Rejects

Chapter Seven - Halloween (Part Two)

We were walking up the driveway to Mikey and I's house, excited and ready for our horror movie marathon, when suddenly Frank stopped us. 

"Yeah?"  I asked, confused as to what was wrong.  When I turned to look at him he seemed extra giggly, like a toddler that had been told a secret and was having fun taunting his friends with it.

"I gotta go to my house, but I swear I'll only be five minutes.  Apparently we don't live that far from each other, I'm like...two streets over.  I have to go get something, I'll be right back.  Get everything set up while you wait for me."

Before anyone could interject or ask him why or really say anything, he took off running.  "What the hell...?"  I mumbled, more to myself than Mikey.

"Who knows.  Come on, let's go inside."

We went inside and were immediately greeted by both mom and dad (Who I had texted earlier to tell them we were hanging out with Frank after school).  "Hello darlings!  How was your day?  Tell me something funny that happened.  What'd you do with Frank?"  Mom bombarded us with questions, to which Mikey answered, "We had a great day.  After school got out the three of us met up at the cemetery and we got to walk around and see all the graves.  It was really cool, and kinda spooky but a lot of fun."

I was glad he left out the willow tree.  It seemed like that needed to be our little secret, a thing between only the three of us that no one else could know.

"That sounds wonderful.  Oh, and boys, I made pumpkin spice cookies if you want any!  They're in the kitchen, grab yourself a plate."

My face lit up, Mikey's did as well.  "Awesome!  Thanks mom!"  We both ran into the kitchen and took some cookies from the full tray.  Then there was a knock at the door.  "That's Frank!  Mom, Frank is here!"  I exclaimed happily.  Mom looked up from the book she was reading.  "Oh, really?  Frank's here?  Why didn't you tell me he was coming over?"

As I walked over to the door to greet Frank I answered, "That's what happens when you give me cookies.  I forget everything else."

She laughed, "Well I'm glad to finally meet him, after everything I've heard."

I opened the door and my mouth dropped.  I couldn't register what was standing in front of me.  Frank...oh dear god Fran what the actual hell have you done?

Before me stood Frank, a stupidly large grin on his face, wearing a hot dog costume.  Just...why?  What?  What are my eyeballs witnessing?

When I stood there unresponsive, Mikey came over to see what was going on and immediately froze as well.  Frank sniggered before bursting out laughing, not trying to suppress it anymore.  His howls were contagious, and we all ended up dying of laughter.  My mom, now very confused, came over to see what was happening and stood there, bewildered, confused, maybe a little horrified, but mostly laughing, like the rest of us.

After we finally calmed down, Frank stood up straight, smoothed out his suit and said to our mom, "You must be Mrs. Way, good to finally meet you."  He held out his hand, still keeping that stupid grin on his face.

Our mom shook hands with him and I muttered, "What are my eyeballs witnessing?"

"Beauty,"  Frank answered,  "Beauty."

He stepped inside and I closed the door behind him, the shock finally starting to wear off.

"Is this why you needed to go home?"  Mikey asked, plopping down on the sofa. "You bet," Frank replied, sitting down as well.  I took my usual seat, lying sideways on the recliner, my legs draping over one end.