I Don't Think We Should See Each Other Anymore (Frerard) (slow updates)

Chapter 4 (F/G)

[i actually wanted to wait with updates but since i have everything finished until chapter 8 i decided to publish this one now (also because im e x c i t e d)

warning for mention of a car crash and discussion of anxiety and therapy in this entire chapter but nothing major]

Frank smiled shyly when Gerard sat down opposite of him. "So," Gerard started, folding his hands and putting them on the table, "what do you wanna drink? Coffee?"

"Oh, uh, actually," Frank scratched the back of his neck, his gaze down, "I just quit my last job but since I'm still in college, my mom said she'd support me financially but I'd rather save that money for-"

"I'll pay for you," Gerard said, smiling sweetly when Frank looked up at him, "it's not a problem. We're on a date, after all."

Frank's heart skipped at that. Was this actually a date?

Did he even want to go on a date with Gerard?

Yes, Frank had agreed on getting coffee, but he never said he'd go on a date with him.

Gerard seemed to get his hesitance instantly. "O- or not. This doesn't have to be a date if- if you don't want it to be," Frank visibly relaxed at that, and Gerard gave him a small smile, "I'm just glad I get to talk to you again."

Hesitantly, Frank reached over and took Gerard's hand. "Maybe you can meet me in the middle and we'll say it's a half-date?"

At that, Gerard couldn't help but grin dorkily. "That would be nice. So, coffee?"

"Yes, please."

Gerard quickly waved a waitress over and ordered two cups of coffee, all while not letting go of Frank's hand. The waitress smiled sweetly before she vanished again and Gerard turned back to his half-date. For a second, he hesitated, just looking Frank in the eye.

Then, he gripped Frank's hand tighter before finally asking the question that had been nagging him for the past week. "Frank, you weren't sick, were you?"

His blood ran cold. "I- what? What do you mean?"

Sighing, Gerard shifted in his seat a bit. "When you're sick, you usually sleep for hours. You're always so exhausted that you can't keep your eyes open. But you called me just half an hour after I left. So?"

Frank gulped and his gaze fell into his lap. He needed to tell the truth now, no matter how hard it would be.

Right as he gathered all his courage, the waitress came back and set the cups on the table. She smiled and told the two to enjoy their coffee and Gerard thanked her. Before she left though, she turned to Frank and leaned her head to the side. "Is everything okay?"

He quickly looked up at her, locking eyes, and for a second, he thought he saw actual concern in her eyes. But why would she be concerned? She was merely a stranger to him.

"Uh, yeah," Frank mumbled, gazing down again. Then, an idea shot into his head; maybe he felt nervous telling Gerard about it but he could tell a stranger, couldn't he? If Gerard somehow would overhear that, he wouldn't have to tell him directly.

So, he took another deep breath and looked up at the waitress again. His gaze fell onto the small name tag attached to her blouse.

"Cassandra," he said, and she seemed a bit shocked that he knew her name, "look, I- I'm sorry if my behavior seemed impolite. I have a- an anxiety disorder so I get really nervous sometimes-"

"Hey, that's okay," Cassandra said, giving him a small smile when he glanced up. Then, she took the notepad and pen from her apron and scribbled something down. She folded the paper and put it on the table in front of him. Frank gave her a questioning look and her smile widened. "My mom's a psychiatrist so maybe, if you wanted, you could go there sometime- just call me, and I'll make an appointment for you."