***TWO YEARS LATER***

Mikey sighed as I woke him up for another day of school.

"It'll be fine," I reassured him.

"I'm worried about Frank," he told me. I sighed. I was worried about him too. Frank hadn't been to a school in two years, but today I had to meet up with someone about putting my art in a gallery. We'd recently moved out of mom's house so a steady income would be awesome. The principal agreed, because Mikey is such a wonderful student, that Frank could shadow him for the day.

I walked into the room Frank and I shared (the house was only two bedroom and I felt it was the least I could do for Mikes). "Frankie," I whispered, shaking him. "Frankie. You gotta get up. You're gonna go to school with Mikes today, remember?"

Frank rolled over and ignored me. This was one of the few characteristics of his that showed his teenager side; his need to sleep. "Ray will be there. I'm sure he'll let you play with his afro. You know how much you like that," I whispered. Frank groaned and rolled out of bed. "That's the spirit. Now get dressed. I'll have breakfast ready when you're done." With that I walked out to the kitchen and got Frank and Mikey breakfast.

"Awe," Mikey joked as he walked in, "you made me breakfast."

"Actually I did."

"Seriously?" I nodded. "I was joking but thanks," he said as I handed him a coffee. Frank walked in and the two of them sat down and ate.

"Aren't you gonna eat, Gee?" Frank asked.

"I have a meeting with someone who may give me a job. We're going out for breakfast."

Frank's face fell. "A job? So you won't stay home with me anymore?"

"No, he'd buy all my pictures. I'd still stay home and paint, he'd just pay me."

"Good because you have to stay with me. I don't ever want you to leave, Geetard."

"I won't ever leave you, Frankie," I said. I glanced at the clock and saw it was time to go. "Go get in the car, it's time to go," I ordered. Frank ran to the door while Mikey got his backpack and I drove the two to school.



Mikey's P. O. V.

Gerard dropped Frank and I off at the front of the school. People started staring as I basically held Frank's hand as we walked inside; there was no way I'd let him get lost. We walked in and I met Ray at my locker.

"Hey Mikey. You brought Frank!" He exclaimed.

"Ray!" Frank yelled, running up and hugging Ray. One kid snickered but I shot him a look that had him scurrying away. No one was going to mess with Frank today.

I approached the two and, as usual, Frank was playing with Ray's 'Fro.
"Princess Fro Fro," Frank giggled. "I think I'll call you that. Princess Fro Fro." Ray and I laughed as I opened my locker. After I shut it, we walked to the courtyard and met up with Bob.

"Hey, Mikey, Ray," he greeted. "Who's this?"

"Bob, this is my brother's best friend, Frank. Frank, this is our other friend, Bob."
Frank giggled. "I like your little lip-thingy," he said pointing to Bob's lip ring.

"My lip ring?" Frank nodded enthusiastically. "Thanks?" He replied, uncertainly. He shot me a look as if to ask "is he okay?"

"We'll tell you later," Ray said.

"So, Frank, why don't we go to class and see if we can't get something for you to do?" I asked. He nodded enthusiastically and we all walked to our first period.

"Hello," Miss Adams greeted as we walked in. "Who is this?" She asked kindly, turning to Frank. We'd told all our teachers what Frank suffered from so hopefully they'd all be as understanding as our awesome English teacher.

"I'm Frank," he said.

"It's nice to meet you, Frank. I'm Miss Adams."

"Miss Adams, do you have anything he can do while we're working?" I asked.

"Actually, yes. Why don't you guys to take a seat and I'll show Frank what I need him to do?" I nodded and Ray and Bob walked to our seats as I turned to Frank.

"Frank, you're gonna help Miss Adams while we're in class today. I'll be in the back over there," I pointed to my seat, "with Ray and Bob. If you need anything ask Miss Adams or me, okay?" Frank nodded and followed Miss Adams to her big book shelf in the corner while I walked back to my seat.

Bob looked at me curiously as I pulled out my stuff for this class. I chuckled. "I know you have a question. What is it?"

"Don't take this the wrong way, but is he okay?" He asked.

I sighed. "Physically, he's fine. Mentally, he has PPS." Bob gave me a flat look. "He has Peter Pan Syndrome. He thinks he's eight years old still."

Bob nodded in understanding. "So I'm assuming my job is body guard today?" I laughed. Bob was the biggest of us so that was basically my idea.

"That'd be awesome. If you're okay with that?"

"Of course. I'm just worried about some people. The students here are so small minded and I don't want them making fun of him."

"Our problem exactly. You have no idea how much convincing it took for me to get Gerard to go without Frank but he has to impress this guy and we couldn't find a babysitter for a fifteen year old."

"Why didn't he just have you ditch?" Bob asked. "Not that I mind him here it just seems easier."
"Because Gerard is so young and is their legal guardian, if someone found out that he'd let them ditch he could have problems with CPS," Ray explained. Bob nodded in understanding and we all glanced over to Frank stacking books on the bookshelf and talking to Miss Adams animatedly.

"We'll just have to see how it goes."

Second period history went without a hitch. Mr. Christner was very nice and let Frank sit at our table as long as he was quiet, and he was.

Now we were going to third period math. Mr. Christner let us go over early to get Frank settled in because Mr. Andrews was very mean and strict.

I held Frank's hand and gently knocked on the door. I turned to Frank. "You've been doing awesome so far. You just have to be quiet and well behaved in this class and I'll give you a surprise at lunch, okay?"

"Okay," Frank whisper-yelled and nodded enthusiastically.

The door opened to Mr. Andrews ad I prayed he would be nice to Frank. "Yes? Why are you out of class?"

I handed him our note. "Mr. Christner said we could head over here early because we finished."

"Why would he do that?" Mr. Andrews snapped, entering the class and motioning for us to follow.

"To see if you had anything Frank could do while we work," I replied, standing in front of his desk and holding Frank's hand.

"He's a fourteen year old boy. He can do the work."

"Frank, why don't you go sit down at a desk?" I asked him. He started to pout but remembered my surprise and quickly went to sit down. "Frank suffers from PPS, sir." I said quietly.

"What is that?" He asked, his voice softening a fraction.

"It's called Peter Pan Syndrome. Usually brought on by trauma. Frank thinks he's an eight year old still," I basically whispered.

"Don't whisper, boy. I can't hear you."

"Sorry, sir. I was whispering because Frank isn't aware anything is wrong with him."

"Well what's wrong with him; I couldn't hear you."

"He has Peter Pan Syndrome. He thinks he's an eight year old, still."

"Oh really?" He asked, not believing it. "And how did he get this Peter Pan Syndrome?"

"It was brought on by trauma when he was eight." Mr. Andrews gave me a look telling me to explain and I sighed. I didn't want to tell anyone. "When Frank was eight he was diagnosed with ADHD. His mom was going to put him up for adoption because of it but his step-father beat her to death. He then beat Frank with the intent to kill him but my brother, Gerard, saved him."

"Gerard? The boy I had freshman year and barley passed." I nodded. "I don't believe it. Frank can do the work."

"Just. Please?" I begged. The bell rang then and Mr. Andrews stood to go let the class in. "Frank, come here. How old are you, Frankie."

"I'm eight, Mikey," he giggled, "you know that."

"See, sir?" I asked as he opened the door. "Can he not do the work? He'll sit next to me and be silent."

Mr. Andrews didn't answer, he just told us to get in line. I grabbed Frank's hand and walked us to the line to get into class like every day.

"Don't wander off, Frankie," I said as I dropped his hand and got out my homework.

"Got a boyfriend, Way?" I heard a voice behind me.

"Don't talk to him," I told Frank. He nodded and stood in front of me.

"You can ignore me now but I'll get you, Way," he growled.

I handed Mr. Andrews my homework and brought Frank to the empty desk next to mine.
In the end Mr. Andrews didn't make him do the work as long as he was silent. Frank did excellent.

The bell rang and I grabbed Frank's hand. "Time for lunch, Frankie."

"Yay! Will Ray and Bob be there?"

"Yup," I answered. We walked to my locker so I could put my stuff away and grab Frank's surprise.

I shut my locker and turned around only to walk straight into someone's chest. I looked up to the face of Matt Pilsner; an older boy from down the street who, for some reason, hates my guts.
I grabbed Frank's hand and started to walk the other way.

"Where you going, Way?" He called. "I just want to talk."

Frank looked at me in confusion. "Why don't you talk to him?"

"He's mean. He'll just be mean to us," I told him. "Let's just fine Ray and Bob?" I asked. Frank nodded. Suddenly there was a hand on my shoulder and I was pulled back.

"Don't walk away from me," Matt growled. He grabbed my shirt and shoved me up against the lockers.

"Mikey!" Frank yelled.

"Don't come over here, Frank," I ordered. "I don't want you getting hurt."

"Awe, protecting your little boyfriend, f*g?"

"He's not my boyfriend," I snapped. "Leave us alone." I tried to push him off but he just shoved me against the lockers again but harder. I saw tears flow down Frank's face. I wanted to get him out of here, not to see this, but I couldn't send him off to find Ray and Bob because I had no idea what would happen.

"Stop it!" Frank yelled.

"I don't think I will." He pulled back his fist and punched me in the face, causing my nose to bleed. Frank started sobbing loudly now. He threw me to the ground and turned to Frank. "Now it's your turn."

"Don't you dare," I barked, trying to pick myself up.

"Excuse me?"

"Don't. Touch. Frank."

Matt smirked. "If it matters so much he must be your boyfriend."

"He's not my boyfriend, he's an eight year old!" I yelled.

Matt faltered and glanced between Frank and I. "He's small but he's not eight. Nice try." I finally picked myself up and jumped in front of Frank.

"Frank, go find Ray or Bob."

"Buh-but Mi-Mikey-" he started.

"Go!"

Matt picked me up again as Frank scurried around the corner. He came back not even a minute later with Ray and Bob running behind. Bob came up and punched Matt right in the face making both of us drop to the floor. Ray tried to comfort Frank. He grabbed Frank's hand and pulled him to a classroom to get a teacher.

"F*ck, Bryar," Matt moaned. "I think you broke my nose."

"Good," Bob growled and picked me up. I held my bleeding nose and mumbled a thanks.

The teacher rushed out and brought all of us to the office.

Notes

no offense on Matt Pilsner. I had named him Matt originally then when it was time to come up with a last name i just thoght "why not him?" and there you go