Where There’s Life, There’s Hope.

Gerard made his way closer to Frank. Letting himself fall onto his knees beside him, he slid his arm around his back and rubbed it a little. The boy’s back was bony even through his sweater, and Gerard could feel the cold seeping its way into his body right through it. He didn’t think he’d ever end up seeing Frank Iero again after their heartbreaking good bye. He hadn’t thought of the consequences it might have on the poor boy. Hell. He didn’t think of the consequences it would have had on himself, either. Of course, when had Gerard Way ever thought of the consequences of anything? Attempting to calm himself down, Gerard struggled to regulate his heart rate before he dove into the conversation he’d hoped he’d never have to have.
“Frank.” Gerard breathed out into the night air, “I didn’t mean to upset you tonight. I just…”
He stopped, trailing off, looking at the tears still streaming down Frank’s face. He had really fucked up, hadn’t he? His entire life he treated everyone around him like shit, including this boy who he felt an enormous connection with years ago and still felt a connection with to this day.
“I guess...I just….thought I could act like nothing had happened years ago and things would just magically be better, things between us would be cool. Actually Frank, I think I have a confession to make. I always wanted us to be friends. I just didn’t know how to make that work. I know I had a pretty funny way of showing you that I wanted us to be friends, a really fucked up funny way of showing it... Anyway, I wanted to talk to you today about it. In fact the minute I saw you inside that restaurant I thought; ‘hey, this is my second chance! My chance to actually make things I dunno-right.’ I know you probably want absolutely nothing to do with me now, but I can’t really help that. It’s just our luck that we’d end up starting the same band together.”
Gerard paused, letting out a tiny laugh, leaning against the wall, turning to face Frank. Frank was starting to calm down, and beginning to just listen to what Gerard was saying. He looked up and met Gerard’s eyes, breaking the gaze quickly by looking back down to the ground. Before Gerard could stop himself, he lifted Frank’s chin up, and wiped a falling tear from his eye.
“Look, I don’t mean to be an asshole. It just comes naturally, but I’m working on it. I’m not going to hurt you anymore-I’m not planning on hurting anyone anymore. That’s why I want to start this band. I just want to make music, and change the world. I know that’s a little far-fetched. I guess what I’m trying to say, is I want to make music that will help the kids we were in High-school. I want to help the lost orphan who moved to California with his aunt, and the asshole bully who built himself up to be tough because he was so broken on the inside. That’s all I want to do, Frank. Will you help me? Please, say you will. Help me save people from themselves.”
They looked at each other for a minute, neither of them saying a word. They just sat there in the Jersey air, on the side of the building, making a hopeless scene upon the pavement. Frank made an audible gulp, and looked up into Gerard’s eyes again, letting out a small groan he finally spoke.
“I’m going to have to now. Do you really think I’m going to be able to afford another plane ride home?” Frank giggled, as Gerard beamed from ear to ear.
“Thank you.” Gerard smiled, “I can’t thank you enough for staying, and for giving me another chance.”
Frank smiled, looking into the boy’s eyes they looked so different up close, compared to the last time he saw them that close. They had sunken in and were darkened with what looked like weeks without sleep. They seemed sadder, and Frank’s heart sank a little bit knowing what troubles they must have seen lately.
“You’re welcome.” Frank mumbled, rubbing the remaining tears out of his eyes and pushing his hair out of his eyes.
Gerard watched as Frank pushed his hair out of his face, watching as the dark blonde, brown locks framed his face perfectly. He looked really different, his jet black punk hair from high school had turned into something reminiscent of a stoner’s dreadlocks, and the stubble on Frank’s face showed Gerard that the college life was kicking Frank’s personal hygiene regimen straight to hell. ‘Course, it could have always been the plane ride had made him not have enough time to fix himself up, but from the way his hair looked, Gerard thought the college aspect was more likely.
“Hey, What do you say we blow this joint and go catch up? Maybe we’ll be able to make this friendship legit before our first rehearsal together. If we give it a little extra time, I think we’ll be best friends in no time.” Gerard, asked hoping Frank would take him up on it.
Frank froze for a moment and rehashed the conversation they’d just had. From the sound of things, Gerard was being genuine. He wasn’t an asshole anymore, well....okay. Maybe he was a little bit of an asshole but everyone on this planet is a little bit of an asshole. He wasn’t going to let the actions of the past, dictate his future. He swore when he came to Jersey again he was going to make something of himself and change his life-and he was going to do it. Starting with fixing the past, so he could completely make the future something he was proud of.
“On one condition.” said Frank.
“Anything.”
“You take me somewhere I can get a bitchin’ cup of coffee with soy milk.”
Gerard laughed hard at Frank’s statement and without skipping a beat replied;

Notes

Sorry for the slow updates. College is killing me.
xo.