Outer Masks: Chapter 6: Drunken Nights

Three Weeks Later  

“Do I really have to be blindfolded for this?” Rory asked. 

The woman had come to Hayden International at Peach's behest, being told that the renovations to her office were complete. 

“Yes, you do. I don’t trust you to not peak and your reaction needs to be genuine.” Peach answered as she led Rory to her office. 

“This seems kind of kinky.” Rory smirked, knowing that Peach was rolling her eyes at her when she heard the woman scoff. 

Her smirk soon fell when she felt Peach move closer to her, Peach’s head now resting on her shoulder and her mouth angled towards her ear. 

“Trust me, Hayden. If you think this is kinky, you don’t know anything about what kinky really is.” Peach whispered. 

“I… wha…why are you like this?” Rory groaned. 

During their drive back from Greenwich, the two had started talking to each other about a few topics, somehow leading to them talking about their first kisses. 

Peach had told her that her first kiss was in the seventh grade with a boy she had a crush on named Todd Peterson during a game of seven minutes in heaven. 

Although, she soon lost all interest in Todd when they entered the closet and kissed only for Todd to slobber all over her face. Peach likened it to a sweaty German Shepard trying to shove its tongue down her throat. 

After telling this story and watching Rory laugh at the comparison, Peach would ask Rory who was her first kiss. 

Rory paused, a nervousness appearing on her face, “Oh, uh. My first kiss was with a... was with a girl.” 

She waited for Peach’s reaction, while times had changed, Rory had been around enough people to see how differently some would treat her when they learned she was gay. 

Peach gave her a deadpanned stare, looking at her like she thought she was an idiot. “It's pretty obvious you’re not straight, Rory. A blind person could see it. Now, are you going to stop acting weird and continue with the story?” 

Rory felt relieved, happy to know that Peach’s opinion of her had not changed. But Rory did notice that since confirming her sexuality, Peach had begun to tease her, aware that Rory found her attractive and using it to her advantage. 

Peach only laughed in response, enjoying Rory’s embarrassment. It amused her how Rory acted cocky and arrogant at times only to fold, showing her shyer personality when pushed far enough. 

It’s cute... Peach thought. 

“I still don’t see why this is necessary, I’ve already seen what my office is going to look like after you showed me on your computer.” 

“My genius cannot be understated, seeing my work on a screen and seeing it in person are two different things.” 

“Right of course. How stupid of me.” Rory drawled. 

“Okay, you can take the blindfold off.” Peach said as they walked through the office’s doors. 

Rory took off her blindfold, waiting a few moments for her eyes to adjust to the light. When they did, Rory took in her new office. 

Her office looked as it did on Peach’s computer, but she could not deny that seeing it in person was more impressive. 

“Do you have anything to say?” Peach smirked. 

Rory rolled her eyes, “It’s beautiful, Peaches. Thank you.” 

“What did I say about you calling me that?” Peach glared. 

It was not the nickname itself that bothered her but the fact that it had been used before by the other woman's brother. 

When Peach had first met Joe, she could him Joseph, wanting to be formal with Beck's latest new thing, but immediately saw how this bothered the man. 

So, Peach did what she did best; she picked at this insecurity, constantly calling Joe by his full name. 

But as a form of retaliation, Joe had quickly begun calling her Peaches. His tone would always be sugary sweet and his eyes full of contempt each time he would call her by that name, angering her as Peach was offended that someone like Joe was looking down at her. 

And now thinking about Joe Goldberg had caused Peach to think about Guinevere Beck. 

Peach had followed through with Rory's alive of telling Beck that she would give her all the space she needed but Beck had never responded to her text. 

She had not heard from Beck since their fight at the Salinger house.  

And when she had met up with Annika and Lynn, the two women had not mentioned Beck once, but they looked at her wearily, expecting Peach to break and ask them what Beck was up to, and were surprised when Peach did not mention the blonde once or even allude to her. 

Although it bothered her during the first few days of radio silence, as more time passed, Peach found herself caring less. 

It's been over a week since I even thought about Beck. Beck was the person that was always at the forefront of my heart and now she's an afterthought to me.  

“Aw, c’mon, Peaches is a cute nickname.” Rory grinned. 

“And last I checked, I’m not cute.” Peach growled, daring the taller woman to say otherwise. 

Rory’s smile grew and a light shined in her eyes, and Peach knew the other woman was thinking about it. 

“Fucking ass.” She muttered, smiling slightly as Rory began to laugh. 

She has a beautiful smile…  

“Hey, do you want to come to a party at my place on Saturday?” Rory asked a few moments later. 

“You? Throwing a party?” Peach asked, looking Rory up and down mockingly. 

“I could throw a party!” Rory exclaimed, offended by Peach's question. 

Peach stared at her blankly, she knew that Rory would undoubtedly not throw a party as she did not enjoy being around large groups of people. 

“Fine, it’s not my party, it’s Max's. But it’s going to be at my place.” 

“I thought Max bought a house in the Bronx. Why is he throwing a party at your place instead?” Peach asked. 

“He's gotten like four noise complaints from his neighbors already. One of them even threatened to call the police the other day because Max parked his car on their lawn.” 

Peach laughed at this, not surprised by Max and his disregard for things that get in the way of him having a fun time. 

“Yeah, so Max immediately started begging me to let him use my place because his neighbors made it clear that they would call the police if he ‘disturbed the peace’ again.” Rory further explained. 

“Alright, I'll go. I need to see what a Max Rockefeller party entails.” Peach said. 

“I'm not; the only reason I even agreed to this is because Max promised that he would pay for any damages.” 

“Now you’re just making me more interested in going.” 

“Why do I even bother?” Rory asked aloud but still smiling. 

Rory could not deny that the thought of having Peach in her home excited her even though it would just be for Max's party. 

Any time that she got to spend with Peach was a fun time, even if it was spent doing something she disliked. 

~X~

These last three weeks have been absolutely perfect with you, Beck.  

Finally, we've been able to spend time with each other. No manipulative, pathetic, stalker friend interrupting us. Joe thought. 

When Joe had gotten back from Connecticut, he had expected Peach to immediately come crawling back to Beck, using her silver tongue to get the woman’s forgiveness. 

He saw on the phone he took from Beck the text that Peach sent her. 

-Beckalicious, I know you don't want to hear this right now, but I am sorry about what I said to you and how I acted. I am committed to giving you however long you need. I won't bother you, so you don't have to worry about me randomly showing up anywhere.  

Joe had thought the woman was lying but he had been pleasantly surprised when after a few days it became clear that Peach would not be coming around. 

Even now as he sat with Beck, Annika, and Lynn in a hipster coffee shop while the three tried different lattes, was not enough to kill his good mood. 

“Hey, I just got a text from Max.” Annika said aloud, “He's throwing a party on Saturday and wants all to come.” 

“He tell you where he’s having it?” Lynn asked. 

“He said he's having it at Rory’s penthouse.” Annika answered, “It’s probably because he got another complaint from his neighbors.” 

Joe did not want to hear about when Max finally took Annika back to his place but was not surprised that Max was an annoyance to his neighbors. 

Beck then turned to her boyfriend, speaking in a lower tone. “Did Rory tell you about the party?” 

“She texted me this morning. Said that just in case something happens I know where to find her and if she's unable to return any calls or texts.” Joe rolled his eyes, thinking of just what Max would be getting his little sister to do. 

If Rory wants to let Max destroy her place, then that’s on her. I’m only glad she knows me enough not to invite me.  

Joe knew that with the reckless and indulgent man that Max was that a party he threw would be one that matched his personality. He already disliked parties, but the thought of going to a Max Rockefeller party made him want to shiver in disgust. 

“Wait, Annika, is that a good idea? If it’s at Rory's then…” Lynn trailed off, leading her and Annika to look at Beck from the corner of their eyes. 

“What? Why would going to Max and Rory’s party be a bad idea?” Beck asked, seeing the looks. 

Her two friends looked at each other, giving the other looks and nodded their heads at Beck, clearly wanting the other to tell her. 

Beck sighed, “Guys...” 

Lynn groaned, deciding to face the situation. “Well, Rory and Peach are friends now, and they've been hanging out since you two came back from Greenwich.” 

Right, having Beck to myself came at the price of having her get closer to Rory. Joe thought bitterly. 

“So?” Beck said, still not understanding what the problem was. 

“Rory definitely would’ve told Peach about the party. So, if you go, you’re going to see Peach there.” Annika explained. 

Beck looked down at the table, once again thinking about her best friend. 

After everything Peach did; from trying to kiss her, trying to gaslight her, telling her to break up with Joe, and telling her that she was an attention seeker who used people, Beck had wanted to be as far away from the other woman as possible. 

Even when she read Peach's text late that night, like all the times they had fought before, Beck had expected Peach to come back, say she was sorry and that she would do better. 

So, she was surprised when a day of no contact between soon turn into two, then three, and soon enough it had become three weeks since she last saw or spoken to Peach. This was the longest amount of time that this has ever happened since the two had first met each other. 

It was only Joe telling her not to give in because, doing so, would be giving into Peach like she always did before. 

“Peach needs to learn that what she did was not okay. If you try to reach out now, she’ll just do everything she did again.” Her boyfriend said, and Beck believed it at the time. 

But she could not deny that she missed Peach. 

“It’s fine guys, honestly. We’re adults, we can all go and not make it weird. I mean, you guys can't just keep hanging out with me and Peach separately.” 

“What even caused this fight between you two?” Lynn asked. 

Neither she nor Annika knew about what happened in Greenwich. All they knew was that Peach had done something and Beck wanted to be as far away from her as possible. 

They had tried to ask Peach, but she snapped at them, telling her friends that it was none of their business. 

Beck hesitated, looking down at her hands, “Peach was… Peach was just being more Peach than usual.” 

“So… we’re all going?” Annika asked, her phone in hand as she was waiting to respond to Max. 

Beck turned to Joe, “You coming with us?” 

Joe put a fake smile on his face, “Of course, can't wait.” 

“Awesome.” Annika muttered, quickly moving to text Max. 

Joe had wanted to say no but the last thing he wanted was for Beck to go and be anywhere around Peach alone. 

He knew that Peach was crazy, the gun she had, and her trying constantly to get him out of the way. 

And now she’s latching onto my sister, and I’m sure she’s doing this as a ploy to make you jealous.  

She might even be doing this just to make me angry, she wants the reaction, undoubtedly trying to regain control of everything.  

How fucking irritating…  

~X~

Saturday Night, The Upper East Side  

Rory sat on her kitchen counter, nursing a drink, and watching the party.  

She did not know most of the people in her home, but she would not be surprised if Max did. 

Over the years, Rory had seen how easily Max was able to have a good relationship with others, he was able to use his charm, good looks, and confidence to get many to orbit him. 

“So, this where you've been.” Rory heard a familiar voice shout to her over the thundering sound of the music. 

“Hey. When did you get here?” Rory said with a smile. 

When she turned around, Rory felt her breath catch in her throat as she took in Peach. The woman’s hair had been curled slightly, taking on a bouncier quality as it flowed down her back, her minimal eyeshadow made her brown eyes pop, and her red lipstick made her lips look fuller. 

And her outfit was just as eye-catching; Peach wore high heels, a short red V-neck dress with sleeves that reached halfway up her forearm, and irregular cut outs that revealed slivers of her slim and toned abdomen. 

Peach was taking into Rory as well; her usually curly hair had been straightened and put into pigtails on the top of her head, she wore tight and high waisted camo pants, black and white high-top sneakers, and a mesh crop top that did nothing to hide the black bra she had underneath. 

“You- you look great, Peach.” Rory finally managed to say, but her mind saying that Peach looked great was a disservice to the woman before her. 

“When do I not?” Peach smirked, “But what are you doing hiding in your kitchen?” 

“I’m not hiding, just taking a break.” Rory replied. 

“From what?” 

Rory let out a groan, “You weren’t here when Max started challenging people to King of the Mountain.” 

“What’s King of the Mountain?” Peach asked, having never heard of the game. 

“It's a drinking game where two people stand on a stool with only one leg, trying to balance as they take shots. It only ends when one of them falls, then the other is named King of the Mountain.” Rory explained. 

“And I’m guessing that you’re too much of a lightweight for it, huh?” Peach said with a grin. 

Rory rolled her eyes, “Trust me when you’ve been friends with Max for as long as I have there is no world where being a lightweight is possible.” 

Rory had many memories during their fours at Yale of Max dragging her to parties, clubs, and bars only for them both to get wasted. And it was the desire not to experience more painful hangovers and vomiting all over herself that kept her from wanting to drink too much. 

Before Peach could reply the pair were interrupted by Joe and Beck appearing in the entranceway of the kitchen. 

Both were having their own conversation, but their smiles fell, and their words forgotten as they noticed the other occupants in the room, and Peach knew that this reaction was because of her. 

“Hey, guys.” Rory said, oblivious to the tension that was filling the kitchen.  

“Hey, Rory.” Joe said before his smile fell, “Peach.” 

“Did you guys just get here?” Rory asked. 

“No, we've been here for about half an hour. The door was just wide open, so we just walked in.” Beck replied, looking in between the two women. 

Rory shrugged, “It’s easier than just having to open the door every few minutes. But you’re enjoying yourselves, right?” 

“Uh, yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve been to a party like this. Since college actually.” 

Rory then leaned closer to Peach, “What were you girls getting up to at Brown?” 

Peach rolled her eyes, “A lot more than you apparently.” 

Beck’s tentative smile fell as she watched the pair, seeing Peach smile so softly at Rory, at someone who was not her. 

“Peach,” Everyone turned to look at Beck, but she ignored them as she focused on Peach. “Can we talk?” 

Peach stared at Beck, surprised, “Sure.” 

Peach then looked back at Rory and the taller woman took the hint. “We'll give you two some space.” 

Joe blinked, forcing a small smile on his lips, he then kissed the side of his girlfriend’s head. “I'll be in the living room. Text me if you need an escape.” 

Beck chuckled slightly, gently removing herself from his arms. 

The siblings left the kitchen, leaving the two women alone for the first time in weeks. 

~X~

It felt like an eternity as the two women stood in Rory Hayden's kitchen, only the sounds of the music passing throughout the penthouse could be heard. 

“How have you been?” Beck asked, finally breaking the awkwardness. 

Peach rolled her eyes, “I've been good.” 

“That's… good.” Beck said, trailing off and allowing the silence to return. 

“Seriously, Beck. You were the one who said you wanted to talk, well? Talk .” Peach said. 

This caused Beck to glare at her friend, “Why are acting as if you’re not the reason for all of this? I’m not the problem here, you are.” 

“You left me when I needed you. And worse of all it was for Joe Goldberg .” Peach hissed. 

“Because you were trying to control me!” Beck yelled, “Peach we can't keep doing this whole routine with each other, it’s toxic.” 

Peach turned away from Beck, staring at the nearby wall.  

“I just want us to be normal.” Beck muttered but Peach still heard her. 

Everything I’ve done has been for you! To make you into the best person you could be, to not constantly have your heart broken by shitty men who don’t deserve you. Peach thought to herself. 

I wanted you to be mine…  

A blinding rage filled Peach's heart, her body began to shake, but forced these feelings away, leaving her just as quickly as it arrived, leaving Peach feeling tired. 

Blowing up at Beck would not change anything, it would not solve the fundamental problem with their relationship. 

She is never going to want me… is she? She wants fucking Joe.  

“I’m sorry, Beck, I really am. I… I never wanted to hurt you.” Peach admitted, feeling like a pit had formed in her stomach. 

Beck looked away shyly, “I also want to apologize, some of the things I said were too far.” 

“So… we're good?” Peach asked tentatively, her emotions and actions warring with one another. 

Beck smiled, “I missed you. It was… it was hard not seeing or talking to you.” 

“I missed you too.” 

“So… you and Rory have gotten close.” Beck said, meeting Peach’s eye again. 

Peach’s hands clenched, “And what about it? Rory is my friend.” 

Beck looked away, “I just mean that we haven’t known Rory for that long.  

“What does that have to do with anything?” Peach asked. 

“Nothing, I just worry. It’s nothing.” Beck quickly said. 

Peach took in Beck’s nervous stance, how she avoided looking her in the eyes.  

Are you jealous of my friendship with Rory? Was the question she wanted to ask, but deep-down Peach feared what Beck would say. 

“Well, I’d rather not stand here talking about nothing. We have a party to enjoy, Beckalicious.” 

Peach moved forward and grabbed one of Beck’s arms, pulling the now laughing woman out of the kitchen. 

~X~

As they left the kitchen, Joe and Rory walked to the living room, now standing in a secluded corner as the party went on. 

“What are you doing here? You hate parties, especially ones like this.” Rory shouted over the noise of the music. 

“Beck and the girls wanted to come. Trust me, I wouldn’t be here if I had a choice.” Joe answered, his eyes occasionally darting in the direction of the hallway that led to the kitchen. 

What is taking you so long, Beck? What lies is Peach telling you to get you to take her back?  

Rory laughed, enjoying her brother’s annoyed expression, “C’mon, it's not that bad!” 

Right then, a group of people all wearing trench coats strolled through Rory’s front door, they were made up of three men and three women, behind them eight large men with black t-shirts appeared carrying pieces of a stage and metal poles. 

The crowd immediately cleared a path for them, and everyone watched as the large men set up the stage and poles in the middle of the room. 

Max broke through the crowd and began speaking to the group, eventually shaking the hand of one of the men before backing up. 

Once the stage was set, the music in the room completely changed, the group of six jumped onto it and one by one they pulled off their trench coats revealing their scantily dressed bodies to the room. 

In a frenzy like state, the partygoers ran towards the stage, enthralled by the show they were now getting. 

Joe side-eyed his sister, his judgement more than evident. 

Rory rolled her eyes, “So, Max hired some entertainment, that doesn’t make this whole thing terrible.” 

“So, you’re just going to ignore the stripper that’s grinding on your TV?” Joe asked rhetorically, pointing to said action occurring at the front of the room. 

Rory’s head snapped towards her TV, watching as a curvy Hispanic woman sat on top of her large flat screen and was indeed grinding on it.  

“Hey! I just bought that!” Rory exclaimed, immediately rushing forward, and pushing her way through the crowd to reach the stripper. 

Joe shook his head. Well, Rory did say that Max was going to pay for any damage that was caused tonight. Which is a good thing because I don’t think warrantees on electronics cover stripper ejaculate.  

Joe turned back to the adjacent hallway just in time to see Peach and Beck enter the living room, their arms interwind, both talking and laughing with each other. 

Why am I not surprised...  

Joe quickly changed his expression once Beck noticed him and began leading Peach towards him. 

“Hey, there you are.” Beck said, smiling when she reached him, “Where did Rory go?” 

“Stripper.” Joe answered. 

“A stripper?” Peach asked aloud, turning her head in the direction of the strippers. 

She could not see Rory through the crowd, but the thought of Rory talking to one of them made her blood boil. 

Beck let out a laugh, confused by the response but accepting of it. “Okay. But-” 

“Beck!” The trio turned, watching as Blythe, Beck’s friend from graduate school approached. 

Before they could say anything, Blythe grabbed Beck’s available arm and started pulling her away. “Beck, you are not going to believe what I just saw. I mean its indescribable, ooh, I hope Ethan is still with them.” 

Beck her head back to Joe and Peach, giving them an apologetic smile as she allowed Blythe to pull her forward, “I’ll be right back!” 

Peach crossed her arms and prepared to leave, not wanting to be anywhere near Beck’s boyfriend. But before she could Joe grabbed her hand. 

“What the fuck are you doing, Joeseph?” Peach growled, yanking her hand away. 

Joe scoffed, “Look, I just wanted to tell you not to hurt Beck again. She has enough on her plate without you adding your fake problems to the mix.” 

Peach glared at the man, if Joe wanted to stop pretending, they did not hate each other, then she was more than fine with this. “That’s rich coming from you, Joeseph. I’m not the parasite that keeps latching onto to Beck because I know I can’t do any better.” 

“You say that like you didn’t try to force yourself onto her and try to get her into a three-way!” Joe exclaimed. 

“What?” Peach whispered, staring at Joe in shock, sharp icy prickling settling in her stomach. 

“Beck told me all about what happened in Connecticut.” Joe said, lying through his teeth.  

Beck had not told him about what happened during that weekend, but he was tired of having to act like he did not know what Peach was trying to do with his girlfriend. 

But you still want her in your life, Beck. You still want her toxic and possessive nature influencing you at every opportunity. And why didn’t you tell me, I'm your boyfriend?  

“You should take a look at yourself before calling me a parasite.” Joe went to find Beck but could not stop his final words from spilling out. “And stay away from Rory. My sister doesn’t need your Beck treatment.” 

Joe was gone, leaving Peach alone with her thoughts, hearing his words over and over. 

The fucking bastard! How dare he?! Just who the hell does he think he is? He’s just some pathetic nobody that Beck took pity on!  

Peach could feel her fingernails digging into her palm as she clenched her hands, she could feel the skin threatening to tear under the strain. 

You say that like you didn’t try to force yourself onto her and try to get her into a three-way!  

Beck told me all about what happened in Connecticut.  

You should take a look at yourself before calling me a parasite.  

And stay away from Rory. My sister doesn’t need your Beck treatment.  

Peach leaned against the wall behind her, glaring at the ground, imagining that it was Joe’s face as she dug her heels into the floor. 

“Hey, I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” Peach looked to the side, shocked that she did not notice Rory walk up to her. 

“Are you okay? What happened?” Rory asked, seeing the anger and distress on Peach’s face. 

“I’m... actually can I use your bathroom? The one done here is well...” Peach quickly schooled her features, smiling as she leaned closer to Rory. 

“Oh, yeah sure.” Rory said, confused by the sudden change, but had gotten used to Peach doing so as often as she did. 

Peach allowed Rory to lead her upstairs and towards her bedroom, smirking along the way. 

Stay away from Rory, huh? Fuck that, if it bothers you so much than being as close as I can is just what I need to do.  

~X~

“You locked your bedroom?” Peach asked as she watched Rory pull out a ring of keys from one of her pockets. 

She could still hear the music, but it was lessened by the distance between them and the rest of the party, especially since this part of the penthouse was relatively empty. 

Rory raised an eyebrow as she looked at Peach, “Would you trust a bunch of strangers not to do anything in any open rooms if you threw a party in your house? I don't know about you, but I don’t like the idea of someone fucking in my bed. So, I locked pretty much every room on this floor.” 

“That’s fair.” Peach admitted, walking into Rory’s bedroom as the door was held open for her. 

Peach took in the bedroom; Rory had a large king-sized bed with black and grey bedsheets, a walk-in closet, her nightstand held various pictures of Rory, her parents, and Max, a large tv sat on the wall opposite of her bed, but Peach found her eyes drawn to the large plushy in the corner of the room, a gaming computer with three monitors, and framed posters on the walls. 

“Why do you have the room of a teenage boy?” Peach asked as she turned back to face Rory. 

“My room does not look like a boy's.” Rory argued. 

“Sure it doesn’t. What even is this?” peach asked, walking towards and standing in front of the large plushy. 

“It’s Snorlax.” Rory answered. 

Peach continued to stare at Rory, before Rory responded again. 

“You know Snorlax, from Pokémon.” 

Peach’s brow furrowed, “The kids show?” 

Rory’s eyes widened, “Have you never seen Pokémon? Have you ever played the games, had any of the cards?” 

“Why would I do any of that?” 

“Okay, tomorrow or later toady, I’m showing you the first season of Pokémon. Ooo, I wonder if I can find my old Gameboy so I can show you Red and Blue? I can definitely show you the newer games on my 3DS.” 

“I should’ve figured you’d be such a big dork. Big nerd energy practically oozes off you in waves.” Peach teased. 

Rory rolled her eyes, but was not offended. “Don't hate just because you have no fun interests. Well, besides being a rich socialite and making bitchy comments.” 

Peach rolled her own eyes but failed to stop the smile that appeared on her lips.  

Peach began walking around the room stopping as she reached Rory’s nightstand, lifting up a framed photo of Joe and Rory. “Your brother told Beck and I that you were busy with a stripper. What was that about?” 

“One of the strippers Max hired was grinding on my living room TV.” 

Peach let out a small laugh, “Why?” 

“You know I still didn’t get an answer even when I got her off my TV. But she did give me her Insta and told me to ‘DM her to find out’.” Rory explained, not seeing the angered look on Peach’s face. 

“Are you going to dm her?” Peach asked, her voice eerily calm. 

“Nah, I mean,  I’m not interested in getting to know her as long as she keeps off my stuff, I’m good.” 

BAM!  

The sound of something heavy sounded throughout the penthouse even over the loudness of the music followed by the sounds of cheering. 

Rory threw her head back and groaned, “Why?” 

“Finally regretting saying yes to Max?” Peach asked innocently. 

Rory’s expression fell and her shoulders slumped, “I’ll be right back.” 

Rory quickly left, closing the door behind her as she raced downstairs to see what had caused the noise. 

Peach waited a few seconds before opening the top drawer of Rory’s nightstand. She began looking around for anything that stood out to her. 

After finding nothing, Peach went to the closet to see if she could find anything in there. 

At first nothing stood out to her, only seeing Rory clothes, but she eventually noticed a medium sized cardboard box sitting by the wall on the top shelf. 

Peach stood on the bottom shelf and carefully pulled the box into her hand, almost dropping it when she realized how heavy it was. 

Slowly, Peach climbed back down, and placed the box on the floor. 

When she opened it the first thing she saw an old photo. The picture had been taken outside of a rundown apartment building, and there were three people standing in front of it, a woman and two children. 

The woman was of average height with reddish brown hair and blue eyes. Out of the three she was the only one smiling, her hands placed on the children’s outer shoulder, pulling them closer to her. 

On the left side was a boy with short curly hair and dark brown eyes. He stood awkwardly, as if he did not know what to do with himself, and his face was pulled into a grimace. 

On the right side was a girl. She stood out next to the other two with her long curly hair, light brown eyes, and warm shin tone. She was younger than the boy next to her, and unlike the others was not staring at the camera but at something in the foreground, something that had frightened her with how widen and frantic her eyes were. 

This must be Rory and Joe when they were kids. And this woman has to be their mother.  

Peach pulled her phone and took a picture of the old photograph before gently placing it down next to her. 

She continued looking through the box, inside were newspaper clippings that featured Rory, like the science fair that Peach already knew about, community services that she had participated in, awards she had won over the years. 

The next thing of interest that she had found was a letter that been addressed to Rory. The white envelope had appeared to be a few years old, but what drew Peach's attention was the lack of sender's address and that the envelope’s seal was still intact. 

Why didn’t Rory read this? Who is it from? Peach wondered. 

Peach put the letter down still intent on looking for anything else of substance. 

Eventually she stumbles upon a Manila envelope. Luckily for her this one had been opened allowing her to look through it. 

As she read through the documents, Peach realized that they were Rory’s adoption papers and birth certificate. 

Rory’s birth certificate had listed the name of Sandy’s Libretalo as the mother, but the section for father was left blank. 

I already know that Rory and Joe have the same mother but does Rory not know who her biological father is?  

Peach looked at the adoption papers and saw that Rory had been staying in the Saint Catherine of Siena Group Home for Young Girls. 

Peach smiled at this fact, happy that she was now getting somewhere in her search. 

Peach had stopped looking into Rory and Joe after her attack, not picking it back up, after her fight with Beck, but had found her resolve revigorated after being accosted by Joe. 

I’m finally another step closer. Now all I have to do is go to the group home, from there it will be easy to find out what Joe is hiding.   

Peach once again used her phone, taking pictures of Rory’s birth certificate and the name of her former group home. 

She made sure to put every back in the box and place it back on the shelf, not wanting Rory to realize that someone had gone through it. 

Just as Peach had made her way out of Rory’s closet, the bedroom door opened and Rory walked inside. 

“Did you find out what happened?” Peach asked. 

“Yeah and I’m going to have to hold off on showing you Pokémon because Max is buying me a new fridge and a new coffee table.” Rory said, her arms crossed and her teeth bared as thought about what had happened. 

Rory then threw herself face first onto her bed, letting out a loud and angry yell. 

Peach calmly walked over to the bed, sitting on its edge. She stared down at Rory amused, “I guessing it’s not just the fridge and your coffee table either.” 

Rory turned her head so she could face Peach while still lying down, “No, it’s not. Why did I let Max throw this party?” 

“Honestly, you should look on the bright side; you’re getting new stuff.” Peach joked. 

“I liked my old stuff the way it was; not destroyed.” Rory muttered. 

“True, but you could also use tonight as a reason to never let Max use your place for a party ever again.” 

Rory sat up, “That is true. Hell, I might be able to use this to get out of going to one of his parties period.” 

Peach smiled, “Don't tell me that got you all excited?” 

Rory fully pushed herself up, moving to sit next to Peach. “How can it not? I’m finally free!” 

“You’re stupid.” Peach stated, playfully bumping her shoulder with her own. 

Rory laughed, but soon because serious, “Did you and Beck make up?” 

Peach’s smile fell, “We did, I think we did. As long as I stop being so Peach, both to her and your brother.” 

Rory visibly winced, sucking in a breath, “Ouch, that sucks.” 

“Yeah, well I’m a lot to deal with.” Peach said softly, looking away from Rory and towards the floor. 

Rory gently placed her hand under Peach’s chin, making her look at her again. “You’re not a lot to deal with.” 

Peach scoffed, “Don’t lie to me.” 

“Okay, you can be a lot, but that’s just because you're someone who feels strongly. And you don't know how to express those feelings in the best way.” 

“So you think there’s something wrong with me?” Peach asked defensively, her anger rising. 

“No! No, I don’t think there’s something wrong with you. You’re great, Peach, I think you’re one of the most amazing women I’ve ever met.” 

Peach’s eyes widened, “You do?” 

Rory let out a laugh, “Yeah, I do. I’m honestly afraid that since you and Beck are good now that we’re not going to hang out as much.” 

“You really are stupid.” Peach said, trying to ignore the way her heart fluttered and her throat dried. 

“Damn, I spill my heart out to you and you call me stupid? That hurts, Peach, that really hurts.” Rory chuckled, grabbing her chest and pretending to be in pain. 

Peach rolled her eyes and pushed Rory away. Rory laughed and fell back onto the bed. 

As Peach looked across the room, Rory took in her side profile, her eyes trailing down her form. 

You’re amazing, Peach, completely and utterly enchanting. Rory thought to herself. 

Rory had been surprised by how quickly the two of them became friends only feeling such a fast bond when she met Max when they were children but even then, she did not feel for Max as she does for Peach. 

There was this overwhelming desire to be near Peach, to hear her speak, to feel her, to know everything single thing about her. 

And Rory was afraid that this feeling would only grow stronger and harder to ignore as time went on.