You Don't Have to Leave

AU, Where it's just before Max moves away, and Chloe makes a mixtape as a super sad parting gift... yeah... nothing but angst this week really.

This one wasn't the best in my opinion.

I don't own any of the songs mentioned.

Also, I suck at writing Joyce.

"Chloe, we need to leave soon, please open the door."

Joyce's voice sounded from the opposite side of Chloe's door. She wasn't going to be heeding her mother's call any time soon. She would stay in her room for all eternity. A place that brought no pain. Where she could sleep and dream about things being better than the defunct hand life had dealt her.

"Chloe..."

"Go away mom," Chloe spoke. She wanted to yell, but she was too tired to try. The teen rolled onto her back, resting on her bed. Her eyes bored into the water damaged ceiling.

Being an only child sucks when your father passes away, and then your best friend has to skip town for something better.

Today was Max's last day in Arcadia Bay.

The Caulfield's family decision to do this was sudden, and for Chloe; terrifying. She, along with Joyce, had been told three weeks in advance. When the news dropped; Chloe wanted to scream, cry, and run all at the same time.

Things had become stale between Max and Chloe. Chloe refused to go to Max's house and look at moving boxes, and Max had been unusually quiet during the off time when they actually hung out.

'Worst time to distance ourselves...'

A clatter of the door handle made Chloe shoot up out of bed. A second later; the bolt clicked and the door swung open with a gentle groan.

"How did you get in here?" Chloe spat, she turned over. Not willing to face her mother.

"You're not the only one who knows how to mess with doors, sweetheart."

Chloe didn't answer. She just listened to the soft footfalls of Joyce crossing the room, before feeling the light depression of Joyce taking a seat on her bed, followed by a hand resting on her shoulder.

"Chloe, look at me please." Joyce called in a soft tone.

The dark-blonde teen snapped her shoulder in response. Taking an initiative, Joyce got up and sat on the opposite side of the bed. Her eyes connected with the bloodshot ones of her daughter.

It nearly broke her heart.

"Can I ask you something?"

"No." Chloe snapped again at her mother's questioning.

"I'll do it anyway," She planted her hand near Chloe's forehead, and brushed her bangs away, "Max wants to see you before she leaves, y'know."

"She's leaving, I don't want to see her anymore." Chloe's voice croaked out.

Joyce felt a little stunned to hear her say that, "Oh C'mon, you know you don't mean that. Sweetie, you'll regret this more than going down there with me, and saying goodbye."

"I didn't get to say goodbye to Dad, so what's the difference?"

Joyce then remembered something Chloe had made for Max as a parting gift, "What about that mixtape?"

Chloe froze for a second, forgetting all about said mixtape. She stayed up all night last night getting it together, curating the songs Max liked the most. It was old school, but then again, so are they.