The Light Behind His Eyes

During lunch I grabbed my fork and pushed my peas around the plate. I couldn't eat. Not knowing that Frankie left me for a group of attractive men...I sighed before pushing a pea off my plate. I pushed it around with my fork before stabbing it.
"Dang, what did that poor pea ever do to you?" Patrick chuckled.
I rested my chin on my fist and asked, "How is your news?"
Patrick sat across from me, "Good, actually. Hipsters think you're rad for risking your life to help out Frankie, goths said that life is pathetic but good job, and the drama club is so touched they're re-enacting the fight scene." He smiled, "You're a real inspiration. You and Frank. You two show that even outcasts can do something to change whats wrong into right...where is Frank anyway? I want to show him what I got."
I rolled my eyes, "The fighting machine is with the MMA club now. He ditched me for a group of muscular men."
Patrick grinned, "You're jealous?"
"Of course I'm jealous! I like the guy-"
Patrick's smile was wider then Cheshire from Alice in Wonderland. He said, "Well, well, well, it looks like Gerard is gay."
"I'm bisexual. Frank is gay."
"Psht. Everyone knows that about Frank but you are bisexual? Can I put that in my newspaper? Please? I'm begging you!"
I pushed my tray away, "Knock yourself out."
Patrick smiled as he wrote down in his notepad, "So you and Frank aren't together?"
"I mean, he playing hard to get. At first I found it cute but now it's just plain manipulative. He knows I want to be with him but he keeps pushing me away."
"Have you ever thought that maybe he just wants to take things slow?"
I looked at Patrick, "I guess, but...huh," I scringed my nose in thought, "I guess you're right...how do you always know what to say?"
Patrick shrugged, "It's a Stump thing."
A body pushed me aside. I was going to push them back but my eyes laid on Alex who smiled, "What? I can't sit here?"
"Sorry I thought you were one of those jocks."
Alex frowned, "That is the most horrible thing you have ever said to me."
Patrick chuckled.
Jack sat across the table next to Patrick, "Hey, hey, did I miss anything?"
I shook my head, "Nope."
Alex took a bite into his sandwich before saying, "Hey, I never got the chance to tell you sorry about your bookstore. If you're saving up, I got a couple hundred bucks."
Patrick shook his head, "No need. We're sueing the school and we're going to win."
Alex replied, "Oh, that's right! I've been hearing that around the school!"
Jack smiled at Patrick, "That's quite a big fish you're reeling in, bud."
Patrick replied, "Quite a metaphor...have you ever thought about joining the newspaper club?"
"No, no, no," Alex argued, "Jack and I are joining the drama club. We're hilarious guys who love to make people laugh-isn't that right, buddy?" Alex rose a brow at Jack.
Patrick wasn't going to lose Jack, "Ah, but if it's drama you're looking for, the newspaper covers it."
Jack nodded at Alex, "That doesn't sound half bad."
Alex dropped his jaw, "You're a terrible writer!"
"And you sir, are a terrible friend for thinking that." Patrick shook his head at Alex, "Shame on you." He turned to Jack, "Come, Jack. We have much to discuss." Jack and Patrick left together, leaving Alex stuck with me.
Alex looked at me with a jaw dropped, "He just stole him from me!"
"The feeling's mutual."
Alex tightened his jaw, "Game on, Stump." Alex eyed the two leaving as he dumped his tray before following them.
I called after him, "Yes! Go on! Leave me by myself!" I sighed again as I picked at my peas.
"Gerard Way, what a pleasant surprise."
I looked up to find Lindsey. She smiled at the empty table where I was sitting at, "God, I hope I can squeeze in between all of these people." She smiled.
I grinned before signaling for her to sit next to me. She did and asked, "Why are you alone?"
"My friends seem to be having their own issues at the moment. Same with me."
Lindsey rested her hand on the table next to mine, "Well, if you want...maybe tonight..." Her hand slid across the table to grab mine. She said, "I can take your mind off things on a date." Her dark brown eyes lit with hope. As strange as it was, I still loved Frank even if he ditched me.
I slid my hand out from her grasp, "Sorry...I'm seeing someone...well, it's complicated."
She frowned, "Well, if it's complicated, one date wouldn't tear it all down, would it?" She looked at me.
"Sorry...I don't want to risk anything."
Lindsey pulled back her hands, "Oh, okay..." Her eyes looked away, "Well, I have to go..." She stood up but before she left, I grabbed her arm. She looked at me. I said, "If you're going to cry off somewhere, don't. You can do better. Much better. You're a beautiful, talented woman. Any man would be lucky to have you, sweetheart."
The corner of her mouth lifted. She mouthed the words, "thank you". I released her arm with a one nod reply. She blew me a kiss before walking out of the cafeteria. I smiled as she did. She was wonderful. It was hard to turn her down, but as I thought about Frank, it was much easier.

Notes