Make me a witness
Take me out
Out of darkness
Out of dark...
~Sarah McLachlan
Witness
"I didn't do anything." Frankie said as she up and moved over to Bianca. "Listen, if anyone owes anyone anything, I owe you. I needed you last night, and you were here like that. No one would ever do anything like that for me." She felt the words resonate even as she said them.
"I'm not like most people." Bianca replied. Frankie smiled and looked away.
"I'm beginning to see that."
"Neither are you." Bianca stated. Frankie laughed.
"Want to bet?" Bianca continued.
"Most people, if they were lonely or scared, they would've just run away from that. But you didn't. You called me. And I came over, and we made a real connection." Frankie knew she was right.
"I guess." She said softly, wishing she could let this happen...Bianca sighed self-deprecatingly.
"Ok. Maybe I just imagined it because I've been lonely and scared myself." The words sounded casual, but Frankie could tell that her words had hurt Bianca.
"No. I felt a connection, too. It's just -- it's more complicated." Now this Bianca could relate to...at least she thought she could.
"What you're feeling?"
"Everything." Frankie sighed. Almost let it out there...I can't tell her...I know I can't. She looked away, searching for an excuse. "I mean, what you did with your mom -- I mean, that was major." Okay, weak, but it looks like it's holding up... Bianca could tell there was something Frankie wasn't telling her, but she let it slide. She'd tell her when she was ready.
"Well, I told her that I couldn't live there anymore, and I'm not going to back down from that." Frankie was relieved at the change of direction in the conversation. She smiled.
"She'll fight you."
"I'm ready. Are you?" Frankie was taken aback.
"What do you mean?" Bianca took a deep breath before she spoke again.
"I mean I have to live my own life. So, do I do it alone or do I do it with you?" Her heart was pounding a mile a minute as she waited for Frankie's response.
Frankie moved to the floor, leaning her back against the foot of the bed. Bianca adjusted her position, moving to lay on her stomach so she could be closer to Frankie. The smaller girl took a deep breath.
"I'm not really used to this, but I'm kind of scared." She was looking straight ahead, afraid to look at Bianca. Bianca was a little shocked.
"You're scared of me?"
"Not exactly. You're one of the most together people I've ever met." At least that was the complete truth... Bianca laughed.
"I wish thought that." Another deep breath from Frankie.
"You know, and when I'm around you, I feel good about myself." Bianca's heart soared at this revelation, but then she noticed that Frankie's small smile had disappeared.
"Hey." She put her hand on Frankie's bare shoulder. The electricity from the touch of skin on skin shocked Frankie into being more afraid. She got up, moving away from the temptation, and started to pack her clothes. Bianca's eyes followed her, concerned about the fact that Frankie was always pulling away.
"Problem is, well, Opal kicked me out, so we need to find a place to crash." Bianca's earlier thoughts vanished at these words. She smiled widely.
"That sounded good -- we find a place." Frankie grinned back.
"Well, are you ready to rough it?"
"Yeah, I'm ready!" Bianca said as she gracefully spun off of the bed, landing on her feet. She moved over to Frankie, holding her arms out. Frankie smiled and accepted the embrace. Her smile faded as she thought. As good as it feels, it hurts...not being able to give myself up for a second...
Bianca groaned. "I just need to take care of one thing." She said as she pulled away. Frankie panicked inwardly, thinking of the moment last night that Bianca probably wanted to finish- hell, she did too...
"What's that?" She asked nervously. Bianca smiled.
"My mother." Frankie let out a sigh of relief.
"Good luck." She said, looking down. When she raised her head again, she was enthralled by the look in Bianca's sparkling eyes. I already have the best of luck... Bianca thought. I found you.
