When Did Your Heart Go Missing?

"What?"

I was angry. Angry at him. At myself. At Gerard for getting so drunk. At Mikey for not being as enthusiastic. At Sarah for being too enthusiastic. At Ray for slowly following in Gerard's drunkenness. At my mom for having me and hating me. At Kelsey for being rich. At Bob for fucking her whilst Frank bet on a kiss from me.

When he didn't respond I sighed and stood up.

"I'm leaving," I said. I didn't take a second look at anybody. I just stood, walked toward the door and left.

Frank cannot feel this way for me. It'll ruin everything. I don't want to turn out like my mom.

I don't want to turn out like my mom...

Half a block away from Kelsey's in this little rich neighborhood, I hear something...

Someone?

"Layla!"

Of course. Frank.

"Layla, wait!"

He was running toward me. I walked faster.

"Layla, please!"

With every two or three syllable sentence, his voice sounded nearer and nearer. Until he grabbed my arm.

"I'm not letting you go home by yourself," he breathed. "Not with all the weirdoes that pop out at night."

"I can take care of myself," I said, looking away.

"Fine. Then I'll just be some good company?"

"What do you want from me, Frank?"

He spun me around and looked me dead in the eyes, holding on to me tightly.

"I want you," he whispered. I pulled away as something dawned on me.

"In the limo when Gerard-"

"Yes," Frank said, reading my mind. "When he asked if I'd...if I'd done it...he meant make a move on you. I felt horrible that he reminded me how bad it'd went..."

I turned around and started walking away.

"Jesus Christ, Layla!" Frank said. "If you don't like me just say it. Stop walking away from me!"

I sighed and turned around. He looked desperate.

"I don't," I stated. It wouldn't hurt to lie. And it wasn't really a lie. "Like" does not describe how I feel...

Frank sighed and walked over to me. He wrapped an arm around my shoulders.

"So, uh...the Dictator give you a curfew?" Frank said casually, thankfully changing the subject. I sighed. Glad that's over with...

But what now? He basically admitted to liking me. He seemed so desperate, as if it really mattered what I felt for him. And I just wanted to kiss him again...

"Layla?" Frank said, snapping me out of my thoughts. I shook my head.

"She didn't," I stated. Frank nodded.

"I'm sorry if I made anything awkward," he said softly. "I guess you're over that little crush you got on me at Free the Freshmen?"

I smiled but didn't respond.

"Layla?"

I laughed.

"You're teasing me, Layla! That's not fair!"

I looked at my watch. Ten thirty. Not too late. My mom can't get mad. She knew where I'd be.

Besides, she is 'in love'.

"We're here," Frank stated, walking up my front porch. I took my key out of my pocket, unlocked the door, and slowly turned the knob. I peeked inside.

"Mom?" I said softly, walking inside with Frank behind me.

"Don't call me that," I heard an angry voice slur.

I walked slowly toward the kitchen. My mom stood at the counter, a bottle of Vodka in her hand.

Fuck.

"A-are you okay?" I said nervously.

"No," she stated, looking up at me with death in her eyes. "Do you have any idea..."

She didn't finish her sentence. She walked slowly over to me and I walked backward and into the living room.

"I've been fired, Layla," she said. I swallowed hard. I knew what that meant. Frank wrapped his arms around my waist from behind.

"And do you know why?" she asked. I shook slightly. "Because I was dating my boss. And he wanted to marry me. But he doesn't want a spoiled fourteen year old as a daughter!"

Oh. So it is my fault for once?

"I-I'm sorry-"

"You fucking should be!"

Frank's arms wrapped tighter around me.

"I hate you!" she yelled.

I hate you more...