“Frank!”

The young boy’s head shot up from his trucks, and he stumbled on small legs up towards his mother. He was smaller than most, with stubby little legs and a small mop of dark brown hair.

“Yeah, mama?” He asked, plopping himself down into the dining room chair his mother gestured to.

Linda Iero was a calm woman, and she loved her little boy very much. He was always so happy, bright and bouncy and ready for anything. Still, she couldn’t help but worry for him. Her son stayed in the house for the most part, and didn’t talk to many other kids. Extrovert he may be, they just seemed to disassociate themselves from him. To be quite short, Linda feared her son would become lonely. As far as she knew, he had no real friends.

“Frank, sweetie,” She smiled, taking his hands in her own. “Have you ever thought about… well, playing with the other kids? I’m sure you’d have lots of fun.”

Frank frowned a little, pursing his lips, “No mama. They’re weird, and they won’t play the fun games! I like playing by myself.”

Linda sighed, biting her lip, “Frank, what if… What if I took you around the neighborhood? Maybe there will be some kids you haven’t met yet, maybe they’ll play the fun games with you.”

“Really? They will?” Frank asked, his head tilting and a smile forming as he thought about the prospect. Finally, someone who would play superhero with him! That was certainly an exciting idea.

Linda nodded, hoping that she wasn’t unintentionally lying. There had to be someone for her little Frank, right?

“Okay! Let’s go now!” Frank grinned toothily at her, grabbing her hand and pulling her towards the door. Linda sighed with relief, lacing their fingers and locking the door as they left.

---

Frank frowned, looking up at his mother. They had already gone through most of the block, and either people had no children or Frank had already met them. Linda worried her lips between her teeth, desperately looking from house to house. How could there be no children for her son to play with?

“Mama, my feet hurt!” Frank whined, pouting up at her. “I wanna go home, this isn’t fun anymore.”

Linda sighed, looking down at her precious little boy. “There’s only one more house, baby. Can we make it to one more house?”

Frank kicked at the pavement but nodded, looking down at the ground with a soft frown. He’d never find anyone to play superhero with him. Frank always wanted to be the hero, but nobody would play his damsel in distress. What was the point of being a superhero if you didn’t have someone to save?

Linda pulled her son gently up the front steps, stopping on the rough welcome mat just before the door. She smiled tiredly at Frank, raising a hand to knock lightly on the door. For a minute there was nothing, before shuffling could be heard and a kind-looking woman opened the door.

“Hello, can I help you?” She smiled.

“Hi,” Frank’s mom smiled weakly back. “We were wondering if you had any children. Frank here was looking to make some new friends.” She gestured to the little boy clinging tight to her hand, avoiding eye contact with the woman. She smiled brightly, nodding her head.

“Actually, yeah! I have a nine year old and a five year old. How old is this cutie?” She smiled warmly at Frank when the little boy’s head shot up in interest.

“I’m seven!” Frank replied before his mother could. “I’m a big boy!”

The lady laughed, nodding, “You most certainly are! Here, let me call them.” She turned to look back into the house. “Mikey, Gerard! Come here!”

“You’ll like them,” she addressed Frank, a twinkle in her eye. “They’re big boys too!”
Frank bounced on his heels, trying to see inside the house for the promised little boys. Seconds later little feet were heard pattering against the floor, and one kid showed up. He had darker mousy brown hair, and upon seeing Frank squeaked and hid behind his mother legs.

“Gerard!" She laughed, gently pulling him out from behind her legs. “Say hello, baby. This is my nine year old, Gerard. He’s a little shy.” She shook her head fondly, nudging the boy forward.

Frank’s eyes lit up, a smile broadening across his face, “Hi! I’m Frank! Do you wanna play superhero?” He asked, bouncing up and down. Gerard looked a little confused, but interested at the same time.

“Superhero…? Like in comics?” He asked thoughtfully, running a hand through his hair.

“Yeah!” Frank nodded enthusiastically. “So will you?”

Gerard contemplated for a second before shrugging, a smile crossing his face. “Sure!”

Frank practically barreled into the house, grabbing Gerard’s hand and dragging him inside, talking animatedly about how the game was going to work.

“Frank! That was rude!” Linda scolded, but her words fell on deaf ears. “Sorry about that,” she blushed, holding her hand out to the woman in the doorway. “I’m Linda, by the way. Linda Iero.”

“Oh, it’s fine. I’m just glad Gerard has a friend,” she laughed, shaking Linda’s hand. “I’m Donna Way. Would you like to come in? We can have some coffee while the boys play.”

Linda smiled, nodding. “That would be fantastic, thanks.”

“Not at all.” Donna smiled, and shut the door behind her.

Frank and Gerard played superhero all afternoon. The best part?

Gerard agreed to be Frank’s damsel.

Notes

Hey there! This'll be just a short little mini-series based off of the song 7 Years by Lukas Graham. I hope you enjoy!

ximakilljoywannabex