The Kids From Yesterday

FRANK'S POV

Gerard's alarm screamed in my ears. I expected him to stop it, as he usually does - well, did. But he didn't. I opened my eyes and immediately felt a flood of emotion and awareness. Today was Mr Way's funeral.
I leaned over Gerard and hit the button, shutting the damn thing up. I lay on my back for a few minutes, comtemplating what a shitty day this was going to be. Gerard and Mikey were both going to be total messes. And I'll have to witness Gerard like that all over again.

I left Gerard in bed for as long as was possible as i arranged all he needed to get ready. His hair was long again, so he didn't need hair gel. I got the black suit and red tie that we'd bought yesterday out of Gerard's wardrobe and lay them at the end of the bed. I also got his underwear and socks ready too, and polished his shoes for him a little. I heard Ray knocking at the door and went downstairs to let him in. He was wearing a suit and red tie too, which i would've found amusing, becuase i had a black suit and red tie too, if only the clothes weren't for a funeral. Ray smiled grimly as he pulled me in for a tight hug, slapping me on the back. He was really tall compared to me, i noticed for at least the hundredth time.
"How are they doing?" He asked pulling away.
"Well, Gerard's still sleeping, Ive been organising his things, but i think i heard Mikey up about twenty minutes ago. I haven't checked on him yet, i was going to wake Gerard first. You might wanna go talk to him."
Ray nodded, and led me up the stairs. I heard shuffling in Mrs Way's room and knew she was up. I heard her sniffing as she rushed around, and thought about what she must be going through. If i had lost Gerard...
No.
I felt tears prick my eyes at the very thought. You are going to be with Gerard for a very long time. Stay strong, Frank. You need to be strong for them.
For him.

I gently shook Gerard awake. He opened his eyes slowly.
"Gerard, love, you need to wake up." He smiled grimly at me, and my heart strings tore a little.
He got up without speaking, saw the things I'd prepared and gave me a greatful look. I nodded, ssmiling, as he got dressed. When he was done, i got dressed too, spiking my shorter hair at the back. I saw Gerard watching me with sad eyes from behind me in the mirror, and turned and hugged him tightly. He returned the pressure, and i felt a tear drop onto my neck.
"You're gonna be okay. I'm here."

We held the hug for a long time before checking Ray and Mikey. Ray was sat on Gerard's old bed, Mikey on his, straightening his hair. He looked up when we came in, put the straighteners on the bedside table, and rushed over to Gerard. They both hugged each other, and it was a real, genuine hug. They both sobbed quietly for a few minutes, and i stood watching, rubbing Gerard's back. He needed a moment with Mikey. When they pulled away, both with tear-stained faces, Gerard told us all that he was going to check on his mom, and Mikey came too. I stayed with Ray, because i knew this was a momebt that Gerard would prefer we not see. I threw myself next to him on the bed, sighing. Ray was my oldest and closest friend, so i knew i could express how exhausted i was without risking anyone feeling guilty for me. He sighed and lay back too, and we just lay looking at the ceiling.
"Bad day, huh?" Ray asked.
"Bad week more like." I heard him exhale shortly through his nose, which was his way of agreeing.
"I hate seeing them like this." Ray confessed.
"Me too. It kills me to see Gerard cry. And Mikey, he's my age, but i feel like he's just a kid..." i trailed off, and Ray agreed again.
We lay in silence until Gerard and Mikey got back. Their faces were both soaked with tears.
"It's time to go." Mikey croaked.

We met Mrs Way in the corridor, and i noticed she wasn't wearing make up. Probably because she knew she was going to be doing a lot of crying. We all exchanged hugs before we got a taxi out to the church.

Me and Ray got a separate cab to the Ways, because we wouldn't all fit. As soon as we were all parked outside the church, i rushed over to Gerard and hugged him again. We walked into the service hand-in-hand. Mrs Way and Mikey were in front of us, Ray inbetween the two pairs. We all sat at the front left row, me inbetween Gerard and Ray, Mikey inbetween Gerard and Mrs Way. We held hands throughout the ceremony. We all stood and sang when we had to. I heard all of our voices. All the Way's voices were breaking and wobbly. My heart ached with sadness. Everybody but me and Ray cried throughout the whole ceremony. Of course, i shed some tears, but not as much as Gerard. It was torture to be here with Gerard like this. I'd packed my coat pocket with at least ten packets of tissues, which i handed out along the row.
Mr Way was beongw burned, his ashes scattered in the sea. We all skipped the burning part except Mrs Way. We stayed in the carpark while everyone else went inside. Gerard cried into my shoulder until his mom came back out, tears streaming down her face to. Mikey bawled into Ray. Then all the Ways cried into each others shoudlers. It broke my heart.

Then came the party. There was laughter as fond memories were shared of Mr Way. It was at a hotel restaurant, and there was lots of food and booze. Gerard and even Mikey drank way too much. They were both stumbling and crying on their way over to the cab. It was horrifying to see them like this. It pained Ray too.

As i put crying, pissed Gerard to bed that night, i realised i was right.
This really was the shittiest day.

Notes

So, yeah. Depressing. Once again, this whole thing is based on my nans funeral. And i know the song Helena is originally about Gerard's nan but i used it for his dad anyway.l