Here is the church and here is the steeple
We sure are cute for two ugly people
I don't see what anyone can see
In anyone else but you

"Hey..." Frank huffs, as Amber and I follow Gerard out the door, heading towards Gerard’s car. He’s insisting on trying it one more time before giving up on it completely.

“Shot gun!” I call as everyone scrambles to get to the passenger door.

Frank frowns but moves the left a little pulling open the back door allowing Amber to crawl in first. She rests her head on his shoulder as Gerard puts his key in the ignition. The engine turns over twice before the car springs to life. All of us cheer.

"I'm so fucking excited!" Frank exclaims, bouncing around in the back seat. He’s wearing the biggest grin I’ve ever seen and kind of looks like the Joker.

Gerard laughs, backing out of the driveway.

"I can tell, dude!" Amber answers with a smile. She's much more accustomed to Frank's hyper behavior and thus handles it a lot better than Gerard and me. The red head acts as if everything that goes on around her is completely normal. I'm actually kind of jealous of that ability.

"Me too!” Gee exclaims slamming his hands on the steering wheel causing the horn to honk.

"You should've seen Gerard's face though, Frank," I say, leaning over so I can look at him through the gap between the passenger and driver seat. "He was like beyond excited. Half of his face was pure smile!"

Everyone laughs at this, picturing my brother with a creepy smile on his face as we continue zooming towards the downtown theatre. Tonight is gonna be epic.

"Okay, I have to ask...which one's the best?" Frank questions.

"Temple!" both Gerard and I shout out but Amber is shaking her head, hair hitting Frank in the face. The sent of her shampoo wafts towards the front of the car, it smells like raspberries.

“Not at all, you’re all wrong. Obviously it’s the Last Crusade,” Amber explains, jaw set.

"No way," Frank says, turning to look at her. “It’s Temple.”

“Nope. You, my friend cannot be more wrong and I will tell you why. Temple is not the best because no one…no one can stand the whiny bitch in it,” Amber explains, making a good point.

Frank rolls his eyes sticking out his tongue at the redhead. He looks like a three year old, “Temple is still best.”

"It's so underrated, and that's why I love it," Gerard explains, taking Frank’s side.

“I like it cause of that but also cause it’s well made,” I explain, looking over the seat at Amber who still looks determined to prove us all wrong. “Then again Amber has a good point, the blonde chick it really annoying. But…Short Round is the best so I’ve still got to say Temple is the best Indiana Jones movie.”

"No time for love, Doctor Jones," Frank quotes, mimicking Short Round’s accent, very well I might add.

This sends everyone into a fit of laughter, all four of us quoting the movies. In truth I’m surprised that Amber is actually putting up with us. Most girls would have asked to get out of the car by now. Maybe she just wants to spend time with us or maybe she really does like Indiana Jones; she can quote just as well as the next.

When we get to the theatre, I become even more excited than I was before. As I look to the line it amazes me just how many people actually dressed up. I swear there is at least fifty people dressed in Indiana Jones costumes...the fedora, whip, khaki clothes; all of it.

It’s amazing seeing so many people come out for an event like this. Really I had no idea there where this many people in Jersey who liked Indian Jones.

“This isn’t too nerdy for you, is it?” I question glancing over the seat at Amber again.

“Are you kidding…this is fucking awesome!” she answer with a laugh.

This girl is the best.

Gerard parks the car across the street from the theater and we walk over to the line. Frank takes Amber’s hand in his. She slides the other one into the pocket of my zip up. Her arms are covered in goose bumps. Her skin is a kind of purple color that isn’t natural. I feel kind of bad actually. It’s pretty chilly tonight and all she has on is a lightweight Green Day tank. The girl has got to be cold.

After a minute I feel Amber pull her hand out of my jacket. She releases Frank’s hand as well and, reaching into her pocket, pulls out a cigarette packet and a lighter. She lights one, offering it to me. I refuse. I might drink but I will not smoke. Those things screw up your lungs and I can’t afford that; I’ve already got asthma. Shrugging she hands her cigarette off to Gerard who takes a drag and then hands it to Frank. I swear that’s how you get mono.

Amber’s free hand slides back into my pocket. Gerard, seeing her shivering, shrugs out of his leather jacket and drapes it over he shoulders. Amber smiles appreciatively at my older brother.

As Frank hands the cigarette back to Amber he stands on his tiptoes looking forward, "We’re moving!”

In his excitement he latches himself onto Gerard who drops the cigarette Amber had just handed him. Gee gives Frank an annoyed look, "Fuck dude...you made me lose the cig...."

Frank looks down, still hugging my brother, "Oh, sorry bro!"

He lets go, rocking back and forth on his feet. I can tell that Frank is a little confused by being shot down. He’s used to hanging on Amber…Gerard just isn’t a touchy feely kinda person.

Amber sighs, pulls out another cigarette, lights it and hands it to Gerard, “Keep it.”

Gerard smiles, kissing the tip of Amber’s nose. He beams as he takes a drag, letting the smoke come out of his nose.

“You’re welcome,” Amber answers before resting her head on Frank’s shoulder. If I didn’t know the two of them I’d definitely think they were dating. I guess Frank and Amber just established a very physical relationship. Whatever works for the both of them.

Finally we are at the front of the line. Gerard rids himself of his cigarette as we enter. We stop to get a large popcorn (Amber’s treat) and four Dr. Peppers.

Amber leads us towards the front, picking the seat right in front of the screen. We are close enough to the screen that I don’t really need my glasses. I debate wither to take them off and finally decide against it.

"Mikes,” Frank says, leaning over Gerard to look at me. “You need glasses for this?"

I shake my head, "No, but I'm wearing them anyways. I don’t want to forget them or something."

As the opening scene for Raiders comes on I freak out on the inside. Tonight is going to be awesome. I’ve got my three best friends, popcorn, soda, and Indiana Jones; I could not ask for more.

Throughout the movies, we all quote the entire script word for word, probably annoying half the audience with our laughter at parts that aren't really supposed to be funny. Gerard's laugh echoes throughout the whole theater, creepy, yet humorous. It sounds like a serial killer’s laugh.

_______


Just as the credits roll for the Last Crusade, Amber leans over the seat, looking at me. Her left hand is still held in Franks but her left comes up to brush a few hairs away from my face, “Thanks for inviting me, Mikey,” she whispers, still smiling.

In my moment of courage I press my lips to her cheek like I’ve seen her do a million times to Frank. Amber laughs a little but doesn’t seem phased by it. I guess she’s just used to friendships like that. British people are strange.

“You can keep my beanie,” I whisper heart pounding in my chest. I hope she doesn’t take that the wrong way.

Amber giggles, “Good, cause I wasn’t planning on giving it back.”

This causes us both to laugh. Frank and Gerard have entered themselves into a last clap battle. Just as Frank ends it both Amber and I clap, giggling.

Frank scowls, “Fuck you guys.”

All Gerard does is beam at me. He saw me kiss Amber’s cheek. Shit, I’m gonna have a long night. He’s probably gonna grill me about my feelings and accuse me of lying to him earlier.


Amber and I follow slowly behind Gerard and Frank. They seem to be having a rather intense conversation. Also I don’t want Gerard to say anything about what happened earlier. I didn’t mean anything by it and I don’t want him to make a big deal out of it. I know how my brother can be. He doesn’t mean to be offensive but most of the time he is. I won’t subject Amber to that, not now. I mean I know she hangs out with him but still….

"Holy shit that was awesome!" Frank says grinning as Gerard starts the car, glancing at Amber in his rear view mirror.

"Do you want me to drop you off at your house, or...?" Gerard questions Frank as we grow closer to our house.

"Uh, yeah, drop me off like a block away. I'm not supposed to be out right now...."

"Frank,” Amber giggles putting her hand on his shoulder. “You rebel you."

Frank smiles sheepishly as I laugh knowing that she’s probably not supposed to be out either.

Suddenly Gerard just stops, both Frank and him get out of the car leaving Amber and me alone in the car.

“Did you wanna stay over tonight? I could sleep in Gerard’s room and you could take my bed. I don’t want you to get in trouble for being out,” I say not making eye contact. I don’t want her to think I’m trying to force her to stay.

“Thanks Mikey but I’ve actually already made plans to stay somewhere else. I can actually get out here,” she replies smiling at me. “I appreciate the offer though.”

I smile back as she leans forwards and kisses my cheek before exiting the car. I sit alone until Gerard gets back in. He looks a little bothered.

“What was with you kissing Amber tonight?” Gerard questions as we head back towards the house. His tone of voice is serious, a sharp contrast to what I thought it would be. What the hell put him in the mood?

“She kisses all her friends and all of you guys kiss her so I figured I should just jump on the bandwagon. It’s kinda weird actually,” I respond eyes fixed on the street lamps outside my window; almost all of them are burnt out.

“That’s just how Amber is bro. She doesn’t expect it though. If it’s weird to you don’t do it. I still say you like her though…as more than a friend,” a playful smile sits on my older brother’s face. He looks as happy as he did at the beginning of the night.

As we pull into our driveway I let out a content sigh…today was a good day.

Notes

Song: Anyone Else But You by The Moldy Peaches