The Florence Theory ☆ FRERARD

Chapter 7

Are we really in control of our lives? It seems like to some people, their fate is determined by those around them. But is there a greater being somewhere that chooses the fate of each individual? Or do we come up with it ourselves? It baffles me that the fate of some people, like Gerard, is determined by a singular phone call or an open threat. Surely, he has more control over his life than that.

Frank glanced at the phone screen that he held in his hand under his desk, hiding it from his professor. He swallowed tensely when he noticed that Gerard hadn't answered the text that he'd sent twenty minutes ago. Of course, he knew that he could just be busy, or away from his phone, but something told Frank that Gerard was in trouble.

Unable to hold himself back, he opened up his messages app and looked at the message he'd last sent.

Hey, everything okay?

It was surely a simple message, but it did the trick in ensuring Gerard that he was worried about him. Frank was aware that Gerard told him not to worry, but anxiety appeared to be the only response to this situation that Gerard was tangled in. Nonetheless, there was still no response, and he hadn't even opened the message yet.

He hated it when he felt like this. Anxiety wasn't an uncommon feeling to Frank as he often felt it consume his life almost every day—but he was somewhat used to it. Although vampire hunters targeting his boyfriend wasn't something he could say worried about before. Perhaps it was only unfamiliarity that made him uncomfortable. Frank shut his eyes for a moment and released a silent breath, careful not to interrupt his teacher who was blabbing on about some obscure fact about the poet they were currently studying. God forbid.

He felt his phone vibrate, and it didn't take him even a second to look at his notifications.

Gerard had responded. Finally.

Mhm. Just watching a movie. Haven't heard anything. Told you there was no need to worry.

The irony in the 'no need to worry' phrase amused Frank. It was just proof that a night of rest can do wonders, especially for irrational fears. But he had a response and that filled Frank with relief, so much that he couldn't hold back the vibrant smile that had crawled onto his face. He typed out a response.

Oh, thank God. Remember to keep your doors and windows closed.

Gerard was typing. The small box with three grey dots blinked at Frank teasingly. Soon, the response came in.

Haha, no need. I'm at the cinema.

I thought you said you would 'stay away' y'know? 'Stay in the shadows'?

Oh, right. But I can't stay home all day. I get lonely easily.

You have to be careful, G...

Franklin, trust me, I am careful.

I hope so.

Franklin? Lol.

That's your name on my phone.

That's kinda cute.

I miss you.

You'll get to see me in a couple of hours.

That's too long if you ask me. I can't stop thinking about last night.

It was only a phone call. I'm sure they don't have your location or anything. No need to stress too much.

Yeah, I guess. We should do something this afternoon. Bookstore just opened on May Street. We should check it out.

Yes! That sounds like a great idea. Can we get milkshakes too?

No need to ask me twice. I'll pick you up after class.

"I'll take that," Frank's professor commented, snatching Frank's phone and dangling it in front of the class as if to embarrass him. "There's no room for these silly little devices in my classroom," he said angrily, burying his phone in a drawer of elastic bands, sticky notes and paper clips. "You can get this back after class."

Frank rolled his eyes and listened as the hushed murmurs of his peers slowly dissolved into silence as the professor continued teaching the class. Frank was always the target.

The lesson seemed to last forever, and it certainly didn't move by any faster when Frank continued to gaze down at his watch.

Five...four...three...two...one...

The class has finished, finally. The sound of chairs scraping against wooden floorboards mixed with the murmuring voices of all the men and women echoed in the room, filling Frank with a sense of excitement.

His teacher had exclaimed something about finishing homework and being careful on the way home which Frank didn't care to listen to. He was only interested in getting his phone back.

"Frank," his teacher called, although it sounded more like a statement in his composed and low voice.

When Frank met his teacher at his desk, his phone was placed back in his hand.

"No more texting during class, okay? I know I can be boring sometimes, but try and make more of an effort to listen to my incoherent rants." A smile crept onto his face. "Okay, get going now, I'm not staying here longer than I need to."

Frank nodded and fled from the room, soon making his way to the sidewalk. As he walked down, he wondered where Gerard was waiting for him. Could he be hiding behind a wall, ready to surprise him? Possibly. That would be funny and definitely a stress reliever.

The further he walked, the more prominent the thought of Gerard not being there was becoming. Could he be late? It certainly wasn't like him—he was early to every date they had planned, so why would he be late now?

Reaching the end of the street, Frank's button nose crinkled as he threw his gaze around him, not finding Gerard or his car. He glanced down at his phone screen and saw two missed calls from his boyfriend, so he called him back.

The dial sound seemed to stretch on forever, each buzz sounding louder than the last and provoking anxiety to eat at Frank's confused mind. He didn't pick up. Of course, he didn't. He would've been chatting into the phone microphone and not leaning against the cold brick wall of a nearby building if he had answered his phone.

So he tried calling again but got no response.

The movie probably lasted a little longer than expected and Gerard just forgot to check his silenced phone during the movie's climax. That must be it, Frank pondered.