Hi all, I got an idea from a few other FFs' and figured I'd add a good track to listen to after reading (Or during if you're that good at multitasking and ignoring loud noises) that happens to fit the feel of the chapter, or simply sounds good and it strikes my fancy; 'I'm not a Good Person' from Pat the Bunny: watch?v=PMyDK3VHYPw
I grunt and plop my head back down on the arm rest. I hope these nightmares don't become a regular thing. Back when Chloe was getting me to the lighthouse in the storm and now again- They just feel so real. And so terrifying.
"Hear anything?" Chloe sounds on guard as she settles back into her seat.
"No, did you?" My anxiety starts to kick me out my grogginess.
"Nah."
"Then why ask?" The conversation has me fully awake now- For better or worse.
"Chill, just didn't think the door was enough to wake you."
Makes sense. The nightmare was horrible, not that she knows about it. "You did swing it open, and slam it, with everything you had."
"Sorry." She says insincerely.
"… I'm going to sleep again." Honestly, I'm a bit afraid to sleep, but I'm just too tired.
Caulfield closes her eyes again.
I take David's gun and throw it under my seat.
I really hope she didn't hear me talking to myself. I'm pretty sure she didn't though- Max may not be confrontative, but she totally would have said something.
I decide to try and get comfortable before sleeping myself. With Max laying in her seat sideways and her head towards me- stealing the centre console for a pillow, I opt to throw one leg over the same divider, into Max's side before putting my other up on the dashboard. I lean back and put a hand behind my head for head support.
…
"We need to get out of this shitty fucking town." I feel at the black and blue David gave when he hit me.
Still don't know why I didn't hit him back. Sure, probably was going to lose what ever fight came out of that, big bastard is a former soldier, but I doubt it'd keep happening if I hit him back.
I continue on, "We've been planning this for how long? Let's just get in my truck, grab some food and clothes, then fuck off to L.A.! You've always wanted to be a movie star, let's make it happen!"
I turn to her expectantly and jump off the railway tracks.
She grabs the back of her head and squirms. "… Yeah Blue. But um… Well maybe we should have more money to ourselves before heading out?" She freezes in place.
"I know Frank would spot me some money. He'd totally expect it back, but we can just skip out him before that." She used to be so eager about this, why does it feel like she's been backing out as of late?
"I thought your truck needed some maintenance?"
"Rachel. Please. That old thing's built to last. Doesn't need that crap- plus it'd only cost like fifty bucks and an hour if it did."
"Well anyway, what's the story behind that blackmark on your face?" She's dodging the question way too hard, though her tone also sounds sincere.
"Like you would care." I let irritation get the better of me.
"Woah, cool down. What's wrong?" She comes closer and closes the gap between us.
"Dude, we're spending less and less time together. What the fuck do you think is wrong?" I shove her away.
"What are you talking about?" She steadies herself. Her face is plastered in confusion before turning to a mixture of sympathy and pity. "Chloe- I thought we talked about this… We're just friends." She opens her palms and holds them out, being as placating as possible.
What? No, why's she so stubborn about not leaving? It's not that I don't know about being 'just friends'. She made certain I was well aware of that back when we first started fooling around, how can I be angry about that?
I guess I'm mad about that to. No, I mean I'm not mad about that.
Fuck. Shit. Okay, I'm mad about both.
… I hate being read like a book.
"Yeah, no, I know." I sound thoroughly unconvincing. "It's just that we've been talking about leaving forever. Why haven't we just done it?"
"I don't know, Blue." She sighs. "But you're right, it's been a while since we've really hung out. The Vortex club is having a party tonight, maybe you want to come and meet some of my friends for once? You exclusively hang out with the skater crowd- and that's only when I drag you with me."
"No. Well, I don't know. Maybe the next one? I need to destress, and spending time with a bunch of entitled rich kids isn't the way to do that."
"Considering I've never gotten a 'maybe next time' from you, I'll call this a victory. Next Vortex party you come and we make up?"
"Deal."
"Cool. You never said what was going on with that bruise by the way."
"It's nothing."
Rachel flashes me a concerned pair of eyes, but lets it drop.
…
"Ow. Chloe, get up. Chloeee!"
I stir from my dream. The sun has only just begun to come back around again, the sky is a purplish blue. A bird noisily tweets. A deer hides behind a tree.
"Mhmm. What?"
"You're killing me."
I let my eyes process the scene. At some point in the night it seems that I decided Max's head made a good footrest.
"Sorry." I manoeuvre myself so that I'm sitting normally. "You 'K?" I twist the keys and start the engine.
"Yeah. It's cold though."
"Tough. Don't have blankets and the heater's busted, just got the clothes on your back. Or in my case, the clothes falling off my back." I play with the big hole in my jacket.
I let the car move on its own. Max stops leaning over and sits like a normal human being to. "You need to change your bandages or something?"
"Not unless they're covered in my own blood again." I press the gas and get up to speed, "Keep an eye open for a payphone somewhere, there has to be some still around- and your parents are probably freaking."
"I'm pretty sure they actually went out of their way to get rid of those to be honest."
I take out and light a cigarette.
Max glances at me, but doesn't say anything. A minute goes by before she speaks up, "Doesn't using something in a time of stress, like, make you more likely to depend on it during normal life?"
I look over to her. "Probably, yeah. I really hope you're not about to start preaching. And yes, I'm at least slightly stressed right now." I sound like someone who hasn't had their morning coffee.
"Sorry. I guess after the first hundred people it can get annoying." A sheepish smile comes out of her.
I sigh. "Had a good dream?"
"Uh… Yeah, definitely."
"Good. Mine fucking sucked." Wish I could just forget all my memories.
The highway is no longer deserted as a few cars travel with us.
She seems lost in thought.
I take a drag and say, "So, what's your home like?"
She snaps out of it. "Oh, uh, me and my parents have a big house."
"Think you can guide me to it when we get near it? I just know what vague direction to go to get to the city."
"Sure, it's in the Lower Queen Anne area."
"Wait, I thought we were going to San… Er, Seattle?"
She smiles at me, "Queen Anne is in Seattle, it's just over the bridge from Fremont and the Troll, and Lower Queen Anne is near the Down Town area."
I have no idea what she's talking about. "… Okay." I press on the gas and cut someone off to make a turn. We should be getting pretty close to Seattle by this point.
A silence develops.
She goes to open her mouth again but decides against it. She does this twice more.
I figure she's got something to say, but is stopping herself- Guess she'll tell me on her own time. "So what're your parents like? Haven't seen them in a while to say the least." I use one hand to take a drag and the other to play with the radio.
She squirms in the chair slightly, "They're good. Not much has changed with them." Static pours through the tinny speakers.
"How'd that job work out for your father? I think he worked in insurance or something, right?" I keep twisting and turning the dials to get something.
"It's good. He got promoted after they hired him."
The thought of Max living life up in Seattle hurt. Friends, family, a big city to explore. Everything I ever wanted. The thought of her living life up in Seattle without care for money is just adding insult to injury.
I accidentally tear off a dial. And I wind up slamming the radio in response, causing the static to cease entirely. I hit the horn at the car in front of us for driving too slowly, as I tailgate him.
I angrily sigh and suck on my cigarette for dear life. Max sits in silence.
…
Several minutes go by before I open the window and flick my cig out. I've managed to slightly calm down. "So… Got any plans when you get back?" Awkward forced conversations for the win.
"Tell everyone I'm alive, I guess."
"Tell everyone I'm alive, I guess."
Chloe doesn't say anything in response.
I briefly consider asking her if she has… Uh, feelings for me, but I couldn't bring myself to do it five minutes ago- before she started to get her rage on, I'd hate to see her reaction now. Not that I'd even know how to ask.
I look out the window. We're passing through some small town- Chloe's been driving directly North rather than take a route that goes through Portland.
We sit in silence.
As more time goes by, the other cars become more frequent. We go over a bridge. Suburbia begins to appear. We transfer off the normal highway onto a massive eight lane beast. Must be around seven or nine o'clock.
We pass by the Seattle airport. A police car pulling someone over. Train tracks, a series of industrial buildings. The traffic picks up. A plane soars by us as it starts to land.
The truck follows the highway as it curves. The Seattle skyline comes into view.
I look over to Chloe who's staring intently at it. I think she even goes a bit slack jawed.
I begin to tell her where we should turn off and where to go.
"No, no- Right here..!"
I catch myself gawking at the skyscrapers again. I swerve the truck to make Max's sudden turn. Someone beeps at me for cutting them off.
"This is so hella cool Maximum. So you live here?"
"Sort of. Queen Anne is right next door to all this- it's mostly normal houses and apartments."
We turn off the highway and into the streets.
"I have no clue where I'm going."
…
I'm fairly certain that I break more traffic laws in the span of time between when we get off the highway, and when we get to the street Max's home is on, than I have in my entire life. It's quite the accomplishment.
That aside, it's weird looking at Max's house as we pull up. Ignoring the contrast to the big city, and what I expected it to look like, this is where she spent the past five years of her life.
It's a two-story house. The siding is white. Neighbourhood seems upper-class to say the least. My beat up old truck seems to slightly stand out. As I get out I notice a middle-aged man staring at me from his nearby apartment's porch.
The storm happened early yesterday morning, making today Saturday. Meaning her parents probably know what happened. Which means there's a good chance they aren't even home and have left for Arcadia Bay. I stand by the truck on the street side as Max runs up to the door. She presses the doorbell several times.
She turns and looks around before aiming in my direction. She motions me to come to her.
Before I can react the door is nearly thrown off its hinges as a large bearded man runs out and hugs her. Her dad, I presume. He's followed by a thin brunette who hugs the two as well. I can tell the two have been crying by her ruined makeup, and his red eyes.
I lean back against the truck. My breathing quickens and I grind my teeth. I fucking hate Max so much. Her perfect parents, her perfect friends, her perfect home. Her perfect life. Mine has fucking gone down in flames- Not that I even had one.
My blood feels like it catches fire as I make a fist.
I shakily grab another cigarette and light it. The subsequent drag is the longest and most satisfying of my life, but it's not enough.
I look on at the trio. Max gestures towards me and the man kneels down to her level before patting her on the shoulder. He gets up and begins jogging in my direction as the woman embraces her again.
His smile is wide and sincere. Which only incenses me further. I smile through clenched teeth. "Chloe Price! My God!" He grabs my hand and begins to shake it vigorously. "I haven't seen you in forever- look how much you've changed!" He goes to hug me, but I step out of the way.
He pauses and a puzzled look descends on him. Confusion turns to concern as he says, "Oh. Oh my God, I'm so sorry about what's happened." He pauses. "Please, come inside." He puts a hand on my shoulder.
The Mrs. Has disappeared inside, but Max is waiting for me at the door. "Chloe, I'm going to take a shower, is that alright?"
"Yeah. 'Course." My voice is angry, though blended with a polite tone. I grab the cigarette between my fingers tighter.
She walks deeper into the recesses of the house as her father guides me into the living room.
"Thank you so much for bringing Max back to us. She says you helped get her out of there." It takes every ounce of my will to keep an expressionless face and not flip out. "I can't imagine what you're going through. I don't know how things are looking for you, but I'd be honoured if you stayed with us- if nothing else, at least until we can get you on your feet."
He goes to continue speaking but a woman's voice calls out of the kitchen, "Ryan dear, can you give me a hand in here?" He seems thrown off, and holds up a finger, asking for a minute as he walks through a door.
The walls are thinner than they think. She whispers, "What're you doing asking her to stay?"
"What do you mean what am I doing? She saved Max's life. Got her in her truck in the middle of the storm and got her out of town"
"Since when am I the one who's concerned about safety? Just look at her."
"Just look at her?"
"She's covered in tattoos, has blue hair, is in a mess of bandages and is currently smoking in our living room. Do you have any idea how long that smell will linger?" I smugly take a long drag after hearing that.
"Vanessa, this isn't some random woman off the street. This is Chloe Price- Heck, before we left she was practically our second daughter."
"Before we left we were barely making ends meet in a tiny dead-end hick town five years ago. Who knows who she's become and what she's capable of."
"You're talking about my hometown there. And Max obviously thinks highly of her."
"Max doesn't know what's good for her. She's only a kid. This woman isn't staying."
"Oh God, here we go again. 'This woman' is staying as long as she needs to, days or years. And Max is a legal adult. That's final."
I can hear her scoff even from here. "Do you seriously think you can just say 'that's final' and it automatically ends the argument? Who do you think you-"
"Mom? Can you come here for a minute?" Max calls out from somewhere above us.
"… This isn't over Ryan." I hear her go up a set of stairs.
He opens and steps through the door again, with another wide smile.
"Sorry about that!" His faux-happy demeanour dies and he stares at me quizzically. "Uh, are you okay, Chloe?"
I haven't calmed down much at all and I only stare him down. A slight trickle down my face catches my attention. "Yeah. That happens sometimes."
As if on cue I feel blood also trickle down to my hands. I raise it up it in display.
"We should probably get you to the hospital for that…"
"You're the third person who's said that to me. Maybe I should." I try to stop myself from clenching my teeth.
"Great, and it'll give us some time to talk!" I shouldn't have said anything. "Max! Van! I'm headed out with Chloe! We'll be back soon!"
I start to walk to my truck. "Where you going?", he says.
"… My truck?"
"Here, we'll go in mine. I'll drive."
He strikes me as the type to hold his ground and not take 'no' for an answer. Especially after overhearing the polite conversation with his wife. Best to just save my breath.
I crush the butt of my cigarette, and get in his black SUV without a word.
Need to try and chill out. Take deep breaths.
I should totally be happy for Max. My best friend. Why wouldn't I want her to be happy? To have everything I've ever wanted? Fucking hell, she has more than I ever could have dreamed of- Controlling time isn't something I even bothered to put on my list of hopeless pipe dreams.
The engine starts cleanly and we begin to drive down the road.
The man speaks up, "So do you think you'll be heading back to Arcadia Bay to help with the recovery efforts?"
"Figure I'd actually jump out on it altogether. Maybe head to Mexico tomorrow." I opt to be truthful.
He laughs. "I didn't know you were on the run." A pause. "But seriously, if you'd like to, please stay with us until you get on your feet. I can't imagine what you're going through, but before we left you were like a second daughter to us. Heck, maybe if not for your sake, do it for ours- I know Max would love having you stay with us, and her having another friend would be great."
I briefly weigh the consequences of saying 'go to hell' and 'sure, why not'. I decide against both a keep quiet.
"We should at least get in contact with the recovery teams so that you're on the list of confirmed survivors."
"..."
"So how did you get those bandages?"
"…"
His optimistic smile dies when he realises I'm probably having a bad day.
"I fell on some rocks."
A hopeful glimmer comes back. "Ouch. Not surprised though, had a friend who fell just the wrong way a week ago and broke his arm. Kind of weird, how fragile everything is."
A silent chasm begins to fill.
"Want the radio on?"
"Sure."
He flips to a station playing rock.
"So how've you been for the past few years?" Jesus, can this guy not fucking talk for two minutes?
"Wonderful."
He smiles to himself, "… Remember back when I used to call you Fiend?"
I bite my tongue as I involuntarily go back into old memories. Sitting in their backyard. Getting yelled at by her mother for breaking a glass. Drawing pictures in Max's room. Ryan pretending to get mad at me for playing a prank on him with a few bang-snaps.
Well, prank isn't the word for it. I just threw a fistful at his feet when he wasn't looking. He first started calling me Fiend then, probably about a year or two before they left.
"… Yeah."
He pauses, then sighs. "When I first decided to take the job out here, I felt like I was making the worse decision of my life. Even now, despite what's happened, I still feel like it was a mistake."
"No kidding."
He smiles softly, "When you get old, you start to realise your mistakes- even as you make them."
Tears suddenly begin to well up in my eyes.
I choke them back. "I hate being old."
"Mom? Can you come here for a minute?" The muffled voices die down.
I hear marching up the stairs. Footsteps in the hall. The door opens. "Hey sweetie, what's up?"
"Where are all the towels?"
"Oh! Uh, I moved them over here in the hallway closet."
I follow her out.
She brings out her best chipper voice, "So I see you've met Chloe again!" She open a door and hands me a towel.
"Yeah, it's amazing to meet her again. She's changed so much."
Mom's eyes seem to narrow.
I hear my dad call out, "Max! Van! I'm headed out with Chloe! We'll be back soon!"
She looks exasperated.
"Don't worry Mom, I'm sure they'll be back soon. He's probably taking Chloe to the hospital for stitches, she got hurt pretty badly and has been needing to head there."
"'Course, Precious. I'll be down stairs if you need me."
I turn on the shower and step in. It feels so good to let the warm water to rush over me.
So why haven't I asked Chloe if she's into me yet? I start to grill myself.
Because she's been through a massively traumatic experience.
'Liar.'
I feel sick and my brain feels like it's melting.
… Because I don't know how to ask it.
'Partial truths don't count.'
… Because I'm worried she might think I chose to sacrifice Arcadia Bay and everyone she's ever known because I have a crush on her.
'And what happens then?'
She hates me for the rest of her life…
I throw my hands on the wall and lean against it. I feel horrible, in every sense of the word.
…
"BackToTheMax! Yo! How long have you been in there?"
Chloe?
"Uh…!"
"Come on out! I'm bored and want my best friend!"
How long have I been in here?
"Just a minute!"
I suddenly stop feeling so bad.
I jog up the stairs. It was really cool for Ryan to pay for my visit. Not to mention that he's really good at making someone feel not shit. If I didn't know better, I'd almost say he actually gives a damn about me.
In fact, I don't think I know better. He seems genuinely nice. Kind of weird, but also comforting. I'm certain my good mood and optimism will die hard and fast soon enough, but I might as well enjoy it. Hell, he even gave me a hundred bucks to spend on clothes, gas and whatever else I need.
Apparently Max has been in the shower since we left. Second door on the left. This should be the door Vanessa was talking about.
She, on the other hand, I quite dislike. Even trying to ignore the conversation I overheard, she barely manages to hide her contempt for me. Come to think of it, before they left town, Vanessa hated me. She'd always find a reason to start shouting or yelling at me for no reason. Some people are just pricks.
I briefly consider going in to scare Max, but decide to yell obnoxiously instead. "BackToTheMax! Yo! How long have you been in there?"
"Uh…!"
"Come on out! I'm bored and want my best friend!"
The shower stops. "Just a minute!"
"Hurry! Your old man gave me some money and it's burning a hole in my wallet!"
The door opens and a water-logged brunette wrapped in a towel hides behind it.
"Damn girl, don't be so modest. If you got, flaunt it."
The look on her face is priceless. Teasing her is too fun.
She makes herself blush. I laugh and punch her shoulder as I get out of her way.
"So want to show me around? I need to do some shopping. Your dad also extended an offer for moi to stay in the guest room!"
She closes what I assume is her bedroom door behind her. She speaks through it, "You sound as if you're surprised."
Guess it's my turn to feel embarrassed. "No, but it is still super cool of him." I gather my thoughts. "I'm kind of mad you didn't even notice my bandages are gone." I place my hands on my hips and sassily posture at the door.
"I did!"
"Uh-huh. To do that your eyes would have to be above my chest." … Wait, no. I meant for that to be a dig at her height. Well, still funny either-or. A bit more so if done the other way, actually.
A pause. "S- So how much do you have to spend?"
"One hundred bucks! Might not be Blackwell disability fund good, but it's a damn fine start."
The door clicks back open. She's wearing a hoody and a t-shirt with a picture of a dog.
"By this point, I think you need the money more than I do. Do you only have hoodies and cheesy t-shirts?"
"… Yes." She tries to not smile.
"Ugh! Let's go!" I grab at her hand, but she moves away.
"Wait! Give me a minute, Frankenstein. I'll be down in a few."
I roll my eyes and jump down the stairs. Vanessa is still sitting in the kitchen, reading a book. The oven clock says it's late in the afternoon.
"Hi Mrs. Caulfield." I start to circle her.
"Chloe! My, I don't think we've spoken more than those two quick words a minute ago. How're you holdin' up?" She puts the book down and looks at me.
"Fine."
She spins her head around as I orbit.
I stop sizing her up as I hear Max come down.
"Chloe?"
"Over here! Making new friends!"
She comes in and grabs my arm before pulling me away. "Bye mom, going to take Chloe shopping."
"Wait Max, take this before you go." The older woman gets up and presses some money into her hands and immediately starts to walk away.
"Oh, no, it's okay mom, dad already- Ow!" Max looks at me after I smack the back of her head.
I whisper, "Dude, don't talk someone out of giving you money! Are you crazy?"
Vanessa stops and turns around, "What was that, dear?"
"Nothing mom!"
I grab her and lead her out the front door.
"You didn't need to hit me so hard."
"Quit yer' crying, baby."
She makes an angry face. I respond with a frown.
"So where are you taking me?" I say after a second.
"Centre of the neighbourhood has a few shops and stores. Probably some stuff for you there. Let's walk"
"Cool! Lead the way, ReMax."
I amble and drift around the sidewalk as I follow alongside her. "So how much did Mother Dearest pay you off with?"
She proudly holds up five twenties. Jesus, these people are rich.
"Did your stitches hurt?"
"Nah, doc said they're going to scar over though. Blathered on about how if I'd gone in sooner that wouldn't happen."
"Well you should've."
"Shut it busybody. Says the ones on my head should come out on their own, but I need to go in for my arm in two weeks. And scars are cool."
"Scars are cool." She agrees.
In the corner of my eye, a woman holds her hand to her mouth. She starts to run over, and is followed by a man.
"OhmyGodMax!" She yells, then hugs Max. The guy stands a few feet off with his eyes wide open.
"We heard about what happened! How did you get out?" He then speaks.
I can feel my happiness and good vibes get sapped by the very ground beneath my feet. These must be some of the people Max traded me in for. I take out and light yet another cigarette, the gentle kick of nicotine helps me to not lose my cool. I flash the guy an evil eye as he looks at me. My teeth grind. I'm probably going to be a regular pack a day-er at this rate.
Max untethers herself. "Remember how I'd always talk about Chloe when I first came over? Uh… We… We were half way to Portland when the storm struck."
When you first came over? So, you did forget about me.
The two look around as if they can't see me. I decide to close the already short distance between Max and I to remove any doubts that I'm Chloe. "'Sup."
Max doesn't seem to have picked up that the two don't seem to like me yet. She simply smiles as the two look at me and her incredulously.
"So I guess the two of you are Ferdinand and Kristina?"
"So I guess the two of you are Ferdinand and Kristina?" Chloe looks like a human attack dog.
She's holding her cigarette in one hand, and the other is a fist. Not to mention I can tell she's grating her teeth. Her eyes are angry and unflinching.
Fernando scratches the back of his head. "Actually, it's Fernando and Kristen..." They both look uncomfortable.
Her posture doesn't exactly indicate she's feeling friendly. Not to mention the stitches visibly crisscrossing her arm and side of her head aren't helping things. The in-your-face blue hair, and still mud stained pants are probably adding to her intimidation factor to.
She takes a sudden step towards them.
Please don't kill my friends. Please don't my friends. Chloe please calm down.
She blinks twice before looking at the ground. Then back up at the sky. She puts her cigarette at her mouth, before dramatically exhaling a thin white smoke. A glance to both sides of her, she then throws it down on the floor. She crushes it while loudly sighing.
She gives a tight-lipped smile. "Alright then Fernando and Kristen. Nice to meet you. I'm Chloe." She puts her weight on her back leg and lets her arms drift at her sides. Both her hands are fists now. One of them slightly twitches out of anger.
Kristin breaks the silence, "We've heard so much about you from Max!"
"Mhmm. And what was that?"
She starts beaming, "How you'd always stick up for her against bullies and were her closest friend." She then frowns, "I kept telling her how she should call you, but she said it would only hurt you to stay contact if you were so far away."
Jeez, Kristen, way to throw me under the bus. And in less than a minute of meeting Chloe.
She stands and thinks about what Kristen just blurted out.
Apparently, it's to her standards and she relaxes.
"So how's old Maxine doing in lovely Seattle?"
"Wait, she lets you call her Maxine?" Ferdinand looks like he's just heard the biggest affront of his life. I constantly corrected him for over a year until he started getting my name right.
"No." Chloe smiles as she looks at me.
"Not giving you the satisfaction, Chloe."
She tilts her head and feigns annoyance. "I'm sorry MaxiPad."
"Back handed apologies don't count."
Her eyes roll.
I roll my eyes.
Fernando speaks up again, "I'd be happy she's even acknowledging you. She just pretends I don't exist when that happens."
Kristina step forward, "Yeah, Max has to totally love you- I thought she was gonna flip when I first called her Maxine. Also the last time I made that mistake."
I grin, "Aww! I always knew you loved me, Maxine." I can't tell if she turns red from anger or embarrassment, so I decide to change gears. "So how're the local bars? MiniMax fessed up that she drinks- and I'm not getting the clubber or partier vibe from her."
Fernando raises his eyebrows and shakes his head.
The local time traveller seems nervous. "Well anyway, it's my responsibility to show Chlo' around. Talk to you guys later?"
"Totally! And send us a text some time? It's like you dropped off the face of the Earth when you went back." Kristina is a bit too perky for my liking- I don't like her. Not in the I-Hate-You way, but the I-Don't-Like-You-Being-Friends-With-Max way. If that is a way.
"Will do once I get a new phone."
"Broke another one? Well, how about you, Chloe?"
I reach into my pocket and pull out one of my phone's halves. "I have one too many, so you can keep it if you want."
"Oh... Well, I live in Capital Hill, but Fernando is Max's neighbour, so we'll totally be able to find each other again." Fernando?
Max pulls at my arm, dragging me away and leaving them behind.
Ferdinando waves as I get dragged off. I like him less than Kristina. He doesn't seem like a bad person, a lot like Kristina- I just don't like him. Like, at all.
The only reason I was on edge earlier was because they caught me at a bad time, is all. I don't have any weird issues with Max knowing, hanging out, or being friends with anyone else, do I? I totally don't.
I roll my eyes at myself. If you say something often enough, that makes it true, right? Does that work on yourself?
Max tightens her grip on my arm as she briskly walks. I nearly trip before I decide to break it. "So your friends seem cool." A lie on several fronts.
"Yep."
"So… Is there any reason you're acting so weird right now? Like weirder than normal?"
"No. Why're you acting weirder than normal?"
"Smooth comeback, Max. Answer the question."
She squirms. "Just didn't expect to run into them so soon."
I shrug, as good a reason as any.
"I dunno, Chloe."
"Just trust me on this."
"Because trusting you is obviously a smart move."
"I resent that, Caulfield. Now bring that bony white ass out!"
I should've known that Chloe would immediately begin to change my own sense of fashion at the first opportunity. She's forcing me to buy nearly as much as she is in punkish shirts, cool jackets and torn jeans. Not that that's saying much- Chloe is way more careful, and stingy, with money than I thought. To the point of where she refused to go to a vending machine and get something to drink, despite complaining for half our trip over here about being thirsty.
I step out of the changing booth, and the blue haired bruiser-punk smiles manically. I look into the mirror, and see someone completely unlike Max Caulfield looking back out. Faded and torn pants, a red undershirt with some kind of machine spewing smoke, and a black jacket- like Chloe's.
"I like the look. PunkMax. Has a nice ring to it to." She leans on my shoulder. I blush slightly.
I really need to stop turning red at every little thing she does. Even if she doesn't notice it, I get embarrassed at myself- Making me turn red again. It's a vicious circle.
I step back inside and put my original clothes back on.
"C'mon MadMax, let's get out of here."
"Still have to pay."
"Ew. Way too practical."
We walk over to the cashier's line.
"Because getting arrested for shoplifting the same day my parents meet you again leaves a good first-impression."
"Only would get arrested because you can't run."
"Only would get arrested because you can't time travel."
She scowls. "How do you expect me to compete with time travel?"
"Don't know. Not my problem."
"Jesus, Max the Merciless."
"Ahem!" The twenty something cashier look at us expectantly. She makes the Please-Stop-Wasting-Everyone's-Time motion with her hands, prompting me and Chloe to step up.
I get a raised eyebrow and an amused look while I'm rung up. I guess the shirt I'm wearing that says Oh My Dog with a praying puppy contrasts with a black skull on a white background.
We stop at two other stores on our way home. The first stop is to buy some of the basics, like toothpaste and a brush. Chloe makes some unnecessary comment about someone using someone else's toothbrush, and how 'not cool' that can be. And the other for Chloe to get herself a new phone. I try to talk her out of it, since she's buying an old used one- and say how my parents would pay for an actually decent one, but she's adamant. Apparently, she even has her own plan. They said they used the cloud to get all her old contacts, messages and pictures back.
She just shook her head and complained about 'techno-magic'.
We get some fast food for the walk back.
By the time we're at my house, it's late evening.
I follow Max back up into her room.
"Dude, you can't just buy punk clothes, and then not wear them. That's like… Er, sacrilege."
"Where'd you even learn that word? And I wouldn't be talking, miss smelly blood stained stitch face."
I grasp my heart. "That hurt me on a personal level. I'm gonna take a shower and try to forget how betrayed I feel. You, meanwhile, better put on some new clothes."
The shower is hot. A nice change of pace, at least when compared to using a water bottle on the side of the road.
I take special attention to avoid getting my stitches wet- doctor said I'd get infected if it happened within two days. And I don't need that.
I gently rub my hair and think.
Any change of plans?
Change of plans?
Leaving in the night to avoid my last memories of Max being a nasty argument?
Oh.
Can't I just stay a few days? If only to spend more time with Max?
The same Max who stabbed me in the back five years ago? Who killed mom and dad? Who sent my entire town to hell? That Max? If she had never existed, none of this would have ever even happened!
I decide to close that door, and avoid the train of thought. I don't like it.
Max is one of the few things I remember from the happier parts of my childhood. And is a member of the even more select group of stuff that makes me smile. She's also the only thing still around from either of the two.
I turn off the water and dry myself off before putting on a towel and going to Max's room, where I left my new crap.
I open the door. Max is laying on top of her bed facing away from me, watching the TV. "Hey PunkMax." I can't see if she's actually put on her new stuff, it's too dark, but I'm willing to bet she did.
"Hey Chloe."
"Sup. Watchya' doing?" I drop the towel to get dressed.
"TV. Being bored."
"Think you'll get your phone fixed tomorrow?" I put on my jeans.
"Well, yeah, why wouldn't-" She turns around, "Jeez, Chloe! A little warning?!" She turns back again.
I pivot away and smile, "You knew exactly what I was doing, don't act like you weren't trying to enjoy the view. Perv." It's really way too much fun to tease Max. It's turning into some kind of hobby.
"Ugh. You're horrible."
"I'm not half as bad as some time travellers I know." I put on a shirt.
"I feel like I'm being singled out."
"Probably because you are. I've never gone back in time to lift a pack of cigarettes." I sit down in her desk chair and begin to spin around.
"So you don't want me to save your ass from getting arrested. Or get you something you're desperate for." She turns around again to look at me.
"Don't pretend to be so kind hearted. I know you stole that candy as well. And kept it for your own personal use. You're covering your own theft with pretending to do something nice for me. You truly are the lowest form of criminal."
"The candy is you saying 'thankyou', and a payment for services rendered."
"Now you're running a protection racket? You're worse than the mob. When can I expect a horse's head on my bed?" I stop spinning around. "Lets watch a movie!"
"Got anything in mind?"
"You still have Blade Runner? I think that was the last movie we watched before you left. Having a sleepover at the Caulfield's is starting to make me all mellow and nostalgic."
Max's smile fades away into unease. She looks like she's about to throw up. "O- Okay."
"…?" My eyebrows raise and I tilt my head.
She ignores my obvious curiosity and shakily gets up to look around for a CD.
I decide to try and coax her with conversation. "I promise I won't fall asleep like I used to."
I can hear her breathing pick up from here. Maybe a more direct approach is needed. "Is everything cool?"
"Yeah! Fine."
"I may be no Deckard," I think he's the one who outs the robots, right? "But you're certainly no Pris." I remember her at least. Her bangs were awesome. "What I'm trying to say Max, is that you're shit at lying."
"Just… Some memories. Trying to forget them."
"Oh. I feel that. A lot, actually. Different movie?"
"Well, keeping the sci-fi theme, maybe The Fifth Element?"
"Never heard of it, but sure."
She's much more at ease with this than Blade Runner, going by the fact she automatically knows where the CD is. Once the main menu loads up and she hits play, I ask "So… You wanna talk about it?"
"Talk about it?"
"You said you trying to forget some stuff. Want to let off some steam?"
"No really, I'm fine."
"KK." I let it drop. "So what's this movie about?"
"Well, evil incarnate is coming to ruin everything. It's up to Bruce Willis and a half mad red-haired girl to save the world."
"Ooh, riveting." The films starts and I throw myself on Max's bed.
"Ow, be more careful."
"Quiet Maxite, you're ruining the movie." She turns over and shoots me a fake pair of angry eyes. I smile is response.
I drift in and out of consciousness throughout the film. The last I remember of it, a crazy business guy named Zorg is shooting the hot red-head.
I get up and look around. It's the middle of the night and the movie's over. Max fell asleep to. At least she doesn't get to complain.
I carefully get up and grab my bag of clothes. Figure it would be smart to sleep in the guest room. Max probably would kick me out if she was still awake, considering how I tried to use her as a foot rest in the truck before.
I open a door next to Max's and walk in. Going by the fact there aren't two middle aged people sleeping on the bed, I assume it's the guest room.
I throw myself down and roll over.
I pull out my phone. No new messages. Not that I was expecting any. It was good luck the shop was able to get my images, texts and contacts. Not that I'm sure how they did it. I start to roll through the list of names and old texts that've been downloaded.
'Joyce Price'. I changed it to her name from 'mom' after a nasty argument. Happened just before I started my trend of running away for weeks at a time. The last message I sent her is a few weeks old. It's about how much I hate her. My eyes well up with tears.
'Asshole'. Short and to the point. David Madsen. I'd initially put it in as his name when I first met him. Shortly after that he hit me for the first time and I made it this. Never put it back. We never messaged once. Though I had to prune my voicemail weekly to delete his calls about me being a 'bad stepdaughter' or how I was 'ruining my life' and 'upsetting my mother'.
'Maxine Caulfield'. Max's old phone number, from when she left. I never deleted our texts. The last sent one reads "Dude, y r u avoiding me? Srsly not cool. Text back- It sucks here w/o u!" The last undelivered one, a few months after the fact says, "I fucking hate you so much max. I fucking you and my dad so goddamn much. I just wish everything would fucking burn."
'Back to the MaxTure'. A play on Back to the Future. A lame joke that doesn't work, but that's all I can come up with. I've spammed modern Max with various texts over the past week.
'Rachel Amber'. I scroll through our messages. Six months since she sent me one. Six days since I sent her one.
It reads "I know you won't get this. All my messages since you left never got delivered. I'm sending this for my sake.
I miss you. A lot. But I'd like to think you'd still want me to be happy. That being said, you'll never guess who I found at BlackHell today. Max Caulfield. Talk about weird.
I'm pissed that you left me behind, and I'll never forgive you for it, but I hope you're not begging for change on a street corner.
Mildly good wishes, C."
An exclamation in a circle shows it never got received. My eyes water.
'Nathan PissScott'. I only have his number because I was trying to blackmail him for his drug shit, after he abducted me. Most of the texts are him freaking out and me setting up a meeting. I haven't gotten around to deleting him yet. I move my thumb over the button to remove it, but I hesitate and stop.
I figure that I should torture myself and keep it. All of it.
I should have a constant reminder of how everyone and everything has always tried to fuck me over. How the only person I can trust is myself. I blink away tears.
…
He's standing over me. His smile is disgusting.
He then lays down next me, a light flashes. I feel disgusting.
"You like that, don't you?"
He rolls over and crawls at me with the camera.
I blink. I can barely feel myself.
"Sucks that you're not Rachel, but…"
The memory is slowly coming back. I tried to steal some money off of him. Should've been an easy enough mark. Another drunk rich kid. He must've slipped something in my drink.
My heart rate skyrockets. I turn my head and try to raise my arm.
My vision is blurred to hell.
"The fuck? Dumb bitch, you're supposed to stay down!" I see him reach for some kind of needle. I think.
Instinct kicks in and I recklessly kick at him, knocking him to the side. Another thrash sends a lamp over.
I run for the door.
I stumble down a flight of stairs into the campus green. I'm at Blackwell.
It's the middle of the night.
The Academy and streets are deserted.
I shamble in a dazed, yet panicked, confusion to 'home'.
Of course my keys are missing. I slump over as I check the windows to see if I can go through an open one.
I give up and clumsily knock at the door. David opens it.
"What the hell do you think you're doing out this late and coming home? I told you a dozen times already. Don't come back here unless you're going to live by my rules."
"…"
"Jesus, and you're high!? Thank God your mother is sleeping. Dammit Chloe, get your act together! You better not have anything still on you." He steps forward and tries to pat me down.
I stumble away and force him off me. "G-Go to fucking hell you prick!"
He smacks me. I swing at him and miss. He grabs my throat and throws me against the wall. "Goddammit! Pull yourself together soldie- Chloe!"
I'm choking back tears with all my might. His expression softens.
He lets go. "Please Chloe, please. Just try to do better." The voice is tired and beat.
I shamble up the stairs and into my room. The door closes with my back against it.
I slide to the floor and quietly sob.
…
I hear a door click and I shoot up.
Vanessa is standing in front of me. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you." She sounds sincere.
"Is there a reason you're interrupting a bad night's sleep?" My own voice is dry and sarcastic.
She sighs, "You and I both know you're bad news for Max. She's a good kid, and doesn't need someone dragging her down."
"I beg your pardon?" Is this some kind of weird joke? I should wait to see what she's talking about before flipping out at Max's mom.
"I don't mean to sound rude Love, but I know people like you quite well. In the end, whether your fault or not, you're going to get into trouble, and bring Max down with you. And it's going to keep happening until her future is as bright as yours." She pauses. "I know you and Max are old friends. I'd like to think you care about her well being. And It's because of that I wouldn't be surprised if you plan on leaving already, flighty nature aside. Because deep down, you know what I'm saying is true."
She's not wrong. I open my mouth to tell her to go to hell all the same.
"Now before you start ranting, I know life hasn't exactly been fair to you. As… a thank you for leaving without a ruckus, and a means of my condolences, I'd like for you to have this."
She gently places an envelope on the bed, near my feet. She looks at me expectantly.
I reach over and open it. It's filled with money.
"It's my private rainy day fund. Ryan nor Max will know you have it. Five grand to get you wherever you want and pay for a hotel with food for a while. All I'm asking is that you help me, help Max."
My head is spinning. I don't want to leave Max.
… But it's what I've been planning to do.
If I stayed, this would be happening anyway, just with Ryan and a swift kick out the door. Likely with Max shouting at me, leaving our last memories of each other even more bitter than when we first parted.
"…"
She sees me thinking. "If it helps, the fact you're considering this means you can only cause harm."
I numbly grab my phone, keys, and clothes with the money. 'I'm helping Max' is the mantra I repeat in my head.
This is something I have to do. I can't go through it all over again. Not after Dad. Not after Max left the first time. Not after Rachel died. Not now that mom is gone.
I can't deal with getting attached to anyone again, only to get stabbed in the back. Or even just left behind.
"Thank you" She says as I drift past her.
I blankly twist the keys and start the ignition. I'm dumbfounded as I deftly pull on to the highway and start driving aimlessly.
I grip the steering wheel tighter. "I fucking hate everything."