Common People (frerard)

Chapter 4

My first class of the day was unfortunately my mathematics class. I walked into the small classroom and froze when I saw Frank in the third row. We made eye contact before I sat down in the front row. I heard some rustling before Frank came up to sit in the seat beside me.

"I'm sorry for yesterday," he said. "I should have thought my actions through before running in, I was just upset. I'm sorry if my actions got you in trouble or put you at risk. I was dumb and impulsive, I realized you might be in trouble so I let you go before I made him more upset, I didn't want him getting any angrier and taking it out on you."

I didn't say anything. Frank pulled out a notebook and pen, setting them onto the table. The pen began rolling and almost fell off when Frank quickly grabbed it, making me flinch.

"I-I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to move so fast."

He tucked his pen into the spiral spine of his notebook.

"I just want to be able to talk to you and maybe hang out if that's okay, you seem like a really cool and interesting person," he said.

I continued looking straight ahead.

"Me and my friend Jamia were going to go to get some coffee after this class if you wanted to come," he said. "It's on me."

I tapped my thumb against my middle finger repeatedly.

"Or if you don't like coffee I can buy you a smoothie or something," he said. "I--"

"Go," I interrupted. "Just leave me alone."

"Gerard--"

"Leave!" I shouted.

A couple kids looked over and Frank stared before he grabbed his stuff and moved back to his original seat. The professor came in and started class. I didn't look back but I knew that Frank had his eyes on me for the entire class. Two excruciating hours later of keeping my head focused, I walked out of class quickly. My next class wasn't for a few hours but I had to work. I went to the school store and put on my red apron before sitting behind the counter.

I spent some time helping students find what they needed. Halfway through my shift, I saw an instagram notification telling me that Frank followed my account.

My shift was coming to an end when Andy came in, looking very pissed as I checked out a student.

"Why did I just check your account to find Frank following you?" He asked.

"Andy, I-I'm with a customer," I said.

"I don't give a fuck," he said.

I quickly finished ringing the girl up before she left.

"My shift ends in ten minutes, I'll meet you outside," I said.

"No, I'm talking to you now," he said.

"I-I can't," I said.

"Why did he follow you?" He asked. "Are you talking to him?"

"No, no, I swear I'm not," I said.

"Give me your phone," he ordered.

I handed it to him and he unlocked it. His thumbprint has been registered on my phone for a long time now. Andy looked through my phone, thankfully not making any more of a scene. My coworker came in to relieve me and I took off my apron, going outside to the seating area with Andy.

"Alright, I thought I could trust you to handle your own accounts but clearly I can't," he said, pulling out his own phone. "Give me your instagram password."