Rejects

Chapter Twelve - Cemetery Drive

I wasn't paying attention to anything for the rest of the day.  Because of this, however, I managed to do some stupid things.  I repeatedly walked into both people and lockers, if a teacher called my name I didn't even hear it until they said it multiple times loudly, and any time I was mentioned, or someone touched me, or anything, I think I had a mini heart attack. 

At lunch Mikey was still nowhere to be seen, which made me worried, until he finally showed up in art, however unlike usual he didn't sit near me, and when I tried to go up and talk to him he just said, "We'll talk later, Gee.  This isn't the right time or place."  That annoyed me, why should he get to decide what is and isn't right?  Why does he act so mature?  Why can't I seem to? 

Finally the end of the day came, and I met up with Mikey at his locker to go home.  When I introduced myself he sighed and continued packing his homework.  "Gee-"

"I'm not gonna leave this building without you and don't think for even a second that I am, because I'm not, and I won't." I cut him off. 

He slammed his door shut and turned to face me, slinging his backpack over his shoulder.  "Let's at least wait until we're outside to talk then, okay?" 

I groaned in annoyance, but complied and we left the school.  Once we were out of the parking lot I faced my younger brother and said, "Okay, times up.  We really need to talk about this morning." 

"That depends."

"On what?!"

"Have you and Frank sorted your shit out?"

"Yes, we have, we talked about everything."

"And?"

"And we decided you were being a bitch."

Mikey chuckled, but never turned to face me. "Look, Gee," He said in an almost guilty voice, "I'll admit I was being kinda unreasonable this morning.  But I'm not the only one at fault." 

"I know, we all played a part.  Frank shouldn't have been that mad at you, especially once I told him you and I were good.  And I should have remembered to tell him we did sort things out, or at least explain things better.  Come to think of it I really should have just told you where I was going and risked being one minute late for the movie, not like it was gonna start right on time anyway." 

"Yeah, that way this whole situation could have been avoided."

I looked down as the two of us fell into silence.  I briefly pondered telling him about Frank kissing me again, but quickly decide against it.  There's no real need to, so I'd rather not.  Suddenly my phone buzzes, and I take it out.  A message from Frank pops up on my screen that reads:

Hey have you talked to Mikey yet?  I really hope you 2 can talk it out, I don't wanna be the reason you guys  turn on each other

I quickly reply that we're talking right now and he sends back, Oh awesome!  Hey, if you guys want you can come back to Cemetery Drive.  Omw there rn

Wait what's cemetery drive again?  I ask.

The willow tree!

Oh yeah sorry I forgot

I tell him I'll ask Mikey if he wants to go and put my phone away.  Then I look shyly over at my younger brother and ask, "Have you come to terms with Frank?"  He glances at me and answers, "As long as he doesn't have a problem with me." I nod quickly and say, "Yeah, he's fine!  Actually, he just invited both of us back to the willow tree..."

"Oh, really?" 

"Yeah, do you wanna go?" 

"Um...I kinda have a lot of homework.  How about you go and I head home?" 

"Oh come on, Mikey!  You can do it later!  Besides, it probably would be a good idea for the three of us to talk as a group." 

Finally Mikey gives in and we start heading toward the cemetery.  I shoot my mom a quick text telling her we're hanging out with Frank again and we continue on our way.  When we arrived we stepped under the wall of hanging leaves and see Frank leaning against the trunk with his earbuds plugged in and a math textbook out, his backpack laying beside him.  He seems very lost in thought, just kind of...in his own world.  Anywhere but the planet Earth.  Lucky bitch. 

Mikey clears his throat to announce our presence and Frank snaps out of his trance, dropping the textbook on the ground and scrambling to pause his music before looking up at us, a mixed look of surprise and fear on his face.  After a moment the look softens and he breathes deeply, smiling that goofy smile of his and chuckling quietly. 

"You gave me a heart attack!"  He exclaims, making me giggle as I set my things down. 

"Sorry." Mikey mutters, doing the same. 

"It's fine, all is forgiven." 

I tentatively sit down on the swing and Mikey takes the bench as Frank begins to gather all his things.  "I'm glad you two came," He starts, "Sorry about this morning." 

"No, it's fine, Gee told me you two worked your shit out and you seem okay to me so I guess I'm good too."  Mikey replies.  Quietly, I say, "It's safe to say that none of us were in a good place this morning, but we had a day to ourselves to think and I think we can all agree that we're past it now.  That being said, could we please try to forget about it and move on?  It was one tiny argument, we can get past it pretty quickly." 

There's a beat of silence before Frank starts laughing. 

"What's so funny?"  Mikey inquires. 

"I feel like I'm in group therapy."  Frank states, making us laugh as well.  That's when it begins, all the laughing and joking and being friends again.  We got past the argument, and I'm glad none of us are holding grudges. 

After about an hour we decide it's time to leave, but we all plan on meeting here again tomorrow.  Actually, I think this is gonna become a daily thing, going to the willow tree for a little bit before heading home after school each day.  What is it that Frank calls this place?  Oh yeah, Cemetery Drive.  Well, Cemetery Drive, until tomorrow, so long. 

Frank, Mikey and I walk together until Frank has to go down a different street, only two away from our own.  He hugs me goodbye and waves to Mikey before running off.