In My Mind Only

I quickly walked throughout the store, because I didn't want to leave Frank in the car by himself for too long. Someone could just take him because he's so wrapped up in his movies to even look up! I quickly walk to the last aisle and grab a couple of boxes of popcorn and head further down the section to the sodas. Shit. I don't know what kind he likes. I pull out my phone and scroll through my contacts and call him. It rings about three times before he answers.

"Yes?" he answers. I roll my eyes at him trying to be professional.

"What kind of soda do you like?" I asked as I scanned the sodas.

"My stomach can only handle Sprite. But whatever is fine. I have medication anyways," was all he said before hanging up. I rolled my eyes once again and I picked up a couple of two liters of Sprite before heading to wait in line. As I was standing in line, to my right, I noticed a board game of Candyland. I would've fangirled had I not been a man and a grown one at that. I quickly grabbed the board game, ignoring the weird looks coming from mother's with their children. When it's finally my time to pay for my things, I watch the price go up and up as he scans everything. Coming out to a total of $15.90 and deciding that it's still worth it for Frank to have a family night. I grab the bags with one hand and carry the game board in the other and start walking back to the car. As I glance at my car, I notice that Frank isn't in the passengers seat anymore, and I quicken my pace.

"Frank?" I call out loudly. I see his head peak out from behind the car and I sigh in relief.

"What's up?" He asked. I shake my head, smiling at him.

"Nothing," I say as I put the bags and the game in the backseat. "Ready to go?" I asked as I got in the car. He followed suit and soon, we were driving off back to my house.

"So what are we doing tonight? More planning?" He asked as he looked at the bags in the back.

"Well, I thought that we could watch all those movies you picked out, eat some popcorn and junk, and play some board games," I said slowly. I didn't know how he would take it so I have to approach with caution.

"I guess that sounds all right," he mumbles. I smile slightly and take it that he's happy. I look at the time and it's 5:45 pm. We have time to watch at least one movie before he has to go perform color guard. The drive home was honestly pretty relaxing. I looked over at Frank very often to make sure he didn't seem bored, which is really hard to distinguish from his normal facial expression. Halfway home, I turned off the radio.

"Hey, there's a CD in the glove department. Can you get it and put it in?" I asked him as I made a turn. He did as I said, with judgement.

"The Beatles?" He questioned. "Speaking of which, you were playing their song at your house too loud, weren't you?" He didn't even need to ask since he obviously already knew.

"They're such an old band though," he mumbled.

"Excuse me, Mr. Iero, but they only disbanded almost 40 years ago!" I defended. "I'm pretty sure they had more left in them, which is why pretty much all of them went solo, but they felt it was time already."

"I feel like you're... obsessed," he said. I rolled my eyes.

"C'mon, do you really think I-"

"Yes," he said. I never even got to finish my sentence.

"Fine. It's the lead singer, John Lennon. He gets me, is all. Their music is just also really good. Will you just drop it and put the CD on?" I say, slightly pouting. He put in the CD and Love Me Do began playing.

"Hello?" I heard him say. I thought he was talking to me so I turned to look at him seeing him on the phone. Oh, well, okay then, I thought.

"Yes. It begins at 8 pm on the dot. If everyone is there before the time, then we may start early," he said as he spoke into the phone. He was currently in his commander mode, so he sounded much more professional.
"At ease, PFC ! I am not the one who is in charge of the entire battalion," I heard him yell into the phone. Then he sighed. "Sorry for raising my voice, Price. You know I hate doing that," he looked out the window and then spoke again, "but I will if I have too." His voice seemed to be stern and intimidating, so I just concentrated on the road and blocked out his conversation until he cleared his throat.

"I'm sorry you had to hear that conversation, Mr. Way. As you heard, I sometimes have to be stern with them. I'm just preparing them for whenever I graduate. I want them to be able to hand these things on their own," he said. He had a point. It was considered tough love.

"Also," he spoke, "the event was cancelled tonight due to high chances of a thunderstorm. My First Sergeant just sent me the text."

His first sergeant texted him that? That's weird... Okay, I guess I'm not one to talk. I'm his teacher and he's about to stay the next couple of days at my house.

"So more time for movies?" I asked. He chuckled.

"Yeah, that's right. What should we watch first though?" He asked as I pulled into my driveway.

"Let's head inside and we'll pick something while I'm making dinner. Sound good?" I asked as we walked up to the door.

"Sounds like a plan," he said. We walked inside after I unlocked the door and started getting everything ready. Frank laid all of the movies on the floor and then went to pour himself a cup of Sprite. I pulled out some ingredients to make the pasta my parents would make every time we had a special family night.
I glanced over at him looking excitedly at his movies. I really hope he likes this night.

Notes

This chapter feels shorter than the others. Makes me feel a little upset.
Gahh, I'm starting to lose faith in my writing ;-;
Anyways, enjoy!

-OAIF