“No. This is too far, you can’t hide a BULLET wound from her MOTHER.” Mr. Way hissed.
“Mr. Way that’s not important right now! I’ll be fine. I’ve got Frank to help me.” I groaned.
“No, I’m putting a stop to you and Frank immediately. Before he gets you KILLED. Or worse, kidnapped. After today you don’t need to have any association with the two of us.” He snapped.
“Excuse me. Since when do you care about my wellbeing? I can choose who I associate myself with thank you very much! Tell him Frank.” I growled.
Frank glanced at me, remaining silent.
“Frank, tell him.” I nudged.
“…Lana..” He sighed.
“Oh COME ON. Not you too! Don’t listen to him, he doesn’t understand.” I hit his shoulder.
“But he’s got a point… I mean yeah I’ll stick around while your injury is healing but I should stay out of your life after that. If I really cared about you I’d do that.” He frowned.
“So that’s it? We’re done? Since WHEN does everyone decide my life for me! Fuck this!” I screamed then winced from putting too much strain on my wound.
“Fuck. Be careful.” His eyebrows furrowed and he reached forward to lift my shirt and check the bandage. I swatted his hands away aggressively.
“Don’t touch me.” I growled at him.
“Lana. Don’t be like this.”
“Like what?” I barked.
“Like a kid. Grow up for 5 seconds.” He rolled his eyes.
“OH! Ohhhhhhhh so NOW I’m a kid! I wasn’t a kid when you had your hands down my pants! I certainly wasn’t a kid when you stripped me naked!” I screamed at him. At this point Mr. Way’s eyes widened and he started to slowly back away.
“Yep… That’s my cue to leave.” He muttered.
“You would THINK I grew up for 5 seconds when I took a bullet to my side or when I had to cover up my school librarian’s death! FUCK YOU FRANK!” I screamed louder, ignoring the searing pain running up and down the left side of my body every time I raised my voice. Mr. Way had now left the room.
“Lana. I understand what you’re saying, you have every right to be angry. But you need to rela-“ He began.
“RELAX?! YOU WANT ME TO RELAX?!” I felt like tearing my hair out.
“Yes. Please, before you hurt yourself-“
“You said you loved me Frank..” I began to sob.
“I.. I do Lana! I need to make sure your safe!” He cupped my face with his hands and pecked my forehead.
“You don’t LOVE me if you want to LEAVE me.”
“I won’t. Alright? I won’t.” He hushed me by brushing my lips with his.
“Promise?” I whispered.
“I promise. But you have to listen to me from now on. When I say stay indoors you stay indoors. When I say to go straight home you go straight home. When I say don’t leave my side, don’t leave my side.” He pulled me into a hug.
“Okay.”
-
I sat in Mr. Way’s guest bed with Frank by my side. We were watching the ceiling fan intently, the air in the room as still as ever. I sat in a fleece white sleeping gown that Mr. Way owned for some god-forsaken reason. It was definitely more on the sexual side than on the ‘sleep wear’ side but it was better than nothing. I didn’t like thinking that tons of Mr. Way’s past flings had worn it though. I mean sure it’d been washed but to be sitting in something Mr. Way had probably mastered removing, touched in such provocative ways, I guess you could say I was uncomfortable.
