Illumination of the End (Frerard)

Chapter 19

Chapter 19:

Using the libraries phone, Frank called the number of the Cartoon Network building there in New York. A man had answered and set up an interview to meet Gerard tomorrow at noon in his office. Perfect. Everything was going perfect. Nothing was going to bring them down now. Gerard would obviously get the job because, I mean, have you seen his drawings? They're amazing.

Frank and Gerard were walking down the sidewalk again, in the direction of nowhere in particular. Just walking to walk; not like they had anyplace to go. Frank could tell that Gerard was excited about the job offer. It was his dream job, and now it was right in front of him. 

They walked all the way to Central Park. It was a refreshing sight to finally see some trees again. The city was much different from back home, but at least the park offered them some shade. They were seated under a tall oak tree, much like the one back at the cemetery which comforted the both of them. 

Gerard was deep in thought, as his eyes were focused on watching a nearby ant crawl through the surrounding blades of grass. He was trying to think of what he would say tomorrow for the interview. Gerard had never had a job before... What was a job interview going to be like? What questions would they ask? He didn't even have a phone number or address to tell them... A lot of things could go wrong... Then he glanced down at the clothes he was wearing. They were dirty and it didn't help that he hadn't packed many other clothes in his bag.

Who in their right mind would hire a guy that was dressed like a homeless person? This was a big job, not a part-time job taking shifts at a gas station. He needed something nice to wear.

"Frank." Gerard spoke, breaking the silence. "I need a nice outfit to wear tomorrow. They're not going to hire me looking like this... How much money have we got."

Frank frowned and his top lip lifted up a little as he thought. "About fifty bucks, but we need that for food... and even that can't buy you a nice outfit. This is New York... Everything is like twice as expensive here..."

"Well we have to do something... I can't wear these clothes to an interview."

"Alright, alright." Frank threw his hands up, and then he cocked his head around to scan the array of shops that surrounded the park. "Look," he pointed across the street to an Armani Suits for Men store. "Let's go there?"

Gerard quickly shook his head. "Those suits are like at least five hundred dollars. We need something more along the price range of like... 10 bucks."

"I knew where we can get one for free..." Frank arched his eyes brow up.

"Frank... if you're thinking about shoplifting a suit from that store... " Gerard paused for a moment and looked at Frank. Frank was quite a pro at doing things like this... Maybe it wouldn't be that hard... "Alright, I'm in." Gerard said reluctantly.

Frank hopped to his feet and pulled Gerard up with him. "We just gotta get in, get the suit, try it on in the dressing room, then shove it in our bags. It's easy. Done it a million times." 

"Well, have you ever done it at a store as expensive as this one?" Gerard questioned. Frank didn't respond, which was more of a response than if he would've actually replied. No, Frank had never stolen something this expensive. A five hundred dollar suit wasn't his normal necessity. 

They walked in through the door of the suit store, trying to look as normal as they possibly could. Of course, Gerard was about to shake out of his skin he was so nervous. Suits lined the walls. The two boys looked extremely out of place there. A store employee noticed them and greeted Gerard with a smile.

"Can I help you two gentlemen?" he said happily.

Gerard couldn't open his mouth, in fear that he would say something wrong, but luckily, Frank chimed in just in time.

"We just looking around, thanks," Frank wrapped his arm around Gerard's back and the man nodded and went off to help another customer. "Okay, let's do this quickly. Pick one out that's your size. Go in a dressing room and stuff it in your bag. I'll wait out here." he whispered. 

"But- Why can't you come in the dressing room with me? Frank, I-I don't think I can so this, let's just go."

"No! Gerard, it would look suspicious if we both go in there. Now's the time to do it!"

Gerard sighed and gave in. He quickly picked out a black jacket, matching pants, a white dress shirt, and even a tie. He found an open dressing room and left Frank to wander aimlessly around the store while he tried the new clothes on. 

He stood there in front of the giant mirror taking a minute to admire himself. The suit fit almost perfectly. It framed his shoulders and made him look older and mature. Mature enough to get a good job. Yes, the suit was perfect. He quickly removed everything off, and put his old outfit back on. After folding everything to lay down nice and flat, he placed it in his bag of clothes. It wasn't noticeable at all. This was really going to work. 

His nervousness was replaced with new-found confidence, and he strolled out of the dressing room out to meet Frank, who was admiring the vast selection of ties. 

"Okay." Gerard said loud enough for the employee around them to hear. "I couldn't find anything here. Let's go to that other place I was telling you about." 

Frank shot him a look and nodded. "Alright."

Together they walked back over to the front doors of the store. Frank had just opened the door and Gerard was halfway outside when a loud beeping rang out from the door. 

Shit. Security tags on the clothes. Great.

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ehhh this was kind of a short chapter but anyways yeah >.< Ill try to upload again tomorrow and I'd love to hear your feedback or any suggestions 

thanks for reading! <3