tales from the crypt †

"Why don't I." She replied before shifting in closer to Jake. She'd completely scrapped the idea of having a cool look on her face, how was she supposed to when he was this close to her? Letting out a little giggle Chloe threw up a peace sign and was all smiles. Final picture. Oh, she knew what she'd do for this one. "I have an idea. C'mere." Leaning in and cupping the side of his face Chloe planted a soft kiss on Jake's lips for a few moments before deepening it with a small smile, one she was sure he could probably feel. She didn't pull away until a few moments after the flash had went off. Once she did, she looked into Jakes eyes gently stroking the back of his neck with the tips of her fingers. "You think that one turned out okay?" She asked innocently with a smirk.

As she pulls away, leaving their warmth, Jake looks up and strokes a delicate curl of hair behind her ear. "I think it probably turned out to be the best one." He smiles, softly tracing the outline of her mouth with his fingertips. He wasn't ready to get up and leave their little shelter of privacy yet. For the first time since leaving the beach, this uninterrupted moment between them was everything he wanted to remember about today.

The booth grumbled and buzzed and then out comes their strip of photos. Jake holds onto Chloe with one arm as he leans forward and detaches the slip from the machine. Then he brings the set of pictures between them to be looked at and awed over. "Let's split them. Do you want the top half or the bottom?" Knowing she would want the bottom because it has the kissing photo, he tears it down the middle and offers her the last two pictures. "What do you think? New locker decorations?"

"Oh absolutely. We'll have to kick the resting bitch faces into full effect. "Noticing the smile on Jake's face she reached out to lightly poke at his cheek. "If you think you can handle it. I'm betting you won't be able to keep a straight face for longer than 2 seconds." And she was one to talk. Most people didn't know this about her but once Chloe was having a laughing fit it was almost impossible for her to stop. Especially when the situation called for her to be serious.

"Okay, third picture has to be cute. Why don't you come closer." Jake touches her hip and aids her into his lap so he can wrap his arms around her waist and kiss her cheek before the five second countdown finishes. With one picture left, they'll have to make it a good one. "Okay, Bonnie, final picture."

Chloe gladly gently jutted her chin upward feeling the softness of Jake's fingertips under it. Closing her eyes and completely getting lost in the moment she let Jake come to her and leaned in when his lips met hers. Suppressing a moan, she found her fingers getting tangled in his hair when she felt his tongue in her mouth. Jake really had no idea of the affect he had on Chloe, honestly didn't understand it either and though she had moments she allowed herself to be vulnerable, part of her still wanted to keep it that way. After he pulled away she gently stroked one of her fingers along the back of his neck. Pressing her lips together in attempt to hide just how big her smile was her eyes fluttered open and met his. She wanted to kick herself for the feeling of butterflies she got in her stomach at what Jake said next. "I like that idea." She said before giving him one last quick peck. "C'mon." Taking his hand she led him into the booth and closed the curtains behind them. She looked down at the buttons of the machine in the booth. "Any idea how we work this thing?"

"We get to choose what theme we want. I'm thinkin' the Bonnie and Clyde, wanted dead or alive, posters look pretty fitting." Jake laughs with a smile that doesn't seem to dull or fade in time. There was nothing ( not even the threat of a blackmailing serial killer ) that could ruin their night. "Okay, there's a countdown between each take. We get four." The time begins counting down from five seconds. 3...2...1. Jake has his arm wrapped around her and leans closer with a cheery smile before the flash of light. "Okay picture number two, should we mean mug this one?" He chuckles, finding it increasingly more difficult to get into the character of a criminal.

Tilting her head to the side slightly her smirk grew. "Oh, I'm sorry, is that supposed to scare me?" She said with a chuckle. "It's absolutely adorable you think that you and your sorry excuse for a spread eagle could even hold a candle to what my squad and I can do. But hey, if public humiliation is one of your kinks then things might actually work out for you. Maybe that's why you don't delete numbers huh?" Feeling Jake's presence behind her, Chloe released some of the tension in her jaw not even realizing she had it clenched. "Hm?" She asked hearing him start to speak. While he was talking Chloe reached up to intertwine Jake's fingers with hers after he put his arm around her. "Oh, I know we can. And we'd barely have to lift a finger ..But can we worry about that another time?" Turning towards him she placed his hands around her waist and rested her arms on his shoulder pulling him closer. "I'm kinda burnt out. A lot has happened tonight and I was kind of hoping you could take my mind off of it." She said batting her lashes at him as she looked into his eyes. He was free to take that statement in whatever way her wanted to.

"Yeah, we don't have to go all Bonnie and Clyde again. We can chill out and end this date the right way." With his back facing the arcade, he slides his hands above Chloe's hips and caresses the waist of her skirt with his fingertips. "I know a few ways to get us back on the right track..." Placing a hand beneath her chin, he encourages her to tilt her head back as he leans in for a kiss. This time, he leaves the games behind them and presses his mouth to hers with little to no hesitation. Following the sweet affectionate of his lips exploring hers, he enters her mouth with his tongue, and his hands come up to hold her face. Being a bitch to Isadora wasn't a turn off to him. In fact, it was a turn on. She could be as bad ass as she needs to be, as along as she's sweet with him.

With the excitement building in his stomach and the serenity of a smile on his face, he takes a moment to breathe against the corner of her mouth. "How about we take some pictures in the booth? Something to remember our first of many kisses."

Her eyes narrowed at karma has a funny way of hitting you in the face. Chloe took a step towards Isadora, the smirk she was sporting was now much more dangerous. "Be careful making empty threats you can't back up Izzy. If you think I'm capable of doing what you accused me of doing to Brooke without lifting a finger, imagine what I'd be able to do to you without breaking a sweat." No one and I mean no one did revenge like Chloe Quinn.

"One of the numbers in your phone being a man who likes desperate, easy girls, all while you're dating someone else. Yet I'm the sad pathetic one? You do know I saw you once I got here right? And going up to you never once crossed my mind, you know why? Because you're not worth it. You've never been. And I'd have to be delusional to give an ounce of a fuck about what goes on with you in your pathetic little life or even wonder about it. Wish I could say the same for you but I don't need constant validation from others and I actually enjoy my own company. And if your freakishly far apart eyes actually worked, you'd see that everyone else does too. You really think we'd be going to regionals if my own squad hated me or didn't respect my leadership?" Chloe wasn't done. She had much more mean to unleash that was until she heard Jake's voice. Looking over at him and seeing him there her eyes softened. It happened so quickly she didn't even realize. "No, I'm fine. We're done here." Crossing her arms over her chest she gave Isadora a once over and one last smug smile. "I promise you it won't keep me up at night." Was the last thing she said before glaring at the other.

"I don't delete numbers. That doesn't mean I'm still in contact with him." Honestly Isadora wishes she never brought him up. He was a very angry and abusive person and Chloe was right, she should have removed every trace of him years ago. It was a sore spot and now Chloe could pick at it whenever she wants. "It just sounds like you underestimate me. That or you overestimate yourself. Either way, it'll come back to bite you on the ass. And FYI, I joined Westham's squad. So I guess I'll see you at regionals. It's just too bad Brooke won't be there to watch me take you down." Now that Jake was here, Isadora's boyfriend came over as well. "It's okay. I was just catching up with an old girlfriend." Isadora assures him while patting his arm. Volchok and Jake knew of each other but that was the extent of their relationship.

-

"You know," Jake puts his arm around Chloe to lead her away, his mouth closest to her ear, "You would think Westham trash would stay on their side of town." Despite not being able to hear him, both Volchok and Isadora could be seen glaring at them from afar. "That dude is, like, some dealer on the westside. And the snake tattoo means he's affiliated with the Vipers which is the same gang Tyler O'Neill is in." Even mentioning his name felt like acid on Jake's tongue. "If they want to start with us then maybe we have one last scheme up our sleeve."

"Please, you and I both know I could've done that regardless of if she was here or not." Obviously it would've been a little harder if Brooke was still here but there was no way she was going to give that up. "And getting her expelled? I'd be careful, that's an awfully big accusation to make without any proof." Glancing down at her nails momentarily she made eye contact with Isadora once more, an almost bored expression on her face. "Hun, desperate is a fragrance we both know you and Brooke wear best. Your obsession with my life, which I take you inherited from Brooke, is absolutely adorable, but not necessary" First Tyler, now Isadora...Two people telling Chloe things about Jake she didn't know. Did they have the motivation to talk shit? Absolutely, but part of her was still curious about what else Jake hadn't told her. The other part of her had an extremely long list of things she'd done that she wasn't proud of and prayed no one ever found out about.

"He loves easy girls huh? Well he was with you, so that makes sense. It's so cute that you still have his number. Maybe when whoever you're with now gets tired of hanging around with someone with absolutely nothing to offer, at least you'll have someone to run back to who's standards are so low they'd be happy to settle for someone like you." This interaction was a movie Chloe had seen way too many times. Being a bitch, just like survival, was in her blood and the two went hand and hand. Unless she actually cared about who she was speaking to, verbal assassination for her was a walk in the park.

Isadora found it funny that she would even try to deny the fact that she was behind the expulsion. Lying, conniving, bitchy princess girls were always up to no good. But Chloe's days of flying under the radar by lifting her skirt and waving her pom poms were over. Isadora will make sure she never gets away with anything else ever again.

"At least I have phone numbers in my phone. You're literally one of the loneliest bitches I've ever seen. It's why you wanted the East Mount cheerleaders. You needed a squad. But they don't even hang out with you. I mean... you're always alone. It's sad. And pathetic. And your jealousy is valid."

As Jake was leaving the restroom, he noticed Chloe talking to Isadora, who's boyfriend was a few feet away with a group of guys. He should have known it would only be a matter of time before running into Brooke's evil twin again. "Well I was hoping you two wouldn't get acquainted. Is she bothering you?" Jake didn't want to assume things, but it was safe to read the room knowing that Isadora wasn't a part of the welcoming committee. "Oh lookee, your knight in shining amor is here." Isadora looks between Chloe and Jake. "Just remember what I said about karma. See you two in the arcade..."

Suddenly, hearing a familiar voice Chloe looked over and spotted Isadora glaring at her. The eye roll that came next was almost immediate. Chloe was in such a good mood she almost thought about just ignoring the other girl. Almost. But Chloe Quinn was still Chloe Quinn, she was never one to back down from any kind of altercation. Just as she was about to lean off of the wall and strut over to her surprise Isadora came to her.

"Aw, look at what the sewers coughed up." She was still in a great mood, but unfortunately for Isadora her bitch switch was now on and in full effect. Chloe threw her head back and let out a laugh. "The only reason I'm lucky she's not here is so I don't have to look at those poorly cut bangs and cheap extensions anymore. What is this, high school? Brooke's ex is his own person who can make his own decisions. Do yourself a favor and get a life, hun. Move on. Maybe make a shrine to Brooke while you're at it. It might help you cope with the loss of half of your personality."

"You don't know what you're talking about..." Despite Isadora's rebuttal, her wavering tone is a clear indication that Chloe was onto something. She was right. One hundred percent right. Isadora molded herself to Brooke and when they stopped being friends she lost a part of herself. A huge part. More than half.

Being in a more public place was starting to dial down Chloe's apprehension. It was nice for now to be somewhere with a little more light that wasn't secluded where other people were equally accessible. Especially if something were to happen again but it seemed like they were safe for the most part. Feeling Jake's finger in her side Chloe giggled and swatted his hand away. "Hey, what did I tell you about poking me?" She asked referencing their conversation on the beach. Jake was right, it was crowded but waiting didn't bother her. Hanging out with him even if only for a little while was enough to have her mind wander away from all that was negative. "I don't mind." She replied with a shrug, her fingers currently playing with one of the brown tendrils resting on her shoulder. Hearing the word date come out of Jake's mouth immediately caught her attention. Did he just say what she thought he said? Chloe found his sudden backtracking endearing. Her smile slowly faded before she replied with "Mmm, I might have to think about that." After leaving a few moments of silence between them she added. "I'm joking. Of course that's okay." Reaching over she gave Jake a soft poke on his shoulder.

There's a sigh of relief accompanying his smile when Chloe eventually gives into this being a date. "Hey now." He laughs after she pokes his shoulder. Why should she be allowed to poke?! "I thought no poking, little miss poker." He teased while slipping out of his truck to meet her below the neon lights of the Pizzeria. He reaches for her hand to take so they won't get lost in the crowd but then turns around outside of the arcade section where the bathroom is. "TMI. That wine has made its way into my bladder. The Jake's gotta go wrestle a snake." He laughs - cute and charming, right? "Just wait right here and I'll be right back.." Oh, famous last words, Fitzgerald.

Hearing Jake's voice brought Chloe back into reality. She leaned off of the wall and turned to him. Hearing the first part of what he'd said caused her heart to sink. Did he really think they should go their separate ways for the night? Chloe didn't blame him, where she went trouble followed. She really didn't want to be alone yet but she understood at the same time. Thankfully though, she'd misunderstood. Thank God he meant they both leave rather than parting ways. "Yes that would be amazing. I think we both just need to...not be here right now." Getting out of the house was the best idea she'd heard all night. Her hopeful expression turned into a confused one upon hearing what he said next. "Me put off by you?" Chloe scoffed. "You had help with that, remember? Whoever this freak is isn't only after you...I honestly thought it was you who'd be put off by me by now." She trailed off. "But other than all of the crazy shit that happened tonight, hanging out with you is probably the post fun I've had all week."

"Why would I be put off by you? All this...None of this is on you." It was Jake who wanted to make that call against Seth Branson and it was Jake who gathered a small bit of fame after the media-frenzied massacre in Lakewood. Who's to say this new Ghost wasn't just some fanboy? Aside from a few bitchy remarks at school and taking on the throne of head cheerleader (which inspires jealousy) what has Chloe actually done to warrant death?

As they pull up to Poppy's Pizzeria, Jake cuts the engine on his truck and sighs when he sees a line inside the brightly lit restaurant. Poppy's was a rip-off of places like Dave & Busters. It was a no-brainer for birthdays and other celebrations with their full-service restaurant, full bar, and a video arcade. "Damn, its packed, but they have the best pizza. I already got the taste of buffalo chicken in my mouth, no going back now." He teased, giving Chloe's hip a little poke to lighten up the mood. "We can play a game while the line shortens. Take back our night. Fuck the psycho who thinks he can ruin our date." He doesn't realize the words coming out of his mouth until its too late and they're out there. It's the word DATE. "I mean, it can be a date if that's okay? If not, then I blame Dewey for saying it."

Pressing her lips together Chloe nodded her head taking in everything Dewy was saying. She felt conflicted. It would be nice to have the comfort of her fathers presence here but at the same time she was knew it was better he didn't show up. There would have been way too many questions. Though no matter how much they fought or had their differences, her father was one of the only people in the world who could truly make her feel safe. Telling him about the incident that night would take an enormous amount of stress off of Chloe's shoulders, but telling him would also pack another pound of stress on. She'd be foolish to think she could just tell him and he'd make it better. Like everything would go back to normal. As if.

When Dewy mentioned Jake and Chloe's hangout situation being a date she wasn't able to stop the light blush that was now creeping up her cheeks. Chloe could always tell when she was blushing, she could feel her face get hot. "Um.." Well, you know what they say, when in doubt, deflect! Her lips stretched out into a small but grateful smile. "Thank you again Dewey. We'll definitely be careful. Get home safe."

"Yo, we should probably splitzville, dontcha think? Head back to campus. We can grab a pizza, watch a movie?" Jake's roommate had recently flunked out and the university was still in the process of assigning him a new roommate. Therefore, he was one of the fortunate ones to have a room all to himself. "That is, if you're not totally put off by me now. I mean, so far its been, skipping classes, day drinking, getting someone arrested, and then being chased by a masked killer. Do I know how to show a girl a good time or what?"

Her head shot upwards to look at Jake when she heard what he'd asked. Chloe's mouth opened and the closed quickly. She was still fighting for the right words to say. "I thought we weren't asking questions." She said softly. Avoiding eye contact she turned her attention towards the broken vase and clumped up dirt. She had no idea what she was doing but somehow she convinced herself piling everything up in one spot was doing some kind of good. She knew she should probably get a dustpan and a broom but frustratingly enough the logical part of her brain seemed to be short circuiting. She jumped at the loud sound of Dewey's voice, still feeling very on edge. "Thank you." Chloe rose up slowly until she was standing again. "-For coming as quickly as you did. "

As Dewey reaches the kitchen, he holsters his gun and places his hands above his belt. "Of course. Your father would have showed up too but the whole team got another call. Looks like your intruder decided to keep his show moving - a few bodies were found by the river moments after your call. We hope to cut him off and catch him before he gets too far. In the meantime, its advised you two stick together. Use the buddy system." Dewey's eyes scan over the flowers once more and his lips curl with mild interest. "Sorry if this ruined your date. I'll be sure not to tell the detective Fitzgerald was here." He assumed the flowers were from Jake. Even a little wilted. It would be very Jake to show up with dying flowers. Everyone in town knows he's not the most eligible bachelor. Dewey arrested him three times in the past year for misdemeanors.

"I don't think that's a good idea." For starters, she's seeing someone. Sort of. She had a crush on the news guy, who kept sitting at her section in the diner.

Giving Jake a silent nod, she kept moving. Each one of her steps more careful than the next. It was crazy that walking through her own house suddenly felt like a game of minefield. One wrong move and boom, it was game over. Once they'd reached the dining room Chloe couldn't do anything but stare. She looked at the wilted bouquet of threats sitting on the table wrapped up in a few ribbons and propped into a vase. Before she made another move she shot a quick glance over at Jake. Chloe didn't know what she wanted to say or do but next thing she knew the door flew open. Her eyes went wide and she instinctively held the scissors higher up, ready for anything. Thankfully and unfortunately it was only the sheriff. Her hands, now shaking, dropped to her sides and she let out an exhale half relieved and half apprehensive. With the adrenaline still running through her she played it off as if she were walking over to the sheriff but made sure to extend her arms a little to much and accidentally knock over the flowers. The vase now in pieces on the floor along with the flowers. Now she had a reason to throw out the evidence just in case anyone on the force wanted to examine it. It wasn't a sure plan but it was the best she could do. Slightly still shaking she looked up at the man, stunned.

Dewey takes a moment to examine all the rooms after checking in on them. Meanwhile Jake and Chloe was advised to wait in the kitchen with the door locked. "Keep your backs to the wall and holler if you even think you notice something." Was the last thing Dewey said before disappearing down the hall and then up the stairs.

"Who's the flowers from?" Jake promised not to ask any questions but his primitive mind wasn't aware it was left by their terrorizer. They could have been a gift to her father from some mistress or maybe even a romantic gesture to Chloe from a secret admirer. Jake was going to offer a second pair of hands to clean the mess when he noticed a carefully placed mask by the sink. White, and painted to look like a skull. It was the same mask he and Stu used to use when robbing people. His own secret. But could it be the same one? With his DNA attached? Jake wasn't sure if he should be obvious about it. How could he get rid of it out in the open?

"The house looks clear!" Dewey calls out from upstairs before making his way back down to them.

"I don't give a shit about your A team, Alex. You promised!" She should've known better than to trust his word. He might've hated their father but they were more alike than either cared to admit. "You think I don't know that your freakshow is still going on? You play Operation with enough juiced up experiments and you think something like this isn't going to happen? Who's next? You?.... Me?" And although, she wouldn't dare say it to his face, they both knew she was thinking it.... Ollie.

He isn't sure why he thought things were different now. Why she wouldn't find out that he was the one who released that titan into the city. "I don't want to lie to you." His words feel heavy in his chest, even heavier on his tongue where they're exposed to air. He's a very private man, keeps everything inside where its safe. Speaking so openly makes him feel vulnerable, naked. "I did shut 33.1 down." He heaves himself up from the seat and crosses the room where a minibar waits to numb his uneasiness. Three shots of rum pours over ice. A tumbler for her, and one for one. "Drink with me, firefly." He offers the glass. In the background is symphonies from his favorite classical artist. The fireplace is lit and the room is warm. It's been raining off and on for days. What a depressing way to reel in the new year. A LuthorCorp party should fix that. Everyone's invited. Not just the employees. Because despite Lex's many evils, he was also a very charitable man.

"You have to trust me, angel eyes." He moves closer, bringing her into his personal space before caressing her cheek. "There's a party tomorrow night. At one of LuthorCorp's venues. Everyone will be safe and in that time I will make sure the subject is captured. Alive. Then together we'll figure out what to do with him. Deal?"

Her traitorous thoughts were enough to send a shiver down Riley's spine before she shot up unexpectedly. She should not be thinking about him this way. It has her feeling flustered as she scrambles to the door. "You do that. Then, let me know how it goes. I should probably get home. It's my night to do the dishes."