Choices, Choices
"The one and only G. The one and only..." Lighting responded to the still dumbfounded Gilda.
"I thought you moved back to Cloudsdale... Why're you here?" Gilda asked.
"That's not important G, what is important however is you and your little boy-toy over there are going to be internet stars for roughing up my boyfriend and his goons."
You had just gotten back to your feet, grasping your stomach. Everything seemed fuzzy to you, so you had no idea what Lightning was talking about, and frankly, you couldn't care less. You were more worried about where Patrick had went, but you notice him still on the ground, silently moaning because of the inflicted pain caused by Gilda.
But, while everything Lightning had said was fuzzy, the shouting from a completely different person snapped you back to reality, and it seemed to do the same for literally everybody around you. You slowly look up to see two police officers, hands ready to pull their tasers out if needed.
"Okay, what's going on here!? The library reported fighting up here, and we're here to escort you out of the establishment. If you resist, we will have no choice but to use force!" One of the cops called out sternly. At this point, Patrick, James, Arthur, Lighting, Gilda, and yourself were silent. All not having a clue of what to do next. It was that moment when you all had a moment of comradery and looked at one another. You all knew this guy meant business and one wrong move can easily put everyone in the-
"To hell with that!" Patrick called out as him and his lackeys began to book it towards the stairs that led downwards. Gilda was apparently thinking the same thing as she began to follow suit, not wanting to be detained. The two cops scrambled to chase the fleeing teens, as you and Lightning watched. Lightning was really getting into recording at this point, which angered you very much.
When she was paying more attention to getting the perfect shot, instead of paying attention to you, you decided to snatch the camera from her hands and throw it over the railings. Sending it to the main floor of the library.
"What the fuck Anon! That was expensive!" Lightning called out in anger.
"Why were you recording it? In fact, better question, why were you here with Patrick and his gang?"
"Isn't it obvious, we were waiting for you dickweed. That's why we had cameras. We noticed you two arriving so we all hatched a plan. The plan was to get Patrick to beat the living shit outta you and record it. Then we would put it on the internet and let the public do the rest." Lightning explained. For some reason, this all seemed like a very generic villain vs hero movie. When the villain knows when to be at the right place at the right time.
"But how did you know we were coming here?" You ask.
"Believe it or not, we had no idea. We were actually here filming a project for history when you two rejects showed up. That was genuine surprise you heard from Patrick. I just so happened to be their camera girl, so I documented the whole thing! Or, I did until you tossed my three hundred dollar camera over a rail you asshole!" With that, Lightning slaps you hard across the face. A feeling all to familiar at this point. Instead of acting angrily however, you reacted calmly.
"Lightning... Why? Why are you doing this? What's with the attitude all of a sudden?" You ask in a caring tone. Lightning only glares at you.
"What? I'm doing this because you're an asshole! That's why!" Lightning retorted angrily. As she raised her arm for another slap, you caught her wrist, still looking at her with a serious look.
"What happened Lightning? I remember you being... Better than this. What happened?" Lightning only stared at you. Her angry face melting into an uncertain one.
"Nothing happened. What happened was I smarted up! I learned you were a coward who wasn't willing to fight for his girl!"
"I wasn't going to risk a fight over something ridiculous."
"Oh so now I'm ridiculous?" Lightning asked angrily.
"No Lightning! I would have done anything for you. I would have defended you in the blink of an eye, and you know that. But what you did was ridiculous and idiotic!" You exclaimed. That seemed to shut Lightning up, she had drawn back from you. Her angry face began to falter, but she kept it strong as tears welled up in her eyes.
"I had no choice..." She said simply.
"You've always had choices Lightning... You just decided to take the wrong ones." You stare her in the eyes, feeling hate and anger towards Lighting as she struggles to keep her composure. Voices in your mind were shouting and screaming at you, telling you to leave her there to think about everything that was said. But then, something else takes control. Before you leave, you give her a strong, warm hug. Lighting is as stiff as a board, but she doesn't try to fight back.
"But I believe you still have choices Lightning Bug... I know you do, but try to make the right ones... For me." You whisper. Having nothing else to say, you then straighten your posture and leave. You walk towards the elevator and enter. The last thing you see before the stainless steal doors close, is a stiff Lightning Dust, fall to her knees and grab her head in her hands. You nod, and repeat to yourself,
'She needed this...'
~***~
You step outside the library after being questioned by an officer. And while it slightly annoyed you, you knew he was only doing his job. You look around to find Gilda's motorcycle still in it's parking place.
"She hasn't left yet... But, where'd she escape to?" You ask yourself as you look around the area to find a glimpse of Gilda anywhere. That was until you felt your back pocket vibrate. You reach your pocket and pull out your phone. It's an unrecognized phone call.
"Hello?" You answer. You then hear a distressed familiar voice.
"Hey Anon... I don't have a lot of time, so I'll say it. I'm in jail and this is my one phone call. Please get me outta here!" You stand there. Speechless, yet unsurprising.
"Yeah, I'll see what I can do." You answer. After exchanging more words, you end the call and curse to yourself. You don't know what to do, you never had to bail anybody out of jail before... But you did know somebody who did. You swiftly turn your phone on and swipe through your contacts until you find the right number. With a nervous breath, you press on the number and it rings. Seconds later, a voice all too familiar answers.
"Hey Mom? I got a little issue."