Forget About The Dirty Looks.

Craig leads us down the halls. Where is he taking us? He stops in front of the sound-proof music practice room. Sound-proof...
There are people in there, and Craig sharply tells them to get lost. They give us sympathetic looks as they walk out, as if they feel sorry for us. Well, if I were them, I'd feel sorry for us..
"So, Craig. What do you want?" Gerard's voice is sharp and stern, but I can tell he's worried.
"I want the money, Gerard. No, I need the money. And I need it by six o'clock, or else. Remember how much you owe us? I'm sure you do, don't you?" His voice is patronizing, and I hate it.
"Yeah, okay Craig. Anything else, princess?" I answer him before I can stop myself and I brace for a punch, but all Craig does is smile.
"Yes, actually, Frank. There's one more thing. This.." He leans in a bit closer as if he's going to kiss me, but the idea's preposterous. Instead, he swings his fist, taking me by surprise, and I fall onto my ass. My jaw hurts, but I get back up, trying not to show my emotions.
"Don't ever call me princess again, faggot.." His voice is deadly calm, and it makes me angrier. Gerard is tense and I can feel his eyes on me.
"Okay, sweetheart." And with that, I swing at him, and all hell breaks loose. Craig's friends jump into action, trying to help him. I'm on top of him, pounding him with my fists. Gerard is trying to get Craig's friends to back off, but it's not working. I get pulled off of Craig and set to my feet. My knuckles are bleeding, Craig is bleeding, one of Craig's friend's nose is bleeding. Basically just about all of us are bleeding..
We all look at each other in silence. Craig is still on the floor, painfully scrunching his face into a scowl directed at me. I look at Gerard, and he's got the beginnings of a black-eye. We stare at each other, communicating through our eyes. Gerard's are angry, and mine are probably angry too. We want to beat Craig and his friend's asses, so we take one more look at each other and Gerard nods.
I leap onto the dude with brown hair, and Gerard swings his fist at the one with blonde hair. Brown hair goes down, and like I did to Craig I pound at his face. It's a good job the walls are sound-proofed, because the boy's cries of pain are pretty loud. I look over at Gerard, and while I'm distracted, the dude flips me over, gaining the upper hand. I hear Craig's obnoxious laugh in the background, and I know I'm in trouble.

The first hit lands right on my nose and I taste the blood from it in mouth. The next hit gets my nose again, and I hear it crack. I let out a whimper, and Brown hair smirks. I hear Gerard curse, and the next punch gets my throat, chocking me. I cough and splutter, trying to get my breath back. He continues to punch me, each punch hitting it's target, and hard.
I'm trying to struggle out from under him, Gerard is still struggling with blondie. Brownie gets pushed off me, and I see Craig's pissed off face.
"Well, Frank. Maybe next time you should think before you do something stupid like starting a fight with us." His facial expression is vicious and I can tell I'm fucked. Gerard has been pulled up by blondie and brownie, and he's being pushed toward the corner, the boy's facial expression murderous. Blondie's face has been battered, I smirk at him, and Craig kicks my side, making the breath leave my lungs, and I whimper.
"What are you smirking at, Iero?" I keep my mouth shut, and he kicks me again; and again; and again. He stomps on my stomach and I'm properly winded this time. I curl up into a ball, tears pricking my eyes. I can't breathe, and I can hear Gerard getting hit, his cries of pain tearing through me.
Craig gets a few more kicks in and then the bell rings.
"Saved by the bell, eh faggots?" They let Gerard go, and I watch him slide down the wall, and pained look on his bloody face. They laugh and walk out, going to their next lesson.

"Frankie, are you okay?" Gerard's voice is weak and shakes in places. I nod and try to sit up.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine; I think my nose is broken, though. How about you; are you okay?" My voice is even weaker than Gerard's and it sounds like I'm going to cry.
"Yeah, I think I'm fine. Nothing's broken, and I can still breathe, so that's good, I suppose. Frankie, you look like shit. No offence, or anything.." I laugh, but cut myself off because it hurts.
"Gerard, you look like shit, too. We have just had our asses handed to us though, so I guess that contributes to the shitness of our appearances." I smile at him, and Gerard laughs. He nods and stands up, albeit painfully. He walks over to me and peers down at me.
"Gee, can you help me stand up, please?" He chuckles and grabs my outstretched hand. He starts pulling me up, slowly and gently. Still, I wince and hold back whimpers of pain on the way up.
When I'm fully stood up, Gerard grabs my face in his hands and studies my nose.
"Yeah, I think it's broken, Frankie. Maybe we should go to the hospital, it's still bleeding..." He trails off and focuses on the rest of my face.
he sighs and shakes his head, he grabs my hand and pulls me toward the door.
"C'mon, Frankie. Let's go to the toilets to get ourselves cleaned up."
We managed to get to the toilets without any teachers stopping us and seeing our injuries. My face is bad, and Gerard's isn't that bad, he obviously had more luck fighting wise. Gerard grabs some tissues and wets them; he starts dabbing at my cuts and the blood still running out of my nose. I wince a few times and he sends me apologetic glances. When he's done, my face looks a lot better, it was mostly dried blood. I get tissues and water for Gerard too, and start cleaning his wounds. When we're done in there, the school day's nearly over, and my nose is still bleeding.
"Frankie, we're going to the hospital, okay? I read somewhere that if it keeps bleeding you should go. Does your neck hurt or anything like that?"
"Uh, no, but I've go a really bad fucking headache and my vision is a bit blurry." He nods and grabs my hand, linking our fingers.
We stop at Gerard's to get his car, and drive to the hospital. They re-brake my nose and set it properly, after injecting me with a local anesthetic . When they bring the needle out, Gerard cringes; he's scared, no, he's terrified of needles. They also give me some gauze to try and stop the bleeding, I have to go back in two days to have them take it out.

We have till six o'clock until we have to give them the money. It's half past four now, and we have to actually get the money. I need to go home and get the stuff I need to identify myself, and I'm sure Mikey's going to be pissed at us; he doesn't know anything about this, so he's going to want an explanation.
"Gerard, I need to go home and get my shit, and we need to go to the bank to get the money.. It's half four now, we need to hurry up.." He nods, looking troubled.
"Uh, I need $700, I've got the rest. Are you sure about this? I'm really sorry I got you dragged into this, me and my stupid habits. I'm sorry, Frankie." He looks so sad, his mood suddenly melancholy.
"Gee, honestly, it's okay. I wasn't planning on going to college anyway, the money was just there to make my mom happy. She hasn't checked the account in years. I'd rather I help you with it then let it just sit there, anyway.." I put as much honesty into the words as I possibly can, hoping he can hear it. He nods and goes back to tapping the car's gear stick. He stills feel bad about it all, I can tell.
To comfort him, I put my hand on his and rub circles on the skin, and pass him a cigarette. He smiles gratefully and takes a long drag on it. Watching him smoke makes me want to. I've not had a cigarette since our fight, about two weeks ago, and I'm craving one now. I light one and inhale the nicotine, covering my lungs in tar.
Gerard switches the radio on, and slips in a Maiden CD. He turns the volume down slightly, so it's just background noise. He manages to find a parking spot outside the bank, and he says he'd rather stay in the car and wait for me; time alone would be nice for a minute, so he can process what's gone on today, he said.
As I enter the bank, I instantly feel out of place, the bank is full of well-dressed people, and I'm stood there with bruises and cuts all over my face, a baggy black hoody and black skinny jeans. People stare at me as I approach the bank lady. She stares disapprovingly at me, almost disgusted.
"What do you want?" She speaks in a short manner, addressing me as if I was dirt on her shiny Louboutins.
"I would like to take $700 out of my account." I match her tone and drum my fingers on the wooden counter.
"Yeah, can I have your identification. I don't just give money to any random scruff, you know." I huff at her, and pull the papers out of my pocket. She reads through them and starts tapping away on her keyboard.
"Mr Iero, are you aware that $700 is a lot of money? What are going to do with it?" Now she's speaking to me like I'm dumb..
"Yes, I am aware that $700 is a lot of money, and what I'm doing with it is none of your concern. Now, stop withholding my money and give it to me sharpish, or I'll make a formal complaint about you to your manager." She flushes red and shuts up. I nod, satisfied with myself and smirk. She tells me to wait for two minutes while she goes and gets in. I sit in one of the fancy chairs and start tapping my foot. It's now quarter past five, and if I don't get the money soon, we'll be late. Five minutes pass and she still isn't back. I sigh and get up looking into where she went. I spot her chatting to a colleague and cough, loud enough for her to hear. She looks round and scowls. She strides out of the room and dumps the cash into my hand.
"There you go. Have a good day, Sir.." She puts so much falseness into her voice and smile, that the smile turns into the grimace.
"Don't smile like that, you'll get even more frown lines. And, have you ever hear the quote 'Don't be a bitch and you will actually have friends'? No? Didn't think so.. Thanks, and I hope you have a horrible day. Bye!" With that I turn on my heel and walk out of the bank ignoring the look of death I'm being given by the woman.

I approach the car and see Gerard leaning back on the seat, eyes closed. Seeing it as an amazing opportunity to scare him, I tap on the window and deepen my voice.
"Oi, Way! Where's my money?" He sits blot upright and looks around banging his head on the car roof. He sees that it was just me and his posture relaxes. I'm dying with laughter, and Gerard's face is set in a scowl.
"Frankie, you little prick! You scare the shit out of me! Did you get the money? Please tell me you did.." His voice is worried and frantic, and I hold the wad of cash up, smiling.
"I don't think I've seen this much money in my life, Gee, let alone hold it. It's actually pretty heavy, y'know for thin pieces of paper.." He smiles at me, and gestures for me to get in the car.
"C'mon Frankie, we're going to be late, and that means getting our asses handed to us again. I don't now about you, but that wasn't the most enjoyable or manly moment of my life.." I snort and climb into the car. Before I can get my seat-belt on even, Gerard pulls off the curbs, racing toward wherever we're meeting them.
"We're meeting them in the alleyway that, uh, we did that thing to you..." He glances at me and my expression must give away my emotions because he sighs.
"I'm sorry that ever happened, Frankie. I was high, and I was drinking Vodka, and it seemed like a laugh, but, evidently, it wasn't.." He has apologized before for everything he's done to me, and I to him, so I just nod, not wanting to take the conversation any further.
We pull up outside the clothes shop a bit away from the alleyway and Gerard reaches under the driver's seat. He pulls out a safety deposit box and pulls a key out from his pocket. He opens the box and inside is the rest of the money. Gerard sighs; and exasperated sigh and runs his hand through his hair, tugging slightly.
"Well, let's get this over with then, shall we? Hopefully it's over quick and nobody starts anything." I smile slightly and step out of the car. I join Gerard on the sidewalk and grab his hand, linking our fingers. He squeezes my hand reassuringly and we walk at to the alleyway.
We're about ten minutes early, thanks to Gerard's erratic driving and wait around.
Gerard tenses up and four men walk up to us. They look at our joined hands in disgust. Great, they're homophobic as well as violent druggies?
"Hey, Gerald. Is this your little faggoty boyfriend? Didn't know you were a cock-sucker, Gerald." Why doesn't anybody get Gerard's name right? God, it's not that hard, is it? Gerard grips my hand tighter than before and I squeeze back.
"Leave Frankie out of it. We have your money, can we go now, please? Oh, and it's Gerard..." I give Gerard the $700 from out of my pocket, and he gets whatever money he has and hands it out to them.
"Yeah, whatever. So the whole of it is here? All $1,700?" Gerard nods, tense.
"You better hope it is. You know what happens if it isn't, don't you?" He nods again, tenser. I can feel his hands shaking. The man counts the money and nods.
"Good boy, Gerard. Now, I don't want to see you around here again, unless your buying stuff of us, and us only. Got it, faggot?" We both nod and begin to walk off when Gerard's hand is ripped from my grip. They're holding him up against the wall, and the leader person is punching him. Gerard's not fighting back, he's just letting it happen. What shall I do? Shall I try and help him, and end up getting my ass kicked again?
Gerard is grunting each time a fist or kick lands on target. The men are hurling insults at him, and laughing at him. I stand, stuck between helping him myself, or getting help. I end up just shouting at them. Well, more like screaming at them.
"Hey guys! Fucking stop it! You got your money, what more do you want? You'll end up killing him or something! Stop it, stop it, stop it! Leave him alone, you bastards.." They stop and look at me. They drop Gerard on the floor, and he coughs and curls up.
"What are you going to do, shortie? You gonna make us stop?" He laughs at this, and so does his friends. All of a sudden it's like I've forgotten how to talk, all I can do is look at them.
"What's wrong, cat got you tongue?" He looks at me in disgust and shakes his head. He glances at Gerard, who's still on the floor.
"Pfft, pathetic. That's the only word I can describe you both with; pathetic. C'mon, guys let's get out of here. We don't wanna be wasting our time on these two faggots." I bow my head as they walk past, ashamed with myself. I stand there for a minute, forgetting about Gerard.
He let's out another groan and my head snaps to him. I rush over to him, my hands fluttering over his body and face. I feel incredibly guilty, and tears prick my eyes.
"God, Gerard. I-I'm so sorry I didn't help you, I, I just didn't know what to do, or, or how to help. I just stood there like a.. a-a pathetic little boy... God, are you okay? Where hurts; where did they get you?" Tears roll down my cheeks, and my voice is unsteady. Gerard grunts and attempts to sit up. He struggles, so I help him. He's propped up against the wall, his eyes closed.
"Everywhere hurts, Frankie. It really, really hurts." His voice is pitiful, and a few tears leak from his closed eyelids. I sit down next to him and put an arm around his shoulders, gently. I kiss the top of his head and a sob leaves Gerard's mouth.
"Hey, hey. It's okay now. Craig's stupid friends won't bother you anymore, it's okay.. Have you got any pain medication anywhere?" He nods, and I help him up. He groans a few times and walks with a slight limp. I let him lean on me, and I'm thankful the car's only parked a few feet away.
"The meds are in the glove-box, Frankie." I search through the glove-box and find them. He dry swallows them, something I don't think I'll ever be able to do. We sit for five minutes, and then Gerard starts the car.
"I wonder what Mikey and Ray are gonna say when we get back... We look like we've just done ten rounds with Mike Tyson, and then there's the money that Craig so nicely mentioned in front of them. Shit, Mikey is going to be so pissed I didn't tell him, he might tell my mom. I could be homeless by the end of tonight, Frankie.." His voice speeds up as he progresses through to the end, and I can barely understand him.
"Gee, seriously, you need to calm down. You can stay at my place if it comes down to it, and I'm sure Mikey will understand, you had no choice in not telling him. They threatened you with his life, and your mom's, Ray probably won't even care, he's an understanding person, y'know?" I snapped at him, instantly regretting it. Gerard nods, but his grip on the wheel increases until his hand is white. I sigh and look out of the window, not comfortable with how the atmosphere has turned. You could cut the tension with a knife.
When Gerard pulls up outside his house, neither of us move. Gerard puts his head on the wheel and sighs. I put my forehead on the cool glass window, really wanting a back massage. We are both really tense, and the silence turns awkward. It feels like we've just had a fight, but we haven't, and neither of us likes it.
"Gee, I'm sorry for snapping. It was out of place, and I know your stressed out and everything, so, I'm sorry.." He looks at me and his expression softens. He smiles at me and pecks me on the lips. I hug him, and he embraces me back tightly. That's all somebody needs sometimes, a little bit of affection. We hug for about five minutes and then Gerard sighs into my hair. He pulls away and climbs out of the car sullenly. I follow him and he goes to unlock the door; before he can somebody opens it. A very pissed off Mikey stands in the doorway, his crossed arms and scowl giving off a very clear message; he's very pissed off at us, Gerard in particular from the way he's glaring at him.
"What the fuck was that at lunch? Why are you two fucking battered? And why the fuck did you owe Craig and his friend money? For Christ's Sake, Gerard! What is wrong with you? Why has Frank been dragged into this?"
We are fucked, maybe Gerard wasn't overreacting when he said he might be homeless. Me and Gerard make eye contact and I can tell we're both thinking 'Oh shit'....

Notes

New chapter! Gerard and Frank are in deep shit with Mikey...
Hope you like it, comment and shit, let me know what you think xo