The Broken Ones

Chapter Twenty-Five

"What are you doing?" Alesia asked Frankie as she sat down in a seat beside her friend. Frankie was sitting behind one of the many computers in the library.

"Doing some extra work," Frankie answered.

"Extra work?" Alesia asked with a smile. "How do you find the time? Between this essay writing constants and Uni work I don't have time for anything else."

Frankie shrugged. "I guess I just want to challenge myself."

"So what is this extra work about?" Alesia asked.

"I am researching female killers who show signs of psychotic behaviours," Frankie explained. She motion to the pile of papers beside her. "I just need to pick someone to research."

Alesia gingerly picked up the papers to look through them. She had a feeling she knew what name she would find on that list. Sure enough on the third page was the name, Leah Anderson.

"Well, I hope you find someone interesting enough to spend your time researching," Alesia told Frankie. Frankie hadn't taken her eyes off the computer. Alesia pulled the sheet from the pile. She quickly crumpled in up in a ball and hid it in the pocket of her jacket.

"Well, hopefully, I can find someone soon," Frankie answered.

"I'll see you later Frankie," Alesia said as she stood up.

"Wait where are you going?" Frankie asked as she turned to face her friend.

"I don't want to distract you from your work," Alesia told her. "I'm going to go find Valeriana and Johnny."

"Okay, I'll call you later," Frankie told her as turned back around to face the computer.

Alesia silently walked off. She pulled the ball of paper from her pocket. She slowly uncrumpled the sheet. She looked at her mother's name one final time before shoving the sheet into the recycling bin.

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"Okay we have had enough of whatever the hell is going on between you two," Frankie told Valeriana and Johnny.

Frankie, Alesia, Johnny and Valeriana were on their usual spot on the lawn.

"Nothing is going on between us," Johnny defended.

"Oh r-really, t-then why aren't you t-talking to me," Valeriana yelled. Her stutter usually returned when she was angry for some unknown reason.

"It's nothing," Johnny muttered. His head was lowered as he avoided eye contact with them.

"If it is nothing then stop avoiding her," Alesia told him firmly.

"Fine," Johnny said as he looked up at them. "You're right. I've been childish." He turned to Valeriana. "I'm sorry," Valeriana he told her.

"Wait, that was all it was going to take," Frankie exclaimed. "Seriously Johnny. I wrote an entire speech for this, and it was a great speech."

"It was," Alesia agreed as she smiled widely. "She read it to me for practice. It was dramatic and heartfelt. It almost made me cry."

"It was about how you are friends, and you shouldn't let one kiss get in the way of that," Frankie explained. "I spent so much time on it, and I don't even get the chance to read it."

"You can read it now if you want," Johnny told her.

"No! The moment has been ruined," Frankie announced dramatically.

"Okay, you can stop now," Alesia told Frankie with a smile.

"Fine," Frankie told her. She turned back to Valeriana and Johnny. The two were still seated quietly on the lawn, watching the two in amusement. "There is something I have to tell you two." Frankie usually dramatic and happily nature was dropped as she began to speak in a more serious tone.

"What is wrong?" Valeriana enquired. The concern she was feeling showed through her voice and facial expressions.

"Nothing is wrong," Frankie reassured her. "I am not dying don't worry."

"Thank God for that," Johnny added.

"It just there is something I want to tell you, and I need you to promise you will stay open-minded about it," Frankie told them.

"Of course, we will stay opened minded," Valeriana told her. "Have you meant us?"

Frankie looked at Valeriana and Johnny to Alesia for support.

Alesia smiled at her. "We are not your old friends Frankie," Alesia reminded her.

Frankie smiled in response and turned back to Valeriana and Johnny. "I'm gay."

"Why would that be a big deal?" Valeriana asked.

"Yeah," Johnny added. 'I with Renie on this, this does change anything. You're our friend."

Frankie grinned. It somehow seemed different to the smiles she usual had. It was fuller, and there was an added sparkle in her eyes. "You have no idea how happy that makes me feel," Frankie told them.

Alesia didn't say anything, but she watched Frankie with curiosity. Was there more going on that they didn't know about?

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"It good to be back to be friends," Valeriana told Johnny as the two walked.

Johnny nodded. "Yeah it is," he agreed.

Valeriana stopped walking and grabbed a hold of Johnny's arm stopping him as well. "I know I probably should ask this, but I need to know. What are we?"

"We're friends," Johnny told her. "Good friends." He was trying to sound confident in his answer, but he seemed unsure.

"And that is all?" Valeriana asked. "I just thought you were giving me signals."

"I wasn't," Johnny told her. He spoke with an urgently that surprised Valeriana. "I'm sorry if I confused you, but we are just friends."

Valeriana smiled. "I just had to make sure." She told him. "So friend, I think it is time we go to class."

"I agree, friend," Johnny said as he copied her over the top cheery tone.

Johnny couldn't look her in the eye as they walked together. He was lying to her. He wanted more than anything to kiss her but at the same time he was scared. The last time they kissed it had reminded him of what had happened. He couldn't live through that again. He just couldn't.

Valeriana deserved better, Johnny decided.