Snapshots

Frank had it easy, he thought, as he rode his bike to school the next morning. He didn't stop for his usual coffee coffee, instead, enjoying the cool breeze of the fresh morning air. It was still dark out, the roads were went with the morning mist, and it the only light that seemed to light up the empty street was the ominous glow of street lamps that came from the suburbs near the school.

In his ear as he rode, he preferred to have some kind of music playing, to keep away all the spooky noises that seemed to haunt him on his morning rides. This morning, he had playing Smashing Pumpkins, a usual favorite of his. It seemed the world had been drained out and filled with the slow rock of Mellon Collie and The Infinite Sadness instead.

It was maybe six in the morning, (Frank got up rather early each and every day) and he had decided that getting a picture of the sunrise would be great to sale. At the park and up a tree, he chose, riding off in the park's direction. Anything for a good picture. He seemed to be grasping the whole photographer concept after all.

Half ways there, things began to feel...ominous. Frank was constantly looking over his shoulder at all the fog he had just passed through. He felt like he was being watched, or worse, followed. He tried to shake the feeling, but every time he felt an urge to look back, he did.

He decided to speed things up, pedaling a little harder and faster now. The cool, morning breeze became a bit harsher, almost freezing.

He turned his neck to again to check behind him the second he had the urge, spotting a shadow in the fog off to the side of the road, just standing there. Frank freaked out, turning back to bike further away, but was caught off guard by something standing directly in the middle of his path, a few feet off.

He screamed, steering off the road and into a ditch, blacking out a second later.

Frank woke back up with a jolt, sitting up. He was in his bedroom again. It was cold again.

He checked his phone for the time. Ten in the morning.

Letting out a groan, Frank slid out of bed and decided to trudge towards the kitchen for something to eat.

How the hell he got back to his room from the road, he had no idea. But he had a pounding headache. He groaned like a zombie as he scanned the fridge, grabbing sandwich materials.

He closed the door again to see his mom standing right behind the door, disappointed. He jumped as her voice boomed, echoing in throughout the apartment.

“Frank Anthony. What have I told you about skipping school?” She scolded as Frank caught his breath again.

“I-I didn't mean to- I was-”

She smiled then, quickly, as if she planned to startle him. She was twisted sometimes. “I know. I heard what happened.”

Frank furrowed his brows, “What happened?” He repeated, rubbing his head, “What did happen?”

“Mikey brought you over right before school started. He said you were knocked out on his doorstep.” She hummed, starting the sandwich for him. “'said you had a nasty bump on your head.”

Frank frowned, “Oh.” He had no idea. Last thing he remembered was falling off of his bike and onto the side of the road. At least he had good enough friends like Mikey to take him in.

“Where's my stuff?”

Ms.Iero pressed her lips in a thin line. “Mikey has it all at his house. He said he found your bike and bags on the side of the road, near the park.” She didn't want to press why he was there, figuring he was just wanting to take more photos.

“Should I go and get it?” Frank asked, “I mean...I don't really feel like going to school so uh...”

“I think it's best you laid down for the rest of the day.” She recommended, handing over the sandwich she made for him. “I'm sure it'll all still be there tomorrow. You can stop there on the way to school if you're feeling better in the morning.”

Her son only nodded, taking a bite of the sandwich and smiling. Cheese and vegan meats, his mom really knew him well.

“I'll go lay back down then.” He said, taking a seat in the kitchen, “I mean, after this sandwich, of course.” He laughed lightly as his mom ruffled his hair.

“I'll get out a few aspirin for your headache... Maybe a melatonin to help you sleep too.” She wandered off to search through the cabinets to find said medications. After fetching Frank them and a glass of water, she set them next to his almost-finished sandwich. “I gotta go so...” She kissed his forehead and grinned, “See ya later, honey.”

Frank nodded, “I thought your shift wasn't until four or something?”

“Well, I have some things I need to do. Visit a friend and pick up a few things. I'll nap in the car. Don't worry, hun.”

Frank gave her yet another nod and a wave, tossing his paper plate into the trash and grabbing his water to down the few pills his mother laid out for him.

“I almost forgot-- did you take your buspar this morning?” She asked as she gathered her coat from the hanger and purse from the counter as she got ready.

Frank shrugged, “I think so...yeah.” He gave it some thought for a second. “Yeah, I did.”
“Alright then, see ya later.”

She was out the door in a minute or so, waving as she left. Frank sighed and popped his pills, heading off back to his room.

It was going to be a slow day, and his headache was not helping him stay awake at all. He just wanted to sleep.

He curled up with one of his dogs, Cherry, on his bed, and played on his laptop for a while as he waited for the melatonin to kick in.

He hopped onto facebook for a while; no friends, no notifications, he expected. But there was one, only one, and he clicked it to see that it was Mikey making a post about him not being in school. He rolled his eyes with a soft smile as he clicked to read his status.
Frank, you ditched on project presentation day. Classy.

Frank snorted, forgetting all about their stupid book report on Oedipus that they had to do.

That book was a motherfucker, or well, Oedipus was. Frank did most of the research anyway, so he figured that Mikey and his other friend, Bob, had no trouble presenting without him.

He let out a yawn, figuring it was time for a nap. He closed the lid to his laptop and set it on his nightstand. He moved Cherry out of the way and laid down and closed his eyes.

Besides the chill that happened to blow into his room as his dreams hit him, it was a nice nap. He curled up in his sheets as he hoped the heater would turn on.

Frank gave no thought about the time once he was awake again, only knowing that it had to be evening time or so because the sun was just starting to set, making the light leaking from his window a warm orange glow. Not that it mattered, he had a concussion probably, and needed the rest.

Instead of taking a shower, he sprayed on a splash of cologne, which was different from his usual stance of cleanliness. But it was a good substitute for now.

He wandered around the apartment for a while until he remembered he had a pack of cigarettes stowed away. It was one of those times, he felt under a bit of stress, and needed the relaxant, even if he just woke up only minutes before.

He slid open his drawer and pulled out one cigarette from the pack along with a lighter, heading to the balcony a second later.

The glass door slid open with ease, which was odd, it should've been locked. Ah well. He took a seat in the only chair there and decided to watch the sunset as he smoked.

He lit it, taking a slow inhale and sighing, watching the smoke fly off. He closed his eyes again, happy and content. His mind fell at ease to the thought of having a concussion. Another drag, coughing slightly as the smoke entered him.

“You know,” Said a voice, causing Frank to sit up in his chair. “...Smokin's bad for ya.”
Frank looked around the balcony, frantic, but no one was there. It didn't mean his heart didn't stop racing.

“Behind you, silly.” Giggled the voice, causing him to turn around. Nothing there either. He panted, swallowing hard as he turned back forward, practically jumping as he saw the hooded figure.

It was that rose-kid again! Frank thought, trying to collect himself. He gripped the chair, feeling a small sting on his thigh. He looked down to see that he had dropped his cigarette in his lap, quickly retrieving it.

“What are you doing here-!?” Frank choked out, quickly taking another drag of his cigarette.

The boy grinned.

“I brought back your stuff.” He said, quiet. “It was at.uh...this kid's place so I thought I could save you the trouble. You had a nasty fall. ” A few seconds passed, “You smell nice.”

Frank stared at him, seeing his backpack and camera bag at his feet. He also looked off to the horizon to see that he had missed the good part of his sunset. Damnit.

“How did you get up here?” Frank asked immediately, remembering that he was on his balcony of a rather tall apartment, completely disregarding his creepy statement of pointing out his scent. Probably the cologne.

“Climbed.” The boy spoke, sweeping dark hair out of his eyes, “'Wasn't hard.”

Frank nodded skeptically. “...How did you know I lived here...?”

“Oh!” He hummed, “When I went to go get your stuff-- the guy told me you lived here.”

Frank bit his lip, wondering if Mikey would actually let a stranger just take his stuff.

“How'd you know my stuff was there?” Frank asked.

“You ask a lot of questions for a guy who just got his stuff back from a generous stranger.” He giggled again. God, that giggle sent more chills up Frank's spine. “I kinda saw him grab it, on my way home, and uh...watched him take it home. It was the same direction of my house so...”

Frank could only nod, “...Alright...so uh...you could go now.”

The boy looked at him, then back to the edge of the balcony, tilting his head. “Go inside then.”

Frank sat up from his chair and put out his cigarette. “I want to see you climb down.” He smirked. The boy just laughed again.

“No no...if that's the case...can I use your stairs?”

Frank shrugged, looking back at the edge and at his sliding doors. “Uh...sure?”

Frank grabbed his bags, opened the door, and went inside, stopping a second after he realized the hooded boy wasn't following him.

“You okay?” Frank hummed, staring at him just standing stiffly there.

“It's rude to walk in without being invited.” He said with a soft, seemingly forced, smile.

“Well, I'm inviting you in, so come on.” He set his bags aside and waited as the boy came inside on cue before closing the door again behind him.

Frank led him to the front door. “...Don't come up like that again.” He scolded, causing the boy to stare at him. “If you want to...uh, drop something else off, just use the front door. You almost gave me a heart attack.”

The hooded boy only nodded. “Okay. Sorry 'bout that- I was just in a rush.”

“Yeah, alright.” Frank raised a brow as he opened the front door. “Bye, kid.”

“It's Gee.” He said, out of the blue the second he took a step out. “Call me Gee.”

It was odd, Frank thought, seeing this kid only twice, and he gave him his name. He shoved his hands into his pockets. “Call me Frank, then.”

“Okay, Frank. Although, I already knew that.”

“How'd you know?” As if this kid couldn't get any more creepy...

“Your name is signed on the back of my photo.” Gee said with a smile. “I will see you later!”
Frank nodded, watching him go down the stairs. “Sure, alright.” And he closed the door.

After a minute to shake off the awkward interaction, Frank slid into the kitchen to grab a bite before heading off to bed again. He opened the fridge door, searching for something to eat. He settled for some cereal, and grabbed the milk.

Frank had just begun to pour his milk as a thought popped into his head, causing him to drop the small jug.

How the hell did that kid get both his heavy bags up to the third floor of his apartment as he climbed it?

Whatever the case, that Gee kid was an oddball, and it was best to avoid him for now on. If he could.

Notes