Hunger

November (part 1)

Frankie went to meet her friends in the pub in Cheshunt, and stepped into the sight of a cheering group wearing party hats and playing fanfares on party blowers. They had made a banner that said 'You're engaged!' and bought her presents. Frankie was overwhelmed at the wonderful gesture. 

"So are we all invited to the wedding then?" Alex wondered, and a couple of the others chimed in. 

"Of course you are," Frankie said, as she opened the first present they had bought her. It was a set of wine glasses that said 'hers' and 'also hers, but he can borrow it'. She laughed heartily at the glasses and thanked them all. 

"Oh we are not done," Abi grinned mischievously and handed her a soft present. Frankie held Abi's gaze, and it was obvious that whatever was in the gift, it was something naughty. 

"Am I going to get embarrassed when I open this?" Frankie asked having to raise her voice to speak over the loud music. 

Abi and Mirah laughed devilishly at each other, and Frankie carefully opened the wrapping paper. It was some ridiculously see-through lingerie, that Frankie couldn't picture herself wearing.

"Wear those when you need to change his mind on something!" Mirah said loudly, and everyone laughed. 

Frankie appreciated the thought and gesture. It was sweet of them to want to celebrate her engagement with her, and it might seem silly to some, but Frankie felt seen and valued. She could easily have been the one planning engagement parties for the rest of them, never getting to have one herself. Much like she had held many handbags, covered for friends who slept over at their boyfriends' houses, or how she had always been the last choice, when the pub was closing. It felt surreal, but wonderful that she wasn't the last one for once. 

They had bought them a date-basket as well, with sweets, wine, cinema tickets, and other nice things they could enjoy together. It was incredibly sweet, and Frankie was touched. She hugged and thanked all of them. 

"You are so wonderful, thank you all," she said as she wiped a couple of tears from her eyes, and sat down to enjoy a cold drink. 

"You are so welcome," Abi started, and hugged her shoulders. "We are incredibly happy for you. I think some of us saw it coming though. He's crazy about you. There was a photo of the two of you on Instagram the other day, and it was just so obvious how into you he is." 

"I didn't see that," Frankie was curious, but she had sworn she wouldn't look herself up on social media.

"Do you never check anymore?" Gina asked while sipping a glass of wine. 

Frankie shook her head. "No, it doesn't do anything good for me. I guess it isn't so much the actual pictures, but the comments people make. 90% of the time I know he's out of my league, I don't need people to tell me," she laughed, but immediately regretted, as her friends started objecting to her choice of words. 

"That is just not true," Oliver said and gave her a stern look. "You need to stop bullying yourself, luv. The rest of us don't see you two as unequal in any way. I actually think you make him look better." 

Frankie blushed and looked down at the table. She really didn't do well with compliments. 

"Can I show you the picture?" Abi asked, and held her phone to her chest. Frankie nodded, and Abi turned the phone around and held it out for Frankie to see. 

It was taken the day they had their rings tattooed. They were standing in the street, him facing the camera, and her with her back turned. She was wearing a black coat and a Pleasing beanie. He was wearing his black, puffy North Face jacket and a Pleasing cap, and his face was lit up in the most beautiful, radiant smile. His eyes were shining with a genuine, heartfelt warmth and the corners of his eyes crinkled, forming gentle, happy lines. It was evident he adored the person he was talking to; her. She smiled at the photo, and asked Abi if she would send it to her.