The Only Way

I was dreading the ride home with my mom and all her questions. How did it go? What was he like? Did you talk about me? I didn't want to answer any of them. I was waiting for her at the corner of the street for about an hour (typical mom, always late) when the girl with pink headphones from earlier showed up and started making small talk.

"So what's you name ?" She asked.

"Frank."

"Call me April." So how was your first time?"

"How did you know.."

"Haha, it's the look on your face, all scared like you were going through surgery or something." "Well in a way, they kinda cut you open and rape your soul. The rapist, go it?"

"Yeah.." I laughed a little.

That girl had some serious issues.

"It was okay, I guess"

"Yeah I bet, Mr. Way got a nice piece of ass" she said

" I..didn't notice." I lied.

" Oh yeah I bet you didn't, captain obvious." She laughed, punching me on the shoulder.

It hurt but I acted like it didn't. I still had some pride.

"So I guess I'll see you around, we're scheduled at the same time. But I got Mrs. Vivienne Burnam. A total bitch who doesn't take no for an answer." "If it wasn't for that court order god knows I wouldn't be wasting my time here."

And she disappeared as quickly as she came. Good now I was friends with a total psycho.

Twenty minutes later, I figured out that my mom had probably forgotten me, it wouldn't be the first time. I was debating myself on whether to walk or wait another five minutes when Mr. Way came out of the building. He walked towards me, waved, then stopped, looking concerned.

"Why are you still here? Wasn't your mom supposed to get you?"

"Yeah, like two hours ago, I think she forgot." I said, looking down, making circles on the ground with my foot.

"Want a ride home?" He asked, a smile spread across his face.

"That would be nice" I answered, smiling back.

His car was in the parking at the back of the building. Looking at it I figured out there was another advantage at being a therapist other than helping others. His car was an Audi R8, not that I was really into cars, but I knew it was worth a lot of money. He opened the door for me and I wondered if it was a nice gesture of if he was scared I would scratch the passenger door on the other car that was parked way too close. I buckled up as he started the car, rock music blasting on the speakers so loud that I almost had an heart attack.

" Sorry" he said, looking embarassed. " You know at my age it's gotta be loud or" he complained, only half joking, turning the volume down.

"Stop it you're not old. You were just born, like yesterday." I answered as we got out of the parking.

"So that makes you a small spect of dust in the universe." He looked amused.

"Yeah but a hot one, with curves and shit." I said to add to the nonsense.

"Yeah, and a gorgeous smile." He blushed a little, looking at the road, pretending he had said nothing.

Was he hitting on me? That made no sense. A whiny teenager like me couldn't be his type. He was being nice, to make me feel better. That's what it was.

I noticed he was taking the right exit to get me home when I suddently realised that he didn't ask where I was living. That was strange.

"Mr. Way?..you.." He didn't let me finish.

I saw your adress in your file and I remembered cause it's two blocks away from my house." He said like he knew what I was about to ask. "No worries, I don't usually remember the adresses of my patients." He smiled, a crooked one. Gosh he was breathtaking. "And call me Gerard please, we're not at the office."

"Alright Gerard" I said slowly, pronouncing every syllable.

That sounded hot, but weird, but yeah..definitively hot.

"I'm so mad at my mom. It was her idea to send me to your office and she didn't even remember to come get me." I said, trying to break the silence.

" So that's a reason to add to your list". He pointed out, proud of himself.

"What made her decide it was a good idea for you to see a therapist?" He asked.

" I skipped three days straight of school cause I couldn't get out of bed."

"Are you okay going to school tomorrow?" He asked genuinely concerned.

" Not really, my heart is still pounding in my chest all the time."

That was truly painful and I was worried I was gonna die at some point because of it but I didn't think anybody would understand, especially not my mom. And I didn't want to make a fuss in front of Mr...I mean Gerard.

"Tomorrow's the day I'll spend cleaning my office, sorting out papers so.." He started to explain.
" you should have more of these." I said laughing.

" yeah.. I know, it's a mess." He said, looking defeated.

"But seriously if you want to call me, in case of an emergency, or you just want to talk, well I'll be available."

I couldn't decipher the meaning of the look on his face. He was smiling and he had said that casually. Was I so hypnotised by him that I thought everyting he said had a double meaning?

" Yeah, I might do it." I answered, still inspecting him, as we pulled through my driveway.

" Or you could text me if you prefer." He said, looking for something in the glove compartment. He took out a pen and started to write numbers down.

" I don't do that usually, giving my personal phone number to my patients, but..I have a feeling you might need it."

I was an unusual patient. At least he had made that crystal clear.

I thanked him and took the business card he was holding. As I undid my belt, I saw my dad storming out of the house, walking directly towards us. I got out of the car quickly but I didn't have time to shut the passenger door.

" Frank who's this?, he pointed out Gerard, still sitting in his car, obviously suprised at the reaction of my dad.

"That's Mr. Way." I answered, thinking he knew who I was reffering to. Turns out my mom didn't tell him because she knew he didn't approve. And of course, she wasn't home to explain.

"Frank, go home, now, let me talk to that Mr. Way" I knew that tone of voice and maybe I was being silly but I was afraid that he would hurt him and that I wouldn't be able to see him anymore. He had that way of ruining everything I loved. I don't know what got into me, maybe it was Gerard being there, but I didn't move.

He grabbed my arm and dragged me inside before Gerard could react. He closed the door behind us and hit me in the ribs twice to prevent me from going back outside. I choked and fell down. If I had trouble breathing before, now I was desperatly catching my breath. I saw him going back outside and crawled till I reached the bay window. I saw my dad yelling at Gerard. He was out of his car now, his phone on his hand, ready to call the cops on my dad, I presumed. What a mess.

After a few minutes, my dad seemed to have calmed down and they talked for what seemed like forever. I saw my dad walking back towards the house and Gerard going back to his car and drive away. It took all the energy I had to run to my room and lock the door behind me. As much as I wanted to know what he had told Gerard, I knew better than to talk to my dad when he was in that mood. I waited about twenty minutes to make sure my dad wouldn't come upstairs to beat me up. I guess that Gerard must have said something to calm him down.

I had taken off my hoodie, my pants and my shirt, ready to go to bed and skip dinner, when I saw a white piece of paper falling on the floor. Gerard business card. He said I could call in case of an emergency. As I felt my head spinning I settled on texting him.

To Gerard:
This is Frank. I'm sorry about my dad. Can I call you?

From Gerard:
No worries, call me in five.

I waited ten minutes just not to look too needy. But the phone rang before I finished dialing the numbers. It was him.

"Hi"

"Hey Frank, you got me worried." His voice was reassuring. I felt my heartbeat slow down.

"I'm sorry I didn't realise.."

"Did he hit you? I wasn't sure whether to come in or stay outside and I didn't want to make him madder than he already was."

I didn't answer. I didn't want to lie to him for some reason. I didn't have the strenght to tell him what happened either.

" So, you've met my dad."

" I sure did, but he was alright at the end. He kinda calmed down when I told him I wasn't your boyfriend." He sounded amused.

"Oh nice one dad.." I said, embarassed.

" Hey I gotta go but you'll call me if anything happens right?"

" Yeah I will. I'm sorry again"

" Don't be. Text me tomorrow and try to calm down tonight. Listen to some music and go to bed early alright?"

" Yeah, mom, I will." I answered, more flattered by the attention he was giving me than annoyed.

"Alright, goodnight. There was a sweetness in his voice I had never heard before.

" Goodnight"

I fell asleep with my phone in my hand, just in case he'd text me even tho I knew he probably wouldn't. And for the first time I didn't feel alone.

Notes

I'm taking it slowly with the frerard thing cause it wouldn't make sense if they hit it off instantly.

Hope you like it and grammar nazies are welcome! <3