I Believe We're the Enemy

It was a cold brisk day. The trees were shedding their leaves, the sky was grey. Everything in sight was foggy, a bit creepy. Frank would describe it as a cliche horror scene. He walked down the sidewalk near to the school, kicking every pebble that crossed his path. He hummed to a song he made up, his eyes on the ground. He took in a deep breath and suddenly stopped. He dug his hands into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He dialed in Gee’s number. He put the phone up to his ear, only to hear that the call went to voicemail.
It was weird. Usually, Frank and Gerard would meet up halfways, but this time, Frank was alone. He dreaded being alone. It reminded him at the beginning of Junior year. The times where he would kick around rocks, or text random numbers-all because he didn’t have anyone to talk to.

Frank walked down the teen-filled halls, his mind set to where he could find Gerard. Frank balanced himself on his tippy-toes, looking over the heads of the teens, his eyes scanning for Gerard. He finally managed to see raven matty hair and smiled. Frank dropped down to his feet and made his way through the teens. He quickly rushed towards onto Gerard’s back, wrapping his legs around his waist.
Gerard laughed and held onto Frank, “What are you doing, kid?”
Frank didn’t reply, but instead kissed Gerard’s cheek.
Mikey smiled, “That’s cute.”
Frank asked Gerard, “Where were you this morning?”
“This morning?” Gerard said in blank thought but finally caught on, “Oh, this morning. Sorry babe, I was running late.”
Frank frowned, “I tried calling you and your call went straight to voicemail.”
“My phone’s dead.” Gerard replied with speed, not making eye contact.
Frank looked up at Mikey who was staring at Gerard which looked like disbelief. Frank sensed something-something like...like Gerard was keeping something from him. Mikey looked up at Frank and oddly smiled.
It was lunch time, and the troubled teens were in their usual spots. Under the naked tree, eating lunch. Frank sat on Gerard’s lap, picking at his food. Gerard smiled, “Eat, kid.”
“I’m not up for it…” Frank muttered through his frown. Frank felt Gerard’ arms wrap around Frank’s shoulders. Gerard rested his chin onto Frank’s shoulders, “You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m okay.”
Gerard frowned, not taking the bait.
Frank repeated, “I’m okay! I promise.” Frank's mind was whirling questions about Gerard's secret.
Gerard still wasn't buying it but then smiled, “It’s almost summer, y’know?”
“That’s still in four months.” Frank replied.
Gerard ignored Frank's comment, “Summertime. Sounds great, huh?” He tried making Frank smile, “I was wondering if during summer, you would like to runaway with me?”
Frank looked at Gerard, “Runaway? What do you mean?”
“Anywhere you want to go. You can runaway with me, anytime you want.”
Frank smiled, “I'll think about it.”
“Hello!” A voice made the group jump. Rogen appeared from behind the trunk of the tree, “This is really nice," He said, scanning at the tree, "I never did pay attention to this gross tree but it’s not as bad as I thought it was.” He looked at the group's cooler, blankets, and food. He smiled, "Oh, retro."
Ray snapped, “What do you want, Rogen?”
Rogen looked at Ray, “I was wondering if I could hang out with you guys.”
Mikey scoffed out a small laugh.
Bob replied, “You think just because Frank and Gee are friends with you, you can hang out with us?”
“Hold on,” Gerard said, “Guys, I don’t want to be mean to Rogen-”
“He didn’t mind pushing us around.” Patrick said, cutting off Gerard.
Brendon lit a cig, “Then again, two wrongs don’t make a right.”
Patrick snapped at Brendon, “Who’s side are you on?”
Frank looked at Rogen as the group talked about it-more like arguing about it. Rogen noticed Frank’s gaze and lightly smiled. His green eyes sparked, making Frank quickly look away. Frank admitted to himself that Rogen was attractive, but he loved Gerard-and besides, somthing about Rogen pissed him off. It was most likely because of the major beatdowns Rogen use to give him.
Gerard shouted, “Quiet!”
Everyone’s mouths clasped shut. Gerard pushed back his hair and sighed, “Rogen, you can hang out with us.”
Rogen smiled as he sat on the large roots of the tree.
This was weird. Rogen, a bully, was sitting with the outcasts. Then again, Rogen walked away from bullying.
Rogen looked up from his food to the group whose eyes were on him. Rogen frowned, sighed, and got up. He said, looking at his feet, “I understand you guys don’t want me here. I just...don’t have anyone else to hang out with. I’ll leave.” Rogen hesitated, but dragged his feet as he solemnly walked away.
Frank honestly didn’t mind him leaving. Gerard, on the other hand, bit his lower lip in shame. He suddenly shouted, making Frank jerk, “Wait!”
Rogen stopped, a few feet away from the tree. He faced the group, but his eyes set on Gerard. Gerard looked at the group who slumped around the tree. Gerard said, “We have plenty of room here, y’know…? So, where ya going?”
Rogen smiled, but said nothing as he headed back.
Frank could see why Gerard was taking in Rogen. . It was Gerard’s will to feel sympathy to the ones who never really have anyone to talk to. Rogen was alone that didn’t really have anyone to hang out with...which reminded him of himself in the beginning of Junior year.
Throughout the day, Rogen became a bother. Gerard didn’t care that he was hanging out with them (the others did), but it was the way Rogen was acting. Rogen was still being himself, which Gerard was giving him respect out of, but Rogen was adapted to cruel jokes. He said, as the group walked down the hall, “Did you guys see that nerd in algebra class?” He laughed, “What a fucking clust-making a scene in class-”
“Rogen,” Patrick stopped and faced him, “Can you please just stop talking.”
Rogen looked at him, “You okay, Pat?”
“Don’t call me that...” Patrick looked away, “Listen, what you’re saying...it’s not nice…”
Rogen frowned.
Frank looked at Rogen, making eye contact but quickly disconnected it.
Rogen smiled weakly, “Alright...I’m sorry.”
Frank felt bad. He didn’t say anything, but the fact that Rogen didn’t fit into the group made Frank uneasy. Rogen grew up best friends with Gerard, but he was nothing like Gerard. Gerard was sarcastic but nice. Rogen was cruel but he knew when his jokes have gone too far...so maybe Gerard and Rogen were the same in the prankster kinda way. Frank looked at Rogen, inspected him. Rogen looked very different from the group. He was wearing a flannel over a faded black t-shirt, dark jeans and converse. Everyone else was wearing black, eyeliner-we all-but Rogen-looked like emos.
Rogen sighed deeply, “Y’know, this isn’t working out.”
Gerard joked, “What? You’re breaking up with me?”
Rogen didn’t smile as what Gerard was expecting. Rogen added, “I think I’m going to be fine. Alone.”
The group was silent.
Rogen didn’t make eye contact, “Thanks for putting up with me.” His last words made the group feel bad, but still, no one stopped him from walking away.

Notes