Finding Franco

04 | answers

04 | answers

Brandon keeps his fists by his side, his jaw ticking and a vein popping out on his neck.

The sight frightens me to say the least but I don't show it.

I had Carlos, God blessed, a pepper spray bottle and the bathroom was a public place. If I were to die in here, someone would surely find my body in time.

"I'm not going to repeat myself," I snap. "I have every right to know where he is! He left without saying goodbye!"

Brandon laughs humorlessly, almost mockingly. "You have every right? You don't even remember what happened the night you lost your memory. You could be wrong about all of this." He gestures around himself.

I frown in confusion. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"Because you and my baby brother were fighting that night," he informs me. "You're the reason he left town. Did you know that? He didn't get in contact with me for months. I almost lost my brother because of you."

I gulp and take a step back. I can feel Carlos tense behind me. I open my mouth but nothing came out.

"I...I didn't..." I start.

"You didn't know? Of course not. 'It's not your fault,' Franco said. 'He left because of him,' he said." Brandon chuckles bitterly. "We've been doing perfectly fine without you, thank you very much."

My breathing becomes heavy. "What did we fight about?" I dare to ask.

"That's not something I should be the one telling you. But Franco doesn't want to see you. He doesn't want to talk to you. So why don't you do us all a favor and give up?" he snarls.

"What are you doing at a rehab center three hours away from where you used to live?" I change the subject.

Brandon shuts his mouth and steps back. His body is rigid as if he were about to explode any moment now.

"That's none of your business," he snaps.

"TELL ME!" I scream.

Brandon's eyes flares. He leaps at me. Before he could grab me, Carlos quickly pulls me behind him and covers my body with his protectively.

"That's enough," Carlos snaps.

"How did you even find me?" Brandon asks, scowling.

"GPS," Carlos responds and shrugs. "It's my thing."

"Well," Brandon chuckles. "You found me instead of Franco. Still need a little help?"

Carlos scowls. "You're good enough. A tough nut to crack, but still."

"Get out of my fucking way," Brandon growls, pushing past Carlos and I.

Carlos grabs my arm and whispers, "Just let him go."

I watch silently as Brandon walks down the hall and went into a room, not once looking back.

"Did that answer any questions for you?" Carlos asks. "Any memories hit you?"

I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. "No, not yet."

Carlos nods, obvious doubt in his eyes. He knew I wouldn't listen to what he has to say so he keeps quiet and for that, I'm thankful. I can't bare being wrong right now.

"We should go home," he announces. "Before anyone notices we're gone."

Home. Franco was my home. He still is and without him, I'm lost.

"I don't have a home," I whimper.

Carlos hugs me tightly, burying his face in my hair. He soothes me down before we leave the men's room.

We silently walk out the front door and get in the car. None of us speak, not that we had anything to say. Twenty minutes after driving, I see a black SUV that resembles Franco's.

Stop thinking about him, my subconscious told me. I should really listen to what it has to say sometimes.

I look away and face forward. Carlos stops at a red light and the SUV stops beside us. I glance at the driver and my eyes widen.

Franco was on his phone, his expression blank. He looked exactly the same the last time I saw him—the last time my brain—saw him on graduation day.

Tears fill my eyes and my breathing hitches. He hasn't noticed me yet. Carlos found him.

"Carlos," I croak, gripping onto his bicep.

"Yeah, Aurora?"

"Franco," I breathe out, pointing to the car beside us.

As if he heard me, Franco looks up and glance at me. His eyes widen in realization and his lips part. So many emotions cross his beautiful features. Anger, shock, guilt, pain, love.

My mouth opens but I couldn't form the right words. A car honks behind us and Carlos slowly moves the car forward for my sake.

Franco didn't remove his gaze from me, he didn't move at all. He was frozen in his seat, his expression nearly making me run out the car and hug the life out of him.

His mouth moved and it takes me a moment to read what he said.

I'm sorry. I love you.

♠♠♠

"I'm telling you, he said he was sorry." I try convincing Carlos what Franco said to me earlier but he refused to believe me.

"He's an asshole for leaving you after you got hurt." He stands up and walks over to me. "Don't believe anything he says. Why would he apologize a year later? Why apologize at all? He didn't even follow us!"

His words hurt but they were true. Franco didn't follow us. Brandon was right. He didn't want to see or talk to me ever again.

"You're right," I breathe out. I nod my head in reassurance. "You're right. I have to stop. This isn't healthy for me. Especially in my state."

Carlos sighs in relief and puts a hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry Aurora. But you've let your love for him blind you. He's only holding you back. I miss college with you, babe."

I nod, agreeing with every word he says. He kissed my forehead and tells me he'll call me later. I sit in the dark, laying lifelessly on my bed.

I can't sleep. I keep hearing the smallest things. The wind blowing the trees, leaves crunching, cars roaming, Caroline softly talking out in the hallway.

My phone vibrates and I check to see who texted me. I inhale sharply.

New text message from Franco West.

Open your window, baby.

My eyes were wide and my body tenses on alert. I slowly make my way towards the balcony and open it. Franco's face appears and I couldn't help but slap him.

The sound echoes and Franco flinches, his cheek red with my handprint on it.

I step back, tears in my eyes. I shake my head vigorously and run my hand through my hair.

"It's not real," I whisper to myself. "You're not really here, you can't be."

It's a shame I've wanted to see him for over a year and now that he's standing right in front of me, I couldn't help but feel...empty.

"I'm here baby, I'm here," he whispers. He softly grabs my wrists from my hair and leans his forehead against mine.

He cups both sides of my face and kisses me.

And I knew right then and there, I wouldn't let him leave without some answers.