Hell or High Water

Gerard groaned and slowly opened his eyes. Alex glanced at him and sighed.
“You’re finally awake. You were out longer this time.” Alex said, reading his book. Gerard slowly sat up and looked over at Alex. Alex tossed Gerard his phone. Gerard typed in what he wanted to say and tossed it back.
‘What happened? Why am I back here?’ Alex sighed and rolled over to Gerard, handing the phone back.
“Because you hit your head.” Gerard eyed him suspiciously.
‘That’s what you said last time.’ Alex chuckled and shook his head.
“Maybe you’re just a clumsy person.”
‘Or, you’re lying to me.’ Alex raised a brow.
“And why would I do that?” Gerard paused and then sighed.
‘Never mind. Can I go?’ Alex nodded.
“Yeppers. Do you want me to go get Frank?” Alex asked, not particularly caring either way. Gerard shook his head and placed his feet on the floor. A man with a fro walked in and smiled at Gerard.
“Gerard! It’s good to see you up and about.” Alex turned and smiled.
“Hey Ray. Do you mind taking Gerard back to his room?” Ray sighed.
“Sorry. I can’t. I have to get meds and take them to Kellin and Vic.” Alex turned back to Gerard.
“Well, guess you’re stuck with me kid. Let’s go.” Alex said getting up. Gerard sighed and stood on shaky legs. He grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around his shoulders, walking out of the room. Gerard walked down the hall looking like a lost puppy. He turned and walked into his room. Gerard cocked his head to the side as he looked Frank who was laying on the floor with an pained expression. Gerard walked over to him and crouched. He poked Frank’s cheek causing the younger’s eyes to fly open and him to fly up, headbutting Gerard. Gerard fell back momentarily knocked out.
“FUCK!” Frank yelped, clutching his now aching head. Gerard groaned and curled into himself.. Frank scooted over to Gerard and slowly pulled the blanket away from his face. Gerard laid there with a large red area on his forehead where Frank had collided with his.
“Uh.. Gerard?” Frank shook his shoulder but got no response. “Gerard?” Gerard shot up, directly into Frank’s face. “FUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCKKKKKKK!” Frank yelled, holding his face. Alex walked in and dropped what he was holding, bursting out laughing. Frank flipped him off and rubbed his face. Gerard pinched his nose holding in blood. He stood on wobbly legs and grabbed a couple tissues. Frank stood up and stared at Gerard who had his head tilted back. Gerard sat down and continued to stuff tissues into his bleeding nose.
“So, I came to bring you your anti-depressants and I just see you two headbutting each other. Please. Explain.” Alex said through giggles. Frank glared at him and sighed.
“You figure it out.” Frank grumbled and took the cup from Alex. “Asshole.” He added. Alex chuckled.
“Anyway, you have group in like...ten minutes so do what you need to do and come on.”
“But what if I don't want to go to group?” Frank whined causing Gerard to chuckle. Alex rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.
“I’m not making you. BUT, I recommend you go” Alex sighed and walked out. Frank rolled his eyes and walked over to Gerard who still had blood rushing out of his nose. Gerard glanced at him and switched tissues. Frank chuckled.
“We didn’t hit that hard, did we?” Gerard nodded and tossed the bloody tissues into the trash. “Sorry.” Gerard shook his head and smiled. Frank chuckled and handed Gerard the box of tissues. Gerard stuffed two more tissues up his nose and wiped his hands off. He pulled his notepad out of his drawer and started writing.
‘Frank, what happened? One second I’m talking to you and Mikey, the next I’m waking up in the infirmary’
“Uh...Oh you fell and hit your head! You passed out and we had to take you to the infirmary to check for damage.” Frank lied. Gerard shook his head.
‘Liar. That’s exactly what Alex said the last time I ended up there, so I’d rather not soil this friendship because you lied.’ Gerard wrote with an angry sigh.
“I’m not lying Gerard. That’s really what happened.” Frank mumbled. Gerard shook his head.
‘Don’t lie to me, Frank.’
“I’m not lying!” Frank yelled defensively, even though he was still in the wrong.
‘Liar.’ Gerard scowled. Frank threw the pad at Gerard’s face and stormed out of the room. Gerard sighed and clutched the pad to his chest.
“What happened?” Alex asked as he walked into the room.
‘I called Frank a liar and he stormed out.’ Gerard wrote feeling guilty. Alex sighed and sat down next to Gerard.
“Ya know Gerard, Frank has a shitty past. I won't go into details, because it’s not my place but you should let him cool off before you go talk to him.” Alex advised.
‘Maybe.’ Alex nodded and stood up.
“I’ll get Mikey, if you want me to.”
‘No, it’s fine.’ Gerard scribbled and stood up. Alex rolled his eyes and left. Gerard walked out to the piano room and sat down at the table in the corner of the room. A man with short blonde hair and slight stubble walked over. Gerard looked up at him and gave the man a small smile.
“Haven’t seen you in awhile, Way.”
‘Same with you, Bobart.’ Bob chuckled and sat down across from Gerard.
“You’ve been locked up in your room for like, fifty years. So I heard through the grapevine that you have a new roommate. What’s he like?” Bob asked, pulling a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket.
‘Uh...well he got some fucking bipolar shit going on because one second he’s all nice, the next he becomes a smartass.’ Bob laughed and shook his head.
“That sounds, VERY familiar. You were EXACTLY like that when you first got here too.” Bob chuckled before taking a deep suck out of his cancer stick. Gerard rolled his eyes and took the cig from Bob’s mouth. “Hey!” Gerard stuck his tongue out at him. “Put that back in your mouth before I cut it off.”
‘Dick. Anyway, how’s Ray?’ Gerard asked, moaning as the nicotine filled his lungs. Bob raised a brow and chuckled.
“Fine. And do you always moan like that. When you smoke?”
‘Only when it’s the good stuff.’ Gerard grinned and took another drag. Bob rolled his eyes. ‘So when are you going to pop the question?’ Bob started coughing and choking.
“What!? Where did you get idea?” Bob asked not noticing Ray behind him.
‘Well, you two have been together for as long as I have been here so...’
“I mean I’ve thought about it but there’s never been the right time.” Bob explained. Ray sat down next to him
“Oh I sure did! You should have said something! But I’m sure we’ll figure something out.”
‘Anyway, I’m gonna go look for Frank...while you two talk about...stuff.’ Gerard wrote, stealing Bob’s lighter and pack of cigs. He walked around for awhile looking in all the places he could think of. Gerard sighed and opened the screen door. Gerard walked out and to the old willow. Gerard flopped down on something unusually soft. The thing yelped and pushed him off.
“Fuck man! You just landed on my fucking balls!” Frank yelled grabbing his crotch. Gerard squinted in the dark and crouched. Remembering he has Bob’s lighter, Gerard pulled it out of his pocket and lit it. The small flame illuminated their faces. Frank looked up at Gerard and glared.
“S-s-s-sorry…” Gerard spoke, surprising himself and Frank. Gerard covered his mouth in shock, dropping the lighter.
“Gerard? Did you just talk?”

Notes