Mute

Gerard's pov*

When lunchtime finally arrived, I was going to slink off to the library.. no point in me going to the cafeteria.. but apparently, Frank had other ideas "Gee?.." I looked up from my bag as I stuffed my notepad inside ".. Why don't you come to the cafeteria with me?.. You don't wanna sit on your own, do ya?.."
I considered this for a moment.. Was it a trick?.. Did he have friends I hadn't met yet, that would hurt me?.. Would FRANK hurt me?
I decided that it really didn't matter all that much if it WAS a trick.. I'm used to getting beat, so I could handle it if it happened.
I searched his eyes for any sign of deceit.. and found none!
Shrugging slightly, I put my bag up onto my shoulder, and offered him a small smile.
Frank grinned back at me ".. Cool!.. Let's go!.." Frank led the way out of class and through the packed hallways. I kept a couple feet back from him, just in case he WAS leading me into a trap, and I'd have to run. After a few minutes, we arrived at the cafeteria.. Ok, so no trap!
I followed him to the lunch line, and stood silently as he picked up a tray ".. Sure I can't tempt you?.." Frank grinned at me, pointing to something that made Linda's food look practically edible. I shook my head, wrinkling my nose at the less than appetising smell. Frank laughed ".. Can't say I blame ya.. I wouldn't eat it myself, but I'm so hungry I could eat a scabby horse right now.." I raised an eyebrow and pointed at the 'food'. Frank giggled, like he got what I meant ".. Yeah.. That just might BE a scabby horse!.." I smiled shyly back at him.. He looked happy!
Frank turned toward the lunch lady, and his grin dropped. She had DEFINITELY heard him ".. Sorry.." He mumbled, as she slammed a plate full of.. something indescribably disgusting.. onto his tray. Frank looked a little green as he peered down at the plate, then he looked at me ".. Come on.." He said in a weak voice. I nodded and followed him to the check-out. He put the tray down and placed his thumb onto a scanner. The machine beeped, and the lady standing behind it nodded to him, then turned to the next in line.
Frank reluctantly picked up his tray, and led me toward a table right at the back.
When we reached the empty table, Frank sat down. I stood awkwardly for a moment, before sliding into the seat opposite him. Frank scooped up a small spoonful of.. whatever it was.. and, taking a breath.. I presume so he didn't have to smell it at the same time as tasting it.. put it in his mouth.
I watched his face as it screwed up in revolution, but then SOMEHOW he managed to swallow it. He looked up at me and grinned ".. Truth is.." He shrugged ".. I've had worse!.." I smiled sympathetically, then pulled my sketch pad from my bag as he, quite bizarrely, continued to eat.
A crashing noise from the lunch line made me jump and turn in my seat. Jason, the guy who seemed to want to see us both suffer, was shoving a couple freshmen around. Frank kicked me slightly under the table. I turned to look at him ".. Don't look at them.. They might not see us.." I nodded, and went back to my drawing ".. Fuck!.." Frank muttered. I looked up ".. They've seen us!.." I swallowed and bit my lip, but didn't look back. Frank was watching them through his hair as he ate ".. They're not coming over!" He stated, quietly. I sighed in relief.
A few minutes later, a girl I vaguely recognised from our Math class, came over and started talking to Frank. She was asking him something about borrowing some notes.. I zoned out, continuing to draw.
After a minute or two, the girl's whiny voice was starting to annoy me, so I decided to go to the bathroom.
Frank was clearly engrossed in the conversation, and didn't so much as look up as I collected my things and left the table.
There was a boy's room just opposite the cafeteria, so I stepped in and went to pee.
Just as I was zipping up, the door opened, and guess who walked in?... Yep!.. That's right!.. Fucking Jason! And he wasn't alone!
My heart started pounding in my chest as he smirked and headed my way "Well.. Look what we got here boys.." He cheered ".. It's the little freak who don't talk.." My lip trembled, and I felt the first hot tears track down my cheeks ".. Let's see if we can make him scream.." I gasped and tried to dodge them as they came for me ".. Hold him!.." Jason barked, as his friends grabbed both my arms and pinned me to the wall. I struggled, desperately, but they were just too strong. Suddenly Jason's fist flew at my face. I turned slightly, avoiding a broken nose, but got a black eye instead. I squeaked in pain, and Jason grinned, wickedly ".. Guess you DO got a voice.." He grabbed a handful of my hair, and slammed my head back into the grey tiled wall. My vision spun, and I saw stars. He did it again, and then, again, by which point I could feel a sticky heat at the back of my head, and darkness was beginning to close in around me.Jason then sent his fist heavily into my gut, and my legs gave way beneath me ".. Alright boys.. Drop him.." He ordered. His 'boys' let go of my arms and I collapsed to the ground, sobbing and trying to catch my breath ".. Let's go!" They each gave me a swift kick to the ribs, and then they were gone.
Shaking and crying, I crawled into the nearest stall and curled up in the corner. Why can't they just leave me alone?
I'd been there about five minutes, when the door opened again. Terrified that it was Jason, back to give me another beating, I buried my face in my arms and tried to stay quiet "Gee?.. You in here?.." It was Frank!
He walked down the row of stalls till he reached the one I was in ".. Oh God Gee!.. What happened?.." He dropped to his knees in front of me, his hand reaching out to touch my shoulder. I flinched, and looked up at him. He looked so sorry! ".. Was it Jason?.." I nodded ".. That FUCKER!.." He spat, then softened his voice as I shrunk away from him ".. Hey!.. It's ok!.. You're safe now!.. I'm here!.." I whimpered and looked at the floor. Frank frowned ".. Look Gee.. I know I've not exactly been welcoming.." Understatement! ".. But I'm trying here!.. Maybe we can start again?.. Try being friends?.. What d'ya say?" He smiled hopefully at me.
Still shaking slightly, I took a deep breath and did something I never thought I would again.. I spoke, my voice was scratchy and quiet from lack of use.. "W..when I was a y..young boy.." Frank looked shocked, but nodded for me to continue, shuffling into a more comfortable position, and taking my hand in his ".. I w..was five. My m..mum and d..dad were... were m..murdered!.." Frank's eyes grew wide, and he silently slipped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me gently against him. I tensed for a moment, then let myself relax into his side, as tears soaked my face ".. I s..saw it h..happen!.. The m..men told m..me that if I e..ever talked a..bout it.. they'd f..find m..me, and k..k..kill m..me!" I sobbed heavily, burying my face in my hands.
After a minute or two, I realised that Frank hadn't answered, and that his arm was missing from around my back. I sniffed and slowly looked up. Frank's face was blank.. Zero expression! Fuck! He REALLY thinks I'm a freak now.
I waited for a few more seconds, but he continued to stare into space. He doesn't give a shit! My mind screamed at me. It's true!.. He doesn't!
I grabbed my bag and shot to my feet before running straight out of the toilets. My heart was thundering in my ears as I ran along the hallway, and turned toward the front entrance.. I was outta there!
As I tore down the front steps, I was vaguely aware that someone was standing to my right, but the tears in my eyes made it hard to tell who.
It wasn't so hard when they grabbed me and started dragging me around the side of the building... Jason FUCKING Walters!...

Notes

Hi there chipmunks.. GeesCLUELESSgirl here!..

How ya doin'?.. Better than Gee.. I hope!

Please comment, stay safe, and peace out babies!
<3