Trials And Tribulations (Frankiana Version)

Chapter Four

The girls spent the rest of their lunch break in easy conversation and comfortable joviality, Jodi and Ally furtively teasing Diana for her crush on Franki at every available opportunity that presented itself. Much to Diana's relief, Franki either missed their veiled mocking of her current infatuation or chose to ignore it.

Sadly, the same could not be said for Maza, who would systematically look her way after every well concealed jibe, her eyebrow slightly raised and a curious expression on her face.On numerous occasions Maza had caught Diana, not so subtly, she might add, staring at her best friend. Diana felt her face becoming progressively warmer every time she was caught out and could only imagine the luminous shade of red that was spreading across her features.

For her part, she tried to conceal the betraying crimson blush by resting her face in the palm of her hands, her elbows propped up on the table in front of her. She was almost positive that this attempt was nothing more than futile, her obvious awkwardness evident to everyone seated around her. Well, everyone, that is, except Franki. Diana couldn't decide whether she should be thankful for Franki's obvious lack of perception or hurt, regardless, it was the only thing which prevented her from wanting to curl up into a ball and die of embarrassment right there and then.

Diana didn't know what it was about Franki that she found so appealing but she was completely incapable of pulling her eyes away from the girl whenever she was in the immediate vicinity. It's almost as though her eyes, which after finally having fallen upon the most impeccable sight they'd ever seen would no longer tolerate having to look at anything less beautiful. As soon as she tried to track the conversation, which, was happily moving from one participant to another, Diana would find herself looking right back at Franki, her brain trying to burn a permanent image of the girl into her memory for eternal preservation. Despite the energetic conversation bounding around her, Diana's mind was totally preoccupied with thoughts of spending time with Franki at Ally's house this afternoon, her stomach fluttering nervously in anticipation.

As much as Diana appreciated the opportunity to spend more time getting to know the other girl she was reluctant to have to do it in front of three witnesses who would, in all probability see her making a complete idiot of herself and more than likely assist her with it.

Despite the initial fear that Diana felt at Ally inviting Franki to join them for lunch, she couldn't help but feel a small sense of gratitude towards her friend. Diana would never have found the courage to invite Franki to sit with them on her own and being able to spend time with her was definitely worth the ridicule she had to suffer. Diana was even pleased with Maza's addition to the group. Having spent time getting to know the girl during homeroom this morning, Diana had grown to like her easy and relaxed manner.

She hoped that as the year progressed the pair of them would become good friends, especially if, by some small miracle, she ended up dating Franki. At the end of lunch, Ally provided Maza, who was getting a lift home with Franki after school, with her house number. She informed her that she lived down the street from Franki and told the pair of them to come around whenever they were ready.

Diana felt despondent as they all dispersed to attend their next period, having compared schedules to find that none of them shared any classes this afternoon. Not only did that mean that Diana would have to cease what was beginning to border on obsessively watching Franki for the next few hours but she would also have no one to distract her from what would likely be a very slow afternoon.

As promised Franki went back to check in with Miss Geronimo and it took everything within Diana not to accompany her, memories of the other girls miserable pleading echoing in her mind. Granted Franki seemed to have more energy since lunch and her speech had greatly improved since she'd left her outside Mr Lopez's history class, but Diana had a very real concern that Miss Geronimo would insist on the other girl going home.