Pills and Needles: A Fran Bow and Coraline Crosover

Chapter 3: Part 1: Tricks

"They seemed very nice." Fran said in true honesty as the trio made their way back outside into the chilly afternoon. It was only a few hours before it would be evening and the sky was tinted a pinkish orange already, for winter brought nighttime quicker. The three children carefully made their way up the steps, putting their hands to the chilled railing to assist them.

"They are," Coraline confirmed, frowning a bit,"Sorry if they scared you a bit. I'm not sure how accurate their readings are."

"That's okay." Fran assured her but couldn't help but still feel worry gnawing at her.

At the top of the steps, a black furry mass was waiting. It let out an excited "meow" and rushed to Fran's side, brushing up against her leg.

"Mr. Midnight! Naughty cat, you're supposed to be inside!" She welcomed him into her arms, his sandpaper tongue rasping at her nose.

"I don't want to be of a downer or anything, but it's getting late. If you really don't live around here, then..." Wybie had finally picked the last of the taffy from his teeth and indeed made an excellent point.

"My mom would contact the police if she knew you didn't have any parents around," Coraline thought outloud. It seemed simple enough to ask for a sleepover but there was the situation of asking for permission from Fran's parents.

"And I'm not sure how grandma would handle it. She doesn't know me to have friends over, never mind overnight."

Grandma.

A plan began to formulate in Coraline's mind.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

"So can she?" Coraline smiled at her mother from across the table. The Jones were now having dinner with her father home. An extra chair was pulled up for Fran who politely ate the food on her plate, though it didn't appeal to her all too much.

"Coraline, you know we'd have to contact her parents first." The woman twisted her fork to collect the pasta onto it and ate it. Upon chewing and swallowing, her father joined in.

"Your mother has a point. I mean, if we just let her stay without her mother knowing, what would they think?"

"Oh, that's fine." Coraline nodded and tried to eat a forkful of pasta confidently but couldn't help but gag a bit. "We have her dad's number."

"Better sooner than later I suppose. It's getting quite a bit dark.." And so Mrs. Jones stood from the table and beckoned Fran to follow. She led her to a phone on the counter and allowed her to punch in the number. As Mrs. Jones brought the phone to her ear, Fran made a small notion.

"He's just now recovering from a bit of cold so he might sound a little funny."

Mrs. Jones let an acknowledging smile cross her lips. The room was silent for a bit until Mrs. Jones brought a hand to her hip and chirped, "Good evening, Mister..." She looked to Fran for assistance.

"Dagenheart."

"..Dagenheart."

~~~~~~~~~~

"..Dagenheart."

Wybie's hands felt sweaty holding the phone. Thankfully his grandmother was reading in her room so he had the living room to himself. He tried to focus as Mrs. Jones continued.

"Yes, your daughter Fran is here with us and her friend from school so no need to worry."

"Oh, that's fine, quite alright," the boy mumbled, as if to sound carefree yet busy at the moment, lowering he tone of voice as well.