Teenagers

I woke up around 11 o’clock again. I put on some clean clothes before going downstairs. Frank was still sleeping, and Mikey wasn’t there. I decided I was going to finally get the milk I came down here to get last night.
I pulled out a small cup and milk from the fridge. I poured some milk as quietly as possible. I carried the cup to the fourth step and sat down. I watched Frank sleep. There was something so interesting about watching him sleep. Just the way his chest went up and down so slowly. His black hair tousled around a little. It made me smile.
I guess I sat on the steps for quite awhile. Frank eventually woke up. I said nothing, not wanting him to think I was watching him, even though I was. But he sat up and looked over at the stairs.
“Hey,” he said sleepily. He had a cute little grin on his face.
“Hey,” I repeated. He slowly stood up and walked to the stairs. He sat down on the third step, the one below the one I was sitting on. He began to fix his hair, or at least attempt to. “You have a massive case of bed-head,” I said. He laughed a little.
“So?” He replied. I smiled.
“I don’t know,” I said, “I kinda like the look.” He smiled. He rest his head on my knee. I put my hand on the back of his head. I gently ran my fingers through his hair. He put his arm around my leg.
I eventually moved down a step so I was sitting next to Frank. He laid his head on my shoulder. “Frank,” I said, “can you be honest with me about something?” I was terrified of his answer, but I needed to know.
“Go for it,” he said. He turned to look at me. I didn’t look at him, though. I didn’t want to see his face when I ask him.
“Are you,” I started, then stopped myself. I think he knew what I was going to ask, because he looked away. “Are you...gay?” He looked at me again, this time I looked at him. His eyes were filled with shock it seemed.
“I thought you knew?” He said, eyeing me.
“What do you mean?” He bit his bottom lip.
“I mean,” he said, “I thought you would have been able to tell from Friday night.” I looked away.
“I thought you were just humoring me,” I said, a little tear forming in my eye.
“Why would you think that?” He said. I tried so hard not to cry, but Frank’s eyes were my weakness.
“Everyone hates me, Frank,” I choked out through tears. He pulled my head to his chest. He gently ran his fingers through my hair.
“I don’t hate you, Gee,” he said. He kissed me on top of the head as I continued to sob. He brought my head up in his hands so that I was looking him directly in the eyes. “I love you, Gerard.” He rest his forehead on mine. “I love you more than anything in the universe.”
“I love you too,” I barely choked out. Frank pulled me into a tight hug. My head ended up on his chest. I listened to his heart beat. It was beating really quickly. If I had to guess, it was because he’s nervous or afraid. And I don’t blame him, because I’m both.

Notes