ROSES AND FLAMES - Five Hargreeves

𝟮𝟯. an upset marlene

She was pacing back and forth in her bedroom, almost biting all of her nails. Josie couldn't stand the fact she was on lockdown for the duration of the day, trying to keep herself busy with doing homework and chores— but that didn't last long, scaring Marlene a little with how fast she could talk, a look of panic on her face.

After talking too much, Josie went to her room, scared to know what would happen if five were to find, closing her blinds, wondering if that'll make a difference. "You just had to come back when things were going fine for me." Josie gritted, kicking the air and feeling frustrated with the boy.

"Josie you're going to tire yourself out, stop." Marlene said, leaning on the door frame and looking at the girl, screwing up her face a little.

"Why did he have to come? I mean I was doing just fine without him! And now my life is going to be short lived if I see him? What kind of a game is that?" Josie blabbed out, letting her mind run wild for the next few minutes, feeling parched for some lemonade.

The conversation ended up being moved in the kitchen, seeing the newspaper on the table, trying to calm herself while reading it. "Are you going to be okay? I mean, it was bound to happen for five to come here, why ten days before Kennedy? I don't know."

Josie appreciated Marlene trying to help, knowing it was only making her more mad at the way Five was causing havoc, her eyes staring blankly at the newspaper, seeing another familiar face and groaning backwards.

The newspaper had a missing person section, noticing one of them was Vanya, reading up on how she got here, saying how she has amnesia, not remembering anything after suffering a car collision. Josies eyes saddened, having a phone number for her, feeling the breaths of Marlene behind her.

"So, Luther is with Jack ruby, Diego is in a mental hospital, Allison is involved with a movement, Vanya is living on a farm, Klaus starting a cult and five arriving today. Did I miss anyone?" Marlene asked, making Josie scoff a laugh, trying to cheer her up.

Josie shook her head, startled when she heard a noise, looking at Marlene. "Shit, forgot I had a date tonight." Staring at the time to be almost six in the evening, pressing her lips into a fine line. The two stared at each other, wondering what they would say, creating an awkward silence between them.

"Well, aren't you going to go?" Josie questioned the girl, heading towards Marlenes' bedroom to get her ready. "But— whose going to watch you? You're clearly going through something." Marlene raised her voice a little, both being in opposite ends of the house.

Going into Marlene's closet, josie threw some options of clothing on the bed, finding what would be the best items for her date that fits well into the timeline. "I'm fine, it's you I'm worried about." Josie disregarded her feelings, distracting herself with the fact Marlene has a date.

"That's not fair; I can't even go anyways if I wanted to. I have to watch you." Marlene rushed into her own bedroom, watching the girl go crazy with the different outfits spread on the bed. Josie turned around, scoffing at Marlene, rolling her eyes.

"Again, we are the same age, and I don't need to be babysat just because I could die. Have you met me? I was an assassin since I was 17, cheating death with the apocalypse in 2019! If anything, AJ Carmichael should be scared of what i can do if my mother were to find time."

Marlene felt too stunned to even talk back to the girl, knowing the hell Josie has gone through this past year, not to mention how the family she was saving for ten days is suddenly scattered and is always popping up in the newspaper every now and then. It made Marlene pity the girl— which was the last thing Josie needed.