19Authors note: Hello Everyone! I know, it's been SUCH a LOOOOOONG time since I last updated this. It's been over a year! I was just sooooo busy with my job and I kinda lost the motivation to write but I will get this story done for you. Again, sorry for the long wait. Hope the last chapter didn't upset you too much. For now, just try and enjoy this chapter! Plus, don't forget to comment!
As the storm got heavier, the monsters that had chased after Nora immediately began to return to their homes. The rain came down like a waterfall upon the city, drowning it intensively. It was the kind of storm that made even the toughest of monsters want to run for cover. Sudden strikes of lightning lit up the ominous grey clouds, while the sound of loud thunder rumbled and echoed through them.
The thunder boomed outside Nora's window. She had long since drawn the curtains shut, casting the room into pitch-black darkness. She hung from her ceiling fan with her wings wrapped tightly around her face and body. She was like a bat in a dark gloomy cave, secluding herself from the world outside.
She sobbed into her wings, not caring if her tears soaked them. She had no reason to hold them back, she had lost everything in an instant. Her job, her love, and without a way to earn money, she would very soon lose her apartment too. Finding a new job would be impossible for her now and she couldn't go back to her old one. Also, there was no way she would be allowed near the factory anymore.
It was all over.
The next day, Nora sat miserably in front of the television, she was wearing her pink dressing robe and eating a large tub of ice-cream. She was watching the news, but what the TV presenter said next certainly didn't make her feel any better.
"…In other news, monsters are still raving about the secret relationship going in the 'well-known' scare factory Monsters Inc. involving its top scarer; Frank McKay and a girl named Nora Levette."
The screen then showed two pictures next to the presenter that made Nora tense up. One was of Frank and the other one was of her. Someone obviously managed to snap a picture of her while she was running from the crowd.
"Unfortunately, we couldn't get to talk to Frank about what's been going on. But from what we have heard from co-workers and fans, he had known her before. Apparently, Frank McKay had been hanging out with this lady for quite some time, though they don't know for how long…Monsters are now wondering what is to become of this…"
Before the Presenter could say anything else, Nora switched off the TV and sighed in sadness. Nora felt like she was trapped in an invisible force that was slowly suffocating her. She didn't know what she was going to do. All she wanted right now was for someone to talk to her and make her feel a little better, but who?
She stared at the phone and after a few seconds, she picked it up and dialled a number. She waited as the phone began to ring.
Finally someone answered.
"Hello?" Lucy's voice came over the phone.
"Hey, Lucy," Nora replied softy.
"Nora!" Lucy said happily "Great to hear from you!" Nora smiled at hearing Lucy's voice. Thankfully the news didn't reach outside of the city but Nora knew she had to tell her.
Her smile began to fade away as Lucy began to ask her questions. "How are you? How's the job going? Anything new with your love life?" Lucy asked the last question in a sly tone. Nora didn't say anything.
"Nora?"
After another moment of silence, Lucy spoke again.
"You still there?" Lucy then heard a ragged breath over the phone.
"Nora? What's the matter?" Lucy questioned. "Is everything alright?"
Nora gave a sniff. "No Lucy, it isn't."
"What?! Why?"
"I messed everything up Lucy!" She buried her face in her free hand as she began to choke up.
"Wh…What do you mean? What's wrong?" Lucy asked in a worried tone.
"I've lost the job... and I lost Frank too!" Nora sobbed. Lucy gasped quietly before speaking again.
"Why?! What happened?!"
"I made a stupid mistake and it cost me everything! I'm sorry but just I don't want to go into detail. I…I don't even wanna go outside." She wept.
"Oh Nora," Lucy said in a sad tone. She could really feel the pain and sorrow in Nora's voice. It stung her heart like a hornet inside her chest. This was awful, hearing her sister so unhappy made her want to cry too, but she wasn't going to do that. She had to try and comfort Nora, which was all that mattered to her right now.
"I'm really sorry Lucy. I know it's not fair to pile all this on you. I just really needed someone to talk to." She expressed while rubbing her eyes.
"No, no, no Nora. You know you can tell me anything. I don't care how bad it is. If there is something that's making you sad, tell me and I will listen to it." Lucy replied.
"Thanks Lucy. I really appreciate that."
"I wish I could come over and hug you, but I have study hard right now. I'm so sorry Nora."
Lucy was learning to be a nurse so she had to stay home for training.
"It's alright Lucy. Just hearing your voice is enough for me."
"It's not alright. You're my big sister and I don't want you to be upset." Lucy stated.
"Maybe I should think about moving back home for a while," Nora suggested. What other choice did she have? Without a job now, she couldn't afford to live in the city.
Lucy sighed "I can't stop you from doing that, but you shouldn't stop doing what you love."
"How can I?" she sniffled.
"You're strong Nora, I know you can get through this."
"That's easier said than done Lucy, this isn't like anything I've gone through before," Nora admitted.
"I know, but don't give up, something good will come around again. You'll see." Lucy told her.
Nora wiped a tear from her eye.
"It'll be okay Nora. Just remember I'm always here for you, no matter what." Lucy comforted.
"Thank you, Lucy, I'm gonna go now." Nora hung up the phone and sighed. She then laid her head down on the sofa and curled up into a ball. She closed her eyes, letting some tears fall free. As she laid there, she let Lucy's words sink in. Can something good really come out of this?
Nora didn't come out of her apartment for another week. It was because one; she was still too depressed, and two; she was too afraid to go back outside. Although she still had some supplies left, she was beginning to run very low on groceries.
She didn't know what she was going to do. Maybe Lucy was wrong? Nora reminded herself not to judge her sister's words, but nothing good happened yet. Perhaps it was too early to tell? But right now, things just seemed hopeless for her.
Frank wasn't doing much better than Nora. He no longer felt like his cheery self, he didn't have any reason to. Because of him, he had ruined the life of the girl he fell in love with. Now he would probably never get to see her again. He had screwed up big time.
He wasn't the Frank everyone knew, not anymore. To be honest, they weren't surprised to see him like this after what had happened the other day.
During work hours, he'd let all his negative emotions out on his scaring. Although he still managed to perform scares perfectly, he no longer cared about them and he would hardly talk to the other workers. The others decided it was best to avoid him for the time being, it wasn't like he wanted to be talked to anyway.
One day, Mike's mom was meeting her friend in Canavan's Café and of course; little Mike was tagging along. His mom had heard the news of what happened, but she decided not to tell Mike about it. Mostly because he was too young to know about these sorts of things.
"I hope Frank will be there." He said hopefully.
"I not sure if he will be, Honey." Mrs Wazowski replied.
Mike looked up at her in confusion "Why not?" he asked as they entered the café. She was about to say something when Mike suddenly pointed to the far right. "Oh hey! There he is!" Mrs Wazowski followed her son's gaze to see Frank himself.
Mike's smile instantly dropped when he noticed Frank wasn't looking happy like he normally did. Instead, he was sitting alone at a table in the far corner, there appeared to be a lot of empty coffee cups and sugar packets next to him. It looked like he hadn't gotten much sleep since his eyes looked tired and dull.
"Hey, what's the matter with him?" Mike asked worriedly.
Mrs Wazowski sighed. Last week, she walked past the café every day and one time she saw Frank sitting by himself looking miserable. Curious she went in and asked Mrs Canavan if she knew what was wrong with him. Of course, she told Mrs Wazowski all about the incident involving him and Nora; since she had read the paper and showed the copy to her. Mrs Wazowski was clearly shocked about this. Even though she knew they were the ones in the wrong, but she couldn't help but feel sorry for them. Even Mrs Canavan felt sorry for Frank and her former waitress.
Frank came into the café in order to forget his troubles, but it didn't seem to make him feel any better. It was probably making him feel worse without even realizing it.
Although she didn't expect to see him at the café again, she guessed she shouldn't be surprised.
Mrs Wazowski spotted her friend on the opposite side of the café and waved to her. She then grabbed Mike's hand and gently pulled him along. "Come on Michael, let's go sit down for now." Mike looked back at Frank before he reluctantly followed his mother.
While Mrs Wazowski was busy chatting with her friend, Mike couldn't stop looking at Frank. He began to tell something was wrong and couldn't help but feel sorry for him. Frank was staring sadly at a half-empty cup twirling a stirrer pointlessly. He seemed depressed and sad, which was out of character for Frank. Mrs Wazowski noticed her son staring at the blue scarer.
After a few minutes, Mrs Wazowski gave a small, sympathetic smile. "Hey Michael, why don't you see if you can cheer him up a little. Maybe it'll help him feel better."
Mike perked up "Really?"
"Yes dear." She responded. Mike eagerly hopped down from his chair. But before he could go over, his Mom stopped him. "Oh, Mike…just be careful. You don't know what he's been through." She warned.
"Alright."
Little Mike then walked over to the spike-headed monster and peered up at him.
"Frank?"
Frank shifted his eyes down towards the young green cyclops. "Hey Sport," he replied bleakly before staring back at the cup.
"What's wrong?" Mike asked "You don't look so good."
Frank exhaled. "That's because I don't feel good right now Mike," he replied, then took another swig of the coffee.
"Shouldn't you be at work?" he questioned.
"Don't feel like it today." He sighed.
"But won't Nora miss you?" Mike questioned. Obviously, he didn't know what had happened at the factory.
Frank's frown deepened even more, and then he sighed again. "She's not working at Monsters Inc. anymore."
"WHAT?! WHY?" Mike exclaimed. A few monsters turned their heads towards Mike and Frank.
"There was some…issues at work, so she had to leave."
"What do you mean?!" Mike demanded. "I thought she wanted to be a Scarer like you!"
"It's grown up stuff kid." Frank answered "You wouldn't understand."
"Come on! You can't let her go like that! You gotta get her back! You love her!" Mike protested.
"I'm sorry Mike, but I'm afraid it's just too late." He took another sip of the cup.
Mike couldn't stand seeing his idol like this. Whatever happened to the motivational monster who taught him to aim for the top? The monster who would never let anything get in his way? The monster who was fearless and inspired others to do better?
Little Mike's frown then changed into a glare and he tightened his hat. He hopped up onto the spare chair, then the table, and smacked the cup out of Frank's hands. Before Frank could react, Mike suddenly blurted out at him.
"SNAP OUT OF IT! You're Frank Mckay! The best scarer ever! He's a guy full of determination and he's fearless. He never gives up on anything no matter what!" This sudden outburst made every monster in the café turn to stare at Frank and Mike.
"He is a fighter! What's the point of fighting for scaring if he's not gonna fight for love too!?" After hearing those words, Frank's expression changed to one of realization. His eyes began to brighten up, and they began to get their spark back. He lifted his head higher.
"Mike! That's enough!" Mrs Wazowski immediately rushed over, lifted her son off the table and place him down next to her. "I'm so sorry Frank I shouldn't have made him come over here."
"No he's right…What am I doing?!" He immediately stood up with a look of determination on his face. "I shouldn't be moping around like some miserable Sad Sack! That's the opposite of what I should be doing!"
"Mrs W, your son has just made me realise how stupid I've been!" He then looked at little Mike "Thank you, Mike! Your words of encouragement were exactly what I needed!"
Mike smiled up at his idol who was now looking like himself again! "So what are ya gonna do now Frank?"
"I'll you what I'm going to do! I am gonna tell Nora exactly how I feel about her and get her back! But there's some things I gotta do first! Mike, I'm gonna need your help with something."
"Me?"
"Yes YOU ya little Scamp!" Frank winked. "Bring your Mom too!"
"Mom can we help?" Mike pleaded.
Mrs W was at loss for words "Well…" She couldn't really say no in this situation so she decided to just go along with it. "I suppose so."
Frank then strolled up Mrs Canavan and shoved a large handful of cash in her hands. "Here Mrs C, keep the change." Frank said with a wink and a smile." He then turned around and started to walk out. "Sorry about the disruption everyone!" He said to the other monsters before heading out of the door.
"Wait up Frank!" Mike called out as he followed him.
"Slow down Mike!" Mrs Wazowski said as she rushed after them.
Frank strolled across the street, beaming with a newfound sense of motivation and confidence. He wore a bright determined smile upon his face. "Nora! I'm coming Baby! Just hang on!"
So looks like finally things have turned around for our spiky blue scarer! He is on his way to get his girl back! How will it turn out? I also added an extra E on Nora's last name because that's how it should be pronounced, if only I had realised that sooner! Oh well. I will work on the next chapter when I can, I don't know how long it will take but I promise it WILL come. Thank you again for sticking with story, till next time!
