And the story continues! I'm going to put a WARNING here, but because there is a mention of abortion. I want to be sensitive to anyone who may need it. I hope you enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 12
Ok. Regina was willing to admit defeat. She hadn't meant to stay out for so long. She slept on a park bench last night, because she was too tired to make it back to Granny's house. She must have made a wrong turn at some point, because she'd been walking for ages and nothing looked familiar. She wishes she paid closer attention to where she was walking in her fit of rage to and from the beach. Regina has no idea where she is and can't call anyone because her phone is dead.
She really didn't think any of this through. Her stomach hurt she was so hungry, but she used the ten dollars she had in her pocket her first night on the street. She was going on her third day of not taking her meds. Wait. Was it only three? Yes. She brought her medication with her to the party at Robin's house. Ugh. Robin. He makes her so angry. He and Keith are childish. How is it that hating another person is so normalized that you never question the moral of it. She could understand the occasional casual rivalry. The ones that push you to be better, but you could appreciate the work the other person did. Never to the point where you'd physically hurt one another just for being in the same room.
No.
That, she will never understand. As mad as she is with Keith and Robin she would never fight them. At least she hopes she won't. Confrontation was never her go to. Subtlety was more her style. Learn her prey, their strengths and weaknesses, fears and effectively use it against them. But it's not as if she'd ever actually do such a thing.
If nothing else, Regina can say she got a good tan out of this... Boy was she in deep poo. Every street looked the same. There weren't any major landmarks that could give her a hint to where she was going. Well, the dollar tree and Arco that seemed remotely familiar. Regina thinks maybe she passed it in the car a lot as a kid. It doesn't help her much at the moment. She doesn't know which direction she needs to get back home, but she feels better knowing she isn't too far.
Regina internally groans. This is just her luck. Little John is running across the street to chat. She'd run to him in relief, if seeing him didn't remind her she was supposed to be angry.
"Funny running into each other right?" He smiles when he's close enough.
"How is it possible we run into each other? You don't hang out on this side of Hollywood." Regina states. She wants to say it isn't a coincidence, but considering she a bit lost it could be. Though this really is far for John to be here for anything other than something specific.
"I do sometimes."
She is not impressed. She is still mad at Robin. Yeah so John didn't do anything wrong. But she knows he's going to try and convince her to forgive Robin. And honestly, she doesn't want to right now. "Look," Regina starts. "if you're here to apologize on Robin's behalf, don't waste your breath. In fact don't talk about Robin at all."
"He really is sorry, by the way."
"Alright. I'm out." She begins to walk away.
"Sorry. Regina wait. I'm sorry." John rushes in front of her. His confidence seems to have dwindled some too. "Look, the two of us are friends. We don't need Rob for that. You wanna… do you want to catch up over lunch or something? If you aren't busy.."
"I could eat."
Regina could more than eat. God, she was so hungry. She didn't realize how hungry until he mentioned food. Now she couldn't stop thinking about it. Her stomach was doing everything it could to make itself know. Regina was hyper aware of the whole burning a way through her stomach. And she really was tired of walking.
It wasn't until they were in John's car that she thought about how she must smell. She hasn't had the change to clean up since Granny threw them out of the diner. She hopes he doesn't notice.
The restaurant John chooses is a quaint hole in the wall that only locals would know about. Yet it was still fancier then outfit Regina currently had on. She felt a bit out of place. She ran her fingers through her hair hoping it would make her more presentable.
"Something wrong?" John asks, ever concerned. "If you don't like Japanese we can eat somewhere else. I don't mind."
"No. No. I'm just under dressed." Regina admits.
"Nonsense." He waved her off. "You look fine. Besides, I only have jeans and a polo." For some reason she believes him.
Through the duration of their lunch they were interrupted only once by a young fan that wanted a picture with John. He was completely kind about it. Regina is honestly surprised it doesn't happen more often. Fans coming up to them. John doesn't seem to hide his identity like Robin does. She finds it odd. Are they not all apart of the band? Did they not needed avoid paparazzi too?
"You don't hide your identity. I thought you needed to stay away from the public eye." Regina notes. There's a question laced in there somewhere.
John finishes his bite before responding. "I've never really had to worry about that sort of thing before. They tried fat shaming me, but spoke out on it and the eventually left me alone. Reporters typically go after Robin on Will. They judge them pretty harshly in the tabloids."
"Oh."
"Don't get me wrong, it's worked in our favor for awhile. Especially starting out. But we've all matured and we want our music and image to do the same." He takes a bite of food and washes it down with water. "Because Rob is the face of the band he's the one that has to get rid of his playboy reputation. But The Genie has it out for him and is making our lives just that much harder."
"Who's the genie?" Regina has to ask.
"Sydney Glass. Infamous paparazzi. He makes a living off of making celebrities lives difficult. But many of the higher up pay him big money to do what he does."
"And what is that exactly?"
"Find them a story. He can take any image and put it out of context." John leans in closer and lowers his voice. He doesn't want eavesdroppers listening in. "Vanessa Ursula was seen leaving a woman's clinic. The next day a gossip magazine told the world that she was aborting the love child of Albert Spencer. Which wasn't farfetched because it had just come out the he was sleeping with an array of women. The claims weren't true of course. Ursula is as sweet as they come, yet it still ended her marriage and gave her a bad reputation."
"Damn." She gasps. She always knew those magazines were full it. She just never realized how bad it could be for celebrities. Who would write an article about John's weight? So what if he's larger than all of his friends, he isn't fat. And even then, he'd still remain beautiful. And what about that poor woman's whose life got ruined? She doesn't want that to happen to any of the band. It doesn't mean she isn't still upset with Robin. If anything, he put himself at risk of a ruined career by destroying her Granny's diner.
"Could I borrow your phone? My phone has been dead for the past couple days." Regina asks John once the waiter cleared their table. She wanted to call Granny to let her know she was ok. She was probably worried sick. She honestly had not meant to be gone for so long. She was truly grateful to have run into Little John.
"Is that why you wouldn't respond to any of our messages?" She knows he's teasing, but Regina hates to think that people thought she was purposely ignoring them. She hadn't even considered other people might want to get in contact with her. She was so mad at Keith and Robin, she cut everyone else in her life off. What kind of friend was she? Maybe because a part of her told her that no one would care. She sees now that she was clearly mistaken. Oh no! Did Granny think she was ignoring her? Mabey on that first night. But her phone had already died at that point. And she already established she wasn't in the best state of mind. "Roni it's ok. I'm not upset. Of course you can borrow my phone." John hands her his phone. "I'll wait outside."
They go their separate ways. Regina leaves their booth for more privacy in the bathroom. She's glad she memorized Granny's number. The ring tone last longer than she's used to when calling her granny. Regina wonders if she'll pick up. This is an unfamiliar number to her.
"Hello?"
Regina breathes a sigh of relief. "Granny?"
"Regina?! Oh thank God!" It her grandmother's turn for a sigh of relief. It only makes her feel more guilty. She had not meant to put her granny through so much stress. She was just so hurt to be thrown out like that. She still couldn't wrap her head around it. "Where are you? What happened? Are you safe?"
"Yes, Granny I'm fine. John let me borrow his phone. Mine died a couple days ago and I don't have a charger."
"He the reason you were out at all times of night?"
The statement bring Regina to a pause. "What? Granny no. What are you talking about?" Regina could completely understand her grandmother being upset about not returning home for days. Regina wasn't sure, but this felt like she was upset about something else.
"Don't play dumb with me. I know the moment you left out of here you went wherever it is you go with your little boyfriends. They came in here you know." Her gran continues. "They said you left them. But now I come to find out you're with another boy?"
If Regina was being completely honest with herself, she half expected Granny to sob an apology about how she should have never kicked her out. Now, her Granny was upset with… a boy? Even if she had gone straight home, it wasn't as if she could get in. She doesn't have a key.
"What are you even talking about? John is just a friend. He helped me when I got lost. What's the big deal?"
"The deal is that it is far too dangerous to be out after dark. It's like I don't even know you. Out all times of night, sneaking around with boys, and coming with bruises."
Regina on instinct goes to reach for her head, but thinks better of it. "I told you. I bumped my head."
"You and I both know you didn't. Where did it come from?"
"I fell." She tries again.
Granny gets really agitated now. She keeps her voice low as to not be overheard by the patrons and hard to convey her seriousness. "Did that boy do this to you? The one from the diner?"
She freezes. "No. Granny, no." She couldn't let Granny go down this path. Robin did hit her with a door the first night they were here, but that was an accident. And Keith had nothing to do with it. She only just met him. None of that matters now. These past few days here has been the most free she has felt two years. There is no way she's losing that now.
"Regina if you're protecting that boy, so help me-"
"Just drop it ok!" Regina shouts over her Granny.
There's a silence that washes over the other line. She hates raising her voice. It happens rarely. Daddy often warned her about her temper and how it would one day get her in trouble. She always thought he meant in school. Seeing how her frustration led to an outburst she needs to cautious. Unfortunately, strong emotions of any kind isn't a side-effect of her medication. It's just a her thing.
"Regina." Granny sighs heavily on the other end. "I know my sweet little is still in there. You just got mixed up in the wrong crowd and good lord knows what they have you doing. Promise to stay away from those friends of yours. I will forgive your running away if you just stop this little game of yours and come home."
"I.. I don't think I will." Regina decides. "Need I remind you Granny; you were the one who kicked me out. You were the one who made me roam around the streets for an entire day because you couldn't be bothered to give me a key. This isn't all on me." She can't keep the tears from falling. She sniffed and tries to express how upset she is with her grandmother without coming off as a total crybaby. It hurt to think her granny saw her as problematic. She's never done anything wrong before yesterday.
"I am not some rebel teen. My grandmother put me out and I got lost. I am not Anita. So don't treat me like you did her when she was my age. I haven't committed a crime. Please don't act as if I'm a stranger to you."
"Regi-"
"Granny I have to go." Regina cuts her off. "I love you."
It takes everything in Regina not to break down in to a sob where she stands. She takes a shuddered breath and meets John out front. He takes one look at her and pulls her into a hug. She will not cry. She will not cry. She will not cry.
Regina eventually releases john from the death grip she had him in. "My Granny is being unusually difficult. Sorry for being all emotional. Here's your phone."
"No problem." He hesitates a moment. "I'm heading to the studio to work on the album. You're welcome to join if you want. But uh.. but Robin will um.. will be there."
Regina wants to stay with John. But she really doesn't want to see Robin just yet. Then again John can help her get home after his thing. So she agrees.
She recognizes the area as one she used to drive around once upon a time, but it has changed so much in the last years. Some buildings are new, other remain the same. Their at a red light when Regina recognizes the corner store Mallory Page used to take her to when she was younger. Mallory babysat her and her sister back when they used to live here in California. She wonders how she's doing? Her house is just around the corner. Maybe she still lives there?
"Hey can you make a right at this next light?" Regina asks on a whim.
"Sure. Can I ask why?" Her heart skips a beat when they actually make the turn. She didn't think he'd actually do it. This brings back so many memories.
"I umm.. my family and I lived here until I was 8. Make a left here at the playground." She points. "Wow. It looks the same."
"Play there much?"
"My sister and I practically lived on that playground. We'd come home so dirty and tired. Even after we moved to Maine, we would visit so often it was like we still lived here." Regina had fond memories of this place. Mal would bring her and her sister here after school while their parents were at work. In the summer she'd them to the corner store they passed earlier and she would let them pick out a new flavor of popsicle. It was one of her favorite things to do when she was younger.
They were approaching Mal's house. What was the chances that Mallory still lived here? If she did, Regina doubts she'd be home. But it would be nice to just look at the house again. There were so many memories in these streets.
"My best friend lives on this street. She's 14 years older than me and used to babysit my sister and I. She helped me get over my fear of the dark by claiming to be the queen of darkness." Regina chuckles at the memory. "Sometimes she'd even dress up and banish all of the night creatures that scared me."
"She sounds lovely." John smiles at her.
"She really is." She smiles back. Regina knew the house was coming into view. And she told John this. What she didn't expect was to see a figure smoking on the porch. She looks like she always has. It's like a flashback in time. Her dirty blonde hair is shorter than she remembers, but there is no doubt in Regina's mind that it's her.
Mallory Page.
What are the odds?
Mal stands from her spot when John stops in front of the house. She likely trying to figure out who they are. If Regina doesn't do something soon, she will probably call the cops on them.
"That her?" John peeks around Regina to get a better look at the house. She nods but can't seem to get the words out. The last time she saw Mal was at her Abuelo's funeral Three years ago. Next thing she realizes is John helping her from the car and pushing her toward the house.
"Mal?" Regina asks hesitantly and with a megawatt smile.
"Gina?" She gasps back.
In an instant the two of them shoot forward and enlace each other in an embrace. She had not felt at home in a long time. Granny's house wasn't the same without Abuelo and Regina isn't sure granny even wants her there right now. This house wouldn't be the same without Mal, yet here she is. She even smells the same. How is that possible?
Mal is warm. Mal is soft. She is safe. She's everything Regina needs in this moment and she can't do anything other than cry. She feels so dumb for crying. She tries to stop, she really does. But it never truly sunk in how absolutely terrified she had been the past few nights out on the streets until now. It all comes crashing down. There's nothing she can do with the onslaught of emotions other than release them.
"It's ok little one." Mal coos into her ear.
"I'm so sorry. I'm sorry. I missed you." Regina mumbles into her shirt. "I don't know why I'm crying. I'm really happy to see you." She pulls away from Mal just enough to look at her. Mal is crying too.
"I missed you too." Mal wipes at the tears on her face. Regina rolls her eyes. She knows she's a mess. She's sniffing and hiccupping. There is likely a little snot coming from her nose. It isn't a pretty sight, she's sure.
John, the ever-sweet soul he is, hands her a tissue. Regina happily accepts. "Thank you." Once she blows her nose the waterworks are easy to turn off.
"Well, aren't you going to introduce us?" Mal asks.
"Right umm. Mal this is my friend Little John. John meet Mallory Page." Regina looks up between them both. What else is one to do when one's friends are much taller than them?
"Nice to meet you John. I'm happy see my little one is in good hands." Mallory and John shake hands. "What have you two been up to today?"
"Well, we just had lunch at some Japanese restaurant not far from here. We were on the way to John's studio when I realized how close we were you your house."
"Studio? You some kind of an artist?"
"Musician. I play percussion in a band." John puffs his chest just a little. "I was going to show Roni around the studio since she hasn't been yet. It's
"I kinda want to stay here with Mal." She admits. "If that's ok with you…" Regina quickly checks with Mal to make sure she wasn't imposing. She randomly showed up to her house. Mal could already have things planned. She didn't want to be in her way.
"I would love to catch up."
"Well, I have to get to the studio. Give me a bell if you need a ride home. It was lovely to meet you Mallory." John waved and took off.
"He seems nice." Mallory comments as they watch him leave. The each take a seat on old porch chairs. Mal lights a new cigarette and offers her a bag of pretzels that were sitting on the small table in between them. "You haven't grown much since I last saw you. How is everything? Your parents? Zelena?"
Regina smiles. "They're great. Mother and daddy are off working. Zelena is a pain, but I guess she's as normal as she'll ever get. How's Lily? She's 7 right?"
"8. She's with her step family on vacation at Disney World. Rico's an ass but he treats her good."
"You didn't go?"
Mal shakes her head and takes a puff of her cigarette. "Nah. Rico's husband is a huge Disney nerd and there is only so much Disney magic I can handle. Besides if I had gone, I wouldn't've been here when you visited."
Regina smiles at that. She hates to admit it, but she's glad Mal didn't go on that trip too. She'll have to remember to plan a Disney trip without Rico's husband for all of them. They settle into a peaceful moment of silence. Then Regina remembers. "You wouldn't happen to have a phone charger I could use, would you?"
John was glad he could help reunite Regina with her friend. Moments like those aren't easy to come by. It was such a beautiful scene to watch unfold. Similar to those coming home videos on YouTube. Only this was real life. The detour made him late for his session with the band, but John thinks it was worth it.
"John where the bloody ell have you been mate? We nearly finished an entire song without drums." Will shouts when John enters the studio.
"Well, let me hear what you got then. I can come up with something that will fit." John settles in behind his drums, but not before making contact with everyone in the band. It's an odd habit he picked up from his uncle in Liverpool. He had this belief about connecting energies before collectively creating something. Personally, John liked to touch everyone and feel their presence, to let them know he was there with them.
He sits and listens to the song they created. Seems like a lot of the songs on this album would be about Roni. Will took the lead vocals on this song, so John is willing to bet it also has something to do with Anastasia.
The song goes:
Girls just wanna play games
Oh, I said girls just, girls just wanna play games
You call her on the phone
She will never call you back
You see her on the street
She be like "Call me sometime"
I said girls (girls) just (just)
Girls just wanna play games
I don't need none
Give it to me straight
I'm walking down the street
When I see the finest queen (ooh)
Now I ain't gonna lie
I observed everything (everything, everything)
I gathered my composure
I said
"Hello, hello, I do really like to meet ya
Could I walk you over to where you're going to"
She said "Thanks and sure"
I said "Oh ah Yebo!"
It doesn't take John long to find a rhythm. Seeing that his bandmates had fallen into a more acapella sound, he decides to play the box instead of his set. It was all the song really needed. They eventually move on to the others songs they've been working on. That is until Robin stops singing in the middle of one of the songs.
"Sorry. Sorry guys. I'm really worried about Verónica." Robin states as if that explains why he halted their playing.
"Who the bloody ell is Verónica?" Will asks.
"Roni."
"Oh." Hmm. Had John known this? He doesn't think he did. Honestly John thought she said her names was something completely different the first night they met. He guesses it makes sense. "I'm not going to remember that." And he doesn't feel the need to. Roni is a perfectly fine name. There's no need to go extending it.
"Wait. Why are you so worried about her? She do something?" Mulan puts her bass down.
"I spoke to her granny. Roni has been missing for the past couple of days." Robin discloses.
The revelation terrifies John before he realizes that umm… no. Roni isn't lost. He just saw her. He knows exactly where she is. And says as much. "We had lunch and everything. I was bringing her here, but we stumbled into one of old friends. I let them catch up."
"What? John!" Robin practically screeches. "And you just left her?"
"She's with a friend. I didn't know she was missing." John defends. This wasn't his fault. Roni hadn't seem to need much help. She had never mentioned not being home for days. Though now that he thinks about it, he should have known something was off. He did know something was off. He just brushed it off as aftermath of her and Robin's fight. Roni didn't seem to be in a rush to get home. Even if he knew then, he wasn't going to force her to anything she didn't want to.
"Take me to her." Robin demands.
John can see that his friend is worried, but Roni is fine. He saw her. She wasn't in any danger. And John knows she doesn't want to see Robin. "I don't think th-"
"John please. I need to see for myself that she's ok. And I know her family is worried for her too. Please john." Robin is in his personal space begging.
Against his better judgment John agrees. He hopes Roni won't hate him too much for bringing Robin. They end their session. No one was getting anywhere with Robin's panicking anyway. The ride was a short one, but the tension in the car was antagonizing with Robin's constant fidgeting.
Robin is out the car before John can fully come to a stop. He can see Ron's shock and disappointment from where he sits. She looks at him with a face of betrayal when steps out from the car. It hurts. She trusted him and he cocked up.
Regina was enjoying the most peace she had all trip. Mal was good company. They could both enjoy each other's presence without having to say a word. Everything was great. That is until Robin came running towards her. What on earth is he doing here? How-
She stops her train of thought when she sees John step out of his car. Of course, he told Robin. Ugh. Could she trust anyone anymore?
"Regina! Thank God!" Robin pulls her into a hug.
She pushes him away. "Robin what the hell?"
"Do you know how worried your Granny is about you? We thought something happened to you."
"As you can see. I am fine." Better than fine. She's great or at least will be when she gets a good night's sleep in an actual bed. Though it does warm her heart that Robin cares so much to worry over her. Ugh... she's supposed to be mad at him. She can't be mad at him when standing in front of her looking out for her best interest. Uggg. Why is this so hard? Did she actually forgive him?
She doesn't get the chance to finish the thought. An old car backfires just as it's passing Malloy's house, causing them all to jump. Regina doesn't scream like she did that time that doctor's car, but she does gasp. God, she really hates being startled. It takes so long for her heart rate to return normal. Regina takes another breath. Her heart was moving too fast. Way too fast. She can't catch her breath.
Mallory was saying something. So was Robin, but she couldn't hear them. The world around her is just a blur. What's happening? She can't breathe. Oh God! She can't breathe!
She's dying.
Regina is sure of it. This was the moment her heart decided it couldn't handle life anymore. No. This was her fault. She had not taken her medication in days. Her heart wasn't strong enough on its own. Oh, it's racing. She feels warm. No. Hot. She feels hot.
She blinks.
The next thing she is aware of is that she is laying down. Some is holding her. Regina blinks. Smells like forest. Robin. Robin was holding her, she concluded. She hears sirens in the distance. They grew louder before they cut out all together. Someone is talking. Regina looks up to see Mallory guiding paramedics towards them.
Damn it.
Did she faint?
Regina is gently lifted onto a gurney. The paramedics ask her a flurry of questions. There's a light flashed in her eyes. Do you know your name? What is today's date? Do you know where you are? What medication are you on? Regina can easily answer each question. She tells the about her CHD and how she's off her medication. She hates the looks on John and Mal's face she says it. They didn't know.
The paramedics check her pulse and listen to her heartbeat, but there is only so much they can do out here. They give her a cup of water. In the end they deem it safe to release her. Regina has never been more relieved. The last the she wants is to be hospitalized. She knows her body best, at least she feels she does. She's stronger than they think. Up until this moment she felt like a new person off of her medication. Lighter. More energized. Colors were more vibrant. She knows it's a risk, but she doesn't want to go back on her medication.
"We can take you to the hospital for observation, but you look fine." One of the paramedics say.
"No. I don't need the hospital." Regina insists. "I feel much better."
"Just take it easy of the next few days and get back on your medication. I would like you to check in with your doctor in the next few days to be sure everything is normal."
"Regina!"
Regina quickly turns her head at her grandmother's voice. Granny came rushing from her car. She scooped her face into her hands. She checked all over for any visible injuries. "Good heavens child! What happened?"
"I fainted, but I'm fine." Regina said.
"When I told you to get out, I didn't mean forever. I didn't.." She was crying now. "I didn't mean get lost. Baby I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry."
"Thank you, Granny, but what about my friends?" Regina asks. She didn't want her to band her from her friends. "They are the ones who helped me. They are the ones who called you and told you where I was. They aren't bad people."
Yeah, they aren't bad people. Robin isn't a bad person. He has a lot to learn. She can't be mad at him forever for not always knowing. They are from two different worlds, yet despite it all they managed to become friends. Regina doesn't have a lot of those. She really does not want to lose the ones she's made. She misses Robin. She doesn't want to be upset with him. Guess that means they would actually have to speak to one another to work things out. She wants to work things out. She wants to be his friend.
"Regina, baby." Granny sighs. She places a hand onto Regina's cheek. "I just want to know you're being safe."
Regina leans into her grandmother's touch. "I am. I promise. Sorry for yelling earlier."
"Me too baby.. me too." Granny pulls her in tightly. She's soft. She's warm. But.. not safe. She isn't unsafe. It's a hard thing come to terms with, but Granny is no longer a safe space. What did this mean for them going forward? Would Regina ever find security in the arms of her grandmother again? Or would she go on with life never knowing that feeling again?
Aaahh!! Another chapter down. The song in the chapter is "Gaims" by KAMAUU. Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed. Let me know your thoughts!
S'D!!