Rebel Chic

Chapter 7

I cracked my door opened and scowled when I saw the man still guarding it.

“Gerard, go back in,” he said.

“But I have to use the bathroom,” I said.

“You have an en suite,” he stated.

I stuck my tongue out, shutting the door again. My dad took away my phone away and my computer so there was absolutely nothing to do.

I just wanted Frankie again.

I laid down on my bed, hugging Casper as I cried. I wish I had taken Frank's offer to live with him. I wanna be with him, not be here.

The door opened and Ray walked in. I sniffled as he sat on the bed beside me and ran a hand through my hair.

“My dad sent you, didn't he?” I mumbled.

“Yeah,” he said softly.

I sat up and he wrapped his arms around me.

“I miss him so much,” I cried. “It's been like two years now.”

“No, Gee, it's only been two weeks,” Ray said.

“Well it feels like two years,” I muttered. “C-can you help me? Help me get to Frankie?”

“Of course, what can I do?” He asked.

“Sneak me out,” I said.

I sighed, thinking of a way to get out of here. I looked by the door and saw he had brought a suitcase.

“What's that?” I asked.

“Oh, I brought a bunch of stuff to hopefully make you happy,” he said. “You know, toys, movies, candy. I would've brought my duffel bag but the strap broke the last time I was here from bringing all this stuff.”

“I'm small,” I said quietly. “I think I would be able to fit inside it.”

He went over and emptied everything out, pushing it underneath my bed. He laid it down and I curled into a little ball, just barely fitting. I giggled as he sat on top of me and tried to zip it shut.

“Your hair’s getting in the way,” he said.

I sat up and he grabbed a hat. It was white with little bear ears on it. I put it on and curled up again. After twenty minutes, he finally got it shut.

“But we need Mitch too,” I said. “Put her leash on her and let’s go. I wanna go see Frankie.”

I heard him doing stuff for a moment and Mitch meowing quietly when I finally felt the suitcase jerk up.

“Ow,” I whimpered. “Be careful.”

Ray shushed me and opened the door. He stepped out and shut it behind him quickly.

“Why do you have Mitch?” The guard at my door asked.

“Gee said she was getting antsy in there and wanted me to take her home with me for a bit,” he lied. “Just until tomorrow or something. Plus, I have a cat and Gee said Mitch should have other cat friends.”

“Your suitcase looks a little more full than when you went in,” he remarked.

“Well, yeah, that's because I have to bring Mitch's stuff with me now too,” Ray said.

I heard footsteps that were all too familiar.

“Raymond,” my dad said. “I thought you were gonna be in there with my son. I thought you two could date again.”

“I'm sorry, sir, but we just can't, we're best friends,” he said. “Plus, he really likes Frank.”

“Well, let me go in there and talk to him,” my dad said.

“No,” ray denied. “Gee is sleeping, he was tired so he took a nap. That's why I'm leaving so soon.”

I felt the wheels below me start rolling and we got to the part that I was fearing most.

The stairs.

“I'm sorry,” I heard Ray whisper.

It dropped down a step and I covered my mouth before I could make a sound. By the time we got to the bottom, I'm pretty sure my butt was bruised and not in the way I wanted it.

“Just a bit further now,” ray mumbled as he opened the front door.

I felt the suitcase roll across the concrete and heard the creaky gates go by. Ray walked until he knew it was safe and set the suitcase down on the grass. He unzipped it and I gasped at the fresh air. It was so hot in there, my black hair stuck to my face with sweat as I scrunched my nose up and pulled it away.

“Thanks, Ray,” I said, giving him a tight hug.

“Yeah, of course, you're my best friend,” he said. “Now, you go out there and be with the guy you like.”

I smiled, kissing his cheek. I took Mitch’s leash and started walking, feeling the slight ache in my legs from being curled up like that. It seemed to take forever but I was finally outside of the gates. I giggled happily and stepped up to them.

“Excuse me, who are you?” The guard asked.

“I'm Gee,” I said. “You can let me in.”

“I'm not going to do that,” he stated.

“Why not?” I asked.

“You don't belong here, kid,” the man said.

I pouted and crossed my arms.

“Yes I do, Frankie said I could come over,” I said. “Just call him out here and ask him yourself.”

“I'm not gonna do that, kid,” he denied. “It could be a trap.”

“B-but I just wanna see Frankie, I walked all this way,” I whimpered, looking through the gates of the big house.

“Kid, you need to leave,” he stated.

I sniffled, resting my head against the bars. I felt Mitch’s leash fall from my hand as she chased some bird.

“No! Mitch!” I screamed.

I ran after her as she jumped into a bush. I screamed, chasing her but she was already gone, lost somewhere in the woods. I sobbed, going back to the gate as I pulled on it.

“Let me in!” I screamed. “Let me in!”

I heard a gun c**k and I whimpered, looking at the man pointing a gun at my head from less than a foot away. I cried, trying to wipe away my tears but it was no use.

“I just wanna see Frankie,” I whimpered.

“You better leave if you know what's good for yourself,” he seethed.

I sniffled, my head ducking as I started to walk away slowly, dragging my feet. I didn't have anywhere to go now, I couldn't go back home. I'll be living on the streets. I didn't even have Mitch anymore.

“Look who I found scratching at my back door,” someone said.

I turned and saw Frank, noticing the way the man still had the gun aimed at me. Frank was walking down the driveway, Mitch's leash in hand as she walked beside him.

“Daddy!” I exclaimed, running back to the gates.

“Step back,” the guard growled, tugging my arm roughly and making me fall back on my butt that was already bruised from the suitcase ride.

“Hey!” Frank shouted as I started crying.

The gates opened and he ran out to me.

“Oh, baby, you okay?” He asked.

I sniffled and shook my head. Frank picked me up, letting me wrap my legs around his waist. He walked back to the house and I watched over his shoulder as a car pulled up. Pete got out, grabbing the man and pushing him into the backseat roughly. Another man got out of the car, taking place as the guard as Pete sped off.

“Where's he going?” I asked.

“He's not gonna bother you anymore,” Frank reassured, rubbing my back.

I sniffled as Frank set my down.

“Baby, what happened?” He asked.

I looked up at him as I wiped my tears away.

“I ran away, I wanna stay here. Please, please let me stay here, I don't have anywhere else to go,” I begged.

“Of course, baby, you're always welcome here,” he said.

I nodded softly, looking down at my feet.

“You look tired,” he remarked. “How about you go take a nap?”

I nodded, holding his hand. Frank brought me upstairs to my room and I rubbed my eyes. He helped me take off my boots and my hat as I yawned sleepily. Frank helped me into the crib and smiled, giving me a soft kiss. He pulled the bar up and shut the curtains.

“Sleep tight, kitten,” he said.

I smiled as he shut the door. I curled up into a little ball underneath my blanket. My dreams were scary. I just kept thinking of my dad screaming and yelling at me and shooting at Frankie.

“Hey, hey,” a voice said softly.

I tossed and turned, whimpering as I looked up at Frank.

“Hey, princess, I'm here,” Frank whispered. “I'm right here with you.”

I reached up and held his hand as he smiled. Frank picked me up, cradling me in his arms.

“Scary dream,” I whimpered.

“I think ice cream will help,” Frank said.

I gasped and nodded. Frank carried me downstairs to the kitchen, shooing out the chef as he opened the freezer. I watched sadly as he scooped ice cream into bowls.

“Daddy, were you hurt?” I asked.

“What do you mean, babydoll?” He asked.

“When my dad shot at you, were you hurt?” I repeated.

“Just a scratch,” he said as he shrugged.

I whimpered and walked up to him.

“Show me, please,” I said.

He sighed, unbuttoning his shirt. Frank showed me his bicep where there was a scratch on his pale skin from where a bullet grazed his arm.

“I-I'm sorry,” I whispered. “I didn't mean for you to get hurt.”

“Kitten, this is nothing,” he said, kissing my forehead.

“Are you sure?” I asked.

Frank smiled and nodded, buttoning his shirt back up. I gave him a hug, resting my head on his chest. Frank kissed the top of my head. I smiled, nuzzling against him.

“Daddy, I like you a lot,” I said quietly.

“I like you too,” he said, leaning down to give me a kiss.

I smiled as he pushed me against the counter gently, picking me up and setting me on the granite. I smiled, picking up my bowl of ice cream.

“Can it have sprinkle?” I asked.

“Of course it can,” he said.

Frank walked into the pantry, coming back with the sprinkles. I giggled, dumping a lot on.

“Whoa, baby,” Frank said, taking it from me. “You don't need a sugar rush, you'll never go to sleep tonight.”

I giggled, kissing his cheek and spooning the ice cream into my mouth.