Seventy Times Seven

At the end of the day I went to my locker to put my stuff away. The only homework I had was World History, and I was sure I could finish it in study hall tomorrow. So I put everything away and grabbed my wallet and my keys.

I shut the door on my locker and found Gerard standing on the other side of it. "So whats up my loving Chelsea friend?" he asked with a smug smile.

I looked at him really weird. Since when am I his 'loving Chelsea friend'?

"What? Don't act like you and Frank aren't hiding something from me Mikey, and Ray. You guys are together now yea?"

I glared at him. More out of insecurity than anger. I tried to think of good way to end the conversation. "If by 'together' you mean 'best friends' then yea. We're together," I said with a comforting smile. Trying to make it sound normal.

Gerard gave me a confused look, that quickly turned into one of annoyance. Then Mikey showed up behind him as Frank slid next to me. Before anyone could say anything else, Frank said, "Hey guys. Me and Chels are going to the pet store. Wanna come with?"

Mikeys eyes lit up as we started walking toward the parking lot, "Are you going to show her Reggie?!"

"Nah mom probably-"

"Yea," Frank interrupted with a huge smile. Who the hells Reggie?

Gerard quickly stepped in. "Mom probably wants us home Mikey. We'll come some other time," he said sternly as we stopped, seeing as Gerards car was one direction and mine and Franks was another.

Frank just sighed, "Your loss. See ya you guys."

I heard a small 'later' from Gerard as he and Mikey turned off toward their car and me and Frank walked the opposite direction to ours.

I heard a faint 'But I wanna go see Reggie!' and I couldnt help but turn around. When I did though, I saw that Gerard had turned around, and winked at me. I gave him a sarcastic smile and gestured him to shove it. But, as reply, he spun completely around and, walking backwards, did a look of pain/pleasure and gave a swift pelvic thrust, which caused me to laugh out loud.

Frank noticed and looked back just as Gerard turned back around, "What?"

"Nothing," I said with a smile. "Gerards just being stupid. So who's this Reggie guy?"

Frank just smiled, "He's this awesome..thing I know. You'll like him."

We pulled up to Claws and Paws pet shop (in my car, Frank drove home and I picked him up) and Frank jumped out, quickly grabbing my hand and dragging me in. Obviously excited about this 'Reggie' character.

We walked in and I couldn't see any sort of store clerk. It was a pretty dinky pet shop. The kind that only had one or two people working there at a time. Whoever was there was probably in back doing something.

Frank quickly dragged me over to the birds though. The Cockatoos, I do believe.

Franks eyes lit up and he held his hand down to one in particular. It had a light green tint to it and bright yellow feathers on his head. "Reggie!" Frank whispered in delight as the bird quickly ran up Franks arm and snuggled into the crook of his neck.

My mouth dropped. "Oh..my god.. Reggie is a bird?"

"Not just any bird," Frank said happily. "He's even british! See? Listen, this is the only thing I've taught him to say.."

Frank then leaned his head toward the bird and muttered something to it. Then, the bird belted out, uncomfortabley loud in the quiet of the pet store...

"For fawwwwks sake!"

I almost died laughing. "Oh my god, that bird did NOT just say 'for fucks sake'..."

Frank just smiled triumphantly, "It was Gerards idea. But he picked up the british accent himself! Didn't you Reggie?" Frank nodded his head and Reggie started bobbing in unison. "This bird loves me!"

I laughed, reaching out to pet Reggie gently, since he seemed so loving perched there on Franks shoulder. But his little yellow head feathers shot up and he bit me! "Ow, fuck!" I complained as a little bit of blood came from my finger.

"Oh, he uh, doesnt like other people. I had to teach him that too, so that no one would buy him... Sorry," he replied apologetically. Then we heard something come from the back room and Reggie started nibbling on Franks ear. "Agh. We gotta go," he cringed as Reggie nibbled consistantly.

Then he grabbed my hand yet again, and ran out the pet shop door.

With Reggie still perched on his shoulder!

"Dude, the bird?!" I asked as he slid into the car. Reggie snuggled himself up underneath Franks hair like a cape, making it so you almost couldn't see him.

Frank giggled like a little girl and cringed a bit. "I love you too!" he said in a singsongy voice.

"I think I'm gonna puke a little.." Even though I couldn't help but smile. Frank really loved animals I guess..

"Shut up," he said, still in the singsongy voice. "And I'll bring him back. It's not like I stole him. I wouldn't do that, I don't have the stuff to take care of him. I do this all the time. Aren't we going to the mall?"

I looked at him retardedly. "You want to take the bird to the mall...?"

He shrugged, making Reggie stumble a little. "For one, I'd prefer you call him 'Reggie' and not 'the bird'. And secondly, yea, he loves KB Toys," he replied proudly.

I shook my head in disbelief, but started the car, all the same.

"He really likes to hide under my hair when its long," Frank said with a small giggle. I glanced over and sure enough, 'Reggie' was as close to Franks face as possible, hiding behind his hair.

Reggie looked over at me, like 'what the fuck you lookin at?' and I couldn't help but laugh. This bird obviously loved Frank. "How long have you two er...known eachother?"

"About a year," Frank said proudly.

I looked at him confused, "Pet stores don't normally keep animals for a year.."

"Yea I know, but me and Ray taught him to bite people that weren't me, so no one could buy him. And the manager hates me, but he's related to Corey somehow. And Corey convinced him to keep him. He wouldn't at first, but Reggie always bit him, so he finally gave in," he explained. Then, going back into his singsongy voice, "Didn't you Reggie? Yes you did cause you are a GENIUS bird!"

I laughed, trying to pretend I didn't just hear that. "Why don't you just buy him? You guys seem to be so close.."

He screwed up his face in disgust. "Cockatoos cost like, a hundred and twenty-five bucks. Then you have to get the cage and food and what not. I tried to convince the manager that you couldnt buy love, but he wouldn't go for it," he said disappointedly. "So Claws and Paws has primary custody. I just visit, you know, weekends and what not. Small outings to the mall and the park.. Don't we buddy!"

Reggie was still hidden beneath Franks hair, snuggling as close as possible to Franks face. He just giggled, "He's such a cuddler."

I shook my head, trying to hold in a laugh. This is so disgusting its not even right!

We finally made it to the Newark mall. The same one Gerard had taken me to the day before, but quickly turned around before we got very far into the parking lot. I got out, and as soon as Frank stepped out Reggie flew off his shoulder and shot into the sky!

"Shit Frank!" I gasped.

He just laughed, "Calm down, Chelsea Mae. Haven't I already told you he loves me?" He gave me a pathetic look, then raised his hand up, "Reggie!"

Reggie flew back to him and landed on his hand, then smoothly hopped to his shoulder. Frank quickly muttered something to him and Reggie replied, "For fawwks sake!"

I tried to hold in a laugh, but couldn't help it. You have to admit, thats freaking funny! "Ok, Christmas shopping."

We got into the store and Frank quickly directed me to Gerards present. "LC Comics, I know exactly what Gerard wants."

I couldn't help but notice Frank turn his head toward Reggie and say 'Hide' and see Reggie snuggle up under his hair again.

I just smirked at the big blob next to his neck, and his hair wasnt quite long enough to cover Reggies lower body and feet. "Oh good call. Its so not obvious now.."

He gave me a smile, "Shut up ok? It's a growth! Hepatitis!"

"Dude yea thats the most fucked up form of Hepatitis I've ever seen! You have freaking bird legs on your shoulder!"

"It's Hepatitis D dammit! Now shut up before you embarass me!" he hissed jokingly, handing me a set of Comics. "Collectors edition. Whats your budget?"

I looked at the price tag. "Hm, its only thirty bucks. This definately fits. I'm liking this. Got any ideas for Mikey or Ray?"

He inhaled and exhaled dramatically. "On one condition.." he replied, walking over and centering himself infront of me. He looked pretty intimidating.

"As long as.." he started, then sighed, "you buy me a triple strawberry chocolate banana smoothie."

We stood outside the 'Smoothies Gone Wild!' kiosk in the middle of the mall as the guy behind the counter threw half a banana, a shitload of strawberrys, ice cream, milk, a ton of sugar, and some chocolate into a blender.

"You are like, the greatest person ever to walk this planet, you know that right?" Frank asked excitedly. "Gerard and Ray refuse to buy me these."

At first I just laughed, then I looked at him confused, "Wait, why?"

His smiled dropped, and he looked back at the kiosk as the guy behind the counter poured it into a plastic cup. "No reason."

Frank quickly grabbed the drink off the counter like a little kid as I pulled a five out of my wallet. As the guy got my change he asked, "Does that dude have a bird on his shoulder?"

I just sighed, "It's Hepatitis D."

"Oooh.." he mumbled, watching as Frank almost devoured his drink, and he handed me my change.

I smirked as I walked back over to Frank. That dude totally believed me.

"Mm culinary orgasm.." Frank muttered before taking a long drink of his smoothie.

"For fawwks sake!"

I almost died laughing as smoothie tried to come out Franks nose. "Damn he's getting good at recognizing when a good time to say that is!" he said as he laughed.

"God you guys are so fucked," I said between laughs, attempting to get back on subject. "Ok, I've still got Mikey and Ray to shop for. Any ideas?"

"Hmm.." he said thoughtfully, grabbing a hunk of strawberry and handing it to Reggie. "How about some bass strings for Mikey? He's always bitching about needing new strings. And I don't play bass so I'm no help. He'd probably love you for that.. And Ray..hm.. some cd's? He likes metal.." He got up and lead me toward Guitar Center. "Ooo ooo, I know the perfect gift for Frank!"

I smiled. I love it when he's all laid back and happy. As long as he doesnt say anything about him hurting me a long time ago, this is perfect. This is the part of him I envy. I wish I could be this happy-go-lucky all the time. "Oh yea?"

"Yup, he'd absolutely love it! Wanna see?" he asked excitedly.

I just smirked. "Of course!"

He led me into Guitar Center, and back to the back of the store, in one of the last aisles of guitars. I felt really uncomfortable. I was sure there were thousand and thousands of dollars worth of guitars surrounding me at the moment.

Frank knew exactly what he was going for though. He picked up a guitar and held it up for me to see.

"It's a Gibson Les Paul Supreme. With ebony fretboard and pearl inlays, gold frets, hollowbody with 490R and 498T alnico humbuckers and gold hardware." He said it as if it was rehearsed. "Pretty much my weakness."

I gazed at the brilliant guitar. Besides the fact that I couldn't understand half the shit he was saying, since I'm not as much of a guitar genius as he is, I almost fell in love with it just from how it looked. The body itself was white, and everything on it was pretty much gold, which showed off brilliantly. The neck was black, with pearl designs on it (that were on there for some reason or another, I assumed these were the 'inlays') which contrasted majorly. Plus the gold frets. It definately was a work of beauty.

"How much is it?" I asked cautiously.

He just sighed and put it back. "Too damn much for this lifetime."

"Awe come on!" I whined, twisting the tag around. My eyes went wide. It was on sale..for twenty nine hundred dollars!

"Four thousand two hundred and thirty-eight dollars," Frank groaned from behind me.

I smirked, "Actually, its on sale, but unfortunately, still just a little out of my budget range."

I turned back around and he just smiled. He took a step closer, gently putting his hands my waist, just beneath the belt loops. "Oh come on, you know you want to buy it for me," he said seductively.

I smiled, I knew he was kidding, this is the same guy that never let me pay for my lunch, remember? "Frank, as much as I believe that you would probably look and play amazingly with that guitar? Even if I wanted too, I don't have that kind of money."

He just laughed, "Yea I know. I wouldn't let you buy it for me anyway. You don't need to be wasting that kind of money on me."

"Wasting? I'm not sure I'd call it that..."

He just laughed, "Actually? To be honest? If you bought that guitar for me? I'd probably cry..and then rape you. Then, I would feel like shit for raping you, and probably kill myself. So just dont do it. Cause then you'd feel bad and be Frankie-less and be negative five thousand dollars. And I would be dead. Bad day for everybody."

"I can't see that being a good day no," I played along. His hands still on my waist as he held me firmly. His eyes are amazing. So is his hair, if it didnt have that stupid 'Hepatitis D' all curled up in it! I swear he's glaring at me!

I laughed, "I think I'm making your STD angry."

He gave me a weird look, then he remembered. "Reggie! That sounded really weird for a second," he replied and we both laughed. "Yea, he's kind of the jealous type. Wanna grab the cds and strings and bail?"

I smiled as he slid his arm around my waist and gently nudged me to walk. "Sure."

He walked me to the CD's and we both started thumbing through some. "I have no idea what he likes.."

"Here," he replied, handing me three different bands. "Take your pick." I just looked them over and shrugged. It was around forty bucks for all of them, no big deal.

"Aaand strings.." he continued as he went to a rack with a bunch of brightly coloured packets on it.

I kinda smirked, "Ok, I'm gonna feel bad if I buy Mikey thirty dollars worth of guitar strings.."

"Oh right," he replied with a smile. "Here." He tossed me the guitar strings, then turned to a different display. "He obsesses over these knobs all the time. They're like, twelve bucks. That and two packs of strings should work, yea?"

What would I do without Frank?

He handed me the silver knobs thatd had a black and white swirl on top of each of them (I had to admit, they looked pretty cool), and two packs of strings and I went and paid.

As we left, he had his triple strawberry chocolate banana smoothie in his left hand, and quickly slid his right arm around my waist again. I tried to hold back a smile, but failed. "Thanks for finding all this stuff for me. I never would've been able to find presents for everybody," I said as we got to the parking lot.

"No problem," he said taking a slurp through his straw. "But, since I know you're not getting me that guitar. What are you getting me?"

"I'm not sure.. I have a small idea, but I won't tell you what it is unless you tell me what you got me," I said with a sly smile, secretly glancing at his shoulder, then I stopped. "Dude, wheres Reggie?"

He just smirked, "That didn't just give it away. Don't buy him for me, he's too expensive. And..huh, Iduno." He glanced down at his shoulder, which was now absent of any sort of light green bird. He called out Reggies name, and held up his hand, but no Reggie came swooping from the sky.

I stood there in shock, spinning in a circle, hoping to find him. "Frank, you lost your bird!"

He just smirked and rolled his eyes. "Oh come on. Calm down. I bet I know where he is," he replied, grabbing my hand and pulling me back inside the mall toward KB Toys.

Something I learned that day? Never let any pet bird of Franks loose in a pet store...