Chapter 22

Scarlett's POV

I stayed in the house all alone for a very long time. Probably two hours as I wasn't really checking the time. I couldn't continue reading the book as all it brought was memories of what had just happened.

I was scared, but I was also… amused? I wasn't repelled by the thought of Franklin kissing my neck.

He had taken the whole situation wrongly, and now I was suffering for it. The pains from the cramps came back, and I was left groaning all over the floor. My head ached, and my body quivered. I could feel myself heating up, but there was nothing I could do to help myself.

I covered myself in the blanket, wondering why he was so angry that I was reading a book that could save him.

Not long after that, he walked in through the door. I hurriedly sat up, staring at him. He stood at the door, staring back at me. We had that position for a while, just looking at each other, and saying no words.

“Franklin…”

“Scarlett…” We called each other's names simultaneously.

Franklin nodded at me to speak, and I sighed.

“Look, I'm sorry.” I muttered, despite the pain I felt. “I'm sorry that I didn't carry you along the whole time, but I still think you're taking it the wrong way.”

“I was just trying to see if there was anything I could do to help get you back to your normal state.” I shrugged. “I didn't intend to annoy you, or make you feel like my lab rat.”

There was silence for a while, and we just stared at each other. Unspoken words were said by just looking at each other. Franklin's countenance softened after a minute.

“I overreacted.” Franklin muttered, and my eyeballs widened. Did he just admit to being wrong?

“I shouldn't have shouted.” Franklin shrugged. “You’re just trying to help, and I should be thankful.”

“Erm… so…” I whispered, trying to choose my words carefully, “You won't try to kill me?”

“Aren't we over that already?!” Franklin hissed. I chuckled as he hissed. He walked into the room, locking the door behind him.

“So, what's the plan you have now?” Franklin asked, but I felt the urge to keep it to myself.

“I have nothing yet.” I lied, sighing deeply. “I'll keep searching, and when I have something tangible, I'll hit you up about it.”

“Okay then.” He muttered, walking towards the kitchen.

I groaned in pain, feeling something wriggle in my stomach.

“I hate fucking cramps!” I muttered, and before I could raise my hand up, Franklin was kneeling before me.

“Give me your hand.”

“No.” I refused. “That's too much pain in one day, and I can't let you do that.” I groaned again, feeling a blood clot trying hard to leave my body.

“It's not too much for you to bear, but it is for me?” Franklin scoffed, stretching out his hand.

“We can do this the easy way or the difficult way. You get to choose.” Franklin threatened me.

I stretched my hand out, and he bore the pain I felt instead. I felt the clot leave my body immediately he was done.

“That was really good.” I whispered as Franklin crouched beside me. He didn't let the pain show on his face, although I was sure that it was a lot.

“Are you fine?” Franklin asked.

“I should be asking you.”

“I'm always fine.” He responded roughly, resting his back into the couch. He sighed, and closed his eyes.

“I'm going to the North.” I said softly, and Franklin's eyes opened slowly.

“Why?” He asked, turning his head to face me.

“A competition.” I shrugged.

“But you're a girl in a boy's school.”

“Well, there's this teacher that thinks I'm someone else , and he's trying to get into my ass…” I wasn't done talking when Franklin had already released a soft growl.

“Do you want me to kill him?” Franklin asked, looking serious.

I chuckled, touching his head.

“You're really going to break into the Academy, kill one man and leave?” I asked, scoffing and caressing his furry head.

“You'd be surprised at the amount of things I can do when I want to.” Franklin said, and I chuckled.

“Well, don't be worried.” I sighed. “I have it all under control.”

“I'll only be there for three days, and after I'll come see you.” I said, and Franklin nodded.

“I don't want you to go.” He growled.

I sighed, turning my head to fully look at him. “I have to, if I want to keep my cover.”

“You can always stay here with me though.” Franklin shrugged.

“And then, I'd not have access to various things I should have access to.” I said, and he sighed in defeat.

“Well then, let's see a movie since you'd leave soon.” Franklin suggested, and we spent the rest of the day binge watching a series. It was a romance movie that had Franklin angry for most of it. The girl was pretty dumb, and the guy was somehow dumber.

When it was time to leave, I didn't want to go. It was evident on Franklin's face that he'd have preferred me staying a while longer, but he acted nonchalant.

I stretched my hands out to hug him, and he scoffed. He easily picked me up, and stormed out of the house.

The next thing I knew was that we were on air, and sometimes on the floor. He was taking me back to the academy.

I could only squeal and giggle. It was scary at some point, especially when he'd jump from tree to tree, leaving me to hold tightly onto him.

When it was finally time to depart, we hugged again.

“I'll see you in three days.” I said, and he nodded.

“Be safe.” He muttered.

I kissed my palm, and then, I gently pressed my palm on his cheek. I could have sworn that he smiled, but it only lasted shorter than a second. He left almost immediately, and I snuck back into the Academy.

This time, I headed straight to the library, intent on finding all the families that had the ability to draw other people's pain.

Franklin comes from one of them, and that's the key to saving him!