BLUE (Frankiana Version)

Thirteen

Diana was awoken when a weight was suddenly lifted from the bed. Before she could figure out what was going on, she heard rushed footsteps disappear out of the room.

"Wha...?" Diana sat up groggily, rubbing her eyes and looking around the room. Franki wasn't there. Inhaling sharply, Diana quickly wiped her eyes and pulled the blankets off of her legs. She glanced at the clock. 12:15. They had barely been asleep for an hour.

"Franki?" Diana raised her voice, trying to shake off her exhaustion and walking over to the door. "Franki?!" she called louder when there wasn't an answer. Just as she was about to exit the bedroom, she heard quick footsteps coming up the stairs.

Franki appeared at the top of the stairs, holding the medium sized canvas and hurrying towards Diana. As the small girl got closer, Diana realized there were tears streaming down her face.

"What's wrong?" Diana asked quickly, stepping forwards just as Franki shoved the painting into Diana's hands.

"I forgot," Franki shook her head and took a step back. "I am stupid. I am sorry," she looked down at the ground, frantically wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her sweater.

"You what?" Diana asked, looking down at the painting she had found a few days ago. It still gave her goosebumps.

"It was a present," Franki stepped forwards and pointed to the painting. "For you. But it is too late," she sighed and buried her face in her hands. She didn't want Diana to see that she was crying.

"Why is it too late?" Diana grew confused, using her free hand to reach out and pull Franki's hands away from her face. "Why are you crying? This is beautiful, Franki," she looked down at the canvas in her hands.

"It was for Valentine's Day," Franki bit her lip and allowed Diana to reach up and wipe her eyes. "But I... It is too late."

"Oh, babe," Diana shook her head and led Franki into the bedroom. "No it isn't..." she sighed and propped the painting up on her desk so it could be seen from the bed. "I didn't..."

Franki followed Diana over to the bed and sat down slowly. The dark haired girl thought for a moment before speaking once more.

"I didn't give you anything either..." Diana shook her head. "I mean, I obviously got you something... but when you didn't talk to me I... I just didn't think you really cared."

"I do care," Franki scooted closer to Diana and grabbed her hand. "I do, Lo. I do. I was scared."
"I know," Diana cupped Franki's hand between her own. "But Valentine's Day is just a day, right? I mean, who says we can't have out own day right now?"

"Right now?" Franki tilted her head to the side.
"Yeah," Diana nodded and stood up, moving over to her desk and rummaging around in the drawer for a moment. "Right now," she sat back down on the bed and set a small box in Franki's lap.

"Happy... Happy Us Day," she smiled softly, kissing Franki's cheek.
"For me?" Franki whispered softly, holding up the box and turning it around in her hands.
"Only for you," Diana laughed softly and crossed her legs underneath her. "Open it."

Franki's small fingers gently tore at the wrapping paper, revealing a small cardboard box. She lifted the lid, furrowing her eyebrows at what was inside.

"A string?" the smaller girl looked over at Diana in confusion.
Laughing, the dark haired girl gently lifted the material out of the box and unrolled it. "Close," she smiled. "It's shoelaces. For your shoes," she motioned to the tattered white converse in by the door.

"I know you won't let me buy you new shoes, but I figured this was the next best thing," Diana smiled softly.

"It is yellow," Franki giggled, her lips parting into a wide smile. "I love it," she wrapped her arms around Diana and pulled the older girl into a hug. "Thank you, you're welcome."