She Left Because... (Frank Iero)

Chapter 13- Presence

When Risina stepped back, taking her hand away from Frank's, he stared at her in complete disbelief. Be had just watched his life flash before his eyes and somehow registered everything as quickly as it had came. He knows not to even question how that was possible- what she just did.

Just go with the fucking flow.

"You mean to tell me that a fucking rock brought me here?"

Risina laughed lightly. "Still the same, I see."

"Why would I change?" He instantly replies, forgetting about his current situation. Risina shrugs. "I don't know..." and Frank knows where this is going. Instead of beating around the bush, he gets straight to the point.

"Why?" He whispers to her, watching her face turn a shade of pink and her eyes close. Frank is standing by the bed and Risina is arm's length away. "Frank..."

"No, Risina. Don't give me any of that 'not now' crap." He takes a deep breath. "I'm dead. Right? You said so. I don't know how the fuck this is happening but...now is as good a time as any. You're in front of me, right here and now. I didn't get to finish...reading. But I'm not asking why you did it. I'm asking-"

"Why I never said anything?" She finishes off for him, looking him in the eyes with he clouded expression.

"Frank, it wouldn't have made a difference-"

"Yes, it would have! Risina, you had all of us to help. We were all there for you!"

"I didn't want to become a burden more than I already was, Frankie. People always say talking helps and it does. But no one understands that it takes a lot of courage to confess to someone and I'm not the type of person to just take up on serious offers like that."

They stare at each other and Frank just holds his arms out. He just spreads his arms apart and feels a tear run down his face as Risina willingly goes into them, wrapping her arms around his mid section.

"I'm so sorry, Frank. I'm sorry I left you and Ray and Mikey and Ryan alone like that. But I couldn't take anymore. I was too weak."

"Sh." Frank whispers, rubbing her back. It's as if she never left. She's warm. She smells like soap. The fact that he's dead isn't a shock anymore because as selfish as it seems, he doesn't care. He was going to die one day. Of course he's pushing the thoughts of his Mother and friends crying and mourning him so he can function properly. Maybe he can visit them or something in spirit form.

Is that possible?

"I missed you." Risina nuzzles his neck and clings even more to his shirt. "I missed you more than anything." Frank replies, kissing the top of her head. Risina pulls her head back and there is a hint of a smile on her face as she turns dark pink. Frank already knows what she's thinking and tries not to smile.

"So, you liked me?" He gives in and smiles. Risina bites her lip and just hugs him again. "A lot." She admits, and Frank, if he was alive, is sure his heart would have taken off. It makes him extremely happy to hear it from her own mouth and not a piece of paper. "This isn't as awkward as I thought it would be." She murmurs.

"That's because we both like each other so it's not really something surprising." Frank snorts. "I feel like pushing you off of me because you never told me anything." Frank jokes. Risina whines and then sighs. "I'm sorry. I was a fool and chose Alan."

"Who is in jail by the way." Frank adds.

"I know."

"How?" Frank unwraps his arms and they finally pull away. "I was watching over you." Risina says confidently and seriously. It sounds so fucking weird because it's movie scene shit, but Frank believes it. "Aha..." He raises an eyebrow. "Don't ask me." She sighs and hugs him again and Frank lets her. He never thought he'd see her again after she died and yet here she is...hopefully flesh and blood and all that stuff.