When The Day Met The Night: 3

"Gerard!" Mikey whined, shoving my shoulder relentlessly.
   "What d'you want?" I mumbled, burying my face in my pillow.
   "I can't reach the cereal!" he cried, stomping his foot. God, I hate seven-year-olds…
   I forced myself up with my arms, glaring at him. "Why couldn't Mom get it for you?"
    "She had a late shift at the hospital. She's still sweeping," he replied.
   "Sweeping?" I wondered, giving the boy the most incredulous look possible.
   "Sleeping," Mikey corrected with a nod. I rolled my eyes forcing myself out of bed. I looked at my clock, the harsh red digits reading 8:46.
    "Ugh… this is too early for a Saturday morning," I groaned, following Mikey into the kitchen. I opened the pantry, pulling a box of Lucky Charms down. I tossed it on the table, walking back down the hall toward my room. "Knock yourself out!" I called over my shoulder. I paused in the doorway, staring down the hall. "Not literally!" I added after a minute.
   I collapsed on the bed, nuzzling my face into my pillow. A loud thudding noise echoed through the house and it took me a minute to realize someone was knocking on the door. I shrugged to myself. Mikey could get it.
   "Hi, Mister!" Mikey chimed. I stiffened waiting for the person's reply.
   "Hi," a familiar voice greeted. "Is Gerard here?"
   "Who are you?" Mikey wondered.
   "My name is Frank. Who are you?"
   "My name is Mikey!"
   "Are you Gee's little brother?"
   I didn't hear Mikey's reply because I was rushing through my room, looking for a pair of pants and a shirt. I pulled some black jeans over my legs before ducking into a Misfits shirt. I adjusted the shirt on my shoulders, shaking my messy hair into some form of order.
   I raced into the living, standing behind Mikey with a shy grin. "Hey, Frank," I greeted. "I hope Mikey didn't bother you."
   "I didn't bother no one!" Mikey cried defensively.
   I started to correct his grammar, but Frank laughed. "No… Mikey was just telling me about Lucky Charms. Did you know they're magically delicious?" Frank wondered with mock surprise. My eyes fluttered closed with a defeated sigh.
   I turned to Frank, my eyes snapping open. "I'm so sorry… I didn't know you'd be stopping by."
   Frank grinned. "Oh, please, Gerard. It's okay! Mikey's so cute. He reminds me of Alicia."
   "My friend's name is Alicia!" Mikey shouted, jumping up and down. I placed my hands on his shoulders, forcing him to keep his feet on the ground.
   "Oh… so you're the Mikey she never shuts up about," Frank said with a wink. Frank averted his gaze to me. "So, Gerard, would you like to hang out with me today?"
   My eyes widened. "Really?"
   "Well, yeah. You're my friend."
   "Really?"
   "Yeah! You're like the only person that doesn't hang out with me because of my dad."
   "What's up with your dad?"
   "He's wealthy."
   "So you're wealthy?"
   Frank paled, biting his lip nervously. "Um… Yeah…"
   I shrugged. "Cool, but I'm sure I could kick your ass at any video game your money can buy, Rich Boy." Frank grinned, any anxiety from the moment before gone.
   "We'll just see about that," Frank challenged, grabbing my hand and tugging me out the door.

X-X-X

"Ha!" I yelled, throwing my hands up. "I win again!"
   "How?" Frank whined, dropping his controller into his lap. "You're like a video game god or something." He bowed down to me and I laughed.
   "I'm not supposed to b worshipped," I said. "I'm meant to be envied."
   "Believe me… You're envied… Zombie-killing son of a bitch," Frank muttered.
   "Oh, come on… Let's not bring my mother into this," I said with a laugh.
   Frank narrowed his eyes and stuck his tongue out at me. "It's a figure of speech, Smart Ass."
   "Everyone likes a little ass but nobody likes a smart ass," I joked, getting up to raid his fridge.
   "I happen to like both." Frank giggled, following me. He rummaged through his cabinets, producing a huge bag of Doritos. "So how'd you get so good at video games, Gee?"
   "Years of nothing else to do," I replied, popping open a coke. I tossed my head back and chugged the soda, draining half the can in record time.
   "Hmm…" Frank hummed. "Ever heard of 'Pump It Up'?"
   I shook my head. "Nope. Should I have?"
   "Can I ask you a weird question?" Frank wondered, a mischievous grin on his lips.
   "You just did," I replied nervously.
   "Can you dance?" Frank questioned, raising an eyebrow.
   "Nope. Never could and I don't think I ever will."
   Frank's grin widened into a smile. "Perfect," he purred.