When I opened my eyes this morning I was no longer thinking of what I’d wear, what I’d watch when I got home, or what I’d eat for dinner. All of those things seemed so much smaller.
Instead I was thinking about after school, I was thinking about seeing Frank and learning something new about music all over again. I was even thinking about all the unpredictable things that could happen just like yesterday. It was… exciting? Not the getting violated part, but just the general cluelessness of how my day could go; the excitement of not knowing what would happen next.
How long had it been since I had real excitement in my life? When I opened my eyes this morning, no matter how much I wanted to deny it, the world was brighter.
And it was thanks to the stupid guitar lessons.
I got out of my bed and opened the window to let the sunlight in; it almost felt like a scene out of a movie. I could hear the birds singing outside and the sun’s rays illuminated my wooden floor. I pranced into the shower, shaving and lathering myself in strawberries and cream scented body soap.
Okay seriously what the fuck was going on, did someone slip me a happy pill in my sleep I felt like a fairy or something. I had NEVER been a morning person a single day in my life. I went into my closet and pulled out a flowy white sundress and sandals.
EVEN MY DRESS SENSE WAS WHACK TODAY?
I tied my hair back in a neat braid and quickly got in my car before I could change my mind about wearing a dress to school.
Today is going to be a good day, I told myself over and over again.
Positive vibes.
First period; Chemistry.
Alright. Bring it.
I walked into the classroom; my head held high and ready to ‘learn’.
I looked over to the black board and stopped dead in my tracks.
UNIT TEST TODAY. TURN NOTEBOOKS IN. Was written in clear bold letters.
I walked back out of the classroom.
“What..the fuck?” I muttered to myself. Why didn’t I know there was a test today?!?! And my notebook?!? I hadn’t even finished it yet!
I chewed on my lip furiously and tried to think up a solution to this dilemma.
I couldn’t just skip chemistry. I had to skip ‘em all.
I looked up and down the hall as if I was crossing the street and sprinted out the door I came in from. I kept running, not giving anyone a chance to stop me. I made a sharp turn to get into the parking lot and hadn’t seen the two people walking out of it.
I made contact with the both of them, the impact of the hit knocking all of us over like bowling pins.
My hand shot to my lower back, which had a sharp pain resonating through it.
“Fuck. I’m so sorry..” I muttered, looking up to see whom it was I knocked over.
I froze. It was the art teacher, Mr. Way, and the music teacher, Mr. Toro.
I didn’t have them for any classes so I prayed they wouldn’t recognize me.
“Dammit. Watch where you’re going kid.” Mr. Way said rubbing his head and glancing over to me.
“Why aren’t you in class? The bell is about to ring.” Mr. Toro scolded.
“I.. I uh-..” I searched my brain for an excuse and clearly displayed a guilty face.
“D-..D-Do you need some help up?” Mr. Way stuttered, looking away. I could see a light blush across his cheeks as clear as daylight.
I scrunched my face up, unable to make sense of his behavior. He whispered something to Mr. Toro that caused him to look down to where I was sitting, and then look back up, blushing in the same manner that Mr. Way was.
What?
I glanced down as well, and gasped louder than I’d ever gasped before.
Due to falling, my dress had hiked up, exposing my legs and my lacy pink underwear. I was practically sitting naked in front of two teachers.
My face flushed completely red. I jumped up shrieking and pulling my dress down simultaneously.
“I-I won’t talk about this if you won’t.” I blurted, not wanting to meet their eyes.
“Deal. We never saw you.” Mr. Way coughed and hurriedly walked past me, Mr. Toro following.
I watched as the two men frantically walked into the school, not looking back even once.
After the initial shock of getting ‘exposed’ I couldn’t help but laugh at their reactions. They acted like they’d committed some mortal sin by looking.
I snickered and got into my car. Doesn’t matter, I just got my free pass out of detention. Sometimes it was great to be a girl.
I sped off the school campus, wondering where I would go next. I had some ideas.
I pulled into an iHop and parked my car. I would start my fabulous day with a stack of pancakes and a coffee.
I couldn’t go home just yet cause my mom didn’t leave for work till 12. It was barely 9 o’clock.
You could go to Frank’s. A voice whispered in my head.
No. No I couldn’t, shut up brain.
That plan wouldn’t work anyways because one I’d be imposing, and two I couldn’t drive my car anywhere near the house. My mom would recognize it right away.
I cut the engine and got out, I would think of what to do when the time came.
Now, pancakes.
I was seated almost immediately because there weren’t that many people inside.
As I waited for someone to come take my order, I smiled to myself. This was my first time eating somewhere on my own and actually paying for it. It sounded stupid but I felt like such a grown up. A grown up that was skipping school.
A young guy made his way to my table, “Good morning Miss, what can I get for you?” He smiled warmly. He was handsome, he looked no older than 21.
“Could I have an order of blueberry pancakes please?” I grinned to myself. I would tap that.
Gross, I sounded like a dude haha.
“You sure can. Would you like some coffee with that?” He grinned back.
“Please.” I replied. When he walked away I began giggling to myself.
This was fun, pretending to be an adult and such.
“Lana?” A male’s voice appeared from behind me and I froze. I turned around slowly; thinking I’d been caught by someone from school.
I was met with familiar hazel eyes and relaxed. Only to go tense again when I realized whom it was. He eats at iHop?
“H-Hi. Frank.” I waved to him and frantically turned back around in my seat.
Just pretend like you don’t know him, maybe he’ll go away.
I was wrong, he took the seat in front of me, his eyes wide with questions.
“What are you doing here? Why aren’t you in school?” He raised an eyebrow.
At this point the young waiter came back with my coffee.
“I’m just… um… sitting! Yep, sitting. Sitting in iHop you know how it is us sitters ahahah.” I laughed nervously, not realizing that meaningless words were coming out of my mouth.
“What?” Frank said clearly confused.
The waiter smiled at me once before returning to his duties and my heart jumped a little.
“God dammit Frank could you be any louder?” I turned back to him; an annoyed look on my face.
“Again , what?” He furrowed his eyebrows trying to figure me out.
I decided to just come clean with him.
“I’m skipping school today.” I mumbled.
This came as a surprise to him and his eyes widened.
“Oh I see what that was, you didn’t want the waiter to know you were a student. Because you… like him?” He jumped to conclusions.
Fuck, he saw right through me no matter I said.
“No, what? It doesn’t matter.” I scoffed, waving off his accusations.
“And why are you skipping school today Miss Lana?” He said, taking a sip of my coffee and deliberately talking louder.
“Hey get your own! You can’t just take what you want as you please Frank.” I scowled at him.
“Oh but I can, don’t you know? What’s yours is mine little girl.” He smirked at me, licking foam off his lips. He was trying to get me worked up again.
“Since WHEN?” God give me patience because if you give me strength I may just reach over this table and slap him.
“Since now.” He whispered low enough for only me to hear, reaching his hand under the table and touching my thigh.
I squealed and kicked him away immediately. He looked surprised and I didn’t know why.
“Are you wearing a dress?” He raised an eyebrow.
I nodded, my cheeks betraying me by blushing.
“Is that for me?” His stupid grin appeared again.
“NO!” I blurted. God why the fuck was he doing this to me?
His grin quickly turned into a scowl.
“Is it for him?” He spat, pointing to the waiter from earlier.
Frank gave me a serious look, like I’d completely ruined his mood.
I decided to mess with him. He wanted to get me worked up? Fine. Two can play at that game.
“Yes.” I said plainly. I was lying of course; I’d only met the waiter today. I did not ‘dress up’ just for him.
His eyebrows furrowed furiously, a sudden rage building in his eyes.
“That fucking wad? Look how tiny he is he’s practically a kid what the fuck do you see in him? Guys like that only want to get in your pants.” He began to rant.
Ah, I stuck a chord. I laughed internally.
“As opposed to what? Guys like you? Old men who touch little girls under the table?” I taunted, leaning forward and licking my lip like he’d done earlier.
He stared at me again. It was his “I see right through you” stare. Shit.
Instead of ranting again he closed his eyes and took a deep breath in and out. When he opened his eyes back up his devilish grin had returned.
Instead of saying anything he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, dialing a number.
“Hi, yes. Ms. Rosenburg? I’m just calling to let you know I found your daughter at the iHop. I think she’s skipping school.” He paused, my heart literally stopped. “Oh, I’m not sure. Something about a secret boyfriend she’s visiting.” I looked at him in disbelief. He smiled. “Tell her to go to school immediately? Sure thing. Just doing my job.” He hung up the phone and tucked it back into his pocket. I gave him the most hateful glare I could muster.
“Yikes hun, she sounded pretty mad. I guess I, will see you after school then. Don’t be late.” He smirked taking one last large sip of my coffee and walking out of the iHop.
FUCK You, Frank Iero.