Gerard's POV

I woke up to find that Frank's arm was draped over my chest. I didn't remember much, but I'm willing to bet that we fell asleep while hugging each other. The feeling filled my heart with warmth, and I smiled slightly as I looked over to Frank.

I can't believe how blind I was to realizing that I was attracted to him.

As I kept my eyes locked on him, I was able to observe every part of him. His hair was messy from tossing and turning in his sleep, and it fell loosely over his face. His lips were slightly parted, and small breaths fell from them each time he exhaled. The slow rising of his chest made a steady rhythm. Rise, fall, rise, fall.

He was truly a work of art. I don't know if there's a god out there, but damn they did a good job designing Frank. He was perfect in every single physical aspect.

His arm resting over me was a simple gesture, yet it still managed to make me feel so happy. I'm truly becoming a mess. I think Frank very well might be the death of me.

I eventually became lost in thought, and I didn't even notice when Frank's eyes fluttered open. When I realized that he had woken up, I looked down as a blush came over my cheeks. I hoped he didn't think I was strange for looking at him while he was asleep.

"Good morning, Gee." I looked back over to him and saw that he had a tired smile spread across his face. I smiled back.

"Good morning, Frankie," I lazily replied. Frank lifted his arm away from my body and sat up on the bed, running a hand through his hair. It was Monday, but I had previously decided to disable the alarm so it wouldn't scare Frank when he woke up.

I knew that Frank had classes to go to however, and that made me sad. Recently, I had gotten an email from my professor saying that from now on, visual art work would be graded through email, so I didn't have to attend classes in person until next school year. Unfortunately for Frank however, he still had classes for the rest of this week.

I observed him as he looked over to the clock on the wall, and slowly got out of the bed. "Still an hour left before class," he sighed. "Do you want to grab some coffee before I have to leave, or something?"

"Sure," I replied, "Just let me slip some more comfortable clothes on first." I had fallen asleep in the clothes I wore last night, so my legs were really itchy from the denim of the jeans I had on. A change in pants would likely fix the problem, along with a new shirt that wasn't covered in dry tears.

"Alright, I'll wait outside in the hallway for you." Frank had fallen asleep in shorts, so he probably didn't mind as much. I'm guessing that he would change into different clothes when it was time for class.

After he walked out the door and shut it behind him, I slipped off my jeans and shirt. I pulled on some sweat pants, and slid a long sleeve shirt over my head and onto my body. After I was done with that, I grabbed my dorm key and jacket, and I walked out the door, meeting Frank in the hallway. "Ready?" He asked me.

"Yep!" I said. In truth, I wasn't happy that Frank had to leave for his classes soon, but I acted happy anyway. After all, at least I would get to spend this small time with him before he had to go.

When we entered the café, the smell of freshly ground coffee hit me all at once. It was one of my favorite scents in the world, and it was a very recognizable one at that.

As I approached the counter, I was glad to see Jimmy working an early shift again. He eagerly noticed me and Frank walk in, and he made his way to the register. "What's up Gee? How are the art projects coming along? Do ya think you're gonna get an A plus?" Gerard chuckled at Jimmy's enthusiasm.

"Well, I'm intending to turn in one big main project, and then a bunch of extra credit work. I'm hoping that'll be just enough to push my grades over the top so I can pass for the semester." It was true. I wanted to put in all the effort I could, just to make sure that my grades were where I wanted them.

Jimmy laughed, "of course your grades are going to be great, Gee! You're like, the most talented artist I know that goes to this school! With skills like those, you'll graduate and become a comic artist in no time at all." Gerard smiled at Jimmy's comments. He appreciated any moral support he could grasp. "Anyway, the usual?"

"Yep! Same as always for me. How about you, Frank?" I turned to face Frank as I asked him what he wanted.

With some decision and menu-skimming, he finally decided. "I think I'll take the same thing as Gee actually. Thanks." Jimmy nodded and began tallying up the total cost.

After some persuasion, I convinced Frank to let me pay for his coffee as well as mine. When our drinks were ready, we sat down at a nearby table and began conversation.

"I'm going to be so lonely when you're at your classes this week," I said.

"Gerard, you've lived without me for almost three years! Why wouldn't you be able to do that for a few hours every day for one week?" Frank laughed a little.

"That's different! When I lived alone, I didn't know who you were. If you don't have knowledge of the person, you won't be able to miss them. Plus, I've just gotten used to you being around by now, so it'll be a change for me."

"Fair enough," Frank replied after sipping his coffee. "But it's only for this week."

"A week can last extremely long in my head, Frankie. My brain is a complicated variable in how fast this week passes." Frank looked at me with a confused stare, and I laughed before explaining. "What I mean is that my brain is the main thing that determines how entertaining the week is. If I keep it occupied, the week should go by rather quickly, but if it stays vacant, then the week will move as speedy as a snail."

"Oh." I laughed a little. Frank still looked amused at everything I had just said. He just brushed the topic off and took another drink of his coffee. He then began to change the subject. "So a comic artist, huh? Is that what career you want?" He had an interested tone.

"Oh, yeah it is. I've always wanted to be able to tell stories with my art. I also love character designing, so making heroes and villains live together in a universe would be perfect for that." He had a look of genuine intrigue on his face, which made me happier.

"That's sounds really cool, actually," he said with a smile on his face.

"Yeah. I think it'll be fun." I took another drink from my coffee, setting the cup down when it became empty. "So what about you?" I turned the topic over to him.

"What about me?"

"Yeah! What do you want for a career in the future?" I leaned slightly closer to him, folding my hands over the table.

"Well personally, I would like to be a music teacher. I know it's not a high paying job or anything, but I really would love to help kids learn more about instruments they enjoy. I didn't get that opportunity when I was younger, so I might as well give it to others." I smiled at his passion for music. It was amazing to hear him talk about music. The way he spoke about it, the way his eyes lit up, it always managed to make me smile.

"That sounds awesome, Frankie."

After awhile, we had both finished all our coffee and were back in the dorm room. After Frank finished getting ready for class, he waved goodbye and exited the dorm.

I sighed and sat down at my desk, observing the unfinished drawings I had stacked up on the small work space. I had previously decided that I would send in the drawing of the tree as my main project, and do a few character designs for extra credit.

I grabbed my pencil to begin sketching the outlines of the first character. I didn't have a specific idea in mind yet, I just sort of let my hand do whatever it wanted.

I eventually ended up with a slim-looking figure wearing a suit and tie. He had fairly short hair, and wore boots with the outfit.

After I finished inking the line-art, I got out my markers to begin working on the colors. I was soon left with a character who wore a blue suit and tie, black boots, and had reddish-orange hair. When I was content with the colors, I put my supplies away.

Finals were due on Friday, so I figured I could draw one character each day and then turn in everything at the end of the week. This would give me enough time to do other things during the day, but also be able to get all my work done.

When I looked up at the clock, I was pleased to see that it was lunch time already. Three more hours until Frank gets back I thought to myself.

Sadly though, when my mind drifted to Frank, it wasn't able to leave the thoughts of him alone. I found myself pulling out the letters he had written from my pocket. Speaking of which, I still had to check and see if he had written another letter yet.

I placed the notes carefully back into my pocket, zipping it up. The supply closet door was cracked slightly open when I approached it, so he had definitely been here.

The poem he had left this time was short and simple.

The color to your eyes,
The shine to your smile,
The curve to your lips,
They make my heart run wild.
xofrnk

Well that was fucking cute. I slid the poem into my pocket and read the letter that he had left alongside the poem.

Oooh, the mysterious type, eh? I see. Well, that's perfectly fine by me. I don't mind having to wait. But maybe you'd like to talk more, outside of letters and poems? If so, feel free to text me.
(862-DOG-LOVR) (Authors note: I don't know if that's an actual number, lol who wants to find out.)

~Frank

I smiled at the note, immediately taking my phone out and putting the number in my contacts. I wrote out a quick text. Hey Frank, this is your... pen pal? Lol that sounds so old, but idk what else to call it. Anyway, read your last letter and decided to text you. I won't bother you much longer, I know you're probably in class, but yeah, just letting you know that I read it. Loved the poem btw. :)

I quickly sent the text, and folded the letter neatly to put it in my pocket. It wasn't long before I had written Frank a letter of my own.

Thanks for the poem and letter. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I sent you a message from my phone as well. I'm still going to write you letters though, because at this point it's a tradition. Thanks.
~Anonymous

I folded up that letter and placed it on the ground. Retreating back to the dorm, I sat down on the bed. It wasn't long until I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket.

Frank: Oh, I'm glad you found it! I actually just got out of class for my lunch break. I was about to go ask my roommate Gerard if he wanted to eat lunch with me. Anyway, shouldn't you have been in class too?

I grinned at the message and immediately began typing back.

Me: Your roommate is Gerard? Didn't he tell you? All visual arts students are doing work from their dorms this week. Professor is out.

Frank: Oh yeah I remember him mentioning that! That's actually why I was going to ask him to eat lunch. He's been a bit bummed that he has to be in a dorm alone while I go to class. :( I'm kind of worried that he'll be busy when I get back though, and I don't want to disturb him.

I audibly said 'aww' at his consideration, throwing my hand over my mouth at the realization of what I had just done. God, can I be any gayer than that? I sound like a teenage girl making heart eyes at her crush when they walk past them in the school hallway. I giggle a little at the thought, and resumed typing.

Me: Don't worry Frank, I'm sure he'll appreciate it. And even if he doesn't want to go, I'm sure he'll be grateful that you offered.

I was pretty proud of myself for being able to text so well without him recognizing who I was. It was funny, I knew exactly what was happening, yet he had no idea who I actually was behind the phone screen.

Frank: Okay yeah, thanks. I guess you're right. Sorry to leave you hanging like that, though. Talk later?

Me: Of course. Meanwhile, go enjoy yourself with Gerard.

A smirk played on my lips as I typed out one final message.

Me: He's a hottie. ;)

I chuckled and waited for Frank's message back. I smiled as the phone vibrated in my hand, another message popping up on the screen.

Frank: Wowww, you're one of those types of people. Okay, ttyl.

I laughed at how completely oblivious Frank was to the situation. Placing my phone back into my pocket, I went over to the desk and looked over my drawings, pretending to be working. This type of thing gave me an advantage. I knew Frank would be back any minute now.

Almost as if on queue, he popped into the doorway and strutted inside with a big smile on his face. "What's up Gee?"

I smiled before replying, "the ceiling." He just rolled his eyes in a playful manner before walking over to where I was sitting.

"Get any cool drawings done?" He leaned, resting his arm on the top of the chair and looked at me with those bright hazel eyes.

"Yeah, I got a character design in. I'm going to do one each day until Friday I think. This is the one I made today." I held up the drawing of the blue-suited character, and watched nervously as he eyed the drawing.

"Looks great, Gee! I love the way you designed them." I smiled in relief before setting the picture back down on the desk.

"Thanks Frankie. But what're you doing here so early? I thought you didn't get out until later." I obviously knew what he was here for, but remember, I had to play two roles here. I had to act as I would if I had never texted him.

"Oh yeah!" He exclaimed. I chuckled at the fact that he forgot his initial intent for coming here. "I was going to ask if you wanted to grab lunch real quick? I know I'm not going to be here during the day most times, so I figured I would ask."

"I would love to do that, Frank." I grinned as I stood up from my chair, grabbing my keys and following him out the door.

We decided upon going to a nearby pizzeria, since it was decently cheap, and we were both broke college students. Frank asked me what type of pizza I wanted, and I said I didn't care, so we ended up sharing a medium sized veggie-lovers pizza.

When it first came out, it was easy to tell that it was fresh out of the oven. Frank made the mistake of biting into it without cooling it off, and he reacted when the hot cheese scorched the top of his mouth. I laughed at his foolishness, and held out his glass of water for him.

He gratefully took the glass and drank a big gulp from it. Afterwards he spoke numbly, "shit, now I can't feel my tongue. I think my taste buds have burned off."

"Maybe you should've thought about that possibility before you took a big bite of the steaming hot pizza, dumbass." I rolled my eyes but then smiled to let him know I was playing.

The rest of the time was spent eating and chatting. Frank was good at keeping up conversations with me. He knew what topics interested me, so he stuck with those and kept meaningless stuff out of the way.

We eventually finished, and I was back in the dorm, and Frank was back to his classes. I was about to lay down on the bed and text Lindsey, but I was stopped when I noticed another message from Frank.

Frank: You were right. He really enjoyed it.

Me: Told ya.

Frank: Btw, when will I ever get to learn your name?

I thought about this for a second. There really wasn't a preferred time for me to tell Frank who I actually was, so I had to think of something. I wanted it to be planned, but I wasn't sure when yet. I guess I would just go with something.

Me: Maybe after I've reached 50 letters, I'll think about it.

Frank: I have to write 50 whole letters!?

Me: Yup! Otherwise I guess you'll never know who I am, so better get to writing boy. >:)

I laughed and tossed my phone onto the bed, laying down beside it. When I felt the vibration of the phone surge through the mattress, I looked over at my phone for one last text.

Frank: How many letters do you have so far?

I reached into my pocket and pulled out all the letters he had written, counting each individual slip of paper. Once I had counted them, I sent him another text.

Me: 7. That means you have 43 left to write. Can't wait to see what you do. :)