Where There’s Life, There’s Hope.

Frank stood outside dumbfounded in the cool air. Gerard’s words playing in his head in an haunting echo. You get to ride with me back to your place. You get to ride with me back to your place. You get to ride with me back to your place.

He could kill Ray right now. He could just wring his neck like a wet towel. Frank kicked the side of the building in frustration letting a faint growl escape his lips. Angry was an understatement to what he was feeling right now.

Of course, the boy couldn’t blame Ray after all. He didn’t know half of the story behind Gerard and him. The tragic beginning, his fucked up teenaged years, that kiss that disgusted his mind and caused his stomach to clench every time he thought about it, the confusing ending-or...new beginning?

The only information he’d ever given Ray in college was that he was bullied as a child up until his father died and he got into some bad habits that he was able to over come. The little argument inside at the table was probably the most information Ray had ever gotten out of him. That raised the question to the forefront of Frank’s mind. Why would Ray decide to let Gerard drive him home when it was obvious that there was some tension between them. It was very unlike his best friend.

As if summoned by the devil himself, Ray walked out of the door of the restaurant just in time to see Frank aiming another kick at the wall and letting it go with all his force.

“Oi! Frankie! What did the wall do to you?!” Ray exclaimed rushing over to lay a hand on Frank’s shoulder. “Seriously dude, what’s with you? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” Frank lied, moving his shoulder from under Ray’s hand.

“You seriously expect me to buy that? I’ve known you far too long to be fooled by your lies.” Ray scoffed turning to look Frank in the eyes. “Seriously man, what’s going on?”

Frank let out a frustrated noise and wandered over to the stone wall letting his head fall into it with a bang.

“Frank Anthony Iero, don’t you dare be a dickwad!” Ray hurried over to try and pry Frank away from the wall. Frank just ignored him. The boy was never terribly good at channeling his anger and frustration-his past was preeminent of that fact. He swallowed hard and let the weight of his body take him to his knees against the wall. He felt his forehead scrape on the bricks and ignored the small pain it caused him.

There he knelt as Ray hovered above him awkwardly. His body in a position that faintly resembled praying to an unseen force, headlights of cars flashing upon them from the side road. He knelt there. Scared. He was so scared. Scared shitless of his new world. Everything in the last few hours finally weighing itself down on him and suffocating him. He didn’t know what to do. For the first time in years, Frank didn’t know what to do. He was an adult now, the world was a lot clearer compared to what it was when he was a teenager. He felt like he’d completely crumbled to the ground. This wasn’t something he was happy about. Feeling this defenseless after years of telling himself he was strong. Years of coaching himself to stand up for himself. Frank knew he wasn’t pathetic, but for some reason Gerard made him feel pathetic no matter what his original mindset.

The earth around him was deafeningly quiet except the sounds of passing cars from the street on the other side of the building. The flashbacks came in waves, each one like a knife into his stomach. How foolish he was to think that he was able to deal with this all over again. He should have just ran back to California tail between his legs. He wasn’t ready for this kind of thing, after all he didn’t have to deal with it or years.

There was a slam of a door, and hushed voices exchanged behind Frank. He stayed where he was, tears falling in a puddle below him. He was weak, he didn't give a fuck who saw it. Post Traumatic Stress was an understatement at this point to Frank.

There was the sound of foot steps, and suddenly Frank was engulfed into a hug by an unseen force.

"It's gonna be alright, Frank. I promise." said, the voice.

Notes

Sorry for the lack of updates, everyone. I've been crazy busy.
Slowly, but surely I will keep updating. I promise.
Thanks for sticking around thus far.