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𝗙rankie barely stirred when her bedroom door creaked open.
"five more minutes," she mumbled into her pillow, her voice muffled and hoarse from sleep.
"nope," came lucas's soft reply, followed by the faint sound of her curtains being drawn open. "you've had thirty. i brought reinforcements."
she groaned as the morning light touched her face. she didn't have to lift her head to know lucas was standing near the window, probably with that annoying half-smile of his that was too patient to be real.
"you're lucky i like you," she muttered.
lucas walked over and sat on the edge of her bed. "i'm aware. now sit up. you've got a world to face, remember?"
frankie rolled onto her back slowly. her hoodie was twisted around her waist from sleep and her hair was a mess, but lucas didn't say anything. he just handed her the cup of tea he'd brought - chamomile with a little honey, the way she liked it. she took it, sitting up against the headboard.
"i kind of forgot what monday feels like," she said after a sip. "it's horrible."
lucas smiled. "you'll get used to it again."
"i don't want to get used to it. i liked not having to deal with people."
"you still don't," he teased. "that's what i'm here for. human buffer."
she gave him a small, grateful smile.
just then, a soft knock came at the door before it opened. addison peeked in first, already dressed in a dark navy suit for work, holding a travel mug and her phone in one hand.
"you up?" she asked, then looked at lucas with a knowing nod. "of course you're up. thanks, lucas."
frankie shrugged. "barely."
addison stepped inside, followed by franklin, who was in uniform, and abby, who had clearly rolled out of bed just to say something.
"we just wanted to say good luck," addison said, walking over to brush frankie's hair off her forehead. "you've got this. just breathe."
"i'm proud of you, kiddo," franklin added from the doorway. his voice was softer than usual. he looked like he wanted to say more but didn't.
abby plopped onto the foot of the bed next to lucas. "don't punch anyone," she said casually.
frankie raised an eyebrow. "i don't punch people."
"just saying. it's been a month. emotions could run high."
