Cold Hands

1

Despite the rain and cold, Chloe's lips felt warm and soft against Max's own. This kiss felt so different than the one they shared three? no, two days ago. That one had been so innocent, and kind of awkward, like the kind that two four year olds would clumsily share on playground at recess (or in their case, an eighteen and nineteen at a sleepover after an immature but fun dare). This one was sad, but kind of hopeful as well. A goodbye kiss, with hope for a better future. But the same amount of butterflies were still there. It would almost be pleasant if there wasn't a tornado behind them and Max wasn't about to sacrifice her best friend and love of her life. When they finally pulled away, Max could see Chloe was crying.

"I will always love you," the punk shouted over the noise of the storm, "Now get out of here, please! Do it before I freak!" Chloe started towards the lighthouse facing Max. "And Max Caulfield? Don't you forget about me!"

"Never," Max whispered, but she knew Chloe heard her. She wiped her snot with her soaked sweater sleeve and focused on the picture. Soon, a flash of white took over and she was gone.

------------

Chloe stood in the Blackwell parking lot smoking a cigarette. She would never admit it to anyone, but she was scared shitless. She was supposed to be meeting Nathan Prescott in the girls bathroom today to blackmail him for money. But she knew the damage that kid could do, so she was seriously afraid for her life. Nathan was the embodiment of a crazy rich white boy, so he could snap at any moment.

"Just calm down," Chloe whispered to herself, "Get inside of his head, don't let him get inside of yours." Her phone vibrated in her pocket and she took it out and looked at the message.

[Unknown number]

B in the bathroom in 5

Chloe sighed, stamped out her cigarette and adjusted her beanie.

"It's now or never," Chloe said again. The she started towards Blackwell Academy. She hadn't gone back to that school since... since Rachel was still around. Some days she felt an overwhelming urge to return to Blackwell in hopes that Rachel might be there, skating with Justin, modelling for Daniel or Ethan, or hanging out with the Vortex Club. But that idea was stupid. If- no not if, when- Rachel came back, she wouldn't go back to school. She wouldn't even go back home. She would come back to Chloe to tell her the story of pirates kidnapping her and taking her across seas, and Rachel being Rachel, would badassly defeat all of them with only a nail file and some chewing gum, then would highjack their ship and sail back home to her beloved Captain Chloe, and Chloe would just laugh and not even question anything because she was just glad to have Rachel back and safe.

That's why you're doing this, she reminded herself, To get Rachel back to you. She speed walked to the washroom, but before she went inside she listened at the door. Nathan Prescott was already inside, blabbering something about blowing up the school. Chloe scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"Pathetic little terrorist," Chloe muttered, before stepping inside. Nathan immediately looked at her.

"So what do you want?" he grumbled.

"I hope you checked the perimeter as my step ass would say." Chloe checked the stalls, making sure they were empty. "Now, let's talk bidness."

"I got nothing for you."

Chloe turned around. "Wrong! You got hella cash!"

Nathan scoffed. "That's my family, not me..."

"Oh boohoo, poor little rich kid. I know you been pumpin' drugs n' shit to kids around here... I bet your respectable family would help me if I went to them. I can see the headlines now-" Nathan gripped the sides of the sink so hard Chloe was sure it would break.