Bulletproof Heart

Fri Morning – First day of Vacation

Gerard's POV

Mikey and I threw the last of our bags into Ray's little Chevy S10. He was the only one of us in the group who had a car. I had a licence too, but I was saving up for Art School. We convinced Ray to drive us through Starbucks for Caramel Lattes, even though we had already consumed enough caffiene between the two of us to power a small jet.

It was a 2 hr drive to the cabin but the time passed surprisingly quickly. We listened to Nirvana's Unplugged album, laughing, singing along and generally being the happiest I've been in a year.

"Ray, whats Frankie like?" Well I was happy. Thanks Mikes. I'd actually forgotten about the boy who was meeting us at the cabin.

"Cool. Likes music, plays guitar, writes songs and fiction, has some piercings and quite a few tattooes. Quiet and shy at first. And you better be nice because not only do you have me to deal with, but Frankie has 3 older, very protective brothers." I blink dumbly as Ray looks directly at me. Huh, did Ray think we planned to beat the kid up?

"Cool. I'm looking forward to meeting him." says Mikey, nodding his head slightly. Ray looks down, then off to the side, rubbing the back of his neck the whole time. Almost like he was averting his eyes. Hmmm. What was Ray hiding?

"So, what do we need to look out for?" I ask. Ray definately looks uncomfortable now. He was trying to use his hair to hide behind. "And please, keep your eyes on the road and your hair out of your eyes. We'd like to make it there in one piece."

"What do you mean?"

"Cut the shit. You're acting weird and you know it. What is it about him that is weird? He's a big nerd? 7' tall and you're afraid we'll stare? If he's as cool as you say, then we'll like him anyway."

"Just wait. We're here, okay?" Ray sighed as he pulled into the rocky driveway. And can I say WOW. I hear cabin and expect something small and cozy. This beautiful, two story house looks like something a family would live in fulltime. Trees and grass seemed to wrap around all four sides of the house. I don't know how long I stood there with my mouth open, until Ray shouted that the door was unlocked.

The three of us went in the cabin with our bags. Ray pointed to the room Mikes and I would share, then told us where his room was in case we needed to know.

"Where's Frankie sleep?" I ask a bit sarcastically.

"Frankie's got a room upstairs."

"Oh, he's got a regular room? They must come here a lot." I reply, feeling a bit stupid. Ray has that strange look again. Scratch the back of his neck, not wanting to look anyone in the eye. God, is Frankie like Quasimodo or something? "Well, I'm going to get settled in me room. Maybe rest a bit before the "big reveal."


Mikey's POV


I hated seeing Gee in pain like this, especially when there was nothing I could do to help him. That bitch had really worked him over good. He hadn't wanted to discuss the details of his break up with either me or Ray, and I can't say I blame him. But I did know that he took her to a very nice place for their anniversary and that he had been saving for an expensive gift for months. Who breaks up with someone on their anniversary? I'm sure this Frankie guy will be great, Ray says so. Gee's mood should improve as the week goes on. I think. I sure hope so.

"Hey Gee." I said as I walk into "our bedroom" for the week. I'd given him a few minutes alone, although I doubt that was enough.

"Hmmff" Gerard laid mostly face first in a pillow.

"I wanted to let you know you can talk to me. About anything. Or just nothing, to get your mind off everything."

"Thanks, Mikes" he had moved his head slightly so he voice was more audible. "I'll be okay. I promise. I just need time. It just happened, you know?"

"And you loved her."

"Yeah, I did." Gee looked down, broken. I gave him a quick hug.

"Just because she wasn't worth it doesn't mean you aren't worth loving. Someone will come along, someone so wonderful, that sees what that idiot skank didn't." That was kind of awesome, huh? Internal pat on the back, Mikey.

"When did my little brother get so much smarter than me?"

"My cousin is here!" We hear Ray shout from the other room. "Come meet Frankie!"

"Hey, you wanna prank him? Just a little?" Gee asks?

"I don't know," I have a bad feeling about this.

"Oh, come on. It will be fun." I shake my head as a silent negative. "Are you scared?"

"I just don't think this will end well."

"Ha, Guess I'm doing it alone. Coming to watch at least?"

Sure, I think, as I shuffle along behind him. Everyone loves rubbernecking an accident and this seems like its headed in that direction. Its a train wreck waiting to happen.

Notes

Drumroll Please....Sorry about the cliffhanger. Really. But thats all I have written down. But I have at least 5 more chapters in my head so the next update should be soon. Hopefully tomorrow. I have to go out of town as soon as I publish this but I'll be back soon. :)

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