Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
⋆⋆⋆
𝗦unlight streamed through the expansive windows of the thomas house, drenching the kitchen in a warm, golden hue that danced on the tile floor. frankie rubbed the remnants of sleep from her eyes as she shuffled across the cool, smooth surface, pulling on one of baby's old college sweatshirts that hung loosely around her. in the corner, elle was already busy, her hair a tousled halo that framed her face, humming softly as she whisked eggs in a large glass bowl with rhythmic precision.
"morning," frankie yawned, reaching up to the cabinet, the familiar sound of dishes clinking filling the air.
"morning," elle replied, her voice light yet quivering slightly. she turned to offer frankie a small smile that didn't quite reach the depths of her hazel eyes.
the two moved effortlessly around each other, a well-rehearsed dance pulling down pans, toasting bread, and drumming up the heat on the stove. frankie felt warmth bloom within her, comforted by the soothing cadence of their routine. it felt... safe.
that sense of safety wavered when elle dropped the spatula with a soft clatter.
"oops," she muttered, crouching down to retrieve it. frankie knelt alongside her, and for a fleeting moment, their fingers brushed against each other.
frankie chuckled softly, the sound light and airy. "we are so not awake enough for this."
elle managed a smile that quickly dimmed, and she settled back on her heels, the spatula held loosely in her fingers that trembled slightly.
"frankie, can we talk?" elle's voice was softer now, almost hesitant.
frankie blinked, momentarily taken aback, then nodded earnestly. "yeah, of course. what's on your mind?"
silence enveloped them for a heartbeat, the only sound being the rhythmic ticking of the stove timer. then, in a rush, elle revealed, "i get jealous sometimes. of you."
frankie's mouth dropped open in surprise, but elle continued without pausing.
"not in an obsessive way," she clarified quickly, "but because... you still have maya. even if things aren't perfect. and sometimes, i'm scared you're just—" she looked down, her voice trembling, "—going to go back to her and forget about me."
