He was standing in front of me and we caught in silence for a while. Oh, I hate this guy! What does he want actually? I stared at him like I want to choke him at any second from now and closed the door behind me, so that mom, Jane and Ryan won’t listen to our conversation.

“What the hell are you doing here??” I shout half-whispered.

“I came to give this back. I tried to chase you after you left the cafe but damn, you’re fast. When I get in front of your apartment, I just changed my mind since I’m badly wanted to look at your drawings,” he said while waving my drawing book in front of me and still keeps his smile on his face.

“You've WHAT??” I said with a high tone, and grab my book from him. He looks surprised but still smiling on each of my actions and I really hate that. I hate his beautiful smile. I felt like he’s winning over me with his smile. It’s more to sarcasm to me because he’s trying to tell me through his smile that I’m too pathetic. I want to shout at him more but suddenly mom opens the door checking out on us. Oh, no!

“What’s going on here?”

“Oh, nothing mom. He’s leaving”

“You’re leaving? Not too fast. Come and join us for dinner. By the way, I’m Kellie. Arianna’s mom” Well, here we go. Mom with her friendly attitude.

“Pleasure, Ma’am. I’m Gerard Way, apparently Arianna’s friend” His smile become wider when he realized that I’m shocked with his ‘friend’ statement to my mom. Looking on the positive side, at least I know his name now. Gerard, quite nice name though.

“Oh this is so nice. Come in and let’s join us. It will be great to know more about Arianna’s new friend”

“But mom..” I can’t even finish my words since he’s actually following my mom towards the dining table. I followed them with a frown face.

“Hey, Jane. I don’t know that you live here” His voice shocked me as he shakes hand with Jane. Wait, they know each other? This can be much worst.

“You know him?” Ryan and I questioned Jane at the same time with same tone of voice. I looked at Ryan with one of my eyebrows raised. Surprised.

“We have met once. Gerard’s brother, Mikey working at music shop down the street where I used to go before I met you honey,” said Jane ignoring me and focusing on Ryan. Probably she doesn't want Ryan to misunderstand. But, wait! Jane knows him! It’s disaster. I sat on my place and start to eat back and try to ignoring Gerard, who sitting in front of me and totally have his eyes on me.

“And I don’t know that you have such a lovely sister here, Jane” His words have made the steak that I’m eating become harder to chew and I almost choked.

“You've got it wrong. She’s my cousin. The most awesome cousin in the world.” Jane become excited and kissing my cheek makes me look stupid in front of Gerard.

“Arianna darling, have you thought about having a part-time job now?” Mom suddenly asks me such an inappropriate question in front of a stranger. Oh my God. Can we just end this NOW??? I just want to scream it out of my lungs!

“You can work at mine, Arianna. It will be much fun having you there” Ryan said and looked at me.

“Oh, it’s okay. I've looked at Jane’s face all the time and only she’s in work, I can actually free myself. Now, you want me to stick with her like 24 hours? No, thanks” I laughed at my words, which totally not natural at all. The truth is I don’t want to be around them. Seeing Ryan and Jane will make me feel jealous and thinking about Leo all the time. I just don’t want that to happen especially not at work place. Mom and Jane stare at me like they know something was not right with me.

“I just want to find a job at other place. You know, new things will be more adventurous, right?” I tried to convince them so that they won’t get suspicious.

“Well, my brother’s place searching for a part-timer now, and if you interested I can bring you there” Gerard suddenly break the silence and I’m not expecting that he will say something.

“That will be great because Arianna loves music too. She really have a good taste of music” Jane sounds excited again and I see mom smiling, more to relieves hearing Gerard’s word. Gerard looked at me and I know that there is more that he want to know about me just from his face. As for me, I felt like all of these craps from Gerard are much worse than hell.

As the dinner continues, I rather keep silent and let them enjoying their night with my ‘new friend’. Apparently, everyone gets along with Gerard except me. Does anyone realize that he actually really annoyed? Or is it just me? After dinner, it’s time for mom heading back to Philadelphia. I tried to ask her to bring me back with her, but she convinces me that I’m better to stay here with Jane than her. We have a mom- daughter moment before she gets into the car and leaving me far behind waving to her. I walked back inside the house and realizing that Jane and Ryan are missing and leaving Gerard alone in living room. I totally forgot that Gerard is still here.

“Where are Jane and Ryan?” Gerard didn’t answer but pointing at Jane’s door. Damn! Should they do it now? Gerard still looking at me and I don’t feel comfortable with his stares.

“Wait here. I’ll get your book” I quickly ran into my room and take Gerard’s book. When I turned back, Gerard is already in my room.

“Nice room” His eyes checking all around my room. I gave him a death glare but he ignored it.

“What happened to ‘wait here’?” I said with a harsh tone so that he realized that I don’t like him being here. I can see that he’s smirked to my sarcasm words.

“Well, you should not leaving your friend alone listening to your cousin and her boyfriend‘s moaning loud with pleasure” He looked straight into my eyes and I think he never leave that smile when he talk to me. Oh, I hate him! He’s just too annoyed!

“This is your book and we’re done here. You should leave” I give him his drawing book and looked straight into his eyes. He looked me back and our faces just few inches away. He leaned towards me and whisper to me.

“Is this how you treat your new friend Arianna?” I quickly pushed him away with my hands. Make a distance between us.

“Look, Gerard. I don’t want to be friend with you. We’re totally stranger and I don’t want to know you. You should—“

Gerard put his finger on my lips forcing me to shut my mouth. He was moving towards me. I’m too afraid of him being so close with me and as I try to avoid him, I slip my feet and fell over on my bed. I closed my eyes tightly as I feel he is getting much closer to me. I can feel his hot breath near my ears. There is a mix of smell from his perfume and cigarette. He smells nicer than Leo. Shit! What on earth am I thinking about Gerard now?

“Well Arianna. Stranger don’t call name” I can feel his lips touching my ears when he whispered those words.

“Guys, Ryan is going back. Gerard, do you want a lift?” I heard Jane’s screaming outside but I still afraid to open my eyes. I can feel that Gerard moving away from my bed and until I heard Ryan’s car engine gone far away, then I opens my eyes. My hands are shaking and my heart beats fast like it will explode anytime and it is all because of Gerard. I tried to calm myself and suddenly Jane came rushing to my room and sit in front of me.

“Tell me what’s going on between you and Gerard. I want to know all”

I sighed because I need to explain everything to Jane and maybe she won’t believe me because the truth is there’s nothing going on between us and there will be nothing at all. Not with Gerard. That’s for sure!

Notes

Hope you're enjoyed!

Stay beautiful. xoxo