If you guys could see the excitement in my face right now... I did something backwards, haha. I may have written chapter thirty up before doing all before that... I think you guys know where the end of this story is heading ;) Basically from chapter 27, Frary will be really sailing. Like avoiding storms and surviving icebergs kind of sailing! I just might start uploading two or three chapters at a go! I'll always announce whether I upload more than one chapters at once in the author's note because sometimes, the notifications do not work and the system glitches out. Don't worry, no one will miss Frary goodness at all. Our ship sails!
"Urgh," an elderly woman mutters as the group passes her by in the school hallways. "Kenna Beaton."
Kenna freezes, all of them turning to face the woman. "Mother Superior Halloway," she replies, pursing her lips slightly as a mischievous smile grows.
"I see you became an actress after all," Halloway says with a roll of her eyes.
Kenna grins, sharing a look with Mary. "I told you I'd make it! I will never forgive you for dropping me in the role of the Virgin Mary when I was in Year 12."
"You weren't a virgin, how could you possibly act like one?" Halloway replies, making the others gape. "And you were terrible. Loud and boisterous."
Kenna coughs. "Tell that to the people who hire me and my TV show that rakes millions of views every week. I am a star now, Mother Superior."
Halloway groans outwardly, turning her sights onto Mary. "Mary Stuart. You always were a quiet one. How did you become such a great actress, my dear?"
"I-I don't know," Mary replies, suddenly shy as she slips her hair behind her ear with a blush.
"You should have auditioned for the role of the Virgin Mary. You were already both a virgin and called Mary," Halloway tells her. "Well done, ladies regardless of your drama abilities during your school years." She smiles at Lola and Greer. "Lola, Greer."
"Mother Superior," the women say nervously.
Halloway then takes in their dresses and sighs. "I suppose you no longer attend this school so I can't berate the lack of shoulders on your dresses," she tells them, making the girls all attempt to cover up somewhat. "Have a nice night and I hope to never see you again, Miss Beaton."
Kenna grins, waving to the woman as she heads off, the other following. "I shaved her hair off for the Year 13 leavers' prank day. Glad to know she still hates me..."
"I have no words for that," Bash says, surprised as they exit the school doors.
"I just want to know how! She's wearing-"
"Don't ask, Francis," Greer tells him. "Not when we're still in earshot at least."
Francis chuckles, reaching out to take Mary's hand and smiling when she squeezes it.
...
"I may know a lot of people," Lola says as she fills everyone's glasses with champagne.
They're in the London Eye, viewing the city from the views, high above.
"A toast to us girls for surviving that strict arse school," Lola starts, everyone raising their glasses.
"Hear, hear," Kenna says before she downs her glass. "Give me another one."
Mary laughs, filling her glass as she says, "A toast to the happily engaged couple." She smirks when Kenna blushes and Bash pulls a face at the attention he's getting.
"I'll drink to that," Greer mutters, downing half her glass. "And a toast to our beautiful friendship."
Everyone clinks their glasses again, either taking sips or downing the rest of their champagnes. It's not that late, it's only eight at night but it's dark and the lights of London make the city even more beautiful.
Francis turns to Mary, watching as she laughs and snorts at the stories her friends are telling and he can't help but think about how beautiful she looks in the moonlight. She's a natural beauty and he leans into her side, her arm wrapping around his waist.
"Has anyone tried jumping in these things?" Kenna asks.
"Don't!" Everyone cries out, making her cackle.
"God, I swear you're a sadist," Bash mutters lightly.
Kenna snorts, giving him a wink. "Only sometimes."
Mary giggles at her best friend's antics, turning to see Francis staring at her. "You should take a photo, it will last longer," she tells him, biting her bottom lip.
Francis chuckles. "The real thing's nice."
After about five minutes, ignoring the others, Mary asks, "Is that enough to sate your thirst for me?"
Francis snorts. "Never," he replies, nuzzling his nose against her cheek before pecking it. "You're so beautiful."
Mary shivers, feeling goosebumps erupt on her skin as she turns to see his sharp blue eyes darken. She cups his cheek. "You're so handsome," she replies.
"Okay, stop being cute. Making me feel bad that I'm single as fuck," Greer mutters lightly as she takes a snap of them anyway. "I'll send you guys the pic, don't worry."
Mary tuts lightly, turning to peck Francis on his cheek. "I can't wait to go home."
"Same," he mumbles, feigning a yawn. "Guys, Mary and I should head home. It's getting late-"
"Can you believe these two?" Lola asks. "It's only eight! What? Do you guys need to have sex that badly?"
Mary chokes, almost spitting her drink up. "Lola!"
"She's not wrong," Kenna mutters, her glass on her lips. "If you guys want to leave us so badly, then go."
Francis rolls his eyes playfully. "Oh, okay, we'll stay!"
But they don't take their eyes off each other at all.
...
"I'm twenty-three," Mary breathes out the next morning.
"Happy birthday," Francis says happily, sitting down on their bed with a tray. "I made you breakfast in bed to start off your day."
Mary gasps. "Francis!" She cries out. "Thank you..."
Francis beams, accepting her quick kiss. "You're welcome," he says with a grin. "You've got an appointment booked at the spa with Kenna and the girls in a couple of hours. It's on me and Bash."
Mary cups his cheek, the tray on her lap. "That's so sweet, thank you," she says, blushing. "I've never had a boyfriend treat me on my birthday."
"It's time you did," he says. "Hopefully for a lifetime."
Mary giggles and digs into her pancakes, closing her eyes in pleasure as she chews. "Okay, you're getting way better at baking now."
"Glad to know," Francis says, pressing a quick kiss on her forehead before getting out of their bed. "I have music stuff to do but you have a great morning and I'll see you here at two-ish and take you out for lunch."
"If you're busy, you don't have to-"
"Mary," Francis starts warningly, making her blush and smile. "I'm never too busy for you. Okay?"
"Okay," she says, biting her lip.
"God, I love it when you do that," Francis mutters. "But I can't have my way with you. We'll save that for later, end your birthday on a high."
Mary snorts, shooing him off. "Go and work then!"
Francis winces, moving between the door and the bed. "Do I really want to leave you? Or should I think about my career? Mary or career... Mary or ca-" A pillow hits his face. "Ow."
"Work, now!" Mary shoos him off, blowing a kiss. "Love you."
Francis chuckles, opening the door. "Love you too," he replies, leaving and closing the door behind him with his phone on his ear as he heads to the stairs. "Bash? I'm on my way. Try and make sure the cake doesn't fall apart!"
More on Mary and Kenna's shared birthday to come in the next chapter!