And Playing the Role of Herself (Frankiana)

CHAPTER SEVEN

The muscles in my legs were screaming and my lungs burned, but I forced myself to keep going, dodging a man and nearly tripping over his dog, spinning and continuing on.

Almost there, almost there, almost there...

I was going to beat her this time, Goddamnit.

I gritted my teeth and pushed harder. Sweat dripped in my eyes, and I didn't have the energy to wipe it away, didn't want to break the rhythm of my swinging arms...

I pushed harder...I could see the sign for the trail head, see people around it, someone sitting on a bench...

Franki.

Sitting on the bench, looking like she just stepped out of a Nike commercial, not like she just ran three miles.

Sonofabitch.

I slowed to an abrupt stop, gasping for air, hands on my knees, feeling lightheaded. I closed my eyes, chest heaving and my legs shaky, waiting for my breathing to slow.

I heard approaching footsteps and opened my eyes, still struggling for breath. A pair of running shoes came into my line of vision.

I coughed and straightened slowly, still slightly dizzy.

"Don't...*gasp*...say it...*gasp*...Russell," I warned, and coughed again, looking over at her.

As I watched, the slightly cocky, taunting grin she'd been wearing was chased off her face by wide-eyed concern.

"Jesus, Diana," she stepped forward and placed a hand on my back. "Are you alright?"

I just nodded and coughed, bending over again until my breathing finally eased a little. Franki didn't say anything, but she didn't move away, and the hand on my back was making slow, gentle circles.

I straightened finally, and stifled a disappointed sigh as she dropped her hand. I pulled my cap from my head and ran a hand through wet hair.

Lovely.

She wordlessly handed me a water bottle, and I gulped greedily. "Thanks."

I handed it back when I was done and pulled at the front of my sweatshirt to cool the rest of my body. I glanced at Franki, still looking at me worriedly, and after a moment's hesitation, pulled the sweatshirt over my head and mopped my face with it.

Yeah, I'm looking real attractive now, I thought to myself and shook my head.

"How in the heck did you get here so fast?" I finally asked when I had enough oxygen left over for talking. "And how'd you get past me?"

"I...ah...went a different way," she said with a glimmer of humor in her eyes.

I put my hands on my hips and frowned. "I didn't know there was another way. Just the maintenance road..."

She started laughing, backing slowly away from me.

"...and they only allow maintenance vehicles on that path," I puzzled before it finally clicked. "YOU GOT A RIDE????"

She held out her hands. "I'm sorry, Dianer, I didn't know you'd try to kill yourself..."

I began to stalk towards her, and she stepped back faster, laughing. I lunged towards her and she yelped, turning to sprint away, still laughing over her shoulder.

I sprint after her, my own laughter welling up helplessly. I felt happy and giddy chasing Franki across the parking lot like a couple of kids, with no thought of what I'd do if I actually caught her.