Since When Did You Become a Romantic?

Chapter 2: Um, Kinda the Father?

Frank sits in his classroom filing some papers in the cabinet. The soft knock at the door doesn't even faze him probably due to the fact that he's humming an imaginary tune. He turns around sharply to be nearly touching noses with the Chemistry teacher. He wants to jump back, but the cabinet is right behind him. "Um, hi?"

He studies his eyes and squints. "You the one?"

Frank swallows hard. "Sorry, the what?"

"The new guy? The new guy from earlier?" He looks both confused and turned on and it's freaking Frank out.

"Yeah. The new Robert," he chuckles awkwardly.

Mikey, he'd learn, steps back a little. "The new Robert????"

Frank has a problem in which he says things that sound all too sexual. "I can be whoever you want," he shrugs.

Mikey is going to take advantage of the new 'Robert.' "You like Chinese food?" This is a dumb question. Everyone likes Chinese food.

Frank knows that is actually code for fuck me in the ass. "Yeah, course."

"I'm going to that new Chinese place in a few hours. Come along," and as quickly as Mikey entered the room, he left.

Am I going to have gay sex on a Monday night? Frank thinks. Well, it's better than nothing. Before he can leave the school, he receives the most cryptic phone call of his life since 2009.

"Hi Gerard," Frank answers while packing his bag.

"Hey," a voice whispers creepily.

"Why are you whispering?" Frank steps into the hall.

"I need your help. I need you to convince the school board that we are putting on Hamlet, but we're actually doing Rent."

"Rent? The one where everyone is homeless and dying?"

"Shhhh, yeah.... meet me in the parking lot of the laundromat at midnight," and, with that, Gerard hangs up. Oh, what an interesting night it will be.

Frank is already halfway home before he remembers his parole rules. He can't be out past midnight. What if his officer is with him? Or what if it is an emergency? In the name of trying to hit on Gerard, he cooks up a ridiculous plan, but first gay sex chinese food fun time.

---

He nearly has to break the lock on his apartment door to get in because it's so sticky. When he enters, it's messier than usual. Papers are thrown about, furniture is tipped, and all the cabinets are open. Instead of worrying, he walks in as usual, nods to the person shuffling through his desk, and opens the fridge. It's normal. He grabs some old pizza. "Ya want some?" He holds the food up.

She looks up from her shuffling. "Why do you have three bags of pure liquid vanilla extract?" She holds them up.

Frank shrugs. "I get bored, Gunn."

She sighs. "We know what happened last time you did this. I don't want you to get arrested again." He avoids looking at her and eats his cold pizza because he's the devil. She walks over to him. "Are you paying attention to me?" He shrugs again.

She throws the bottles in the bag on the counter in front of him. "Next time you buy them, try to be more secretive."

Frank looks up to her. "Ya gonna bust me?"

She rests her arms on the counter and sighs. "Normally, yes, but they're from three months ago. Instead, I'm gonna give you a warning because I think you can make it out here in the real world. I know you don't want to repeat 2009."