Page 2 of Summer Breakdown
Frankie waves back, though she scans the bar too. She doesn’t spot anyone she wants to take home immediately. That’s okay. She’s not sure she has it in her tonight. Sometimes her mood swings take her by surprise, even though she’s always half expecting them. They’re not always major, but when they hit, it takes it out of her. In those moods, the effort to speak is too much, let alone entertaining a pillow princess.
“You look good in those jeans,” Mali says, and Frankie looks down. They’re slightly baggy and they sit well on her hips, but they are new, and Mali’s cute.
“Thanks, babe,” Frankie says, sliding into the booth. Mali stands to kiss her on the cheek like she’s the queen, and Cam kisses her on the temple. They’re both so dramatic, but Frankie likes it.
“What’s the vibe?” Frankie asks.
“Right,” Cam starts, sitting up straight. Loose strands of her hair fall perfectly around her face, with the rest secured in a large clip. It looks dishevelled, but in a cute, just-threw-her-hair-up kind of way. Frankie knows it secretly took her forty minutes to perfect. Cam is her best friend in the entire world. She has been since Frankie wasold enough to know what a best friend was. There have been boyfriend breakdowns (for Cam—Frankie has never even looked at a guy), life breakdowns (Frankie, but she is medicated now), and a thousand different hairstyles (both, but Frankie misses Cam doing braids on her), and they’ve been inseparable the entire time. Frankie can tell Cam what’s going on in her mind even when it doesn’t make sense. She’s the best person she knows. Even if Frankie thinks Cam might like Ezra more than her now, she doesn’t care. Cam is still her favourite.
She’s not always nice, but she’s always kind. They kissed once, and both decided they were friends only and that Cam was definitely straight. Frankie took offence for three seconds until Cam told her that if she didn’t want to kiss a girl as hot as Frankie, then she must only be into guys. It’s not true, because Frankie’s not hot, but it made her smile all the same.
Cam makes her feel safe in a way few other people do. Frankie could have a breakdown over nothing, and Cam would understand. She could want to try a new restaurant hours away, and twenty minutes later, Cam would be in the passenger seat in a matching tracksuit set, lipliner on, and with three pairs of earrings to choose from.
Frankie gives Cam a quick once-over to see if she thinks she’s staying out the entire night or if she’ll go home the moment Andrew calls. Cam is in a tiny skirt and a cute crop top. Camlovesto dress up, and it looks like she’s dressed up enough that she’ll go home alone. Score. Frankie hates Andrew. Cam shouldn’t change what she’s wearing for a man, let alone Andrew, who is neither hot enough nor good enough to be called a man. However, the last time she saw him, he was fuming at Cam because she had the audacity to look sexy. What is it with men that think they want a bad bitch but can’t handlehavinga bad bitch?
Cam takes a sip of her drink, and her large hoops swing against her cheeks. “There’s a group of geeks over there,” she says, “but we might be alright if it’s pop culture or music.”
“Geeks as in people in glasses, or am I gonna see some plaid?” Frankie asks.
Mali slurps and swallows her drink quickly to answer. She looks like a cartoon fairy. “Sandals and socks.”
“Fuck.”
Mali places her drink down, elbow on the table as she gives Frankie her attention.
“So,” Mali starts. “How was your night after the open day?” Oh, hell.
“I’m not allowed to sleep with any rugby mums,” Frankie says in response. “It’s officially not worth it.” Cam’s head turns to her so fast her clip wobbles a little on the back of her head. Cam shakes her head lightly again, but it stays put, so Frankie fears she’s not getting out of this conversation with ease.
“Again.”
Frankie rolls her eyes, but a smile makes its way onto her face. “That’s what I said.”
Cam laughs. “Did she make you work for it?”
“I didn’t even do anything wrong,” Frankie grumbles. It’s true, the mum (Frankie can’t remember her name but she doesn’t feel bad about it because she really was rude) had it out for her the moment she turned up. Cam raises her eyebrow; she doesn’t care what Frankie did on the pitch.
“How many orgasms did you give her?” Cam asks, Mali leans closer as she waits for her answer. Vultures.
“Honestly,” Frankie replies, tapping her fingers on the top of the table. “I might shut the junior league down before it starts.”
“Frank.”
“Entitled parents drop demon spawns off on me —“
“You love kids.”
“And then I get attacked because they can’t hold a ball?”
Cam smiles fondly but she’s not letting it go. “How many?”
Frankie sighs. “Four.”
“I can’t believe I don’t like women,” Cam groans, then she places a drink in front of Frankie. It’s the brightest blue she’s ever seen and says. “Oh, you’re not allowed to ditch us until the quiz is over.”
Frankie takes a sip. Very sugary, no aftertaste of vodka. That’s dangerous. She can’t be bothered to drink tonight, but she doesn’t want to sully the mood.
“Why would I?” Frankie asks, though she’s already regretting having to coach hungover tomorrow.
