Thirty Five Days

9: Plans Made

"Okay, cool. And is it Mikey or his brother that you have a crush on?"

As soon as she spoke I felt myself blushing a horrible shade of red. I tried to reply but all I managed was an incoherent collection of stuttering and mismatched sounds that failed to form a word never mind a complete sentence.

"A,it's okay, Frank, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to. I was just curious. It's not like I've even seen either of them so I can't exactly pass judgement on you, or them for that matter."

I swallowed, desperately trying to return my face to its natural colour.

"It's Gerard," I mumbled, looking more at my floor than at my mother.

"Gerard,"she repeated, drawing out the syllables like she was testing the sound of it. "He's the one who drove you home and who just volunteered to drive you to the concert, yes?"

"Yeah,that's him."

"So,I guess that text that's just come through is from him as well then?"

I glanced at my phone just as the screen went dark, seeing that she was right.

"I'll leave you alone now then, so you can text him back. And when you do,you can invite him (and Mikey if you want) round here one night next week – I want to meet him."

I smiled at her, grateful for how well she had taken the whole thing.

***

It took a lot of drafts until I decided to send my invitation as it had been in the first place.

Several minutes passed in silence before my phone buzzed again, making me wonder nervously if I had upset him somehow, the way Mikey could be.When I finally plucked up the courage to read the message it was not even close to what I expected.

Wow, Frank,I didn't expect an invitation to your house just because I smiled at you those few times in the car. Mind you, if a smile gets me into your house I'm guessing it won't take much more to get me further than that. ;) G x

P.S. That was me struggling to coherently accept your invitation. G x

The blush that had only just subsided returned to my face as I read his texts. Honestly, I hadn't been expecting him to accept the invitation since Mikey and his grandma had made it seem like he never left his room. For someone that never left his room, the number of times I had spoken with him was rather impressive. The fact that I was going to see him at least another twice was almost unbelievable.

Okay, thats great. Im basically always free so let me know a time thats good for you and ill tell my mum to cook something nice that night. Ill even skip band practice if you want to come round before battle of the bands the week after next. :)

Band practice?! I didn't know you were in a band, Frank, what do you play?And also, I'm definitely free more than you are so pick a random day next week and I'll come around then. G x

I hadn't considered how much free time he had compared to me so I decided to invite him over on Wednesday, the only day I didn't have a class last period so that I would have a chance to clean up a bit before he arrived.

I not in the band, I just listen to them playing so I can give them feedback.I do play guitar though, just not in the band – they didnt invite me to play when they formed the band and then decided they could manage with Matt singing AND playing guitar AND playing piano(sometimes). But yeah, anyway, how about you come over after school on wednesday?

I hadn't realised how much of a rant the text was until after I sent it but by then it was already too late to change it.

I can't believe they didn't invite you, that's terrible! Unless you're a really bad guitarist of course... I'm just kidding naturally. I'm sure you're an excellent guitar player and I'd love to hear you play some time. Wednesday is fine for me although I don;t know what time your school finishes so if you could give me a more specific time? G x

How can you not know what time school finishes? Its the same time your brother comes home everyday! Ask him when it finishes, hes closer than I am.

Yes, but I'm talking to you, not him, and, anyway, do you know how much trouble it would be to walk all the way up the stairs, just to ask him a question about school of all things? Please just tell me,Frankie. G x

I couldn't help but grin as I typed my reply.

Well, to give me time to get home and stuff why dont you get here for about 4.Also, where did Frankie come from?

Four o'clock, Wednesday – it's in my (very busy) social calendar! And'Frankie' came from me wanting an answer, why, don't you like it? G x

Damn,he got round me fast. He was right, I realised, all it took was the tiniest hint of niceness and I gave him exactly what he wanted. Still though, if it gave me what I wanted I wasn't going to complain.

It's very cute. Do you have a nickname or are you always just Gerard?

Actually,I've always just been Gerard but if you want a nickname for me I guess you could call me Gee. G x

"Gee."

I said it out loud, smiling to myself. It suited him.

Alright then. Ill see you on wednesday Gee.

AN: Sorry it's kinda short but, hey, at least it's an update, right?

Hope you enjoyed this, as always don't forget to vote/comment! :)