I See You Lying Next to Me

The following day at lunch, I had made sure to speak about the dinner I would be inviting Mr. Iero to, hoping that he wouldn’t be too taken back by the idea. He looked up at me suspiciously as I tried to figure out how I would ask him. “What’s on your mind Gerard, you seem nervous.” I shook my head. “Sorry it’s just that I wanted to uh ask you something…” He chuckled as he took a small bite of the sandwich he was eating. “Well don’t leave me hanging, what did you want to ask me?” He replied with a full mouth. “Um well I wanted to ask you if you might want to come over for dinner at my house as a thank you for all you’ve done.” His grin grew wide as he brushed away the sandwich crumbs from his lips with his sleeve. “I would love to!” He exclaimed. “What time would you like me to arrive at your house?” I shrugged. “I guess around six?” I giggled. “Alright, sounds like a plan, can’t wait.” He replied with a genuine smile.

As we continued to hang out in his classroom during lunchtime, we began to talk about whatever came to mind. “So Gerard how’s life at home been the past few days?” I was immediately taken back from his question. “Well it’s been ok…” I mumbled softly. “Are you telling me the truth?” He asked looking me dead in the eye. “Y-yes…” I lied. He sighed as I knew he was obviously looking right threw me like glass. “Lift up your shirt.” He demanded. “W-what?” I gulped. “You heard me Gerard, lift up your shirt.” He spoke in a more serious tone. “W-why?” I asked, my voice shaking. “Because remember how I told you the other day that I would be checking to see if you’ve been hurting yourself? Well that’s what I’m doing now and I want you to lift up your shirt so I can see your stomach.” I swallowed hard as I didn’t know what to do next. How would he react once he would see the newly fresh scars on my hips? By the way he was looking at me I knew I had no choice but to obey his demands. “Alright…” I mumbled as I finally lifted my tee shirt to reveal my abdomen. His face remained stern as I couldn’t explain what emotion he was feeling at the moment. “Mr. Iero?” He didn’t respond. “I’m sorry I-“”Gerard why?” My eyes began to sting horribly at his question. “Why what?” I asked my lip quivering. “Why did you do it?” I tugged at my hair as I didn’t know whether I should tell him the truth. “Because I was mad at myself…” I whispered, letting a tear escape from one of my eyes. “Why were you mad at yourself?” He questioned, his face remaining solemn. “Cause I-I’m not good enough…” More and more tears began to fall down my pale cheeks. “Gerard come here.” He ordered as I walked closer to where he was sitting. “I want you to look me in the eyes.” I gulped as I did what he told me to do. “Now I want you to know something.” He said clutching onto both of my hands. “I am here for you Gerard. If you ever feel like doing this to yourself again, I want you to come to me alright? I don’t care if you think I’m going to judge you or whatever, cause I’m not. I’ll never judge you for anything you do. Now I know things aren’t so great with your brother and parents at home, so I’m going to give you my phone number so you can call me whenever alright?” I nodded slowly as I tried to control my tears. “Alright. Thank you sir.” He then pulled out a random sheet of paper form his desk and began to write his number on it. “No problem kid. And remember you don’t have to call me by all that formal shit so just call me Frank okay?” I nodded. “Ok, Frank.” His name felt so good to say, it made me feel closer to him somehow. The bell for the end of lunch began to ring. “Well I guess we were cut short today kiddo, but you can wait in here while the other kids come in.” I nodded as I took my usual seat. As suspected all the loud teenagers came piling into the classroom. I just ignored them as all I wanted was school to be over and to spend time with Frank.

***Frank’s POV***
Several hours went by and the school day had finally came to an end. I let out a sigh of relief as all the obnoxious kids had left my classroom. A wide grin spread across my face as Gerard approached my desk. He was just so innocent and fragile that I wouldn’t mind spending everyday with him. “Do you need something Gerard?” I asked lifting my eyes up to meet his baby-like face. “No I just came to thank you for everything.” I chuckled. “It’s no problem. But seriously Gerard call me or text me whenever you feel like it. Even if you just wanna have a little chat.” I replied. He smiled sweetly. “Okay I will.” He said brushing his hair away from his face. I couldn’t help but notice how vibrant his hazel eyes were. “Ok well I’ll see you tonight at 6?” He nodded. “Yep I’ll see you then. Can’t wait!” He cheered as he waved back at me and left my classroom. Oh how I couldn’t wait for tonight.

****
After spending several hours getting ready at my apartment, I quickly slipped on the nicest shoes I owned and headed out to my car. I looked out at my car mirror as I was satisfied with my whole appearance. I really wanted to impress Gerard’s family by looking professional so I slicked my hair back and wore a nice dress shirt instead of my usual plain-black tee shirts. After a few minutes on driving down several streets, I had finally arrived at the Way’s household. Nervous to the core, I quickly locked my car and walked over to the front porch. Should I knock or ring the doorbell? I thought as I stood standing in front of the large door. Before I were to knock on the wooden door, I was startled to have the door open to reveal a tall, young man. He looked at me strangely. “Who are you?” He questioned. “I’m Frank Iero, Gerard’s teacher.” I gulped. I then began to hear Gerard’s voice echoing through the house. “Mikey it’s for me!” I heard him squeal. I chuckled at the sound of his voice. “Oh so you’re that teacher.” The tall boy at the door mocked. “Yeah Gerard talks about you all the time. If it wasn’t just me talking, I would say the little gay boy has a crush on you!” He said laughing. I could feel myself blushing. “Mikey!” Gerard screamed as he ran towards the door. “Sorry Frank, please come in.” He said, shooting angry stares at the tall boy who supposedly was Mikey. “Thanks Gerard.” I replied as I entered the nice house. “Oh Mr. Iero you’re here!” Gerard’s mother cooed. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Donna and this is my husband Don, she said motioning towards the buff man standing next to her. “Likewise.” I greeted as I shook both of their hands. “May I say Mr. Iero, you clean up nice.” Gerard’s mother commented. “Thank you Mrs. Way.” I spoke in the most polite way possible. “Gerard, can you please set the table for dinner?” Gerard groaned. “But it’s Mikey’s turn to set the table tonight!” He whined. “Gerard Arthur Way, you have a guest over! Now you will be a nice host and set the table for the five of us.” She ordered. “Oh I could help if you want.” I offered kindly. “Oh no Mr. Iero, I couldn’t ask you to do a thing like that, you’re a guest.” Donna cooed. “I insist.” She sighed. “Well if you really want to.” I then followed behind Gerard as we both set out all the utensils and dishes onto the kitchen table. Once we had finally finished, we all sat ourselves down as Don went to go fetch our food. He then came back with 5 thick slabs of steak and a bowl of cut up ceaser salad. “This looks delicious if I do say so myself Mrs. Way.” I complemented. “Oh Mr. Iero please, you’re too kind! It’s just a recipe I found from a cook book, nothing special.” She replied as we all continued to eat. Except for Gerard. I kept my eyes on him as he didn’t take one bite of his meat or salad. “So Mr. Iero, how has Gerard been in class? I know he can be a handful at times and-“”He’s great! One of my best students.” I cut her off. Donna’s eyes widened. “Is that so?” I nodded. “Yep! He’s very kind and a great listener. You should be very proud to have a son like him Mrs. Way.” I could see Gerard Way blushing hard from my compliments. I then looked across the table to notice Mikey giving me dirty looks. “Yeah well does he even have any friends? Or are you his only friend.” He scoffed. “Shut your mouth!” Gerard yelled at Mikey. “Gerard!” His mother scolded. “You do not yell at the dinner table!” I furrowed my eyebrows. Why did she just yell at Gerard when Mikey was over here acting like an ass towards him? “But mom!-““I don’t want to hear it, now eat your food, you have barely touched your steak.” She ordered. I then focused my attention on Gerard as he was refusing to eat his dinner. “I’m not hungry…” He muttered. I knew he was lying….”That’s what you said yesterday!” His mother yelled. “He says that all the time.” Mikey teased. Oh how I wished I could just get him to eat his food. Did he really think he was fat or something? Cause if he did think that, that was definitely not the case. If anything, his body would be perfect if he ate regularly. I then looked back at him sympathetically as I knew I had to say something. “Gerard, listen to your mother, she knows best.” I spoke in a formal tone. He then poked the steak with his fork as he finally cut off a piece and took a bite. I smiled. It made me so happy to see him eat. I just wish he would do it more. Donna then turned over to give her attention to me. “So Mr. Iero-“”Frank” Gerard spoke. “What?” Everyone then looked over at Gerard. “His name his Frank.” He muttered. “Gerard that is totally unprofessional, you do not call your teacher by his first name-“I then stopped her from what she was saying. “No Donna please, it’s fine, I told him to call me that.” She raised an eyebrow at me. “You did? Well in that case Frank, you seem like a nice, young gentlemen, I was wondering if you are seeing anyone?” She asked. I looked over at Gerard to see himself fully interested in the conversation. “Well not at the moment.” I replied chuckling. “Oh I bet Gerard’s happy to hear that!” Mikey teased. Gerard shoved him. “Shut up Mikey!” He cried, his face growing a dark red. I just chuckled. “Gerard for heaven’s sake!” His mother scolded for the second time tonight. “Sorry for my son.” She apologized. I shook my head. “No don’t worry about it, I know what it’s like to live with brothers.” I replied, giggling. “Oh you had brothers?” I nodded. “Yep 3 of them. My childhood was total chaos.” I snickered. “Oh so what do they do now?” His mother asked calmly. “Well I don’t know exactly…When my parents divorced a long time ago, my mother took them with her as I stayed with my father.” I explained. “Oh I see.” There was then a long awkward silence after that. After we all had finished our food, we just continued on with casual conversation. “Gerard, can you please do the dishes tonight.” Donna cheered. “But Mikey never does anything! Why can’t he do them?” She crossed her arms. “Gerard Arthur Way, do not make me say it again.” I tried my best not to chuckle at hearing his full name when he stormed off to the kitchen with our plates. “Here let me help him with those.” I cheered. “No Mr. Iero-Frank, he has it. You don’t have to help out with anything.” She spoke, taking a sip of her wine. “No please, I would be more than happy to help him out with the dish washing.” She looked back at me with questioning eyes before she spoke again. “Well I guess you can, but are you sure?” I nodded. “Yes ma’am.” I smiled as I headed to the other side of the room and towards the kitchen. “Hey bud.” I greeted as I entered the kitchen. “Hey…” He grumbled as he was scrubbing one of the plates. “You ok? Your family was being a little harsh back there…” He sighed. “I guess. But thanks for helping, you really didn’t need to-“”My pleasure” He blushed. “I’m really glad you invited me.” I cooed as I took a glass cup to wash. “Really? Even when my whole family are huge dicks?” I laughed. “Yes, it’s worth getting to spend time with you.” I could see a smile creep onto his face. “I’m really proud of you, you know.” He turned as he gave me a puzzled look. “You are? Why?” I looked him in the eyes. “Because you’re strong. I don’t know how I would live with a family like yours to be honest. No offense.” He burst out in laughter. No offense taken. I can’t wait to move out of here next year so I don’t have to see them every day.” I nodded in understanding. “But I’m also proud of you cause you ate.” He looked at me with confused eyes. “But I didn’t even eat that much.” I smiled. “Yes, but you still ate, and that made me happy.” He then looked back down at the floor, breaking eye contact. “Thank you for being my only friend Frank.” I patted his back gently. “Of course. Who wouldn’t want to be friends with someone like you?” He shrugged. “Everyone.” My heart sank. “Gerard you know that’s not true.” I muttered. “Of course it’s true! Didn’t you hear Mikey making fun of me at the dinner table? Everything he said was true…”I froze. Does this mean that what Mikey said about Gerard liking me was true? I looked back down at him as he was now softly crying. “Oh Gerard, don’t listen to him! He’s just trying to pick on you, that’s how brothers are.” He looked back up at me to meet my eyes. “Really?” I nodded. “Yes Gerard, you are an amazing kid and you just need to see that! I exclaimed as he wrapped his arms around me. “Thank you so much Frankie!” He exclaimed. Frankie? I smiled at the cute nickname he gave me. “No problem kid, just remember I’m here for ya.” He let go and nodded. “I know.” After our short talk, we then began to continue on with washing the dishes. As we both reached for a plate in the sink we could both feel our hands meet. I felt my face flush at his touch. “Sorry.” Gerard muttered, his face as red as a tomato. I giggled. “Its fine, don’t worry about it.” As we continued to wash more and more dishes we began to go on with our conversation. “So are you ready for school tomorrow?” I began. “I guess. I get to see you which is nice.” He chuckled. “Yeah I was wondering-“I paused. “Wondering what?” He asked looking over in my direction. “Well I was wondering if you wanted to maybe have extra tutoring with me after school. He grinned from ear to ear. “Yeah that would be great! Anything to get away from my annoying family.” I laughed. “Where would the tutoring take place? Here? At school?” I thought for a second. “I guess we can do it at my place if you want, and maybe we can switch off during the week.” He agreed. “Ok sounds good.” He exclaimed. “Great, so we’ll start tomorrow?” He nodded. “Ok cool, and it seems like we are done with the dished here.” He sighed with relief. “Finally.” We then walked back out to the dining room to see Gerard’s family sitting down at the table, drinking and chatting. “Wow look at the time!” I exclaimed, looking down at my old watch. “Well I better get going. Thanks for everything Don and Donna.” I said as I began to head out the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow Gerard! Don’t forget to turn in your homework.” I called out as I walked over to my car and began to drive for home.

Notes

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