Bianca ran as fast as she could. Her head was a clouded blur and her limbs felt heavy. The costume left so much exposed. It was so cold out, she could hardly even feel her limbs. She traversed the few blocks to the boarding house and ran up to her room. She buried herself in her covers and sobbed uncontrollably. What an unbelievable disaster! I have ruined everything. Frankie. Oh how she tore into that poor girl. I did this, me and my selfish needy behavior. I pulled her in and pushed her away. Then I just keep pulling her back again. Why? Why have I made such a mess of it all? She rubbed at her eyes and pulled her pillow in tighter.
Downstairs, Myrtle and Rae had entered the living area from the kitchen after hearing a commotion. There was a hurried knock at the door. Myrtle opened it to find a panicked Frankie standing there. "Frankie, my dear girl…what on Earth are you doing here? Is Bianca expecting you?"
"Hi, Myrtle…Yes. But…no, Myrtle. I mean have you seen Bianca? Did she just get here now?"
"Well something happened just a moment ago. Someone was in an awful hurry. You are free to go check if she is in her room." Frankie was through the door and up the stairs before Myrtle could even finish. She knocked on Bianca's door as softly as she could. "Go away." Was Bianca's response. Frankie could hear the strain in the younger girl's voice and felt a pain knowing she was the cause. She jiggled the doorknob, relieved to find that it wasn't locked.
At the intrusion, Bianca turned to see Frankie in the doorway. Though her eyes were swollen with tears, she could see the broken look on Frankie's face. I just want to hold her and tell her everything is going to be it's not…Damn it. Bianca's defenses reared up and she scolded Frankie. "I said leave me alone." She threw a pillow at the older girl who advanced quickly to the bed.
"No!" Frankie shouted back. "I have been away. I ran out of here with my tail between my legs. I have skirted around this damn issue between us for weeks. We are going to talk."
"What is there to talk about?" Bianca said. "I am with someone else. It's too late…it is just too late. I know, I know it is all my fault and you can't even stand to look at me. You hide behind your work and you hardly even talk to me. You spend more time talking to Leo, on my phone, than you do with me. And tonight…that poor girl. She was just trying to help me, after I came on to her. The way…the way you just attacked her. All of that anger…all because of me. Just say it Frankie…you hate me for what I've done. Say it!" Bianca fell to the bed, choking on her cries.
Frankie stood with her mouth agape. She closed the distance between them and knelt at Bianca's side. She cupped the brunette's face in her hand and turned her face to meet her gaze. "Hate you? Bianca…I could never…I am in love with you." As the words left her lips, Frankie heard them rattling and echoing through her mind like a canyon. Bianca's eyes widened at the confession. She is in love with me? She said…she said she loves me! She couldn't quite believe it. The untouchable Frankie Stone was in love with her. She looked into the hazel orbs and could almost see the miles of walls, that the blond had protected herself with, come crashing down.
"I am, Bianca." Frankie stumbled with her words. "I have never known this…this feeling. I have never felt love or been in love. I don't know what to do with this. But I do! I do love you. I know now that is what this is." Frankie kissed Bianca's forehead and both girls noticed Frankie's right hand. Bruised and busted with tiny flecks of red.
"Frankie!" Bianca gasped when she remembered.
"I thought that she was hurting you. I wanted to protect you. You say she was helping you? That wasn't how it looked. But why Bianca? Why did you let her touch you like that? Why would you do that to yourself? To Sarah? To me? Why does this keep happening?"
"I don't know what I was doing. That seems to be an ongoing theme in my life lately. I was so afraid tonight that you weren't going to come. And then when you did…I don't know? I was just feeling so much. I have missed seeing you and I have been so afraid that you are just going to vanish on me one day. I just wanted to be close to you and then when you said we were just friends…it just hurt so much. I can't explain it." Bianca sat up on her bed and wiped her eyes with her hand. Frankie took a seat next to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I was feeling a thousand things at once. Anger, hurt, guilt, love…I just needed to do something. I took a few shots and then asked Dee if she wanted to dance. We did. I was so lost in my head and trying to deal with everything, I wasn't even really focused on how touchy she was becoming. I led her on. I asked, I flirted and I didn't stop her. When I did though…when I started to pull away…I got light-headed from all the alcohol. I must have moved to suddenly or something and I got tripped up. She grabbed me like that to keep me from falling. The next thing I know it was chaos. Reggie and Leo were in attack mode. I was whisked to the side and you…you were…"
"Out of control." Frankie said. She hung her head. "I don't know what happened. I thought someone was hurting you and I just snapped. It's not okay. I'm sorry for what I did. I am so sorry for scaring you. I know that is not enough, but I just couldn't stand the thought of someone hurting you that way. I can't be in your life like I want. I can't be the person that cares for you, and makes sure you get what you need, but I can protect you whenever I am near. I just wanted to protect you." Frankie examined her hand and then covered her face. "Maybe I am better protection if I just stay away." Frankie stated under her breath.
"Oh God, I should probably find out how that girl is." Frankie moaned. Bianca reached up and grabbed her hands, pulling them from the blond's face. She pulled her closer and leaned in for a kiss. Frankie's eyes closed as their lips met. Her hands traveled up slender arms, cupping a heart shaped face. Bianca pulled Frankie ever closer. Their bodies reclined on the bed, Bianca moaned at the feel of Frankie's weight atop her. She was oblivious to the world. Both lost in the moment of bliss. Their kiss deepened as Frankie's hands began to soothe and stroke over Bianca's body.
"Have I told you how amazing you looked tonight?" Frankie said as she pulled back with a smirk. "Cause you did…you do. I love Elektra, but this outfit is worlds better on you." Bianca smiled back. The two girls were startled by a loud commotion downstairs. There was a banging and various loud voices. Bianca stood up and went to her door. "What in the world is going on down there?" She turned to Frankie who had looked out the window and was now white as a sheet.
"Frankie? What is it?" Bianca asked.
"It's the police." She replied and Bianca looked puzzled. "I attacked that girl. That was assault, Bianca. I am pretty sure I broke her jaw. I am sure they are here for me." As realization sank in, fear filled Bianca's heart. She closed the gap between her and Frankie and held on for dear life. The door to her bedroom was pushed open and two uniformed officers came in.
"Frankie Stone?" said the male officer. He had a shaved head and a kind face. He seemed to know Bianca and showed remorse at bursting into her room that way. Frankie kissed Bianca on the forehead and struggled to break free of her arms. She put her hands out in and unthreatening fashion. "That is me. I won't resist."
The officer continued as his female partner approached and took Frankie into custody. "You are under arrest for the assault of Dee Cooper." As the young man continued to read Frankie her rights, Frankie turned to Bianca. "It's going to be okay. I deserve this. Just find Jamie and tell him where I am. We are at the Pine Cone Motel. We are in rooms 9 and 10. It's going to be okay." Her voice trailed off as she was led down the stairs and out the door.
Bianca took a deep breath and wiped her tears away. She changed out of her costume into a pullover and some jeans. Okay, I can ask Reggie first, maybe he has seen Jamie. If not, I will check the Pine Cone. I need to call a lawyer first though. I have to get her help although I know Uncle Jack can't help. I have to make this right. David…I'll call David. He will know what to do.