Mr. Way - Frerard

I left school at the end of the day, eager to get away. I hurried out of the doors and down the steps, wanting to get out of the harsh environment that I was forced into every day. I noticed that the amount of people was dwindling, as they had all already began to make their ways home. Did I really take that long to get out? I turned my head to see my bus at the end of the street -shit. 'Looks like I'll be walking home,' I thought with a sigh.

The sun was bearing down on me, so I slung my backpack off my shoulder and unzipped it, searching for my water bottle. Just then, a voice startled me. "Frank - what are you still doing here?" My heart seemed to skip a beat at Mr. Way's voice.

"I missed the bus," I told him, but tried to keep the sullen tone out of my voice in fear that he’d think I was whiny.

"Do you need a ride home?" he asked. A scenario popped into my head where we were in his car, he placed his hand on my knee and - I stopped myself. I couldn't feel like this towards a teacher, it wouldn't end well.

"No thanks, I'll just walk. I'm fine, really," I said. I even sounded unconvincing to my own ears.

"Come on, it's no bother." He started walking towards the car park and I picked up my backpack and followed him. We reached his car, and he opened the door for me before going to the other side of the car and getting in himself. I smiled to myself because of his manners.

We set off to leave the school, and he asked me for directions to my house. I gave him them and we drove towards the neighbourhood where I lived. We were driving in silence, yet my heart still raced due to me being so close to him.

We reached my house and I paused for a moment. "Do you... do you want to come in? My Ma is at a class, she won't be home for a few hours."

A slight smile showed on his face. "I would love to." We left the car and I unlocked the door to my house, stepping in before him, and I wondered if this was even allowed. I led him through to the kitchen, where I offered him a drink. He politely declined, but took a seat at the table, taking off his tie with a slight sigh. I sat across from him, entranced at his every movement.

"So, Mr. Way... how has your first week been?" I attempted to make small talk.

"Please, call me Gerard." I blushed. "It's been tiring." He smiled weakly.

"Why did you move to Belleville?" I realised that sounded rude and added, "Not that I'm not glad you didn't move here."

"My old job wasn't working out," he said, and left it at that. I nodded.

I didn't know what to say, and the conversation faltered. "Do you live here with just your mom?" he asked, and I paused, unsure of how to answer.

"Yeah, we left my dad about a year ago for... personal reasons," I slapped myself mentally. 'Personal reasons?' I thought, 'Really?'

"You don't have to tell me, really." Mr. Way - Gerard - didn't look uncomfortable, so I felt a bit better.

"No, it's fine. He used to... he used to abuse my Ma and I. He didn't hit me until he found out I was gay, but when he started, my Ma decided we'd had enough and we moved here," I explained. This was the first time I'd told anyone about this, and the first time I'd even talked about it. Tears sprang to my eyes unexpectedly and I quickly blinked them away, but not quick enough for Gerard to notice.

Gerard placed his hand on top of mine, which was on the table. My heart thumped so loud I was sure he could hear it. "That must have been hard," he said sympathetically. Then, he added, "I didn't know you were gay."

"Yeah. That's kind of why I don't have any friends at school. The jocks all bully me and I guess everyone else followed their example."

"You have a friend now - you have me."

I looked up at him and saw he was slowly tilting towards me. I closed my eyes and followed his lead. Our lips touched and locked for a moment, then we broke apart. Gerard jumped back suddenly. "I have to go. I - We shouldn't do this." He bolted out of the kitchen and I heard the front door slam. I heard his car drive away as he left me alone to let my tears spill.

Notes