Hey guys, welcome back. So, this one should be… fun.

Chapter Twelve: A Not So Simple Request

Rachel's POV – Blackwell – Early Evening

With Max visiting Joyce and David, something I suspected might take a while, I decided to go for a walk around the campus grounds. There would be very few people around right now, most returning to their dorm rooms for the evening.

Grabbing my jacket, I headed on out of the Prescott Dormitory. There was a slight chill in the air, making me sink further into my jacket and shove my hands in the pockets. Daylight was just about clinging on, barely. As I walked through the grounds, I managed to get my piece of shit lighter to work long enough to get a cigarette going. I seriously needed to get a new one at some point.

Taking a deep breath, I inhaled the smoke, exhaling it seconds later. I began to wonder what inevitable bullshit warnings David would try to give Max about me. He was like a dog with a bone, refusing to let it go. What he didn't seem to understand was that Chloe was at least as fucked up as I was, if not more. Sure, I may have encouraged certain behaviors but she was just as capable of doing them without my input. She was no angel, far from it, and that's why I liked her.

I spent enough time around people like Victoria Chase, people trying to pretend they were flawless – hell, even I did it when the occasion called. Chloe, on the other hand… there were no pretenses. You got what you saw for the most part, and she wasn't afraid to show it either. If she was angry, she'd let you know, smash things and scream if she felt like it. Much simpler than people who hid behind numerous smokescreens. Sure, she had her secrets and masks, but not as many as most people. She didn't need or want approval… well, from most people. I may have been an exception to that rule.

Running my fingers through my hair, I let out a deep sigh. Why had things gotten so damn complicated? They would still be complicated even if she was around, of course, but… maybe a better complicated? Or maybe it would have been the same, or worse. Either way, it didn't really matter. Things were how they were. Chloe wasn't here, and I was. Simple as.

With the moment of doubt out of my system, I rolled my shoulders and threw the still smoking cigarette to the ground, stomping out the embers. Instead of heading back, I sat down by the fountain to clear my head. Not much point in going back yet. Even as social as I was, there were times where I just needed a little alone time.

By the time Max dropped me a text telling her she was on her way back, I had gotten the anti-social side of me out of my system. Just in time.

Max: on my way

Max: super awkward car journey…

Rachel: don't envy u there

A mischievous grin tugged at my lips as I formed my next text, hitting send and waiting for the reaction.

Rachel: just imagine David in his boxers or something

Rachel: might help him seem less threatening

Max: oh god…

Max: now that's WORSE

Rachel: happy to help :p

Rachel: i have a counter measure

Max: dare I ask?

If anyone thought my grin was broad before, it was nothing compared to now. This would be a small test to see just how much I could get away with.

Rachel: imagine ME in my underwear

Rachel: sure that's a better mental image

Max: i dunno about that…

Rachel: u are such a bitch

Rachel: My bitch ;)

Rachel: jk love ya x

Max: i can see why chloe hung around with you

Rachel: i'll take that as a compliment

Since Max hadn't totally ignored my texts, I took that as a small victory. If she had totally shut me down, that would have been a major sign to back off. I'd seen Max's type before. If she came across something she didn't want to face, she'd simply avoid it – forever, if possible.

Figuring it was time to head back, I stood and made my way to the Prescott Dorm building. When I entered my room, I tidied up a little to pass the time, gathering up empty bottles tucked away, scrap pieces of paper and clothes. As tempting as it might be to leave certain things out on display for Max to find and get all embarrassed about, I didn't want to completely scare her off.

For someone like Max, a less aggressive sales pitch would work better.

Waiting, I kicked off my shoes and threw my jacket back on the chair. Turning the Hi-Fi on, I flopped back onto my bed, grabbing a magazine in the process. It didn't take long for her to return, knocking and pushing the door open a crack to see if I was in.

"Rachel?"

"On the bed," I called back, watching the door swing open further. "Honestly, no need to knock, Max. Mi casa es su casa. Speaking of houses, how'd it go at Chloe's?"

Max sighed heavily as she stepped inside and closed the door. "Not as many answers as I'd hoped. David gave me this." She took a file out of her bag. "Everything he's found out about Chloe's disappearance."

I sat up, watching her intently. "You did a better job of pacifying him than me."

Putting the file on my desk, she trudged over to me and sat down. "He doesn't seem to like you much."

That was a gross understatement. "Nope, he really doesn't. Guess I can't blame him really. Thing is, I miss her too and yet I'm being cast as the bad guy."

Giving me a searching look, Max continued, "Well, he really seemed to be holding a grudge."

"Exactly why I didn't come with you," I pointed out, having too much experience with David's rage. "I get on fine with Joyce. It's just David. He has a really strange way of showing he cares. I don't hold it against him. Lemme guess, he told you to stay away from me, that I'm trouble."

"In more words, yes," Max revealed.

I leaned back on my hands, shaking my head. "Honestly, I think he's more angry at himself than anyone but it's easier to blame other people, right? In that way, him and Chloe aren't so different. If I ever told either of them that, I'd probably get hit. So, we'll keep that as our secret."

Nodding, Max relaxed back into the wall. "At least I got to see Joyce again. She looks… older, more tired, but still the same. I might go see her again at some point."

"Knowing Joyce, she'd really appreciate that. She's talked up a storm about you before…" I divulged, "…when Chloe wasn't around. You were kind of a sensitive topic sometimes."

Max's face dropped, full of regret as she bit her lip. "I can imagine…"

She really did look like a kicked puppy. "Enough with the guilty face. What's done is done. You have to keep looking forward, learning from mistakes not dwelling on them. It'll eat you up, otherwise. Anyway, enough about that… I'd rather talk about tomorrow. It's your birthday, right? Anything planned?" I inquired curiously.

Her expression shifted then to something much brighter. "A kind of a joint celebration thing with Kate. Her birthday was on the 12th so we just decided to wait until mine to do things. She said you can come along too."

"That's sweet of her, but I wouldn't want to intrude. So long as I can have the evening, I'm happy to share." I passed a wink her way, knowing that the intended meaning would probably be lost on her. Can't blame a girl for trying.

As predicted, it went right over her head. "Oh how kind of you."

Shrugging it off, I grinned. "I know, right? My generosity knows no bounds. It's all good, it'll give me time to prepare some things."

Max seemed worried by my over-eagerness. "Sounds ominous."

My smile turned as innocent as I could make it. "Not at all. I'll save the wild parties for later. Plenty of opportunities throughout the year."

"Great…"

"Mark my words, in a couple months you'll be thriving off that shit," I reassured, fully intending to make that a reality – sooner if possible. "Until then, we'll have something a little more… private. You'll have me all to yourself. Sounds good, right?"

My directness seemed to catch Max a little off guard. "Uh, sure."

Tomorrow would be the first test of many for dear little Max...

Rachel's Room – Next Day - Late Afternoon

Bored, I scrolled through my social media feed and replied to a few messages while I waited for Max to return. She and Kate had gone off for their cute little birthday tea party thing, something Max had been clearly excited for. It was pretty adorable, actually.

I'd spent the day schmoozing with other Blackwell students, as usual. Victoria had been avoiding me all day, such a nice change. Of course, she offered me a glare or two but no biting sarcastic insults. I wondered how far I could push her to keep that little photo a secret. For Victoria, her pride was paramount. A photo of her seemingly making out with her arch enemy was not something she would want to be made public.

While I was pondering the Queen Bee's fate, Max put in an appearance. She had a pretty broad grin plastered to her face.

"Soooooo… how'd it go with our resident cutie?" I asked, eager to get the details.

Max seemed confused for a moment. "You mean Kate?"

I gave her a firm pat on the back. "Who else would I mean? Well, there might be one other person deserved of such a title." I gave her a meaningful look, hoping she might get the hint. "In this instance, I am referring to Kate."

A gentle smile tugged at Max's lips. "It was really great. We had a tea banquet in the forest and exchanged birthday presents. Kate did me an awesome drawing. She's super talented." She fished it out of her bag, offering it to me.

In Kate's usual cartoon style were two characters, one obviously representing Max and the other Kate. They were smiling, having a ton of fun. The main feature was surrounded by smaller drawings, just as adorable.

I glanced up at Max, who seemed very happy with the present. Guess I might have a little competition at this rate... "You're right. That is so adorable. I'm kinda jealous. You'd better put it up on display."

"I'm going to," she agreed enthusiastically, returning it carefully to her bag pressed between books so as not to ruin it. "Might get a frame for it first…"

"Well, I'm glad to hear you had a good time. And the fun don't stop just yet." I allowed myself a smile as I got up and retrieved a couple of beers. With how socially awkward Max was, it would help her loosen up a little.

"We're… drinking?" Max asked, watching me pop the top of the first beer skeptically. She would need a little convincing, it seemed.

"Come on, Max. If you don't try it, how will you ever know if you like it or not?" I asked, waving the bottle coaxingly. "It's your birthday for fuck's sake, the perfect time to cut loose. And I promise I won't tell anyone if that's what you're worried about. What happens in this room stays right here."

She continued to eye up the bottle, eventually shrugging and taking the bottle. "Fuck it."

After the past couple of weeks, everything she had seen and experienced, drinking beer was probably low on her list of risks. Decisively, she brought the bottle to her lips, taking a large gulp.

In all honesty, I was surprised with the pacing. "Whoa, slow down there. No rush or anything."

Lowering the bottle and swallowing, she pulled a funny face. "It tastes kinda…"

"Shit?" I finished the sentence for her. "Yeah sorry, tried to get the best stuff I could. Not great considering my limited budget. You'll get used to it in no time once it starts numbing your taste buds."

"How… reassuring," she muttered. Despite her hesitation, she took another sip.

I joined her with my own beer, taking a swig. "If anyone needs a drink, Max, it's you. I'm not selling beer as the magical cure to end all problems, but it helps take the edge off." After a few more sips, giving Max time to acclimatize, I turned to her. "So, how you feeling?"

"Weird…" she replied. "Kinda fuzzy? Warm, very warm."

"I don't start feeling that until like my third beer now. Oh the simple days when getting drunk was cheap," I lamented, drowning my sorrows in more cheap beer.

"You drink a lot?" Max asked, a flicker of worry present in her question.

Tilting my head to the side, I shrugged. "Hmm… not all the time. When I do drink, I really go for it. Now, you should've seen Chloe at it. She was a pretty loud and obnoxious drunk, more so than usual anyhow." I smiled, Chloe's drunken episodes all blending into one, too many to differentiate between.

Max tapped her fingers against her own beer bottle, managing a fond smile. "I remember one time we found some of Joyce's wine. Of course, Chloe wanted to try some… we ended up spilling it all over the carpet. Despite our best efforts… it was painfully visible."

"Huh, Chloe's neglected to tell me that one," I chuckled, imagining the scene in my head. "I bet you guys were bricking it."

"I sure was," Max confirmed. "Joyce just found it funny, so did William. In fact, he nearly always found a way to bring it back to that and tease me."

"He sounds like fun." I'd heard tidbits of information about William Price. It was a raw and painful topic for the Price family, even Joyce struggling to bring him up sometimes.

A flicker of melancholy entered Max's eyes and voice then. "He was. Gave Chloe a run for her money, that's for sure. Not many people can do that."

"I've seen that truth many times firsthand. They keep trying, though instead of graciously accepting defeat." How many people had Chloe bested over the years? Completely humiliated; she wasn't a very forgiving opponent.

Max didn't say anything for a while, silently drinking. One beer, well half right now, seemed to be enough to get her loose, tear down the verbal barrier. "You know, I have a feeling she probably met her match in you."

I was more than a match for Chloe Price. "You wouldn't be too far wrong there, Max. Some days, I think she appreciated the challenge."

"And other days?" she pressed curiously.

I shook my head, smiling. "It annoyed the fuck outta her. So competitive…"

"Guess that part of her didn't change," Max added before taking a smaller sip of beer.

"It probably got worse, and that girl cheated like hell. To be fair, so did I, but still… no such thing as a fair fight with Chloe Price." I reminisced, thinking of all the petty arguments we'd had over our mutual cheating. "Anyway, enough about that. I think it's present time, don't you?"

"I'm game," Max replied eagerly, putting her bottle on the side for now.

I stood up, getting a small box from one of my shelves, bringing it back to the bed. Once seated again, I passed it her way. "Now, I put a lot of thought and effort into this so I hope you like it."

Keen to see what I had gotten for her, Max opened the box as quickly as she could. Inside was a thin woven friendship bracelet, red and blue strands intertwined with a silver 'M' hanging from one alongside a small camera charm.

She stared at it for a moment, carefully taking it out to get a better look. "Shit, Rachel, this is awesome. Did you make this?"

"You bet I did." I grinned, motioning for her to hand it over so I could help her get it on. "I figured you'd be all over this sentimental shit… and I'm broke as fuck, so benefits both of us."

Max looked down at her wrist, turning it over to get a good look. "Thank you, Rachel. This is… the best."

I gave her a moment to take it in before continuing, "On top of that, I'll do what I usually do with Chloe: give you one request you can use as and when you want. Since we both blew our hard stolen dimes on weed and booze, it was much easier that way. If it's something I can do, I will. So, keep that in mind."

Finally looking up from the bracelet, Max gave me a questioning look. "What kind of requests?"

"What, that Chloe asked for? Or that you can ask for?" I hoped she would ask about the former, get her curious about certain options.

She gave it some thought, deciding which she wanted to know the answer to. "Both."

Smiling, I tackled the blue-haired punk first. "Chloe asked for all kinds of things with her special birthday requests. One year, she asked for some pictures."

"Pictures?" She didn't seem to get what was so special about that.

"Yeah, 'special' pictures." Max didn't seem to understand, making me chuckle. Playing on her curiosity, I kept my explanation vague. "Well, maybe if you ask for the same, you'll find out. Or you can try and find out where she stashed them in her room, good luck with that."

Moving on, Max pressed for more detail. "What else did she ask for?"

"My, so curious." I knew that some of the things our mutual friend had asked for would certainly be too much for Max right now. "I'm not sure how Chloe would feel if I told you the rest. Let's just say, you'd be surprised and leave it at that."

Not missing a beat, Max shrugged. "Okay, then what can I ask for?"

"The only limits are your imagination… and my own personal thresholds." I added a flirtatious grin for good measure before pressing forward. "Big choking point for me is obviously money, don't have much of that. Aside from that… I'm open for and able to do pretty much anything. Just make it worthwhile."

Considering this for a moment, she spoke again. "Is there anything you definitely won't do?"

"An interesting question… one Chloe certainly didn't ask." I really did have to give this one some thought. "I'm all for risks, but if there is over a seventy percent chance that I'll die from it, I'm probably going to decline."

"Seventy?!" Max exclaimed incredulously. "That's… still really high."

"I'm not suicidal, but I am willing to leave it up to chance. The higher the risk, the bigger the rush, but there's no point going into something practically knowing it's impossible. No fun in that," I replied nonchalantly.

"Okay… anything else?"

There were other things I couldn't do, something Chloe knew all too well. "Yes, but… we'll worry about those later if they do come up. It might not even apply to you. There was a request Chloe was particularly fixated on, as many times as I denied it."

Max looked a little worried now. "Was it really that bad?"

"Not bad per se…" it was difficult to explain without outright stating it… and it wasn't relevant right now. "If I'd have done what she asked, it would've been a lie. I don't think that's the best use of the request for either of us. Not that she saw it like that…" Eager to move on, I steered the topic back on track. "I'll let you know when you want to use it, though. I'm curious to see how, honestly. So get creative and all. Oh, and there's one more thing I had in mind, something for luck."

"Yeah?"

"Want it?" I asked with a hint of playful allure.

"What is it?" she asked suspiciously.

"Max… humor me. Please." Her eyes met mine, trying to figure out what I had in store for her. Eventually, she gave a tentative nod. "Eyes closed and don't move."

Still not convinced, she predictably asked another question. "What happens if I move?"

"It won't work, that's what happens," I replied simply. "Now, stop asking questions and do it."

Looking a little hesitant, Max did as I asked. "Okay, so…"

I put my finger on her lips, silencing her. "Max, just… chill out for a sec. Some things don't need words. Whatever question you're about to ask, it'll get answered."

Considering it for a moment, Max kept her mouth shut. I could tell it was killing her not being able to ask questions, just waiting. After some time, I took her hands in mine, making her jump slightly. Unable to help myself, I chuckled at her jumpiness. It was interesting watching her face shifting, cycling between curiosity, confusion, anticipation, and self-consciousness. As tempting as it was to leave her hanging she might give up on being patient.

Curious to see how she would react to this, I smile as I leaned in and stole a kiss from her. It was brief, it had to be otherwise Max would start asking questions again. The moment our lips touched, her eyes opened to see just what the hell was going on. I offered her a charming smile, our faces pretty close now.

For a second or two, she just stared at me, like a deer in the headlights. It was a priceless expression. Then came the stuttered part sentences that never got the chance to become whole in the wake of confusion. Her eyes searched mine, trying to find some rhyme or reason. I let her squirm for a few seconds, seeing the notable shifts in thought.

"So, feeling luckier now?" When Max still didn't answer, my smile broadened and I lightly patted her on the cheek. "Well, you can get back to me on that."

So, Rachel is starting to dig her claws in. Gettin' that Amberfield rolling. How will that turn out? Will she be able to get her own way easily or will Max provide a challenge? Stay tuned to find out!