Kill All Your Friends

Even though Gerard didn’t come to school for the next couple of days, Frank felt reassured. He knew the older male was all right, yet, each day, he still went back to the park in hopes of seeing him again, but he never showed.

Frank’s mind had been on the hug since it happened. It was something that, he realized, was intimate for Gerard. Personal. But whenever he clung to Frank the way he did, Frank couldn’t help but think he belonged there. He always wanted to Protect Gerard; it felt like second nature to him. Within a week, he’d developed an abnormal, yet welcome, attachment to Gerard.

He began to analyze his feelings. It was possible that he felt an unbreakable bond because they had something in common: they were both sad stories. There only difference was that Frank understood he wouldn’t always be one. He was determined to move passed those empty spaces in his heart.

He still hadn’t told Gerard of his father, and he wasn’t sure if he ever would. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust the fragile man; it was that Gerard was a person who knew nothing of any of that. He didn’t know him as the son of the father who killed himself and it was a refreshing feeling.

He’d been spacing out a lot lately and it wasn’t doing his grades any good. He still needed to do well in school and after knowing that Gerard probably wouldn’t been in school again, he spent his lunch time doing extra credit. He did the same after school, not leaving the building until five in the afternoon. He took the long way around the school, wanting to sit at the tree Gerard normally sat at during lunch period and that was when he saw the red-haired boy sitting. Without thinking, he ran towards him, stopping only a few feet away.

“Gerard? What are you doing here?” He asked. Gerard looked up from his book. Another one? Frank asked himself. Gerard’s mood slightly brightened at the sight of his new friend, but he felt awkward feeling the way he did.

“I’ve been here since lunch,” he spoke softly. Frank took a seat beside him, smiling shyly. He was happy to finally see Gerard again.

“Ah,” he said, “I was doing extra credit. I just got done doing some more.” Gerard nodded thoughtfully. They sat in silence for a while before Frank stood.

“Wanna go for a walk?” He asked. Gerard nodded before getting up himself.

“So how did you like Beautiful Creatures?”

“I thought it was very well written. I found it very addicting. I would really like to read the others,” he explained.

“I have book two and three, if you want to borrow them?”

“Yeah, sure. I would really like that,” Gerard answered.

“We’ll stop by y house and get them, if you’re okay with that?” Gerard nodded. At least he’d have something to do tonight. They walked to Frank’s house in silence, much to Gerard’s surprise. He thought Frank wouldn’t be able to shut up.

“All right. There’s my house,” Frank said as he pointed. Gerard took in the sight of his home. It surprised him because he was expecting something extravagant. He didn’t know why. They walked inside and were immediately greeted with Frank’s mom.

“Oh, hello,” she said as she smiled at Gerard.

“Mom, this is my friend, Gerard,” Frank explained.

“Hello, Gerard. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Linda.” Gerard smiled slightly and shook her hand. It was then that he noticed her pregnant stomach.

“It’s nice to meet you, too…” he said almost sadly. After Mikey left, he somehow found it weird and hurtful that people were still being born and they were all going to be able to grow up and live out their lives for the most part while his brother was in the ground, six feet under them. He found himself upset that Frank’s mother was pregnant and he was even more upset with himself that he was upset by that in the first place. It was wrong of him to think so, but he just couldn’t help it.

“We’re going up to my room. Love you, mama!” Frank said before kissing her cheek and pulling Gerard up the stairs. Along the walls to his room, Gerard noticed family pictures. He and his mother were hugging each other closely while another man, whom he assumed to be Frank’s father, looked at them with love. It was a goofy family picture and Gerard liked the happiness coming from it.

“Is that your dad?” He found himself asking. Frank froze for a moment and looked at the picture before smiling.

“Yeah, that’s him. Silly guy, I’ll tell you,” he laughed and they continued their way.

“Is he home? It would be rude of me not to introduce myself while being in his home.” It was true. Even though his parents never paid much attention, he had manners.

“No, he’s not home,” Frank answered almost nervously. Gerard nodded as he set his backpack down on Frank’s bed.

“The books are over here,” he said as he waved him over. Gerard came next to him and squatted down to get a closer look. He found many other the book he had read, quickly becoming impressed. Next to the books was another shelf containing nothing but movies. He scanned through them, seeing many he had seen and many more he had not. He was impressed, to say the least. Frank had a unique taste in both books and movies and he was suddenly much more grateful that he decided to approach him. He turned to look at Frank, who was giving him a sweet smile.

“What?” He asked.

“You look happy,” was all he said. Gerard started feeling bad, trying to go back to his regular poker face, but Frank put his hand on his shoulder.

“Don’t feel bad. It’s okay to smile or feel happy, even if it’s only sometimes, you know?” he said. Gerard suddenly wanted to hug the younger male once more but refrained from doing so, after all, the only person he was more than happy to hug was his brother. Then again, hugging Frank wasn’t exactly a bad thing. He felt okay when hugging him. Safe. Like maybe his brother sent Frank to him. Maybe it was why Frank was so involved in his life. Maybe that was how Frank knew so much about how he was feeling. Maybe Mikey was reincarnated. He shook his head slightly, feeling like an idiot. He’d never believed in those things. He was only trying to make himself feel better.

Frank stood there watching Gerard, seeing his eternal conflict. But he knew what he wanted to do, it was just something he sensed. He raised his arms, opening them to the man standing before him. Gerard gave him an almost grateful look before walking closer to him and leaning against him. After a while, he’d felt Gerard put his hands on his side, holding him there. It was a simple hug that only lasted a few seconds to a minute, but it was life saving for Gerard.

He’d have to thank Frank one day.

Notes

Super short chapter. It's late though, so I hope someone, somewhere is happy waking up to this update.
Ah, that would make my day.
What am I talking about? I'm tired cx
Hope you enjoyed!

-OAIF <3