Breakfast Monkey

I had a stupid smile on my face. Sophia hadn't smiled at me in a long time and... I missed her. I wanted to talk to her all day long so I finally purchased my phone. It was one of those sidekicks or shit I didn't understand. While in the ferry I tried to find out how to even text on the strange device. The phone was too big for my fucking face, I felt weird handling it. I typed her number on the top bar and started typing.
"Still experiencing something similar to missing someone?"
"Who is this? Gerard?"
"Yes, sorry, I don't really understand how to do this. Sup?"
"Getting better, not much. I was just organising stuff around. How are you?"
"Great, I'm on my way home. Pretty tired."
"Oh, sorry, I'll let you sleep then. I'll talk to you tomorrow okay?"
"Sleep tight, Sophia"
"Sweet dreams, Gerard ;)"
I didn't realise I was already in Jersey when we finished our short chatting session. On my way home I ran into my grandma making some pumpkin pie along with my mother and Mikey.
"Oh hey Gerard, you're finally home! Your dad's out of town again, he'll be back in a day or two. Come in say hi to everyone"
I left my bag on the couch in the living room and made my way to the kitchen, it smelled delicious.
"Hi sweetie! How was work?" Said my grandma
"It was fine grams, tiring as usual" I said while hugging her tightly
"I'm glad sweetie, we're making some pumpkin pie so that'll probably cheer you up. Where's that lovely young lady your brought with you the other day?"
"Yeah! Where's your girlfriend, Gerard?" Teased Mikey while eating some pie filling.
"She's fine, she's probably home in New York. We talked today briefly and were texting a while ago"
"What? You don't even have a phone!" Said Mikey
"Yeah... I purchased one. I think it was time to get a grip on this technology shit"
"Don't curse!" Yelled my mother
"Well sweetie, you should invite her for thanksgiving or Halloween"
"I don't know grams... I mean, we're just-"
Everyone turned around to see me and air quoted "COWORKERS"
"Okay... Since you're practically begging for it I will ask her for dinner or something.
After dinner I left to my room and couldn't sleep all night. I was thinking about how I would invite her over... I mean... It's weird I think we're friends? I don't think it's a good idea...
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(A month later)
"Oh come on, Gerard! You can't just go on through life without having eating a tarte tatin!"
"I'm serious, Sophia, I never ate one"
"How do you live?!"
"I don't know I just... Drink coffee. A lot."
"Okay, let's do this. I don't like to brag but while in Europe I learned to bake and I have to admit I make THE BEST tarte tatin ever. Why don't you come to my house this Friday. We could have tea and tarte, okay?"
"Such a manly activity but okay."
"I'll put a monster truck on the table so you feel more macho"
"Don't be silly, monster trucks are for pussies. I want a fucking set of tools and beer"
"Deal."
"Hey, I have a meeting in 5, get ahead and I'll catch up with you later"
"Okay, bye Gerard." Said Sophia while rushing out of the elevator.
The last few weeks had been amazing, we were spending more time together and getting to know each other. I felt really comfortable around her specially when Matt wasn't around. They weren't talking much anymore apart from some stuff about the embassy they had to solve. He had started dating a girl from finance, I wasn't sure if Sophia knew about it.
That evening I walked her home, she wasn't being transported like the president anymore. Although the entire city still felt strange for what had happened, flight control was more rigorous and people were paranoid about Muslims. I fount that last bit extremely racist and uncalled for, I mean I was friends with a German whose ascendants probably were nazis but I wasn't judging her for that nor were any Jews.
We walked down Central Park, she live a few blocks away from there in a beautiful building with marble details and golden doors; she even had a doorman!
"Okay so... You're saying I'm invited to your friend's birthday party who I never met and... Was born in Halloween?"
"It's not a big deal he said I could bring someone with me, I thought of you because... You're cool and one of my few close friends."
"Hmm... Okay. I'll go, do I have to bring something with me? Is it a costume party?"
"I was thinking on bringing some booze, and yes it is a costume party"
"Okay, I have the perfect things for the occasion. When is this?"
"The party is this Saturday, at 9 pm"
"In Jersey?"
"Yeah, uhm... I was thinking about that and I could pick you up from-"
"What if we meet at your house? I'll drive there"
"You've got a car?"
"Hehe yes... I use it on the weekends because traffic here is too much to handle"
"Okay then, let's meet in my house and we'll go to his place from there."
"That sounds great! You're still coming Friday for te- I mean, BEER AND CHICKS MAN"
"I don't know what kind of men you know but... YEAH DUDE LET'S HIT SOME WALLS"
"HAHAHAHAHA! This is why I love hanging out with you, Gerard. I've got to go in, it's freezing. Thanks for walking me home, see you tomorrow at the coffee shop"
"Goodnight, Sophia"
"Bye, Gerard" she whispered in my ear while hugging me and leaving to her apartment.
It was pretty late but I didn't mind, this part of the city was pretty safe, I couldn't believe I got the courage to ask her to Frank's party. I made my way to the subway when I saw a set of familiar silhouettes.
"GERARD!" Yelled Mikey
"Oh, look! It's our sweet baby, Ray, Mikey! What are you guys doing here?"
"We went to pick you up but I saw you left with a nice looking girl and didn't want to interrupt, STUD!" Said Frank
"Get off my case, she's-"
Just like at home they all laughed and air quoted, "A CO WORKER"
"Oh god, Gerard! She's more to you and you know it!" Exclaimed Ray
"She sure is but more importantly, does SHE know?" Teased Frank
"Uh, I don't know. She asked me to go to her house on Friday to have te-dinner."
"So that's what they call it now, huh? "DINNER"" said Mikey
I gave them an attempt of a dirty look but failed and ended up laughing with the rest of them. The entire subway and ferry ride we talked about band projects and the possibility of starting our demo. We had plans for a band since August but I had no inspiration. With what had happened in 9/11 and Sophia I had a few ideas in mind for a demo.
___________________________________
The week went by pretty fast, before I knew it i was getting my stuff ready to go to Sophia's apartment. She left early to get everything ready and told me to take my time to get there. I was near Central Park when I got a text.
"Good luck on your date tonite, STUD! ;) you should ask her to come to my party tomorrow, I don't mind having girls around ;) xofrnk"
"Already ahead of you, Frodo. I already asked her and she said yes. HA-HA"
"Stop texting and tell her something or I will 3:D"
I put my phone on my pocket greeted the doorman and went inside the lobby.
"Good evening, how can I help you?" Asked the receptionist
"I'm looking for... Sophia Schulz?"
"Mr. Gerard Way?"
"Yes, it is me."
"She's waiting for you. Oh! Sorry, this is just for precaution, I'll have to see your ID"
Wow, that was uncalled for. Who could possibly live here? The president? I understood people felt paranoid but ID? I looked in my bag and handed it to her.
"Sorry for the inconvenience, it's just the incident of September made us modify our security policy. You can come in, she's in 24 C"
"I understand" I said while putting away my ID and making my way to the elevator.
I was feeling strangely nervous, I never came to her apartment. Besides, what the guys said about her asking me here made me feel even more anxious, was it a date? We're we still friends? Should I say something about it? While thinking about those unnecessary questions I heard the elevator beep, I was in floor 24 already.

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