"Get your asses in the car now, or I'm leaving without you."
"Jesus, Victoria, let me just get a few good pecks in before I'm banished to the back seat," Chloe complained, pushing a slightly squirming Max against the car as she tried to resume kissing her.
The blonde groaned in the front seat. "Yes, that's where the children go. Get back there." Max was giggling as Victoria continued to complain. Chloe finally let go of Max, who pulled open the passenger door, very red in the face. Chloe grumbled about how unfair the world was as she slid into the backseat.
"Thank you for driving us, Victoria," Max said quietly, buckling herself in. She sounded slightly embarrassed at Chloe's blatant displays of affection.
Victoria didn't seem to care much about the little show she bore witness to. "I just didn't want to show up in that trash heap." She glared over at Chloe's truck, still parked in the driveway. "And I get way better gas mileage, anyways."
"Hey, that 'trash heap' could be your car's great-grandfather, show it some respect," Chloe snapped back, but quickly fell silent as she appreciated how much nicer Victoria's car was than hers. That was one benefit of paying full price for a car...or paying anything, for that matter.
Chloe ended up dozing off for most of the drive down - Victoria and Max kept talking photography, trying to determine...whatever photographers try to determine. Chloe couldn't really follow along, so she claimed the backseat as the couch it really was, sprawling out to get comfortable.
She woke up about a half hour outside of Arcadia Bay, and felt her muscles strain as she sat up. Even in a luxury vehicle, sleeping in the backseat of a car sucked. "Thank fucking god, you were sawing logs back there," Victoria snickered, looking in the rearview mirror.
"You're just jealous that I can sleep at all." Max turned quickly to give her a warning glare. Chloe winced, then sighed heavily. "Shit, I'm in the wrong car to say that."
"Max, it's fine," Victoria said quietly, glancing over in her direction. "I can take your girlfriend's shit, and shove it back in her face, too." She spoke a little louder, although it wasn't like Chloe wouldn't have heard it, anyways.
Chloe smirked in the backseat, looking out at the forest that surrounded her hometown. She still hated having to go back, but there was an unbridled excitement in the front seat from the two camera nerds that made her slightly interested in what was going to happen. They were only staying for the day, driving back that night, so at least she wouldn't be forced to deal with multiple days of the town again.
Their first stop was Blackwell, where the number of vehicles in the parking lot had reduced drastically since the last time Max and Chloe were there. They were still running the school as a shelter, thanks to the continued generosity of the Chases, but fewer and fewer people were coming. A lot of the families in the town had moved on after they were able to pack up their valuables from their houses.
Chloe clambered out of the car, glad to be back on her feet. Max closed the passenger door, quickly grabbing her hand, intertwining their fingers per usual. Hard to believe it's almost been two months. It felt like years since she decided she didn't care what people thought of them holding hands in this very parking lot.
Victoria sat frozen in the driver's seat, looking up at the school. Chloe gave her a minute to see if she was going to move before rapping on the window. "Vicky, you still with us?"
She shook her head for a moment before pushing the car door open, popping the trunk to get her camera bag. While Max had brought William's old camera with her, Victoria was toting whatever top of the line digital camera her parents had bought her. She slung the bag's strap onto her shoulder, looking around for a moment with a little fearful glance before slamming the trunk shut.
They had only taken a few steps out of the parking lot when a familiar figure pushed open the front doors, hurrying towards them. Chloe saw Victoria freeze out of the corner of her eye, and she stopped as well, feeling Max's squeeze hers. Chloe gave a friendly wave to Kate as she hustled towards them, but Kate's wide eyes were fixed on Victoria, who stared back, looking quite scared.
Kate didn't hesitate from throwing her arms around Victoria's neck and giving her a hug. After a few moments, Victoria's arms were up and clinging to her, and it took Chloe a moment to realize they were both crying.
"They haven't seen each other since the hospital," Max whispered to Chloe, her hand twitching a little. "Just texts, Skype sessions."
"Damn." For a moment, she wondered how she'd handle not seeing Max for four months. She ignored the shiver running down her spine, deciding not to think about it anymore. Besides, their relationship was very different than what the two blondes had.
Kate had pulled away gently from Victoria, whose eyes were very red. "How are you, Tori?"
Chloe bit her lip, smirking a little. Tori? Kate gets to give her a nickname, but when I do it, I'm the devil?
"I'm fine, Kate, really." Victoria was still gripping the girl's forearms, though, as if she was afraid to let go. "It's just...a lot, being back."
Kate nodded, turning towards Max and Chloe to give them their own hugs. Her eyes were also red from the reunion, but unlike Victoria, who was currently turning to wipe her eyes, Kate didn't seem to care. "I'm so glad to see you guys again," she said as she moved from one to the other, hugging them tightly.
"I missed you, Kate," Max said, a smile on her face. "You really need to come up to Seattle some time, spend a weekend with us."
An appreciative smile spread over Kate's face. "I'd like that. We could do a tea tour of the city."
Chloe groaned. "Better you than me. How you guys drink that leaf water, I'll never know."
Victoria was shaking her head, scoffing. "Price, you wouldn't know a good beverage if it was thrown in your face."
A grin was quickly growing on Chloe's face. "You threatening me, Vicky?"
Victoria groaned. "Please don't call me that. I'll make you walk home."
"Max would never allow that," she said proudly, turning to look at her girlfriend, who was trying to avoid eye contact. Chloe nudged her with an elbow. "Max, back me up here."
Max smirked, glancing at Victoria before turning her attention on Chloe. "Be nice, Chloe."
Chloe's jaw dropped, and she came to a sudden halt. "You're unbelievable. You're suppose to have my back, babe!"
There were snickers from the other girls. "Not when you're being mean," Max retorted, still smirking.
Chloe sputtered for a moment, trying to figure out how to get herself out of the hole she was digging. "C'mon, this is how Vicky and I have fun!" She glanced over at Victoria, who was rolling her eyes. "This is our shtick, we're practically besties!"
Victoria made a "psh" sound, her arms crossed. "As if."
Fuck you, Victoria, you love this. She even looked somewhat pleased with herself. "Hey, you didn't seem to mind it last time you brought the good kush."
"Chloe!" Victoria cast a look over to Kate, as if afraid they would upset her. There was no need to worry, though - Kate seemed too happy to care about what mischief they were getting up to in Seattle.
They walked around campus for a while, both Victoria and Max continuously lifting up their cameras to take a picture, only for their hands to shake and the cameras to lower. The similarities in their reactions was heartbreaking. Fucking Jefferson, Chloe thought for the millionth time. If I ever get my hands on you...
The four of them chatted as they walked, and Chloe was surprised to see how much more relaxed Victoria was. Even under the influence of weed, she could still have a biting tongue, but she seemed at ease and approachable now.
That didn't stop her from trying to push Chloe into the fountain while she was walking along the edge. Chloe kept her balance after her arms windmilled for a minute, and was shooting glares in Victoria's direction - that is, until she saw Max waving a Polaroid around, a little smile on her face.
Chloe ogled the photo for a second, trying to keep herself from making any comments. She was suddenly ecstatic, but the last thing she wanted was to psych Max out and make her overthink taking more photos. She didn't actively try to see the picture, but thought she could see a flash of green, precisely the shade of her fading hair dye.
She spent the rest of the time at Blackwell acting like a fool, trying to get the other three to laugh at her antics. She continued ignoring Max's camera, although she could hear its distinct whir every now and then. At one point, she saw Victoria finally press the trigger on her own camera, presumably capturing a shot of Kate laughing as Max pulled Chloe off the bench she was dancing rather lewdly on. It was worth being scolded by her partner about her "immature behavior" to see Victoria smiling at the camera monitor.
After about an hour on campus, Kate had to go back to her shelter duties, although they had been dialed back significantly, as the number of guests had whittled down to a couple dozen people. Chloe had to hide a smirk as Victoria watched her go, a sad expression on her face. Oh yeah, next smoke session, we're discussing that. Chloe had a sneaking suspicion that Vicky had a little crush.
Victoria and Max bickered about where to go next, and Chloe just lingered behind them, whether on foot or banished into the backseat of the car. They drove around the town, stopping on occasion to take pictures. The two photographers kept comparing shots, but Chloe didn't try to participate.
Her mood was rapidly deteriorating as she was reminded of everything she had went through in this town. She kept eyeing up the rundown buildings, wondering which shops would still be open, if she could grab a pack of cigarettes or convince them to sell her some booze. Max wouldn't approve of either of those things, though, so she forced her hands in her pockets and watched her girlfriend, excited to be behind the camera again.
And she truly was excited, and looked happy. Frankly, Chloe wasn't sure she had seen smiles that big on Max's face since that fateful week in October. Every now and then the brunette would look back at her, and she just looked so...alive. Her eyes were twinkling, and her entire body seemed jazzed up and ready to go on an adventure.
It hurt Chloe a little that she hadn't been able to make Max feel like that. She knew it was stupid, that Max loved her and was happy with her, too, but it hurt nonetheless.
Max was the one to suggest going on a walk through the cemetery, something that Chloe had been firmly against. Even Victoria seemed a little apprehensive, but as they pulled into the parking lot, she seemed to have a sparkle in her eye. Artistic freaks.
Max and Victoria explored the graveyard, joined at the hip, pointing things out and complementing the other's shots. Chloe strayed a little ways away, feeling left out, but also relieved that Max was handling this so much better than she had expected. It wasn't entirely surprising, though - Max had always preferred to live with a lens between herself and the world. It was probably easier for her to block out those dark thoughts of hers when she had her little glass buffer.
Chloe let the distance grow between her and the picture takers, wandering aimlessly. She tried not to focus too hard on the graves, not wanting to see any familiar names. She was growing frustrated, feeling alone. She stomped her feet a little bit, the winter's cold seeping into her shoes, and she was glad that it hadn't snowed recently. She reflexively looked to see where Max was when a familiar name popped out from the headstone directly in front of her. She felt her lip quiver for a moment before she bit down on it, refusing to let any other weakness show.
Rachel Dawn Amber
Jul 22, 1994 - Apr 22, 2013
Beloved Daughter
She could almost hear Rachel whispering in her ear now. "'Beloved'? That's a load of bull. Can you believe this shit?"
"Hey Rach." With her eyes closed, the memory of Rachel's voice almost sounded like she was there.
A chuckle, a half smirk. She could see Rachel in her mind's eye, crossing her arms. "Took you long enough, Chloe. I was starting to think you'd never show."
Chloe shook her head, hands curling into fists to try to ground herself. "I'm sorry I didn't come sooner."
"Tell me about it," Rachel quipped, and Chloe could imagine her eyebrows rising in a dare-like fashion.
"Life has just been shit." She opened her eyes, somewhat disappointed to not see her friend standing next to her. "It's peaceful here. You'd have hated it."
"Seriously? I am hating it. It's hella boring. But, you know, dead people. You should see the cemetery raves."
"I wish you were still here." There was no response from the voice inside of her head. "I've wondered for a long time what I would say to you if I had the chance." The silence continued, and she screwed her eyes shut, wishing for just one glance through whatever veil separated Rachel from her. "I honestly don't know what to say."
The ghost voice laughed. "Ouch. A 'love you' would have been a nice touch, bitch."
Chloe felt a laugh in her throat that never reached the winter's air. Pressure was building on her lungs, and she had to actively force herself to breathe. "I miss you, Rachel. I miss you so fucking much."
There was only silence, then the sound of footsteps approaching. She didn't bother opening her eyes, not even when a familiar hand gently pried one of her fists open in order to hold it. She blindly turned, burrowing her head into Max's neck. Max didn't say anything, just wrapped her free arm around Chloe's waist, holding her tightly. Chloe refused to let herself cry - if she started now, she didn't know if she'd ever be able to stop. She took a few minutes to steel herself, trying to keep herself here, with Max, and not drowning in her grief.
She stepped back, refusing to look directly at Max. "Let's go," she muttered, legs stretching as she tried to take the most direct route out of the cemetery back to the parking lot. Max struggled to keep up a little, and it felt like she kept trying to pull Chloe down different paths. Chloe wasn't having it - she didn't care if Max was trying to make her walk further, she just wanted to be out of here.
When she saw the large headstone, she understood what Max had been trying to do, but it was too late.
Her knees buckled; she barely noticed the cold ground against her legs. All she knew was that directly below her were the remains of her parents, together as they were in a previous life, a happier life. She felt the dam burst, felt the tears start pouring out of her eyes as she kneeled, arms around her chest, trying to stop the pain. But she couldn't stop it, couldn't stop herself from falling headfirst into the grief she had been trying to escape for the last four months, hell, the last five years. She almost felt like she was dying, her life flashing before her eyes as she was buried in the memories of the people who had left her behind.
She could hear someone calling her name, a warm arm wrapped around her waist. It didn't matter. Chloe had been trying, for so long, to ignore just how much pain she was in that it threatened to suffocate her now.
She heard another voice, a deeper one, felt herself being lifted off the ground, almost like a child. Her hands moved to grab something, and she gripped some sort of rough cloth, curling into it as if it was a lifeline. She was being moved, then being laid onto something, the air warmer, and a hand gently pulled the cloth free from hers as she felt herself lose consciousness.