It's Not a Fashion Statement

FRANK'S P.O.V

I pull myself up off the sofa. I must’ve fallen asleep down here.
I thought back to yesterday, and Gerard not being here. I don’t remember him coming back; maybe I was too deep in sleep. But I’m not exactly a heavy sleeper, so I would’ve woken up if someone came through the door. I peer out the window, and the car still isn’t there. Maybe he drank and walked back? Wait, but Gerard doesn’t drink.

I remember him telling me at lunch a few things about his past with drugs and alcohol, though he didn’t say much as it was a touchy subject. Oh well, he must still be out. He said he’d never go back to alcohol, so that assumption is out the window.

I shout his name a few times around the house to make sure. Nope. Nothing.

I feel my stomach growl and I make my way to the kitchen and get a bowl of cereal. I glance at the clock, it's half past 10. I’d have been at work a few hours ago now. Maybe Gerard went to work and didn’t want to wake me up? Maybe he still felt bad and didn’t want to disturb me.

I sit back on the leather sofa and think about what to do. I finish my cereal and clean up, then deciding to get changed and go into work. I ring up a taxi and give him the address. I’d walk, but I have no idea where I’d go from here to be honest. All I know is its ‘way industries’ and everyone seems to know where that is.

I took 20 dollars from the counter on the side to pay. Hopefully Gerard won’t mind. I’ll just ask him to take it out of my pay check. Honestly, I’m not even bothered about getting paid. He’s sort of paying me with letting me stay with him and then my daily checks from each shoot on top is quite a lot. He really doesn’t need to pay me that much.

I arrive and jump out of the taxi, thanking the driver.

I have 10 dollars left, so I might get a coffee or something later. I don’t know.

I open the door and ask at reception if Gerard is here. She tells me he might be in his office, but she doesn’t remember him passing the reception. I nod and thank her, selecting the 19th floor in the elevator.

The doors open with a chime and close behind me, as I walk into the circular waiting room that I was brought to the first time I was here. I’m still pretty unaware of the building, like I pretty much only know where Gerard’s room is and the reception. I have no idea what’s on any of the other mysterious floors.

My slightly heeled shoes make a clicking sound on the marble stone floor beneath me. They’re navy and leather and match with this gray suit nicely. Though, it still feels a bit weird dressed in suits and fancy Italian shoes every day, compared to the band tops, skinny jeans and vans I’d wear every day of my life with a coordinated black hoodie.
Some change is nice though.

I tap on the door and someone shouts come in. At first I’m relieved to hear someone, but as soon as i realise it isn't Gerard, in fact Andy, I worry.

“Thank god Ger-“ he stops when he turns and notices it’s only me.
“Why are you here.. I thought-?” I started, confused as to why Andy is here. I’m pretty sure he was fired.
“I know… I’m sorry about what I said. It’s not true. I just got annoyed. For the last few days, all he has been doing is talking about you and how great you are-“

I felt a funny feeling in my stomach and my heart started beating a bit more. A smile spread across my face without me even realising.

“I got home and realised how out of order I was. I was jealous. I said things that weren’t true, and I realised I’m not only just loosing a job but also a friend. I know Gerard, and he wouldn’t do anything like what I said, and he is a great guy, I just want to apologise and try to get my job back…I don’t even care about pay-“
He held his head in his hands and sat down in the office chair. I perched myself on the desk and told him I’m sure Gerard will forgive him. It's true, I’m sure he will, if we actually find him that is.

“Do you know where he is?” I asked, lowering my voice.
“Wait, you don’t know where he is?”
I shook my head.
“No. He left last night and I haven’t seen him since. His car is gone and he won’t pick up his phone. I thought he might be here and didn’t want to wake me up, but I guess he isn’t. I have no idea where he can be…”

“Was he stressed? Before he left?”
I guess he looked pretty stressed before I slammed the door shut in his face.
I nodded and Andy sighed, telling me to follow him.
He led me outside and waved a taxi, allowing me to get in first.
“Just follow my direction?” he asked the driver.

-
Andy started shouting at the driver to stop. We got out near some alleyway. i'm pretty sure Gerard won't be hanging around here.
As if Andy was reading my mind, he told me that Gerard used to come here all the time. He's been close to relapsing the last few months and Andy thinks this took him over the edge. I sure hope not.
-
“He’s not here! I don’t know where else he could be-“ I wonder around the lifeless store. The smell of tobacco and drugs fill my lungs and it makes me want to puke. The shelves are all lined with various bottles and cans. And the man behind the till gives me the creeps.

“Well, what can I do for you sugar?” he winked at me and smirked. Ew.
His greasy hair falls in front of his eyes and his perverted smirk shows off his gold tooth.

“Hello, I’m… I am looking for someone, who may be here…”
I try to sound as polite and confident as possible, but I’m shitting with nerves because this guy is fucking creepy as hell.

“Frank, I’ll be a few minutes. I’m going to see if his car is anywhere round here.”
Andy shouts from the other end of the store. I gulp and reply with ‘okay’. I don’t like being left here.
“Come round back n’ I can tell ye if I know of this mysterious someone- want one?” he offered me a cigarette but I shook my head and denied it. I cautiously followed him round to the back of the building.

“y’know, for someone so young and innocent, you're quite the sensible little boy,”

“I’m not a child. I’m sixteen thank you very much. I’m just a bit small.” I gave him a dirty look and kept behind him. The way he exaggerated innocent made me feel he wasn’t thinking such innocent things. I shiver at the thought.

He leads me outside whilst he smokes, questioning me on the mystery mans appearance.
“He has shoulder length red hair, like really red. He’s about… your height? His name is Gerard Wa-“

“Yes! Yes, he is here now actually… I think. Actually, I’m not sure. He may have left earlier, and I don’t know. He’s probably high, though. And drunk. Really drunk. Man, I forgot how much that kid could drink.”

Oh dear. I hope he has the wrong person, but something is telling me he hasn’t.

“Well, do you know where he went?”

“All I remember is him saying something about how he hates himself because frank or some thing hates him. I don’t know. He was off his balls high. I wouldn’t worry too much. He’s probably sitting at home with a bag of chips jerking off to misfits.”

“Oh-Kay then… thanks, I guess?” I walked off to the front of the shop to be met with Andy.

“Any luck?”

“His car is down the road. What about you?”
“Not really. No. He’s been here, though”
“Well, that’s good to know”
Is it?

Notes

i said i'd update today :) i might update again tonight.
in fact, let's play a game :)) after I get 5 more comments on this story, ill post the next chapter.
(i like ur comments ok u guys r really nice)
ignore my potty mouth. There's a lot of swearing in my stories tbh

also, is it grey, or gray? I DON'T KNOW
@ brain wtf

ALSO THANK U EVERYONE FOR 50 VOTES ILY

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omg i was just typing this note and there's a spider sat on my keyboard someone hold me