Gerard's POV

I thundered down the corridor and into the kitchen, where a hot pot of black coffee still sat steaming. I grabbed the pot and ran to where that evil little bastard lay sleeping. Lindsey hadn't followed me; thank the Lord for small mercies. An arm covered in ink was exposed. I dumped the coffee on his flesh.
'AGH! GERARD, WHAT THE FUCK?' I smiled at his skin blistering. He sat up, cradling his burnt arm. I threw the pot aside; I wasn't aware if it had smashed or not. I stood above Frank, grinning like a madman.
'Hello, Frankie. Guess who I found damn near dead this morning?' His eyes widened in realization. He didn't have time to dodge my punch. A satisfying crunch came from his jaw. I pulled him up by the scruff of his shirt, and slammed him into the floor length window which fortunately didn't break. His crimson blood smeared against the glass as I pounded his face with my fist again and again, using my left arm to trap his neck.
The red that had clouded my vision started to dissipate and my punches slowed. I noticed Frank was screaming. I got a proper look at his face; I'd broken his nose, and blood stemmed from hundreds of bursts in his skin.
I brought my face up very close to his.
'Go to hell' I whispered. I spat in his face and shoved him back into the window and released him. He sank to the floor, sobbing. Good.

~

I went for a walk too cool off a little, I guess. Not far, just to the park opposite our building. The breeze ruffled my black hair and I concentrated on breathing. In, out. In, out. I thought about what I was going to do; Frank had tortured Emma. It was fucking wrong, but I knew that wasn't him. I'd left him in the apartment with Lindsey and Emma because the Frank I knew wasn't evil, not really, just a bit fucked up. I turned back home, and when I got there, I found Frank dressing his wounds in the bathroom mirror. I stood leaned casually against the wall; he had his back to me.
'I think you'd better go' I said in a low voice.
'I already spoke to Bob. He said he'd have me for a while before I got on my feet again.' Frank's voice was emotionless. He continued to dress his cuts in a stiff routine.
'I know that wasn't you. She fucked you up, she fucked me up. She turned our whole lives upside down. And she chose me. I know why you did it, Frank. Just don't expect me to throw her out of my life and forgive you.'
'What about Lindsey?'
'I like her. I like her a lot. And I think there's a future for us if I chose that.'
'And Emma?'
I looked down. Frank turned around and stood with me.
'I'm kind of starting to think she's more trouble than she's worth.'
'I understand that. I agree. I'd best be off, anyway.' I shook his hand. Just as I let go of his hand, I heard the front door slam. Frank looked at me directly in the eyes. As out eyes met, I thought about a penny spinning in the air, my bets sided with heads. As it landed, I knew which side I wanted it to be, but my heart sank at the wrong side of copper gleamed up at me. When you flip a coin, the split second it is in the air, you realize what you want.
And when a girl that was all pigtails and red lipstick burst through the door, I knew which of the girls I wanted.

Notes