PROM: You'll Be My Queen, I'll Be Your Princess

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

Frank practically skipped about, the crown tottering on her head with each step. It had been very tempting to go with the whole fire and ice thing and be quite literal, given that this was Frank Cox. She did have an Elsa (the Frozen character not the Bellefonte twin) inspired dress in her closet somewhere. This time, however, Frank had instead opted to go a little classier. Her dress was an ice blue that actually worked with her coloring, except for maybe the white flames that shot up from the bottom. Clearly someone had custom made this according to Frank's instructions.

Now the whirling dervish hopped her way through the crowd. Frank didn't actually have a date for this particular event, and she'd already done her diligence and danced with her fellow royal Fran(c)k. So that meant it was time to seek out friends. And she knew where one of her friends was going to be on every prom:

"Ellen!" Frank cooed, throwing her arms out wide to scoop her friend into a hug. Frank's skills in hugging meant that she somehow avoided knocking over the no doubt spiked punch that Ellen had in one hand, keeping it far away from their dresses. "Isn't it awesome? I'm the queen!" She pulled back, grinning manically at her closest friend.

[Ellen Banks]

The more things change the more they stay the same.

Things were certainly different from circumstances last year. The most notable being the lack of pronounced red inflamed scars drapping Ellen’s neck and throat, last years Prom came quickly after the shooting, so Ellen wasn’t exactly in the best mind set. Already this years prom was shaping off far better then last years. For one thing she had a date she actually enjoyed being around. Who would have guessed that the boy that Ellen played with as a toddler would end up be the date for her prom only two decades later. It was funny how things turned out from time to time

All and all she was having a far better time then she has last year, laughing and dancing all the while letting her hair down just for a moment.

That was until the crowing…

Now, Ellen had somewhat changed over the last twelve months and the fact that she had nearly forgotten about Prom queen and king, last year it was all that she could think about to the point where she would openly try and sabotage her competition but now she barely paid attention to who would win….

…but it didn’t take long until her natural instincts kicked in, and even though she wasn’t that fussed before hand but once those glittering crowns was placed in front of her. She quite simply reverted for a short time. She wanted it. She didn’t care if she deserved it or not. She WANTED the crown, and she should always get what she wanted.

So as you can imagine she was not happy when it turned out that she lost. She was despondent to say the very least. Two years, two years in a row she had been cheated out of the thing she desired most and what was worse were the people she lost to. Lucy Jones? That’s disgusting little cockroach of a woman. She’d probably sell that crown for crack, and of course Erika because everyone wanted to suck up to a Bellefonte didn’t they. Bit even worse then that. She lost out…to her.

She needed a drink

And so seemingly having learned nothing from last year she made her way to the punch bowl with the desire to get drunk..she was already loosing up somewhat-when…

Ellen!

Ellen physically groaned like she had heard nails on a board as oppose to Frank Cox. “Oh, here we go again…” Ellen muttered under her breath as the inevitable happened and she was seized by the always giddy leech that forced itself on Ellen and refused to let go into a normal rib crushing hug. Like always Ellen totally blanked it her body remember stiff, her arms by her side and her face totally caved out of stone as Frank finished up her hug “If you made me spill my drink all over my dress you would have been buried in yours” Ellen snapped coldly her hands smoothing out her own light blue and silver full length gown which hugged her figure and molded out her body nicely “I’ve noticed” Ellen looked up to the crown for a moment, her eyes lingering on the crown her gaze filled with envy " Congratulation, you've proven that the entire school is just as crazy as you ” Ellen said sipping her drink feeling slightly tipsy but not exactly in “Drunk mode” yet but it was early days.

“Frank” Ellen started putting her drink down for a moment and speaking in a tone a mother might give to a child “I thought I made myself perfectly clear, remember what I said last year after prom? And What I told you last week? After what happened last year you’re not allowed to come anywhere near me. At all. Isn’t there some poor unfortunate date for you to go annoy? Go to him. Shoo.”

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

Frank let out another giggle as she pulled slightly away from Ellen, making sure to avoid the drink again. Frank noticed the eyes, grinning and pointing up at them all the while. Yes, she did wear the crown and it was definitely a good look on her, in much the same way a crown would have made a brightly colored pony look more festive.

The drink went down, Frank following it with her eyes. "Yes, I remember," said Frank, nodding. She shrugged. "But it's, like, a big thing, and you share stuff like this with you friends. You're,' she gestured toward Ellen, "one of my best friend around, so I wanted to share it with you! Aaaaaand," Frank swayed back and forth for a moment, looking around, "I don't actually have a date right now."

Frank wiggled her lips around for a bit, looking around. "Another year, another dateless night for us, huh? "Frank rolled her eyes. "You'd think they'd stop being all intimidated and just be all up in this," she gestured at her and at her friend before turning. "C'mon, Ellen: you're letting people get you down again. You're here, you look super hawt, and you're, like, still Ellen Banks," Frank jerked her head, "screw them," then she pulled her head up, grinning wide. "Your queen commands it."

[Ellen Banks]

This was a mistake, Ellen thought to herself as she managed to gauge the situation she now found herself in. She should have prepared for this eventuality, hell she should have employed a crack team of body guards to make sure that Frank didn’t come anywhere near her but knowing Frank’s strange and powerful charisma they’ll probably be playing patty cake within minutes of it. Ellen really should have learned something from the year pervious, after all it was because of Bellefonte Academy’s infamous punch and Frank managed to take advantage of her drunk state which resulted in a night that she deeply regretted (She still haven’t gotten the pizza stains out of her prom dress) and yet here she was…repeating the same mistakes of the past. Clearly the siren call of the punch was too much to resist.

And yes Frank looked good in that crown. But you know who would look better on? Ellen.

“Oh good, then you remember that, the next day I woke up with a headache in my own bed my face covered in chocolate and pizza…all over my dress too by the way. Thanks for that.- having vague memories of you…tickling me” Ellen shuddered for a moment at the memory –However hazy they might be “and that’s not true no matter how much you say it” She nodded. Honestly Ellen didn’t see the appeal of hanging around with Ellen. What was Frank getting out of it considering there was a ton of people who would be more then happy to partake in the madness of Frank as appose to Ellen who dragged her heels at every chance she got

“Actually Frank, I have a date this year” She said with a certain amount of pride proving her wrong tossing her hair back with a smile “But I’m sure there’s someone here moronic enough to ummm…get all in it” A frown hit her face as if not believing those words came out of her month”

Ellen eyebrow raised her eyebrow once she was commanded by her “Queen” Oh god, what have these maniacs done? No doubt this is a ego boast that she did not need. Queen commands it. Ugh just shoot her now “You’re not going to let this go are you?” Ellen said resigned before turning back to her drink and emptying all in one glup. With a gasp she lifted the cup away from her mouth as the effects hit her system “Something tells me I’m going to need a lot of these

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

"Oh yeah!" Frank said, tilting her head to the side and smiling. "I remember that! It was awesome," she let out a sigh, her head tilting a little further into a stance that was almost too much like watching a sitcom or cartoon character entering a daydream. Yeah, she definitely remembered that now that Ellen brought it up, and she remembered the tickling.

"You do!?" Frank nearly shouted, snapping back. her eyes were wide and she let out a squeal, hopping up and down. "oh, oh, oh, you have to introduce me? Where is he? Or her, I guess," Frank was already turning around to look around. "Well, I am queen, Ellen: duly elected by my peers to wear the crown and have the title for a while. It's okay though: I'll totes be a benevolent dictator. Like now: my main ruling is that you should totes be showing off your personal boytoy to me."

Frank was already turning and looking around. Surely someone around here would be looking over at Ellen and keeping an eye on her. That's what Frank would want her boyfriend to do. Maybe she should try to make a pass at Ellen or something? Nah, nobody would believe that.

[Ellen Banks]

“No. No it was not” Ellen shot back instinctively, her mind could only remember certain things about that night and almost all of it was things she would rather forget, how fun it was wasn't relevant Ellen had somewhat of a reputation as being an intimating person a no nonsense type of person, so Ellen could only shudder at the thought of anyone finding out that this time last year she was laughing hysterically as Ellen was held down and made helpless by the barrage of tickles, all Ellen needed was to scream mercy and her humiliation would be complete. “If you try and tickle me again, it won’t end well for you….”

Jesus Christ! Ellen backed off in surprised as Frank showcased her habit for random shouting almost giving Ellen a heart attack in the process. The sooner they figure out what’s wrong with her and get her on medication the better “Inside voices Frank” She muttered as Frank got more and more exicted “Hhhhe’s not here… he went out” Ellen said quickly because the last time she wanted was to scare off her prom date by exposing him to the madness that was Frank. 
Ellen was caught in the trap but there was still hope for Julian

“Frank. Calm. Slow down” She said trying to slow down that run away train that was Frank when she got going and, Ellen was beginning to feel increasing annoyed when she started referring to herself as queen, clearly getting far too caught up in the role “He’s not my Boytoy Frank, were just….” Ellen trailed off frowning as that reality hit her She honestly had no idea what they were. She guessed friends right? Especially considering that “Boyfriend” tag was…well whatever it was it was NOT them “It’s complicated” God she hated saying that. Such a cliché. “Besides I think he might have left already. He’s very busy”

“It is just me or is the punch much more tangy this year?” Ellen said with a grimiest as she swallowed another mouthful swaying more and more on her feet “So how does it feel? Being the Queen” Ellen mentioned for the sake of conversation maybe after awhile Frank will just go away.

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

"Oh yes it was," Frank said, bouncing her brows and subtly nudging her best of all best friends. She knew that Ellen didn't want to admit it, because that would ruin her whole cool, tsundere personality thing. Frank was tempted to remind Ellen of this, but, well, there was the whole boyfriend thing to consider.

Which had Frank practically squealing at levels to qualify as a mutant power of some kind. "How can we be calm!?" she demanded, giving Ellen a light push. "You've finally netted yourself a boytoy!" she hopped a few more times. "And Frank and I are royalty! Best night ever!" she threw her hands into the air and did a little prancing dance for a moment. Then Frank seemed to remember that she was supposed to be seeking out said boytoy and she started looking around.

Ellen didn't call him that, but Frank just gave a "Of course he's not," with an overblown wink. "Awww, surely he wouldn't leave his super hot mama here all by her lonesome! What if you got all drunk and went home with some stupid buttface?" Frank was already narrowing her eyes, but she soon got distracted by the punch and the question. "The punch? I dunno, tasted---it's so good being queen!" Frank let out another little squeal and hopped. "You get to wear the crown too, which feels awesome. Here!" Frank reached up and pulled it off, catching some hairs, and without waiting a further beat, she placed it atop Ellen's head. "Ta da! Queen Ellen of House Banks, probably, like, fourth of her name!" Frank then brought her hands up to her mouth to let out a little trumpeting sound.

[Ellen Banks]

Ugh. That look, Ellen hated that look that was currently occupying Frank’s face at this current moment in time. That sly “Knowing” look that seemed to say “Yeah that’s what you say but we both know the truth” Frank seemed to believe that she had Ellen all figured out and she knew just went on in Ellen head and while Frank had certain…insights that belied Frank’s general tomfoolery but Ellen drew the line right and no more. “Oh of course you had fun…” Ellen rolled her eyes softly a habit she had picked up the more and more she spent time with Frank –Seriously why wasn’t she in a asylum at this point?- “When are you NOT having fun? In what situation are you not enjoying yourself?” Of course Ellen didn’t need Frank to answer that particular question, because Ellen knew the answer and the answer was a resounding no. There was no moment in time that Frank wasn’t having the time of her life, every moment was so very entertaining, And every moment was a 1000X times more fun then the last. Life was just a big party for Frank Cox, of course this was the exact opposite to Ellen who more often then not found herself under great stress.

A lesser person might get envious…

Ellen screwed up her face in pain as Frank’s screaming reached super sonic levels that she was sure that only dogs could hear her and Ellen wasn’t sure how the windows weren’t shattering. Why did she tell Frank that? When she will she learn never to let Frank in on her personal life, that was always a receipt for disaster “Yeah.” Ellen said emotionlessly as Frank danced around “Whoopie for you…”

“Well, then bully for him” Ellen shrugged honestly not caring who he spent his time with Ellen wasn’t his mother, he was a big boy he could do whatever he wanted, he wasn’t on some kind of leash that a out an out relationship had. That was the wonderful thing about not being in a “Relationship”

At this point Ellen’s lack of tolerance for alcohol began to rear it’s head, the booze mixing with her blood stream started getting to her head and she began to feel just a little light headed…ok maybe a lot light headed so when Frank placed that crown on her head she couldn’t help but let out a little giggle and a smile creeping on her face, Ellen pushed her lightly away “Shut up…” she said clearly amused

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

"Well, there was the whole being kidnapped and thrown into a cell with little food and only a few people to talk to," Frank offered, recalling all too well what had happened to her only a scant year ago. She added a quick shrug after that. "Though I made the best of that bad situation," she said, nodding a few more times. She kept dancing along to the music as Ellen continued, acting as though she hadn't just sort of crashed into (and through) one of the most traumatic events in both of their lives.

The crown went onto the head and Frank ended up giggling again. "Oh, you so look good in it," Frank said, nodding. She turned and looked around, her eyes narrowed. "I wanted the princess crown, but I'm too old and there was Luxie last year," Frank raised a hand and shook it a few times before turning back. "Besides, just look at you!" she gestured at her friend, nodding, "you were totes meant to wear a crown."

Frank giggled and sidled up to Ellen, almost seeming to teleport into place by her side. "Any royal decrees?" She asked, bouncing her brows a few times.

[Ellen Banks]

Here’s a little fun fact that Ellen wasn’t aware of, which might explain why the punch was more tangy and pungent the she expected. You see, Ellen’s plan was to get there early and to avoid the obvious spiking that was sure to come later in the night. She wanted to get a good buzz on, not end up…

…Well she didn’t want to end up with an impromptu sleep over with Frank Cox like last year.

But the problem with that little plan is that a lot of people intended to spike the punch, got here before Ellen to do exactly that. And by a lot, I mean a lot of people spiked it, until it was no longer punch but swirling vat of various strong alcohol with a punchy after taste.

“Oh….Right” Ellen muttered, sometimes she forgot about the ordeal Frank had to go through, which to be fair was a very simple thing to do considering Frank gave no hint whatsoever that it effected her at all. Just like every negative thing, Anything that was a con in her life she ate it up like everything else. Nothing touched her, she was bullet-proof.

But once again, Frank was taking advantage of Ellen’s weakpoint when she was buzzing strongly and her head was swimming, and naturally telling her that she was meant for a crown she looked so attracted in and a giddy little smile escaped her lips and she’s adjusted the crown on her head “I DO look good in this doubt I? I’ve always had a thing for these things…”

It didn’t even bother Ellen when Frank creeped beside her, from out of nowhere, just to show how truly tipsy she was, straggling just a little “First decree?” Ellen murmured with drunken consideration “More punch” She said with a giggle

It was going to be a long night…

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

Right, most people did sort of forget about the whole kidnapping thing. It probably didn't help that Frank had a tendency to forget about it herself until moments when it came in handy (generally involving suing the school or making somebody be all like "say what?"). It was just one more thing that had happened in Frank's life that she didn't want to really bring her down. She was too busy having fun and enjoying what good she had.

Like her friend in a crown. "I know! It's like you were born for it," Frank agreed, nodding. "you're totally queen material," she frowned and narrowed her eyes, "I wanted to be princess anyway, but got beat out by that one really cute shy girl who was all shrinking," Frank jutted her hands out in a sort of semi-vicious manner. She'd actually met Lux and, like everyone who met the fragile girl ,loved her to death. Then again, Frank loved just about everything and every one to death, so that probably didn't count for much.

"More punch!" Frank yelled, before directing them back to the punch bowl. She got two glasses in each hand, managing to balance them with skill, and extended two to Ellen. "Double punch! For extra punchiness!" Frank decreed before shifting to knock back first one punch and then the other in two quick gulps.

[Ellen Banks]

Was there any thing that could leave a scar on Frank’s min? Ellen doubted it, she wondered somewhat if the roles were reversed between Ellen and Frank and Frank was the one to get shot and she was the one to end up locked up by the radical group and Frank was the one that was shot instead of Ellen. Ellen liked to think she would have a somewhat easier chance of escaping assuming of course that they didn’t know about her powers n advantage. If they weren’t prepared Ellen would have, had them hold open the door for her as she strolled out the door whistling a merry tune as she did.

She doubted it would be that easy but it might well have been.

Ellen wasn’t even sure that dying would cause Frank to blink.

God, it was weird how much she seemed to enjoy wearing that crown, She barely paid attention to whatever it was that Frank was babbling on about as she took off the crown and held it against the light looking at it glitter and shine in the light “Sorry did you say something?” Ellen slurred not taking her eyes off the crown.

Ellen looked at the glasses with the last amount of hesitation, summoning the last sensible thought she could muster maybe thinking of last year, but she didn’t get far before her phone vibrated frowning she took it out and cursed under her breath once he read the message “He’s gone…” Ellen said almost to herself “ He left to go out with a bunch of clients…” Ellen said unable to keep the disappointment out of her voice.

Two years in a row..unbelievable…

Without another word Ellen picked up her drinks and downed them both…

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

"That you look awesome in the crown!" Frank replied, reaching up to give it a little tap with a finger before beaming at her friend. Ellen did sound a little tipsy, and Frank did vaguely recall something about Ellen not handling her liquor well last year. Well, she did need to let her hair down sometimes; she just needed to, like, not die of alcohol poisoning.

"Maaaaaybe," Frank began, only to pause as Ellen's phone vibrated. She leaned forward, watching as it came out. "Clients?" Frank repeated. Her mouth opened and "You hired a--" came out before Frank could stop it. She slapped her hands over her mouth, watching as her friend downed both drinks.

"Well, fuck him," Frank said, adding a shrug and nodding. "You're Queen Ellen, recently crowned by Queen regent... queen mother..." Frank's head tilted to the side as she thought, "Queen... exqueen? Me. Recently crowned by me. Screw him and all the stupid guys for not knowing that you're awesome!" Frank turned to the crowd, her hands around her mouth. "YOU HEAR THAT NON-GAY GUYS? YOU'RE MISSING OUT!!! YOU SUUUUUUUUUCK!"

[Ellen Banks]

Ellen couldn’t help but laugh at that little comment, normally she was easy to melt due to compliments but add in the fact that she was drunk off her ass and she was wearing a crown, she was positively buzzing and gave Frank a dizzy but beaming smile at her words “I really do Frank, Really I do, I should wear this more often…seriously don’t touch it though” Ellen voice turning sour for just a moment, tilting her crown away like a child that is afraid that in the hands of anyone else, her favourite toy would become ruined.

Ellen had at least some wherewithal to shoot Frank a glance at she suggested that she had hired a prostitute, Ellen wished she did they couldn’t be any less reliable then the person she did end up picking “He’s a club owner. Apparently he had to dash to a meeting that’s clearly much more important then me” Ellen spat bitterly “So I’m on my own AGAIN” She couldn’t believe she was stood up for the second year in a row, one thing was for sure. That was the last time she would ever have anything to do with Julian. People wondered why she was so cold and distant when every single person she showed affection to ended up walking away. He made his choice. He wouldn’t get another chance. “So, I’m stuck with you again…Seriously what did I do to scare off every date I have?” Ellen said momentarily considering the question before she winched and went and took another drink “Oh…Right”

But Frank managed to raise her mood ever so slightly and brought a somewhat uncharacteristic bashful smile to her face as she called out to the straight guys in the room . She was right, Ellen reasoned with a brain swimming with booze why should she let this ruin her night? He had his chance and he blew it. No skin off Ellen’s nose. More fun for her. “Boys are idiots” Ellen said with certainty emptying her cup “Come on Frank…Lets do something fun”

[Frank "Sunny" Laffont]

"Oh totes, all yours girlfren," Frank insisted, gesturing with her hand and bobbing her head a few more times. Yes, she definitely wasn't going to mess with the crown now that it was perched atop Ellen's head. The other girl clearly was quite attached to it, and Frank didn't see any reason to spoil it. Plus, Frank could sort of see the bit of the Ellen from last prom starting to leak through, and that was the bit of Ellen that Frank most wanted to draw out of the reluctant blonde girl, the bits that let Frank know that everything she did wasn't quite in vain.

It wouldn't have been anyway, considering that Frank still had an absolute blast just hanging out with Ellen, warts and all.

"Ugh, alone!" Frank said, rolling her eyes. "It suuuucks! I keep scaring off all the boys too! We're obviously just too much awesome for them to handle," which of course meant giving Ellen a quick hug around the shoulders and a smile. Frank kept the grin and let it widen as the shout and Ellen's smile came down.

"right, IDIOTS!" Frank yelled again before thrusting her head up. "Let's do the fun!" Frank said, letting out a whoop and starting them in a random direction. "wait, does fun involve, like, dancing or eating pizza or something else?" Frank had to pause and turn to look at Ellen, her head tilted to the side to yet again express her confusion.