Hey, welcome to the technically considered part 2 of chapter 4! I'm adding an actual basement to Chloe's house. My story, my rules :D
Do note that I haven't actually seen The Conjuring 2 yet, so I'll be bullshitting this the entire way xD.
And I also realized that I make Max and Chloe smile at each other a lot and Max blushes frequently. Oh well, it's cute. And I think that's what happens when you have a crush. Right?
...
~I've got better luck in my head
Playing poker with the dead...~
"Okay. Let's lay down some ground rules."
Rachel paced in front of Chloe and Max, who were seated side by side on Chloe's couch. Chloe was reclined against the back with her feet up on the table and crossed at the ankles, her arms comfortably slung along the back. Max was sitting forward a bit, her hands pressed between her knees. Her foot was tapping slightly despite her best efforts to stop..
"There are three of us now, not two. Which means this gets a little bit harder for you guys as far as hiding places go." Rachel said. "Backyard and basement are permitted to use-"
"You're giving permission on what can be used in my house?" Chloe laughed.
"Don't sound so salty, Chlo." Rachel said, but smiled. "You never minded me taking control before."
Chloe took a sharp inhale and looked down. Max's eyes widened slightly and she blushed. Was Rachel insinuating that she and Chloe had a thing together?
Rachel cleared her throat, realizing her mistake. If she wanted her best friend to be happy with Max, she really shouldn't make jokes about their previous relationship when she was around. "Anyway," she continued. "No loud screaming. We don't need the cops showing up here again."
"Again?" Max asked, looking to Chloe.
Chloe laughed nervously and scratched near her jaw. "Funny story. When we first officially started this tradition, Rachel had the nerve to hide a Jason mask from me when she came over and put it on. Scared the shit outta me."
Max and Rachel laughed, and Chloe rolled her eyes. "You laugh now, Caulfield, but I nearly gave the next door neighbor a heart attack."
"You were that loud?" Max said.
"I'm honestly surprised she didn't shatter any windows." Rachel said. She looked at Max. "And don't worry, I don't have any masks on me today." She clapped her hands together. "Last rule. You must start out in separate locations. Any questions?"
"Just one." Max said. "How long does this go on for?"
"Until you're both caught." Rachel grinned wickedly.
"Are we ready?" Chloe said, sitting up. When Max nodded, Chloe pointed at Rachel. "You go stand outside."
"Yes, ma'am." Rachel said and took off for the door.
Chloe stood up and looked at Max, holding her hand out to her. Max took it slowly and Chloe pulled her up, giving her a smile. "We have thirty seconds to hide. Since you don't know my house very well, come with me."
Max nodded and felt a smile break out on her face when Chloe gently tugged her with her. Their pace turned into a light run up the stairs and Chloe opened the door to her room. Max looked around, trying to take in what she could of Chloe's bedroom. She didn't get much. Chloe slid open her closet door and was easing her to it. Max wedged her way in and Chloe grinned at her.
"See you soon, Maximus." she said with a wink.
The door was slid shut and Max could see Chloe's silhouette rushing from the room, closing the door as she left. Max leaned against the wall, sighing. Did Chloe really just come up with a nickname for her? And wink at her again? She felt the heat rising in her cheeks and made a mental note to find a way to stop blushing so much, especially when it came to Chloe.
~a little later~
Max had moved to a sitting position on the floor with her knees pulled up to her chest and her arms wrapped around her legs. She couldn't see anything since the sun had finished setting in the time she'd been sitting in the closet. Every little noise was creeping her out, from the birds outside to the creaks of the house settling.
What is taking Rachel so long in finding me? Max thought. From what she'd seen of Chloe's house in the small amount of time she'd been there, it didn't seem all that big. Remember, Max. They've known each other for years. They could have hundreds of hiding places you don't know about. And Rachel's checking all of them.
The small brunette huffed quietly through her nose and leaned her head back, closing her eyes. She didn't really know how long her eyes were closed, but she knew when they snapped open to a sound that was out of place. It was low and worn out creak of the floorboards. There was a long silence that followed sans Max was holding her breath. She may have known that it was Rachel hunting her down, but the suspense of when she'd find her still made her scared.
There was another creak that seemed like it was near the bed. But Max's ears did have a tendency to play tricks on her. She strained to listen closer, but could only pick up that strange ringing you get in your ears when it's been quiet long enough.
Without warning, the closet door slid open and Max looked up in fright when a hand clamped down over her mouth just as she opened it. She squirmed a bit, trying to escape the grasp.
"Woah, hey, Max!" a familiar voice said in a whisper. "It's me! Chloe!"
Max stopped struggling and grabbed Chloe by the wrist, pulling her hand away. "Are you trying to-"
"Shh!" Chloe said. She looked over her shoulder for a second. "Slide over."
Max did as she was asked and Chloe moved in next to her, closing the closet door. There was a small clattering noise and a mumbled curse from Chloe as she straightened herself out. The photographer tried not to focus on the fact that they were awfully close together. It made her heart race more than when Chloe had her hand over her mouth.
"Don't worry, Rachel is somewhere outside. I had all kinds of hiding places on this street. I guess she figured she'd try and find me first because it'd be harder." Chloe's voice came from the darkness.
"So what are you doing back here?" Max asked.
"Well, I was actually hiding in my basement when I found these."
Max felt Chloe pushing something into her and reached up to grab it. It felt smooth and like it was made of plastic. There were a bunch of different edges. When Max didn't answer her, Chloe sighed.
"Right, sorry. Forgot you can't see. It's a water gun." she said. "I filled it in the sink in the basement."
"Why do you have filled water guns?" Max laughed a bit.
"What do you think, Maximillian?" Chloe sounded like a child ready to start some trouble. Another nickname. "We trick Rachel into finding one of us and the other comes out and soaks the fuck out of her!"
Max had a strong feeling that Chloe was staring at her eagerly, like she was begging for her to agree. She giggled and held the water gun up in her hands. "Sure, let's do it."
"Hella yes!" Chloe whisper-exclaimed excitedly. "Okay, I think I'll go lure her into my room and you come out of the closet and spray her down. Cool?"
That sounded wrong on a number of levels. Max thought. "Cool."
"Nice. Oh, and since you can't tell, I'm smiling like a major doofus." Chloe said, which made Max laugh. "There's a flashlight at the top of the guns. Let me see your hand."
Max could see a darker figure raise up in front of her and knew it was Chloe trying to show her her hand. Slowly Max reached up and put her hand to Chloe's. She felt static running through her nerves at the contact and bit her lip. Her heart started to beat faster. Chloe closed her hand around hers and guided it downwards towards the water gun. Their hands found a cylinder shaped object with a small trigger on the top. On instinct, Max flipped the trigger.
Light engulfed Chloe's face, which was way closer than Max had thought. Chloe was practically leaning over her, her ocean blue eyes fixated on her intently. When Max met her eyes, she was sure her heart had stopped beating. Her breath caught for a moment when Chloe's gaze flicked downward.
Does she... Max didn't complete the mental question.
"Nice to know they still work." Chloe said after another second. She remembered their hands were still locked together and she released Max's. She met her gaze again. "I'll see you on the other side, Super Max."
Max nodded dumbly and flipped the switch on the flashlight. The duo were plunged into darkness again. Chloe slid the door open and got up. She left the closet cracked and went to her bed for a second before she started downstairs. Now all Max had to do was wait.
~Meanwhile~
Chloe took small, silent steps down the stairs. She left her water gun on her bed so Rachel wouldn't see it. So long as she ran up stairs in time, she'd be able to get it again. She paused when she reached the bottom of the stairs and listened for Rachel. Silence was her answer and she took a step towards the front. She unlocked and opened it as quietly as she could, slipping out effortlessly.
The outside was chilly and the darkness weighed around Chloe. The street lamps flickered, hinting that the bulbs were in need of a change soon. She looked around for Rachel as she walked out to the sidewalk. Shit, do I even remember all the hiding places I had? She recalled one that was only a couple houses down that was a little inconspicuous. She started down that way.
She made her steps quick and silent and, just as she was passing the fence, a dark figure tried to pounce at her. Chloe cried out and stumbled back, her hand going to her chest. She knew it was Rachel.
"Chloe..." Rachel hummed in a really strange voice. Sometimes it impressed the bluenette that Rachel could do so many voices. Then again, she was interested in acting and modeling.
"Not today, Satan." Chloe said.
She turned on her heel and ran for the house, Rachel giving chase. Chloe slowed down when she reached the door so she wouldn't go barreling through it and threw it open. Rachel missed grabbing her shirt by less than an inch and Chloe got away, scrambling up the stairs. Under her heavy footfalls she could here Rachel giggling madly. As if this was a real horror movie and she was really crazy.
Chloe's foot hit the top of the stairs and Chloe turned, running into her room. Just as she crossed the threshold, Rachel tackled her down to the ground. They rolled over and Rachel pinned her to the ground, grinning even though she knew Chloe would have a hard time seeing it. The two of them were breathing hard.
"Got ya." Rachel said.
Chloe chuckled when she heard the closet door. "Nah, I don't think so."
They were suddenly doused in light and Rachel looked up in surprise at Max, who was grinning victoriously at her with the water gun pointed in her direction.
"Surprise." she said.
Max pulled the trigger and water streamed out in a matter of seconds, hitting Rachel in the side. Rachel squealed and sat up, holding her hands out to shield herself. This allowed Chloe to wiggle free and lunge for her own water gun. She turned back around, sitting against her bed and began her own assault on her best friend. The trio was laughing loudly, Rachel still screaming (albeit quietly) every time the water hit her.
The water guns were empty after a minute and Max collapsed to her knees, still laughing. Chloe was wiping her eyes and Rachel reached up to wring out her hair. Chloe looked over to Max and held up her hand, Max responding by giving her a high five.
"That was an epic win." the punk said through her giggle fit.
"You assholes." Rachel said, getting to her feet.
"Aw, don't be salty Rach." Chloe teased.
"I'm sure that water washed it all away." Max said, which made them laugh even harder.
Rachel rolled her eyes. "Why did I think this was a good idea?" she said. But she was kidding. "I'm gonna go get some towels to clean this mess up."
The blonde left the room, flipping the light switch as she went. Chloe and Max got up. They picked up their water guns and Chloe told Max that she was gonna put them in the closet. When that was done, they sat down on Chloe's bed.
"So did you have fun?" Chloe asked her.
Max nodded. "More fun than I've had in a while."
Chloe's heart swelled. "I'm glad."
Rachel returned with two towels in hand and tossed one to Chloe. Chloe caught it easily in one hand and stood up.
"Doesn't seem fair to make our guest clean up. Even if she contributed." Rachel said.
"I agree. It'd be unfair." Chloe said as she laid the towel out. Rachel followed suit and they used their feet to move them around the floor to dry it. "You know what we should do?"
"What?" Max and Rachel said together.
"Build a pillow fort." Chloe said.
"Are you going through a nostalgic phase or something?" Rachel said.
Chloe stuck her tongue out at her. "Shut up. I just want to make Max comfortable here. And we used to build pillow forts all the time."
Rachel picked up the damp towels. "Yes, with the laptop and hot chocolate and pizza. I remember."
"I'm in." Max piped up. The other girls looked at her. "I've... never actually made a pillow fort before."
Despite the many friends she had through the years, they were always interested in other stuff like boys, makeup, and cheerleading. Max always felt like an outcast. Yet, here she was with two nineteen year olds acting like they were ten. And she never felt more like she belonged.
"You poor, deprived child." Rachel jokingly sympathized. She looked at Chloe. "She needs one hundred c.c.'s of fixed childhood stat."
"On it, Doctor Amber. You get started on the fort, I'll take care of the hot chocolate and pizza." Chloe said as she left the room.
"Hurry, Nurse Price!" Rachel called after her.
These girls are crazy. Max thought with a laugh.
...
One fort, three mugs of hot chocolate, and a phone call to the nearest pizza place later, the three girls were perched on the floor of Chloe's room. Rachel had the laptop in her lap with her mug of hot chocolate beside her. Chloe and Max had theirs in their hands, with Max taking a sip and feeling warm inside.
"This is amazing, Chloe." she said to the taller girl when she first received the cup.
"The secret ingredient is ground weed." Chloe had said with a sly grin. Rachel promptly whacked her on the head and that told Max that Chloe was kidding. Really it was just chocolate mix, marshmallows, and whipped cream.
"Oh, here's a good one." Rachel said, squinting at the laptop screen. "If you were to die tomorrow, how do you think you would go?"
It was actually Max's idea to play twenty questions, and Chloe suggested looking up some questions online.
"I'd probably die in a totally badass but heroic way." Chloe said with a broad grin. "And my death would save the whole town from a massive tornado or something."
"How would that even work?" Rachel asked.
Chloe shrugged. "Doesn't matter how, it'd be awesome."
"You have a wild imagination." Max smiled at Chloe.
"The wilder the better, Mad Max." Chloe said. She took a sip from her mug. "What about you?"
"Probably in that tornado you mentioned." Max said with a small laugh. "No, but really. I'd probably die from doing something stupid."
"Stupid how?" Chloe said.
"Maybe saving someone from a bullet? I don't know." Max said.
"That's not stupid." Rachel said. "That's hella nice."
"What did I tell you about stealing my word?" Chloe shot at Rachel. Rachel brushed her off with a shake of her head. "Your turn, Rach."
"You know how I'd leave. Living it up in Los Angeles," Rachel said. "If I was there, that is."
"One day, dude." Chloe said. They performed a small handshake and grinned at each other.
At that moment, the doorbell rang. "That must be the pizza." Rachel said.
"I'll go get it." Max offered.
"No way. What did we say earlier? You're the guest." Chloe said. She pointed between her and Rachel. "One of us will go."
"Rock paper scissors." Rachel declared.
"You are so gonna lose." Chloe said as she scooted forward and put her hands out. "Let's make this quick. Rock-"
"Paper-"
"Scissors-"
"Shoe!" They said together.
Rachel played paper and Chloe played rock. Chloe groaned while her best friend laughed. "Who's the loser now, Price?"
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Move out the way." Chloe said.
Rachel moved from the entrance and Chloe crawled out. She grabbed the money on her desk as she left. Rachel watched until she was safely out the door to turn to Max. She gave her an excited smile. "So?"
"So what?" Max asked.
"How do you think everything's going?" Rachel asked.
Max took a drink of her hot chocolate. "Great, actually. I'm having a lot of fun. It's surprising."
"Why?" Rachel said.
Max looked down for a second and bit the corner of her lip. "Well, Kate told me-"
"I bring the food of the god's!" Chloe announced when she returned to the room. Rachel gave Max a look that said they were gonna talk later.
Chloe made her way back into the fort with the pizza box and set in in the middle of them all. She flipped the top open and they inhaled deeply, giving a satisfied hum.
"I'm drooling like a baby." Max said as she picked up a slice.
Chloe and Rachel did the same and the blonde turned back to the laptop to check the time. "Shit, it's past our curfew."
"Did you really think you were gonna make it with all this going on?" Chloe asked after a bite.
"What do we do?" Max said.
"Just spend the night here. I'll drive you guys to school in the morning." Chloe said.
"I'm down. Max?" Rachel said.
"Oh, um... O-okay." Max replied.
"Awesome." Chloe smiled. "Now, let's get this party back on the road!"
~This side of paradise... (x4)~
...
And that's all I have for this chapter. Hope you guys and gals enjoyed! There was going to be another scene, but I cut it because I didn't really know how I would incorporate it. If you guys want to, though, I'll publish it in a separate chapter :)
I do not regret any of the references I made and the feels I caused.
CaptainVampireQueen awaaay!