Welcome to Australia, Charlie Brown!

Episode 6: Franco Goes Home

CHAPTER 1: AUSTRALIA'S SO HOT; YET IT FEELS SO COLD!

It had been over a week since the fight between Franco and Zac, that everything had finally calmed down. Franco apologized for his actions to everyone, save for Zac, who Franco felt it was better off to keep his distance and maybe talk to him later after things had settled even further. And while pretty much everyone was forgiving, even Zac was willing to talk when Franco was ready, only one person was still unforgiving.

Peppermint Patty was still not talking to her boyfriend. Even when they were in the same room having meals or with the rest of the gang, she made it a point to avoid him at all costs. It was so bad she wouldn't even acknowledge his presence. She didn't even indicate that she wanted to break up with him. When she did acknowledge him, it was through someone else, rather than directly to him. Franco was already over Zac and had moved on, but Patty was still being petty about it.

One day, Jadan and Joey's parents Xavier and Claire planned a trip to an amusement park. All of the teens were happy to go, though there was one holdout, and it was surprising seeing how usually this person would never pass at going to ride rides.

"I can't go," said Peppermint Patty. "I have plans."

"What kind of plans?" asked Krissy with an eyebrow raised.

"Oh, meeting up with a friend," Patty replied.

"This f-friend wouldn't happen to be a c-certain blonde-haired Australian, would he?" asked a suspicious Claudia.

"Maybe," said Patty, looking guilty.

"Oh good grief, sir!" said an exasperated Marcie. "You have a boyfriend! Okay, so he punched Zac! It was awful. But Franco apologized!"

"He didn't apologize to Zac!" Patty protested. "Remember it was HIM that Franco punched, in the first place!"

"He plans on doing so when the time is right," said Marcie. "And speaking of Zac, I thought he was supposed to keep his distance from you while you and Franco work on your issues!"

"Maybe I don't want to work on them, Marcie," said Patty, in earshot of a passing Franco. "Maybe I enjoy being upset with Franco."

"You're acting like how Lucy used to, Patty!" said Frieda, walking in. "Need I remind you of how she used to treat my Charlie Brown, or her own brothers?! I can get Linus in here to remind you!"

"You may not want to deal with it now, or later, or even tomorrow," said Marcie, "you will have to deal with this sooner or later. It's inevitable, sir."

"You girls finished?" asked Patty. "Zac's expecting me any minute."

"Fine, we're done," said a spent Frieda. "I just have one last thing to say before we leave for the park. This will not end well, Patty. Not for you, not for Zac, and especially not for poor Franco."

Patty stood for a moment. Then she said, "Okay, have fun at the park. I'll see you when you get back." And she left for Zac's house. Before she went out the house, she looked back and saw a sad Franco looking at her. After a few seconds, she continued on her way, without saying a word, closing the door behind her. Frieda came in and saw Franco. She placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You're going to be okay, Franco?" she asked.

"Nein, Frieda," said a sad Franco. "I'm not going, either." And Franco went back to Joey's room and closed the door. Charlie Brown walked in.

"Time to go, Frieda," he said. He saw his girlfriend's sad look. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," sighed Frieda. "I'm just worried about Franco, hun. Peppermint Patty is treating him much worse than how Lucy and Violet used to treat you."

"Good grief, that bad?!" asked a bewildered Charlie Brown.

"Plus, he and Patty aren't going to the amusement park with us," said Frieda.

"I know that Patty's going to see Zac, but why isn't Franco going?"

"Same reason."

"Well, we'll deal with them later. Let's try to have a good time today."

"You're right, babe. I won't let this drama ruin out day." Frieda then kissed Charlie Brown and both of them went out and got in the van. They left for the amusement park to have some fun.

NEXT CHAPTER: THE PEPPERMINT PATTY MIND GAMES RETURN, WITH A VENGEANCE!