Fever Dream || Frank Iero

.14.

FRANK

Although the night began lightly, there was still some tension between Gerard and I. He seemed chipper and back to normal once everyone was together, but I knew the conversation wasn't over. All I wanted was for him to stay out of my business- he never cared about the women I slept with before, so I couldn't understand why he cared now. I was sure I knew what I was doing.

I watched her closely through the game, trying to decide what my next move would be. The cocky, playground teasing only seemed to make her angry, although it was my usual tactic for the girls that didn't accept my advances the first time. Our night after the last show confused me, and made me question how I was going to pull it all off. She was a different breed, but I couldn't tell what breed she was.

She seemed more relaxed that night, and I wondered if it had anything to do with her conversation with Gerard. I secretly hoped that it didn't. If she became involved with anyone else, what I was trying to accomplish would be nearly impossible. I watched her laugh harder than I had ever seen her laugh before, sputtering on her drink as Patrick made a ridiculous prank call. For once she wasn't paying any mind to me at all- likely it was due to the drink in her hand.

Her hair was down, which I wasn't used to. It was long, nearly touching her legs as she sat Indian-style on her chair. She wore a large tank-top that dipped down her sides, revealing the tattoos on her ribs, full of color. I chuckled to myself, thinking about how she sat like a child, her hands grasped on her ankles. I continued to drink, sizing her up when I heard my name next to me abruptly.

Pete was pointing at me, and I almost laughed from being startled by the snap back to reality. Knowing it was my turn, I chose dare, assuming it would be something juvenile and borderline disgusting, as most of the dares have been. Pete turned from me and looked at Melissa. My brows furrowed, no longer knowing what kind of dare to expect.

"I dare you to have Melissa sit on your lap until my next turn."

Drunk, I did my best to hide my surprise, unsure what Pete was doing. Considering he was on the other end of the bet, it made no sense for him to draw her closer to me- unless he wanted her to think I set this up myself. That being the only reason I could think, I turned on the sly grin I commonly used to display my confidence. I thought this might work in my favor, waiting to see Melissa's reaction. My assumption was that she would protest- but I could see her mind working.

Gerard began to defend her case when to my surprise- she stood. And I saw it- she knew. 

There was a glow in her eyes, her lips slightly parted as she looked at me. I was almost taken aback, having to actually control my reaction knowing that the group was watching. I needed to take in a deep breath but didn't want to seem eager so I kept it steady. My eyes followed down to her body as she walked toward me, quickly shooting back up to her face. It wasn't until now that I noticed the light freckles resting on her cheeks.

Boldly she made her way over to me and turned, sitting on my lap while resting her hands on the seat beside my legs. She was still being reserved, I could tell. Normally I would have been all over the opportunity, but I somehow paused and noticed the strands of hair laying against her back. Her shoulders were adorn with tattooed flowers, something delicate about the way her bone curved down into her arm. She smelled sweet, like a blend of lavender and soft cherry as I felt her back press closer against my chest.

I looked over her shoulder at her thighs against mine, suddenly not feeling like myself. It nearly made me angry- my reputation on the line. Being known as the confident one putting notches in my bedpost, my curiosity threw me off my mojo. I could see the rounding of her eyes in front of me, as she looked forward, blinking slowly. For a moment, I wondered what she was thinking. Her confidence seemed to fade once she placed herself onto my lap.