Carving Pumpkins (Frank Iero)

Him

Him

I snatched my coat up from the rack that it was hanging lifelessly on. I pulled my gloves and scarf on - I know, a scarf isn't so manly, but I get sick way too easily - and raced soundlessly through the front door.

I knew how to get to Harlow's house, thankfully, due to Trick-or-Treat. The old Victorian-style house was exactly five blocks away from mine.

I didn't have to ninja maneuver very much; Monroeville was usually dead and dark at this time of night, not a light on in any house. Actually, it was pretty creepy.

Creepy, but in a cool way.

I finally reached Harlow's Victorian-style house - in record time, might I add...I'm pretty sure I found it faster tha Poccahontis would've - and found what I suspected was her window.

I looked around and wondered what I would use to get her attention. I hadn't really planned this far ahead. 

Nice going, Frank.

I saw a pile of small decorative rocks at the base of the house and scooped some up in my arms. Once I had a steady supply of the pebbles, I began to wing them at the window, hoping to God that it wasn't her brother's.

Plunk.

I wondered if she was already asleep.

Plunk.

I hoped she didn't hate me.

Plunk.

Because I liked her. A lot.

Plunk.

The window swung open with a whoosh and Harlow popped her adorable, sleepy head out into the rain. She mouthed a word, but I couldn't understand it. I shrugged and threw another rock. It whizzed past her head and into her room. 

Harlow mouthed more unintelligible words, but I just snickered to myself silently and threw another rock.

"Frank!" She yelled, voice loud now. "Climb up that tree and get in here!"

I looked over at the tree and back to Harlow. She must've been crazy, but I'd do it.

Why? Because I was crazy, too. I only hoped that we could be crazy together.

I nodded and started toward the tree. "Be careful!" Harlow called. "If you fall and break your neck, it'll be on my hands!"

I grinned and started up the tree. Climbing a tree in the rain was no easy feat, let me tell you. I slipped four times, all of which made Harlow gasp and tell me to "Be careful, dammit!"

It took me a while, but eventually, I made it to the branch closest to Harlow's window. She held out her hand and gestured for me to come inside.

"Jump!" Harlow demanded. I looked at her incredulously.

"Are you serious?" I yelled over the rain and tightened my grip on the branch. "You're not serious!"

Harlow heaved a sigh and rolled her eyes at me. "C'mon, it's only, like, four feet!"

I snorted. "Yeah, only."

She made grabby hands at me. "C'mon, I'll catch you."

My mouth dropped open and I shook from the cold snap of the rain. "No way!" I shouted. "There's no way you'll be able to catch me! I weigh, like, 150!" I blushed and shook my head. 

Smooth, Frank.

Harlow rolled her eyes. "I'll grab your hand."

I looked down at the ground and back up to the windowsill where Harlow was perched. "I-I'll fall!" I squeaked. Part of me was now regretting coming over this late in the rain.