Frankie's POV

Mr. Bryar did indeed have a solution for Lindsay. Bert and Mike had called their families from the motel room to find that M's men had left without explaination as well.


Ray burst through the club door, laying an unconscious Lyndsay down on the nearest couch. He ran in me hugging a little too tightly, but it felt good.


“Are you ok? Tell me you're ok? Don't you ever, ever, EVER,” he sucked in a ragged breath, “ do that to me again. You hear me?!”


“I'll try not to get unvoluntarily abducted again,” I roll my eyes, but I'm smiling and holding on to this hug just as tight. Ray gives the best hugs.


Lyndsay starts stirring. The room becomes silent. Way too silent. I know I need to stick to the plan, but my heart is suddenly in my throat.


“Oh, thank God, she's finally waking up!” Be sincere. I start to walk toward her.


“W-whaaa'? Where whe' whe' ere' 'm I?” The EMT worker waved the men away his hand, then approached her slowly.


“Lindsay? My name is Steve. I'm an EMT with the City of Thorne.”


“Thorne!” She sat up, rubbing her eyes. “How did I get out here?” Steve carefully sat on the bed she was laying on.


“I'll tell you right now. I just wanted to make sure you weren't going to freak out.”


“Why would I do that?”


“You and another young woman, who is also here, were both kidnapped. But you seemed to have had an allergic reaction to the chloroform used. The other woman might have saved your life. She called 911. You're a lucky girl.” Lindsay had a look of shock on her face for awhile, probably because she was still partially under the influence of the drug. But then she turned and pointed to Frankie.


“Is this her? What is your name?”


“It's Frankie. You were actually coming up to my house the night we were taken, ironically.”


“Your Gee's new girl? You knew who I was, and you still saved me? Why?”


“I'm sure you would have done the same.” She looked down, although I don't know if she's feeling guilty or just sleepy. Maybe a little of both.


“Well, it's never too late to be someone new. Oh, that flash drive is gone. Evidently, there were some dangerous people who wanted other dangerous people dead over a few of the pictures. One of those people happened to be my step dad, who was behind my kidnapping. You were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”


*
*
*

Time Lapse – 2 weeks later – Graduation Day


Frankie's POV


An hour before the ceremony


Bert and Mike started working for me. Officially as drivers, assistants, gofers, bodyguards, whatever I needed done really. The hours were flexible so that Bert could spend time with sister and Mike, well, I didn't know what he did on his time off. But this graduation day was special to us all. Not only were we here to support our guys, but I wanted bodyguards on Mikey, especially during his speech. I didn't want anyone taking away his well earned moment.



I had used my pull to gain access to the gym ahead of time. I snapped pictures of all exits, made notes of all blind spots and areas I thought were best to post guards. We were fortunate enough to be able to bring in some outside help, because Bert and Mike alone wouldn't stretch to far.



Mikey had had that meeting with Mr. Bryar, and had agreed to work with him as a consultant as long as he's in college. It made me nervous, but it's not my decision. After learning about the bullying situation, Mr. Bryar sent quite a few of his own men to aid in the guarding efforts. What Mikey doesn't know, is that Mr. Bryar himself is coming to the ceremony to hear his speech. He doesn't want him to be even more nervous. So I sat, all excited as everything was about to begin, smoothing my wrinkle free lap. Pulling out the little compact from my purse, I slicked on my MAC lipglass for about the 10th time this hour. I stared at my reflection in the little mirror.



Even though I knew it was stupid, there was still a small part of me that felt ugly, stupid, unwanted. My step dad and mom were still missing. Even though the police had frozen their access to any funds, it wasn't about the money. I still couldn't believe her. She gave birth to me. I snapped the mirror closed and shoved it into my purse. I couldn't wait for the little party we had planned, just close friends. My NEW family. The family that actually loved me. And I had even more butterflies in my stomach at the thought of the party I had planned for Gee and I after that. After this fiasco, I was ready. More than ready. I really hoped Gee was because of course I wasn't going to force him. But he seemed pretty ready at the diner. I just hope he's not disappointed. I know Lindsay was awful to him personality – wise, but her body... oh my god! Ok, think about something else.



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Gerard's POV


About 2 hours before the ceremony


“Are you sure I look ok, Mikey?”


“Yes!” My little brother practically groaned the answer. “You look fine.”


“But I don't want to look fine. I want to look better than fine. C'mon, you should understand. This is a special occasion. Don't you feel that way when you're fixing yourself up for Ray?”


“Eh.” Somehow I peeled my eyes away from my reflection. I'd been stressing about the fact that my hair kept sticking up strangely in the back. Mikey was playing video games, in his nice clothes, while sitting indian style on the floor. Suppose there wasn't any point to mentioning the fact that he could be wrinking his pants, I thought. But then again, his probably won't. Miraculously, his will stay perfect while mine wrinkle, even though I've been standing all day. I sighed. He probably did nothing with his hair either, but will give his Valedictorian speech looking like a GQ model. I loved that things like this went well for him. I just wanted it to go well for me too.


“She likes you the way you are. Don't you like her, whether or not her hair is messy?”


“Well, yeah of course. But, hey - are you saying my hair is messy?”


“No. Are you missing my point?”


“No. But it would still be nice to look decent once in awhile, especially at an event where others also look nice.”


“Yes, I understand. Your hair is good. You are the only person that notices it. I really have to look for it, and that's after you point it out. Dude, you look nice.” I felt better after that.


“Thanks. Are we about ready to go? We should check on Mom and Dad too.”


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Mikey's POV


All through high school, I was the odd man out. Sure it was cool having Gee and Ray in my classes and it definitely beat the inevitable boredom I would have suffered if I'd stayed with the kids my age. But the near constant bullying and the isolation, that came with my unique situation was killing me from the inside out. But as we all sat on chairs facing the audience, awaiting our diplomas, I was so glad my brother was by my side. I did wish there wasn't quite so much pomp and circumstance, because I just want to get my speech over with and go home.


After what seemed like forever, our principal came to the podium and started droning on about me. Z and the other behemoth from our day at Club Terror moved closer together, so that they were guarding my sides closer. I wasn't sure if that made me feel safer or more nervous. I had only bounced my speech off of one person. I kind of wished that person could be here. He knew I'd probably need bodyguards and that I now have.




“And now, let's here him. Your Valedictorian for 2015, Michael Way.”



Grr. I told them Mikey. I approached the podium with my head held high, faking the confidence I didn't have. When I got there, I found my parents, Frankie, Brendan, Hayley and Billie. It wasn't hard since I already knew where they were sitting. Seeing all of them gave me a little boost, so I smiled.




“Class of 2015. This is a very different speech from the one I planned to give a month ago. I had originally planned to make this short and sweet. I figured 99% of the student body hated me anyway, so why waste my time or yours.



(Shout from one of the jocks behind me: That's true! So get off the stage)


I'd be careful if I were on any sports team.


(Yeah? Whatcha gonna do? )


I leaned away from the mic and addressed all the jocks over my shoulder.


“I've got a flash drive and I'm not afraid to use it. I've also got a powerful friend, so you will listen to my speech or you will find yourself on YouTube.”


I suppose it proved my point that I was interrupted. You see, what most faculty and parents have figured out by now, there are kids that want to be thugs for whatever reason. I was an especially good target because I'm 2 years younger than everyone else. I was fortunate enough to have a cousin and brother in the same grade I was moved to so I even had a bodyguard between classes. But Gerard couldn't be everywhere. Each athletic team split up what day they would get to beat me up. I've been beaten every single day of my high school life. Why do you think that is? I don't brag about my intelligence. I don't show off my skills. I actually started hiding what I could do to the point that I started doing it around my family and friends, the most loving, supportive people in the world. It wasn't until I had a chance to help someone really important with my computer skills that I started to see what I was cheating myself out of. That person told me to never let anyone make you ashamed of your talents or what you can do. The person who got me to see that bullying is just like any other problem to solve and that nobody should ever make you ashamed of your intelligence. Bullying isn't just a bunch of jocks beating up a smart kid either. Look at all the guys we have on our schools sports teams?



(People Clap)



Do you think every single one of them is the stereotypical dumb guy with bad grades? How many do you think are hiding good grades? Or hobbies that others on the team wouldn't approve of? How many hate bullying others, but do it because they are afraid not to? You don't have to hide your talents or intelligence, whether you're popular or not. If more people do this, it will no longer be a big deal, just the norm. If bullies put that energy into having an awesome life themselves, think of how much good that would do for everyone. If you are being bullied, tell a parent, a teacher, therapist, someone. You shouldn't keep it secret like I did. And if you are a bully, think of this... Why are you getting so much joy out of this unfair fight. When several large, strong kids corner a small, weaker kid, you are shooting fish in a barrel. How does that make you tough? And to anyone on those teams thinking about revenge because they don't like what I have to say, a certain flash drive came into my possession and I'm not afraid to use it.”



As I looked to the back of the audience, I saw Mr. Bryar standing and clapping. I didn't think I could have beamed any brighter. Then I saw Lindsay stand up and clap. This really was the twilight zone. After that, people were clapping and standing for awhile. Gee whispered something in my ear after I flopped back into my seat, but I wasn't listening. People liked my speech. They actually listened and liked it. Mr. Bryar liked it. An instant wave of fatigue washed over me, I guess because the adrenaline finally wore off. I was so ready to go home and eat cake.



*
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Gerard's POV


We just had a small party at our house afterward. Mom had bought a cake and ice cream. She said the kids were responsible for getting the non-alcoholic drinks on the way home. We picked up soda and punch. Brendan got Skittles and Starburst as well.


“This explains a lot.” Hayley picked up one of the large bags of Skittles.


“What is that supposed to mean?” He had already started in on the other.


“Well, just that you are very full of energy... and it might be slightly enhanced. By sugar, you know?” He picked up his petite girlfriend, as she protested, and threw her over his shoulder.


“That's the only thing that's enhanced, baby.” She was laughing too hard to respond.


Frankie walked in on the end of the conversation and gave Brendan a strange look, because all she heard was 'enhanced baby'.


“Oh, Brendan, so weird.” She pat his cheek then walked through to look for me.


“Oh, boyfriend?” A shiver ran through my body when she called me that. I was so in love it was hopeless. She sat on my lap, putting her arms around my neck and tucking her feet under Mikey's thighs.


“Comfy now?” Mikey asked.


“Yup. So, what's happening on this side of the party?” She asked everyone. Ray shrugged, Mikey lifted an eyebrow while moving his head to the side, while Billie managed to sigh and say “Eh” at the same time.


“Nothing really,” I kissed her quickly. “How about over there?”


“Nothing you want to know about. Think it's about time to cut the cake?”


“That's what I've been saying for the past 15 minutes.”


“Then, let's go Mikes.” Only she didn't stand when everyone else started to get up, leaving me a bit confused. She started to whisper in me ear.


“Hang on, not you. Just wanted to ask you something quick but I can't seem to get you alone for 5 seconds. I have a private party planned, just the 2 of us. Interested?” My eyes got wide.


“Always. What did you have in mind?” She could read my worried face so easily.



“We don't have to do anything we're not ready for. We can just cuddle if you want. My house has lots of privacy, but that means leaving tomorrow. If we went to a hotel tonight, I have a feeling everyone would tease us mercilessly. Depends on if you care. I don't. Let's have cake and then you can let me know once you decide.” Frankie kissed 'my forehead, then got off my lap. She held out her hand to help me up.



*****




After we had cake, I told Frankie that I needed some fresh air. I was leanning against the house so I could think. Since I quit smoking, I no longer had that time to ponder my options. Options like, Do I want to spend the night with Frankie yet? I know what she said, but the temptation will be very strong. Will I regret my decisions later? Will she? Look how we were within 10 minutes of meeting each other. Does this have anything to do with the fact that she was kidnapped?



I'm still not sure how it happened. One minute I was completely lost in my thoughts, but the next minute I was being pulled hard to the side and off my feet. Then there was nothing but darkness, as a bag was placed over my head. I thought I heard Frankie's scream. She must have come out to check on me. There was the sound of gunfire, the squeal of SUV tires, and an unusually ubrupt end to Frankie's screams. Then, we peeled away. Every turn made me roll around and hit my head or shoulders, but all I could think about was her. I prayed she was safe.

Notes

I'm back! I'm slowly editing my ending. Im going to edit all the typos and continuity errors eventually as well. This is the first thing I've written in at least 10 yrs and I rly flew by the seat of my pants. And it shows so much. Hope you've enjoyed this. I'm going to be ending this very soon tho and then I'll chip away and the other one. Peace.

B