A/N: And here I am with another update! I'm so glad you guys are enjoying this story! Your reviews, comments, favorites, and follows really do the mean the world to me. And keep me inspired to keep writing on this! 8D
I'm also considering working on the first few chapters to a new story, one that I've actually been planning along side Directions (not related in anyways). I'm hoping to maybe get started on it soonish...I really wanted to get this one to a point where I knew I'd be able to handle both at once...sooo...keep your eyes open. XD
Anyways! On with the show! 8D
Disclaimer: I still don't own anything from Monster High, all copy rights to Mattel on that. I do however own my OC's (Natasha, Dmitri, and Kazimir) and would appreciate you asking before using any of them. Thankies! 83
Chapter 11: Compass
A week had passed since Abbey had returned to her village. Things where a hustle and bustle of activity as the Yeti's prepared for the Festival that would begin to take place the next week. The excitement in the air for most was almost palpitate.
Abbey could only sigh a little as she sat in her room, she was probably one of the few whose mood wasn't excited or brimming with energy. If anything her mood could be described as depressed and truthfully broken hearted. Though she'd done a good job of trying to hide her inner turmoil from her family, even her Grandmother who seemed to catch on to everything seemed to think she was doing well.
Slowly she shook her head as she glanced around the vanity she was currently seated at, her purple eyes coming to land on one of the last group pictures she and her friends had taken at one of the dances Monster High had throw.
She smiled wistfully as she looked at the smiling faces of her friends and Heath who was standing beside her with an arm around her shoulder. She wondered what they were all doing now. How she desperately missed them all and wished she was able to talk to them more than just the few Chat Sessions she'd managed to squeeze in during her free time from Festival Preparations.
Abbey's thoughts were suddenly cut off by a knock at the door, she quickly wiped at her eyes to hide any tears that she may have had in her eyes before turning to the door.
"Is open..." She called blinking in surprise when she saw the figure come through the door. Her purple eyes lighting up as a grin spread across her face as she quickly got to her feet.
Another female Yeti teen returned her grin, she looked to be a year or two older than Abbey with the typical pale blue skin. Her white hair was pulled into dreadlocks, while her straight bangs that framed her face where streaked with light and dark blue. Her pale blue eyes sparkling as she walked across the room and engulfed Abbey in a giant bear hug.
"Natasha! What are you doing here?! I thought you wouldn't be coming till closer to Festival Start!" Abbey said happily as she pulled her back at arm's length to look her over.
"I came back early, what sort of cousin would I be if I did not see you before?" Natasha said causing Abbey to give one of her famous short chuckles as she eyed her cousin.
She and Natasha had always been close, even as children. Growing up together the two had relied on each other for most things. Tasha had a warm and caring personality, almost motherly in some ways. That was also the reasoning why she had been absent when Abbey had first arrived, she was away in another village honing her skills to be a healer. She had always been fascinated with taking care of those who needed it, and the natural methods of healing that the Yeti's could do in their remote villages.
"Well I am certainly glad you did...I have missed you." Abbey said quietly suddenly feeling over whelmed at seeing her cousin again after being gone for so long. Her emotions that had been swirling around seemed to come back as she went over and sat down on her bed.
Tasha seemed to pick up on her mood as she went to set down in the chair Abbey had been setting in before at her vanity. She turned to look at her cousin her brows knitting in worry.
"You are alright, yes? I thought this would be more exciting all things considered." Tasha said as she eyed Abbey worriedly.
Abbey only shook her head a little bit forcing a smile on her face and her tears down as she looked back up at her.
"Yes, am fine. Just...a little overwhelmed at everything happening so fast." Abbey said hoping she sounded convincing.
Tasha only nodded her head a little bit knowing with Abbey it was best not to try and pry for information. If anything she'd learned a long time ago that letting her cousin come to her with what was wrong was best. She after all could be a stubborn as a mammoth, and cranky as one when she wanted to be.
She then noticed the picture setting on Abbey's vanity and smiled a little seeing her cousin so happy, she picked up the picture frame to study it a bit closer. Her blue eyes catching sight of the Fire Elemental who was leaning on Abbey's shoulder, she quickly glanced up at her cousin noticing the black jacket that was hung over the icy rung of her bed and putting two and two together.
"These are you're friends back at school?" She asked seeing the pained look that seemed to cross Abbey's features before she nodded her head, a small smile forming on her face after a moment.
"Yes, I do miss them. Sort of funny to be home, yet feel home sick." Abbey said quietly regretting her wording as soon as the sentence came out of her mouth.
Tasha only nodded her head a little suddenly understanding the problem with what was bugging her normally happy cousin. She gently placed the picture back in it's place before she stood up flashing Abbey a grin.
"Well I know what will cheer you up! Fresh powder on mountain side, let's take a run." She said motioning with her head towards the door.
Abbey let out a small chuckle as she considered her cousin's words.
"Maybe in little while...still not feeling much up to it at moment." Abbey said with a sigh as she saw the disappointment flash across Tasha's face.
"Well you don't want to get rusty, you know Dmitri and Kazimir will want to come visit before Festival now with us both back. And both have been practicing..." Tasha said raising an eyebrow as she saw Abbey look at her.
Dmitri and Kazimir where childhood friends of theirs from a neighboring village. Twins whom both where still very close with even though they hadn't seen each other now in quite some time.
"They are taking part in Festival?" Abbey asked sounding surprised at the thought, she hadn't even considered that.
"Of course, you know Kazi has been crazy about you since we were kids. He's going to be Leader of team from what I hear, Dmitri will also be on team." Natasha said with a small shrug as Abbey sighed a bit realizing all of this was getting so much more complicated then she'd imagined.
"Well anyways, if you change you're mind I'll be out on the slopes having some fun." Tasha said as she headed towards the door. Abbey only gave her a small half nod as she watched her cousin pause at the door.
"You know...Abbey..." Natasha started to say as she turned back to look at her cousin before sighing and shaking her head a little bit as Abbey looked at her confused.
"Nevermind...just...don't stay locked up in here to long." Tasha finally sighed as she left the room. Abbey stared at the doorway where her cousin had just left, sighing as she leaned back on her bed looking up at the ceiling of her room. Wishing again for the thousandth time the feeling in the pit of her stomach would go away and everything would go back to normal.
Natasha sighed as she left her cousin's room, she shook her head slowly as she bit her bottom lip debating on going back in to talk to her cousin.
She'd honestly been shocked when her mother had told her of the Elder's Choice to have Abbey take part as the Festival's Female. She'd fully expected either herself or one of the other young females who were still an active part of the village to be chosen. Not for them to rip Abbey away from the friends and home she had obviously built at Monster High.
She could only eye the door once more before she finally turned and started back down the hallway to leave the house.
"Any change?" Came an older woman's voice that caused Natasha to pause and glance to her side at the older female Yeti who was standing in a doorway. Her calm violet eyes meeting Natasha's as the younger sighed.
"No...and I'm really worried about her." She said quietly confiding in her Great Aunt, Abbey's Grandmother who nodded her head in understanding.
"As am I. I warned the council that choosing Abbey was mistake, but I am only one Elder among them and majority rules, sadly." Abbey's Grandmother sighed a bit as she cast her eyes down the hallway to her granddaughter's room.
"They thought since she had been away down mountain, that she would be excellent example of what our tribe can do. They did not listen to my warnings that she would be to attached to fully take this to heart." She said in almost a growl as she turned back to Natasha who nodded her head in understanding.
"I feel sorry for her, feeling this is what she must do. But what's done is done, I suppose." The older Yeti said as she crossed her arms and scowled a bit.
"I wish I could help more..." Natasha said sadly as she looked at her Great Aunt noticing the look she was giving her.
"Do not worry...I have a plan, my dear. All will be taken care of..." The elder said a small smirk that resembled Abbey's coming across her face as she nodded her head a bit as she patted Natasha's arm.
"All will be taken care of in end, just have patience." She said causing Natasha to raise an eyebrow at what her Great Aunt was planning.
Back at Monster High the week had progressed at a snail's pace for our favorite group. The girls had mucked through the best they could with the guys trying to help. They all at least somewhat seemed in better spirits now then they had.
They had all taken the news of Frankie restarting her relationship with Jackson and Holt to varying degrees. Most had expected that it would happen sooner or later, so they weren't to surprised when they'd come in holding hands. If anything it had given the girls a distraction from Abbey's absence.
Even Heath had seemed to be in better spirits now, though he wasn't his normal self either. But as they had said that would come in time. He'd even given Jackson a pat on the back when he'd heard the news about Frankie, even though Jackson had wondered about the almost forced smile he'd given him along with it.
So things seemed to slowly be going back to a normal routine or so they seemed.
Frankie was just having that thought as she sat during one of her Free Periods in the Library, she was supposed to be doing research for an upcoming project. But instead she found herself zoning out as she stared down at the book in front of her.
While things were slowly going back to normal there where still the moments when they all found themselves staring off into space from time to time. She slowly heaved a sigh as she tried to refocus on her work.
All hope of that however where quickly cut off when she heard a loud whisper from behind her. Well as much of a whisper as the voice's owner could produce.
"Pssst...Frankie-Fine!" Holt said in a decibel somewhat lower than his normal shouting range as he flashed her a grin as he flopped into the seat beside her. His loud whispering causing the Librarian to look up from her desk and give him a dirty look.
Frankie gently elbowed her boyfriend trying to keep herself from giggling loudly as he finished giving the librarian a scowl.
"What are you doing in here, Holt? I didn't think you liked it in here..." She said as she shook her head knowing now she wouldn't be getting any of her work done.
"Yeah...this really ain't my scene...but I saw yah setting all lonesome and thought I'd give ya some company." He said grinning at her as she rolled her eyes a little bit.
"More like distracting me from my work..." She said as he snorted taking the book she'd been trying to read from in front of her and tilting it on it's side as he tried to read it.
"Oh come on...ya know what they say 'All work and no fun' and all that stuff..." Holt said shrugging a bit as he handed her back the book which caused her to roll eyes again and shake her head at his antics.
Oh yeah! I got somethin' for ya!" Holt said excitedly changing the subject rapidly causing Frankie to raise an eyebrow as he started digging around for something in his pants pocket.
"Ssssssshhhhh..." Came the hiss from the Librarian who had clearly had enough of Holt's antics as she glared at the table they where setting at. Frankie could only give her a sheepish smile in apology as she turned back to Holt.
She turned back just in time to find him holding out something to her in his hand. She chuckled a little as she took the crumpled, slightly melted candy bar from him. Chuckling a little bit and shaking her head as she did.
"Jackson had said somethin' about you still feeling a bit down from time to time, so I thought maybe a little surprise would help..." He explained as he rubbed the back of his neck giving her a smile.
Frankie couldn't help but give him a smile in return, he and Jackson both had really been trying to keep her spirits up whenever they were about and she really appreciated it.
"Thank you...that was really sweet of you. Though you just coming to visit would have done..." She said giggling a bit as she squished the candy bar between her fingers while still in the package.
Holt only chuckled a little bit as he watched her a hint of a blush on his cheeks as he realized the issue with his impromptu gift.
"Sorry bout that...didn't think about that...issue." He said his orange eyes lighting up a bit at her approval even if it hadn't gone exactly how he'd wanted.
"Mr. Hyde...please..." Came the snapping voice of the Librarian who was now fully turned around and glaring at him. Holt only glared back before sighing as he turned back to Frankie.
"Sorry Miss. Stein, looks like I'd better be head'in out before I get us both kicked outta here." He said giving her an apologetic look. Frankie sighed a little but nodded not really wanting to see him get into more trouble.
Holt reached up to remove his headphones, and in a flash of flames Jackson was back. He blinked several times as he took in his surroundings.
Frankie giggling at the odd look that came across his face until he noticed her and it seemed to fade.
"Alright, you're here Frankie...I was worried for a second as to why Holt would actually be in a library willingly. Thought maybe we'd both finally cracked or something..." He said shaking his head and chuckling as Frankie lightly swatted his arm.
She gave him a look of mock crossness before shaking her head a bit at her boyfriend's thoughts on his Alter Ego.
"He saw me setting in here...trying to concentrate and thought I need a break I guess." She said shrugging a bit as Jackson rolled his eyes a little bit at her words at Holt's antics.
"Sorry bout that, you know Holt and his ideas..." He said raising an eyebrow as he eyed the melted candybar Frankie had left on the table.
"Let me guess...this was his other?" He said poking it a little bit causing Frankie to giggle as she nodded her head.
"Yeah, he didn't think that out to well..." She said shaking her head a little her eyes softening affectingly.
"He normally doesn't..." Jackson said as he shook his head and crossed his arms as he sat back in his chair.
"He also doesn't listen, I'd told him to hold off on doing anything for you. That we'd ask about going for ice scream after school...but I guess Holt will do what Holt wants, when he wants." He said shrugging a little trying not to sound to grumpy at being upstaged by his Alter Ego as normal.
Frankie had to put a hand over her mouth as she tried to keep from giggling at the scowl that was on his face and how it mirrored Holt's a little to much.
"Well, it's not like I'm going to be able to eat that anytime soon...so ice scream after school sounds perfect actually." She said happily her eyes lighting up a bit in anticipation causing Jackson to smile from ear to ear a blush creeping into his cheeks as he looked at her.
Both where cut off from any further discussion when the Librarian approached their table. Looking a lot less stern now that Jackson was out instead of his noisier other side.
"Miss Stein, Head Mistress Bloodgood would like to see you in her office." She said quietly giving them both a smile as she turned to go back about her buisness. Frankie only nodded her head confusion written on her face as she turned to look at Jackson.
"That's odd, the only thing I can think of is that Cleo has canceled Fearleading Practice a couple of times this week..." She said shaking her head as Jackson began helping her to gather her things as she stood up.
"I dunno..." He said shrugging his shoulders as she took her bag from him and flashing him a bright smile.
"I'll meet you after school?" She said making him smile and nod his head happily as she gave his hand a squeeze before heading out of the library and towards the Headmistress's office.
As Frankie made her way down the hall she couldn't help but feel more and more confused as to why Bloodgood was calling her to the office. She hadn't done anything that she knew of to warrant it, or at least that she knew of.
She knew that Cleo had canceled Fearleading Practice for the week due to all the of the girls not feeling up to it. And she could only assume that was the issue seeing as how anything else escaped her as to what she thought could possibly be wrong.
Her hunch seemed to be confirmed when she arrived at the office, seeing Cleo standing outside it as well. The mummy turned to look at her friend with raised eyebrows.
"So she called you as well?" She asked as she crossed her arms under her chest as Frankie nodded her head a bit her dual colored eyes showing confusion.
"Do you think it has anything to do with Fear Leading Practice?" Frankie asked as she got a shrug from Cleo who lightly flipped her hear out of her face.
"I suppose it could be...not sure where the issue could be other wise. Don't worry Frankie...if that's the issue I can handle it." She said in her normal tone as she gave her a royal half lidded look. Making Frankie roll her eyes a little bit as the two made their way into the office.
Bloodgood glanced up from where her head sat at her desk. She gave both the girls a welcoming smile as they entered.
"Ahhh...there you ghouls are. Please have a seat." She said as she motioned to the seats before her desk with her hand. Both Cleo and Frankie exchanging looks as they sat down.
"I have something I wish to discuss with you..." The Headmistress said quietly as she picked up her head and placed it on her shoulders before resting her hands under her chin.
"If this has anything to do with why Fearleading Practice was canceled for the week..." Cleo started to say hoping to get to the speech she had already prepared for what the Headmistress had to say.
Bloodgood only chuckled a little bit as she looked at Cleo and shook her head gently.
"No, no...this has nothing to do with that Miss. de Nile." She said quietly causing Cleo to quickly shut her mouth and turn her head away in embarrassment that she was trying to hide. Frankie had to put a hand to her mouth to keep herself from giggling a bit at the look on Cleo's face as Bloodgood continued.
"This is actually a more serious matter then something as trivial as a few missed practices. I actually wanted to discuss the issue with your entire group of friends. But I did not wish to cause a scene and draw more attention to the matter than what was needed." Bloodgood said quietly drawing both the girls attentions back to her.
"As you are both well aware of, Abbey returned to her village last week to prepare for the Festival that is being held in her village..." Bloodgood said quietly making the girls only nod their heads a little sadly as the matter was once again dragged out into the open.
"Well, it would seem...much like I anticipated that Abbey has not adjusted well to the circumstances. I spoke with her Grandmother earlier and it seems that she is worried about her, and her ability to do the duty she was forced into for the Festival." She said a bit of a scowl forming in her features as she sighed and shook her head a bit.
"Does that mean Abbey will be coming back to Monster High?" Frankie asked her excitement over taking her and she and Cleo exchanged looks.
Bloodgood only gave her a sympathetic smile before she sighed shaking her head a little bit.
"Sadly no, Abbey is still willing to go through with the entire thing it seems..." She said quietly causing both girl's shoulders to sag. She could see the glint of tears in both of their eyes as their hopes were dashed.
"However, her Grandmother suggested something else. She has arranged a Cargo Delivery early next week to their village with supplies for the Festival. And she was thinking perhaps a visit from you ghouls might inspire Abbey's mood to improve a bit." Bloodgood said as she raised an eyebrow at both Cleo and Frankie whose eyes had both widened at the suggestion.
"You-you mean we'd all be going to the Himalaya's...?" Cleo asked as she shook her head a little bit at the overwhelming thought.
"Yes, for the duration of the Festival to help Abbey get through it. Her Grandmother said any of you ghouls that was willing to come are more than welcome. I figured knowing you two that you would be able to spread the word among the others." Bloodgood said finally cracking a smile at the two stunned teens.
"Of-of course! I mean I'm more than willing to go and help Abbey if we can!" Frankie said nodding her head enthusiastically not even having to give the offer a second thought. Just the idea of getting to see her friend again Monster to Monster was overwhelming.
Cleo chuckled a bit at the stitched together ghoul's antics before she too nodded her head her eyes lighting up as she did.
"Someone has to go to keep you all in line, so why not?" Cleo said trying to keep the happiness out of her voice as she tried to shrug off her confirmation of going as a duty instead of helping.
"Very good then, I will leave it to you to tell the others and to let me know who else will be accompanying you. I will also get the details of the flight, and the other information you ghouls will be needing." Bloodgood said a weight being lifted off her shoulders at hearing they were willing to help Abbey. She knew when she talked with her Grandmother that this idea was a good one.
Cleo and Frankie both smiled happily as they nodded to the Headmistress as they got up out of their seats. Eager to go text the girls to meet up after school to discuss this latest development.
A/N: And that's it for Chapter 11! The plot thickens! I really hope you guys enjoyed this Chapter...I really enjoyed typing it, and I can't wait to do more with Tasha, Dmitri, and Kazi in future chapters!
Please Read and Review! 83
Thankies so much! 8D