I Drew You Once in Art Class

Ninety-Eight

The night flew on, and Frank was having fun, shockingly. Who knew lame school dances could actually be not totally shit?

He and Hayley talked to everyone. Normally, neither one of them was very social, but something about the adrenaline of the night and of each other brought out their guts.

Being around Hayley was different than being around Gerard. There was a little less stress about what was okay and what wasn't, and the romantic tension was definitely lesser here, so Frank really could just focus on having fun.

He did miss the romantic tension just a little bit but we're not talking about that right now.

Frank and Hayley pushed open the side gym doors and took a seat on the hallway floor under the fluorescent lights, the music now muffled, catching their breath.
"Oh my God. That was... who knew jumping around in a pile of sweaty teenagers could actually be fun?"

"I know, right? I didn't even shove anyone this time!"

Hayley looked at Frank and they both giggled.

And they didn't look away.

There was a moment, a moment that could have uprooted this entire story as we know it.

There was a moment where both of them leaned in, just a little, and MAYBE would have kissed if it weren't for a new song coming on in the gym.

"Oh my God, I love this song!"

Hayley scrambled to her feet and ran back into the gym. Frank couldn't help but be reminded of that time in the record store when Gerard's eyes had lit up with recognition.

He shook his head. Gerard clearly didn't want anything to do with him.

He brought himself to his feet and followed after Hayley, catching up with her to dance next to her like everyone else was doing.

Gerard and Bert were sitting on the bleachers in his periphery, and he tried to block them out and focus on the person in front of him, her red hair shining purple under the blue light.