In My Mind Only

It was 6 in the morning whenever I received a text message from him.

Frank: Okay, so far, the only rumor I've thought of was cheating.
I rolled my eyes. This kid was so cliche, but he was right. With a high school couple, this is the main problem.

Me: That's understandable. How will you go about it?" I messaged back. I started my normal morning routine. First, making coffee and while waiting for it to finish, watching something on television. After about an hour of sitting in my underwear, drinking coffee, and watching A Clockwork Orange, I got a message.

Frank: Well, how about I get some help from a girl. Yet, that could also backfire and we'd be discovered. I'll just photo shop something and hang it around the school.
I raised my eyebrow. He was really intense when he wanted to be. I sighed and answered.

Me: Well, do your best. Did you want to get together again after school?
I waited patiently for his answer. I was so caught up with the movie that I failed to realize that an hour and a half went by. Oh, shit. I checked my phone, but had no messages. He was in school, so I never questioned it. But when lunch had passed, I began to get concerned. I sent him another text.

Me: Are you okay?
I waited for a few seconds, before he answered.

Frank: Can I shower at your place?

What? Why couldn't he take a shower at his house. On top of that, I didn't have any clothes for him to wear.

Me: All my clothes will be big on you. Why do you need to use my shower?

I knew he would tell me the truth. We had an agreement. I could almost hear him sighing and that made me laugh to myself.

Frank: I had a little run in with some people who don't like me. I'm dirty and I can't go home that way. Questions will be asked and I don't have the time for those. Can I use your shower? I have my own clothes.

Me: Sure. I don't care. School ends in another two hours. I'll get you then.

Frank: Come get me now. I don't want a demerit. Which is what I'll get if I stay here any longer. I'll be waiting in the same spot as yesterday.
What the hell is a demerit? I wanted to ask him, but would that count as my second question? And if I ask him if that counts, does that count? Wait! I said any question about him!

Me: Okay, I'm coming. I'm not stopping the car, so you'll have to be ready to jump in through the window.
I laughed and hoped he took it as a joke.

Frank: Roger.

Shit. I hope he doesn't really do it. Knowing him, he'd do it just be a prick. I got dressed in my PJ's and grabbed my keys. I was there in no less than 5 minutes. He was there. He looked... Defeated, almost. He was covered in dried mud, his hair was a complete mess. He clothes were... yellow looking. I pulled up to the curb and he opened the door. He pulled out a towel and put it on the seat.

"You might want to roll down the window. I mean it." I only nodded and did as he said. He got it and his scent went straight to my nostrils. He smelled like mud and urine. He was pissed on?

"Please, don't ask. Not today," was the only thing he said as he leaned back into the seat and stared out the window. I sighed and took off from the school district. The smell was so intense that I practically sped home. Thankfully, I didn't get stopped, I thought when we pulled into my drive-way. It would be hard to explain to a cop why there was a muddy, pee-stained teenage boy in my car during school hours. He quickly got out of the car and removed the towel from my passenger seat. It took my whole being to not ask him what happened. I unlocked my door and showed him to the restroom.

"Thanks," he said lowly. He pulled off his shirt and his pants. I tensed.

"Can't you at least wait until I leave?" I ask. He looked up at me and looked surprised.

"I thought you had," he confessed. I sighed and reached down for his clothes, but he grabbed my arms and stopped me.

"I don't want you to touch these. They're dirty."

"That's why I'll wash them for you," I told him. He shook his head and I straightened my back a little more than usual.

"I'll... take care of it, Mr. Way. Please, just don't touch them," he told me. He seemed a bit shaken up, so I just left it alone. I closed the door after setting up the shower for him and putting a fresh towel on the sink.

"Poor kid," I murmured to myself. There was no doubt that he was being bullied and I want to ask him about it. I want to take care of it actually. I knew what it felt like to be on the receiving end of other people's torment. I sighed in frustration as I heard the shower shutting off. I set a pot of tea to boil and then sat down to wait for him to make his appearance.

I decided to turn on my stereo, because the house was too quiet and I could hear Frank getting dressed and even sighing so I felt awkward. Suddenly, it was blasting The Beatles and I practically tripped over myself and everything else in the room trying to get to it. Frank rushed out, pants unbuttoned and no shirt. He looked surprised and concerned. He looked at the stereo and walked over to turn the volume down, and then looked down at me.

"Was that loud sound," he paused, "you tripping?" he asked. I nodded and I felt my face redden in embarrassment. He put his hand to his forehead and then started laughing. I stared at him in awe and quickly sat up as he clutched his sides. He was laughing so hard that he was just as red as me. His hazel eyes glistened and his smile's beauty was emphasized by this dimples, and his figure seemed to be glowing.

"Amazing," I whispered. I guess he heard it because he looked at me and quickly stopped laughing, going back to his normal scowl.

"Shut up," he said.

I smiled.
This kid.

Notes

My friend went to go see Frank last night in Indianapolis. I'm so jelly that you could spread me on some peanut butter!

-OAIF <3