Dec 18, 2013 – First Choice Timeline
You got this, Max thought, rolling her shoulders and shaking out her nerves. You can do this. And she really thought that she could. Her nervous exhale aside, she felt confident; she felt strong; she felt good.
Oh yeah, it had been a terrible couple of months full of fits and starts, of one step forward and two steps back, but she felt as though recovery were really possible now. She couldn’t forget about Chloe – she wouldn’t even if she could – but she just might be able to get on living, the way that her friend had wanted her to do. Even with the trouble of the last few days, with the slip into another memory and the stoppage of time yet again, she still felt in control. No signs of a storm had revealed themselves. Animal life continued on unabated with no birds dropping dead, nor whales beaching themselves. No double moons or strange eclipses marred the skies. No weather anomalies baffled the meteorologists. All continued as normal, and it seemed that her actions had been completely inconsequential, which was an oddly soothing realization.
As if in harmony with that thought, a comforting, familiar hand gripped Max’s shoulder.
“You don’t have to do this, you know.” Dana made sure to catch Max by the eyes when she said that. Max had noticed of late that Dana had really picked up on how rarely Max looked anyone in the eyes. The girl was too observant. Damn her. Max tried her best to hold that gaze with Dana.
“I know,” she said. “But I want to.”
And she did. School was out. As of four hours earlier, the last bell had rung for the semester. Winter break was now upon the student body, and somehow, miraculously, with Victoria’s help ( and Kate’s and Dana’s, of course ), Max was still a part of that student body. She had two-and-a-half weeks of vacation ahead of her, most of which would be spent working through her photography hangups with Victoria, but before that kicked off, she had only a couple days left with the remainder of her friends. They would all begin their homeward bound journeys either tomorrow or the next day, and with that being the case, tonight Max would kick off that last hurrah of 2013.
She had made up her mind. She was going to a party.
She was going to a Vortex Club party.
The world was not going to hold her back any longer.
Sure, she knew it would be an odd way to end the year, but most of her peers would be there, and, more importantly, a good many of her closest friends. Dana, of course, stood at her side already. Victoria, Taylor, and Courney were already inside, as was expected of Vortex Club elites – and who would have thought you’d count that trio as friends? Honestly, Dana should have been in there already as well, but she’d made it her personal mission to ensure Max did not enter that party alone.
The cheerleader had swung by Max’s room two hours earlier to help her pick out an outfit and even apply some makeup. Max had thought to protest that last bit (and she knew Courtney would be hurt that Dana got the chance to do Max’s makeover and not her), but in the end, Max knew how important these events were for Dana, and so she’d just gone along with it. Luckily, Max’s wardrobe lacked any true party girl outfits, and Dana being the tall sasquatch that she was, none of Dana’s outfits were a good fit for Max. In the end, they’d made do with one of Max’s least geeky, closest to chic t-shirts, a dark pair of jeans, her chucks, and her only non-hoodie jacket: a light gray, box-store cardigan. That was about as fancy as Max was willing to go. Then, much to Dana’s chagrin, she topped the outfit off with Chloe’s beanie. That had become a staple of Max’s wardrobe and she wasn’t going to let some party snobs stop her from being herself.
“Well, then,” Dana started. “You ready?”
Max hesitated. She was ready. She could do this. So why couldn’t she get her feet to move and carry her inside? And why was Dana watching her so closely?
“You really don’t have to. Don’t put on the brave face for me. I’m sure Kate and Alyssa would love to have you at the counter-Vortex movie night.”
That they would , Max thought.
Apparently Alyssa had gone full anti-Vortex Club after she’d wound up knocked into the pool at the End of the World Party in October, and, well, Kate, after she’d gone viral she didn’t have any inclination to attend any parties where the alcohol flowed freely. The two had banded together and declared a movie night in the downstairs TV lounge, where co-ed was an option. Last Max heard, Daniel and Luke had opted in along with a few of the super senior art kids that Max didn’t really know too well. It was an option…
Max pulled up her phone, parsing through an insanely long string of texts on a group chain attempting to encourage her participation in the anti-Vortex Club movie night. She appreciated the sentiment, that for some reason this group wanted her to be included, and yet she had wanted to tackle the party – to face that challenge head on. Still, reading the many texts did boost her spirits. She might as well give them one more look.
Kate Marsh: Movie party starts in an hour. Everyone’s welcome! 🙂
12/18/13-7:02 pm
Kate Marsh: That includes you, Max! You can still back out of the Vortex Bash.
12/18/13-7:03 pm
Alyssa Anderson: Already set up and holding down the fort. Got a good book to keep me company until backup arrives.
12/18/13-7:03 pm
Kate Marsh: Oh. I’m so sorry. You shouldn’t have set it up by yourself. I’ll be right down. Do we need anything down there?
12/18/13-7:03 pm
Alyssa Anderson: Alice.
12/18/13-7:04 pm
Kate Marsh: Anything besides Alice?
12/18/13-7:04 pm
Dana Ward: No bunny cuddles without me!
12/18/13-7:05 pm
Warren Graham: Running late. Brooke wants to hit up the Vortex shindig. Maybe we can get our geek on after?
12/18/13-7:05 pm
Kate Marsh: No problem, Dana. Alice secured in Room 222. Bunny cuddles reserved for the afterparty?
12/18/13-7:06 pm
Dana Ward: Kate Marsh? Are you inviting me to your room for an afterparty? I’m shocked. Shocked, I say. =^_^=
12/18/13-7:06 pm
Kate Marsh: What? No. Just bunny cuddles. Don’t be mean to me.
12/18/13-7:07 pm
Luke Parker: Wait? I want bunny cuddles. Kate? You have a bunny?
12/18/13-7:07 pm
Daniel DaCosta : On my way. Bringing my sketchbook if anyone would be up for posing. Looking for a new muse.
12/18/13-7:09 pm
Luke Parker: Dude. Don’t be the creepy guy trying to get all the women to model for you.
12/18/13-7:11 pm
Daniel DaCosta : Oh no. I’m sorry. No, that’s not what I meant. I can leave the sketch book.
12/18/13-7:12 pm
Kate Marsh: Luke! Daniel’s not creepy. He’s sweet. He can bring his sketchbook if he wants to. I’ve actually got some sketches I’d like to share too, if you’re interested.
12/18/13-7:13 pm
Daniel DaCosta : Absolutely. Thanks, Kate.
12/18/13-7:14 pm
Alyssa Anderson: I’m almost done with my chapter. Where is everyone?
12/18/13-7:15 pm
Kate Marsh: Sorry. Just looking for my sketches. Be right down.
12/18/13-7:15 pm
Dana Ward: You were sneaking in Alice cuddles weren’t you?
12/18/13-7:16 pm
Kate Marsh: Maybe.
12/18/13-7:16 pm
Brooke Scott: OMG! Why are u all blowing up my phone?
12/18/13-7:17 pm
Brooke Scott: Wait. What the hell, Warren! We haven’t even made it to the party and you’re already planning an escape!
12/18/13-7:18 pm
Warren Graham: What?
No. No. Afterparty, babe. We’ll dance first.
12/18/13-7:20 pm
Brooke Scott: Will we
12/18/13-7:21 pm
Warren Graham: What?
Of course. I’ve got you, Brooke.
12/18/13-7:22 pm
Brooke Scott: Do you
12/18/13-7:22 pm
Luke Parker: Bro, you are so busted.
12/18/13-7:23 pm
Warren Graham: Of course I’ve got you.
Wait. That wasn’t an actual question was it?
12/18/13-7:23 pm
Warren Graham: WAS IT?
12/18/13-7:24 pm
Warren Graham: Frak.
Dr Graham is signing out.
12/18/13-7:25 pm
Alyssa Anderson: Still waiting. About done with my second chapter. Where are you all?
12/18/13-7:27 pm
Alyssa Anderson: On second thought, story’s getting good. Take your time.
12/18/13-7:28 pm
Luke Parker: So is anyone there, yet?
12/18/13-7:39 pm
Kate Marsh: Yeah. Alyssa and I are here. Daniel, too. Just comparing sketch books. We’ll be good to start the movies as soon as everyone is ready.
12/18/13-7:40 pm
Dana Ward: Luke! Not cool. Don’t text in for a roster just so you can weigh your options.
12/18/13-7:40 pm
Luke Parker: I didn’t even know you were still on this chain.
12/18/13-7:40 pm
Dana Ward: I didn’t even know you still attended Blackwell.
12/18/13-7:41 pm
Kate Marsh: Don’t be mean, Dana.
12/18/13-7:42 pm
Dana Ward: Fine. But I’m holding you to that bunny cuddles afterparty.
12/18/13-7:43 pm
Kate Marsh: Yay! Bring Max. =D
12/18/13-7:43 pm
Alyssa Anderson: She appears to have lost her phone.
12/18/13-7:44 pm
Dana Ward: She’s here. Just finishing up her makeup. She says hi.
12/18/13-7:45 pm
Kate Marsh: Hi, Max!
12/18/13-7:43 pm
Alyssa Anderson: Makeup? No joining the dark side, Max!
12/18/13-7:43 pm
Warren Graham: Pictures!
12/18/13-7:43 pm
Luke Parker: Didn’t you sign off?
12/18/13-7:44 pm
Dana Ward: Bro! Brooke’s on this chain.
12/18/13-7:45 pm
Warren Graham: Frak
12/18/13-7:45 pm
Kate Marsh: You can still come to movie night, Max! Don’t let Dana force you to go to the party if you don’t want to.
12/18/13-7:46 pm
Dana Ward: I would never do that…
12/18/13-7:47 pm
Send help. She made me put on makeup and is forcing me to adfasdf :Max
12/18/13-7:48 pm
Dana Ward: Max’s phone has been confiscated until further notice.
12/18/13-7:49 pm
Kate Marsh: Awww. We’ll miss you, Max! 🙂
12/18/13-7:50 pm
“Aww,” Max said, staring at her phone. “Do you think I should text them back? Kate really seems to want me there.”
“Hey!” Dana scowled looking down at Max’s phone. “How’d you get your phone back?” She playfully reached over as if to re-confiscate Max’s phone, and, playing along, Max yanked her hand away in an exaggerated evasion.
“Eeep.” Max pocketed her phone, stuffing it deep into her cardigan.
Dana laughed, seeming to enjoy the friendly antics. Max supposed it had been a while since she and Dana had just relaxed together. Come to think of it, Max wasn’t sure that they ever had. They hadn’t really become close until after Chloe had died, and ever since then, Dana had been acting the mother hen, protecting and comforting Max. She had tried to get her out for the Halloween party, but that had been a spectacular failure. Since then, had she gone to any social events with Dana that didn’t involve a quiet evening in or a big emotional confrontation, like the lunch at the diner over the weekend?
“It’s cool, Max,” Dana said, cutting into Max’s thoughts. She seemed to be taking Max’s quiet for hesitance to attend the party. “You really don’t have to come if you don’t want to. I’m not just paying you lip service.”
“No, it’s fine. I really do want to.” Max looked up and off to the side as if puzzling out a rather elusive thought. “Like, really want to? Huh. Honest to Dog.” Max was as surprised by this revelation as Dana, but with that surprise came a peace of mind. She was ready. She was really ready to live, again.
“Great. Can we go in then?” Dana motioned towards the gym doors, signs for the End of the Year Blast plastered on either side of the entrance. Max couldn’t help but to notice the many abandoned red solo cups and the streamers of toilet paper hanging from the trees or crumpled in wads on the sidewalk. The whole thing gave her massive End of the World Party vibes, and yet, painful as that memory was, it wasn’t yet marring the moment.
“We’ve been standing out here for ten minutes now and it’s like five degrees above freezing at best,” Dana continued. As she spoke, she eyed Max expectantly. Her patience might have been wearing thin.
“Sure.” Max took an exaggerated step forward, then rounded on Dana with an equally overemphasized cool girl pose. “Ready for the mosh pit, shaka brah.”
Dana shook her head, as she placed a hand on Max’s shoulder, gently turning her back towards the gym. “No, Max. Just no.”
“No shaka brah?”
“No shaka brah. Like, ever.” Dana shook her head.
“All my friends are no fun. No shaka brah. No cereal. Next thing you know I won’t be allowed to say wowsers.”
Dana snorted at this. “That’s correct.”
“Wait, wowsers is banned, too? Hella uncool.”
“See, Max,” Dana said as she reached for the door. “This is what happens when you hide away in your room all the time. You form some sort of mutant hybrid language that no one understands.”
Max was about to reply that Chloe would have understood, when her words stuck in her throat. She wished that it was because she had thought better of that approach; that she had realized that if tonight was about moving on and living again, then maybe she shouldn’t be throwing Chloe in everyone’s faces; but she couldn’t say that. No, the words failed her because of the shock of seeing David Madsen stumbling around the bend from the main quad towards the parking-lot side entrance of the gym.
“Hold on a moment.” Max grabbed Dana’s arm, pulling her back from the door.
“Oh God.” Dana took one look at Mr. Madsen and immediately recoiled. “What’s he doing here? These events are supposed to be a Blackwell Security no fly zone.”
“I want to know how he got here,” Max said, noting his wobbly stance, and the way he swayed as he approached. He could barely walk a straight line.
“Shit. Is he drunk?”
“What you girls gawking at?” As he approached, David stumbled into the trash can right before the cordoned off walkway to the entrance. He grabbed onto the lid, perhaps to stabilize the trash can before it tipped, perhaps to stabilize himself. Both seemed just as likely to Max. “You never seen security at a party before?”
Dana shook her head. “Not at a Vortex party, no.”
“Fuck.” David forced himself to stand up straight, sticking out his chest as if to stress his alpha male status. The whole gesture looked sad more than it did anything else. Not noticing, or not caring, he continued on. “Shit you kids get up to. Off duty my ass. This is exactly when you need security.”
“You’re supposed to be off duty?” Max asked.
“Yeah. Good old, Principal Wells sent the orders. Stand down, soldier.” Madsen gave a half-assed salute at that, then blinked a few times, his eyes suddenly widening in recognition. “Maxine, is that you?”
“Never Ma–” Dana started only for Max to wave her down.
“It’s okay,” she said, glancing to Dana. She then turned on Chloe’s stepfather. “Mr. Madsen, how’d you get here?”
“What? What type of question is that?” He stumbled from the trash can towards the belt line divider on the left side of the sidewalk. As he fell into it, this time the stanchion was not as lucky as the trash can and collapsed over into the bushes. David, however, somehow managed to stay on his feet. “Fucking cheap ass stanch… thing.”
Despite Dana’s urging to leave him alone, Max put a hand to David’s arm and tried (for once in her life) to look him straight in the eye. “Mr. Madsen? Did you drive? Do I need to call Joyce?”
“No,” he said, bolting upright as if the name of his wife alone sobered him right up. “I’m fine. I took the bus.”
“Okay…” Max started. “But that won’t be running all night.”
David jostled the keys on the right side of his belt. “I appreciate the concern, Maxine, but got a solid couch in the security office if needed.”
“Okay.”
“Do they have a coffee maker in there,” Dana asked.
David’s paranoid security facade snapped back in place instantly. “Young lady, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t give me any lip.”
“No lip, Mr. Madsen.” Max waved a hand down behind her gesturing for Dana to stay quiet. “We’re just worried is all.” With that last comment, Max’s eyes fell on the gun still holstered at David’s side. He should definitely not be wearing that right now.
“It’s fine, Maxine. I’m good.” Maybe he thought he was good, but Max was pretty certain when Principal Wells got stuck between Prescott and Madsen on why security showed up to a Vortex event, Wells would side with Prescott. And why was Sean Prescott still funding these events anyway. Wasn’t that a giant red flag, all things considered?
“I know. I do,” Max continued. “But will everything be alright if word gets back to Wells that you were here?”
“Are you threatening me?”
“Dog, no.” Shit. There’s no talking to him like this. I only have one choice left, she thought; and she really didn’t want to make that choice. Yet, his hand drummed so close to that gun, Max didn’t trust David to stay on the grounds tonight. She had to go nuclear. “It’s just… you’re Chloe’s stepdad. You and Joyce, you mean a lot to me.” Max had to struggle to keep her disgust from showing in her expression at that last remark. She loved Joyce, but David, yeah, maybe there was some good in him somewhere ( way down deep ), but he was still the man that had hit his step-daughter – that had hit Chloe. Yeah, she’d erased that blow, erased it along with the rest of that missing week, but if he’d done it once in any timeline, how many times had he done it before? She never did get to ask Chloe, but she didn’t need to. That one act said all she cared to know.
“I’d hate for you to lose your job,” she continued. “I know that would be hard on both you and Joyce, right now.”
David eyed her, as if weighing whether he was hearing rational concern or another threat. Max wouldn’t want to bet on those odds, so she remained quiet, hoping not to trigger any of his delusions with the slightest misstep. Is this how Chloe lived all those years? Quiet and with bated breath? Just hoping she didn’t wake this man, call his attention and with it his temper ?
At last, David grunted. “I don’t trust most of these brats. Not farther than I can throw them. If you and that haughty, know-it-all Ms. Grant hadn’t fought me on those cameras, I wouldn’t have to be out here, right now.”
“You don’t have to, David. Cameras or no cameras. I’m not saying anything, but how many other students have seen you here? What happens when Wells finds out?”
David shook his head. Is he trying to say no, Max wondered. Trying to shake off the drunkenness? Shake himself sober? All of the above?
“Fine,” he said, his gruff tone doing little to provide any answers to the questions swirling in Max’s head. Still, he seemed to be acquiescing, and that was for the best. “You all can have the gym,” he continued, “and the lot, but the main grounds are mine.” With that, he turned, swayed, then straightened and went on his way.
“Thank you, David!” Max called after him.
“Mr. Madsen on campus, Maxine,” he called back, never turning, never looking her way; and never removing his hand from his holster.
Max let out a deep sigh then shifted back to Dana. “Let’s get inside.”
“Yes, please,” Dana nodded, then hurried into the gym.
Once inside, Max and Dana were met with a familiar site. Once more, the entryway had been curtained off to form a make-shift coat check area, a thumping bass invading the cordoned off entry and flashing lights piercing through the gaps in the curtains from the party proper. Some sort of electronic-pop mix blared through the speakers spread throughout the gym, and Max already regretted coming to the party – not because it reminded her of that terrible night in the lost week ( it does ), but because the music was just so awful. She could really go for some Mud Flow or maybe some Jose Gonzalez. She’d even take Firewalk or PissHead over this.
With a shaking hand, she pulled her cardigan off. It was hot in the gym, at least in comparison to the near freezing temperatures outside, and Max didn’t want to sweat all night in her jacket if she didn’t have to.
“Max, you’re trembling.” Dana grabbed her arm.
“I know.” Max nodded back to her. “It’s not what you think.”
“David really freaked you out, didn’t he?”
“Okay, nevermind. It’s exactly what you think. Let’s just wrap up here and get out to the dance floor. What do you say?”
Dana grinned. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Smiling back, Max turned and waved to Stella. “Hey, Stella! How much do I owe you for the coat check?”
“Hey, Max! Didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Figured I’d be at the counter-party movie night?”
“Kind of.”
“Yeah… normally you’d be right. So?” Max handed Stella her coat.
“Ah. Two dollars.”
Pulling a bill from her pocket, Max handed over a five. “Keep the change, Stella.”
“Really?” Stella knew Max didn’t come from money and Max suspected that while she had no difficulty taking cash from the Vortex elite, she probably felt a little more reserved on the matter with her fellow scholarship students.
“Yeah, Stella. You deserve it putting up with this all night,” Max gestured to the air and then pointed off towards the nearest speaker to indicate the music.
“Not to your liking?”
“No.” Max laughed a little, and she noticed that her hands were shaking less the further she got from the memory of David Madsen stumbling the Blackwell grounds drunk with a gun in his holster. With that thought, the tremor returned and she quickly clasped her hand to her side to steady it.
And there’s that tremor, again.
“Well, mabe at least the drinks will be good. Thanks for the tip, Max!”
“No problem. Take care, Stella.”
“You, too!”
With that, Max turned, grabbed Dana by the arm, and hurried off through the curtain to the party on the other side.
Upon entering the main area of the gym, Max’s first thought was to wonder why Courntey had spent so long planning this party. It looked to be a virtual carbon copy of the End of the World Party: the same curtained off areas, the same DJ setup on the far end of the pool ( though maybe not DJ Doomsday, tonight ), and the same strobing lights. There was even the same virgin bar off to Max’s left; and she suspected the same real bar would be waiting for her in the VIP section.
As she and Dana passed by the diving board, making their way through the crowd towards the VIP section, Max noticed Warren and Brooke dancing poolside. Warren had absolutely no rhythm, but he appeared to be in luck, because it didn’t appear Brooke did either. As she glanced in their direction, Brooke happened to look up and upon seeing Max immediately soured. She pulled Warren in closer, dancing around him, and shifting him to make sure that his back was to Max.
I’m not an idiot , Max thought. I know you’re trying to make sure he can’t see me. How fucking insecure can you get? Although, as she contemplated Brooke’s jealousy, Max did remember Warren asking for pictures of her in the group text chain. On second thought, she probably couldn’t blame the girl for being jealous. But Dog, it’s not like she had any interest in Brooke’s man, or any man for that matter.
Trying to ignore Brooke, Max continued on behind Dana, turning at the corner of the pool and drifting past the virgin bar as she did. Justin leaned against the makeshift countertop shouting over the music towards the ‘bartender.’
“What do you mean you can’t make a pickleback? You got pickles back there? You got Jamison?”
The bartender leaned in close as he answered Justin. Max couldn’t make out his words, but it was clear that he didn’t have what Justin wanted. I mean, dude, they don’t serve alcohol to the peasants, bro.
“Fuck!” Justin shook his head. “That’s totally uncool. I bet they have Jamison in the back. Pickles, too. Who doesn’t have fucking pickles!”
Max shook her head and continued on, nearly colliding with Evan as she turned back towards Dana.
“Whoa, watch it, Max,” Evan shouted, balancing his red solo cup carefully in one hand and his camera in the other.
“Sorry, Evan.”
“No problem, I just hate to damage the equipment.” He hefted up his camera at that.
Max didn’t even know how to respond. She simply flashed Evan an apologetic smile and continued pushing her way through the crowd behind Dana. Some bros to her left started tussling over a spilt cup, and suddenly Max felt herself jostled to the side, just barely catching herself before she would have fallen into the pool.
Alyssa stumbled straight into the water with a scream as the music blasted and two boys started laughing. “Epic fail!”
Max had to warn her. Lifting her hand, she grabbed hold, searching for that river of time and turning it back.
No. That was then. The music blared and the strobes flashed, sending Max stumbling forward.
“You okay, Max?” Dana had stopped, picking up on Max’s shifting mood.
“Yeah.” Max lied. She figured Dana probably didn’t buy it, but she really did want to be here. She really did want to live her life and she had made it through the doors, which was a huge improvement over Halloween. She knew that if she could just hold on a little longer, she’d be fine and then it wouldn’t be a lie.
“Okay, Max.” Dana nodded, then reached out, placing a hand to Max’s elbow. Max didn’t even realize that she’d shifted into that usual defensive stance, with one hand holding to the other arm, crossing in front of her like a shield. “You tell me though,” Dana continued. “You tell me if you need to bail.”
“Aye, aye.” Max gave a half-ass salute and then fell back in line behind a less than convinced Dana. As she followed her, weaving ever closer to the VIP curtains, Max glanced up towards the far windows of the gym.
The double moons stared down at her through the far windows, cast in a blood-like glow through the red tint of the party. Max lifted her camera and snapped a shot. The shutter clicked and the image spilled forth.
“Max!”
Max blinked away the memory.
“Yeah, Dana. Sorry. Just zoned for a second.”
“That’s not instilling confidence, Max.”
“I know. Sorry. Let’s just keep going.”
If she could just keep moving, she’d be fine. Max could get through this; she knew it. She had to start taking chances, again. She had to try.
Once more following in Dana’s wake, finally Max saw the VIP curtain ahead. Sarah sat at the table operating as gatekeeper, again.Why did everything have to be such a carbon copy? Courtney couldn’t have created a more trigger-rich environment if she’d tried. Sarah turned up her nose to Max, ready to shoo the girl away.
“Sorry, but this is the VIP section. Members only. Mmm-kay?”
“Sorry, but I’m on the list. Mmm-kay?”
“I know that Max Caulfield is not on any list for the Vortex Club. Nice try.”
And that was that. With the return of that conversation, with one more drip feed from that night invading her consciousness, Max had had it. The last straw. The last similarity. She couldn’t do this right now.
“On second thought,” Max said, tapping Dana’s shoulder. “I think I’m going to hang back for a bit?”
Dana eyed her suspiciously.
“No, seriously. I saw Warren and Brooke by the diving board. I think I’m going to go say hi. Then, I’ll meet you back there, okay?”
“You sure?”
“Yeah,” Max nodded, then stopped, casting her own distrustful gaze towards Sarah. “Just, can we check that I’m on the list first?”
“Sure. But I had you added myself.”
“Still…”
“Okay, Max.”
Dana stepped away just long enough to verify that Max was in fact on the list and that Sarah was quite clear on that point. Returning, she winked at Max.
“Have fun with Warren.”
“Dog. Drop it already.”
“Uh-huh.” Dana shook her head and disappeared into the VIP section.
As she did, Max turned back to the party of commoners. At least the lighting tonight was different; more of a purple hue than the blood red tint that had washed over the gymnasium at the End of the World.
On the far side of the gymnasium, she spotted Warren and Brooke still awkwardly dancing by the diving board. Warren seemed to notice her looking and gave her a nod. Max waved back, not failing to notice the glare from Brooke as she did.
It was going to be a long night.
Victoria closed her eyes taking in the beat of the music, as Courtney danced beside her. Loud, electronic rhythms blared through the gymnasium, and though it might not have been her music of choice, the feel of the bass, the flare of the lights, the taste of the gin from her cocktail, it all made for a wonderful evening. Victoria couldn’t remember the last time that she had just relaxed and had fun like this. It had definitely been before Nathan — before he shot Chloe Price and with that act shattered everything that Victoria thought she knew: about herself, about Blackwell, about life in general. Her world had been turned upside down for months, but right now, right now she could just dance. It felt like old times; times long gone. She could move with the music and put her proverbial hair down; she could have a drink, and just relax.
“Have you seen, Max?” Victoria asked Courtney, not even bothering to open her eyes or to stop dancing. She could have fun and worry, too, right? That could be a thing.
“No,” Courtney shouted over the music. “Why? Is she coming?”
Kate had texted Victoria that afternoon to let her know that Max planned to attend the Vortex party. She had mentioned that Dana would be with her, but Kage also knew that Dana planned to meet up with Trevor and had been hoping that Victoria could keep an eye out for the girl. What was it about Max that so many of the girls at Blackwell had taken her under their wing assuming the role of protector? What was it about her that made Victoira just want to keep her safe? Yeah, Victoria, why is that?
Victoria dismissed that thought, trying to continue to the rhythm of the music, to let herself fall back into the ease of the evening. “Yeah,” she shouted back at Courtney. “Dana’s bringing her.”
“Cool?” Courtney asked, yet again a shout, barely piercing over the volume of the EDM blasting out of the nearby speakers. Courtney had been so busy as a part of the committee for the End of the Year Bash that she hadn’t really spent a ton of time with Victoria and Taylor when they were hanging with Max. The idea that somehow the hipster they had once tormented was now an accepted member of their tribe, that had likely not set it for her. Not completely.
Victoria motioned with her head towards a corner near the far curtain. The spot was tucked a little away from the speakers and thus might be a little quieter. Not by much, but a little.
Courtney followed without question, and for a moment Victoria felt a pang of regret; which contrasted oddly with the pride that also bubbled up. She had trained Courtney well, something that she had worked very hard to do over the past couple of years. That blind obedience had once hung there as a great accomplishment — a sign of Victoria’s ascent to the summit of the social hierarchy. Now, as much as it still felt earned, like some hard fought victory, she found herself conflicted. Had she not just tormented Courtney into this loyalty the same as she had tormented Kate and Max and so many others?
Baby steps, Victoria.
“Yeah, it’s cool,” Victoria said, her voice softer and easier on her throat, now that she wasn’t shouting so much over the music.
“Cool.”
“She was supposed to be here by now, though.” A hint of concern crept into her voice then. Victoria’s phone readout showed it was already 8:30. Dana and Max had been due at eight o’clock. “Like thirty minutes ago.”
“That’s not that bad. Dana probably just got caught up with Trevor.”
“Maybe.” Victoria cast a nervous look over the VIP section, scouring for any sign of Max; and that’s when she spotted Dana tugging Trevor right into the spot that Courtney and Taylor had vacated.
“Son of a —”
“— What’s wrong,” Courtney cut in.
“I’ll be back.” Victoria cut Courtney her all business face. “I’ve got to take care of something.”
“Ooooh. Someone’s in trouble.”
“You could say that.”
Game face in place, Victoria marched straight over to Dana in full, no nonsense Queen Bee glory. “Where’s Max?”
“Good to see you, too, Victoria.” Dana glared right back at her, her voice making it quite clear that it was not in fact good to see her. “How have you been? Having fun tonight?”
“Can it.” Hands to her hips, Victoria demanded answers.
Caught between them, Trevor stopped his awkward gyrations that Victoria guessed someone had been unkind enough to convince him counted as dancing.
“Uh, ladies?”
“Not now,” both Dana and Victoria shouted in unison.
He raised his hands in defense, taking a step back.
“Uh… okay. I’m going to grab a drink? You want?”
Both girls glared.
“Yeah… uh, I’ll surprise you.”
As Trevor made a tactical retreat, Victoria returned her attention to the cheerleader. “You were supposed to have Max with you.”
“Yeah.”
“Where is she?”
“Hell, Victoria. Who’s acting like her bouncer now?”
“Not you, apparently. Where is she?”
“Look, Max is a big girl.”
“Where. Is. She?”
“Ugh. Why are you like this?”
“And why won’t you answer the damn question?”
“You know, you’re not the only one that cares about Max.”
“I’m also not the one that ditched her at her first party all semester. You’ve seen how she is with flashing lights and thunderstorms? How do you think she’s doing right now?”
“How she is with flashing lights? She’s been taking photos again for weeks… right?”
“Don’t play games with me. You’ll lose. Every time.”
“Fuck. She still hasn’t touched a camera has she?”
“Where is she, Dana?”
“Fine. She went to hang with Warren and Brooke, okay?”
Victoria wanted to slap her. Warren and Brooke? That jealous nerd girl probably wanted to rip Max’s hair out; no way she was going to be game for sharing Warren with Max for any amount of time. Clearly, Victoria had done little to hide how she felt about this arrangement, as Dana immediately waved her down in a calm it gesture.
“Don’t jump down my threat. I’m not stupid,” Dana said. “I saw Taylor hanging between the bar and the VIP table. I asked her to keep an eye on Max and make sure to join her if Brooke hauled Warren off. The girl had a perfect view of the dance floor, so we’re covered.”
“Fine.” Victoria dismissed Dana with a haughty wave of her hand and stepped away with her phone, typing in a quick text to Max..
Where r u at? :Victoria
12/18/13-8:37 pm
She waited a couple minutes, nodding to Courtney across the way when the girl cast her own nervous look in her direction. Relieved by Victoria’s nod, Courtney shimmied over to a couple of the young seniors. They looked familiar — maybe alternates on the swim team or the football team. They definitely had the look of Otters or Bigfoots, but she wasn’t sure which. She realized she must have been more distracted than she thought lately if she didn’t know all the new recruits to the Vortex Club. She’d have to pay more attention moving forward.
Looking back to her phone and finding still no reply from Max she decided to try something crazy. She called her. After three rings, Victoria remembered exactly how much she hated calling anyone and hung up. With no luck reaching Max directly, she figured she might as well head out among the common folk and make sure Max was okay.
Winding around the bend, she passed by the girl’s locker room, then the lifeguard station. Hayden lay stretched out on the sofa, per usual, bong in hand and taking a hit. His eyes lit up as Victoria came into sight. Letting out a slow exhale of smoke, he held the bong up to Victoria.
“Puff, puff?”
Victoria raised her gin & tonic in a silent toast. “Just cocktails tonight, Hayden.”
“Awww… it’s like you never just chill with me anymore, V. Don’t leave me hanging over here.”
Victoria took in the miniature harem laid out on the couch and nearby loveseat surrounding Hayden. “I think they have you covered.”
“Spoil sport.” Hayden took another hit, then passed the bong to a young Vortex member to his left. Victoria didn’t have time for this tonight — which was odd. Hadn’t she just been thinking about how much fun she was having, and how good it felt to get back to old times? Kate and Max were really throwing her off from her game.
Realizing just how much her worry for Max had begun to take over her evening, Victoria felt a huge wave of relief when, as she looked out from the VIP curtain, she immediately spotted Max speaking with Justin and Taylor over by the normie bar. Max wasn’t dancing, but she was there talking, and she didn’t appear to be in any distress. Victoria decided to chalk this up as a win. Pulling out her phone, she immediately sent the girl a text.
Glad to know yuo’re ok. Answer ur phone next time. :Victoria
And go dance, already.
12/18/13-8:41 pm
In VIP if you want to hang. :Victoria
12/18/13-8:42 pm
Victoria waited a moment, a little annoyed to see that Max was not checking her phone. That girl needed to learn some serious texting and phone etiquette. She didn’t feel right just leaving the girl on her own, but she was also very much expected to be back in the VIP area as a matter of protocol. Torn, Victoria wished her stupid conscience would shut up, but saw no way to truly appease it. She was new to listening to that voice anyway.
Sighing, she pulled her phone back out and sent one last text. That ought to help – at least a little.
Don’t go off alone. Stick to Taylor. :Victoria
12/18/13-8:42 pm
Pocketing her phone, Victoria still felt that unfamiliar pang of guilt tearing at her. She wanted to go to Max, to make sure that she was okay personally, but she also felt obligated to stay back with the party proper as a matter of its own etiquette. She sat at the top of the Vortex Club after all, its current president in Nathan’s absence. She couldn’t just abandon that responsibility either. As she debated her course of action, a clumsy tapping at her shoulder caught her attention.
Turning, she was greeted with Logan’s charming, brutish smile. He was the type of guy that she was supposed to like: popular, captain of the football team, your all-American alpha male. Nice as the house was, however, no one was home upstairs.
“Yeah?”
“Been lookin for you.”
“Looks like you found me.” Distracted, Victoria cast another fleeting look back at Max. The girl still seemed preoccupied with Justin and Taylor. Good.
“Yep.” He smiled, not picking up on Victoria’s complete lack of interest. “So… Zachary wanted to talk. You cool?”
“Does he have his tongue down Juliet’s throat?”
“Uh…” Logan rubbed at his chin. “I don’t think so.”
“Great. How about when you’re certain, you come get me.” That’s it. Victoria needed to check on Max. Sure, she was still there with Taylor and Justin but Justin didn’t know what to watch out for and Taylor, Taylor was likely to have her own anxiety attack if something actually happened. Brushing Logan’s hand from her shoulder, Victoria pivoted to leave. “Look, Logan, I gotta go.”
“Wait!” Logan grabbed her shoulder again, harder this time.
Had Logan Robertson actually just yelled at her? Had he actually just put a hand on her? Oh no, that’s not happening.
“What the actual fuck, Logan?!” She spun on him instantly, slamming his hand away. “I said, I gotta go.”
“Whoa…” Off to her left, Hayden leaned forward on the couch. “You good, Vic? Do I need to get my bro to chill?”
“If he still wants to have children someday you might.” Her eyes were all daggers now.
“Fuck, bitch.” Logan held his hands up. “I’m just the damn messenger. You want to throw some temper tantrum, you take it out on your boy. Not me.”
Hayden stood, slowly making his way around the passed out teens and the littered coffee table. “Logan, my man. Let’s sit down and get your chemical on, okay? You’re bringing the place down.”
Logan stepped back shoving Hayden back towards the couch. “You fuckin’ chill. I’m just trying to help my brother out.”
A spark fired in Hayden’s eyes, flaming through the haze of his high. Victoria needed to step in before this dick measuring content got out of hand.
“Fine. Take me to your boy, Logan. Let’s get this over with.” Shaking her head, she followed after Logan, glad to see Hayden return to his seat, even if reluctantly. . Apparently she didn’t have far to go. Logan led her straight to the door to the lifeguard station, right beside Hayden’s couch.
“After you,” he said, motioning to the door as he cracked it open ever so slightly.
“This isn’t part of the VIP section.”
“This is the VIP VIP.”
“You mean VVIP?”
“What do I look like, bitch? Master of abbreviations?”
“Acronyms.”
“What the fuck ever. Just go talk to your bro.”
Logan opened the door and, ready to have this whole nonsense behind her, Victoria stepped inside. The office had been decked out for the party after all, at least as far as chemical stimulation went. The room was complete with a full bar spread over the filing cabinets along the wall, and an assortment of baked goods that she suspected were not store bought, but very, very baked.
In the coach’s chair, Zachary sat with his back to her, concealed under some dingy hoodie. Not very dress code appropriate, she thought, preparing to drill into the boy for sicking Logan on her like that. As she noticed that he was the only one in the room, however, she heard the door click shut behind her and noted that Logan had stayed outside. All of a sudden, Victoria felt extremely uneasy; she decided immediately that she needed to make this quick and get the fuck out.
“Look, Zach, I’m busy. Out with it so we can get this show on the road.”
Zach laughed, a faint, almost mad chuckle, only that wasn’t Zach’s voice, was it? He lowered the hood of his jacket and spun around to face Victoria.
“Hi there, Vic.”
Her stomach dropped. Victoria was face to face with Nathan Prescott.
And she was all alone.
