In A Hail Of Bullets

Gerard's P.O.V The guys got into their sleeping bags and set out the food they'd brought with them. I wrapped a quilt around me and sat by Astrid. She looked nervous, biting her bottom lip, as Mikey spoke. "Okay." He started, looking down at the food and pointing to each as he said it. "We have egg fried rice, Chinese ribs in sauce, vegetable curry, chicken curry, onion rings, spaghetti carbonara, spaghetti bolognese, scampi, mushrooms, prawn cocktail, chicken nuggets, garlic bread, hawaian pizza and a shit ton of fries. There's various dips and soft drinks." He looked at Astrid with a smile. "The pretty lady choses first." Astrid blushed and looked down at her hands. "I..I'm okay." She stuttered. I grabbed her hand and she flinched away. Retreating her whole body into the cover. A scared look flashed my way. She looked like a deer in the headlights. I smiled, sadly at her. "I'm sorry." I said, softly. "I was just going to say you should eat." Bob leaned towards her, slightly, smiling. She looked back at him, chewing her bottom lip again. "When Gerard likes someone." Bob started. "He gets all touchy feely. I mean in a totally innocent way, of course. He wouldn't hurt a fly." He laughed. "Don't think he'd win against one anyway." I laughed. "Cheers, Bob." I said, shaking my head. "You did get a black eye from a turtle." Mikey laughed. Astrid looked at Mikey with a look of amusement. "I was only eight." I protested as Astrid looked at me. "And I tripped, hitting my eye on the fucking shell." "What about the time you were chased down the street by a jack russell?" Ray added. Astrid grinned. "It had big teeth." I stated. "I was only seven." "How about the cat you ran from, screaming?" Frank asked. Astrid was holding back laughter. "It was in a bloody locker." I said. "You guys set it up to jump out when I opened it. It scared me. I ran because I'm allergic to cats." "How old were you?" Astrid asked. I put my head down and looked at her through my fringe. "It was...err...last week." I answered, truthfully. Everyone started laughing. Astrid included. Astrid kept quiet most of the night. Just the occasional laugh here and there. She seemed to be relaxing. The guys fell asleep at about one am. It was just me and Astrid awake. I was laid beside her on the small mattress. We were facing each other. "Why do you hate me?" I asked. Her eyes clouded over. "I don't hate you. I hate celebrities." She admitted. She looked around the sleeping men spread out around her small bedsit. "Except these guys, it seems. They're different. Which is kinda strange to me." I smiled as she looked back at me. "Can I get your mobile number so we can stay in touch?" I asked, cautiously. She sighed. "I don't own a mobile phone. Can't afford it." I reached a hand out to stroke the back of my fingers along her cheek. She flinched but didn't stop me. "I'm worried about you living here." I told her. "Come stay with me until you find a safer place to stay. Please?" She froze up. "I...I..." She turned her back to me. "I'm tired. Good night." I snuggled down into my sleeping bag, sighing. "This place is dangerous." I muttered. "I'm just worried your gonna get hurt." "Do you ever shut up?" She sighed. I grinned. "Not when I'm worried about someone." She mumbled something that sounded like 'Bloody annoying sod.' Which made me grin more. "I'll go to sleep if you say you'll stay at mine till you get a safer place." I told her. She sighed and turned to lay on her back, staring at the ceiling. "You don't even know me." "I know you don't like celebrities because the one's you'd met, before us, were abusive ass holes." I stated. "You are extremely friendly and caring. Your stubborn. You can scare the living shit out of the most fearless people. And your incredibly sexy. Even with blood dripping from your nose." She was staring at me, wide eyed. So I took a chance. I leaned forward and kissed her. Big mistake. She pushed me away, shot to her feet and ran out the bedsit. "What the fuck?" Bob muttered as they all sat up. I stood up and dragged my shoes on. "I fucked up." I said, standing up. "Astrid bolted out. No shoes or coat. We've gotta find her." The guys all stood up and dragged their shoes on. "What did you do?" Mikey asked as we headed for the door. I put my head down. "Kissed her." I muttered, quietly. Mikey stopped walking and turned to frown at me. "Are you stupid?" We all stared at him in shock. Mikey never spoke to me like that. "You've only just met her." He ranted. "The poor girl has been through hell and back. What possessed you to kiss her? You may have just ruined any chance you had of convincing her that not all celebrities are ass holes." He turned to Bob. "She seemed to have a soft spot for you. So wait here in case she comes back." He looked at Ray. "Check the building in case she's still in here. She didn't grab her shoes." He looked at Frank. "You can check around the outside of the building. I'll check around the area leading to the homeless place she works at." He looked back at me. "Your staying with me. Maybe I can stop you fucking up again."

Notes

Love as always. xxx