The Babysitter - Frank Iero X O.C.

7: Date?

A week later on Friday, Frank was waiting outside the classroom when I arrived.
He spotted me walking down the hall and waved.
"Hey!" I giggled, "Why are you out here?"
"I have to ask you something," he was grinning excitedly.
"Alright, what's up?" I asked, laughing at his giddiness.
"So, my friend Mikey is getting married," Frank opened the door for me, "And apparently the invitation says I can bring a plus one."
I felt excitement rise up in my stomach.
"Who are you gonna bring?" I asked, trying not to get my hopes up."
Frank closed the door behind us and took my hands, "Miss Andrea King... will you accompany me to Mikey and Kristin's wedding?"
I squealed and pulled him into a hug, "Absolutely! Are the kids coming too?"
"Yup!" Frank laughed against my shoulder, "It's the Saturday after Halloween, we have to leave pretty early, so I was thinking you could spend the night on the Friday so it would be easier. Unless you don't want to, I under-"
"Frank," I smiled, pulling away from the hug and looking at his face, "Of course I'm happy to spend the night at yours. Wouldn't be my first time, would it? Are you sure it's not too much hassle?"
"Of course not," he laughed, "Even if it was, I'd take any hassle to hang out with you."
Then, he kissed me on the cheek, just as I did at the party.
The butterflies in my stomach fluttered.
I of course told Rachel everything that evening.
"So this is a date?" she smirked.
I laughed, "I don't know... I think I'm just an extra guest."
"You're his DATE Andy," Rach exclaimed, "How is this unclear?"
I shook my head, "Maybe. I don't know! Whatever, I have a week to figure it out. Right now I have to think about his birthday."
"What are you gonna get him?" Rach asked, "How can you possibly out-gift the Kids from Yesterday."
I groaned and went into my bedroom.
It's true. The gift I'd gotten from Frank was only the most incredible song I'd ever heard.
This was gonna be tough.
I pulled out a notebook and started scribbling down ideas.
Vinyl record of his favourite band?
Maybe.
New guitar?
Andy, do you think money grows on trees?
New guitar STRAP?
Bitch, please.
I stared at the piece of paper momentarily.
I needed some kind of release after balling up all these feelings for so long.
I grabbed another piece of paper and starting writing. Just writing about him. Mr Frank Iero.
'White linen shirt... skin tattoos are a tapestry of beautiful art... gentle, but tough hands... smells like the air after it rains...'
"Poetry," I said out loud.
That was it! I'd write a poem. It was about time I addressed these feelings. I'd put them in writing. This was how I addressed every strong feeling I'd ever had. Whether it was anger, sadness, grief... poetry.
I started writing, drafting and rewriting until finally, it was perfect.
I folded it up and left it on my desk.
My phone buzzed after a few minutes. Frank. I'd changed his name on my phone to something stupid but it made me laugh every time I got a text from him.

PROF. OREO: HI ANDY trying to figure out what tie to wear for the wedding. Thought I'd ask my date, as she's the one I want to impress ;) what colour's your dress, out of curiosity?

I stared at the text for a moment. Particularly at the words 'date' and 'she's the one I want to impress'.
I felt a smile spread across my face.

ME: Totally not just trying to match my dress ;)
PROF. OREO: Now, where would you get a notion like that?
ME: Well, if it'll help ur curiosity, my dress is red ! :)
PROF. OREO: That helps a whole lot. Thanks, Andy!! :):)

Wow, I loved him. More than I thought I could. I loved his kids, his friends, his music, him. Everything about him. His stupid face, his stupid smile. Every stupid goddamn thing.
I excitedly ran out of my room to tell Rach what Frank had just texted me.
She read them off my phone and laughed, shaking her head.
"What?" I giggled.
"Andrea, he is so head over heels," she wheezed.
I scoffed, "Excuse me?!"
"TOTALLY!" Rachel laughed, "How you guys haven't realised your BLATANTLY OBVIOUS FEELINGS FOR EACH OTHER I will never understand."
I took my phone back, still smiling like an idiot, "I figured out the birthday present dilemma."
"Do tell," Rachel smirked.
"I wrote him a poem," I said, dreamily.
Rachel pouted, "Awh, Andy, you are SO CUTE!"
"I am, aren't I?" I grinned.
Rachel, of course, demanded to read the poem, and I could see the smile on her face widen as she read it.
"It's perfect, Andy," she whispered, "Just perfect."
"You think so?" I smiled.
"I know so," she squealed, hugging me.
Now the only problem was actually giving him the poem, which was absolutely terrifying to me. Best of luck, Andy.