Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
⋆⋆⋆
𝗠aya crossed her arms as she spotted the familiar figures approaching. her voice came out low and bitter. "nice of you two to show up."
frankie's eyes narrowed, and her reply was sharp, her words slicing through the tension in the air. "i didn't know you guys were waiting for me. i mean, it's not like we talk."
an awkward silence fell over the group like a heavy blanket. the discomfort clung to their shoulders. "'cause i could've sworn best friends talk or at least hang out. but you've been too busy with her to even realize anything."
danny's hand reached out, grasping frankie's arm gently, but firmly steadying her, anchoring her. frankie bit her lip, her face tense with emotion. her voice trembled just slightly. "i really needed my best friend today." she paused, swallowing hard. "danny is dying, and i couldn't even cry to my best friend because she shut me out."
maya's gaze dropped, her shoulders sagging as she stared at frankie with soft regret. "we can talk after." frankie's eyes didn't meet hers. she spoke without looking back. "no, don't worry about it now. i have lucas."
riley stepped forward, her brow furrowing as her gaze flicked from maya to frankie. "you told lucas before you told us?" frankie's voice was cold and steady as she turned slightly, her expression unreadable. "unlike you two, he hates when i'm not speaking to him. he actually cares about my feelings; you should be more like him."
with that, frankie pushed open the door and walked inside, leaving the five of them standing in uneasy silence. danny offered a small, reassuring smile and took a step forward. "i'll just go calm her down."
"hey, danny."
he turned back to look at them, a gentle sorrow lingering in his blue eyes. "i'm sorry." lucas says.
"don't worry about it. but please be there for her when i'm gone. i don't need her going crazy. she's going to need all of you, so please stop shutting her out." his gaze lingered on maya for a moment longer, searching her face.
"she's going to need you the most." with a simple nod, he turned and followed frankie into the building. lucas watched him go, then looked over at maya with quiet curiosity. "so you and frankie are close?"
maya gave a small, nostalgic chuckle, brushing her hair behind her ear. "yeah, i go over to her house every morning to wake her up."
lucas smiled at the memory, a flicker of warmth lighting his expression. "she's not a morning person."
