Finding Franco

11 | road

The wind blows through my hair. I place my hand outside the window, loving the way it breezes against my fingertips. Franco doesn't mind the loud noise it makes and for that, I'm happy.

I smile like an idiot. This brought so many emotions within me, it was hard to keep up.

"Having fun?" Franco smiles.

"Hmm...yes," I breathe out and lay my head back. The radio puts on Closer by the Chainsmokers. I drum the beat on my lap, the drugs getting to me already.

"So what are you doing over there?" I ask. "And does Brandon know I'm coming?"

He shifts lanes. "He doesn't need to know, and he just needs help with some things in his hotel."

I hum and put the seat back so I can sleep.

Franco squeezes my hand and hums to the music softly.

♠♠♠

I listen to my mom on the phone. I pick on my fingernails waiting for her to stop lecturing me.

"I just can't believe you'd do something like this," she sighs loudly.

Franco glances at me and I'm sure he can hear everything. 

"I forgot to mention it mom," I tell her, tired of this conversation already.

"I was worried sick, baby," she says. "Dr. Carpenter called and told me you needed pills? Why would you need pills for a headache?"

"I don't know! Maybe my memory's coming back or something?" I burst.

Franco's driving becomes slower and he turns to face me with a questioning look. 

What's going on? He mouths to me.

I point a finger, indicating him to wait. I shouldn't have said that, now he'll question me or bring me home and home was the last place I wanted to be.

"I'll be careful mom," I say. "It's just one day."

I hear her deep breathing. I wonder what my dad's thinking. He's always the quiet one but right now I just wanted to hear his voice instead of my mom's.

"Okay honey," she pauses. "I love you."

"Love you too," I whisper and hung up.

"What was that about?" Franco asks, focusing on the empty road.

I don't answer. 

He turns my chin to him. I knew he wouldn't give up so easily.

"Tell me," he commands.

I bite my lip. "My mom was worried because I didn't call her."

He smirks. "You left a part out, my love."

I groan in defeat, hoping he wouldn't pick up on that. "I don't know how to explain it," I say.

"Just spill it out like you did your little outburst a moment ago," he suggests.

I sigh loudly. "I've been getting headaches..." I slowly start.

He nods slowly, indicating for me to keep going.

"Uhm..." I play with my fingers. "I'm starting to remember some things." I quickly add, "Not big things, just college professors and some classmates...parties..."

He furrows his eyebrows and gulps audibly. "Do you remember the accident?" he asks lowly.

"I remember the car," I say quietly. "I remember seeing the truck hit me. That's it."

He looks forward and breathes in deeply. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"It didn't matter. It's just bits and pieces."

"The smallest things matter, Aurora. It just doesn't matter to you."

I grin. "When did you become a wise adviser?"

"It's not funny, baby." He looks as though he's in pain.

I put my hand on his shoulder. "Hey, are you okay?"

He rubs his face. "Just tired. We'll be there soon, I promise."

"Let me take over," I offer.

"Hell no," he says immediately.

My eyes widen. "I can do it," I say confidently.

He narrows his eyes and thinks it over. He sighs in defeat. "Okay," he says. "But the moment you get tired, you let me drive, got it?"

I chuckle. "Yes, daddy." I mock.

He smirks and widen his eyes. "Never heard that one before."

We switch sides and I buckle myself securely. Franco leans back and falls asleep almost twenty minutes later.

I see a car speed past me on the highway and I jump in my seat, my heart racing. I close my eyes and gulp. I hate when cars speed past me like that. It was unnecessary even if no cars were around.

I shift lanes and hear an ambulance that makes me jump. I whimper loudly, my breathing hitches. I try to gain control of my breathing so I wouldn't wake Franco up.

A trash bag flies up the windshield and I hit the breaks, hard. The car looses control and screeches against the road.

Franco sits up straight and breathes heavily, quickly looking at me. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

I lean back in my seat and rub my face. I hide my face into the steering wheel and cry. Franco's arms wrap themselves around me and rocks me back and forth.

"Shhh, it's okay," he whispers. "It's not your fault, you're okay."

I sob louder and hug him tightly. "I'm so sorry," I cry. "I swear I didn't mean to...the bag just came out of nowhere and it scared me, the car just—" a sob chokes me.

He pats my hair and rubs my back. He looks around the empty highway and back at me. "I'll take it from here."

I nod and jump over to my seat. I buckle myself and look out the window. 

I hate myself.

♠♠♠

The ride was silent when we got there. Brandon and Franco met in front of the hotel I first saw Brandon in. He glares at me and speaks angrily to Franco. I know he hates me. I destroyed his brother and almost their brotherhood as well.

Brandon huffs and slams his car door before speeding away. Franco watches as he leaves and gets inside the car.

"He's letting us stay in his room," he says.

"Letting us or did you have to beg?" I ask flatly.

"I had to blackmail him."

"So where's he going to stay?"

"At the rehab center with a friend," he brushes off.

He looks at me when he's done parking. "Are you gonna be okay?"

I look into his blue eyes and give a soft smile. "I'm already okay."