Just as a note on new scheduling – we'll be aiming to update this story on every 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month (after this chapter). And 'Moonlight Tale' every 1st and 3rd Sunday.

Don't forget you can all come hang with me and others on discord for our LIS fan-made sequel game based on the fanfic 'Butterfly Wings' to follow developments, volunteer or just chat: discord. gg /9peBgHN (remove spaces cuz fanfic don't like links)

Chapter Twenty-Two: Unpredictable

Rachel's POV - Late Evening

After coming back from the junkyard, Max and I got ready for the Vortex Club party. With our newly acquired - and free - dresses on and makeup done, we made our way to Blackwell's pool. It would be very interesting to see how tonight played out. I kept a tight hold of the brunette as we made it to the door, let inside without issue. Without my blackmail material, Victoria would've probably kicked up a fuss but I suspected that she'd be giving us a wide berth tonight.

Once inside, I was hit by a mixture of weed, sweat, and booze. The bassline rocked me to my very core, vibrating the entire space. Flashing strobe lights illuminated faces in the writhing crowd, plunged into darkness once more a few seconds later. Eager to get into the heart of the action, I kept tight hold of Max's hand and pulled her forward. She seemed a little reluctant and stiff but followed me anyway.

Now deep into the action, I offered her a smile and began to dance. When I noticed her looking even more awkward, I shook my head and grabbed hold of her arms, trying to get her to loosen up a bit.

"Come on, Max," I shouted over the music and other voices. "Let that inner mosher out already!"

Still looking hesitant, she too began dancing… well, the loosest definition of the term possible. At least she was actually doing something instead of standing there awkwardly, looking like she'd rather be anywhere else. The more time passed, the more relaxed she got. She still remained on edge but nowhere near as much as when she'd first entered here.

The crowd shuffled around, pushing us closer. When it seemed like we might get separated, I made sure to jostle my way back. With all the parties I'd been to, I was a pro at it. Between that and all the play fights I'd been in with Chloe as an opponent, I could hold my own. And with Max's rewind, nobody stood a chance against our combined forces.

After an unknown time dancing, I pulled her to the side and leaned in close so she could hear me. "Phew, pretty intense in there, huh?"

Exhaling deeply, she nodded. "Yeah, just a little."

My eyes wandered over to the VIP section, the back section of the pool room. Grinning, I took hold of her hand. "Time for a change of scenery, I think."

Before she could say a single syllable, I dragged her across the room to the VIP entrance, careful not to get pushed over too close to the pool. The girl at the table gave Max a strange look, cross-checking our names and finally letting us in behind the curtain. The second we entered inside, several pairs of eyes turned to us. Some smiled, others frowned and one or two continued to ignore our existence… no prizes for guessing who.

Hayden was sat on a couch over to the left, smoking with Nathan. He waved us over lazily. "Heeey, Rach and… uh…" he stopped mid-sentence, eyes narrowing at the brunette beside me.

"Max. Geez, Hayden, you are already so high," I chuckled at his dazed expression.

"Pfft, not high enough," he replied, hand limply brushing me off. "Rachel and Max, looking totally hot by the way."

Passing a glance Max's way, I smiled. "Aren't you a charmer?"

"I try," he grinned back, pointing to the free space on the couch. "Why don't you come join us? More the merrier."

While I didn't usually pass up the chance to get high, there were a few other things I had to do before chilling out. "Maybe later. Got a few other people to catch up on first."

"What, like Victoria?" He scoffed, taking a hit from the bong before passing it on to Nathan. "You're definitely gonna need to be high if you talk to her."

Frowning, the blonde boy glared at him. "And what's that supposed to mean, dude?"

Nathan had been very quiet until now, although I did catch him staring at Max a few times. I suspected jealousy. The brunette seemed to have noticed too, shuffling uncomfortably under his intense gaze.

Holding up his hands, Hayden continued. "Sorry, I know you guys are tight, but… ah, forget it. Don't kill my buzz, man." He took the bong back, ending that particular conversation.

"Now, now, no need for an alpha male display," I lightly teased.

Shrugging, he leaned back. "Whatever. Just hurry up and talk to whoever it is you wanna talk to before we smoke all this by ourselves."

If I knew Nathan well, which I liked to think I did enough, he would have a lot of weed on hand. "Somehow, I think you actually could. I'll come chill with you guys soon, okay. I mean, you always have the best shit, Nathan."

"Unlike most people, I can pay for the good stuff," he replied, almost bragging. "I probably keep Frank in business what with all the freeloaders."

Wincing for effect, I laughed. "Ouch, I'm one of the aforementioned freeloaders… but I get your point."

"That other chick you used to hang around with was way worse," he muttered as he took the bong back.

"She just wasn't as subtle or charming... no offense to Chloe," I added as an afterthought, looking over at Max.

At the mention of Chloe, her face fell just a fraction. I had to wonder if we would ever find the bluenette again. Either, she was off on her own adventures as far away from Arcadia as she could get, or...

"Shame she didn't come to the parties while she was still around. Bet she was a wild one," Hayden theorized, sounding a little disappointed.

I knew from experience that much was true. "Something like that. Anyways, see you guys in a bit."

"Not like we're going anywhere," Hayden pointed out with a shrug.

Next on my list of people to see, Dana and Juliet. They were busy dancing together, having a blast from the looks of it. When they noticed Max and me, they called out to us.

Smiling, Dana approached us with Juliet not too far behind. "Surprised to see you in here, to be honest. What with Victoria. Figured she might have put some barricades up."

"Or a mounted machine gun," Juliet suggested. "Wouldn't put it past her to go to the extreme."

"Neither would I," I agreed, smirking at the mental image. "Turf wars at Blackwell are already crazy enough. Luckily, we got in no problem."

Dana gave us both a once-over, nodding approvingly. "Loving the dresses. Where'd you get them from?"

"The store in town, near the Two Whales. Lots of good bargains there…" Knowing the backstory behind our outfits for tonight, I passed a smirk to my accomplice. "Especially if you know the right people, right Max?"

Attention now turned to her, Max cleared her throat. "I… yeah, I guess."

Seeming distracted for a split second by something, Juliet shook her head. "Oh, be careful by the way. Logan's on the prowl and he's high as a kite. So, even less of a filter than normal."

"Yeah, he's already been hanging around us. I swear, if he comes over again…" Dana sighed, a hint of menace in her tone.

"Thanks for the warning but he's nothing I can't handle," I asserted confidently. When you got as much attention as I did, you learned to deal with it.

"That warning was more for Max than you, Rach," Dana clarified. "We all know you can deal with, well, pretty much anyone."

A little surprised by the comment directed at her, Max bit her lip. "Oh, uh, thanks then. I don't think I'll have to worry, though."

Juliet didn't seem too convinced by that. "Uh-huh, right."

"Shit, girl. Modesty is overrated. With both you and Rach together, it'll be like moths to a flame," Dana mentioned with a grin.

I couldn't help but feel just a little smug. "Now are you going to start believing me, Max? It's not just me saying it. I'll get you to see it one day."

Just as she was about to answer, no doubt with some self-depreciative comment, I spotted Logan heading our way out of the corner of my eye. Curious to see how this would play out, I didn't even try to stop the oncoming chaos.

He staggered over, a dumb grin plastered to his face. Frustrated, Dana glared at him. "Fuck off already, Logan."

"Aw, c'mon don't be like that," he managed, words slurred. It took him a second to notice me and Max, grin widening. "Fancy seeing you here, Rach. And with a friend too. Don't think I've seen you around before."

"That's because Max has been a major wallflower up till this point." Not wanting him to start going on the offensive, I wrapped my arms protectively around Max's waist. "Hate to break it to you, but she's already taken."

Dana passed Juliet an amused glance before turning her attention back to us. "Oh, taken, huh?"

"Taken by who, exactly?" her friend echoed, crossing her arms.

I winked at them, knowing that they had already figured it out. "That's a secret."

Suddenly, Logan turned extremely pale making a dash for the bathroom. His sudden exit raised a few eyebrows.

"Guess he's drunk too much," Juliet observed, watching him sprint away.

Relaxing, Dana let out a soft sigh. "At least it gets rid of him."

Looking at the drinks' counter, I decided that we should move on. "I think that's our cue to leave, too. We need some drinks."

Nodding, Dana glanced over to where Victoria and her clones were congregated. "I hear that, especially with Victoria on the warpath."

"She is totally giving you a death glare, Rachel," Juliet pointed out.

That really didn't surprise me in the slightest. "Tell me something I don't already know."

"Can we try to avoid her, please?" Max asked sheepishly.

Pulling her over to the corner, I smiled. "Only for you, Max."

I grabbed us some drinks and we headed back over to where Nathan and Hayden were chilling out for a while. At first, Max seemed a little reluctant to drink or smoke, but she eventually gave both a chance again with some coaxing. That definitely helped her loosen up and it showed when we got back on the dancefloor. This time, she didn't seem to care much about other people, just doing her own thing. Sure, it was still awkward as hell, but in a cute way.

Narrowly avoiding getting hit in the face by one of her flailing arms, I slid closer and pinned her arms to her side with a hug. "Whoa, careful. I won't be happy getting a broken nose… and neither will the rest of Blackwell."

"Shit, sorry… got carried away," the brunette apologized.

Not bothered at all, I shook my head. "So, you getting carried away equals me almost getting a punch to the face? I'll have to keep that in mind, won't I?" When she tensed up slightly, I bumped my head lightly against hers. "Geez, Max, don't worry. I'm kidding. If in doubt, I always am."

Allowing herself a small smile, she relaxed. "Yeah, I think I've worked that much out."

"Oh, you have, huh? Guess I need to start being a little more… unpredictable." In keeping with my promise/threat, I suddenly took hold of her cheeks and kissed her.

I felt her jump a little, confused and slightly dazed. Already, I could feel eyes on us, my intention from the start. When I was certain enough people had seen, I pulled back curious to see what she would do next.

Would she rewind?