"Not a good person, what do you mean?" Max's mind reeled. She didn't understand how someone, as composed as Rachel Amber, could break down so suddenly. Even in the classroom, Max only noticed her biting comments because they held just a bit too much emotion, barely enough to be noticeable but Max noticed because she knew how Rachel was.

She had seemed so relaxed but now Max was beating herself up because how couldn't she have noticed how uncomfortable Rachel truly was? 

"He-" Rachel choked back a sob. "Six months ago," The model looked away. "Me and Chloe we.. we got in a big fight. I did something stupid, I do a lot of stupid things, and Chloe found out. We got into a huge argument and she completely closed me off. It was only recently that she stopped doing that." She looked up, seemingly to check if Max was following. Max nodded and gestured for her to go on so with a shaky breath Rachel continued. "In those few months I... I started confiding in Mark, he was kind and so unlike all the pigheaded guys around here. I didn't fall in love with him, I have my standards, but he became like... a father." She sighed and hunched her shoulders, pulling her knees to her chest as if trying to protect herself. 

Max stared at this vulnerable Rachel in front of her. Rachel didn't ever show her true emotions, she wore masks, only being truly free with Chloe and Max herself. But now she questioned that, the way her voice trembled when she talked about Chloe, it made her think that Rachel was being genuine because Max was there to mediate or balance the two out. 

Max reached out and gently rested her hand on Rachel's knee. "Go on." She said softly, giving her a reassuring squeeze. Rachel flashed her smile to show she appreciated it and drew in a heavy breath.

"We... kept it professional, only meeting during school hours but... but one day he offered me something I couldn't have hoped to refuse." Rachel bit her lip. "He offered a simple photoshoot, he said he knew some people up in LA that he could get in touch with. He knew about my dreams to move out there after school and he was offering me an easy way into the industry. I thought he was so thoughtful that I couldn't say no." More tears poured from her eyes and Max was quick to wipe them away with her thumb. Rachel leaned into the touch and continued. "We met at his house and the photoshoot was done. It was professional and quick and when it was over, I thanked him and went walk away but..." Her voice hitched and Max grabbed her hands, interlocking their fingers and wiped away Rachel's tears. "But he grabbed me and..." She trembled. "He asked where I was going, saying that I couldn't leave so soon." 

Max felt something writhe in her stomach, she knew where this was going. She desperately hoped that she was wrong but the way Rachel was talking, the way her body language was, the way her eyes were so open and vulnerable. There wasn't an alternative. 

"He raped me." Rachel said bitterly, "He said if I didn't sleep with him then he would make sure that I would never get into the industry. He said that he would destroy me, everything I was would be gone. The whole would shun my name and I would cease to exist. He said it would be as if I died." Her voice shook. "I was trapped Max, I could stop it. I tried, I fought and fought but..." Her voice faltered and she looked away. "He dropped me off at the dorms and I showered. I showered for hours but I didn't feel clean, I felt so gross Max." She broke down, her voice cracking, and Max held her, tears pouring from the hipsters eyes now too. "I felt so fucking disgusting that I.. I went out and got shitfaced. Chloe found me almost dead on the side of the road. I wanted to so desperately forget what happened that I gave myself hella alcohol poisoning and it almost killed me." She leaned her head against Max's shoulder, drinking in her scent. "I.. I told her what happened and she blamed herself. She said she never should have left me and we cried together in that hospital room." Rachel sighed, "We never talked about all our other emotional baggage but we were back to normal again and that's all I cared about." 

Max nodded and ran her fingers through Rachel's hair. "Dog Rachel that's..." Max couldn't find the words. "I'm sorry." She squeezed Rachel tightly. 

They stayed like that for a long time, holding onto each other like they were afraid that one would break if they let go and in a way it was true. Max didn't realize how much she enjoyed and cared about Rachel. She hoped Rachel felt the same way, could the aspiring model feel how hard Max's heart was beating? Could she sense how nervous her closeness made Max? 

The hipster sighed and snuggled closer to Rachel, her eyes drifting shut. For now, she tried not to think about anything else but coconut and Rachel Dawn Amber.

Chloe

A rough sigh fell from the punks lips. She had called Rachel five times and Max seven. 

It's just like before. Said a bitter voice in her head, She's leaving you again.

Chloe growled, "Shut up me." She grumbled as she stood from her seat. Her bones cracked as she stretched. She had just gone done with a session and had another scheduled in about thirty minutes. She had hoped that Max or Rachel could come and keep her company but...

She let out a growl as that voice came back. Please, you already know Rachel doesn't care about you. Why did you expect any different from Max? She left you.

"Shut up." Chloe growled, her eyes stinging.

You aren't worth their time.

"Shut up." 

After all, you've never been worth Rachels. Have you?

"I said SHUT THE FUCK UP!" A roar ripped from Chloe's throat as she punched a wall. Pain sparked from her knuckles and flew up to her shoulder. She let out a yelp and held her hand close to her, biting back tears.

She needed a smoke.

She walked from the hallway past the receptions table.

"Yo Chlo, you good?" She paused, looking at Justin. The skater blinked, "Nevermind." 

With a huff, Chloe walked outside, shuddering lightly from the cold breeze and fished around in her pockets. She grasped a roach she had laying around and placed it between her lips. She flicked her zippo, her hand briefly warming due to the flame, and lit the end of it.

The smell of weed wafted into her nose, she put her zippo away and sucked in a breath of hot smoke, drinking it greedily into her lungs before she blew out the smoke in a trained, experienced sigh. 

"I could have you arrested, you know." She didn't need to look up to recognize that gruff voice. 

"Fuck off David." Chloe growled, taking another hit and ignored the security guard. "You wouldn't want me in the hands of the pigs, I know that and you know that. You can't scare me. Not anymore."

She heard David shuffle, "Chloe, I've said sorry. I don't know what more you want." 

"The memory of my step-father slapping me gone." Chloe took a harsh hit and spat out the roach as it burnt her lip. She stomped it out and glared at David. She knew she was being unfair but right now she didn't care.

David stared at her with a look of a broken man. "Chloe, I wish I never had put my hands on you." He murmured, "But you kept pushing me-"

"And that makes it okay to hit your child." Chloe finished, her anger quickly building. "Leave me alone and get the fuck away from me. I'm working." She shoved past him and made way for the door but David side-stepped in front of her.

"Chloe Elizabeth Price," He growled, "I'm not leaving until I can sleep knowing my step-daughter doesn't have it in for me." 

Chloe clenched her fist, "God, you are so fucking paranoid. 'Have it in for me' really? If I fucking had it in for you, I would have forced mom to leave you."

"You almost did." David grumbled.

"Poor man." Chloe spat, "Maybe Joyce leaving you will teach you some basic respect." She shoved David, making him stumble back. "Get the fuck away from my workplace or I'll file a restraining order." Chloe crossed her arms. "I don't have it in for you David, I just want you to leave me the hell alone."

"Chloe, you're my daughter. I care about you." David said, taking a breath that Chloe recognized. He was trying to hold back, he was making an effort not to blow up like he normally did.

The punk glared at him, wanting so desperately to say that she hated him but knowing it would be a lie. "I already talked to mom, did she tell you? We're fine, you don't have to come and bother me about it."

"I'm didn't come for Joyce." David said softly, "I came for me."

Chloe felt like her center of gravity had been shifted. She eyed David and her anger melted away. He had left his post at Blackhell to come to talk to her, not for the sake of Joyce, not for trying to fix Chloe's and Joyce's relationship; he had come for himself. He had come to try to salvage the broken pieces and bitterness between Chloe and himself.

Chloe sighed and dropped her arms to her side. She wished Max was here, facing her problems was always so much easier with Max around. "Look, you're a grown ass man. If you want to talk to me swing by my apartment, don't stalk me at my place of work." She looked up seeing a car pulling up. "I have a customer. We'll talk eventually just.. not now." 

David clenched his jaw and for a second Chloe could swear his eyes were glossy, as though he was trying not to cry, but he looked away with a curt nod. "Sure, Chloe. See you round', soldier." He said softly and rounded on his heel and walked away.

Chloe released a stressed breath before she smiled at her customer. "Right on time, come back into my room and we'll get started." 

Hours ticked by slowly and soon Chloe closed up shop. She checked her phone and sighed, nothing from Max or Rachel.

They've forgotten about you.

Chloe shook her head, wishing that part of her didn't agree with that stupid voice. Justin had already left, which meant that Chloe had to close shop alone. 

The punk stood and began to shut the lights off, trying her best to ignore the small twinge of betrayal she felt. What happened to best friends? She thought bitterly, not knowing if she was thinking about Max or Rachel. Probably both.

She locked the front door and rushed to her truck. "Fucking cold." She grumbled as she slammed the door shut. She switched on the ignition and a blast of warm air unthawed her bones, making her sigh in relief. 

She sat there for a few moments, wallowing in self-pity when she felt her phone buzz in her pocket. She grabbed it and frowned slightly, briefly wondering if she should be petty but part of her was overjoyed so she pressed the answer button.

"So you finally thought of me, aye' Max?" She drawled, trying not to sound passive aggressive but also sounding passive-aggressive. 

"Sorry, Chlo," Max's voice was soft, "I was busy with Rachel and I lost track of time."

Busy with Rachel? Chloe felt her blood run cold, "What did you and Rachel do without me?" She asked, trying to keep the jealousy from her voice.

"Talked." Max said evasively, "About stuff."

"Real specific Maxo." 

The hipster let out a rough sigh that made Chloe wince and her heart ache. "About the photography teacher." She said softly. 

Oh. 

Chloe felt a wave of guilt rush over her. How could she think that Max would do that to her? 

She left you before, didn't she?

That wasn't her fault, asshole.

She still did it, what's stopping her from leaving you for the amazing Rachel Amber?

Fuck off.

"Chloe?" Max's voice snapped Chloe out of her mini mind battle. 

"What did she tell you?" Chloe asked softly.

"That you two fought six months ago." Of course, she would, "So she turned to Jefferson for guidance and he offered her an easy way into the modeling industry. But when she went to the photoshoot he.." The hipster faltered, but she didn't have to finish.

Both Chloe and Max knew what happened that day.

Bitterness filled Chloe's mouth. "I wanna kill him. The school has no idea how fucking creepy he is. Rachel isn't.. isn't the only one he's.." Chloe couldn't say the word, she didn't have to.

"Until we get proof we can't get anywhere." Max said, "But I know how you feel, trust me I.. God, Chloe she sounded so broken I-" Max drew a shaky breath and Chloe knew she was trying not to cry.

"Hey," A voice so soft came from Chloe's throat, she didn't know it could do that. "Max listen. We're gonna figure it out alright? I'm sorry you had to learn this way that Rachel wasn't this perfect angel that everyone says she is." Chloe didn't hide the bitterness in her voice. Max probably thought she was bitter about Jeffershit; Chloe would let her believe that.

"Yeah," Max replied, her voice quiet. "Look, I gotta go. I don't think it would be good for Rachel to sleep alone so I'm gonna chill with her."

Chloe bit back a protest, "Yeah, that's probably for the best." Lying through your teeth.

Shut up.

"Chlo, I'm glad I came back." 

A smile snaked its way onto the punks face before she could stop it. "Yeah, I'm glad too." She said softly, meaning it with her full heart.

"I gotta run, I'll text you in a bit okay?"

"Alright." 

"Bye, Captain."

"Cya, First Mate."

The line went dead and Chloe dropped her phone on the seat beside her. 

She's going to sleep with Rachel

"I know."

You know how Rachel gets.

"I know."

Especially with those who don't know how she really is.

"I know."

So you're just gonna let her take your Max away?

"Shut up me." Chloe pulled out of the parking spot of her work quicker than she needed to and what was legal. She turned and flick the gear into 'D' and sped down the road. 

You're useless.

"Shut up."

Pathetic.

"Shut up."

A complete waste of time. That's why Rachel slept with him, because you weren't enough for her.

"I said shut the fuck up!" Chloe shouted to herself, slamming her fist on her steering wheel. Her eyes flicked down and she briefly wondered if she was going insane when a flash of brown made her slam on her breaks, the truck screeching to a halt as she twisted the wheel. Her tires skidded on the pavement before the truck came to a complete stop. 

Chloe was stunned into silence for a few moments, adrenaline rushing in her veins and heart hammering in her chest. "What the fuck?" She said softly, opening her truck door. She quickly checked under her car and in front of it, thanking whatever God there was that there was no carnage.

"Pompidou! What the fuck is wrong with you?!" She froze, completely static as a man with dirty blonde hair came charging past her. He grabbed the German Sheppard-Pit mix and checked him over. "Thank God." He breathed when he apparently didn't find anything. "Don't you ever fucking do that again, got it?" He growled, giving the dog a glare before he rose to his feet. "Hey, thanks for skidding out of the-" He paused, going as still as Chloe was when he turned to her. "No fucking way." He gave a low laugh but it was humorless.

Chloe opened and closed her mouth a few times before she settled on a tiny smile, bitterness swimming in her stomach. "Hey, Frank." She said, "Thought he was trained not to bolt." 

Frank snorted, "He is but he recognizes your truck." 

"So he goes on a death mission?" Chloe asked, raising a brow, "Keep him on a fucking chain, if I had been going just a bit faster.." Her mind was fried, not only because she was coming off the adrenaline but because of-fucking-course she would come face-to-face with her old drug dealer and...

Rachel's former lover.

"But you weren't, and you know I'm not going to put this dog on a fucking chain. If I did that it would be just like the mill." He crossed his arms and glared at Chloe for a few moments before he looked around, searching. "Hey is Rachel-"

"No." Chloe spun on her heel and opened her truck door.

"You didn't even let me finish." Frank said, his voice growing angry. 

"You don't have to." Chloe gave him a cold look, "Didn't she tell you already, she doesn't want anything to do with you anymore." the punk didn't know if she was saying it to remind him or herself.

Frank let out a sigh, "I just worry about her. She wasn't exactly the best when she talked to me last and I saw that hospital band on her wrist, what happened?"

"Like you give a shit." Chloe spat, hating the universe for making her deal with her step-douche and her ex-drug-dealer.

Frank growled and rushed forward, grabbing the punk. "Look." He paused before letting go of Chloe's arm. "I know that we majorly fucked up okay? I know that was a shitty thing to do and I completely understand Rachel not wanting me in her life anymore." His voice softened, "I just, I don't want her hurt okay Chloe? I trust you to take care of her because I can't, I never was able to." His voice dropped.

This situation was too familiar. Chloe couldn't do this. "It was months ago Frank. Drop it." She pulled herself up into her truck and eyed him coldly. "Get your fucking dog out of the road if you don't want him hit." She slammed the door closed and drove away as fast as she could. 

Franks shape faded in her mirror until he disappeared altogether and she let out a low huff of relief. She needed to get away, she wanted Max but she was with Rachel. She knew in her heart that Max was right, Rachel couldn't deal with the memories triggered by seeing Jefferson again alone. Max was being an amazing person being there for Rachel, a better person than Chloe; who was sitting in her truck getting insecure about it.

The tattoo artist turned down a road. She knew where she could go to disappear for a while.

She turned her phone off and tossed it in her glove box before she made her way towards the train tracks.

Max

The hipster smiled, "Thanks Kate. That tea really helped." She said softly as to not wake Rachel up.

Kate smiled, "Of course, though I have to ask, what happened? She's not looking so hot." 

"She wasn't feeling too well after photography." Max said, knowing that Kate wouldn't understand the double meaning. 

The Christian nodded, "I see, well I hope she gets better soon." Her watch beeped and she smiled at Max apologetically. "Hey, I have to go." She said, making Max nod.

"I notice you seem to leave during this time, do you have a job or a meeting or something?" Max asked, genuinely curious.

"No, I just hang out with a friend is all." Kate said with a bashful smile.

Max couldn't help it, "A friend huh?" She teased, not as smoothly as she hoped but the meaning was received because Kate's face turned red.

"Yeah, just a friend." She shuffled, smiling slightly. 

Max smiled, "Don't let me stop you then, see you around Kate." She hugged the blonde, grinning to herself as she smelled lavender perfume, seemed Rachel was right in assuming that this person was a little more than a friend.

The girl walked off and Max turned, moving back into Rachel's dorm.

The aspiring model was asleep, curled up in her blankets. Her golden tresses her splayed across her pillow like tiny sunrays. She would have looked peaceful if it wasn't for the troubled look on her face. Her brows were slightly furrowed and her lips were pressed together in a slight frown as if even in sleep she was dealing with the bullshit of waking life.

She probably was.

Max sighed and grabbed her phone, shooting a text to Chloe.

sent 7:38

Max: Hey Chlo

The photographer waited about ten minutes and frowned when she didn't get a reply. 

She probably got high and passed out. Max said, rolling her eyes and smiling. Dummy, I'm gonna have to yell at her about that.

She placed her phone on the bedside table and crawled into bed with Rachel. Weariness made her vision dance as her eyes fluttered closed. She felt Rachel shuffle and arms wrap around her. She opened her eyes tiredly and smiled as she saw that the aspiring model had pressed closer against her.

Coconut and vanilla wafted in the air twining together and leaving a haze that made Max fall asleep almost immediately.

???

Light eyes stared out, a black camera dangling from his neck. 

Too far.

He had taken it too far.

A shaky breath fell from his chapped lips, venomous words echoed in his head. He couldn't do this alone, he needed a partner. Someone just as willing to risk their neck as he was.

His pale eyes drifted towards a window and a thought went to his mind. 

Them? 

Maybe, he saw how they were in class. Some.. tension was there. He could feel it.

He'd bide his time for now, just until he could confirm it. But for now.

He smiled at a boy who walked up, his eyes bright.

"Didn't think you'd show." And it was true.

The boy shuffled awkwardly, "I felt bad and you haven't gone apeshit yet."

A laugh fell from his lips, he liked him. He didn't have a filter, he said what he thought even to someone like him. 

"You haven't pissed me off yet, anyway, you ready?"

"Yeah, let's go."