Bright Lights That Cast A Shadow

"Frank!" I called heading towards the door, "I'm heading to work now!"
"Okay," He called stepping into the hallway with me. We had had another movie night last night and he had spent the night again. "I'll stop by before I head over to the office."
Frank had his own producing company, Skeleton Crew. It wasn't a huge record label, but they got some pretty good small time bands. He was rather proud of it though, and put forth a lot of effort into getting his bands the best he could.
"Okay, I'll try to work the checkout today." With that I turned and walked out the door to my car. I had been friends with Frank for a little over a month now, and surprisingly things were going well. I was still able to keep to my weekly feeding schedule, and I was proud to say that not once had I had the urge to feed off of Frank. Of course though there was the matter of other urges I had towards Frank. I couldn't help but have a crush on him. He was just so...him. I loved his adorable grin and the way his hair fell into his face. I loved how when we watched a scary movie he would jump and cuddle into me. I hated that I was a monster that could never have him. I didn't even know if he was gay or not anyway. I mean the whole time that I had know him he had never mentioned any girlfriends, or boyfriends for that matter. But surely someone as attractive as him would have somebody wouldn't they? I decided it would be my mission to find out later.
I pulled into a parking space behind the store and sat in my seat for a couple of minutes, mentally preparing myself for another boring day of work. At least I had Frank stopping by to look forward to.
~~~
Bob and Ray had just left for lunch, leaving me alone in the store. I sat behind the counter with my back turned away from the door, sorting through boxes of CD's. Well sorting was what I was suppose to be doing. Instead I was going through and looking for any good ones. I heard the bell above the door go off and footsteps coming towards the counter.
"Hey Frank," I said keeping my attention on the box. Frank was the only person who would come up to the counter first. Other customers usually browsed through the aisles first.
"Well no, I'm not Frank. Actually I'm looking for an asshole. You might know him, great artist, loved coffee. Maybe?" A familiar voice that I hadn't heard in a while spoke. I gasped and turned around.
"Mikey!" I exclaimed and he chuckled. He looked just as he did when I last saw him. Dorky glasses, band t-shirt, grey beanie. It was definitely him. I quickly ducked behind the counter and pulled him into a not so manly hug. We stayed like that for a minute before he finally pulled away.
"So who's this Frank?" He asked with a smirk. I blushed and scratched my arm awkwardly. "He's...a friend. My best friend," I clarified. He snorted and I glared at him.
"You like him don't you?" He had a gleam in his eye. I was about to deny it before remembering it was Mikey. He knows shit.
"Erg," I groaned. "You and your damn poker face know everything!" I exclaimed throwing my hands up in exasperation. "It took you two seconds to figure that out! Like how the fuck!"
He just laughed and shrugged. "It's the Mikey way," He told me giggling at his own pun.
"You're stupid," I pouted crossing my arms over my chest.
"Missed you too big brother," He said poking me until I grinned at him.
"So," I began, "Why are you here?" His face turned serious and lost its playfulness that it had just a second ago. I frowned at the sudden mood swing, realizing that the topic at hand was not going to be a happy one.
"That's the thing Gerard. It's about Lin--" He was cut off by the shop bell going off. We both looked in its direction to see Frank walking in.
"Hey Gerard!" He called out cheerfully, oblivious to the slightly tense atmosphere. His eyes raked over Mikey and I saw a flash of something in them. It looked like...jealousy? No Gerard, don't be stupid. Why would he be jealous? "Who's this?" He asked with an annoyed tone that confused me.
"Oh yeah!" I exclaimed remembering my manners. "Frank, Mikey. Mikey, Frank. Mikey's my younger brother," I introduced them. Realization dawned over Frank's face and his ever present grin returned.
"Oh, hey!" He reached out to shake Mikey's hand. "Gerard's said a lot about you. I'm glad to finally meet you." Mikey shook his hand back but gave him an odd look. I didn't think Frank caught it though because he continued babbling on. "Well Gerard I have to go soon, but I needed to buy more guitar picks." I nodded and grabbed him a pack, ringing them up with my employee discount. "Thanks Gee. I'll see you later!" He smiled and waved as he left the store.
I watched him as he walked away, using his small figure to his advantage as he moved between the crowd of people.
"Gerard!" Mikey called waving a hand in front of my face. "I hate to take you from your daydreaming about Frank, but we have some serious issues that we need to talk about, and here is not the right place." I nodded, concerned by his words.
"Just wait until Ray and Bob get back and then I can take my break," I told him.
"Okay," He agreed with a nod. "Let's just hope they don't take too long."
~~~
An hour later I was hanging up my name tag and grabbing my jacket off of the hook in the employee only room. I left the backroom and scanned the aisles until I found Mikey. He was looking at a Black Flag CD when I walked up.
"Ready to go?" I asked as he placed the CD back in its spot on the shelf.
"Yeah," He replied straightening up. I called goodbye to Ray and Bob and then we left.
"There's a coffee shop a few blocks away," I told him shoving my hands in my pockets. "We can talk there." He nodded simply. I would go back for my car later. Saves time not having to find a parking space during the lunch rush. We walked in silence for the most part until we were almost there, when Mikey broke it.
"He doesn't know yet does he?" We both knew what he was referring to, even though I felt like pretending that I didn't.
"No," I admitted simply. We walked along for a little bit longer before he spoke up again.
"You gonna tell him?" I stared at the concrete sidewalk, not responding. Finally after about a minute I responded. "Eventually."
~~~
"And you sir. Would you like anything?" Our waitress asked me politely, holding her notebook and pencil, ready to jot down whatever I ordered.
"No thank you please," I gave her a weak smile. She nodded and turned to go get Mikey's coffee. We sat with our own thoughts until she returned, setting the coffee down on the table. "Now be careful hun, it's hot," She warned him like she was speaking to a five year old.
"Thank you," He said politely with a semi forced smile. She turned and walked off again. Our table was situated in a corner, away from the rest of the customers, giving us the freedom to talk more freely. I watched Mikey sip his coffee for a couple of minutes before my curiosity got the better of me.
"So what's up?" I asked occupying myself with a spare napkin. He set down his coffee and studied me for a minute before speaking.
"I think you should tell Frank." He stated in a monotone voice, ignoring my question. I stabbed my finger through the napkin, suddenly filled with annoyance towards the topic of telling Frank. "And why?" stab "Would I" stab "Do that?" I let the tattered napkin fall onto the table. Mikey bit his lip and studied me again hesitantly. He knew something I didn't. "Just spit it out," I sighed frustrated. He looked down and his fingers and then back up at me.
"It's Lindsey. She's looking for you."

Notes

Da da dun!!! almost to the better part guys. hang in there