Frankie was exhausted by the time they made it back to the dorm. They sat in their chair and turned it on, it felt amazing.
"Hey Frankie." Draculaura greeted, "How are you feeling?"
"I've been better." Frankie admitted yet they still grinned, "I don't want to move."
Draculaura nodded in understanding, "Clawdeen is meeting Ghoulia in the creepateria to work on a group project. Do you want us to bring something back for you again?"
"I don't want to be a burden on you guys." Frankie stated, getting up then ended up stumbling forward into Draculaura.
She steadied her friend then gave Frankie a stern look, "Frankie, you can barely walk. I'm surprised you made it all day."
"Me too." Frankie said, "I don't want you ghouls to worry about me."
"Then let me rephrase this." Draculaura said, guiding Frankie over to their couch before lightly shoving them so they fell into the cushions, "You are going to stay here. You are not going to move, except maybe to use the bathroom, and Clawdeen and I are going to bring you something to eat from the creepeteria."
"But-" Frankie tried but Draculaura stopped them.
"No, Frankie." Draculaura said, walking over to Frankie's side of the room and scanned their shelf before grabbing a couple books and setting them on the chair, "Read a book and relax. You need to take care of yourself."
Frankie sighed, "Alright. Thanks, Draculaura."
Draculuara gave them a satisfied nod and left Frankie alone in the room. They picked up one of the books and opened it, beginning to read one of the books on mad science they took from their parent's lab.
A while later, a knock came at the door. That was a bit odd, why would Draculaura and Clawdeen knock on their own door?
"Come in?" Frankie called.
The door opened and Cleo walked in, carrying a tray from the cafeteria.
"Cleo?" Frankie asked, "What are you doing here?"
"I'm bringing you dinner. Clawdeen and Deuce went off somewhere and Draculaura was called for a meeting with Bloodgood and Dracula. I offered to bring it up for you." Cleo explained, "Where do you want this?"
"On the bench is fine." Frankie said, nodding at the larger table across from the living area.
Frankie groaned as they stood, walking slowly to the table, using the furniture for support.
"Do you-"
"No, I got it." Frankie interrupted the mummy.
They did, eventually, sit down. Their skin felt damp.
"My Ra." Cleo said sitting across from them, "You're sweating, are you okay?"
"Huh, didn't know I could do that." Frankie said, "Didn't Clawdeen and Draculaura tell you?"
"No, they just said you weren't feeling well." Cleo said, "Is it anything to do with what happened the other day?"
Frankie sighed, "No, this is different. Why do you care? We aren't even friends."
Frankie didn't have the energy or patience to figure out how to say that nicer. They were still wary of Cleo, despite her helping them that morning.
Cleo frowned, "Because I just do."
"How do I know that you aren't going to use anything I say to make fun of me?" Frankie asked.
Cleo looked like she was going to snap but she took a deep breath to calm herself, "I'm trying to make an effort to make it up to you. I am really sorry, Frankie. I want the chance to, maybe, be your friend?"
Frankie studied Cleo's face. She didn't seem to be lying. Actually she looked kind of sad. They decided to entrust them with a piece of sensitive information.
"Rigor mortis." Frankie said.
"What?"
"Rigor mortis." they repeated, "In mortal bodies it's the stiffening in the muscles due to chemical changes in the myofibrils. That's the long contractile fibers, groups of which run parallel to each other on the long axis of the single multinucleated cells that combine to form the muscle, the myocytes." Frankie took a bite of their food, "Only I won't decay or liquify. It's more or less just painful. Its making me stiff and it's easier for my joints to pop off."
"That's why you were having trouble this morning?" Cleo asked.
"Yep." Frankie said, "It also makes me clumsy."
The two of them laughed, Frankie flinched but they didn't mind.
"So, how long will it last?" Cleo asked.
"I have no idea." Frankie said, "It's because I'm so new. It will happen less and less as time goes on. My mom and dad had issues too when they were first brought to life. I just have so many parts it's hard to tell how often it will happen. I should get used to it eventually."
"That sounds awful." Cleo said, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Frankie smiled, taking another bite, "Not having to go anywhere more than I have to is helpful. So thanks."
Cleo smiled and Frankie continued to eat as they chatted. It was still, kind of odd though.
"So what can you do?" Frankie asked after they finished eating, "Your powers."
"Well I can invoke a mummy's curse but I'm not allowed to do that. It's really draining for those affected." Cleo said.
"You're not gonna…"
"No." Cleo said, "I feel like that would go against my entire effort here."
Frankie laughed, "Right."
"As a mummy, we can jar some or all of our organs." She said, "Mine are in jars in my room."
"Oh, can I see?" Frankie asked excitedly.
"That's a little personal." Cleo said, "I've only ever shown my organs to Lagoona and Deuce." Frankie frowned, "But maybe one day. Then there are these." Cleo said and the shinny gems on her necklace moved and landed on the table between them.
"Are those scarabs?" Frankie looked closer and extended a finger in which one crawled to rest on. Frankie brought it closer to their face, "Neat. Do you control them?"
"Yes and no. They are loyal to me but can get pretty grumpy when you don't take care of them." Cleo said. The scarabs flew to return to their place on Cleo's jewelry.
"Nice accessories too."
Cleo laughed, "That too."
"We're back." Clawdeen sang as she and Draculaura entered the room. When they caught sight of Cleo, Clawdeen and Draculaura eyed the mummy suspiciously.
"What are you still doing here, Cleo?" Draculaura.
"We were just talking about her mummy powers." Frankie said.
The other girls seem to relax.
"I should get going though." Cleo said, "Lagoona and I are having a beasties night."
"Have fun!" Frankie called as Cleo left, taking Frankie's empty plate with her.
"That was odd but surprisingly nice." Frankie said, "She even asked how she could help with my RM flair up."
"Huh." Clawdeen said, "Maybe she really is turning over a new leaf."
"I hope so." Draculaura said, "So, how was your date?"
Clawdeen fell back into her pillow, "Amazing."
Frankie rolled out of bed and let out a pained groan as they stepped into their slippers.
"Hey," Clawdeen said sympathetically, "How ya feeling?"
"This is awful, Clawdeen." Frankie said, "It feels like my parts are filled with lead."
Clawdeen frowned, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Frankie shook their head, "I just have to push through it."
They grabbed some clothes and went behind their privacy screen. They got their leggings, skirt and collared shirt on but they couldn't really lift their arms so they decided that they didn't need their sweater vest.
They then grabbed their kit and slowly stumbled to the bathroom.
"Frankie?" Lagoona asked as they walked in, "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I'll be fine." Frankie said, lifting their arms to fix their hair.
"Do you need help?" Lagoona asked, "Cleo said you weren't feeling well."
Frankie frowned. They didn't like this feeling of uselessness, but they did indeed need help.
"I would really appreciate another set of hands." Frankie said.
Lagoona looked excited and hopped over, "Your hair is so neat! I've been dying to braid it. Do you want something new or what do you usually do?"
"My usual, please." Frankie asked.
"Aye, Aye captain."
Draculaura came out of a stall and smiled, "Hi Frankie, hi Lagoona."
"Good morning, Draculaura."
"Morning." Lagoona mumbled as they focused.
Draculaura walked over and sat on the counter next to Frankie, digging through their bag and lifted the blue monster's pallet. She lifted a brush towards Frankie's face, "I'm going to do your makeup. Close your eyes." She left no room for argument.
Frankie thanked Lagoona as she left and soon, Draculaura was done as well, "Thanks."
"That's what friends are for." Draculaura said, "Let's get going."
Frankie nodded and followed the vampire. Clawdeen was waiting outside the bathroom, holding all three of their bags. She handed Draculaura hers and smiled, "You guys ready?"
"Yep." Draculaura said.
Clawdeen smiled and started to walk away, with Frankie's bag.
They walked after her, "Aren't you going to give me my bag?"
Clawdeen turned and walked backwards and hummed in thought, "hmm…are you in class?"
"No." Frankie said, confused, "We don't even share our first period."
"Got it covered." She said and turned back around.
Frankie stared, confused, but they continued on, grateful that their friends were deliberately walking at their pace.
When they entered the cafeteria, Frankie went to join the line but Clawdeen stopped them.
"No offense, Frankie, but you might end up slowing down the line." She said sheepishly, "Draculaura is grabbing you something."
Then sighed but made their way towards their table where everyone was seated. Frankie sat down next to Cleo and Clawdeen sat on their other side, putting their bag over the back of their chair.
"Yo, they live!" Heath said as Deuce slid Clawdeen a tray across the table and she began eating.
"Yep." Frankie said, "RM is not fun."
Draculaura returned and put a plate from her tray in front of Frankie, then sat in the last chair at the table.
"Thanks." Frankie said, briefly meeting the vampire's eyes and dug into their own breakfast. Everyone was chatting and eating until the warning scream sounded.
Frankie stood and grabbed their tray when Clawdeen made a grab for it.
"It's okay, I got it." They said, turning to grab their bag which was gone.
They looked around in confusion only to see Cleo standing by the garbage with their bag over her shoulder.
"You have got to be kidding me." Frankie said, "You too, Cleo?"
Frankie dumped their trash and walked out of the creepeteria with the mummy.
"I appreciate the help but you monsters are going a little overboard." Frankie said, "I can carry my own things."
"Just accept it." Cleo said, "Your roommates told us that you were worried about being a burden. We figured if we didn't give you a choice, you wouldn't feel bad about asking."
Frankie sighed, speaking under their breath, "Right."
It's not like they didn't appreciate it but they were already frustrated at how…fragile they felt.
When they got to class, Frankie took their usual seat, Cleo dropping their bag on their table before sitting across the aisle.
The AP Chemistry teacher entered the room and immediately started the lesson. They were starting labs next week so all he seemed to be teaching was lab safety. Frankie took notes but their usually neat scrawl was a mess. Their hand shook and they lost their index finger once so they had to loosen their grip.
"Now, on Tuesday, I'm going to leave cards on the benches." He said, "They will be your assigned seats and lab partners for the remainder of the semester."
The class, save for Frankie, groaned.
"Yes I know but just because you're in AP classes, doesn't mean you aren't teenagers. I'm looking at you boys in the back." He said, "I want you all to actually pass this class."
The scream sounded and the students gathered their stuff and exited the classroom. Cleo stood next to Frankie as they packed their bag.
"I can carry my own bag, Cleo." Frankie said.
"I know." Cleo said, "You know you're really stubborn, right?"
Frankie thought for a moment, "Actually, no, I didn't."
Cleo blinked, "Well you are."
"Good to know." Frankie grinned and made their way out of the classroom.
Cleo followed behind them.
"Don't you usually meet Lagoona at the Coffin Bean right now?" Frankie asked.
"Yes, she's picking me up a coffee." Cleo said, "Are you trying to get rid of me?"
"No. Yes. Maybe?" Frankie thought, "I don't know. Sorry. I just feel useless."
Cleo said nothing but continued to walk until they made it to their history class.
They went and sat next to Clawdeen who stared at Cleo, whisper-yelling at her.
"Cleo!" She said, "What the heck?"
"They wanted to carry their own bag." Cleo said, "They said no and I wasn't forcing them. I was there if they actually wanted help."
Frankie smiled as Lagoona walked in and sat next to Cleo, sliding over her coffee.
The rest of the day had gone by in a similar fashion. They always had a buddy who tried to carry their bag for them, mostly Clawdeen. They liked having a buddy, it was the hovering they had an issue with. They did appreciate the whole, not having to brave the lunch line but at this point they almost wanted to prove a point.
Later when they all returned to the dorm Frankie shut and locked the door. Much to Draculaura and Clawdeen's surprise.
"We need to talk." Frankie said, nodding to the sofa. They girls sat on it while Frankie took residence in the armchair.
"What's up, Frankie?" Draculaura asked.
"I really appreciate you all trying to help." Frankie said, fidgeting with their knuckles, "But I can carry my own bag. You all are just making me feel more fragile than I actually am. I'm walking weird, writing makes my fingers fall off if I press too hard. I couldn't do my hair or makeup this morning because I couldn't lift my arms that high." Frankie gestured with her arms which they could now lift a little more. They even noted they were walking a bit faster by the end of the day.
"We're just worried that you won't accept help when you actually need it." Clawdeen said.
"You even said yesterday that you didn't want to burden us which honestly leads me to believe you won't ask." Draculaura added.
Frankie sighed, they had a point.
"We kind of just had to guess because you won't tell us." Clawdeen said.
"Frankie, we're your friends and we want to help you." Draculaura said, "You are there for us when we need it and you usually aren't afraid to say what's on your mind."
"I see your point." Frankie said, "I just don't want to take advantage of your help."
The girls actually laughed at that.
Clawdeen spoke. "Frankie, I don't think you're capable of receiving more than you give."
"I haven't given you anything." Frankie said, confused, "Did we go through a ritual of exchanging gifts that I missed?"
"No, she means that you put in as much if not more time and effort into your friendships as your friends do for you." Draculaura explained.
"Oh." Frankie said, "It's like alchemy with people."
The monsters on the couch gave them a blank look.
"You can't make something new unless it's worth the sum of the parts you put into it." Frankie explained.
"Yes." Clawdeen said, "Exactly."
"That makes sense." Frankie said.
"Anyway." Draculaura said, "I will admit we were a little…overbearing with helping you today."
"You know, oddly enough," Clawdeen added, "I think Cleo was the only one that actually got that."
Still, we want to help. We're your friends. You don't have to handle tough things alone." Draculaura circled back.
"How about you tell us what you need?" Clawdeen said.
"And none of that stuff about being a burden." Draculaura said, "That might be the dumbest thing out of your brain."
"And we aren't just talking about your RM." Clawdeen narrowed her eyes at Frankie.
"I'll have to think about it." Frankie said, "But with the RM flare, not having to go down to the creepeteria for dinner was helpful. It felt awkward but I appreciated the help this morning when I couldn't really move. I prefer to be asked rather than people just touching me or my stuff."
"Oh." Clawdeen said with an embarrassed blush, "I'm sorry about that."
"It's alright." Frankie said, "You didn't know."
"So, tomorrow." Clawdeen quickly changed the subject, "Creepover?"
"Yes! Definitely!" Frankie excitedly jumped up only to flinch with a sharp yelp, sitting back down, "I'm just so excited to learn about movies and just hang out without homework."
"You're going to love it." Draculaura said, standing from her seat, "Anyway, Clawdeen and I will go grab something from the creepeteria and bring you something."
"And we'll let them know there shant be any interruptions tomorrow night." Clawdeen said with a grin.
Frankie giggled, getting up slowly this time. "I'll be on my electric chair, giving a bit of a shock makes me less sore."
The ghouls split off to their tasks.
Frankie sat in their chair and powered it on. It gave them a burst of energy but it also dulled the pain in their limbs and stitches.
By the time their roommates returned with their food, they felt a little relief.