S is for Streaking

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

So school was technically out for summer, and Frank had a little tradition she liked to do. It took a lot of internal strength, great resolve, and fleet footwork, especially if you were someone like Frank, who had a tendency to make herself as noticeable as possible. Still, Frank knew she was up for the challenge. She had practice. She had will. She had at least an entire can of illegal Japanese energy drink and a pack of Starburst swimming in her veins.

So Frank stood at the edge of the courtyard. She licked her lips, and then she flung her clothing behind her. It flew out, but before it even hit the ground, Frank was off and running at top speed. And in case this wasn't clear enough by now: Frank was quite naked. Super naked. Not a stitch on her. She flew through the courtyard like a screaming, naked dervish of screaming nakedness, about as noticeable as, well, a screaming, hollering, naked teenage girl.

And she was determined to head straight through the middle of campus. Nonstop, if she had her way. Because clearly, clearly, this had been at least somewhat planned... which should have been terrifying enough in and of itself, really.

[Ellen Banks]

The school year was over and Ellen Banks could not be more happy about that fact, Because quite frankly this year had been one of the worse in Ellen’s life. From her seemingly never ending battles with Erika, to losing prom would be bad enough but when one of the big events of your calendar year involved being shot and dying horrible. You know the school year was one to forget and Ellen had every intention of putting this entire year behind her. People that lingered in the past were doomed to repeat it. The past can not be changed, forgotten edited or erased it can only be accepted. What happened happened. Ellen wanted to put it all behind her and the summer break was more then a little welcome.

With that mindset and because of what a beautiful day it was, Ellen decided to do her morning yoga out there in the court yard. Yoga was a hobby she had picked up quite a while ago. She found doing a few stretches first thing in the morning was a perfect way for her to start her day. It kept her mind sharp, kept her limps flexible, and detoxs herself of all her stress. It was about a 20 minutes process but when it was done Ellen felt refreshed, focused and ready to take on the day

So Ellen sat down on a nearby bench and commenced stretching her arms and legs out in front of her before breaking into a various poses and stenches showcasing her balance and breathing deeply through out before beginning to finish up like she always did; by crossing her legs sitting with her arms above her head with her palms facing upwards as she began to relax feeling the weight and tension left her neck and shoulders and like she always did when she begins to meditate She pictured blue skies, clean water. Warm beaches and repeated the mantra she had been taught by her Yoga instructor

I pray to God they can not take my piece of mind

I pray to God they can not take my piece of mind

I pray to God the-

Suddenly Ellen visual projection of her calming warm beach was ripped in two as what felt like a icepick of high pitched loud shrieks bursts her bumble of meditation as she was dropped back to reality with a thud as she became all too acutely became aware of her surroundings like she was just awoken with a bucket of ice cold water to the face.

Ellen kept her eyes closed because a sense of dread just overcame her as she was sure she recognized the owner of that yelling and like someone who has a fear of heights being put on a rollercoaster she didn’t want to acknowledge the terrifying reality that would become apparent if she opened her eyes. Instead she began to recite an entirely different mantra in her head

Please don’t let that be Frank Cox...

Please don’t let that be Frank Cox…

Please don’t let that be Frank Cox…

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

It was Frank Cox, and she noticed Ellen.

Now, remember, Frank had planned this which meant that there were certain things that she was supposed to be doing at certain intervals and all. Yet the key thing to remember here is that: Frank planned this, which meant that the plan was mostly a loose, fuzzy thing that either hadn't been written down or done in crayon.

Possibly in Microsoft Paint. Frank was tech savvy.

So the plan did allow for Frank to pull a stop that nearly looked like something out of a cartoon (i.e. normal for Frank Cox), her head turning toward Ellen (one of her BFFLs), as she moved. "Ellen!" she practically screeched. And just in case there hadn't already been people staring, that would probably do it. "School's out! It's summer! Join me in the freedom!" Frank bounded toward Ellen, reaching to grab her shoulders and give her a few shakes. "Join. Me. Be freeee! Release your inhibitions!"

She'd probably break into song pretty soon at this point. All the signs were clearly there.

[Ellen Banks]

Ellen wondered vaguely what horrible crime she had committed in her past life to have this horrible blight in her life, this giant irritation curses her very soul. What atrocious sin she had done to deserve Frank Cox in her life. She had no idea why Frank had taken to her as much as she seemed to do Even though she had the theory it had something to do with the fact that she woke up the night after Prom night with the mother of all headaches, covered in glitter and pizza and chocolate smeared on her face. (She really needed to stop drinking) Ellen couldn’t remember the exact details of that night but from what she managed to piece together maybe that was a blessing and Ellen had on strict instructions warned Frank never to mention what had happened prom night ever again. It never happened.

Whether the incident happened or not (Which it didn’t) That didn’t change the fact that Frank had become all the more annoying in recent days. Ellen was pretty sure with each passing day a rash was slowly forming on her skin that would be the shape or Frank’s irritating grin. Her laugh echoed throughout her worse nightmares, she was like a bug Ellen couldn’t exactly swat away, thank god. Thank god. Thank god! That her summer should remain relatively Frank free. That was a another good thing about Summer vacation. She was under no obligation to meet with the people she hated. Even though knowing her luck she would probably find herself going on holidays and finding herself being right next door to Frank.

She needed to try at least once, it would do no good and it would likely result in more attempts to get her to do whatever it is she was suggesting (Her eyes were still closed at this point) but she should at least attempt to try. She winched just a little and despite her shaking her back and forward like a ragdoll, Ellen still kept her eyes closed trying to summon up the inner calmness not to rip Frank’s head off her stupid shoulders “I’m busy doing Yoga, Frank” Ellen said in stiff sounding voice still maintaining that pose “Maybe you should take it up and get some centre in your life” Ellen said beginning to turn to Frank looking at her for the first time. “So maybe a little inebriation would be just the thing t-Oh my God” Ellen said as her eyes finally opened her eyes and saw Frank’s state of undress, quickly her head whipped away from her doing anything she could not to see Frank like that. Even though now she fear that mental image of totally nude body would be engraved in her darkest dreams forever “Frannnk” Ellen said in false sweet voice “I know I’m probably going to regret asking this but is there a particular reason you’re naked?
" Ellen said as she managed to mouth at a few on lookers "I'm not with her

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

"Yogurt? Yogurut's a weird thing to be doing. Did they make that---ooooh, yoga! Duh, the whole stretching thing. Totally should've seen that," Frank prattled, more or less riding right over Ellen's suggestion that she consider taking it up. Ellen would not be the first and likely wouldn't be the last person to suggest that Frank Cox take up a more sedentary hobby that might help wind her down a little. surprisingly, none of them worked all that well.

Just as Frank was about to suggest as much, Ellen finally noticed the relative state of undress. "It's freeing, isn't it? I mean, c'mon, school's out, and it's time to celebrate that!" she said, throwing her hands into the air. "C'mon ,Ellen, let your inhibitions go and strip with me! Run free through the quad! Seriously, it'll be totally awesome and stuff."

There was a look in Frank's eye that suggested that there might be stripping of a decidedly nonsexual kind sometime in Ellen's near future. She eyed the other girl for a while before noticing that Ellen seemed to be distracted by other people. Frank twisted to look, seeing the various passersby. She waved at them, beaming a smile that no sane, nude person should have.

"Hey! Just talking with one my biffles!" this being of course how Frank pronounced BFFL, which she would explain the definition of if asked (though really, wasn't it obvious?) The people were more inclined to believe her too, considering rumors and the fact that most of them had probably seen Frank and Ellen at prom, since neither had exactly been subtle.

[Ellen Banks]

Just then another theory occurred to Ellen about the true nature of Frank Cox (There seemed to one every single day. This latest theory had just knocked off the top stop schizophrenia) Maybe this was all an act by Frank, Much like Ellen liked to play sweet and innocent. Quite possibly Frank wanted nothing more then to knock Ellen Banks down a few pegs so she created an entire persona designed to get under her skin as much as possible (What other people might describe as “Trolling”) Maybe she wanted Ellen eventually to lash out at her in sheer frustration or get Ellen to reveal a secret about herself, information that Frank can use against her at a later date.

…Or maybe she was just a idiot and Ellen was giving her far more credit then she was due.

Was it even worth pointing out to Frank that there was a lot more to Yoga then “The whole stretching thing?” It was an accident art form in the attempt to sharpen ones mind, a discipline that created balance between body mind and soul, promoting inner piece for all users, having Frank refer to it by “Yogurt” was probably the extent of Frank’s comprehension.

Ellen had no intention whatsoever of letting go of her inhibitions, she liked her inhibitions her inhibitions kept her safe, inhibitions maintained self control (Something no doubt Frank had concept of) Even if by some miracle she were to take leave of every bit of sense she had and agreed to such a insane idea she could only imagine the look on her father’s face when she heard about a Banks running through Bellefonte totally nude. His reaction alone would make sure Elllen would never do it in a week of Sundays. Frank can live her life any immature and irresponsible wah she wished. That was her purgative, but don’t drag Ellen with her.

And oh joy that’s just want she needed in her life just another person thinking she and Frank were virtually inseparable friends, god knows where those rumours came from but as far as Ellen was concerned if she could she would shout on top of a mountain that Ellen and no friend of Frank. Nor did she want to be. She did not want to speak to Frank. She didn’t want to be anywhere near her, her life would be so much more better if she never encountered Frank. She was a irritating little fly with the mental age of six and Ellen was sure that just spending a few moments in her company was enough to make her wish she could strangle her. Nothing would please her more then the day Frank finally gets the hint and flees in terror from her They were not “Biffles” Ellen didn’t want to be brought into her insane world of lollypops and Sunshine and the day that she was her "Biffie" was the day that….well, she strips naked and runs through the school.

Of course Ellen had no doubt that if Ellen told Frank that she would just think she needed a hug.

But still, that left the problem for what she should do now, say what you will about Fran but she was certainly stubborn if she wanted Ellen to strip she would tear off Ellen’s clothes herself (Ellen would like to see her try) But then an idea occurred to her. “Ok,” Ellen said her trademark false smile lifting her features “I’ll be more then happy to, Why don’t you go on ahead and I’ll catch up with you when I’m ready” Ellen said knowing full well she most certainly will not follow Frank

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

"Awesome! I knew that you'd be all up for it and --waaaait a moment," Frank had actually started moving as soon as she'd started talking. After all, you could only be naked in public for so long, even if you were a fairly attractive young woman who had just the slightest hint of chub on you, before people started to get oppressive. The only reason that someone probably hadn't already tackled Frank to the ground was probably because it was, well, Frank, and the fact that school really was wrapping up and there were just so many things to handle.

"You're not, like, attempting to just get rid of me so that you can then go on your merry way and possibly pretend we're not biffles despite the fact that everrryyyyyyyyone saw and heard you and me at prom and junk though you were kinda drunk so that might mean that you might not remember a whole lot about what you said to me, including all kinds of secrets and stuff that I will totally, definitely keep one hundred percent secret because what kind of biffle would I be if I didn't keep secrets for my biffle? Aaaand," Frank rolled her hand and then poked Ellen, "what kind of biffle would you be if you didn't support me, huh? C'mon," Frank leaned forward, gently elbowing Ellen, "you know it sounds like fun. I can tell that you're just dying to let go, you know, like the song."

And yes, Frank would follow up emotional blackmail with a rendition of everyone's "favorite" Disney anthem: "Do You Want to Build a Snowman," in a halfway decent imitation of Scuttle from the Little Mermaid. Because Frank, that's why.

[Ellen Banks]

Ok, this was just a little bit awkward now…..

This conversation was be bad enough with Frank shouting her normal brand nonsense complete with unnecessary loud screening singing of disney tunes. But of course the situation was made even worse by the fact of the tiny little detail that Frank was currently devoid of any and all clothing. That fact alone was enough to make this easily the most awkward conversation Ellen had ever had the misfortune of taking part in. How could Frank be so calm when there was literally nothing left to the imagination. Weren’t the Cox’s supposed to be a well established family in the town? They couldn’t possibly be happy about Frank running through the school nude through the school like some kind of raving lunatic? But then again she supposed that The cox’s was more then a little numb to her collective antics. Didn’t she even feel the little bit embarrassed, that she was making a fool of herself? Was her life utterly devoid of shame?

As far as Ellen was concerned Frank Cox was a menace. A human embodiment of trouble who quite frankly belonged in the loony bin. Yet Erika and the Bellefonte just let her get away with it. It was just surreal how she managed to weave some kind of spell over the entire population of the school, Everyone just adored her! Everyone just loves Frank Cox. The Bellefontes. The Teachers. The students. Everyone! And that’s why she’s allowed to get away with murder. If Ellen was in charge none of what Frank Did would stand. Was she the only person in the school not to be charmed by her? Was she the only person refusing to get dragged into dream world and live in reality with the rest of the adults? Most people seemed to find Frank’s behaviour charming yet it clearly wasn’t? It wasn’t normal. It was borderline disturbing. Ellen had never seen Frank without a smile on her face. She was always happy. Never sad. Never angry. Never bored. Just infinitely blissful at the mere concept of her existence. Like a robot who was stuck on one emotional settling. That was not a positive thing. That was deeply troubling. That was a tell tale sign of numerous disorders. Sure, her pranks were “All in good fun”now. But what happens when someone gets hurt? What happened when she took it one step too far. Would she still be charming? Her parents needed to cart her off to the nearest shrink and load her full of every sedative they could find.

Maybe then she would leave Ellen alone….

Urg.Well, It turns out that Frank wasn’t as stupid as she looked. Which was certainly news to Ellen. She had no earthly idea what Frank was referring to. What possible thing could she have done to make people think that Ellen and Frank was friends, and secrets? What secrets was Frank referring too….Oh god she much have been incredibly drunk to even think about letting Frank in on her secrets. Did she have a death wish? “No I’m not” Ellen said totally stone faced not even a flicker a fun anywhere near her face. But soon her face twists and her eyes shut in irritation as Frank began to serenade with yet another Disney song. This wasn’t something new to Ellen. She can’t count the number of times, that Frank took her by surprise and burst into her favourite anthems from her childhood. Sometimes late at night when Ellen was going to bed…and would continue to sing well into the dead of the night, ruining every Disney song for Ellen, Franks voice as like nails on a chalkboard. Ellen felt like her eyes was going to bleed. If she heard another word she would just run away and never look back “SHUT UP!” Ellen shouted, losing control for one solitary moment. She paused for one moment breathing heavily thinking that in just a few minutes Frank had totally stressed Ellen out just as she was relaxing. This had to end. For her sanity sake. “Frank. I know you have problems paying attention at times. But I…REALLY. Really need to you to pay attention to me now. Do. You. Understand?” Ellen said talking very slowly like Franks mind was only capable of understanding one word at a time. “I don’t know what I did, or what I said on Prom night that made you think were best friends. But I assure you; were not. I’m not your bestie. I’m not even your friend. Were just two Very, very different people.. I’m normal and you’re…ummm…special. We just don’t mix. I’m sure You have a great many other friends that would adore the idea of streaking with you…but I’m not one of them. I appreciate the offer, but I don’t want any hugs. I don’t want any singing. I don’t want any friendship Bracelet. All I want is some peace and quiet. So I'm asking you...I'm begging you. Plllease. bother someone else.” Ellen said choosing her words carefully not being overly aggressive but being very firm in her desire to have A Frank Cox free existence. God what a blissful idea. If only Frank would heed her words.

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

By now, Frank was used to Ellen's stony expression whenever she did, well, anything. She just barreled right over it, stopping only when Ellen burst out in shouting, staring at her and blinking. Despite all appearance to the contrary, Frank really could pay attention, and she did now, her expression curious, complete iwht head tilt. She even nodded slightly when Ellen asked if she understood, her mouth opening for words, only to pause when she realized that Ellen would be continuing talking.

Ellen threw aside whatever had been said or done at prom night. Frank tilted her head the opposite direction, not seeming all that shocked or surprised by it. She kept listening, hearing that she was "special" that she had several 'great friends" and that Ellen wasn't one of them. She actually remained more or less silent until Ellen finished.

Then she nodded, and put her hands on Ellen's shoulders. "I'm not stupid," she said bluntly, meeting Ellen's eyes. "I know that, like, I annoy people, and I know I annoy you. I also," she smiled, "know that you're alone, like a lot. That Erika used to be your bestie but now she's not. That you're feeling shoved out by a lot of your old friends. That you don't like most of the people who are kinda around you anyway. That even, like, Elsa, who should totes be your best friend, doesn't ever seem to be around you. Ellen, you totes need me. Because I'm gonna be your friend no matter not: because you need and deserve one, not because you want me. Plus, you're more fun than you let on," Frank rolled her eyes, "even if that was when you were drunk and all. So, like, I'm not gonna, like, leave you alone. Besides, it's more fun to bug you anyway," she shrugged, releasing Ellen. Frank turned to look then, seeing a few various staff members heading her way.

"Buuut I should probably be going now, if you're not gonna do the whole stripping and streaking now. Seriously," said Frank, grinning and nodding in perhaps the least serious way possible, "you'd totes feel loads better if you just streaked one time. Just be all like 'Frank wouldn't leave me alone' or some junk. Okay, gotta go, ttfn!" she leaned forward and kissed Ellen's cheeks before dancing around the fountain for a while, obviously wanting to get attention and, by extension, draw it away from Ellen, though a few people were no doubt looking at the Banks girl now, especially those close enough to have heard nearly everything.