Trials And Tribulations (Frankiana Version)

Chapter 9

After vacating Miss Geronimo's classroom, Maza, Ally and Diana had followed the school nurse back to her office where she'd provided them all with what was possibly the most sugary drink they'd ever had. In fact, it was so sweet, that Diana had convinced herself that if she had any more of it then necessary, she'd start hallucinating rainbows and unicorns.

The school nurse, who, Diana had been fortunate enough to avoid meeting throughout the duration of her high school experience so far, had informed them it was for the 'shock' and had told them to sit down for a few minutes to regain their composure.

Diana had almost snorted with derision at the comment, the thought of recovering her

poise almost laughable when Franki was in hospital, her condition unknown. Once they'd finished their diabetic inducing drinks the nurse had given them each a hall pass and note to explain their tardiness to their respective teachers.

The three of them had taken them hastily; eager to escape the confines of the nurses' office and discuss the situation and their plans without prying eyes or ears. Finally alone in the abandoned and somewhat eerily quiet hallway, the girls had made their way to one of the nearby bathrooms. Maza checked beneath the stall doors, confirming it was empty whilst Diana stood in front of the door to prevent anyone from entering and disturbing their discussion.

"I'm going to the hospital," Diana stated simply. "I don't care if it's the first time I've ever

bunked off school. I need to check that Franki is alright."

"What if we get caught?" Ally asked nervously.

"Who cares if we get caught?" Diana countered. "I don't know about you Ally but seeing Franki like that scared the crap out of me. I'm never going to be able to concentrate this afternoon after seeing her like that."

"Me neither," Maza agreed, her eyes still swollen and red from the tears she'd cried at the distress of seeing her best friend in the midst of a seizure. "They can't expect us to stay here and pretend that nothing's happened?"

"Exactly," Diana continued. "So, I'm going." She paused to look at Maza, "Maza, I assume that means you're coming too?"

"Of course," Maza informed her. "If I could have gone with her I would have. There's nothing on this earth that will keep me at here whilst she's there."

"Ally?" Diana asked the shorter girl. Ally seemed to weigh up the decision in her head

before finally answering. "Screw it," she said, nodding in Diana's direction. "Let's get out of here."

"I'll drive," Diana told her as they carefully made their way out of the bathroom and back into the hallway. Carefully, the three of them navigated their way through the deserted space, each one of them on the alert for sign of a teacher or adult who might stop them in their tracks. Diana felt her heart racing in her chest, partly in nervousness at her new found rebelliousness but mostly out of concern for what they'd find when they got to the hospital.

Eventually, the girls managed to make their way outside and into the fresh October weather. They traipsed across the car park, the sound of leaves crunching beneath their feet and a gentle breeze rustling the trees around them.

"What are we going to do about Jodi?" Ally asked as they arrived at Diana's car and she unlocked it.

"She's in class at the moment," Diana said reasonably as she lowered herself into the

driver's seat and closed car door behind her. "There's not a lot we can do." Diana put the key into the ignition as Maza and Ally fastened their seat belts.