I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM | Alan Frog

The Night the Frogs Got the Call

No one but Steven and Joseph went into the ice cream parlor for a few days, to let him cool off. The Frogs seemed to have dropped their interest in Steven once Marcy had charged at him. Or at least Edgar had.

But Steven was getting tired of all the silence. Though he was upset in the beginning about that day he still wanted his friends around. He was a routine guy, and as of right now, everything was anything but routine. Gloria went into the Jones' skate shop and talked to Eric for a while for the past few days. While the boy didn't mind, his sisters did. They would bicker constantly and talk about strange omens and such.

Marcy, she stayed at the comic shop like she normally would. Though she stayed in the back room with the lumpy couch and blankets, saying that it was comfortable when in reality she didn't want to ask her sister to hang out with her. And that she could feel the springs underneath the cushioning.

Today Alan Frog marched into the parlor. Gloria on her lunch break watched as the boy went and swung open the door and took a seat on one of the stools by the counter. The boy didn't say anything. He sat there and watched Steven scoop out a generous amount of colorful ice cream and slap it onto a cone before handing it to a kid. The child giggled and ran off as their mother paid for it and followed outside.

By the time that Steven went to see who had sat down by the counter, it was half taken. All of his friends in their usual spots, and Alan who had taken a spot right in the middle of Gloria and Eric. Right where he was the day that he told them about the new kid.

Joseph had stopped what he was doing and walked over to the group.

"We have the new X-Men." Alan said, knowing full well that Steven didn't read comics.

But nonetheless he looked interested. The Frog proceeded to tell him about what had happened in the comic up until the new release. He was passionate about the topic. Anyone who could hear could tell.

There was a thought that came across Steven's mind as he smiled and wiped down the counter. But he let it slide. He didn't want to seem weird saying it.

Gloria had gone off to pick a song from the Jukebox. This time though, she picked from her options much faster than a few days ago. She chose The Reflex by Duran Duran.

During the time that she was choosing a customer came in. It was a girl around the group's age. Though she must've gone to a different school as none of them had ever seen her before. She had big blonde hair and wore a plethora of accessories.

"What would you recommend?" She asked Steven with an oh so cheeky smile. Her arms put on top of the glass display to get a better look at him.

Steven was an attractive guy, no one could deny that of him. He always had smooth skin, clean hair, a style that suited him. But not everyone could admit that, especially those who know that he was gay. If you were a guy and saying that it was weird. Sure, guys around him used to say it as a complement, but if they were to say it now? No way.

But of course, this girl didn't know that he wouldn't be interested. And he was too nice to try and reject her straight on. He would feel guilty.

Alan watched the two interact, Steven clearly getting a little uncomfortable but he put up a good face. He recommended the butterscotch flavor. That was his favorite. Alan knew that, he figured it out when they were younger.

So that's what the girl got. She left her number on the counter and left with a wave toward Steven.

In all the time that he'd known Steven, Alan had always admired the fact on how handsome he was. And Joseph too. Even when they were younger they would catch the eyes of everyone. Some adults would stop to say how cute they were. But for Alan, he never stood out. Part of him resented Steven for his beauty. Why couldn't he be like that? Sure they both had short, dark hair, but how could Steven pull it off so much better? Why couldn't he stand out from the crowd and be noticed? Surely he'd be more popular then. Maybe he would make more friends than just his brother.