Truth Be Told

*Gerard’s P.O.V*

Gerard walked out of the visitors area and into the dining hall. Gerard was sniffling and wiping at his eyes to make sure that no one could tell he was crying. As he entered he realized it was lunch time so he grabbed some food and made his way over to the back of the room. without thinking he plopped down in front of Frank.

“Hey” is all Gerard muttered as he sat looking at his food. He didn’t look up when he heard a scratching noise. In a few seconds a small notebook came into his line of vision. He then read “Are you okay?” written by Frank. Gerard looked up at him and shook his head, averting his eyes from Frank’s. Frank took the notebook back and wrote “If you want to talk about it I’m here to listen.” Gerard looked up at Frank and saw Mikey. The way Frank looked at him right this minute reminded him so much of Mikey he had to swallow and look up at the ceiling to stop himself from breaking down and crying right there.

He decided today was just too much for him. He had felt to many emotions today more than he’d felt in all his life. It had hurt him so much knowing that he couldn’t be there for Mikes, to comfort him, to stop him from hurting. His stupid fucking “parents” never cared or noticed before, and he realized that even now they wouldn’t. You’d think after losing one kid to a mental asylum they’d care, but they were self-absorbed assholes. They weren’t there the first time Mikey slit his wrist open and almost died in his bed, Gerard had. And now he couldn’t. He closed his eyes and willed all his shity feelings away and felt only anger boil up.

He opened his eyes and looked straight into Frank’s and said with as much force as he could muster, “I don’t need to talk about anything. I don’t need help I’m fine. You Frank? You need help, and I know you aren't going to get it from the bitch Friedman.” And with that he left stalking to his room fuming with anger even punching the wall a couple times as he went.

*Frank’s P.O.V.*

Frank didn’t know what to think or feel about Gerard. This seemed to Frank a common theme with Gerard. He was mad at Gerard hurting him so much, but at the same time he felt sorry for Gerard because he knew there was so much pain behind his anger and emptiness he showed in his eyes.

Frank decided to saunter down to Gerard’s room even though he probably regret it later. He didn’t know what to say to him but, he just felt like it was the right thing to do. As he was about to knock he looked over his shoulder and saw Bob nodding and smiling, as if approving of his actions. Frank blinked and Bob was gone. Frank then knocked on Gerard’s door and walked in. Gerard didn’t bother looking up from sketching in his book so Frank stood awkwardly by the door. Finally Frank walked over in front of Gerard and started waving his arms around in front of him hoping to get his attention. When this proved not successful Frank sat down next to Gerard’s bed and began to write in his notebook.

“You’re right, I do need help and Friedman hasn’t helped, she just lectures. I’m not the only one who needs help though, i know something bothers you constantly and that’s why you keep people away from you. We both need help.” And with that he stood and handed it to Gerard. Gerard took it huffing as he did and read it.

“You’re right Frank I do need help, but I don’t know how to be helped Frank. Bob and Ray and my other friends help sometimes but everyone says I'm hallucinating. Also they seem to be showing up less and less and i just don’t know what to do.” Gerard said, still not making eye contact.

Frank grabbed his notebook and began to write: “Maybe we can help each other? And I know what you mean I rarely see them anymore and it scares me because I know I’m losing them and I’m not sure if I can handle it.”

Gerard read this and his face hardened. Frank began to feel wary about Gerard.

“You know Ray and Bob? And the others? You better not be lying to me Frank or so help me God.”

Frank quickly wrote down “Yes, I know them they been with me since forever. I wouldn’t lie to you about this. Please don’t be mad at me!”

Gerard read this and his face softened slightly, for a second Frank thought he imagined it. Then Gerard looked at him his eyes searching to see if Frank was lying. Apparently he found nothing insincere in Frank’s eyes because he moved over in his bed and motioned for Frank to sit next to him. Frank complied making sure to not touch Gerard as he sat. Gerard looked at him funny due to the fact that Frank was practically sitting on the opposite side of the bed as if Gerard had a disease.

Frank quickly scribbled down “I don’t like to be touched.” Gerard nodded understanding.

“Frank why did you cut yourself?” Gerard muttered. Frank really didn’t want to talk about it but he figured he needed to and felt, strangely, more comfortable with Gerard than with Friedman.

Sighing he began to write. “I don’t know why I did it. I just felt so empty and alone. I felt scared. I felt that I was going to be forgotten again. I felt worthless just like my parents said. I just felt everything and nothing at the same time. The only way I knew how to do anything about it was to cut, but this time I think I actually wanted to die again. I actually wish the nurse hadn’t found me.” Crying Frank gave the book to Gerard. As Gerard read his eyes began to fill with tears. When he was done he looked at Frank and said “I’m so sorry Frank, I will always be here for you, I promise.” And with that he hugged Frank. Frank tried to get away but Gerard’s grip held him tight, eventually Frank relaxed and realized that having Gerard’s arms around him wasn’t that bad. He felt safe and protected something he had never really experienced before. When Gerard finally let him go he smiled at Frank and wiped Frank’s tears away.

“I’m so sorry Frank, but I will be here to protect you.” Gerard said smiling.

“Th-than-thank y-you.” Frank stuttered out due the lack of him using his voice.

Gerard looked shocked but nodded and went back to drawing in his sketchbook. After a bit a nurse came in to tell it was time to eat. When the nurse realized it wasn’t just Gerard in the room he raised an eyebrow and left. They both left together and sat at Frank’s table to eat. Frank wasn’t going to eat but, Gerard gave him a look that was if telling him to eat, so he did. After dinner they split up and went to their own rooms. Frank tried to sleep but he couldn’t so he just sat and looked out the tiny window in his room, trying to see if he could see any stars. After a bit of this a light flooded his room and Gerard walked in.

“Hey, uh I hope I’m not intruding but, I couldn’t sleep and Bob told me to come and see you.” Gerard said nervously. Frank motioned for him to sit next to him on the bed. “Couldn’t sleep either?” Gerard asked. Frank nodded.

They sat for a while and finally Gerard said “You remind me of my little brother, Mikey.” Then Gerard wrapped an arm around Frank and Frank rested his head on Gerard’s shoulder. After a while Frank’s eyes began to shut and as he fell asleep he, finally felt what it was like to be cared for.

Notes

Thank you for reading!