To The Last Parade

Four

November

~Frank~

"No screw you!" I playfully punched Ray's arm and he chuckled.

"C'mon dude. Lets do this." He begged.

Ray was a bit taller than me and a lot bulkier. He had tan skin and excessive curly hair.

I looked over to Bob who was trying to ignore the situation and read.

Bob, unlike Ray had fine, blonde hair. He was a bit shorter than Ray but still towered over my head by a smidge.

I rolled my eyes there was no way I was going to ask Jamia on a date.

She was a bit too good for me. And I hadn't really felt that click yet with her.

Ray and Bob had been my friends for a while now along with James, Mikey, and that boy... Gerard.

Gerard was something else. When ever I'd need a shoulder to cry on, he'd be there. When ever I needed sombody to talk to, he'd be there. When ever I just needed a friend, he'd be there.

"Just go up to the girl so Ray will shut up about it." Bob grumbled, turning back to the book he had in his hands.

A group of girls including Jamia stood in front of the generals store across the street.

"Yeah... no." I said.

Ray smacked his lips and sighed.

"Why not?" He teased. "Afraid of... rejection?" He tried to be was taunting but I really just didn't like Jamia like that.

A blonde girl happily skipped over to the three of us to give Ray a hug.

She stood on her tip toes to reach his shoulders, sticking one foot up in the air. Her short, white skirt blew in the chilly breeze and I saw that Bob's attention was no longer on his book but on the girl's ass.

I knew this girl but I just couldn't seem to recall her name though we'd met at least a dozen times before.

"How are you baby?" Ray asked her, planting a kiss on her forehead.

"Great! I just wish you'd come shopping with us." She pouted.

"Christa, I have plans." Ray sadly admitted.

"But it's just me, Sarah, Jamia, Lindsey, Kristin, and Ashlee." Christa whined.

Ray shook his head as Bob and I uncontrollably laughed at them.

Ray hid his pointed middle finger from his girl friend and seemed most relieved when she walked away to her friends.

"Ladies man?" I chuckled and he lightly hit my arm and sighed in anger.

"Frank? Can we head back now? Ms. Way will be concerned." Bob said in irritation.

Ray nodded, making his curly hair swish around on his head.

"Alright." I sighed, taking one last glace at the group of girls before walking away with my two friends.

My fathers automobile was parked down the road and I flinched with fear, trying to avoid it.

"Guys, can we go a little faster?" I pleaded nervously.

"Frank, she's not looking." Ray sighed.

"No. J-just move please." I shuddered at the thought of being with my Dad again after almost 3 months.

Rather than leave like he normally did, he stayed with my mom this time because of me.

I dreaded thinking about what he did to her everyday...

"Please! I'll explain it at the house!" Tears began to form in my eyes as they gave in and we all began to run through the broken town.

Bob seemed angry, knowing that he'd have to actually move and Ray looked a bit concerned.

We zipped past countless vandalized homes and shops as well as garbage that sat all over the streets of Belleville. It was horrible.

The three of us met the small bridge at the end of the street the Ways lived on. I sped across it when I ran in to somebody at the end.

I stumbled but then quickly realized who it was... it was Gerard.

"Oh... um... hi..." he mumbled out awkwardly, looking down to the ground.

"What's up Gee?" Ray asked with elation, wheezing from the dash across town. I think we'd gotten far enough.

My face went bright red as I looked up at his flustered, tinted face. He tried to avoid eye contact and appeared nervous.

Bob sighed and began to trail off down the street.

"Where are you going?" I hollered out to him. But he only flipped me off and continued walking with his face in his book.

Ray scoffed and turned to me.

"So... I should be heading back now." He stated running one hand through his hair.

"Okay, bye man." I said. He gave me a pat on the shoulder and began walking in the opposite direction bob had gone.

Gerard and I stood awkwardly on the bridge with one another in silence.

"So, what were you up to?" I questioned with a slight chuckle.

"Oh... I was just... looking for you." He smirked with his cheeks now a deep magenta.

His hazel eyes met mine and I realized why I couldn't go to Jamia. I knew it sounded crazy, was against the will of humanity, and would surely get me shot but I think I liked him. More than a friend.

These thoughts disturbed me. The thought of me being in a relationship with another male. Nobody did that. It was weird.

I closed my thoughts in realization that even if I was to like... love Gerard, he'd never feel the same.

"Where's Mikey?" I asked.

Gerard looked towards his house.

"Home." He answered. "We should probably get going too. Curfew's in an hour."

I nodded and we began to make our way back to the house.

The pavement was rugged and had large holes in the cement, but I avoided stumbling into them. Gerard on the other hand... did not. He kept on tripping on the little dips, almost falling with each step. His klutzy self amused me.

"I was thinking we could sketch on the new parchment I got." Gerard suggested.

"Alright." I agreed. Though he had far more superior art skills then me, I still enjoyed the activity.

Suddenly Gerard hit another dip and began to fall. At the very last second, I found myself grabbing his arm. I had caught him.

He looked up at me as I pulled him to his feet.

"Thanks." He cleared his throat, brushing off his jacket.

"Hmm." I looked right at him and got a bit closer. His eyes shot open wide and looked at me all crazy.

"What are you doing?" He asked gently.

I place one finger over his mouthed and shhed him.

His face looked shocked but in a relaxed manner.

Our chests now were in contact and I brushed his black hair behind his right ear.

He leaned in a bit more causing our faces to practically meet. Then it happened. His lips met mine for a brief second. Then I backed away and looked at him with wide eyes and a small smile that gradually grew. He smirked as well, not breaking the eye contact.

We began to walk again in silence, just with stupid grins. No words needed to be said. It was a perfect moment that I wanted to last forever.