You're the Only Hope For Me

Chapter Eight

The next morning, I woke up to a call from Brendon. He was so worried about what happened and I hadn't seen him since. I walked around with the phone in my hands. A different girl stared back at me in the mirror.

I froze, Brendon's words fading away into the distance. Eyeliner was smudged under my red, baggy eyes. I looked like I cried for the entire night, and the sad part is I think I did.

"Rose? Rose are you okay?" he questioned.

I shook myself out of it, "Y-Yeah... Sorry. What were we talking about again?"

He chuckled a bit, "Babe, how much sleep did you get last night?"

I sighed into the phone, "Not enough obviously."

"Get some rest and call me back when you're awake. I love you," he said sweetly.

"Bye," I said and hung up.

I realized how that must've sounded and watched my eyes start to tear up in the mirror again. I pressed them into my palms and tried my best to wipe them off. The only thing I wiped was more makeup, all over my face. With a frustrated growl, I spun from the mirror and fell onto my bed.

The door knocked and I lifted my head, "Who is it?" I asked, probably failing at my attempt to sound normal.

"Umm...mail?" the man shouted back from behind the door.

I sniffle, wiping my cheeks dry and opening up the door. The apartment owner stood in front of me with a confused look on his face. Frank appeared behind him, sitting against the wall by the stairs. He smiled a bit and waved.

"Frank?" I asked to make sure, "W-What are you doing here?"

"He was camped out here all night. Be careful where you keep your...dogs, ma'am," the owner said and glared disgustingly at Frank.

Frank stuck his finger up once he'd turned around, "I'm not a dog," he mumbled. He sounded stuffy and looked absolutely freezing.

I turned to the door and pressed my forehead against it, starting to feel tears creep back up on me.

"Whoa, Rose..." he stood up and put his hands on my shoulders, "What's wrong?"

I turned away, leaving the door open. I bit my lip and walked into the living room.

"Ro..." he tried again and I stopped in my tracks, holding my eyes tightly together.

I turned to him and ran into his arms, letting everything out onto his shirt.

He wrapped his arms around me, providing warmth even though he was cold. I pressed my face into his chest and stayed there, crying my eyes out. Frank rubbed my back, placing his chin on the top of my head.

"It was my fault...wasn't it?" Frank asked slowly.

I swallowed a sob and spoke up weakly, "I-I don't know Frank. I'm just so confused..."

"Shhh," he whispered into my ear, "It's okay."

He relaxed his grip and led me to the sofa, pulling me across his lap. I cuddled back into him again and he continued to rub me like he had. He sang softly into my ear and I gave it my everything to stop and listen. It was beautiful.

With my ear pressed against his shoulder, I looked up to him. He slowly finished his song and locked eyes with mine. Neither of us could break away.

Without hesitating, I pressed my lips to his. Frank had a similar idea, holding the sides of my face as he kissed me passionately. He smiled into the kiss and sent butterflies into my stomach.

He opened his lips, drawing in a shaky breath. I smiled, slowly opening my eyes to see him. He smiled back, "Rose, I didn't know you were such a good kisser...I would've done that a lot sooner."

I giggled as he pressed his thumb on my tears, wiping them away. I wasn't so sad anymore. I never knew I had feelings like that for Frank. He was like my brother, I couldn't have imagined being in love with him. Something clicked in that moment when I saw his pleading eyes, I liked Frank Iero...a lot.

"You okay?" I asked as he was panting.

He nodded, "Yeah... I'm great," and held up a thumb.

After catching back up, he smirked next to me.

I blushed, "Stop!"

He laughed, "Hey Rose?"

I looked to him, "Hm?"

"I love you," he said to the wall facing us and then turned to me.

"I love you, you twat," I said and reached up to kiss his cheek. He turned his lips at the last second and collided with me again. As the kiss deepened, he lowered me to the couch. He toyed with me, biting at my lip. I surpassed a giggle whilst we were at it.

The door opened and the guy I wanted the least to see was staring at Frank on top of me with red roses in his hands.