The Sharpest Lives

Jamia shot Frank a glance that made his stomach flip, he was already tense and Jamia seemed so unsure that he was starting to second guess himself. They were hardly out the door when Jamia took his hand to slow down his pace.
“I thought you had to be up early?” She probed as they walked hand in hand.
“I do…” Frank hadn’t forgotten, but he had conveniently skipped over the detail that perhaps staying out until who knows when, might not be the best idea.
“This isn’t like you, Frank.” She reached to feel his head for a fever in a cosseting gesture, and Frank swatted it away. Jamia just laughed.
“Don’t remind me, I’m nervous as it is.” He gave Jamia a small smile from the corner of his mouth and turned the corner towards his car.
“I’m just picking on you; I like it when you show a little bit of spontaneity. Gerard seems nice. Who needs sleep, anyway?” Jamia chuckled at him, flashing her teeth. “Just be careful, and call me in the morning. I want details.” She winked at him and pulled him in for a hug. She left Frank at his car, and turned to walk the other direction. Frank waved at her as she strolled away, and took a deep breath.
When Gerard got outside he lit a cigarette, and waited for Frank. He probably should have asked what car he drives. He barely had time to take a drag of his cigarette when a black sedan pulled up. It wasn’t new, but it wasn’t old either. He figured probably between a 2008 and a 2011. It was too dark to see what make. It suited frank. He saw Frank get out of the driver side and smile at Gerard, walking around and opening the passenger door for him. Gerard quickly stubbed out his cigarette and walked towards the car. He smiled at Frank before sliding into the passenger seat.
The car smelled distinctly like leather and cologne. It was intoxicating and Gerard felt lightheaded, but that was probably just the alcohol.
Frank shut the passenger door, and made his way back around the car. He sat back into the driver’s seat and glanced over at Gerard, who was staring out the window at the flurry of snow that was beginning to fall.

“Warm enough?” Frank asked as he toyed with the dials on the center console.
“Oh, yeah definitely.” Gerard wouldn’t tell Frank, but he was actually a little too warm. The cold was where Gerard felt safe. He rarely turned the heat on in his car when he had one, and the alcohol was keeping him plenty warm tonight.
“Good, well just let me know if you want me to turn the heat up or something. We won’t be in the car for long, though.” Frank smiled at Gerard as he shifted the car into drive, and pulled away from the bar.
Gerard perked up trying to make out the sound coming from the radio, which was down almost to mute, but he could just barely make out The Misfits – Astro Zombies playing through the speakers. Gerard reached for the volume and turned it up slightly.
“Great song…” He said, grinning.
“Right?” Frank mused, turning the volume up a small amount higher so they could hear it properly. “My all-time favorite is Hate Breeders, though. I could listen to that song on repeat for hours.”
“Yes! Such a good one. I’d have to pick Dust to Dust as my favorite. And you can’t go wrong with a classic like Last Caress.” Talking to Frank felt so natural; not like talking to someone he had just met. Conversation seemed to flow so easy with Frank once they got started.
Frank was trying to focus on the road, but he kept catching glimpses of Gerard’s flushed face out of the corner of his eye. He felt much more relaxed now, and really, he couldn’t give a shit about what time it was. He was ready to stay up all night talking to Gerard if he would let him.
They turned into a small parking lot just a few blocks from where they were, and Frank parked the car.
“Free parking after 9PM, nice!” Frank snorted “The diner is right across the street, there.” Frank pointed to an old brown shop as he locked his car, leading the way, with Gerard on his heels.
“You’re not too drunk to cross the street, right?” Frank chuckled at him.
“Actually I think my buzz is wearing off, and the second I get some coffee in me I guarantee I’ll be sobered up. I think I can manage not to get hit by a car.” Gerard teased Frank. “Let’s find out.” Gerard took a quick glance both ways, and sprinted across the road. A silver car pulling away from the curb honked at him as he passed. He just turned around and waved at Frank from the other side, laughing. The driver of the silver car promptly stuck his middle finger out the window, and sped off.
Frank looked both ways and jogged over, trying to catch his breath from laughing and running at the same time. “Dangerous! Most New York drivers would have just hit you, you know. You must be drunk.” He alleged, still laughing, and walking at Gerard’s side into the restaurant.
“Hi! Just two of you?” the hostess beamed at the boys, retrieving two menu’s from her station as they walked in.
“Yep.” Frank replied.
“Right this way.” The hostess turned around and gestured for them to follow her, menu’s in tow.
She led them to a booth in the far right corner of the establishment. There were no other patrons in this section of the café, and Frank felt the butterflies rise in his chest as he watched Gerard take his seat. They were alone now, and they had time to talk about…anything. He was suddenly anxious again. What if Gerard was really more drunk than he let on? He only saw him get four mixed drinks over the course of three hours, and he only finished half of the last one. He knew that if he had drank that amount, he wouldn’t be drunk, but he was still apprehensive. What if they actually didn’t have anything in common and it was just a coincidence that they seemed to agree on a select few things?
Frank sat across from Gerard and pulled his jacket off, laying it on the seat beside him.
“Coffee?” a voice said and Frank was pulled from his thoughts. He opened his menu and glanced down at it.
“Please.” Gerard answered.
“Yes, thank you.” Frank said, and the hostess was off to retrieve their drinks.
“So, Gerard…” Frank trailed off, not knowing how to start the conversation again.
“Call me Gee, only my mom and Lindsey when she’s mad call me Gerard.” He laughed.
“I like that. Gee.” Frank smirked at him, like he was in thought. “I never really had a nickname, Frank always seemed so ordinary to me. I had an Aunt who used to call me Frankie, though.”
“I think Frankie is a cute nickname.” Gerard pondered out loud and felt his cheeks get hot again.
Franks heart skipped a beat when he heard the pet name.
“It’s been a long time since anyone has called me that; she passed away when I was nine.” Frank said clumsily.
“Oh, I’m sorry I won’t call you that if it’s weird.” Suddenly Gerard felt uncomfortable, and was afraid he had said something wrong.
“No, no. I like it. It’s different when you say it…” Frank realized he was talking out loud instead of in his head. Gerard seemed to have that effect on him. “My Aunt and I weren’t close.”
Gerard smiled at him considering the nickname. It sounded so natural when he spoke it out loud.
Just then, the waitress returned with two cups, and a pot of coffee. She had various creamers and sugars under her arm, as well.
“Here you go. Have you decided on something to eat?”
Gerard looked at Frank who nodded. Gerard would order under pressure.
“I’ll have the veggie burger, no cheese.” Frank said, closing his menu. Gerard eyed him questionably; he couldn’t order a burger now. He couldn’t order a turkey club, or a BLT. He felt weird eating meat in front of Frank, unsure how he would feel about it. He assumed Frank would mention it if it was a big deal, he seemed open enough, but he wanted to make a good impression.
“I’ll have that, too.” Gerard tried to sound confident, but the look on Frank’s face was that of disbelief.
“I’ll get that in right away.” The waitress said and strolled away from the table.
“Are you a vegetarian?” Frank gawked at Gerard like he had two heads. He couldn’t help the admiration spread across his face as he saw Gerard turn red.
“No, but I’ve never had a veggie burger before. I’ve had hundreds of regular burgers and I’m getting bored with them…I’d like to try something new. Plus, I didn’t want to eat meat in front of you after hearing you order…you know, just in case you weren’t cool with it…” Gerard was sufficiently embarrassed at this point. He gazed down at his hands in his lap, waiting for Frank to say something.
Frank smiled, staring at Gerard fidgeting in his seat.

“That was…really, really sweet of you, Gee. You didn’t have to do that, I don’t mind that other people eat meat. It’s my choice to make for myself, not to make for you.” Frank was self-assured, but he couldn’t hide the flattery in his voice.
“I wanted to; I’m willing to try anything once.” Gerard smiled up at Frank and their eyes met. They stared at each other for a moment, but it felt like minutes passed by as they looked into each other’s eyes, demanding to read one another’s thoughts. It should have been weird, it should have been awkward…but it wasn’t. Gerard felt unperturbed, and it’s like he could feel his anxieties melt away. He wasn’t in the diner any more surrounded by bad 50’s music and weary waitresses; he was in a silent room with only Frank to hold his attention.
They spent the next hour discussing their favorite albums and movies. They both loved gory horror films and were in love with Morrissey in High School more than they thought they would ever confess. Gerard learned that Frank was 24, only two years younger than him. They both grew up in New Jersey, but an hour away from each other. They both had a love for all things Britpop, and had a mutual hate for insects.
When their food came, Frank talked more about how he became a vegetarian and what kind of foods he ate. Gerard was hesitant at first, but once he started eating he forgot that his meal was meatless. It was good, and as hungry as he was, he probably could have eaten anything. The way frank described what spices he used, and how he prepared his meals made Gerard consider how difficult for him it would be to cut meat out of his diet. Who knows, maybe if he could convince Frank to stick around he could try.
By the time they finished their food and drank the entire pot of coffee, it was approaching 3AM.
“Oh, shit.” Frank huffed, looking at his phone. “It’s almost 3AM.”
“Yeah, we kind of lost track of time. What time did you say you needed to be up in the morning?” Gerard asked, feeling a little guilty.
“Seven…I open the store tomorrow at 8AM. No one even shows up until noon, I’ve told the owner it’s just a waste of electricity to open up shop that early, but he’s old fashioned that way.” Frank rolled his eyes and yawned.
The waitress discreetly dropped the check on the table and both Frank and Gerard motioned to grab it at the same time.
“Let me pay, Frank.” Gerard said.
“Not a chance, I asked you here, you even got a veggie burger to make me happy, which again you really didn’t have to do. I insist; you’ll get it next time…” Frank let a smile spread across his lips, and hoped he wasn’t being too forward.
Gerard felt the same flutter in his chest as earlier, and couldn’t do anything but nod and remove his hand from the check.
Frank proceeded to pay the bill and they rose from their seats. Both men glided their coats on, ready to head out the door. Gerard went to stop Frank before he walked to his car. He assumed he’d call a cab, knowing Frank had to get home. Frank just looked at him quizzically when he stopped in his tracks.
“What are you doing?” Frank asked.
“Well, I wanted to call a cab since it’s late, but I wanted to see if you would maybe see me again? I’d like to take you out for coffee or something. I’d like to see your band play sometime, too.” Gerard said shyly.
“I’d really like that, Gee. We’re playing tomorrow night at the Queen, if you’re not doing anything? The show starts at 9, but I’ll be sticking around if you’d like to get a drink with me after.” Frank felt his cheeks get hot again. Was it a date? Were they just meeting as friends? He knew what he wanted from the interaction, but he wasn’t sure Gerard felt the same.
“I wouldn’t miss it.” Gerard said.
“Let me drive you home.” Frank murmured, almost in a whisper. He wasn’t sure if Gerard would want that when they only just met.
“You really don’t have to, Frankie.” Gerard reasoned. “Besides, you need to get home so you can get to sleep and rest up for your show tomorrow. “ He grinned down at Frank. It’s not that he didn’t want Frank to drive him home - he really, really did. But something about Frank was different, and he knew that he couldn’t mess this up. If he was reading Frank right, he liked him, too. Gerard knew he wouldn’t be able to stop himself from inviting Frank upstairs. He didn’t want a one night stand with Frank; he wanted as many nights as Frank would give him and he was willing to wait for it.
“Ok…” Frank decided not to protest, trusting Gerard’s judgment. “But I expect to see you tomorrow night.” He winked at Gerard. “Here, let me put my number in your phone in case you need directions or something.” Frank was trying to find an excuse to give Gerard his number, but it was apparent that directions weren’t the only reason.
Gerard handed Frank his phone and he typed in his number. When he handed it back, Gerard noticed he typed the contact name as “Frankie” and he almost squeaked. He was too adorable. He sent Frank a smiley face emoji immediately.
“I texted you, so now you have my number, too. You know, in case you can’t find me tomorrow or something.” Gerard was almost worse than Frank when it came to hiding his ulterior motives.
Frank looked up at Gerard after saving his number and smiled. Gerard could tell he was exhausted, but his eyes were still beautiful, even glassy and blood-shot. They stared at each other for a moment and then everything turned into a haze. Gerard couldn’t remember who initiated it, but his lips were on Franks almost instantaneously. It was slow, and soft. Franks kiss was hesitant, but he didn’t pull away. Gerard put an unsteady hand on Frank’s waist, and Frank gently slipped a hand behind Gerard’s head, tangling his fingers in his hair. The kiss quickly became firmer, with more wanting than it was initially. When they pulled away, Frank’s hand was still in Gerard’s hair and he almost forgot to let go.
“Love your hair.” Frank giggled, releasing Gerard.
“Really? I was going to cut it tomorrow.” Gerard smiled back down at Frank.
“Yeah, it’s soft and dark, and it frame’s your face nicely.” He said as he pulled his hand away, gently. Frank wasn’t as shy as he was before. Gerard had squashed his doubts by kissing him. He knew what they both wanted, and it wasn’t just friendship. He felt like in this moment he could say exactly what he was thinking.
“I’ll remember that.” Gerard said with a smirk.
“Goodnight, Gee” He whispered to Gerard.
“Night, Frankie.” Gerard purred back.
And with that, Frank crossed the street to his car, unlocked it and got in. He waved to Gerard as he passed by him waiting for his cab in front of the diner. It was only about 5 minutes later that a cab drove up and Gerard waved it down. He got in and gave the cabbie his address. He slumped down into the seat, a million thoughts racing through his head. He had so many questions he wanted to ask Frank. He was so uncertain, yet at the same time more hopeful than he had felt in a long time. There was only one thing he knew for sure at that moment, and it was that he wouldn’t be cutting his hair tomorrow as planned.

Notes

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