Frank and Maddie: Meeting the Girlfriend! (Backdated)

[x-pinnochio.livejournal.com]

In which Maddie gets cookies and Frank puts his foot in his mouth.

Frank knocked three times on Sue's door, and stood back. He was about to do something very, very stupid, and he knew it. Sadly, that knowledge was not going to stop him.


There were many things Frank's brain was equipped for. Looking out for someone else's emotional well-being was not one of them. And yet there he was. "Please don't be home," he muttered.

No such luck, it seemed as the door swung open, but instead of the room's occupant appearing there was a familiar redhead staring back at him. "Yyyyyyyeeeeees," Maddie asked in an almost accusatory tone. She had been comfortably lounging on Sue's bed, waiting for the blonde's imminent return by reading her book for English when Frank had knocked on the door. Who would be knocking on Sue's door, she had wondered as she moved to investigate. They had told their friends they were going to be studying together, so they would have probably sent a text instead of just barging in.

But when she opened the door and saw Frank standing there, it all made sense. Maddie herself didn't have him on her radar (he was still on probation), but he was in Sue's class. It made sense that he might stop by, for whatever reason. "Hey, Woody," her mood brightened now that she knew there was no danger lurking behind the door. "What's going on? Sue's not here, but I'd be happy to assist you if you want."
Frank's mouth twisted up into something resembling a smile at the nickname. Maddie was actually kind of a relief. "Hey Pryor. Thanks, but no thanks. It's um..." he paused. Fuck it. This honesty thing was supposed to be good for the soul, right? "I... was wondering if Sue was okay. We had kind of a talk." A beat. "Families may have come up. Wanted to make sure I didn't bring back some bad memories." He brought his arm from behind his back- there was a box of cookies in his hand. "Figured some form of reparation might be in order, if I had. And if not, who says no to cookies?"

"Ummm. Yeah." Maddie sounded a little confused. She was trying to think back to if Sue had said anything, because she would have remembered that. Sue had mentioned that she and Frank had spoken and watched a movie. But there was nothing in there about being upset. "Nah. She's good. Go ahead and keep those cookies, you look like you could use some for whatever is ailing you."

Frank paused. "...You are the first person I've ever met to turn down free cookies. You realise that's genuinely terrifying, right?" He leaned against the door and offered the pack. "Maybe just... leave 'em on the side? I don't know. Call it a way-late suitewarming present. And... maybe make it clear it's platonic. I really don't want to have that conversation with her. Or her boyfriend, if she has one."

"Girlfriend," Maddie corrected nonchalantly, though she was beaming on the inside. With a shrug the gift of cookies was accepted. "But like I said, you looked like you need them more. You looked positively paper birched."


"More of an elm guy. I checked-" There was a wonderful moment as Frank's brain finally caught up with what Maddie had said. "Wait. Really? Sue?" He stared for a moment, then shrugged. "Huh. Wouldn't have guessed. Who's the lucky girl? Do I get to be all big brother and threaten to break her legs if she hurts her? I've always wanted to do that. It looks awesome."

She eyed him skeptically. "Um, you like barely just got here. I think there is a pretty long line you have to stand in before you gain that privilege." Maddie could understand the desire, after all she was the self-proclaimed queen of intimidating her friends' possible dates, but she was a little annoyed at Frank for thinking he had gained the right to assume that role. The gall of this one was unappealing. But he meant well, so Maddie really couldn't hold it against him.

"Anyways. Yeah. I guess gossip doesn't spread as much as I thought it did around here, but welcome to the party: Sue and I are an item."

Frank stared. And then winced. "Christ, I am just knockin' em out of the park today, aren't I," he muttered. Then he glanced up into her eyes. "Congratulations. Glad she met someone nice." He tried not to think about how he'd just threatened to break her legs, even in jest. Jesus, Maddie really threw him off balance. "How long?"

The fact that Frank was super awkward right now really should not have filled Maddie with as much amusement as it did, so she was careful to hide this fact and instead opened up the box of cookies to offer up to the boy. "You look like you could use a cookie. Who says no to cookies right," she asked with a wry smile.

"To answer your question: April 15. But we've been good friends for ages so," shrug, "you know."

He took a cookie with concealed relief (which was probably hideously obvious). "Yeah. Nice, when that happens." Not that he'd know. "Well, I, uh... cookies are there," he gestured. Tactical retreat seemed to be in order. "So. My regards to Sue."

"I will," she assured him, closing the box and clutching it to her chest. He looked so eager to leave. This was just way too fun, she really was a horrible person. "Take care, Frank."

"And next time you're in the neighborhood, you should stop by for a cup of coffee, tea, cocoa. Whatever floats your boat."