Be My Romeo

9. Learn To Cook

Gerard's POV

"Thank you, sir, I'll see you tomorrow," I exclaimed excitedly as I left the classroom. It was the end of the day, I was only in the theater room to ask when dress rehearsal was, though he said that tomorrow we were supposed to get measurements taken first. I saw the halls, all of them void of any students as far as I walked to the entrance. I started to walk back home, the cloudy day feeling a little calm as the wind grazed my body. I passed the cemetery, blowing a kiss in the direction of the headstone of my grandmother.

As I approached my house, only being a block away so far, humming to myself. The car wasn't there, meaning that mom was still at the hospital, working her ass off. Sometimes, I wish she'd take a break, but she had an important role as a nurse. I opened the door, walking past the kitchen until I saw Mikey and Ray, stopping and going in.

"Ray- no, that was the wrong one- oh, hey, Gee," Mikey, my brother, said. I sighed, going over to see what they were doing. "Oh, God- what the- that smells fucking terrible!" I exclaimed, covering my nose, though it was already too late and I still could smell it. I turned on the vent to vacuum out the smell, stepping back. "Would you dispose of that? Ugh, you are relieved from your cooking duties, just take care of that, please," I begged, watching as Mikey took it outside.

I sighed, letting the smell air out. I grabbed a fresh pan, putting it on the stove as my phone rang. I grabbed my backpack, unzipping the pocket it was in before answering it. "Hey, just give me a sec," I said, putting my backpack in the living room and putting my phone on speakerphone. "You're on speakerphone, be careful with what you say," I warned, putting my phone down on the cabinet. "Oh really? And what are you gonna do if I don't behave?" Frank asked, I could hear the smirk in his voice.

"I'll smack you upside the head," I deadpanned, filling up the pan to boil pasta. As the water stopped, I put the pan on the stove. I barely moved before I heard loud moans coming from my phone. I panicked, grabbing my phone and turning it off speakerphone with a hard blush showing on my face. "Your speakerphone privileges have been revoked- quit moaning in my ear, you perv!" I yelled into the speaker, hearing him laughing and then coughing. "Karma is a bitch, sugar," I whispered, waiting for the water to boil.

"Yeah, yeah, it was funny though," Frank laughed, his voice kind of wrecked from coughing. I shook my head, grabbing out the pasta and setting it beside the stove. "Okay, what did you originally call me for?" I asked, looking at the pan and wishing it would boil faster. "Oh, was wondering if you wanted to practice today? Ya know, since we have a little bit more of the script to work with," Frank explained, though I was planning on calling him for the same reason; I wanted to do it after cooking for my brother and Ray.

"Yeah, I just have to cook for my brother and his friend, both of them are very bad at cooking," I explained, looking at the water and realizing I didn't turn on the burner. At least I don't burn edible food. "Oh, yeah, take care of your brother and his friend first, don't worry about rushing though," Frank assured, to which I nodded. "Okay, I'll see you after cooking, alright?" I said, smiling as Frank said a quick goodbye. I hung up, putting the pasta in the boiling water and slipping my phone in my back pocket.

"Hey, what is for dinner, Gee?" Mikey asked, to which I turned around and saw him and Ray peeking around the corner and hiding in the doorway. "Chicken alfredo, I'm just starting on the sauce, I'll get it done here in approximately 30 to 40 minutes," I estimated, pouring ingredients into a skillet to make the sauce. It was my favorite version of alfredo, season the chicken, cook it, then use the flavor from the pan in the sauce. It was called skillet alfredo.

I hummed a little as I waited for the chicken to cook, and danced around until it was finished. I poured in the Parmesan and milk, letting it warm up and melt. I could hear Mikey come in, stopping him before he got too close to the stove. "Oh, well, I came in here to ask if you wanted to do another Star Wars marathon?" He asked. I took the pan off the burner, putting it on a potholder so it wasn't on the cabinet. "I'm actually going over to Frank's to practice for the play. We only have two more weeks," I said, turning around to see his sad expression. He nodded and went off to, most likely, find Ray again.

I frowned a little, straining the fettuccine noodles and then stirring them into the sauce in the skillet. I carried it to the table, putting it down and then setting the table for two. "Guys, dinner!" I yelled out, seeing Ray slide on the hardwood floor. I smiled and went to grab my hoodie, sliding it on. "Gee, you're not even gonna stay for supper?" Mikey asked, to which I turned around to see his poker face.

"Oh, no, I said I'd meet up with Frank as soon as I was done cooking," I explained, rubbing the back of my neck as I felt guilty for leaving so soon. Mikey nodded, taking a seat. "At least take some with you," He pleaded, dipping out some onto a plate. I went and grabbed a bowl and fork, putting a little bit in and giving Mikey a thumbs up. I went to the door, opening it and feeling a tiny breeze. I ate quickly on the porch, setting my bowl on the chair and starting my walk to Frank's.