F**k it, I love you. | Lana + Marina

Chapter Thirteen

The next morning...

Lana's Point of View

Chuck and I sit across from Jack in his studio. He plays some chords as we deliberate.

"Lana, can we focus this time? We should actually try to get shit done today." Jack urges.

I look up from my phone.

"She's texting her girlfriend." Chuck announces. 

"I'm not-," I set my phone down, "She's not my girlfriend."

Jack swings around from his chair, interested. 

"Are you talking about Marina again?" He asks.

"Yes." Chuck affirms.

I feel my cheeks turn red as I fish through my bag for my vape. I locate it quickly and inhale the peach flavor, 

"Let's just stay focused, please," I utter.

"Dude, look at her. She's like a middle-schooler who's fallen in love for the first time," Chuck teases, "She's dated so many sexy men and I've never seen her like this." Jack laughs and nods in agreement. 

"We're not dating," I object, "Can we please demo the chorus in 'Hope'? I would like to hear how it sounds with the piano." 

Jack affirms and we warm up.

"I've been tearing around in my fucking night gown
24/7 Sylvia Plath,
Writing in blood on the walls
'Cause the ink in my pen don't wo-"

My phone rings, disrupting the acoustics.

"Lana, for fucks sake, why can't you ever mute your ringer?" Jack says, half serious. 

"It's probably her girlfriend again." Chuck pesters.

I look at the screen. It's Marina. 

"I'm going to get this, hold on a second." I say as I answer the call,

"Hey you." 

"Hey Lana." I smile into the phone when I hear her accent,

"You're sounding a bit better today." 

"Hi Marina!" Chuck yells, I turn and give her a distraught look, gesturing for her to shut up.

"Marina, come meet us here!" Jack calls.

"Who's that?" Marina asks hoarsely from the other end. 

"It's my sister and Jack Antonoff. We're just whipping something up in the studio."

"Oh, tell them both I say hi," She squeaks. 

"Marina says hi." 

"Tell her to get her ass down here," Jack requests.

"I've got news, not very good news." Marina says through the phone, her voice cracking. 

"You should come to Culver City, and tell me in person. I'll order you a cab." 

"Are you sure? I don't want to be a bother." She exclaims softly.  

"No, these two are getting bored with me anyways. We need your energy to liven this place up."

She giggles, "Well alright then, see you soon." 

"Alright." I reply before hanging up. 

"Is she coming?" Chuck asks, excitedly. 

"Maybe," I bite my lip.

"That means yes," Jack smiles. 

. . .