I woke up around eight a.m after I had tossed and turned all night. I could hear footsteps upstairs, slowly trodding back and forth. It was probably my mom. I climbed out of bed and went upstairs to find that it wasn’t my mom, but instead it was Mikey. He was sitting at the kitchen table eating something. I stopped in the archway and we made awkward eye contact for a moment before he broke the silence.

“Well, good morning princess.” He greeted, looking back down at his food.

“Oh shut up you asshole, it’s eight in the morning.” I snapped. Mikey rolled his eyes, so I returned the gesture and rolled mine back.

I grabbed a box of cereal and the milk and ate a bowl of it at the kitchen counter. Then I turned the coffee maker on and sat at the table, making zero eye contact with my brother. I drank my coffee as he finished his breakfast and read the newspaper on the table.

“Where’s mom?” I asked finally.

“Bedroom.” he replied blankly.

“Do you know when she got home?”

“Nope.” Obviously Mikey wasn’t going to cooperate with me, so I got up and put my cup in the sink, and then I went down the hall and to my moms bedroom. The door was cracked open so I lightly pushed it open and crept inside. On the bed, lay my mom in a deep sleep. I crept to the bedside and tapped her on the shoulder.

“Mom?” I whispered. She groaned and turned her head away.

“Mom,” I whispered again, “I’m going over to Ethan’s, is that okay?” My mom groaned again and rolled over onto her side.

“Sure.” She attempted to say, and buried her face in her pillow. I backed away and shut the door behind me. I made my way down my stairs and into my bedroom so I could get ready to leave. I grabbed a pair of plaid pajama pants and an Iron Maiden T-shirt. I put on my dirty Chuck Taylors and grabbed the truck keys from my dresser.

“I’m leaving, don’t cause too much trouble please.” I told Mikey as I headed out the door.

“Hey, where are you go-” Mikey started but I had shut the door before he could finish. I climbed in the truck and blasted the heat. A foot of snow had fallen overnight and continued to snow heavily. After I warmed up, I climbed out and shoveled the snow out of the driveway and brushed off the windshield.

“Fuck, it’s cold.” I murmured to myself as I climbed back in the truck. I put on some music and went on my way to Ethan’s.

I pulled up into Ethan’s driveway and turned off the truck. I got out, went up to the door, and rang the doorbell a couple times. No one came to the door for a moment but eventually I heard the deadbolt unlock. To my surprise, it was Frank who opened the door.

“Hey Gee!” Frank said excitedly, yet quietly.

“Hey Frankie,” I exclaimed, “You’re looking good this morning.” Frank smiled at me and let me in the house. I took off my coat and shoes and hung them up by the door.

“Where’s Ethan?” I asked as Frank led me into the living room.

“He had to go to work.” Frank replied.

“Oh,” a moment of silence filled the room, “Are you guys leaving for Portland tonight?” Franks lips formed a subtle frown at the comment and I instantly regretted asking.

“Yeah,” he pushed out. He looked like he wanted to say more, but for some reason he couldn’t. I tried thinking what he wanted for a minute and finally, I got it.

“Do you want me to come with you tonight?” I asked. He nodded and closed his eyes.

“Please.” He whispered. He seemed so worried and lost. I grabbed the side of his cheek gently and guided his head to face me. He twiddled his thumbs and looked down at the couch.

“I will always be there for you,” I said, “Don’t ever think I wont.” His thumbs stopped spinning and his eyes moved up to mine. The eyes I once thought were so alive and mysterious were now empty and vacant. They were filled with hopeless nightmares and troubled past.

“I know.” He whimpered. A small crystal tear trickled down his cheek. I wiped it away from his rough skin with my thumb. With Frank’s eyes locked on mine, I slowly leaned in and kissed him softly. His lips were slightly chapped and cold, but they were sweet to the taste. I pulled away and leaned my forehead against his.

“I missed this.” I said, closing my eyes.

“Then don’t stop.” Frank whispered. Before I could say anything else, Frank’s lips were interlocked with mine once more. We started off slow, with small, long kisses, but eventually Frank was pushing me into the couch and onto my back. I loved Frank, and I wanted to express it to him, but it felt wrong of me to in the condition he was in.

“Frank,” I said pulling away from his lips, “Are you sure you want to do this?” Frank looked up and met my eyes and stared for a few moments. I watched the battle between him and his mind flash before me in them. Without saying a word he rose up off of me, taking my hands in his, and pulling me up with him. Walking backwards towards his bedroom, he led me in and shut the door with his feet. He leaned in and kissed me. Than he closed his eyes and nuzzled his head by my right ear.

“Yes,” he whispered, “This is exactly what I want.” He slowly looked back up at me and our eyes met once more. This time, I saw the last battle flames burn out into simple gray ash, and I knew that Frank had won.

Notes

Sorry this chapter is so short but hey, I think it's good!
I hope you all enjoy it and I am gonna get the next chapter out soon for you to enjoy even more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANKS FOR READIN!