Hell-Bent on Slipping Away (Frerard)

Frank felt himself being hurled into the dumpster behind the school, landing on a garbage bag full of who-knows-what. He didn't dare to open his eyes, but his nose wasn't quite as lucky. He heard snickering from outside the metal trash heap. The eighth graders were calling him names and taunting him, telling him to come outside and get another beating. Frank couldn't move if he wanted to. Eyes still squeezed shut, he heard the sound of a door opening, followed by an administrator telling them to get off of the school property. The older boys left.

Frank could hear the administrator go back inside without checking the dumpster for skinny sixth grade boys. He then sat up, noticing the pain that engulfed his body, and leaned against the wall of the dumpster, figuring out what next to do. Frank must have fallen asleep or become unconscious, because suddenly there was another boy sitting across from him. He had black hair to his chin and was dressed fully in the same color, from what Frank could see in the dark. He was noticeably older as well, probably the same age as the boys who threw Frank into the dumpster.

Gaining the strength to speak, Frank said, "Did they throw you in here too?"

The boy smiled. "No," he said kindly. "You just look like you were lonely." Frank smiled too, more relieved than confused.

"I'm Gerard," the boy said, and offered his hand.

"Frank," said Frank, who leaned toward Gerard and accepted the handshake. The pair just rested there for a while, not bothering to move or even converse. The whole situation was odd, two boys enjoying each other's company in a dumpster behind a Catholic school, but oddly comforting to Frank. And that was the beginning of a very strange friendship.

Notes

So I know this is short, but I wanted to give a preview for my next story, Hell-Bent on Slipping Away. I'm planning on publishing the rest starting in July but would love your feedback for the first part. I've never done a full-length Frerard before, so this'll be an adventure for us all. Comment and tell me what you think!

That's all for right now. I'm working my hardest to finish The Paper Kingdom and focus on this. I've written most of it already, so if any of you are interested in beta reading/editing, feel free to contact me. Thanks for reading!

xoxo
gerweird