanted to leave me you wouldn't have given me this' she points at the ring 'Plus, you'd be together by now if you wanted more from her. All I can see between you is friendship. And you're a great friend'

'I don't wanna watch her suffer'

'I know' she snuggles 'She'll be alright'

'I hope so' she turns off the light.

'We'll all be alright' she yawns.

'Aw, isn't my little princess tired?'

'I'm half dead.'

'Sleep tight' she kisses her forehead.

'You too'

They drift away sleeping. Chloe's half asleep when the alarm goes off. She turns it off with a sigh and kisses Max's forehead.

'Rise and shine, Max'

'I don't want to' she mumbles.

'Come on, get up, asswipe! What would you eat?'

'You'

'This joke's getting old'

'I don't mind.'

'Come on, get up!' she pokes her side.

'Nah, that's not fair!' she sits up.

'You're so beautiful' she smiles.

'Come on, get up, asswipe!' she copies the punk.

'Okay, okay' she sighs and walks to the wardrobe.

'Aren't you up to a quickie?' she gently kisses her neck from behind.

'We're on a tight schedule' she giggles as she puts on her underwear.

'That tight?'

'Yeah. I still have to drop you off. But I'm gonna reward you tonight I promise.'

'Okay'

'So, what you want besides your coffee?'

'Something to boost my mind'

'Like?'

'Well…' she blushes a little bit.

'Okay' she giggles and kisses her on the cheek 'You'll get some pancakes. I'll be waiting for you'

She walks out to the kitchen and starts cooking. Before she finishes she hears the brunette sitting down. She smiles as she places the plate in front of Max.

'Stop studying already!' she scolds her a little 'It won't help anymore'

'Fine' she sighs as she puts her notes in her bag.

They're half through eating when Rachel joins them. She looks much better than last night and she's ready to go.

'Hey Rach! Could you sleep?' the bluenette softly asks.

'I slept a little'

'Are you hungry?'

'No, thanks. But I could bear a mug of coffee'

'Sure' and she's ready to stand up but the blondie pushes her back.

'I can serve myself. No sweat Chloe. I'm fine'

'You sure look better than yesterday' she admits.

'I love your honesty'

'We still have to drop Max off at college before we get to the parlor'

'It's okay' she sips her coffee.

'Did you cry more last night?'

'No. I love him but I have to move on'

'Don't do anything stupid'

'Those times are over' she shakes her head 'I want to be alone for a while. Party a little, sometimes. Meet new people. But not a relationship. Not just yet. I want to live a little, not that wild, but live'

'Cool plan' the bluenette nods as she starts washing the dishes.

'I won't break down.'

'I know.'

'Hey Max, are you ready for your big exam?'

'I wish' she sighs.

'Come on! You'll be great!'

'I hope so'

'Now that you kissed my girlfriend's ass' the punk laughs while she's drying her hand 'Let's go'

'Fuck you Price!' Rachel also laughs.

After dropping Max off at college they head to the parlor. In the parking lot the bluenette gently looks at Rachel.

'Are you sure you'll be fine?'

'Just to remind you, I've been in deeper shit, okay?'

'Hey' she places her hand on her shoulder 'I'm on your side.'

'I know. Thanks'

Matt and Darren are already there. The blondie takes her place behind the counter without any words, Chloe checks her schedule. She sits on the counter.

'Chloe…' Rachel looks at her 'What did you forget again?'

'What?' she raises her eyebrows.

'I'm ordering today, you dumbass!'

'Oh fuck' she sighs 'there must be a piece of paper on my desk' she jumps off of the counter 'Give me a minute. I'm gonna find it. I got it already.'

'Rachel' Matt steps to the blondie 'Got a minute?'

'I guess so'

'Are you okay?'

'Sure'

'I heard what happened. I'm sorry'

'You wanna fire me?'

'No' he smiles softly 'We're a team here'

'Does he want to fire me?'

'It's not that easy. He can't. I'm not gonna let you go' he winks 'We're not only a team here. We're family'

'I bet he's gonna embitter my days here'

'Don't mind him. He can be a gigantic asshole. You're a strong woman. Show him who's boss! And by the way' he sighs 'your stuff is in my car. I can drop it off later.'

'Just get it to my car when we're finished' the punk grins as she gives her list of order to the blondie 'And thanks, boss.'

'Hey, as I told you. We are family. Don't forget about that!' he winks then he walks away to deal with the clothes.

The bluenette catches Darren's look from the other side of the room. She's about to lose her mind. She gets in front of the man with hurried steps.

'Let's talk. Outside. Now.' she whispers.

'Whatever' he shrugs.

As they get out the punk lights a cigarette, trying to get over her anger. She looks at the man slowly.

'Just say it, Price.'

'What?'

'Whatever you wanna say.'

'Darren…'

'Did you fuck her?'

'You're fucking crazy, man! What's your problem? She's crashing at our place now, yes. Ours. Just to remind you, I'm still with Max.'

'It wouldn't matter after a while. No offense dude, but women are all the same. This love will pass. Nothing lasts forever, Price'

'Darren…' she begins with misty eyes this time 'I looked up to you. I respected you. I loved you. And what are you doing right now? You're… I'd never thought you can be like this. Where's that awesome dude I met? Where's my bro? I asked you… I asked you not to hurt her. Honestly, I was more worried for you. You just tore her heart out, Darr!'

'Really? She seems to be okay'

'But it's hella killing her! It's eating her! But she's a hella proud and a strong person! And yes, she's gonna go on if you let her! She won't come back to you bro! And you know what? She's not at fault! And she's hella right! I'm hella disappointed in you, Darren' she's ready to walk back.

'Well, I'm sorry. This is me. I'm fucked up. You're fucked up. That's why we became such good friends. You are the one who changed! You're so fucking happy! You're so fucking perfect! Your life is so fucking perfect! You became so bright you fart rose-scent, you barf rainbows and spit fairies! I'm fucking sick of that!'

'I'm so sorry for my happiness! Do I annoy you that bad? Or you just wanna blame me for your unhappiness? Because dude, you had the chance! You could've been so happy with her, man! But of course you had to fuck it up!'

'Why don't you just go back? You might work or kiss Rachel's ass!'

The punk, now losing her mind, pushes the man against the wall, her left arm holds him still.

'Shut the fuck up already! You fucked it up! All I asked not to hurt her! Stop your bullshit and don't you ever go near her again! If you even lift a finger for her, I'm gonna tear your fucking heart out!'

She lets the surprised man go then she walks back to the parlor casually. Before she could take her place in front of the computer, Rachel calls out for her.

'What is it now, smartass?' she grins.

'Thanks.'

'For what?'

'For everything. I still didn't. So… thanks, Chloe'

'You don't have to thank me. That's why we're friends, Rach'

'Thanks anyway. Especially for being there for me. And Max… she's amazing.'

'She hella is!' she giggles 'And don't worry. I'm… we're always there for you'