Lizzie and I have talked nonstop for the past week. Apparently things have been going pretty smoothly for her, which I couldn’t have been happier about. She now lives in SoHo, thirty minutes away instead of four hours. Apparently, her comic career was taking off, earning a spot as an artist for Dark Horse. And, today, I was going to ask her to go get coffee with me.

Fingers ghosting over the keypad on my phone, I quickly punched in the number I had committed to memory. One ring… Two rings… Three rings…

“Franco’s Crematorium, Queens, New York. You slash ‘em, we ash ‘em! This is Miranda speaking, can I interest you in a titanium urn?” a monotonous voice asked with a heavy Bronx accent. What the hell? Did I screw up a number?

“No, sorry, I think I dialed the wrong number,” I muttered into the phone, about to hang up.

“Dude, Gee! It’s me. I was just joking,” Lizzie laughed on the other side. “What’s up?”

I let out a sigh of relief. “Nothing much, just laying around my apartment.”

“Did you call to say you’re just ‘laying around your apartment’?” she scoffed. “If so, I’m going to hang up now and go draw. Bitch, you better have something to say.”

“I do, I do!” I said frantically, trying to keep her on the phone.

“Damn, you’re easy to get today!” Lizzie giggled, causing me to frown, even though she couldn’t see me. “But seriously, what’re you calling about?”

“I was wondering if you wanted to get coffee or something later?”

“Ooh, that’s sounds fun and delicious! Do you wanna meet me up here?”

“Sure.”

“Good, because there’s this great little cafe a few blocks from my flat. It has the best sandwiches and better coffee than Starbucks for the same price. It’s called ‘Aroma’, right on the corner of Greene and Houston. Meet me there at two?” she finished rambling.

“Yeah, sounds good. Meet you there.”

“Ok, I’ll talk to you later Gee!"

"See you soon." And with that, I had a lunch date. Score!

---

I gave the taxi driver cash before stepping off onto the busy New York street. The red awnings of the building in front of me were labeled with "Aroma" in comtemporary lettering. A purple head of hair was seated in the patio area, smoking a cigarette, reading over a menu.

I made my way over to her and pulled out my own pack of Marlboro Reds. She saw me come over and stood up, opening her arms for a hug. Smiling, I gladly accepted, wrapping my arms around her tightly.

"Hiya Gee," she grinned once we had sat down at the small metal table.

"Hiya Lizzie," I mimicked, lighting my own cigarette. She opened her mouth to make some witty retort, but was cut off by a waitress swooping in to take our orders.

"Good afternoon, Eliza," the waitress chirped. I believe her name tag said 'Amanda'. "You're here a little later than normal today! I'm assuming you want the usual?"

Lizzie nodded as Amanda scribbled on her order pad. Turning to me, intrigue fell across her face. "And who do we have here? Is this your new beau, Eliza? He's quite a cutie. Got that whole 'I look like a grungy rock star and couldn't care less' vibe going on. Very on-the-rage right now. What can I get you?" she popped off, causing both of us to choke on our cigarettes.

I opened and closed my mouth, trying to say something, but failing as I realized I haven't even glanced at the menu. Luckily, Lizzie came to the rescue, telling Amanda I would have the same as her. The waitress nodded, practically skipping back into the building.

"I'm sorry about that. She's really a sweet kid, just without an inner monologue. I'm pretty sure she would die if she knew you actually were a 'grungy rock star'," Lizzie laughed, taking the last drag off her cigarette. I chuckled along with her, just trying to imagine the look on the teenager's face.

Our food and drinks came soon after, along with more prodding and prying from Amanda. Apparently, the "usual" was an iced hazelnut latte paired with a turkey BLT. Not bad Lizzie, not bad.

The check came and we both fought over who would cover it. I won with a compromise telling her she could cover the tip. And of course, she leaves ten bucks on a fifteen dollar meal. The stubborn little shit.

"Hey Gee, you wanna come back over to my flat? I have a fridge full of booze, cabinets full of snacks, and a bookcase full of movies. I also know a great place in Chinatown that delivers. You can invite the band over if you wanna. I'd love to meet them, and there's plenty to go around."

"DVDs or VHSs?"

"VHSs, obviously. What kind of floozy do you take me for, Gerard Way? I'm so offended!" she pouted jokingly before breaking character and falling victim to a fit of giggles. I couldn't help but join in with her.

"What's your address?" I asked, pulling out my phone dialing Mikey's number. She told me the address and I passed it on, doing the same for Frankie and Ray. Bob was already back in Chicago and I was pretty sure he didn't want to come out just for a movie night.

"Seeing as we have a few hours to kill, do you want me to show you a few of my favourite spots around SoHo?" Lizzie asked, standing up from the table.

"Why the hell not?"

---

I held Lizzie's bags as she fiddled with the keys to her flat. She had taken me to her favourite art store where we both loaded up on supplies, several odds and ends stores, and even made another coffee stop. It was great.

Pushing open the door, she grabbed her bags and we headed in. It was just like I imagined it. Very artsy and swanky. Modern furniture decorated the fourth floor flat. A balcony shot off the dining area which connected to the kitchen by a bar. The living area was roomy and was dotted with art that I instantly recognized as Lizzie's. I could definitely believed she lived here.

"Eliza? Is that you?" a feminine voice called from the hallway.

"Yeah!" she called back, setting some groceries we had gotten in the kitchen.

"You forgot your underwear in the dryer again and I had to fold it to put my sweaters in! How many times do I have to remind you to-" the voice stopped suddenly and I turned to see a small woman with a pixie cut carrying a basket of clothes, mouth hanging open in surprise.

"Why didn't you tell me you were having company over?" she yelped frantically. "The flat is a wreck." The woman gestured to a pristine living space. "I could have vacuumed and alphabetized everything and---"

"Justine, everything looks great," Lizzie sighed, sauntering over to the frantic woman. Resting her hands on the smaller girl's shoulders, she attempted to calm her down. "Deep breaths, Justine. It's all going to be okay. Justine, this is Gerard Way, an old friend from high school. Gerard, this is Justine Hyatt, journalist, college bud, and flatmate." Lizzie sent me a strained smile over her shoulder, as if to say 'sorry' for her friend's antics.

Justine's eyes widened as she looked at me again. "Gerard Way? As in the singer Gerard Way? As in the famous guy whose CDs you buy? AND HE'S IN OUR FLAT THAT I HAVENT DUSTED ALL WEEK?!" I gave her a small wave, which just caused her to start hyperventilating once more.

"I guess this is a bad time to mention his band mates are coming over later?" Lizzie shrugged apologetically, making Justine look like she just saw a ghost.

Shoving the laundry basket into Lizzie's arms, Justine took a deep breath. "It was nice meeting you Gerard," she smiled sweetly in my direction. "If you don't mind, I'm going to my room and have a panic attack before my sister or any more sweaty band boys magically appear in my apartment without warning." And with that, Justine disappeared down the hallway.

"Honestly, Justine's a very sweet person," Lizzie tried to reconcile, adjusting the basket in her arms.

"She said I was sweaty!"

"She's also very neurotic. But I promise you'll love her once you get to know her. And I should probably go put my clothes up before she sticks my head on a pike and displays it in the middle of Times Square," Lizzie laughed awkwardly, heading down the hallway, motioning for me to follow.

"Can't wait to meet her sister," I mumbled, tagging along.

"Oh don't worry. Karen's my other flatmate."



Great. Aren't I in for an interesting night.

Notes

Thank you guys so much! What for? We'll Show Them is now in the popular section! *Does a jig while throwing confetti around her desk* It couldn't have happened without you guys! I love you all so much.

So, a new character has been introduced. Justine's something, isn't she? (And, she might be my new favourite. Sorry Lizzie and Gee! You're still my babies!) Writing a neurotic character is so much fun! But, don't fret. She won't interfere with the newly reunited Lizzie and Gee.

Tell me what you think, my darlings! I love hearing your thoughts!

-SS