Get busy living or get busy dying

For a month after that we texted each other every day, we exchanged secrets and coveted information about each other's hearts, our souls and lives. He told me about Mikey and their grandmother, Helena, about New Jersey, and most importantly, most interestingly, about himself. I told him about Frank and the shop, my dreams and secret wishes. And he took everything that i told him, held it in his hands, kissed it and said, "It is beautiful, because it's yours". I grew to trust him and smile childishly when I thought of him. It was a Tuesday in may when we officially became a couple. I remember it well; we were in the living room of the condo that Gerard and Mikey had been renting together, watching The Purge with Mikey and his girlfriend, Jamia. We were sitting together on the love seat, but on our own respective couch cushions. He scooted over, so that not even sugar granules could fall between us, paused the movie and turned, crossing his legs. "J-jade", He began,"would you l-like to b-be my official girlfriend?" His stutters saying this seem moot, it was basically a formality, i was obviously going to say yes, which I did. And after I did say yes, he cupped my chin in his hands and kissed me. He's sometimes kissed my cheek or forehead before, but it wasn't a friendly kiss anymore, no longer, "I care.", now it was the soft and gentle kiss of love, an "I'll protect you. keep you safe and warm." I looked up into his eyes and they were twinkling, because he knew, it may have been instinct or intuition, or it may have been a plan, I'm not sure, but I know that he could tell that there was much more to come, more surprises, more worries, more everything. Then we realized, Mikey and Jamia were applauding us. I unpaused the movie and ignored them, holding Gerard's hand.
When the movie ended, he led me outside to the backyard, where those little LED fake candles were set up everywhere, they were beautiful in the dark of the night and we sat down on a picnic blanket. He lit a cigarette and handed me one too. Then we just sat for a while, stargazing with his arm around me. "Wanna have a sleepover?' He asked and I nodded. We had fallen asleep when Mikey came out and woke us up.
"Gee, code red. We gotta leave. Now. All of us." He said slowly, deliberately. Gerard nodded quickly, turned off all the candles and folded up the blanket. He led me back into building and down the hall to his bedroom. I sat down and watched as he grabbed a tote bag and two backpacks. He filled them with shirts, jeans, boxers and money. Then he carried them to the kitchen to add granola bars and other snacks. A couple books were tucked in next and the bags were zipped up. He handed me the red backpack, slinging the blue one on his shoulder and carrying the tote bag in his hand. Mikey and Jamia were waiting on the porch and when we exited the condo the four of us all got into the truck.
"Okay...I'd just like to know where we're going and why." I announced as we sped out of the neighborhood.
"That's a long story." Gerard and Mikey answered at the same time. Jamia just smirked.

Notes