Memories

Mikey was silent. I wasn't sure if he was speaking, actually, or if my flashback of the memories had temporarily blocked my hearing abilities. I could see Mikey's mouth moving as I glanced over through bloodshot eyes, but soon had look away to wipe the tears clouding my vision.

"Y-you...Frank, I-" Mikey stuttered, his voice coming out in squeaks. I couldn't relpy. I couldn't look at him. I kept my head down, trying to stop the tears rolling off my cheeks and into my lap.

"Who- Frank, who was it?" he asked. He hesitated a few times before setting his hand on mine gently. I jumped slightly, but looked up to see his teary eyes staring intently at me.

"Please...tell me," Mikey begged, turning slightly to face me.

I opened my mouth a few times, almost fish-like, but I gave up with a sob-filled sigh and slumped into Mikey, who immediately wrapped his arms around me. It was a strong, but protective embrace, and I forced myself to be comforted.

"It's okay," Mikey whispered into my hair, "you don't have to talk about it."

I gripped onto Mikey then, almost as if my life depended on it. I let out a loud, agonizing whimper and the tears came flowing. I couldn't let go of him as I burried my face into his jacket and he let me.

"Oh my God, what happened?" a fakely-concerned voice came from in front of us, yet I refused to look. I kept my face pressed into Mikey's chest and he wrapped his arms tighter around me.
"Mrs. Goodman, could I please have a slip to take Frank home? I don't think he's up for the last two hours of school." Mikey spoke politely, but I could hear the plea in his voice.

There was a few seconds of silence, and then I heard her sigh in defeat. No doubt Mikey used the puppy eyes.

"You get Frank to the toilets and get him calmed down, I'll go let the office know you're leaving."

"Thank you." Mikey tapped me on the shoulder gently and I managed to find the strength to stand - with his help, of course. He wrapped an arm hesitantly around my waist and helped me to get to the boys' toilets. As soon as I was through the door, I got a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

I was a fucking mess.

Mikey handed me the whiteboard and marker I didn't realize he'd picked up, and I quickly scribbled down the words, 'Can we go?'

"Sure," he smiled a pained smile. "You want some tissue first?"

I nodded and sniffled, rubbing my eyes and yawning.

Mikey grabbed a paper towell and handed me it. I quickly dried my face and tried to blink away the fresh tears forming in my eyes, before turning to Mikey and nodding. 'Lets go,' I mouthed.

Mikey didn't take me back to my house, as my mom wasn't there, and it was a longer walk. I didn't object when he steered me into his driveway, or when he lead me into his bedroom. I sat on the edge of his bed, staring blankly at the wall in front of me. I felt the mattress shift underneath me, and I saw Mikey sit down next to me out the corner of my eye.

"Frank," he sighed, heavily. "Will you tell- write down the name, at least?" His voice was gentle, but pushy.

I didn't want him to know. If I was being honest, I didn't want anybody to know. But I really knew I had no choice.

I nodded hesitantly.

I pointed to the piece of paper and pen on his bedside table with a shaky hand and I could feel my eyes filling again.

Mikey smiled weakly but reassuringly as he handed me the paper and pen.

'It was my st' -

-is all I could write, before Mikey's bedroom door was swung open and it bashed against the wall harshly, causing me to jump.

"M-Doug!" a raspy, high-pitched, male voice shrieked.

Mikey jumped up excitedly and ran towards the man.

"G-String!" he yelped, embracing him in a hug.

G-String? I thought to myself, and let out a slight giggle. I glanced up and my heart stopped for a split second.

The man hugging Mikey looked up over Mikey's shoulder -still in the embrace- as my giggle came to a halt, and scanned the room for the source of the noise. A pair of beautiful, deep brown eyes gazed into mine, and his face went from humoured, to curious. My giggles silenced and my face turned blank. The man's worry lines creased in concern at my sudden change of expression, and his raven black hair fell over his eyes slightly, covering his narrow, pale white cheeks.

Mikey pulled away, looking at Gerard and then at me. His seemed confused for a moment, but soon smiled smugly.

"Gerard, you remember Frank, right?" I couldn't be sure, but I thought I saw him wink at Gerard as he spoke.

"Y-yes," Gerard stuttered, eyes scanning my pained ones.

"Hi," I whispered for the first time in half a year. Honestly, it wasn't supposed to be a whisper, but I hadn't spoken in so long. Yet, that seemed the only time suitable to break my silence. I'm pretty sure neither of them heard me - Mikey certainly didn't notice.

I saw Gerard go through many, many emotions, before he finally decided on one. He smiled. It was a sad, almost pained smile, but there was so much joy in it that I couldn't help but smile back. I didn't understand his mixed emotions, but there must have been a reason for them.

I found myself deep in thought when I realized that Gerard was walking closer to me. I suddenly became slightly worried - nervous, even - and my body tensed. I saw Gerard stop in his tracks suddenly, and he turned unwillingly to Mikey, who had grabbed his arm and pulled him back.

"Do you mind if we have a minute?" Mikey half-whispered to Gerard.

"Uh, no?" He seemed uneasy.

"Thanks. We'll come down in a bit," Mikey assured him, "you go see mom or something?" he offered. "She's probably got food cooking."

"Thank God!" Gerard sighed dramatically. "Plane food is yuck as fuck!"

"Gerard Arthur Way, watch your language!" Donna Way, Mikey and Gerard's mom, shouted from downstairs.

"Moooom," Gerard whined, "I'm 21!"

"That's debatable..." we heard her mumble, and Gerard chuckled before patting Mikey on the head.

"Man, I've missed this," he sighed and stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him.

I didn't realize I'd zoned out again until Mikey sat on the floor in front of me, cross-legged and looking up at me. I realized I still had the piece of paper in my hand, and I swallowed as my mouth went dry.

"Can...can I see?" Mikey asked softly.

I held up a shaky finger to signal 'one minute' and put the pen to paper again.

'It was my step-father.' I wrote.

I worriedly handed the paper to Mikey who took it slowly and straightened it out, before his whole body froze and his eyes grew wide.

"It was who?!" He shrieked, staring at me. He looked horrified - angry - and honestly, that scared me. I let out a small whimper and pulled my legs up to my chest for comfort. Mikey's face softened only slightly, and he tried to relax his body.

"Frankie...I- I'm so, so sorry." he choked out.

I looked up at him, smiling sadly. I nodded, and then looked down, trying to stifle a yawn.

"Do you want to sleep, Frank?" he asked softly. I nodded, relieved that he was going to leave me with myself for a while.

"You can stay in here. I'll go down and see Gerard. Are you sure you'll be okay?" Mikey asked again, concern lathering his voice.

I nodded once more, and kicked my shoes off, before pulling the covers over me.

I was asleep within seconds. I didn't even hear Mikey leave.

Notes