We Still Exist [h.s.]

Chapter 16 (pt. 1)

FRANKIE'S POV

We had finally arrived to the school. We all got out of Thomas's truck and started walking towards the front doors. I didn't know what it was, but that feeling in my gut was back. The same awful feeling I had the whole time I wasn't home, the day my dress got torn up. I kept my chin high and my smile bright. I assumed it was just nerves. Then I thought about it.. Harry and Sophia will be here any second. I'll have to see them in coordinating outfits on a date.. I decided that was what made me anxious.

Deep breaths my dear.

I heard Shauna's words from the past echo in my head. I took a few deep breaths and calmed my mind. Tonight will be amazing. I'm getting ahead of myself. Just take it one step at a time.

I decided to excuse myself to the bathroom really quickly to avoid having to spend too much time with Brendon. Jae and Thomas chose to go grab some food. I told them to get me a drink. While I was in the bathroom, I quadruple checked my hair and makeup. I pulled my phone from my small handbag and sent Harry a text. "Guess where I am? I'll see you soon babe. Xx"

I smiled at my phone and eagerly waited for him to respond. Jae came through the door into the bathroom. She had a plate of food as well as a drink for us both. I gave her quite an amusing look and laughed. "What in the hell are you doing Jae?"

I looked at both of her hands full of food and drink. Then looked around the bathroom, still laughing. "Why did you bring that into the bathroom? I was coming right back."

She looked like she finally understood my reaction to her entrance. "Ah. I see, muh bad."

She took a sip of her drink while she made eye contact. We both shared a hearty laugh and she handed me my drink to make a toast. "To tonight and every day after."

I looked at her with love in my eyes. She has said that to me since we were young kids. The first time she said it was when we were 8. It was; "I love you today and every day after."

She's my family forever and I love her so much. She should be with Thomas right now, not sitting here with me while I sort out my anxiety. "Alright now, go hang out with your boyfriend before he starts to resent me for stealing his date."

She smiled at me. "Okay, let's go."

She reached out for me, I looked at my phone, smiled at Jae, put it in my handbag, and we set off to go boogie together. Thank God tonight is off to a great start. I needed this.

HARRY'S POV

I was fiddling with my thumbs on my phone screen trying to find the right way to reply to Frankie's sweet text. We had finally gotten in our limousine and headed to the dance. Sophia and her 2 girlfriends were drinking some gin and tonic. Their dates sat on either side of me, looking just as excited to be there as I was. Which was not at all. What do I even say?! "Frankie! Sophia knows a lot about your past for some reason and she's using it to blackmail me into making you feel like shit. Sorry! Let's think of something!"

I mentally slapped myself. Even the thought of it was cruel. I can't do this to her. Her and I have to think of a plan.. So I just did it. I texted her. "She's blackmailing me. Please don't believe a word she says. I have to keep you safe so we have to ride this out. I can't explain everything now.. but I will find time to get away from her for a little bit. I kind of fucked up and I'm sorry Frankie."