What Happens in Art Class...

A date with a student. How do you even approach a situation like that? This was what I puzzled over as I got ready for the day. Of course, I had a general plan for what we’d do, but nothing completely set in stone. Mikey had also thrown a bit of an obstacle in the way. I was always super careful with my finances, so knowing I was supporting two people really switched things up. Originally, I was thinking dinner and a movie, the usual cliché date idea. But now I was thinking one or the other or possibly neither.


I had a headache by the time I was outside of Frank’s house. It wasn’t bad, but it was enough to make me want to get out of here and be able to embrace him sooner. He always had a way of calming me down. I honked the horn and he emerged from the house. He looked adorable as he walked down the sidewalk nibbling at his bottom lip with his hands shoved deep in his hoodie pocket.


I caught a whiff of cologne as he got into his seat and smiled, “Hey. I’d kiss you but I think your mom’s watching through the window.”


“Yeah, I might have given her good reason to do that,” he said with a nervous chuckle.
I pressed on the gas to get away from the scrutinizing stare, “Oh? And how’s that?”


“Just, you know, being a nervous wreck all morning. I don’t think you’re supposed to act like that when all that you’re doing is hanging out with your teacher.”
I could almost imagine it just from how he was acting in the car, “I bet you being a nervous wreck is adorable though.”


“I doubt it. I probably looked like a deranged maniac.”


“An adorable deranged maniac.” I reached over to grab his hand out of dislike for the current lack of contact.


A blush spread across his face as he got his pouty I-like-being-complimented-but-I’m-still-disagreeing with-you face. And that is how we remained, riding in a nice comfortable silence for a majority of the trip. I didn’t mind. Just being next to him was enough to keep me happy. He eventually did develop a bit of curiosity, though.


“Where are we going exactly?”


“I’m not entirely sure. I figured we’d drive until something caught one of our eyes.” It was the truth at this point.


“That actually sounds like a good idea.”


“Yeah, just…” Time to make myself seem pathetic, “God, this is going to sound horrible…Can we keep it cheap? I’m on a first year teaching salary and now I have two people to feed.”


“Two people?” Okay, hearing him say it back to me made it seem like I had either a wife or a kid…Neither of which was true. Well, okay, Mikey was kind of like a kid. Kind of.


“Oh…Right. Mikey has officially moved in. Apparently he can’t get along with Mom and Dad anymore.”


“Well…why don’t we just walk around somewhere then? I really don’t mind as long as we’re spending time together…” He blushed as if this was a ridiculous suggestion. I found it completely adorable, though.


I reached over and pulled him in to kiss the top of his head while keeping an eye on the road,
“Me either.”


“Well….Is that a mall? I kinda like window shopping.”


Window shopping. A nice activity that involves looking at things you want without actually getting anything. Not exactly my favorite thing to do. At least I’d get ideas for Frank’s birthday…Which was actually coming up pretty fast. Plus, the look on his face…Pure excitement.
I laughed and pulled into the parking lot. I couldn’t say no to that, “All right. Malls have food courts, so we can pick up some lunch at some point too.”


Frank took over once we entered the large building. He took me to a place I hadn’t been in since I was his age: Hot Topic. I used to love it there, but with so many lame bands and other trends taking over I was in no mood to see what it had become. Plus it just seems kind of immature when you’re a responsible, employed adult.


I paid close attention while he danced around the store ogling various band tees. His music taste wasn’t actually that different from mine. We had a long conversation about a Smashing Pumpkins tee they had. And I noticed his gaze kept coming back to flicker over a misfits hoodie. It was black with a printed rib cage and, of course, the Misfits logo across the front. I made a vow to come back and get it for him.


I also got a Christmas gag-gift for Mikey. I knew I wouldn’t act on it, but I couldn’t help holding up the cheerfully colored My Little Pony shirt and exclaiming, “I so need this!”


Frank’s face showed disgust, “For what?”


“To give to Mikey. It’s so him.”


He had a full on scowl then, “How could you even possibly be okay with your brother liking that?”


The truth? Mikey wouldn’t like it. He would probably end up hitting me with it repeatedly and saying how stupid I was for wasting money when I could have bought him the latest Green Day album or some such. But that face…I didn’t want his adorably scrunched nose to smooth out just yet…


“He’s always loved unicorns. It’s to be expected.” I said. He literally looked like he was about to explode so I quickly added, “It’s not like I can actually get it anyway.”


He calmed down a little, “Uh, yeah. How about we go get that food now?”


The rest of the day was spent eating, sitting in a photo booth (which was my favorite part), and doing some more “shopping.” I did actually buy something, though. The ink in my pens was running low and seeing as I didn’t often encounter art supply shops I took the opportunity to replenish them. And I couldn’t help buying a sketchbook, too. The paper quality was too good to pass up. I had to get out of there quickly before I bought the whole store. I just love art too much.
But then it was time to go. It made me sad to have to drop Frank back at home, but I knew he wouldn’t stay grounded forever and then we’d be able to do this again. We’d still have to lie about it, but…Whatever.


Mikey was waiting on the couch when I got home, “So…how’d it go?”


I sighed, “Mikey, you are not allowed to date vicariously through me. Go find yourself a girlfriend.


That being said, it was nice. And I know what you’re getting for Christmas.”


“Really? What?!”


I winked, “It’s a surprise.”

Notes

Lucky for you, I has lotsa chappies for this. As always, feedback is great.