A Chance Encounter
Chapter 17
Someone’s tapping on my forehead. Why? It’s Sunday for fuck’s sake! I swat at their hands, willing them away. Why do I have to sleep on the couch? It’s so inconvenient.
“Well now you’ve gone and given yourself away. Get up; we’re getting your present today.” Oh. It’s Mikey. That’s right, my birthday is Thursday. So lip piercing day is today.
I’m up in an instant. I get an outfit out of Jamia’s room as quietly as possible and head for the bathroom. I really need a shower, but I doubt Mikey will wait that long. Plus Gerard has to be nearby. But that’s just more reason to shower! My heart starts pounding as I realize this is the first time I’m seeing him since accepting my feelings. What if it’s obvious?
I can’t think like that. Act normal. That’s all there is. I run a comb through my hair and look at my stained tee. It’s pretty hideous. No changing it now, though. I take a breath before walking out with Mikey, who already looks tired of waiting. I grab him and dash out to the driveway. Gerard is there standing next to his car.
Gerard.
He’s so beautiful. It feels so good to just be able to think that. It’s taking a lot of strength to stay in one spot. I want to run over and hug him. And not let go. No. Act normal. Normal is good. Normal is safe. I walk over calmly and smile, “Thanks again for doing this.”
He shrugs, “It’s really not a problem. I like seeing you happy.”
Don’t blush. Don’t attack him. He’s still the same person he was yesterday…Only he somehow seems sexier…I mean…Ugh, shut up brain! I nod and climb into the backseat.
“Whoa, whoa,” Mikey says, “Why are you getting in back? This is your day. That means you get shotgun.”
Shotgun? As in, next to Gerard? Could I really handle that right now? These emotions are still so fresh. I could do something really stupid, “I’m fine back here. Already seated, you know?”
Gerard looks sad, “Sure. Mikey, sit back there with him.” Oh no! He thinks I didn’t want to sit by him now. But I do want to….I want to too much. That’s the problem. Too late to change my mind, we’re driving now. Oh, shit, did Mikey just say something?
“Er, what?” I ask.
“I said: are you nervous?” he looks really patient, as if he really thinks that’s what’s wrong. Well, might as well play along.
“A little. Though I don’t know why. I mean, I got a tattoo. What’s one big needle compared to a ton of tiny ones?”
The car swerves a tiny bit, which makes me look at Gerard. He looks…scared. It’s a beautiful emotion on him, “Can we please not mention the n word while I’m driving?”
I give Mikey a confused look and he leans in to my ear, “Gerard is extremely afraid of needles.”
That’s…so cute. And it means he’s making a sacrifice for me today. He’s facing his fear just to give me the perfect present. I’m psyched.
“We’re here,” Gerard announces. Looking out the window I see that we’re at the same place that did my scorpion. Weird coincidence.
We walk in as a group and are greeted by the same smiling receptionist. I thought she was cute last time I was in here. Black hair with purple streaks, small button nose. Now I barely nod at her as Gerard states whatever name my appointment’s under. Once she brings us up on the computer I’m sent to a small corner where a man is waiting. He has some tools set up. Including a couple needles. I sense Gerard flinching beside me.
“You can wait outside if you want,” I say to him quietly. I don’t want him to be uncomfortable just because of me.
He shakes his head, “I can handle it. I’ll even hold your hand since you’re nervous.”
Hold my hand. I want that. Yes, I’ll let him do that. Even though I’m pretty sure it’s more for him than me…
“Welcome, Frank, was it? Please have a seat and we’ll get started,” the man says. He has kind eyes. I think I trust him. I sit in the chair and he adjusts my position, “The first thing I’m gonna do is give you a little shot of antistetic to numb the area. Believe it or not, getting a hole through your flesh is a little painful. Much worse than those gauges you have.”
I nod and Gerard squeezes my hand. When did he grab it? His grip is so warm…Ouch. There’s a slight pinch in my lip. The guy pulls away and I see a tiny syringe in his hand. I guess that’s the worst of the pain then. Gee looks ready to puke, though.
“What side is this going on?”
What side? Hadn’t thought of that, “Um…left.” Split-second decision. Hopefully it’s a good one.
He waits a few moments, then pokes what I think should be my lip, “Did you feel that?”
I shake my hand and he pulls out a needle. Sharp little thing. He smiles and says the whole, “This won’t hurt. I’m gonna push through on the count of three even though you know I’m actually going on two,” bit. On, two, and I feel a little pop. It really doesn’t hurt, and it’s soon followed by a bigger one. The guy backs up and holds up a mirror.
Wow. There’s a little metal stud in my lip. It’s so weird. It tastes weird. I love it. I smile over at Gerard. He just holds up a finger and dashes outside. Guess he needed some air. I want to go after him, but maybe it’s better for alone time. Mikey takes my arm and lifts me to my feet. He’s acting like I just had knee surgery or something. It’s just a lip piercing!
“You’re coming to our house until you get the feeling in your lip back.”
“Vut?” Oh, god, I sound like Dracula, “Oh, yeauh. Good ideub.”
He smiles, “And…I hope you don’t mind but I’m probably gonna have to drive back. Which means you’ll be sitting with Gerard.”
“I don’t mnind.” I don’t. After he’s done this for me I want to tell him as soon as I feel comfortable with. Maybe even today. Yeah. Today would be a great time. Just gotta wait till I can actually talk again.
…
A few hours later I’m sat in Gerard’s basement staring at some artwork he finally decided to show me. It’s stunning and he literally just drew it. A simple black and white sketch of me smiling with my new ring. I hope I really look that happy. That way I don’t have to waste time blubbering over how awesome he is. But it is time to tell him my feelings.
“Hey, Gee?” I look up over the paper.
“Yeah?”
I like you, maybe even love you. You’re beautiful and I just want to be with you. Please don’t say it’s too late. Say you still feel the same and we can be happy together, “Jamia’s coming trick-or-treating with us.” Fuck you, mouth!
His face falls and I feel like the biggest asshole in the world. I know what he’s thinking. That it’s not really over between Jamia and I. that I’ve been with her this whole time and too afraid to tell him. That I’ve betrayed him and will never love him back. But all he says is, “Oh, cool.”
I need to clear this up with the fact that Mom’s making me let her. But I can’t seem to make the words come out. Fuck, fuck, fuck! Why do I do this to myself? It’s terrible. Just tell him the truth. Should be super easy since it’s the goddamned truth!
“Mom,” is making me take her, “Will probably want me home soon. Gotta go face the music, you know?” I hate myself. I really do.
“Oh, yeah. See ya Thursday, right?”
I smile, “Wouldn’t miss it. I’ll be here right after school.”
Well, at least something came out right.
…
“Oh, man. Linda is gonna flip!” Jamia says rudely as soon as I’m in the door. I shrug and push past her. After how much I just blew things with Gerard, I’m really in no mood.
“I’m gonna flip?” Mom’s here. Shit. Shitshitshitshit. I was hoping for more time to prepare. She’s walking in the room. What to do? Hide? Yes! No. face it like a man, “What am I…..Franklin Anthony what is in your lip?!”
I shuffle my feet, “Just a stud…”
“And why is it there?” Stern voice. I don’t like where this is going.
“I got a piercing today.”
“Without my permission?” Steely anger. Even worse.
“You would have said no…” Oh, way to dig a hole. That’s the last thing a parent wants to hear.
“Now how do you know that?”
“Because…You think I’m growing into some terrible person when really I’m just trying to express who I am. I…I’m not taking it out, either. It was a present.”
“A present. From who?”
“A friend. Why does it matter? You can’t get onto him or go to his parents. He’s an adult.”
“Uh-huh,” Her face falls into a glare, “We’ll talk about this later.”
“Oh, fuck,” Jamia whispers from behind me, “I know what that means.”
I look at her, “What?”
“She’s talking it over with Dad. You better be ready for some shit to go down.”
Greeeeeeat.
“Well now you’ve gone and given yourself away. Get up; we’re getting your present today.” Oh. It’s Mikey. That’s right, my birthday is Thursday. So lip piercing day is today.
I’m up in an instant. I get an outfit out of Jamia’s room as quietly as possible and head for the bathroom. I really need a shower, but I doubt Mikey will wait that long. Plus Gerard has to be nearby. But that’s just more reason to shower! My heart starts pounding as I realize this is the first time I’m seeing him since accepting my feelings. What if it’s obvious?
I can’t think like that. Act normal. That’s all there is. I run a comb through my hair and look at my stained tee. It’s pretty hideous. No changing it now, though. I take a breath before walking out with Mikey, who already looks tired of waiting. I grab him and dash out to the driveway. Gerard is there standing next to his car.
Gerard.
He’s so beautiful. It feels so good to just be able to think that. It’s taking a lot of strength to stay in one spot. I want to run over and hug him. And not let go. No. Act normal. Normal is good. Normal is safe. I walk over calmly and smile, “Thanks again for doing this.”
He shrugs, “It’s really not a problem. I like seeing you happy.”
Don’t blush. Don’t attack him. He’s still the same person he was yesterday…Only he somehow seems sexier…I mean…Ugh, shut up brain! I nod and climb into the backseat.
“Whoa, whoa,” Mikey says, “Why are you getting in back? This is your day. That means you get shotgun.”
Shotgun? As in, next to Gerard? Could I really handle that right now? These emotions are still so fresh. I could do something really stupid, “I’m fine back here. Already seated, you know?”
Gerard looks sad, “Sure. Mikey, sit back there with him.” Oh no! He thinks I didn’t want to sit by him now. But I do want to….I want to too much. That’s the problem. Too late to change my mind, we’re driving now. Oh, shit, did Mikey just say something?
“Er, what?” I ask.
“I said: are you nervous?” he looks really patient, as if he really thinks that’s what’s wrong. Well, might as well play along.
“A little. Though I don’t know why. I mean, I got a tattoo. What’s one big needle compared to a ton of tiny ones?”
The car swerves a tiny bit, which makes me look at Gerard. He looks…scared. It’s a beautiful emotion on him, “Can we please not mention the n word while I’m driving?”
I give Mikey a confused look and he leans in to my ear, “Gerard is extremely afraid of needles.”
That’s…so cute. And it means he’s making a sacrifice for me today. He’s facing his fear just to give me the perfect present. I’m psyched.
“We’re here,” Gerard announces. Looking out the window I see that we’re at the same place that did my scorpion. Weird coincidence.
We walk in as a group and are greeted by the same smiling receptionist. I thought she was cute last time I was in here. Black hair with purple streaks, small button nose. Now I barely nod at her as Gerard states whatever name my appointment’s under. Once she brings us up on the computer I’m sent to a small corner where a man is waiting. He has some tools set up. Including a couple needles. I sense Gerard flinching beside me.
“You can wait outside if you want,” I say to him quietly. I don’t want him to be uncomfortable just because of me.
He shakes his head, “I can handle it. I’ll even hold your hand since you’re nervous.”
Hold my hand. I want that. Yes, I’ll let him do that. Even though I’m pretty sure it’s more for him than me…
“Welcome, Frank, was it? Please have a seat and we’ll get started,” the man says. He has kind eyes. I think I trust him. I sit in the chair and he adjusts my position, “The first thing I’m gonna do is give you a little shot of antistetic to numb the area. Believe it or not, getting a hole through your flesh is a little painful. Much worse than those gauges you have.”
I nod and Gerard squeezes my hand. When did he grab it? His grip is so warm…Ouch. There’s a slight pinch in my lip. The guy pulls away and I see a tiny syringe in his hand. I guess that’s the worst of the pain then. Gee looks ready to puke, though.
“What side is this going on?”
What side? Hadn’t thought of that, “Um…left.” Split-second decision. Hopefully it’s a good one.
He waits a few moments, then pokes what I think should be my lip, “Did you feel that?”
I shake my hand and he pulls out a needle. Sharp little thing. He smiles and says the whole, “This won’t hurt. I’m gonna push through on the count of three even though you know I’m actually going on two,” bit. On, two, and I feel a little pop. It really doesn’t hurt, and it’s soon followed by a bigger one. The guy backs up and holds up a mirror.
Wow. There’s a little metal stud in my lip. It’s so weird. It tastes weird. I love it. I smile over at Gerard. He just holds up a finger and dashes outside. Guess he needed some air. I want to go after him, but maybe it’s better for alone time. Mikey takes my arm and lifts me to my feet. He’s acting like I just had knee surgery or something. It’s just a lip piercing!
“You’re coming to our house until you get the feeling in your lip back.”
“Vut?” Oh, god, I sound like Dracula, “Oh, yeauh. Good ideub.”
He smiles, “And…I hope you don’t mind but I’m probably gonna have to drive back. Which means you’ll be sitting with Gerard.”
“I don’t mnind.” I don’t. After he’s done this for me I want to tell him as soon as I feel comfortable with. Maybe even today. Yeah. Today would be a great time. Just gotta wait till I can actually talk again.
…
A few hours later I’m sat in Gerard’s basement staring at some artwork he finally decided to show me. It’s stunning and he literally just drew it. A simple black and white sketch of me smiling with my new ring. I hope I really look that happy. That way I don’t have to waste time blubbering over how awesome he is. But it is time to tell him my feelings.
“Hey, Gee?” I look up over the paper.
“Yeah?”
I like you, maybe even love you. You’re beautiful and I just want to be with you. Please don’t say it’s too late. Say you still feel the same and we can be happy together, “Jamia’s coming trick-or-treating with us.” Fuck you, mouth!
His face falls and I feel like the biggest asshole in the world. I know what he’s thinking. That it’s not really over between Jamia and I. that I’ve been with her this whole time and too afraid to tell him. That I’ve betrayed him and will never love him back. But all he says is, “Oh, cool.”
I need to clear this up with the fact that Mom’s making me let her. But I can’t seem to make the words come out. Fuck, fuck, fuck! Why do I do this to myself? It’s terrible. Just tell him the truth. Should be super easy since it’s the goddamned truth!
“Mom,” is making me take her, “Will probably want me home soon. Gotta go face the music, you know?” I hate myself. I really do.
“Oh, yeah. See ya Thursday, right?”
I smile, “Wouldn’t miss it. I’ll be here right after school.”
Well, at least something came out right.
…
“Oh, man. Linda is gonna flip!” Jamia says rudely as soon as I’m in the door. I shrug and push past her. After how much I just blew things with Gerard, I’m really in no mood.
“I’m gonna flip?” Mom’s here. Shit. Shitshitshitshit. I was hoping for more time to prepare. She’s walking in the room. What to do? Hide? Yes! No. face it like a man, “What am I…..Franklin Anthony what is in your lip?!”
I shuffle my feet, “Just a stud…”
“And why is it there?” Stern voice. I don’t like where this is going.
“I got a piercing today.”
“Without my permission?” Steely anger. Even worse.
“You would have said no…” Oh, way to dig a hole. That’s the last thing a parent wants to hear.
“Now how do you know that?”
“Because…You think I’m growing into some terrible person when really I’m just trying to express who I am. I…I’m not taking it out, either. It was a present.”
“A present. From who?”
“A friend. Why does it matter? You can’t get onto him or go to his parents. He’s an adult.”
“Uh-huh,” Her face falls into a glare, “We’ll talk about this later.”
“Oh, fuck,” Jamia whispers from behind me, “I know what that means.”
I look at her, “What?”
“She’s talking it over with Dad. You better be ready for some shit to go down.”
Greeeeeeat.
8/11/13