Finding Franco

09 | anniversary

Carlos and I lay on the roof of his apartment, looking up at the sky. We used to see the constellations together before we hit high school. It was tradition for us. It was a miracle we were still in contact after I dropped out of college. We barley see each other.

"So you're back with Franco, huh?" He inhales the smoke on his cigarette and blows out.

I tilt my head up to look at him from an angle. "Are you mad?" I ask hesitantly.

"I wouldn't say mad, more...annoyed."

I laugh. "And why is that?"

He shrugs. "After all we've been through searching for him? And the fight with Brandon? Especially the fight with Brandon. You told me you were going to give up the night we found them."

"The same exact night Franco came home," I defend. "And, I took sleeping pills by accident!"

"And the final reason, being he killed someone. Killed, Aurora." He states. "Someone that meant something to the both of you? Which in my opinion, makes no sense. But I never meddle into your relationship."

"I totally forgot about that," I mumble. "How could I forget about that?"

"Beats me." He sits up straight with a smirk. "Does that mean you've changed your mind on forgiving him?"

"No!" I hit his shoulder. "How could you even say that?"

"Sorry babe, but I had hope."

"It's not that I want to forgive him," He opens his mouth but I beat him to it. "It's that I have to. Two years is not something I can just throw away like garbage. Franco has all the answers."

"I understand, I do. I'm sorry Rory." Regret and guilt flashes his eyes.

"Life would be so much easier if I lost all my memory," I sigh at the fantasy.

"Don't talk like that," Carlos snaps. "It may be easy for you but not the people around you. Your parents and sister would be hurt and tired overworking themselves trying to make you remember them and push their work and other responsibilities away because that's the kind of people they are. Franco would lash out on anyone coming at him in a two feet radius and I'd be devastated and gaining weight at home."

I bite my lip. "I'm sorry. Never thought about it through your point of view. God, I'm so selfish."

"Everyone is sometimes." His phone vibrates and a blush creeps onto his cheeks.

"Are you...blushing?" My jaw drops.

"Psst, no." It only makes him blush more.

I throw popcorn at him. "Carlos!"

"Fine, fine!" He surrenders. "It's a girl."

"A girl? A female? You mean, the opposite sex? Opposite gender?"

He rolls his eyes. "Yes, mom."

I squeal in delight, popcorn flying everywhere. "Carlos, that's wonderful news!"

He groans and hides his face in embarrassment. "It's nothing, okay? We only met in person once."

I frown in confusion. "Are you online dating or something? Why did you exchange numbers?"

"She doesn't live in town. A couple hours away."

"Ohhhhh..." I drawl. "Well...good luck..."

He scoffs. "Thanks."

"Are you two planning on having a New Years kiss?"

"Hopefully, but I doubt it."

"Why are you in such a good mood?" He glances at his clock and I knew it was midnight. "You know what day it is."