Deuce was used to waking up in the morning with his eyes closed. The alarm would ring, his snakes would hiss, and he'd automatically reach out to his nightstand and snatch his sunglasses. Of course, that was five years ago when he still had his mother to rely on. He traded his column-emblazoned home for old wooden cabins when he and his friends moved to the camp. Just the other day he had swiped his shades off the floor.
But today, when he awoke beneath clean sheets and the luxury of air conditioning, he didn't need to keep his eyes closed. When Deuce fumbled for his sunglasses, his hand stilled, and he remembered.
He was blind.
Deuce squeezed his eyelids shut, preparing himself for another day of sightlessness. Finally, he opened his eyes. If it weren't for the air, it would've been as if he hadn't opened them at all.
Wandering in darkness, he thought. That was the curse.
Aimless blackness was inflicted on him because he took a risk. For Cleo. But Deuce didn't mind. He couldn't bring himself to regret it—the idea itself was unthinkable. Lying in bed right now, reptilian eyes listless and unblinking, Deuce brought himself back to that night and knew he wouldn't have changed a thing.
Anything for Cleo.
Deuce heard a long, drawn-out creak in front of him, and he abruptly sat up. "Cleo?"
He pictured her standing in the doorway, holding herself high with all the confidence and elegance of the Egyptian princess she was; one hand on the doorknob, another on her hip. Cleo's gold-highlighted bangs brushed her angled brows, a gentleness shown in her cyan eyes, and a small smile graced her red lips. But when Deuce caught the soft hissing, the image changed.
"No, primo..." Viperine said. "It's just me."
Instead, his cousin stood in her place. For some reason, the picture didn't come as clear. Pink, was all he thought. Long pink snakes entwined in platinum blonde hair framed her pink reptile eyes and scaly, milky-white skin. Deuce imagined her fangs bared in an apologetic smile. He could practically sense her unease.
"Oh, hey cous'." Deuce kicked himself for sounding disappointed.
"I tried to knock but... I thought you were still asleep. I wanted to see how you were doing."
"You make it sound like I'm sick," Deuce chortled.
Viperine laughed. "Well, I didn't see you at breakfast so..."
"Wait. I missed breakfast?"
"Deuce... It's well past noon."
He leaned back, hitting the bed frame. If he skipped breakfast, then... Cleo hadn't come for him.
"So, how are you and Cleo?" Viperine asked.
Deuce scratched his head, debilitating. "Well, she's happy to be back in her own body. She's still adjusting to all this but—"
"No, Deuce," Viperine cut in. "You and Cleo. How are you two doing?"
He sighed. "She said she'd come here this morning. Wake me up and get me to breakfast." An irritated hiss came from his snakes, and he promptly snapped to calm them down.
Viperine hummed for a moment. "I'm sorry. I didn't see her at breakfast either."
Deuce sat up. "If you didn't see her at breakfast then she just..?"
"I didn't forget if that's what you're thinking." Cleo's voice came loud and clear; Deuce couldn't stop the smile from forming on his face.
"I'll just leave you alone," Viperine said meekly, footsteps growing distant.
Deuce barely registered Cleo's approach by the time she was at his bedside. "It's too late for breakfast, you know," he told her.
"It's not too late to have our own," she replied, placing her hand over his.
He chuckled and lifted himself out of bed. "So why are you late?"
"A princess needs her beauty sleep," she said matter-of-factly. Deuce could imagine her smirk.
"So you slept in?" he said.
Cleo scoffed. "A little extra sleep never hurt anyone."
Deuce grinned. "Okay, okay. Apology accepted."
She responded with a squeeze of his hand and started leading him forward, but Deuce stopped her.
"You're not gonna help me out of my PJs?" he teased.
Cleo let out an exasperated sigh. "Deuce, the moment I realized how late in the day it was, I immediately ran to your room. So, if I'm stuck in pajamas, so are you."
"But you're helping me out later, right?"
She didn't say anything, and Deuce laughed imagining the frustration on her face. "Come on," Cleo said, tugging him out the door and into the hallway.
Deuce half expected to hear the clack of Cleo's heels on the hardwood floor, or at least the shuffle of her slippers, but was instead surprised by silence. "Are you barefoot?"
She slowed. "Maybe. I could be wearing socks."
He grinned at her playful tone. "Where are we going?"
"The kitchen, of course." Cleo continued to lead him along. Soon, Deuce was met with the soft hum of a stove and cool tile beneath his feet.
"I'm guessing we made it," he remarked.
Suddenly, the humming noise stopped. Cleo heaved a sigh. "What are you doing?"
"Just give me a second, Cleo."
Deuce recognized Heath's voice in an instant. "Hey, Heath. What are you doing?"
"Nothing," he said. "See you later, guys." The sound of fire elemental's footsteps grew faint as he scampered out.
"Thank Ra he's gone," Cleo said. "Now, what do you want for breakfast?"
Deuce frowned thoughtfully, his mind elsewhere. "Is there a gas stove?"
"Yes." Her tone clipped. "I'm not as experienced at cooking eggs but if you'd prefer it—"
"No, that's not it," Deuce said. "Heath had the stove on, didn't he?"
Cleo let out a sigh, the kind Deuce knew came with an eye roll. "Honestly, if he was going to have the stove on, he should've at least been using it to cook something."
The Gorgon suppressed a chuckle behind a wry smile. "He used to do it a lot when we finally got settled at the camp. Everything calmed down and he had nothing to do. No one needed him."
Cleo scoffed. "You make it sound almost depressing."
"Nah, he was just restless. The fire calmed him down. I guess the same thing is happening now."
"But he can make fire on his own." Cleo prodded. "Why would he turn on the stove?"
Deuce shrugged. "Dunno. He mentioned something about his dad using it as a way to show him control. You know how he got."
She let out a long sigh. "It's impossible. Heath under control and taking charge... Are you sure he wasn't acting out of panic after everything that happened?"
"Maybe," Deuce said. "But either way, he helped us out. And he's better because of it."
Cleo hesitated. "Last time I checked, we've been through plenty of disasters and he's never been this... serious monster. I can hardly recognize him now enough as it is."
"People change. We all did."
"But you haven't. Not completely."
"Of course, I have," Deuce said. "I didn't come out of this without a couple scars."
"Clearly, you didn't change enough." Her hand rested on his cheek, and he leaned into it. "You're still the Deuce I know."
A soft smile crossed his lips. "I'm glad to hear that."
As much as he would have loved to take Cleo's words to heart, Deuce knew he couldn't. He was different. A part of him thought that maybe his ghoulfriend simply saw him as he always was. Time and toil could damage a person, but did it always change who they really were?
He shook his head and swiftly changed the topic. "So, how about the party you planned for tonight?"
There was a daunting silence, yet somehow Deuce was able to hear Cleo's foot stomp the floor.
"Oh sphinx!"
I was overjoyed to be in my rightful body, and even happier to have it in a place where I could recharge properly now that I finally felt more comfortable in it. The second I felt fully energized, I yanked the clamps from my bolts and handed them to the genie on the floor in front of me.
"Thanks."
Gigi smiled. "No problem, Frankie." She disconnected the clamps from the battery's wires and knelt to place them into the little red toolbox.
I sat up on my bed, smoothing out my stitches before letting my legs dangle. A brief silence passed between us, and I took a deep breath before speaking up. "There's something I think you should know."
"Sure." The toolbox beside Gigi vanished, thanks to my small wish.
I waited anxiously for her to face me. "It's about Whisp."
She cast her glance to the floor. "Oh. How is she?"
I swallowed. Whisp confronted Gigi about a week ago and although it started off like a happy reunion, it hadn't lasted very long. "How is she?" I echoed. "Gigi..."
"I know what you're going to say but..." She let out a loud sigh. "I mean, she comes here and I was the happiest I've been in... in years, Frankie. And the last I heard from her was that she found a new finder. Some 'nice vampire boy' named Kieran."
Valentine. "Yes, but-"
"Then, of course, he turns out to be in alliance with the Queen, who just so happens to be Whisp's next finder, and now it's that vampire all over again." Her voice rose and she stood up to sit beside me on my bed. She lowered her voice, "I know you think I'm getting ahead of myself, but I know Whisp. Whether she's involved more than we realize, or she just keeps horrible company, either one could be dangerous and I can't..." She shook her head.
"I know," I said, and briefly placed my hand on hers. She didn't need to say it. Gigi may not trust Whisp, but I couldn't afford to do the same. I knew it wasn't Whisp's fault, but I wondered how she could aide us with an enemy as her finder.
"Thanks," Gigi said softly. She exhaled and smiled. "Anyway, are you excited for the party tonight?"
My bolts sparked. "Definitely. I'm surprised Cleo isn't fussing over it right now. It was her idea."
"I'm sure she'll be all over it any second," Gigi assured, her eyes wide with excitement. "Plus, now we have so many other monsters here that can help out."
"I'll even lend a hand." My hand detached from my wrist and I grinned.
Gigi giggled. "I'm sure the party will be a hit with you on board."
"Thing is, I don't have much experience with formal parties." I casted a hopeful grimace her way.
"Don't look at me," Gigi said, baffled. "I spent most of my time in a lantern."
"I'm not sure if it's a dance, like a prom, or a party like... like..."
"Like a wedding?"
"A wedding?" I exclaimed. "Doesn't that mean someone has to get married?"
"There's always a reception," Gigi said.
"I thought you said you didn't get out much."
She raised an eyebrow and scoffed. "Like people didn't wish for marriage."
I laughed and shook my head. "Whether it's like that or not, we have to get ready."
Gigi stood up. "Now? But doesn't it start at nine?"
I giggled. "You really didn't get out much." I slid off the bed just as the door busted open.
Cleo stomped in, wearing a nightgown and dragging a wide-eyed Deuce along. She looked jittery.
"Frankie! We have to get ready for the party!"
"Right on time," I murmured.
"Is it really necessary to get ready so soon?" Gigi asked.
Cleo gasped and raised her arms in a mummy stance. "Of course, it is! It's the only way to achieve perfection!"
I tried my best to hide my amusement, but with Cleo so anxious and the exhausted look on Deuce's face, I couldn't help but let out a laugh.
Cleo narrowed her eyes at me. "And what's so funny, Frankie?"
"Nothing," I said. "It's just that everyone's changed so much but seeing you like this reminds me of how things used to be."
She stilled for a split second, and then smirked and flipped her hair. "I'm putting everything I can into this party."
"Elissabat might have some decorations around here," Gigi said. "We could use those?"
"Great idea!" I clapped my hands together.
Cleo's eyes lit up. "You know what else, Gigi? We could use your wishes!"
The genie frowned. "My... wishes?"
"Yes! Your little wishes!" she exclaimed. "Didn't you use them to help out with the creepover last night? We can set everything up in no time!"
I gave Gigi a cautious look, but she nodded. I looked back at Cleo and said, "Okay. How can I help?"
"You just need to get ready," Cleo said. "Tell everyone else to get ready, too. Hair, makeup, dresses—everything. Come on Gigi, let's find Elissabat and get this party started."
The Egyptian princess was already moving out the door and dragging her Gorgon boyfriend behind her. Gigi playfully rolled her eyes and followed after Cleo.
I stepped out into the hallway and approached the first opened door I saw.
Whisp's.
She was lying on her bed, staring up at the ceiling. Was she still in her pajamas? I knocked on the doorframe and she sat up.
"Hi," I said as I stepped in. "Are you okay?'
Her magenta eyes were glassy. "Am I supposed to be okay?"
"No. I guess not." I hesitated. "By the way, about Gigi-"
The genie flipped over. "Have fun at the party, Frankie."
I smiled softly. "Thanks."
I closed the door behind me and sighed. Playing mediator didn't seem to have the same effects as it used to. Instead of heading back to my room, I went downstairs. There was no way I wasn't going to at least try to help Cleo set up the party. On the last step, I heard yelling from the kitchen. I rushed over there and saw Cleo and Deuce with Elissabat and Gigi, who stared downwards uncomfortably.
Deuce was rubbing Cleo's back. "Relax, Cleo. It's fine."
She gave a fierce shake of her head. "No. I planned for this." She glared at Elissabat, her cyan gaze steely. "You said I could do this!"
The vampire's lips thinned. "Deuce is right. You need to relax and listen to the facts. You can't have a party. Not tonight."
"Why not? After everything that's happened, this is the perfect opportunity!"
Elissabat's pink eyes flitted from Cleo to me. Her face softened, and she walked to where I stood. "I need you to get Clawdeen. Spectra, too." She lowered her voice, "It has to do with what we talked about the night they arrived. I'll be out front." Elissabat moved past me and out of the kitchen.
Cleo glowered as she stalked off. "I can't believe this."
"Hey, it's okay," Deuce coaxed. "She just said we couldn't have a party tonight, not that we could never have one."
"I know, I know, but," she sighed heavily, "when we first came here and I saw those gorgeous gowns in my closet I... I could see it. The party. Everyone dancing and enjoying themselves." Her somber expression hardened. "I can't stand this! This world. My sister. I just wanted to throw a party and have fun like we used to. But that's never going to happen, is it? It's never going to be like it used to be. Not really. Just a measly creepover here and there with ghouls in their twenties."
"It'll get better, Cleo." Deuce's tone was surprisingly stern. "I promise."
Gigi shuffled past me during the sudden prolonged silence, and I left the couple to find Clawdeen and Spectra. Cleo was serious about the party. I didn't realize how much it meant to her, but I could understand where she was coming from. The incessant, ebbing frustration and confusion. The aimlessness. Cleo and I are quick to adapt, yet we both struggled to fully come to terms with this world. This life. Part of me felt like I never would.
Elissabat, on the other hand... She hadn't attended Monster High for long, but canceling a party for these monsters was not the best way to get on their good side. Whatever she had to say had to be worth it.
I ran into Porter in the foyer and asked him to tell Spectra I wanted to meet her on the front porch. Then I headed upstairs until I reached Clawdeen's room. Luckily, the door was already open.
The Wolf sat at her vanity, carefully running a straightener through her voluminous hair. Her golden eyes brightened when she saw me.
"Frankie!" She didn't bother setting down the straightener. "I'm in the middle of getting ready for the party, but I'm totally up for styling your hair, too."
"About that," I said. "Elissabat canceled the party."
Clawdeen held the straightener midway down a curl. "Seriously?"
I grimaced. "Yes."
She yanked the straightener out of its socket and slammed it onto the vanity. "Great!" she growled. "Not like I wasn't already an hour into straightening my hair or nothing."
"Clawdeen?" She whipped her head to face me, and I suppressed a laugh at her half-done hair. "Elissabat wants to talk to you."
The Wolf rose to her feet and muttered, "This better be good."
She begrudgingly followed me out front, where Elissabat was waiting on the porch with Spectra.
"Good, you're all here," Elissabat said quietly. "It's the Queen."
Clawdeen crossed her arms. "What about her?"
"You didn't hear?" Spectra exclaimed. "I've already written an article about it."
The Wolf jabbed a thumb in the ghost's direction. "What's she talking about?"
Elissabat's voice dropped to a whisper, "The Queen revealed herself as Nefera."
A silence fell amongst us.
When we didn't respond, Elissabat continued. "She did it on live television."
"The whole world knows about it!" Spectra said giddily and she frowned. "She did leave out some details, though."
"Like the fact that she's responsible for the change in the world," Elissabat said.
"So, I get that she did this," Clawdeen said, "but why cancel the party?"
The vampire allowed herself a sly smile. "Because I finally have a plan."
