A/N
Hello again! This is Book 2 of that Frankie Stein fic To Come Alive. We pretty much pick up right from where we left off. Frankie is going to Monster High. Now HUGE SPOILERS from the movie, and by that I mean...you could probably follow the story without watching the movie and vice versa cause there are scenes from the movie in here.
Anyway, Enjoy the read and I'll post when I can!
Over the course of 6 days, Viktor showed Frankie online shopping as it was easier and less overwhelming than going shopping for school the week before. Their parents promised that they would take them in store school shopping next year when they had more notice.
Frankie didn't care either way. They were just excited. They read a few books on Monster High and monster society but it didn't help their nerves. Frankie sorted out their belongings and packed them away.
They laid out their outfit for the next day on their dresser and kept their bath and accessory kit open on their work bench so they could pack away their makeup and hair stuff before they left the next day.
For their last evening together for a while, Mary decided it was a good time to show them a board game. Frankie was having a blast.
"I think I'm going to miss you." Frankie said, "I know it hasn't been a long time but I feel really close to you."
"We're going to miss you too Frankie." Viktor said, "You are a part of us. We made you because we wanted you. You also literally have a piece of both our original parts."
"My left ear and Viktor's right eye." Mary noted.
Frankie grinned, "You guys are so cool."
"Hey, look, we beat the system and bypassed the lame parent stage." Viktor laughed.
"There is still so much I don't know about myself. Are you sure I'm ready?" Frankie questioned.
"You're ready." Mary said, "We aren't but no parent is ever ready for their child to become their own person."
Frankie hummed and stared at the board, "Wait, I ran out of pieces. Does that mean I lose." The three of them stared at the human 'Trouble' board.
Mary and Victor laughed.
"Frankie you won." Victor said between laughs.
Frankie stared at the board before ginning, "Oh. Awesome. I like board games."
Frankie wasn't sure what was so funny about their comment but they couldn't help but laugh along.
"Okay." Frankie said as they drove through the Monster High Gates, "I'm really excited but still really nervous."
"Would you like us to help you bring your stuff to your room?" Viktor asked.
"Yes please."
They parked next to the school and got out of the car. Frankie stared up at the building for a moment before going to help their parents with their luggage.
Frankie was handed their messenger bag and cosmetics bag. Mary and Victor let Frankie take the lead. It wasn't very busy yet as they were a bit early but it was perfect because frankie easily spotted a few older students handing out white envelopes, just as their list of school information had said.
"Hello!" Frankie greeted one monster with big, pink hair, "I'm Frankie Stein. Pronouns they/them."
"Year?"
Frankie furrowed their brows in confusion for a moment.
"Right, Freshmen." The monster said as they looked through their stack, "Here you are. Welcome to Monster High."
"Thank you!" Frankie grinned and started to walk towards the dorms."
"Don't you need a map, hon?" Viktor asked.
"Nope." Frankie said, remembering from their visit the previous week.
The Stein Family entered the dorm hall to see that there was no longer furniture in the hallway and doors with numbers on them all hung open. Frankie waved excitedly at the two monsters they passed but opted to stay on mission. After all, they had all year to get to know their fellow students.
They found their door then cautiously walked inside. There was a table in front of the door with slips of paper with names and arrows on it. They recognized their name and looked in the direction of the arrow to see something a lot homeyer than they were expecting.
They squealed a little and walked over. The bed was almost exactly like the one at home with similar blankets and pillows. They felt them and it was amazing. A chemical cabinet stood next to their bed. A peg board for spare parts hung on the wall and a small work area and tool chest sat in the corner. There was even an electric chair! There was a cyan dresser with a wide mirror and a privacy screen separating their part of the room from the rest of the dorm.
The two other personalized sections of the room was a really forestry themed area and one that looked more gothic with a massive coffin. Frankie didn't need to be a genius to figure out that one of their roommates was a vampire.
"This is so cool!" Frankie said as they and Viktor put their bags by the dresser, "It's almost like home!"
They were silent for a moment then, the air in Frankie's chest felt heavy. x
"Would you like to walk us back out?" Mary asked.
Frankie pressed their mouth into a thin line and nodded.
"You're going to have so much fun. Frankie." Viktor said, "There are so many other monsters here your technical age. You will find your people."
"Yes, you don't have to be biologically related for someone to become part of your family." Mary said, "I found your father. His father made him as well. We also made friends like Dr. Belham and other monsters you haven't met yet."
"Like the concept of found family?" Frankie questioned.
Mary smiled, "Exactly."
"There is this saying that 'The blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb'. Viktor said thoughtfully, "You don't need biology to be family."
Frankie smiled, "I like that."
The foyer was starting to fill up with students and parents arriving at the school. They kept along the wall and made their way back out to the front of the school. It was getting dark as Frankie faced their parents on the step.
"Well, this is it." Viktor said.
"Can we…" Mary trailed off but gestured for a hug.
Frankie nodded and they were enveloped into two tight hugs.
"No remember." Viktor said, "Don't be afraid to ask questions and just be yourself. You're amazing."
"Oh and don't forget that not everyone is accepting about your pronouns." Mary said, "You present fairly feminine so be sure to let them know. Like you did with Belham."
"Got it." Frankie said with a grin, "I'll be fine. I promise."
"Ok, We'll let you go and get settled. We'll talk to you in a few days." Viktor said.
Frankie waved them off enthusiastically until they pulled out of the lot and made their way back into the school
They were beyond excited, a little nervous about their lack of interaction with other monsters but overall optimistic about finding their 'found family'. They haven't been alive very long, only a couple weeks, but the want and drive to make friends was undeniable.
They looked around at everyone in the lobby.
This is so excitingI Frankie thought, looking around to see all the other monsters in the room. It was also incredibly overwhelming. There were so many new monsters to see. They looked at the monsters lining the walls, away from the large crowd. Perfect place to start as any,
They walked up to a group of monsters and started to introduce themselves.
"Hi! I'm Frankie." They said but got no response.
Maybe they didn't speak English?They tried a few languages, then another group but still no response. They seemed more interested in the little device with a screen that looked oddly like a coffin.
They frowned for a moment and momentarily gave up on their quest for friends. Frankie walked up to a tall boy with red hair and a purple letterman jacket who was gesturing wildly with the device to a group of other monsters with the same jackets.
"Excuse me!" Frankie called, sumbling for a moment before straightening up in front of him with a wide grin.
"Oh hey." He smiled but looked mildly confused.
"Sorry, but what is that?" Frankie pointed to the device in his hand.
"My phone?" he questioned, "You've never seen an iCoffin?"
"Nope. I'm only fifteen days old." Frankie said, smiling up at him, "Thank you!"
They decided that they would head towards their dorm. They wanted a chance to meet their roommates and unpack.
Lots of monsters seemed to have the iCoffins. Almost every monster they passed on their way to the dorms had one in their hand. One monster even had two. She did have two heads though. They figured they might ask their parents for one. It may be the perfect gateway into making friends with other teenagers.
They ducked into the dorm and looked to their part of the room. They squealed in excitement. They still couldn't get over how awesome it was.
Frankie noticed that there were now boots, shoes and stiff littering a vanity on the other side of he room with the coffin. They briefly wondered if anyone was anyone in the coffin. For now, Frankie got to unpacking.
They were just finishing up when they heard a voice behind them.
"Wow! This is for me?" Fankie glanced over to see a girl on the other side of the room.
Frankie turned and smiled, "I know right? The school totally customizes out rooms for us! So cozy." The girl looked over at them and Frankie noticed their ears and fangs. A werewolf. "I'm Frankie. Pronouns they/them. I'm only fifteen days old."
The other monster smiled back, "Hi, Clawdeen. She/Her. Nice to meet you!"
Oh this was going so great! She even said their pronouns!
"My full name is Frankie Stein." Frankie said, deciding they would share some background about themselves so there wont be any confusion, "I was just created by my parents, but not the way others are created by their parents, like were wolves. I was actually made in a lab using the worlds most impressive historical figures as parts."
Frankie was pretty sure they just nailed that introduction, just like their parents showed them. They didn't need Clawdeen to tell them her monster scaritage, she was clearly a werewolf.
Suddenly, they felt a spark before their brain filled with werewolf knowledge. They couldn't help but talk as they processed the incoming wave of information.
"I did not know any of that." Clawdeen said with a smile and a small laugh.
Frankie paused, that was new, "I didn't know I knew any of that."
The werewolf in front of them still listened intently.
"I've got a bunch of famous brain parts in my head, like Einstein, Marie Curie, Plato and some lady named Liz that apparently invented the internet and didn't get any credit. I guess I've got all the knowledge too."
Frankie tapped their head, only to have their index finger pop off. That was less new.
"Sorry," Frankie said, "Loose joints."
Clawdeen laughed nervously, "So, is it just us creeps in here?"
"I don't think so 'cause there's, there's also that." Frankie stuttered, then gestured over to the coffin.
Curiously, Clawdeen approached it, Frankie right behind her.
"How can we tell if they're home?" Clawdeen asked.
"Maybe we knock." Frankie suggested.
Turns out there was no need because a girl with black and pink hair pushed the coffin door open and stepped out. She was pale with a little heart on her cheek. A real life vampire!
"Never, knock on a closed coffin." The vampire said.
Frankie smiled. Maybe this introduction will go well too!
"Hi." The werewolf spoke, "I'm Clawdeen, and this is Frankie. And we are your new -"
"Roommates." The vampire finished, "Welcome, I'm Draculaura. Is this your first time sharing a dorm room?"
Both Frankie and Clawdeen answered in the affirmative.
"Okay, great." Draculaura said, "Let's talk ground rules. And don't take this the wrong way, I'm just a private person. This side of the room is mine. That side is yours. Got it?"
Frankie understood but got distracted staring at the Coffin. It looked surprisingly comfortable. They had so many questions, not knowing a lot about vampires and seemingly neither did their brain bits as of yet
Frankie curiously approached the coffin and stepped inside. It was surprisingly comfortable. They could see why vampires liked them.
"Do you think of this as, like, a house or a bed?" Frankie asked.
"Hey!" Draulaura said, kicking Frankie out of the coffin, "My side. Remember?"
Frankie frowned, they clearly did something wrong as it seemed that Draculaura was having a negative reaction.
"Ok." Draculaura said with a sigh, "You know the type of monster who loves to be surrounded with others so they feel a real sense of connection and community.
Frankie nodded with a smile.
"Yes," Replied Clawdeen, "That's why I'm here."
"Yeah I'm not one of those monsters." Draculaura stated, "So please, keep to your side of the room and I won't have to suck all your blood out."
Draculaura then shut herself inside of her coffin. Effectively ending the conversation.
Mostly a good introduction but Draculaura didn't want to be friends with them. They could respect that.
The coffin burst open again, causing Frankie and Clawdeen to jump, "And no garlic." Draculaura stated. "Not even garlic powder. And no anchovies cause they're gross." The coffin was then shut again.
"She's fun." Clawdeen said after a moment.
Frankie smiled again, shoving that odd and confusing conversation aside, "I'm not even sure I have blood."
They followed Frankie back across the room and went over to their own little section.
"Well, first day of class tomorrow!" Frankie said excitedly, "I'm all charged up! Or I will be.
Frankie sat in the recharging station and turned it on. It was calming and cozy. It made them feel like they were back in their lab and could feel their muscles easing into the feeling of sparks and electricity flowing through them.
Frankie took this time to shake off some nervousness and think about what is to come. Clawdeen seemed like she wanted to be their friend. They were nice and respectful of their existence which they heard was essential for a good friend. They were determined to be a good friend as well.
