It Started With The Cereal

Why Exactly?

Next morning
I wake up with Franco cuddled up behind me. Not Lannan.
I pull away from his grip, laying onto my stomach.
How did I even fall asleep here?
Why did I stay here? How did I get myself to actually stay the night?
I carefully get out of bed, but Franco instantly wakes up.
"What are you doing?" He grumbles.
"Getting out of bed. Why did you sleep in here?" I ask aggressively.
"Because, we like each other."
"You have a girlfriend, remember?" I remark.
"Well yeah, but it's fine."
"No! It's not. Not only did you betray me, but you betrayed her too! And she doesn't even know it!" I flip out at him.
He suddenly looks all bummed out.
"And to be completely honest, you're a piece of shit and nothing will change that." I laugh, just at his stupidity.
I go to the bathroom with my phone in hand.
But he rushes me to it, grabbing my wrist.
"Stop." He says simply.
"Let go." I say softly
"Just, can you at least put this behind you until you leave? I just wanna hang out with you while we have the chance." He complains.
"You fucked up big time." I chuckle.
"I'm sorry okay? I've already apologized, and I feel bad. Can we at least hang out as friends?" He asks kindly.
"Maybe." I say, jerking away from him.
8:30 PM
I can't find my phone. And I never checked my texts from Lannan either so now I feel really bad.
I've been looking for my phone for the past hour though, with no luck of course.
"Any luck?" I yell to Franco from upstairs.
"Nope!" He calls back.
I rush down the stairs, ready to take a break for a bit.
"Wanna go watch a movie?" He asks.
"Yeah, sure."
We go out the front door, and suddenly I notice my phone sticking out of his back pocket.
"What the hell!" I yell in frustration, pulling it from his pocket.
"Why did you have my phone!?"
"He wouldn't stop texting you." He says, remaining calm.
I open my text messages
I read, "how's everything going."
"I'm assuming it's all good."
"Hope you're doing alright, haven't heard from ya."
They're all sent about two hours apart too.
"Are you okay?"
I sigh loudly to myself.
Is he okay?
I look back up at Fransisco. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
"You came here for me, and all of the sudden you're at some stranger's house, sleeping with him, and he's blowing up your phone!" He yells.
"Okay, so first of all, we are not sleeping together. Second; he is not a complete stranger, and guess what? He actually gives a shit about me. He makes me feel like I actually belong. Not like I'm some worthless piece of shit like you do."
He just shakes his head.
"I don't get you." He says.
"Well are you supposed to?" I snap.
"I thought so."
"Well you don't need to 'get me' to not be a complete asshole to me."
He continues shaking his head.
"I'm sorry." He says again.
"Oh. I'm sure you are."
"Seriously. Can we please just go watch a movie?"
"I forgot my purse at Lannan's. Let me get it, and we can go."
He rolls his eyes, so I glare hard at him.
He sighs, then smiles softly. "Okay. Go get it."
I go to his front doorstep, knocking.
Lannan opens it, looking rather shocked to see me.
"Come in." He says, hurriedly.
As he shuts the door, he quickly wraps his arms around me.
"I know we just met but I was legit so worried about you." He says softly.
"I know, I'm sorry. Fransisco stole my phone and hid it from me all day." I explain.
"But you didn't come back last night." He says gently.
"I know. I'm really sorry. I don't even remember what happened yesterday to be honest. Him and I talked, and obviously didn't solve anything." I go on.
He nods, letting me go.
"So what's going on now? Can you stay?" He asks, almost seeming desperate. And honestly, I like this.
"I guess him and I are going to see a movie." I say softly.
"Oh."
"I wanna stay with you though."
"Then stay." He says, taking my hand in his.
"I can't."
"But why not? I've finished recording for the night." He goes on.
"I just don't wanna tell him no."
"Are you scared?" He asks, quickly seeming concerned.
I pause for a moment, then say, "yeah."
"Want me to walk you out then?"
"No. I don't want matters to get worse." I say truthfully.
He nods, letting go of my hand.
I can't leave like this.
I go back to him, wrapping my arms around his neck for a passionate kiss.
Suddenly, the sound of a car pulling up startles us both.
I turn, and see a small, silver car parked in front of Franco's house.
I rush out the door, to Fransisco's side.
Someone gets out of the car.
"Oh shit." He mumbles under his breath. It's a girl.
"Hey Franco!" She calls out excitedly.
"Who are you?" She calls out to me, seeming kind though.
I notice that Lannan followed me out. Shit.
"Lindsey. Supposedly, Franco's friend. I mean of course I came here thinking otherwise, but just a couple days ago, he told me..."
Francisco slaps me hard in the mouth. My hands cover my face in shock.