BLUE (Frankiana Version)

Ten

"Do you think Kiara will be there today?" Franki asked, hurrying to catch up with Diana as they made their way towards the front of the school building. It was now the first week of February, and things had been running pretty smoothly for them.

With the exception of Franki and Kiara's growing friendship.

"She's always there," Diana shrugged. She couldn't help but be jealous. Diana was well aware that she couldn't have Franki all to herself. But she was also scared that Franki could easily replace her.

"Oh," Franki giggled, finding Diana's hand and kicking a pebble as they walked. "I like her. She is funny."

"I know. You told me already," Diana mumbled, pushing through the large doors of the building. Franki grew confused at her abrupt change in mood, but quickly scrambled to follow her into the classroom.

"Hey, Franki!" one of the boys waved to her. Franki smiled and padded over to him, bumping her fist and making an exploding noise. In the classes she had been present in, she'd somehow managed to make friends with almost every student in the room. Diana watched bitterly for a few moments.

In some ways, the brown eyed girl was proud of Franki was branching out. And granted, she should be happy that Franki was making progress. But with her progress came Diana's worry. She wished it was easier for her to protect Franki. But now, the smaller girl needed her freedom.

Franki greeted a group of students before quickly scanning the room and hurrying back to Diana's side.

"What are you painting?" Franki asked, pulling a stool up next to Diana. The brown eyed girl was staring absentmindedly at a blank canvas.

"I don't know yet," Diana shrugged, looking down at the palette of paints in her hand. "What should I paint?"

"Hmm," Franki leaned forward and rested her chin on Diana's shoulder so she could study the canvas up close. "Paint a tiger."

"A tiger?" Diana raised an eyebrow. "I don't know how..."

"You can do it," Franki smiled and kissed Diana's cheek. Diana sighed and shook her head.

"Only for you," she whispered softly, knowing she couldn't resist the smaller girl. Franki clasped her hands together and smiled widely.

"I love you," she hummed, leaning in and kissing Diana's cheek before disappearing across the room. Diana bit her lip, looking down at her paints and then up at the canvas.

Meanwhile, Franki smiled happily as she made her way over to Kiara's table. The girl seemed focused on something, so Franki quietly pulled up a stool next to her. She watched for a minute or two, tugging at the signature beanie on her head.

"Franki, look," Gino took a large lump of clay, holding it above his head and letting it fall down to the table. It landed with a plop, flattening out slightly. Franki jumped, but laughed once she realized it wasn't harmful.

"Wanna try?" Gino tore off a small chunk of clay. Franki nodded as he rolled the material across the table, but Kiara reached out to stop him before Franki could get her hands on it.

"Let's not make a huge mess. You already make enough for all of us," she laughed, setting down her paintbrush and motioning to the excess clay covering his clothing. Franki furrowed her eyebrows.

"But I want to try," she said quietly, pointing to the clay and then looking at Kiara hopefully. The other girl thought for a moment before standing up, signaling for Franki to wait before disappearing in the back of the room.

"I do not understand," Franki turned back to Gino, who chuckled to himself.

"Neither do I," he laughed, rolling the clay between his hands and shaping it with some sort of wooden tool. "She's crazy."
Franki giggled and leaned over so she could study what Kiara had been painting. It was something in black and white, but she couldn't quite make out what it was yet. She quickly looked up when she heard footsteps approaching.