Gerard was usually pretty quick about answering text messages, but I knew that he'd put this one on hold. He was in math that period, and our upper level math teacher was easygoing about everything but cellphones. If your phone went off in class, it was hers. She even recommended you leave it in your locker if you couldn't resist the temptation.
Gerard didn't do that, but he did turn it off and leave it banished in a pocket of his bag. He wouldn't dare using it, not with losing the thing on the line. Besides, Gerard was never one for making trouble, at least not when he could help it.
Sure enough, Gerard texted me back not long after first hour was let out. The message read: Frank are you okay?
I replied: yeah, got a concussion screeing @ the nurses office and some tylenol, ice, gauze etc.
Gerard: what happened?
Me: i'll tell you later...
Gerard: urgh!!
I returned my phone to my pocket, rolling my shoulders back. He'd just have to wait. I never liked sharing a whole lot of personal information via the internet or even text messaging. This was in part because of my need for face to face contact, but also because of my firm belief in the hacker group Anonymous. I knew that they were considered the good guys, but they still didn't need to know that some boy from New Jersey wet his bed until he was eleven.

Gerard met me under the bleachers as always, biting his nails. When he caught my eye, he jumped up, rushing over to me. "Oh, god. What happened?"
I shrugged, mumbling, "Just some guys."
Gerard frowned, demanding, "Who was it?"
I sighed, "I don't know, and I don't want you to find out."

"Why not?"
"Because I don't want you getting hurt!" I replied. "One guy did this to me Gerard, out of like four!" I sat down, muttering, "I can only imagine the damage had the whole group participated."
Gerard sat down too, resigned. "I just wish there was something I could do."
"You can be there for me," I retorted. "Instead of focusing on breaking their legs, you can try to make me feel better."

He stroked the side of my cheek, telling, "Of course, baby."
I shivered, prompting Gerard to ask, "Cold?"
I nodded, teeth chattering. "It's getting too damn cold for this shit."

"Winter's visiting Old Jersey," Gerard agreed. He rose, brushing the grass off the seat of his pants. "Come on, let's go."
"Where?" I asked. "It's not like we can just waltz into the school."
But that's just what we did. Gerard considered going to gym, but they had already started and he wasn't in the mood to tailor a lame excuse. So instead we hung around in the lunchroom, which was empty during the hour.
Towards the end of the hour, Gerard asked, "So, do you want me to help with editing after school?"
I smiled, nodding, "Yeah, I'd like that."
"Good," Gerard muttered. He stood, stealing a peck on the cheek before heading off, calling, "See you at lunch."
Throughout the day, hardly anyone asked about my head injury, surprisingly enough. It wasn't that the other kids didn't notice; I got my bit of stares. They just didn't care. Not to mention, I would've attracted stares regardless due to the whole thing with the Snapchat photo. The bloodied gauze wrapped around my head was just a bonus.
Although no one else seemed to, Pete had plenty of questions about it in the cafeteria. He shoveled forkfuls of food into his mouth, asking between face fulls, "So who did that?"
I shrugged, admitting, "I don't know."
Pete didn't blink, just proceeded, "How?"
"He slammed my head into the bathroom wall," I answered. "I literally saw stars."
This seemed to satisfy Pete; he grunted and didn't ask anymore questions. Mikey was quiet as always, and Ray kept trying to change the subject. Ray didn't like to talk about these things. Whatever the topic, if it wasn't good news, Ray would dance around it. He wasn't the type for conflict, and so he avoided it whenever he could. I didn't mind though; I was glad to have my mind off of the oozing chip in my forehead, which was starting to ache as the Tylenol wore off.

Gerard came over to my house, promising to buckle down and get some editing done before doing anything else. For once, he actually did as he was told. The problem still existed where he wasn't much help though, so for the most part, I goofed around with cutting footage and Gerard lounged on my bed.
I joined him after getting in some good video, curling up next to him. I wrapped an arm around him, planting a kiss on his lips. I tore away his blazer, my own following. Pulling his shirt over his head, then removing his pants, followed by my slacks and button up, we ended up doing, well, it. It didn't last long as we were both virgins, but it was definitely something special.

We lay there after, Gerard stringing a hand through my hair as he absently rubbed at his crotch.

I gazed over, smirking. "Something I can help you with?'
Gerard's eyes followed mine and he smiled as well. Removing his hand, he explained, "It's just a warm, comfortable resting space."
"Sure," I replied jokingly. I set my head on his chest, matching his breathing.
Gerard sighed contently. He noted, "You upgraded to boxer briefs."
"Yeah," I murmured, blushing a little.
"I mean, you look good in them and all, but I kinda miss the briefs," Gerard confessed.
"What?" I laughed. "You gave me so many headaches about those!"
"I was just teasing," Gerard pouted. "You've got the legs for them, Frank. And the ass. And the uh..." his eyes flicked briefly to my lower region before meeting mine again, finishing, "You know."
We lay there quiet for a while, Gerard asking, "Frank, now that you're qualified to answer, is having sex with me a chore?"
I sat up, smiling at him. "Anything but. It is a privilege, Gerard."

He rolled his eyes, so I forced him to look at me once more. Lowering to kiss the center of his chest, I grabbed his hands, assuring, "It's an honor."

Notes

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