"Frank, wake up. We've gotta go to school" Ray says quietly, rousing me from a fitful sleep. I groan, and hide under the blanket. "Mornings are evil," I mutter, getting up from the couch.
"Shit, Ray, I need some new clothes and a shower." I say, stretching. "I could sneak up to my room and grab some, mom will probably be out cold with a hangover." Ray frowns.
"Are you sure?" He asks.
"Yeah. I'll meet you at school," Ray walks me to the door, and gives me a hug goodbye. That fro of his, seriously. It basically engulfs my face every time I hug him.

I leave Ray's place, and walk the two streets that lie between our houses. I open the door as quietly as I can, and tiptoe upstairs. Mom doesn't seem to be home, so I take a quick shower, and get changed into some new clothes. I fix my eyeliner and my hair, and soon enough, I'm back outside.

It's a cold day, the sky is covered in dark clouds, and a fierce wind blows around me. I walk against it, toward the school.

***

I drop into my chair in form room, and sit awkwardly. Mikey's next to me, writing furiously on a scrap of paper. He hands it to me after a moment

Frankie,
I'm so sorry I didn't tell you about Gerard. At first, I had no idea it was him bullying you, but when I found out, I didn't tell you, because I thought you might not want to be my friend anymore. I know that's a bullshit excuse, but I didn't want to loose you. I love you. You're the most amazing person I've ever met, and I can't stand seeing you how you were yesterday. I promise I'll get Gee to stop hurting you. I didn't tell him about what you were doing in the locker, I think that's up to you to decide.
Love Mikey.

My eyes glazed over when I read that fourth sentence. I love you. Did he? Did Mikey really just say that he loves me? I glanced over at him, and smiled. I turned the paper over, and wrote back.

I love you, too. I forgive you, Mikes. You're beautiful.

I hand the note back to him, and he grinned after reading it. I wiped the tears away and smiled back.

That day at lunch, us and Ray sat together again, talking, as always. Mikey and I held hands under the table. The day ended faster than I expected, and Mikey invited us over to his house. "Just ignore Gerard," he said beforehand, giving me a quick peck on the lips. Ray looked both weirded-out and amused.

We played video games and listened to music for most of the afternoon, and we probably went through about six packets of Doritos. It was going pretty well until Gerard got home. We heard the front door slam, and echoing footsteps, as he climbed the stairs. He opened the door to Mikey's room, saw us, sneered, and walked out. Not before saying some shit about Ray and I being fags.
"I'm so sorry, you guys. I'll go talk to him." Mikey said, getting up, and softly closing the door behind him. Ray and I heard muffled voices coming from the room next door, until we heard Mikey yell, "Fuck you, Gerard! I'm not going to stand there while you tease and bully and beat up my best friends. You have no idea what you have put Frank through, mentally and physically. You're such a jerk." Another door slammed, and Mikey came back, fuming. "He is a dickhead," he concluded, after flopping back down on his bed.

"It's fine, Mikey." I said, giving his hand a squeeze.
"No, it's not!" He said heatedly. "He has put you through so much shit, I'm not letting him get away with it anymore." Ray leapt up beside us. "Crap, I have to go. We've got some family thing on in like ten minutes, I am so fucked. I'll see you guys tomorrow!" Ray called, running out the door, and down the stairs.

"Well," I said slowly. "I guess that means we have the place to ourselves." I smirked at Mikey, and he grinned back. I climbed onto his lap, and pushed him backward onto his pillows, so I was straddling him. Mikey lifted his head to meet mine, and we kissed passionately, wrapping our arms around each other. I trailed tiny kisses down his jaw, licking and biting along the way. I found his sweet spot, right in the hollow of his throat. He moaned loudly, and I sucked on the area, smiling. I could feel his hard-on through his jeans, and I laughed quietly.
"Someone's excited," I whispered, before kissing him roughly, and entwining my fingers through his hair. He grinned, and pushed me off him. We both took off our shoes and shirts faster than I though was possible, and went back to kissing. This time, he was straddling me, grinding his hips against mine as he traced the edge of my ear with his tongue. I whimpered, and took a shaky breath. Mikey's hand slowly traveled from my hair, down my chest and stomach, to rest on the button of my jeans, undoing it, and pulling down the zipper-

"Hey Mikes, I'm making coffee, d'you - HOLY SHIT!" We leapt off each other, to find Gerard standing in the doorway, with his jaw almost touching the floor. He turned around, and walked away. Mikey and I looked at each other, before bursting into raucous laughter.

"Sorry, Gee!" Mikey called out, laughing.
"Fuck you!" We heard him yell from downstairs, and we set off, laughing again.
"I better go home, Mikes. Mom will be really pissed if I'm not back soon." I said, grabbing my shirt off the floor, and putting it on.
"Okay..." He said, sounding a little disappointed. After putting on my shoes and hoodie, I pulled him up, and we skipped down the stairs. Once at the door, I threw my arms around his neck, kissing him full on the mouth.
"I love you," I declared loudly. He smiled and kissed me again.

"I love you, too,".