In My Mind Only

Three days into my two week leave, I was dying. My mind kept falling back to Ray's laugh. The way his eyes sparkled and his short hair slightly flipped back, it caused my breathing to hitch in my throat. I laid on my couch, doing absolutely nothing, only thinking.

'That little shit was right,' I thought. The planned that'd thought of was long since forgotten, seeing as it meant me admitting that I wanted his help in my own love life. The thought of feeling him smile rather than seeing it made me shiver. But I didn't even know how to approach Ray, let alone make him fall in love with me.
"Screw it," I said as I reached for the crumbled piece of paper I'd been staring at since I got it. I picked up my cell and dialed the number. Before I pressed "call," I looked at the time. Frank should be at lunch. I called and it rang twice before he answered.

"Hello?" He answered. His voice sounded softer over the phone.

"It's Way," I said hesitantly.

"Yeah, I know. I just wanted you to say it," he answered nonchalantly. I clicked my tongue.

"I'm going to pick you up after school and we'll talk back at my place," I said coldly.

"Taking a student back to your house? Uh-oh," he teased. I could feel him smirking and I groaned.

"Please, you aren't the student I want to bring back here."

"You aren't the teacher I want to go back with," he retorted.

"Smartass," I commented.

"As are you. So after school? Got it. Just call or text me when you're here."

"Actually, I'll pick you up a few blocks away from the school, so it doesn't look too bad."

He chuckled. "It already looks bad. All right. A few blocks. Okay." Then he hung up. How rude! He didn't even say bye properly! I huffed out and began cleaning up my house. When it was closer to 3:45, I took a shower and got dressed.

I pulled out my phone and sent him a text: "I'm on my way." I waited five minutes for an answer, but never got one. I rolled my eyes and took off. I was there driving through the blocks until I saw him standing under a tree. He had more of a contented look on his face and I smiled. Maybe it was a good day for him. I pulled up to the side of the curb and rolled down my window.

"Get in," I said.

"Not even going to offer me candy first?" he teased. I laughed.

"Just get the hell in, kid," I laughed. He walked over to the passengers side and slid inside my car. He quickly looked around in the car, then looked at me.

"Teacher's budget, huh?" I stared at him.

"You're such an asshole," I muttered. He chuckled again, but I missed it.

"You can thank my father. So we're going back to your place?" He asked. I nodded as I took off in the direction of my house.

"I bet you hurried to clean it," he asked, yet it sounded like a statement.

"Who cares?" I snapped.

"So you did? Holy shit, I was just joking," he laughed. I quickly turned to look at him, but he still had the same look on his face.

"I missed it," I said lowly.

"Speak louder."

"Nothing," I said. For God knows how long, I've been curious about his smile. What does it look like? I glanced over at him as we came to a stop sign. He was in his JROTC Army Class B uniform. He looked nice, actually. His chest was filled with many medals and ribbons, showing off his hard work and dedication. I heard from other cadets that he was very strict, yet he also made sure that every single cadet got at least two to three ribbons a year. He was just as tough on the girl, whose name I forget, as he was on the boys.

"How long are you going to stare, sir? The car behind us is honking," he said with a yawn. I snapped back to reality and quickly pulled away from the stop sign.

"I was just admiring your medals. You've worked hard, haven't you?" I asked, trying to kill time. I was also very curious. I wanted to know what each one was and what he did to get them.

"Not only me. But also my company. I will not take full credit for my decorations, because if not for them, I'd be just another cadet in the battalion. They are my family. Cole, Josh, Mikey, Chris, Tyler, Austin, Bevon, Morgan, Seth, Simon, Diego, Mike, Dominic, Santiago, Bryan, Byron, Zach, and Jealousy. I love them all," he said without hesitation.

"How did you become their company commander?" I asked. We came to a stop to my house.

"I started off as just a no-ranked cadet, never really participating until some things happened and I got my act together. I started pitching ideas and following through, I started participating more. I began to encourage every person in my company as the cadet challenge came up. 1st Sergeant and Sergeant Major noticed my efforts and eventually, I was raised up higher in ranks. Now, as the new year started, I became their company commander," he explained as we walked to my front door. I nodded in understanding as I pulled out my key. We walked inside and I closed the door behind him, locking it.

"Where's the puppy, sir?" He asked. I glared at him.

"Don't be that guy, Frank," I mumbled. "So how are you planning to help me?" I asked. My curiosity was getting the best of me.

"Well, I was thinking that you have to break off his relationship first before this goes anywhere," he started.

"Whoa, whoa. Hold on," I interrupted. He gave me a confused look.

"What?" He asked.

"He's dating someone?" I questioned back. He sighed as if it should be obvious.

"Yes, sir. He's dating my cadet, Jealousy. Now, if you really want to have a shot with him, you're going to have to make them split and then come in as his comfort whenever he becomes vulnerable," he explained.

"No, Frank. I don't want to be that guy. I can wait until they split on their own."

"Sir, we're seniors. You have about five months to make him fall in love with you. You've got to work fast." He was making sense. If I were really as serious about him as I thought I was then I really was going to have to try my best.

"How... How can I break them up? If I decided to go for it?" I asked. He sat on the couch, stiffly. He sighed and then stood up again.

"Is it all right if I go and change into regular clothes?" He asked as he picked up his bag and walked into a different room. Which ended up being mine.

"That door doesn't close!" I called out.

"I don't care!" He called back and then I heard the shuffling of clothes. I sighed and stood up, heading into the kitchen. I want coffee, so I shall make coffee.

"Hey, you want coffee or what?" I asked him.

"Sure. However you make it is fine!" He answered.

"Well, I wasn't going to make it a specific way just for you, kid!"

"I wasn't expecting you to, adult!" I rolled my eyes and leaned against the counter as I watched the coffee slowly drip into the pot. I turned my head towards the end of the room, as could see Frank shirtless with his back toward me. His back looked slightly muscular, but he had these strange marks on his back. They look like the equivalent of... whip marks? I'm not entirely sure. I looked away before he could catch me looking.
What's this kid's story, because it seems so goddamn interesting?

Notes

I was watching Man on the Moon while typing this and I was thinking about how much of a comedic genius Andy Koffman was(it was so hard to concentrate)! Have you guys seen that movie? It's great. He was def ahead of his time ;-;