You Know What They Do To Guys Like Us In High School

The intimidating concrete building loomed over Gerard’s head as he made his way up to the double doors. Just inside was a maze of corridors plagued by swarms of bullies and judgemental idiots. Gerard hated school. The laughing, sneering, name-calling and verbal cruelties that occasionally pushed a kid over the edge were often targeted at him and his mop of black hair.
‘Emo!’ A shout from the left.
‘Faggot!’ An insult from the right.
Gerard began shuffling forward, his heart-rate increasing and his hands beginning to shake. He’d never been very good at defending himself. Once he had tried, by telling a bully to leave him alone, but had only ended up in the bathroom with a black eye.
Suddenly the bell sounded and Gerard picked up his pace so he wouldn’t be late for class. First period was always the worst due to fatigue and the dread of the day ahead.
***
Gerard rounded the corner and into the English room. He sat in his usual seat at the back of the class and just as he dumped his bag on the desk the teacher walked in clapping her hands.
‘Alright class, welcome back. Did you have a good break?’ A boy shot his hand up, clearly eager to speak.
‘Rhetorical question, Robert. I really couldn’t care less.’ At this Robert shyed away from view, embarrassed.
‘Okay! We have a new student this term. Class, Frank. Frank, class.’ Ms Wood gestured toward a small dark haired boy standing nervously in the doorway. Frank looked down at his feet and fiddled with his black skeleton gloves.
‘Frank, there’s a seat in the back corner, hop it kiddie.’ Ms Wood patronized.
***
‘Homework is to read scenes six and seven, get it done or you’ll be in detention, and piss off the lot of you.’
As Gerard packed up his things, he couldn’t help but notice the new boy, Frank, lingering at the edge of the room as the rest of the class exited into the crowded halls of hell.
‘You okay?’ Gerard asked as a friendly gesture while passing.
‘Um, y-yeah. I’m just not sure where my next class is.’ Frank stuttered.
‘Oh, what is it?’
‘Biology.’
‘Well, I have Chemistry but the labs are nearby so I’ll show you the way if you like?’
‘Uh, I guess, thanks.’ Frank and Gerard began to make their way into the hall and toward the science labs when a tall boy from the classroom opposite yelled over at them.
‘Ah look, emo fag’s got himself a boyfriend. How cute!’
‘Just keep walking.’ Gerard said as he grabbed Frank’s arm and attempted to pull him away.
‘What, no! I’m not just going to let them get at anyone who’s different. I’ve had enough of it from my last school!’ Frank blurted out, startling Gerard at his sudden outburst.
‘Don’t-‘
‘Hey!’
‘Huh?’ The bully grunted. ‘Me?’
‘Yes you, you sarcastic little shit.’
‘Ey, be watchin’ your mouth-‘
‘No!’ Frank screamed, beginning to gather a crowd,
‘What?’
‘I said no! I won’t tolerate you fucking idiots walking round thinking you’re superior over everyone else in the school, because you’re not! You’re judgemental cowards who do so much damage! I hate you!’ Frank was crying now and screaming at the bully who was certainly taken aback.
‘Frank?’ Gerard questioned, suddenly concerned for the new boy. He dropped his bag and ran over to the him, as he was now crouching with his hands over his head. ‘Come on, you’re having a panic attack, let’s get you to the nurse, you ne-‘
‘I don’t think so faggot, he can’t talk to me like that!’ The bully protested.
‘Oh shut up, Jason.’ Gerard retorted, immediately wishing he hadn’t.
The bully, Jason, suddenly launched himself at Gerard and began thrashing out at him.
‘How dare you!’ A fist to the jaw.
‘You’re nothing!’ A knee to the hip.
‘You’re worthless!’Blood was beginning trickle down Gerard’s pale skin.
‘You’re just a piece of emo scum!’ A knuckle to the temple.
Darkness.
***
Gerard’s eyelids fluttered open to reveal a pale blue ceiling and the sound of paper brushing paper.
‘Th-The fuck?’ He questioned, confused. He began to sit up only to be disrupted by a sharp pain to his temple. His reflexes shot his hand up to assist the pain. ‘Ah!’
‘Oh good you’re awake, no need for language though.’ A man’s voice started.
‘What? Oh, um, sorry. What happened? Where are you?’
‘Well, you and Jason White had a bit of a fight and you were knocked unconscious. Don’t you remember?’ The voice continued, before it was met by a face turning into Gerard’s little room. The nurse was flicking through the papers on his clipboard as he spoke, but as he approached Gerard’s cot put the board down with a clatter. ‘Up, please.’
‘Oh, yes I do.’
‘Here, take this.’ The nurse handed Gerard an ice pack wrapped in a paper towel. ‘Put it to your head.’
‘Does he look as bad as, um, I do?’ Gerard asked while taking the ice pack.
‘Well, no. He’s in detention, completely unharmed. You know you shouldn’t pick a fight with Jason White. Oh, you’re in detention too. Take the ice with you and come back if you feel any worse.’
‘Oh, okay. Um-‘
‘No more questions.’
‘Uh, right.’
‘Right. Remember to come back if you can’t cope.’
‘I will.’ Gerard lied as he made his way towards the door. ‘Thanks.’
***
When he reached detention, he was greeted by an overly angry looking teacher.
‘Mr Way. Sit.’ With that Gerard sat and opened his sketchbook. He loved to draw. Mostly comics and rough sketches of superheroes and cartoon-style figures. He sat at the desk, doodling and occasionally glancing at the wall-mounted clock until the bell rang.
***
Gerard walked quickly away from the building, eager to escape its shadow. He hurried down the street only to be distracted from his escape by something on the other side of the wire-lined road. Frank. He was running, fast, attempting to out-run the threats coming from the bullies behind him.
‘Come back here you worthless fuck!’ Wow, you’re gonna get it when we catch you!’ The main bully screamed. Frank just continued running frantically, tripping on the ragged pavement as he went.
‘Oh God.’ Gerard whispered to himself.
‘Talking to yourself are you now?’ A passer-by snorted. Gerard brushed off the snide comment from the girl and tried to focus on Frank. He felt sick. This couldn’t end well. Frank continued to sprint, but was clearly tiring, and the insults continued to chase after him.
‘Fag!’
‘Emo!’
‘Freak!’
‘Loser!’ And the threats continued to push him forward.
‘I’m gonna kill you!’
‘You’re dead!’
‘Just wait until we catch you!’
‘If you don’t kill yourself we’re just gonna do it for you!’ At every syllable Gerard winced. He knew how badly words like these could hurt, and how deeply they could cut.
Suddenly Frank took a sharp left, jumped over a black, rusty gate and ran inside a ram-shackled, grimy house. Frank’s house.When the bullies caught up, they stopped outside the building, but didn’t bother following Frank inside.
‘You’re fucked, you little cunt!’ The pack leader growled, before picking up a rock, tossing it about in his hands a couple of times, and throwing it at an upstairs window. The window smashed into pieces, and a small shriek followed. Satisfied, the bullies walked away. Shocked, Gerard crossed and headed down the road to the small house. As he pushed the gate open it creaked loudly and Gerard felt as if he was trespassing, though he was only concerned for Frank. There was loud music coming from inside, radiating its healing power. There were dead and overgrown plants surrounding the door and the stained, lacy curtains were drawn. Gerard could hear clattering and banging through the now smashed window, as well as muttering and an occasional thud. He stepped up to the tattered door and knocked four times. No answer. He knocked again. Faint moaning sounds slipped through the cracks and met Gerard with confusion. What was Frank doing in there? He could be heard, but wasn’t answering the door, so Gerard decided to creep inside. He used his index finger to push the door open. Once it was ajar, Gerard popped his head inside.
‘Hello? Frank?’ It’s Gerard, from English class. Are you okay?’ He entered the darkness of the hall and began to look around. He found Frank upstairs, curled up on the floor, shaking. ‘Frank?’ Gerard put a hand to Frank’s shoulder and he flinched. It seemed Frank had been having a panic attack. Gerard pulled him upright and went to get a class of water. He handed it to Frank, and Frank took it reluctantly to take a sip.
‘Thanks.’ Frank said at last. He had calmed down now, simply by the presence of Gerard. Gerard had only met Frank that day, so decided that it wouldn’t be best to query him about his private life and reactions to the bullies’ torments. Instead, he left quietly
***
When Gerard arrived home, he walked past Mikey in the kitchen, and went straight downstairs to his basement bedroom. He stayed there all night, drawing and listening to music. Eventually he lay down and cried himself to sleep.

Notes

Thank you for reading the first chapter! I will be updating regularly, maybe twice a week? I'm not sure, but I won't be leaving this fanfiction incomplete so you don't need to worry about that. Thanks again.
-Gee