Chapter 2
“I can't believe you wrangled me into helping you, Priceless.” Victoria commented with a shake of her head, pack of missing persons flyers in her arms, following after Chloe's long strides.
“You want to find her too, don't you?” Chloe spoke quick. Victoria quieted all form of protest after that. “Then help me.” Chloe spoke again.
All I could do was watch them. Watch the interact and, well, help each other. It was something to behold really. I've only ever seen then squabble and bicker and fight, especially when it was over me. This was completely new.
“Amazing isn't it?” Rachel spoke breaking what little trance I was in. I look to her with a quirked brow. I had a feeling I knew what she meant but I still needed elaboration and clarification.
“The two of them, acting civilized.” I gave a nod. “Would you believe me if I said they were once friends?” A cool smile made its way to her eyes which twinkled.
“Chloe and Victoria?” A hum. “You're right, I don't believe it,” Rachel laughed short. “They have history together?” I asked again rather dumbfounded and a finger pointing at the two girls I call friends.
“Yes,” a chuckle. “We all were friends, actually. This is before you came and I.. Well before I went I suppose. Victoria and I were both in the Vortex Club together and you know how she is, always trying to commandeer everything to her whim.” I roll my eyes and nod reluctantly. “While we did agree on most things, like club events and whatnot, we did disagree on other things such as who was the president, or whatever she called the show runner of the club,”
“Not to mention she ended up considering us rivals over our talents. We both were - are - great photographers. Though she always thought she was better than me.”
“She is a great photographer, I've seen some of her portfolio.” I add in.
“Even the ones she hides?”
“You mean her selfies?” That elicited an amused sound. “yes I have. Duckface? Cmon, Victoria, it's 2015, that trend is long dead.” I can't help but smile how I can insult the Queen of Blackwell and not get some form of backlash for it.
“They are good, yeah. But back to these two, hm?” I nod once again. “Before Chloe eventually got kicked from Blackwell, which I don't see how, she had semi-decent grades-”
“That's why.” I interject.
“-she had a way with the student body, including miss rich bitch.” Rachel motions to Victoria, whom of which happened to be stapling flyers to the lodge, lighthouse door, and on the back of the bench before she head back down the trail with Chloe.
We both followed and saw them get back in the pickup, sticking the flyers back in boxes on the bed. Knowing them, they've probably scoured the entire town placing them up. I overheard them talking however.
“What happens if we don't find them, Price?” Was that worry I hear laced with your words, Victoria?
Chloe gripped at the steering wheel, rubbing her hands back and forth and let out a breath. She didn't respond and Victoria's face contorted slight, leaning towards her.
“Chloe…?” I've honestly never heard Victoria say her real name and wowser was it something.
“We will.” Chloe finally said.
“How do you know?”
“I… I don't. But we will find her.” She gave Victoria a look, a full on eye contact look. “We will.” and with that they drove off, probably to drop Victoria off at school and then for Chloe to head back home.
“Should we follow them? You can keep telling me about them later, though.”
Rachel nodded. “Yeah, let's head out, hm?” She reverted to her deer-form and followed after them, becoming near invisible to me in the sunlight. I wondered if others were able to see us, but soon shook that thought away and followed her example.
My initial hunch was correct as we made it there in time to catch the tail ends of Chloe's truck heading off. Heading into the nearest shrubbery we both reverted back to normal.
“What now? Do you want to follow Victoria around or Chloe?” Rachel asked me. It felt like one of those choose-your-own-adventure novels that were widely popular in the 90s. I could choose my best friend or Victoria to follow around and basically stalk in a way.
“Before everyone heads to sleep, Maxine.” I wasn't sure if Rachel said that because she knew I didn't like being called by my full name, or if she didn't know.
“Max, never Maxine.” I grouched out halfheartedly. “I'll see what Victoria has to say on me and my disappearance.” Rachel gave me an OK and transformed back into her Doe and pranced off leaving me in the brush.
I had a clear view of the courtyard, that was for sure, and also a clear shot of Vicky, who happened to be rushing into the main building, probably to Jefferson's class. Being brave, I decide to follow her inside, not even wanting to change into my spirit form at all. The good thing about being a corporeal ghost was being able to float and phase through things, so that's a good perk.
Following her tailcoats, I make my way to the back of the room where her seat was, but make a quick turn to my seat. Not even going to pull this out, no idea who will see it.
I phase through the table and sit in my seat, making myself as solid as possible to sit there and wait.
Jefferson soon came in the class and began teaching the class. I didn't particularly care for his lectures but sitting there gave me a certain feeling that felt welcomed and good. I wouldn't call it nostalgia, but it felt something of that caliber I'm sure of it. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Victoria staring at me, well my seat. Her mouth juts out in a quiet sigh.
She stares at me - my seat - while Jefferson is going on teaching, to which he doesn't notice, odd. Victoria goes to turn back to face Jefferson and to be more involved in the lecture. Well she did, that is until I saw her do a double take towards me, letting out a gasp. I grit my teeth hoping I didn't somehow magically appear or appear solidified in anyway.
“Yes, Victoria? Do you perhaps have anything to share with us on this lecture?” I saw the gears in her mind turning and she shook her head.
“No, nothing. Mr. Jefferson. Just a minor hiccup is all.” He gave his usual narrowing of the eyes before getting back to his lecture. Victoria cursed inwardly to herself and kept glancing back at my seat for the remainder of the class.
This was going to be some following.