Frerard :This Is Reality: 7

FRANK'S POV
Gerard's lip quivered. He didn't follow the teacher. He rose from his seat and raced out of the cafeteria. I watched as the tears formed before he ran. "Gerard! Gerard, wait! Please!" I cried before racing after him. I dodged out of the way of people, jumped over their legs and ducked under their arms. "Gerard! Quit running so fast!"
   Gerard was in the hall barreling toward the bathroom. I caught his shoulder and jerked him to a stop. "Frank, lemme go!"
   I pulled him into my arms, tucking his head under my chin and wrapping my arms securely around his shoulders. "It's okay, Gee… It's alright… I'm right here… And I'm never going to leave your side."



GERARD'S POV

I sort of fell into Frank's arms. I let him support me as I cried into his shirt. "It just isn't fair!" I screamed, balling my hands up in his shirt.
   He rubbed his hand up and down on my back. "I know, Baby, I know."
   "I didn't even get to say goodbye!" I wailed, a violent fit of sobbing erupting from my throat. "Just… she was my best friend! And I wasn't there! I wasn't there for her!"
   Frank cringed, but held me tight. "I know, Gerard. But she will always be with you…"
   I squeezed my eye shuts and buried my face in his chest. "Long… Ago… Just like the hearse you… Died to get in, again…"
   "What?" Frank wondered, pulling away slightly to look in my eyes.
   I averted my gaze quickly. "It's… It's a song she would always sing to me. The first song she taught me to sing…"
   "I didn't know you could sing," Frank said with a sweet smile.
   I nodded and found myself burying my face in his chest again. "We should get to class," I whispered.
   "But you have to go to the office," Frank said. "I'll be there when you get back, okay?" Frank kissed my hair before turning to walk down the hall. I grabbed his hand. "Yes?"
   "G-go with me?" I wondered shakily.
   Frank nodded. "Of course."



FRANK'S POV

Gerard walked numbly beside me toward the office. His mom was there, tears pouring from her cheeks. "I'll give you some time alone," I whispered. I left the office and watched through the window. Gerard collapsed in his mother's arms and they curled around each other. The secretary watched uncomfortably.
   After that moment in the office, Gerard was numb. Only when the bell rang did he appear living again. "You wanna come over? You can meet Mikey," Gerard said, tucking his sketch book in his bag.
   "Who's Mikey? Your puppy or something?" I asked, ducking under the strap of my bag.
   "Oh… he's my bitch alright…" Gerard grumbled. "He's my little brother."
   "Sure. I'd love to come," I said, kissing his cheek affectionately. "I'd have to ask my mamma first, though." He wrapped his hand around mine as we trotted down the front steps of the school. We walked across the front lawn and the parking lot before we walked the down sidewalk toward the neighborhood.
   "Which house? I'll walk you." Gerard looked both ways before tugging me across the street.
   "Uh... It's on Sparrow Drive."
   "Holy fuck... Really? Me too."
   "Oh, cool. Which house are you in?"
   "Uh... It's the one with the dying pine out front and a small cherry tree. It's the brick one with the grey chimney and black door. We still have our Christmas lights up."
   "Hmm... Sounds familiar. Maybe we passed it."
   "And you?"
   "Uh... The two story house with black paint splatters on the left wall below my room. It's like really light blue with a dark blue roof. We have that really tall pine tree out back with an oak. We have like... Forty dogs that always bark."
   "Damn. That's you?"
   "Yeah... Sorry. We rescued a lot of strays."
   "No problem. I think it's sweet."
   I laughed. "So you don't mind dogs?"
   "No. Not at all. I keep Mikey around, don't I?"
   I grinned. "Is he really a dog?"
   "No. He's a thirteen year old pain in the ass."
   "Nice."
   "Wait... Did you say paint splatters?"
   "Yeah. Black ones... Did it myself on Friday."
   "Heh... We're next door neighbors."
   I blushed. "Really?" I thought I had seen a guy in the window across from mine.
   Gerard noticed. "What? Do you stalk me, Mr. Iero?"
   "Wha-? No! No! Nothing like that!"
   Gerard laughed. His free hand held his stomach as he laughed uncontrollably. When he recovered he sighed. "Hmm... I thought I saw a sexy short guy looking at me..." He shrugged. I punched him playfully. He grabbed my hand and pulled me close, his arms tight around my waist. He smiled his crooked smile. Our noses were touching and I could feel his breath. I closed the distance between us, my mouth covering his. I nibbled his lower lip playfully. I opened my mouth just a bit. I was hesitant about letting his tongue in at first, but as it slowly mingled with mine it felt right. I had to admit: he was a good kisser.
   He broke the kiss. I reached out for his face. "No... Don't stop..."
   I opened my eyes to see him nodding his head in the direction of the stop sign. I heard the roar of engines. He smiled. "Bus."
   I nodded and walked beside him, keeping at least a two feet distance. As soon as the buses past, I wandered back to his side, taking his hand. I leaned against him lightly, our arms pressed together.


GERARD'S POV


Frank was so cute. With his jaw length hair that covered his eyes slightly, black jeans with ripped knees and lots of buckles, Iron Maiden T-shirt, and simple grey, worn out hoodie he was like my Goth knight in shining... uh... not armor but uh... I don't know. Studded belt? Ha...Yeah.
   Though I'd know him all of two days, I didn't know what I'd do without him. My heart clenched at the thought of Brian getting to him. Memories of my past years with the jerk flooded back and I shuddered.
   "You okay?" Frank's soft voice asked.
   I looked at him. "Yeah. Just cold."
   He nodded and his attention wondered. The clouds overhead let down a soft sprinkle of snow. I watched as the little flakes fell on Frankie's eyelashes and cheeks. Every now and then he'd wipe them away and smile at me staring.
   "Stalker." He laughed.
   I shook my head. "What?"
   "I said 'Stalker.' You keep watching me." He rested his head on my shoulder.
   "How could I not? You're fucking adorable. And did I mention gorgeous?"
   "You're too kind." He nuzzled his nose in my neck. I released his hand and threw my arm over his shoulders. His hand gripped my waist and he buried his other hand in my coat pocket.
   "Warm?" I wondered
   He nodded, his head still resting on my shoulder. "Fucking toasty."


FRANK'S POV

Gerard walked me to my front door. He pecked me on the lips and stroked my cheek. "Does your mom know you're... uh... bi?"
   I nodded. "My mom knows. My dad doesn't. But that doesn't matter because the bastard left us when I was like… four."
   "Hmm..."
   "What about you?"
   "Only my Grandma Helena knew."
   I saw sadness flash in his eyes. "Gerard... I'm... I'm so sorry..."
   Tears welled in his eyes. I raised a gloved hand to wipe them away, careful not to smear his eyeliner.
   "N-no... Don't be... She lived a l-long and h-h-happy life... She... She was j-j-just a c-close friend," he said between sobs. I took him in my arms and smoothed his hair.
   When I pulled away, I looked down at him. He stood on the step below me which made me about an inch taller than him. His hands were in mine, our fingers fighting over which way to be intertwined. Snow was melting in his hair and stuck on his eyelashes. I already saw about two inches on the ground.
   I shivered suddenly. "We should get inside and see if I can come hang out."
   Gerard nodded and stepped up, ending my glorious feeling of being taller than someone for once. Since my mom knew about me, we kept our hands clasped as we walked in.
   "Frankie is that—? Oh... Uh... Hello. Who's... Who is this?" my mom asked nervously. She looked at our hands and smiled.
   Gerard extended his free hand. "Gerard Way. I'm a friend from school. It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Iero."
   I rolled my eyes at his manners. That was so not how MY Gerard acted. Ha...
   I watched as my mom put a hand over her chest in a flattered manner and shook Gee's hand. "Oh, Gerard, the pleasure's all mine."
   "Yeah, uh, okay then," I said uncomfortably. "Mom?"
   "Hmm?"
   "Uh... after I put my bag up can I go to Gerard's?"
   "Do you have any homework?" she wondered. Gerard and I shook our heads. "Where do you live, Gerard?"
   Gerard pointed out the window to the brick house next door. "Right there."
   "Oh. Well in that case, sure! Be home by ten, Frank Iero. I mean it."
   "Thanks, Mom." I took my hand from Gerard's and walked over to my mom. I kissed her cheek and hugged her tight. She hugged back and kissed my temple. I took Gerard's hand back and tugged him upstairs. "C'mon."
   I opened the only black door on the floor. "Welcome to Paradise," I said.


GERARD'S POV

Frank's room was an actual paradise. About the size of a decent living room, it was full of band crazy stuff. The wall without any windows or the door was covered top to bottom with band posters, all slick, glossy, and in good condition. In the corner by one window on one wall and another window on the other wall was a big queen bed. The sheets were red, the comforter black, and the black throw blanket had a Gibson Les Paul on it.
   "Nice," I said, sitting on the bed. By the door was an end table with a sweet stereo system. Beside the end table was a long row of guitars. I sat on my knees before them, my hands running along the strings. There was a lot of fucking guitars. There were Gibson SG's, Gibson Les Pauls, an Epiphone Wilshire, a few acoustics, and a Fender Stratocaster.
   "My birthday presents." Frank sat cross legged on the floor beside me.
   "Damn..." It was all I could say. They were so sick. They were in perfect condition, glossy and breathtaking. "Can you, uh, play?"
   "No... I have them for show," Frank said sarcastically.
   Beside his bed was another end table with a lava lamp on top. Papers were spilling out of the little drawer. Sitting next to the lava lamp was a book shelf. Instead of books there were CD's, maybe a few books every here and there.
   "Okay," Frank said. He had ditched his grey hoodie for a The Cure hoodie and his dusty Vans for dusty converse. "Let's go meet your bitch."
   "Wait... what's the trunk for? And where's your closet?" I asked.
   Frank laughed. "The trunk has all of my ripped jeans and belts. And my closet is behind the door." He pointed at the Iron Maiden poster-covered door. I closed it to see a Pearl Jam covered door. I opened it to see band shirts of all bands.
   "Sweet," I breathed.


FRANK'S POV

Gerard and I raced downstairs. "Okay, Bye, Mom!" I called. I heard her mutter something like 'See ya' from the kitchen. French soap operas were echoing around the first floor.
   "Your mom speaks French?" Gerard asked as we stepped into the already seven inch snow.
   "No... She likes the sexy French actors." I shrugged, glad I had high-tops on. My Vans would have been so much worse. Gerard threw open his door, snow spilling onto the rug.
   "Whoops," he said. As I walked past him, I kissed him. He smiled and hugged me slightly.  Then he shoved me in and slammed the door shut. "I have no idea how you're going to get home if it keeps snowing like this."
   I grinned. "Damn the luck. I may have to crash here." I shrugged.
   "You little devil, You." Gerard smiled and dropped his bag, the heavy books sending a thud through the house. I heard Tom and Jerry blaring from the living room.
   I ruffled Gerard's hair, sending not-yet-melted flurries to the ground. He did the same to me.
   Gerard turned after a minute. He called, "Mikey!"
   A little boy in a brown hoodie walked out of the living room and the sound of the cartoons faded. He held a glass of chocolate milk in one hand and wiped the chocolate milk mustache off of his upper lip with his sleeve. "Who's that?" he asked.
   "Hey, I'm Frank," I said, extending my hand. He leaned over and took it. He shook it lightly before drawing back. He gave Gerard a one-arm hug.
   "I'm Mikey. Gee's little brother." He turned back to Gerard. "Oh, yeah. Gerard? Mom had to go to a wedding in California. Like... Aunt Tiffany or something. I think she's getting married to someone named Frank. Anyway... She'll be gone for a while so you have to watch me."
   "There having a wedding after Grandma died?" I demanded.
   Mikey shrugged. "The service is two weeks from Thursday."
   "Wait, California? Fuck!" Gerard exclaimed. Mikey pouted. Gerard sighed. "It's not you, Mikes. It's just... what if something happened? She's so far away."
   Mikey nodded. He hugged Gerard. He was shorter than Gee so his arms rested on Gerard's hips. I smiled. They were cute... Close brothers.
   "S'okay, Gerard. I'll help you watch him." I smiled at Gerard who smiled back.
   Gerard reached for the phone. "Who wants pizza?"
   "Me!" Mikey and I said at the same time. We smiled to each other.