Gerard’s POV

No.
NO.
It can’t be.
I ran SO FUCKING FAR.
I LEFT MY HOME. I WENT TO A FUCKING MENTAL HOSPITAL; I TRAVELLED THE WORLD TRYING TO ESCAPE HIM.
NO.
It isn’t fair.
All of these thoughts ran through my head as I was shaken by a familiar tattooed gent in a tie. Pete, my mind registered, but my whole body jerked away. He was a danger, he looked too much like him, like frank. Frank. Frank was back.
“STAY AWAY FROM ME” I screamed at him. He jumped back quickly. In my blurred vision, I could just about see Pete and Patrick looking down at me with concerned expressions, and my class staring in curiosity. One or two were leaning over their desks. I could see it now. Lily had her father’s hair, her father’s wicked smile, the one I saw every day as he beat me into oblivion
“Mr Way – Gerard – are you okay?” asked Patrick, cautiously. I wanted to say yes. I wanted to get up and pretend nothing happened. Instead, my body betrayed me, and I began to sob uncontrollably.
Patrick and Pete exchanged a look, and then I was hauled out of my classroom to a small white room.
“I’ll take the class, you look after him” Pete said, and left, giving me a sympathetic glance.
“okay. Love you.” Patrick sighed. Then he turned to me. “Gerard, what happened back there.”
I couldn’t speak. How could I admit it? My childhood tormentor had somehow found me, I was in danger. I was going to die. How could I say that out loud?
“ I – um…I have panic attacks sometimes. Okay? I’m so sorry, it won’t happen again.” I couldn’t even look him in the eye. Which is why I was shocked when I found myself in his embrace.
“it’s okay. You poor thing, you must have been terrified. Do you have medication? Oh, would a cup of tea help? Do you want me to call somebody?” his voice was so full of concern, I couldn’t help bursting into tears again. He held me closer and rocked slowly.
“th –th – thankyou so much. No one’s ever – people usually – I don’t have many friends” I stuttered out between tears. He looked at me, and then held me tighter.
“Well now you do. Pete and I like you very much, okay? Tell you what, there’s a gig in a few nights. Local. Our mate Ray is organising it. Pete and I will be going, as well as some of our friends. You should come along, they’ll love you. Plus we don’t get many um open minded people around here… small town, ya know” he winked, and I couldn’t help laughing in spite of the tears. “so is that a yes?”
What was the harm? It would be a distraction. Besides, I couldn’t just move out straight away. I had nowhere to go. My therapist was always nagging me about going to more social interactions…
“sure, why not?” I replied, smiling. He full out beamed.
“great! Oh yeah, one other thing… are you single?” he asked me.
Huh. Please. How could I get a date.
“yeah, of course I am, look at me. why?” I replied.
“hey, you’re a catch. Anyway, Ray has a friend who got out of a marriage recently. I haven’t met him but he sounds nice. You into tattoos?” I blushed deeply. I kinda had a thing for them, ever since… well. You know.
“I’ll take that as a yes. I guess we’ll see what happens then” he smirked at me. “I’ll give you some time alone, Pete’s got your class covered. You can have a fresh start tomorrow.” He smiled at me one more time and left, leaving me to my thoughts.
I can’t run forever
It’s a fact I had to come to terms with.
But just because his kid was in my class, that didn’t mean I have to see him. I’d get Pete to take my parents evenings, he wouldn’t mind. I didn’t go out much anyway so I wouldn’t see him in town. I didn’t have to see him at all. And if he did…
I would run.
I would hide
I would do anything to get away.
Anything.
I whipped out my phone and texted my brother to reassure him I was still alive. This was a daily routine. Mikey was in prison, but they allowed him to text and stuff, it was pretty lax. I’d rather be safe behind bars than prey in a school once again….
Time to go home.

Notes

aww patrick :) okay so that was pretty heavy foreshadowing, you guys probably know what's gonna happen but I like that in a story! plus there's a twist, so look out :P sorry it's been a while, school is stressful as hell. I hope you like the update :) comment because it motivates me to write! ren xx