“Jamia and I are having sex tonight,” Frank informs.
Gerard nearly drives the car off of the street. “WHAT?!”
“Jesus Christ, Gerard!” Frank exclaims. He waits until the car is steady again to continue speaking. “It’s not that big of a deal.”
Gerard scoffs. “Not that big of a deal? Frankie, you only lose your virginity once!”
“So?” Frank replies.
“I just don’t want you to give it to the wrong person,” Gerard says softly.
Frank takes one of Gerard’s hands. “Gee, it’ll be fine! I have a good feeling about this.”
All day, all Gerard can think about is Jamia touching Frank’s thigh, Jamia taking off Frank’s clothes… Jamia taking away Frank’s virginity… his Frank. He throws up in between two of his classes from the anxiety and is late to fourth period, which gets him a warning from the teacher.
Gerard just has the worst day ever. All he can do at the end of the day is give Frank a hug and say “Good luck, little buddy.” Because that’s what friends and potential boyfriends are supposed to do, right? They don’t get in the way of their relationships. And they let them make their own mistakes.
Gerard’s in his bed that night, almost reduced to tears over Frank, when he hears a gentle knock on his door. He rolls over to see Frank standing in the doorway, his shirt on backwards and his hair a mess of knots.
Gerard chuckles bitterly. “So, you’re a man now?”
Frank shakes his head. He sits on Gee’s bed, and it doesn’t even sag further cause he’s so damn small. “I couldn’t do it.”
Gerard blinks. “What?”
“I mean… we…. We were making out and…” Frank reddens. “We got naked and…. It just didn’t feel right.”
“What do you mean?” Gerard asks.
“It just felt like…. Like she wasn’t the one,” Frank mumbles.
Gerard has to be a good friend and hide the hope in his voice when he says, “I’m sorry pal. Maybe next time.”
Frank lays on the bed and takes Gerard’s wrists, wrapping Gerard’s arms around himself. He sighs contently.
Gerard takes his chances and leans over, planting a small kiss above Frank’s ear.
And Frank twitches out of his arms.
“What the fuck was that?” Frank demands.
Gerard sits up. “I kissed you.”
Frank’s eyes widen. “Well why’d you do that?”
“B-Because I like you,” Gerard murmurs, confused. He could’ve sworn Frank liked him, too.
“But- But I’m straight,” Frank declares, standing up.
Gerard rises as well. “I thought you were bi.”
Frank shakes his head, and he stumbles backwards towards the door. “No…no….I….I……” Tears glisten in Frank’s eyes as he cries, “I have to go home!” He runs out the door.
Gerard sprints after Frank and catches him halfway down the steps by the collar. He spins Frank around.
“Let me change your mind,” Gerard insists, and he kisses Frank again, this time on his lips.
Frank shrieks and wriggles out of Gerard’s grasp. He bolts out the door, not saying anything.
Gerard sits on the staircase, hearing Frank’s car peel out of the driveway. He’s crying, and in no time Mikey is wrapped around him.