October | Frerard | Finished |

1 - Ghosts

I lit the day old cigarette in my hand. I had already started to smoke it and put it out once. But I had not had one in a while, so I was starting to succumb to the need of smoking one. Those Marlboro 100's always get to me. So does the coffee, from Blue Oak Cafe-the same cafe I just happened to be sitting outside of. I was waiting on Annie, the owner, to arrive. The air was also very cold and brisk, being an autumn day. I was starting to get irritated because I did not bring a jacket. I guess that was my fault though. 

A few moments later, footsteps interrupted my smoke. I looked up and there Annie stood. Finally, was all I could think to myself. I stepped up to move out of the way of the double doors so Annie could unlock them. Being the owner, she was usually the one to open the cafe. She didn't have many workers anyways. 

"I'll have," I started to make my request but I got interrupted by Annie.

"Coffee?" She asked, already grabbing a mug from the back area.

"Uh." I squinted at the tiny words on her unreadable menu. "Maybe. Yeah. Coffee." 

I didn't talk much. I wasn't usually the type to talk. Annie was the only one I even dared to say anything to. I had major social anxiety, so when I did, she was excited. Today was one of those days. Annie's face was plastered with enjoyment that I had begun to talk first. I usually come in, order, sit down, wait, and then drink my coffee until I feel like dealing with my stressful responsibilities of the day. I'm Gerard Way, I go out when I want to. Sadly, I do have a job, so it makes it hard to abide by this mentality. 

A few minutes later Annie came out with my coffee, interrupting my thoughts. She handed it to me with a smile. The workers and first few costumers were rolling in. The anxiety started to kick in. I made my way to my special seat and table Annie made for me. The awkward thing about this cafe is more than one person can sit at a table. Luckily for me, I make sure to glare at anyone who even looks at me.

I was just sipping my coffee, minding my own business, when I heard the chair in front of me make a screeching noise. I looked up and saw another man in the chair in front of me. He looked about 30-35.

I glared at him immediately. Everyone here knows this is my table. It quite obviously says Gerard on the two chairs.

"Did I do something wrong...?" The guy responded casually, taking a sip of what looked like a hot chocolate or a black coffee. He acted as if he did nothing, but he sat at my table, in one of my seats. Even if these weren't my seats, he still had no right to sit without asking me. It is just bad manners. 

"My table." I stated coldly. I quickly looked down at my haunted phone. I had to speak!

His eyes got wide from my attitude, "Dude what-"

"I'm not a dude." I clarified,"I'm Gerard."

"Well Gerard, can I call you a jerk instead?" He asked, sarcastically. I was getting tired of speaking to this random man. He was a cretin. I don't even speak to Annie that much, unless I need someone. 

"Hilarious- now move. I don't talk to people." I replied.

I was searching ghost pictures on Google, possibly to update one of my social media sites. It was October. But of course,  he had to stare over at my phone. I glared at him and covered my phone. It was rude of him to invade my privacy when he barely knows me.  

"Are you searching ghost pictures on google?" He questioned. I looked at his eyebrows cocking up at me.

"Yes!" I said defensively.

"Don't get defensive." He said.

"I'm not, dumb ass." I rolled my eyes,"I've said enough to you, please go and leave me alone. I have no idea why you're here. I don't even know you."

"I'm Frank."

"Was I asking?" I replied.

After that conversation I almost left the cafe for the first time at 9:00 in the morning. It feels so weird having a conversation with a person that I do not even know. I like texting, but even that makes me anxious. Frank and I mostly ignored each other the rest of the time. I pretended he wasn't there. I had no idea why he even bothered to sit here in the first place. He probably had hoped he chose another seat with a nice guy. He thought wrong. All he got was a socially anxious man, who hides his feelings and becomes emotionless to everything.

"OH MY GOSH, ANNIE!" I screeched. She immediately rushed out, considering I don't talk, this had to be important,"HALLOWEEN IS IN 3 DAYS!"

"Yes, Gee." Annie just shook her head and chuckled. She was used to this. My usual excitement for Halloween happens every October. Every September I get excited for October. I love October and I love Halloween. That means people talk about ghosts. That's when I tolerate people. Sometimes, anyways.

"You like things to do with October?" Frank interrupted. A smirk was slowly forming on his face.

"Yeah..?" I said with question in my voice.

"I was born on Halloween." Frank said.

"Oh, uh cool." I shrugged. I was secretly excited to hear that. I mean, I was disliking Frank, but hearing he was born on the only important day in existence, made me warm up to tolerating him more. Was I going to submit to Frank? No. So I kept to myself and contained my excitement. 

"Frank, Do you come here often?" I asked. I surprised myself instantly. I actually asked another person a question! I was talking to Frank more than I did Annie in an entire week, and she was my best friend.

"Yeah, everyday." He smiled.

"No way. You're lying," I was surprised someone else spent that much time at Blue Oak. I had never noticed this Frank guy before.

"I'm not," Frank rolled his eyes,"You just notice nobody. Billie Joe Armstrong could walk in here and you wouldn't notice."

He has a point, although I'm not saying that. "Whatever." I sighed.

"That's all you ever say." Frank mumbled quietly.

"All you seem do is exist, annoy me, and talk." I pretended to shudder,"Nasty." 

We started laughing together for some reason. I just couldn't keep it in. I haven't laughed like this in ages. But it wasn't Frank, I don't think. It was because I called him nasty.  I was still smiling as I sipped my coffee, scrolling through twitter. I just realized my name wasn't festive. I changed it to 'Scare-ard Way' like I do every October. I was a little late this year, being caught up in life and all. Annie came out with a bowl of butterfingers, and set them on our table. I sincerely smiled at her, which made her happy. I was just in a good mood. I reached for a Butterfinger, when I felt Frank's finger's lightly brush over mine. I looked up at him and he quickly jerked back, blushing. I raised an eyebrow and grabbed three butterfingers. Candy was delicious. Butterfingers were my absolute favorite.

"I have to go." I said to Frank. As much as I was starting to get along with Frank, I was tired of socializing. I had other things I needed to accomplish anyways. I waved at him and left the cafe a little bit early that day-except this time I left happy.