You hang onto the pole that felt so cold it was actually burning your hands. You refused to look down as you began to pull yourself up and forcing your body to straighten out, making you now stare at the ground. You were balancing yourself on flagpole that hung on the outside of the small shed in the backyard. The one that used to be yours before the Monster Hunters attacked.
You began to fall forward which you allowed. You swung around for a moment before letting go and twisting midair. You caught yourself again and swung yourself right into a front roll. You slowly rose to your feet before letting out a breath.
You then smiled and looked to your audience.
Y/N: Easy, right?
Frankie, Watzit, and Draculaura just stared at you in silence. Draculaura wasn't actually interested in what you were teaching, she just wanted to watch, but Frankie was absolutely shocked.
Y/N: You wanna give it a try?
Frankie looked to her friend who shrugged.
Frankie: I know I asked for your help in learning more dynamic movements, but I was just kinda expecting flips and stuff.
You crossed your arms and thought about it. After learning that the Fearleading team would be heading to the qualifiers, Frankie figured that she would go to you to learn some new moves. Of course, you've never been a fearleader. You did, however, know how to do some parkour.
But, you had learned it naturally. You weren't exactly taught it more than you were just kinda forced to learn to avoid dying. Still, there had to be some kind of way to teach her something.
Draculaura: Well, you guys have fun with that. I don't need to learn anything new. I'm a flyer!
She got up and balanced on one foot while lifting her other above her head with ease. However.....
Y/N/Frankie: You're wearing a skirt.
Draculaura froze and looked down. She quickly lowered her leg and tried to cover her lower part though the damage had been done.
Y/N: Never thought everything you wore was pink, hut what do you know?
She quickly fled inside while you and Frankie laughed. You sighed before turning back to Frankie.
Y/N: Okay, the best way to teach you, for me at least, is to teach you the same way I learned.
Frankie: And how is that?
You smiled.
------------
Frankie: Woah.
Frankie looked down at the yard while you stood beside her to make sure she didn't fall off of the roof. The plan was simple. You would show Frankie how to roll from a drop. And after that, you would show her how to leap across gaps. And she did look to be pretty excited.
Frankie: Okay, so what do I do?
You walked to the edge and began to show her the basic movement.
Y/N: When you land, crouch and roll forward. It's easy. Just don't get yourself scared and you'll be fine.
Frankie: Right..........but can you do it first so I can see?
You nodded. You took a few steps back, them lunged forward. You waited until you were close enough and went through the motion, standing back up on your feet. You looked back up and gave her a thumbs up.
Frankie took a second before taking a breath. She then took a few steps back, and ran forward. However, she didn't quite get the proper launch and ended up falling in a way that she wouldn't be able to catch herself. She screamed until she suddenly found herself no longer falling.
She opened her eyes to find that you had caught her. You smirked which made her stomach start to tickle.
Y/N: Maybe we should try something else.
Frankie: How about we just hang out? I actually remembered that I don't feel like dying today.
Frankie had to admit that she was slightly confused when all of the students cheered when Headmistress Bloodgood announced the start of winter break. But only being one-hundred forty-six days old normally came with countless confusing scenarios.
What could possibly be exciting about two weeks away from school? Away from learning?! Frankie had to admit that it almost sounded like torture! Being away from school meant no planning new outfits each day, no fun classes with her ghouls, and, worse yet, no library study dates with youâ¦
But there had to be a reason, right?
When she asked Draculaura what all the excitement was about, she squealed and said she was traveling back to Romania with her dad to visit their family. When she asked Clawdeen, she also mentioned meeting up with family. Something about the Wolf familyâs tradition being hunting together for some lavish dinner they had every year. Lagoona seemed pleased that this year Gil was able to accompany her to the Great Scarrier Reef, the two trying to fix their relationships, and Cleo was visiting Greece with Deuce.
So from what Frankie had gathered during the last few periods of the school day was that winter break was a time to spend with family. Which seemed nice, donât get her wrong, but Frankie was quickly reminded of the cold, hard truth about herr family.
She didnât really have one.
Other than her parents that is.
Viktor and Viveka Stein were all Frankie had in the family department, but, not to take them for granted or anything, Frankie saw them everyday. Her Grandpa Victor Frankenstein had died long before she was created, and Viktor himself sort of, well, offed the rest of his family before even Viveka was created.
Maybe she sort of felt bad for herself..and maybe even for her family. She didnât get to enjoy this time of year like everyone else. She couldnât just go to Germany and see her grandparents. She didnât have any aunts or uncles or cousins.
And with everyone leavingâ¦she wouldnât have any friends to spend time with either.
So maybe she held her head down as she walked back to her locker. Maybe she pouted as she shoved her books into her backpack. And maybe she was so busy trying to be upset, that she didnât notice you walk up behind her.
Y/N: Hey, Frankie.
You soft smile on your face, that smile perking up Frankieâs attitude slightly. You always had a way of making her feel all warm and fuzzy inside even when she was trying to be grumpy.
Frankie: Hey, Y/N.
Y/N: Iâm glad I caught you. I wanted to say bye before winter break..I didnât remember what you were up to this year so I wanted to be sure I said something before you left.
Frankie smiled, glad that you had thought that far ahead.
Frankie: Actually, we arenât doing anythingâ¦we arenât going anywhere. Just me and my parentsâ¦.staying in New Salemâ¦doing nothingâ¦
Y/N: Oh.
Frankie: Where are you going? Draculaura said that her and her dad were going back to Romania. Are you going too?
Y/N: Me? No..I think I'm done traveling for a bit. I decided that New Salem was better for the holidaysâ¦I think itâs just gonna be me and maybe my uncle for Christmas, but I prefer it that way.
Now your smile wasnât contagious, but it plagued Frankieâs mind with questions. Her scrunched up face mustâve given something away to you, because you laughed slightly before continuing.
Y/N: What?
Frankie: You celebrate Christmas?
Y/N: I've had my little tree up since Thanksgivingâ¦
You laughed slightly before realizing she wasnât kidding, so you sucked a breath in through you teeth.
Y/N: What do the Steinâs celebrate?
Frankie was quiet, shutting her locker before shrugging.
Y/N: How do you not know?
Frankie: They havenât mentioned any holidays..I didnât realize winter break was for holidays!
Y/N: But you know what Christmas is?
Frankie: Of course I know what Christmas is. I just didnât realize monsters could celebrate normie holidays.
Y/N: Is it really a normie holiday? We celebrate this dudeâs, who was supposedly raised from the dead, birthday. What about that seems normal? And in case you forgot, I am the furthest thing from a typical monster.
Frankie smiled.
Frankie: And thatâs what I like about you..
Y/N: So you seriously donât know what the Steinâs celebrate?
Frankie: Well, we didnât put a tree upâ¦
Y/N: There are other holidays. Hanukkah, Yuleâ¦..Kwanzaa..
You started holding three fingers up while you tried to think of another one or two. You then shrugged, putting your fingers down.
Y/N: Iâm pretty sure only Christmas requires a tree.
Frankie: Why?
Y/N: I really donât know to be honest with you. When you get home, why donât you ask your parents what they celebrate?
Frankie: What if they donât celebrate?
It was a very likely possibility. She didnât celebrate Thanksgiving, but then again the Steinâs didnât need to eat, so what was the point? At least, that was the reasoning Viktor gave.
You shrugged again slightly.
Y/N: Some people donât, and thatâs totally fine too.
Frankie looked down at the floor for a second, tapping the heel of her platform high tops against the laminate flooring. The school was quite a bit quieter than it had been when you started this conversation, most students rushing to get home and forget about their homework till after the new year.
Frankie: But I think I want to celebrate. And if my family doesnâtâ¦.
You put a hand on your friendâs shoulder, getting her to look up at you.
Y/N: Hey..if your family doesnât celebrate, you can come spend Christmas with me. How does that sound?
Frankieâs face slowly started to light up, but she didnât let herself get too happy yet.
Frankie: I wouldnât want to impose...
Y/N: You wouldnât. Iâd love to have you spend winter break with me. At least i won't be alone if my uncle leaves.
You interrupted when you saw Frankieâs mouth open, presumably to ask about your uncle. Your suspicions seemed right when Frankie closed her mouth again, having her question already answered.
Y/N: You are family, Frankie.
Frankie smiled, looking down at the floor again before back up into your pretty E/C eyes.
Y/N: So when you get home, ask if your parents are celebrating, and if not, you can come over and celebrate with me. You can come celebrate with me even if they are celebratingâ¦
Then Frankie was attacking you with a tight hug, your arms wrapping around her waist after little hesitation.
Frankie: This is going to be the best Christmas ever!
You chuckled, burying you face deeper into her hair, the soft scent of her shampoo and metal invading your senses.
Y/N: Itâs your first Christmas, Frankie.
Frankie: Well then it will be pretty easy for it to be great! Especially, since youâll be there.
----------
Frankie practically sprinted home, her platforms clunking on the concrete sidewalk the whole way there.
The air was nearly freezing, whipping through her hair as she advanced. Maybe she would have to take you up on your offer to walk her to and from school after break. She'd especially have to agree to let you walk them home as soon as it started snowing. Frankie looked towards the sky, squinting slightly as she tried to decipher whether or not it would snow any time soon.
Frankie stepped up onto her porch, unlocking the front door with a key from her carabiner. She dipped inside quickly, shutting the door firmly behind her before letting out a breath. She let the warm air of her home fill her lungs before stripping herself of her coat and stepping out of her platform shoes.
Watzit was quick to come to her side, barking before purring as soon as Frankie scratched behind its ear.
Viveka: Welcome home, Frankie!
It was just like any other day. Nothing out of the ordinary.
Viveka was probably sitting on the couch, working on perfecting her stitching while Viktor was probably up in the lab, working on some new project.
There was no sign of them celebrating anything soon or even getting ready to do any special during winter break.
She walked into the unliving room, swinging her backpack down onto the floor before plopping onto the couch with her mother who, just as Frankie guessed, was working on her stitching. She was holding one of Frankieâs sweater vests, embroidering some sort of design into the yarn.
Watzit jumped up to her side, trying to lick her face while she backed away from its slimy tongue.
Viveka: How was school today, Sweetie?
She took a short moment to brush Frankieâs hair out of her face before turning back to her stitching.
Frankie: It was ok. Everything went fine. Nothing unexpected happenedâ¦
Frankie answered simply, allowing herself to fully sink into the couch as soon as Watzit relaxed next to them.
Viveka: Thatâs good to hear.
Frankie was quiet a moment.
Frankie: Itâs the first day of winter break..
Viveka: Yes. I heard. Thatâs exciting, isnât it?
Viveka smiled softly, holding Frankieâs vest out in front of both of her, pointing to the patchwork heart she embroidered over the breast of Frankieâs sweater.
Frankie smiled softly at the time her mother put into customizing her clothes, even when she never told her she wanted her to do itâ¦it was cute, and Frankie enjoyed it nonetheless.
Frankie: I guess, itâs excitingâ¦
Viveka: You know I canât hear you when you mumble, Sweetie. Perhaps I should have your father install some new inner ears in my skull...
Frankie: I just wish we were doing something for winter break.
Viveka: Like what?
Was this woman serious? Itâs like she didnât know monsters could celebrate human holidays either.
Frankie: Well, Draculaura is going to Romaniaâ¦Lagoona is going back to the Great Scarrier Reefâ¦.
Viveka: Well, isnât it nice that your parents live right here?
Viveka put her arm around Frankieâs shoulders, pulling her closer. Frankie leaned into the half-hug appreciatively, but that is not what she was getting at.
Frankie: I just mean that it would be nice if we had something to doâ¦Cleo is going to Greece with Deuce..
Viveka: You want to go to Greece? Iâm not sure Cleo would appreciate...
Frankie: I donât want to spend time with other peopleâs boyfriendsâ¦but Y/N is staying.
Viveka: Oh..of courseâ¦the Helsing boy.
Frankie nodded.
Frankie: You guys already met.
Viveka: Hmmâ¦.Then I donât see what the big deal is. If he isnât traveling, you can just go hang out with him. Your father and I arenât going to stop you.
She was quiet for a moment.
Viveka: Iâm not going to stop you.
Frankie: I know..but Y/N is celebrating Christmas and I just sort of wanted to make sure we werenât doing anything like that before I go celebrate with him.
Silence filled the room. Viveka stopped her work and looked at her daughter. A slight grimace in her eye.
Viveka: Christmas? That kid is getting you into religion now? Maybe your father was right about himâ¦
Frankie: Mom- no. Y/Nâs sweet. You know that..
Viveka: I know, but Victor Frankenstein....
Frankie: Grandpa, defied âgodâ bringing Dad to life.. yeah, I know. I donât even think Y/N believes in all of thatâ¦
Frankie chuckled nervously.
Viveka: Stillâ¦. religious people donât like monsters like us.. stay vigilant.
Frankie smiled.
Y/N: Y/N is fighting for oeace between humans and monsters. I donât think heâs like other âreligiousâ people. He just celebrates Christmas. That doesnât have to mean anything.
Viveka: Just be cautiousâ¦.
Viveka shrugged before continuing.
Viveka: But to answer your query, no. Your father and I donât plan on celebrating any winter holidays. But you are free to do as you wish.
Frankie: So I can celebrate with Y/N?
Viveka: You are free to do as you wish. Just let us know when you will be out. You know we worry about you..
Frankie pulled her mother in for a tight hug.
Frankie: Thank you!
Viveka: No need to thank me, Child.
Viveka smiled as she started rubbing small circles into Frankieâs back.
Viveka: To be honest, I donât entirely understand the amusement in celebrating anything other than birthdays. Celebrating life is one thing...
Frankie: Isnât Christmas technically a birthday?
Viveka: What Iâm getting at is even though I donât understand it, if you need any help with anything, feel free to come to your mother.
Frankie mirrored her smile.
Frankie: Thanks, mom.
Viveka: Just donât forget about your homework.
After another hug, Frankie was off to her room in the basement, her backpack swung over her shoulder and her newly decorated vest clutched to her chest. She kicked the door shut behind her as she hurried to her bed. Frankie dug through her backpack quickly, trying to find her phone.
She opened her chat with you and sent you the good news.
-------------
Draculaura: I'll miss you!
Draculaura hugged you tightly while Elissabat waited her turn. With their flight ready to leave in a few hours, they were leaving which meant you would mostly be home alone. Of course, your uncle will be around, but he might get called away at any second.
You patted her back as she refused to let you go. It was two weeks. You didn't get why she was so sad. Plus you could just pop in with the Monster Mapalouge at a moment's notice now that it wasn't illegal.
Y/N: Yeah, Lala. I'll miss you too. Can you let me go now?
Elissbat walked over and began to peel her friend off of you much to her protest. Once she was taken care of, Elissabat turned to address you. Things were still a bit awkward after what happened the week prior, but you had a feeling that she wasn't really mad so much as she was embarrassed. You didn't blame her.
Y/N: You sure you don't need me to go with you guys?
They were returning to celebrate Yule with the rest of the Vampire Court. Things were still tense after Stroker's stunt, but Dracula had assured you that no one was stupid enough to try and attack Elissabat.
Elissabat: No, it's okay. You're still a new Lord so you would have a target on your back if you go back right now.
Fair enough.
Elissabat: Besides, Dracula will be there to protect me if something happens.
Also fair enough.
Y/N: Well, if something happens....
She looked at you sweetly with a soft smile.
Elissabat: You'll always be the first one I call on.
You smiled a bit. So she didn't hate you. After a second, she hugged you. An action you gladly returned. Dracula and Helsing watched off to the side. Dracula turned to your uncle who tried his best to ignore him.
Dracula: I see you never taught him how to deal with romance.
Helsing: Shut it.
Dracula: Makes sense. You were never good at it yourself.
Helsing: Aren't you supposed to be leaving?
Dracula: You act so cold for someone living in my house.
Helsing: I'm not living here. I'm just staying until I need to go.
Dracula: Isnât that how it always was.
The two stared at each other, unaware that you, Draculaura, and Elissabat had been watching the whole thing. Elissabat opened her mouth to ask something.
Elissabat: Did they....
Y/N/Draculaura: We think so.
Elissabat: Huh.
Dracula sighed before he reached into his pocket. He then tossed you a key that you caught. You looked at it confused.
Dracula: To get around. It's in the garage.
You looked at him surpised. You didn't get to question him. He instead picked up his bag and nodded.
Dracula: Take care of my home.
Helsing raised a brow. The Vampire looked at him and grunted.
Dracula: Don't eat my snacks.
Helsing scoffed and just looked away. You walked the three to the front door where Uncle Vlad was waiting at the car. He waved to you with a smile which you returned. You watched as they loaded up and began their drive to the airport. You then looked at the key and flipped it around your finger before looking to the garage.
Curious, you walked over to it and entered. It was actually quite a sight of cars from all years, models, and brands. Dracula was pretty loaded, after all. You clicked the button on the key and heard a noise. You followed it before you found yourself standing in front of a car.
You let out a low whistle before you grinned.
Y/N: Dracula, you are the best.
You then spotted something on the window. You walked over and picked up a note and read it.
Put her to good use. Maybe try to work on your game.
-D
You smiled even wider.
Y/N: This is gonna be a fun break.