"PATRICK! WHAT THE HELL IS ALL THIS MESS!? PATRICK MARTIN STUMP!"

Patrick's father pushed his room door open. The place was a mess. Patrick was not there. He sighed. It has been a month and Patrick had completely closed himself off from his father. He didn't even understand what happened. He came home one day to find that Patrick used all the black paint and repainted his room, including the window. When his father scrapped the paint off, he just did it again. He got tired so he just let it stay that way.
Patrick had stopped hanging out with his friends too. He had no idea where Patrick got off too every night. he also knew that Patrick was drinking. First Patrick was careful and replaced the liquor with water, but then it was like he didn't care if he got caught. His grades slipped in school too. Now it was the weekend start of spring break and Patrick was just gone. His father shook his head. Maybe he would go talk to Gerard. He might have an answer for him. Right now though he needed a nap to process it all. He closed his son's door and then went into his own room.

(time passes)

"I'm worried about him Frankie."

Gee whimpered as he curled up in Frankie's arms. They were laying on Gee's bed, and Frankie was running his fingers gently through Gee's soft hair.

"If he won't talk to us, I don't know what else we can do Gee."

Frankie sympathised, pressing his lips gently to the side of his upset boyfriend's head.

"But it's my fault."

Gee wailed, burying his face in Frankie's chest.

"It's not baby!.. You didn't know."

Gee's bedroom door opened with a bang and Mikey and Bob barrelled in.
Gee whimpered. He knew his parents were both out.

"Well if it isn't the heart destroyer."

Mikey walked in and up to Gerard's desk without any thought. He pushed all the papers on the floor and perched on it.

"So how's it feel Gee? Knowing that you destroyed your friend."

He saw Frank growling, but he had Bob so he didn't care.

"Guess where I saw the broken hearted?"

Mikey didn't even give him a chance to try and answer.

"He was in the park with Bert and his gang. They were smoking, drinking, and fighting as usual. You're boy has become quite a scraper you know."

Mikey jumped off the desk, landing on the art work he knocked off.

"Yup, he and his new friends seem to be fine."

Mikey headed back to the door.

"Oh Bryar, give it to him."

Bob took something black and launched it at Gee, hitting him in the face.

"Nice shot."

They left after that. The black thing was broken, but recognisable.

Tears ran down Gee's face as he picked up the beaded bracelet with its Fleur-de-lis charm in his trembling fingers. His lip was split and bleeding slightly from where the sharp tip of the charm had struck him, but he didn't even notice.

"I.. I.."

He sobbed heavily.

"I need to go s..see him."

Frank shook his head, pulling Gee into his chest and holding him gently.

"Not right now you don't. You're in no state to deal with this now."

He softly stroked his thumb over Gee's lip, wiping away a drop of blood.

"Why don't you sleep, and we can go talk to him together later."

Gee looked up through wet lashes. He hadn't slept properly in a while now.

"You'll be here when I wake up, right?"

Frank gently kissed the corner of Gee's lips.

"Of course I will baby. Sleep now. You need it."

Gee smiled slightly before snuggling into Frankie's comforting arms and closing his eyes.
He mumbled something before he drifted off to sleep, but Frankie didn't hear what it was.

(Time Passes)

"Nothing to do but drink, smoke up and fuck around for a whole week."

"Yeah, you stayin' with us Trick, right?"

Patrick looked at his new friends.

"Sure, I said I would. Gotta wait till the old man's out though to grab the booze."

Patrick had not been home for three days. Now spring vacation was starting and he was planning to stay over Bert's house. Bert was a senior last year who was left back. He was 19 and had his own place with his roommates Jepha and Quinn. They were in their first year of college. Even though Bert didn't make it out, they kept their agreement to get a place together after high school.

"Awesome! It's gonna be great. My buddy is gonna hook us up, we got plenty of munchies and Quinn just got some new porn."

"Yeah, really raunchy stuff with two chicks."

"Sounds great."

Patrick took another hit. He had no interest in watching porn, but if it was part of his new life, than he would. Jepha hit Patrick companionably on his back.

"Sweet, so when your old man goes to work, we can get in and get the booze tomorrow."

Patrick nodded. This week he was really going to forget him.

(time passes)

"Do you wanna go get coffee?"

Gee perked up when Frankie said this. Did he want to go get coffee?.. Hmmm.. Let me see...

"Fuck yes!"

Gee cheered from his spot on the couch, curled into Frankie's side as the end credits of Star Wars played on the TV screen. They wouldn't usually be so cuddly in the family room, but Don had gone out, so it was ok. And normally they would watch on Gee's laptop in his room, but Mikey had spilt orange juice all over it, "accidentally", the other day, so now Gee had to save up for a new one, as his little snot of a brother had told their dad that Gee had done it on purpose so they would buy him the latest model.. And of course, Don believed him.

"Language Gerard!"

Donna called from the kitchen.

"Sorry mum."

Frankie giggled, grabbing the remote and turning off the TV. He stood up, pulling Gee up with him.

"See you later mum. We're going out."

"Ok sweetheart. Don't be late home, you know your dad wants to take you and your brother to that thing tomorrow."

Gee shuddered at the thought. Two days alone with his dad and Mikey.. Hell!!
His mood went from coffee/happy, to route-canal/miserable in 2.5 seconds flat.

"Ok mum."

He said, pain clear in his voice as they headed for the door.
Frankie noticed the sudden change and gently squeezed Gee's hand. The front door closed behind them and they headed toward Starbucks.

"It'll be ok Gee. Come on, I'll buy you a cookie to go with your coffee."

Gee smiled slightly, leaning against Frankie's shoulder.

"What would I do without you, huh?"

"Suffer coffee withdrawal?"

"Probably. Yes."

Gee agreed, nodding seriously.

(Time passes)

Gee and Frankie had each finished two drinks, Gee, a Caramel Macchiato and a Strawberries and Cream Frappuccino, and Frankie, an Espresso and an Iced Caffè Latte, and they were sharing a small box of assorted mini cookies.
They were sitting opposite each other at a window table, and talking about what movie they wanted to see at the pictures on Saturday, when Frankie spotted something out of the window.

"Oh, Gee, I'll be back in a second, I just spotted Gabriel from my math class, and I want to ask him if we were set homework for the break."

He grimaced, getting up.
He knew that Gee didn't really get on with the other boy, and would therefore stay where he was.

"Ok Frankie. But there might not be any cookies left when you get back."

Gee giggled.

"I'll take my chances."

Frankie grinned, leaning down to press a quick kiss to Gee's lips, then he was gone.
Dashing outside and around the corner, Frankie quickly caught up to the boy he needed to speak to.

"Patrick!"

He called out as he ran up behind him.

Patrick spun around and scowled. He pulled the cigarette out of his mouth.

"What do you want Iero?"

Frankie panted, trying to catch his breath a bit.

"I.. We need to talk."

Patrick looked at Frank. The boy that ruined his chance at happiness.

"So talk, you got five minutes."

Frank frowned slightly.

"Ok, look Pat.. Gee never meant to hurt you, he really didn't."

He sighed, trying to find the words.

"You know how oblivious he can be sometimes.. I mean.. Look how long it took him to figure out I liked him, and we've known each other practically since we were in diapers!.. He just didn't realise you liked him that way!"

Frank rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

"He's really sorry, and this is totally killing him, you not letting him even apologise.."

"Gee Gee Gee, that's all you give a shit about isn't it? This isn't about seeing how I am or trying to make me feel better, this is so he stops being upset!"

Patrick pushed Frank hard.

"You listen to me you piece of lying shit! You and that heartless fuck stay away from me!"

He hauled back and punched Frank in the face and just walked away not caring that he was now crying.

Frank stood in shock, his hand cupping his jaw.

"Fuck!"

He was really glad he didn't tell Gee who he saw out the window now!
Turning slowly, he headed back around the corner and into Starbucks. Gee looked up, his eyes going wide as he scrambled out of his seat and over to his boyfriend.

"Oh my God Frankie. What happened?"

"I'm an idiot!"

Frankie laughed, wincing cos it hurt.

"I ran round the corner, and straight into a fucking lamppost!"

Gee raised an eyebrow.

"A lamppost?.. Really?"

"Yeah!.. I mean, you could go beat it up for me if you like but.. Haha yeah."

Gee rolled his eyes.

"What am I gonna do with you?!"

(Time Passes- Next Morning)

"Are you ready to go Gee?"

Donna asked, knowing that Gee was far from happy about this trip.
Gee slumped against the kitchen table.

"Do I gotta go?"

"Sorry sweetheart, but your dad insisted."

The doorbell rang and Donna went to answer it. Gee glumly watched through the kitchen doorway. Donna opened the door.

"Oh, hello. You're Mikey's friend right?"

Gee was suddenly even more scared for today than he had been. Why was Bob coming on their trip?

"Hi Mrs. Way. I'm here for my instructions."

Mikey walked up to Gerard and touched his shoulder.

"Scared Gee?"

Gee jumped about a foot in the air, letting out an embarrassingly girly scream.

"Is there a problem son?"

Don walked by and handed Bob a pad of paper.

"Here is our itinerary along with the phone numbers where we are staying. I trust you can handle this. Michael has vouched for you."

"Yes Mr. Way, I will take good care of your place while you are gone."

"Good man. Now are we ready?"

Gee was shaking. This was gonna be a loooong trip!

(Time Passes)

Gee was sat on the floor in his room, screwed up paper balls littering the carpet around him, and his sketch pad on his knees. He'd been trying to draw the same thing for the last twelve hours straight, with no luck.
Ripping out another sheet and screwing it up, he tossed it aimlessly across the room with a tired and frustrated grunt.
It was 11am, and he hadn't slept at all in the last fifty hours, not since leaving on that damn trip.

*knock knock*

Frankie stuck his head around the door, expecting to see Gee still curled up under his blankets. His eyebrows shot up at the sight before him.. An obviously exhausted boyfriend, surrounded by the aftermath of an apparent mini tornado.

"Gee?.. What happened?"

He slipped inside the room, closing the door softly behind him, and moving to sit crosslegged opposite the other boy.
Gee looked up, dark circles under his eyes attesting to how little sleep he'd gotten.

"Mikey happened!"

He said, his voice sounding flat.

"Tell me?"

Frankie took the sketch pad from Gee's lap and set it aside, then took the pencil from Gee's lightly trembling fingers and placed it on top of the pad before taking both of Gee's hands in his own, squeezing lightly.

"We had to share a room!"

Frankie groaned. He knew this was not going to be a happy story.

"Go on! What did he do?"

Gee sighed, gazing at his boyfriend with a look of defeat.

"We arrived at the cabin just after lunchtime, and dad told us to take our stuff to our room. As soon as we were in it, Mikey pushed me into this old wardrobe and shut the door."

He looked down, a tear escaping.

"It had a key. He locked it, and told me that he was gonna tell dad that I was sick from the car ride, and I'd gone to bed."

He sighed again.

"How long did he leave you in there?"

Frankie asked gently.

"The whole trip. He said that if I made any noise, or if I told mum and dad what he did, then he'd set Bob on me. *sigh* Dad didn't even come to check on me."

Frankie pulled Gee gently into his lap, wrapping his arms around him as Gee relaxed against his chest.

"And I'm guessing you didn't sleep."

Gee shook his head, but didn't speak. He yawned instead.
Frankie huffed, then softly kissed the top of Gee's head.

"Sleep now then baby. I got you."

But Gee was already asleep.

(Time Passes)

"Gee dear...oh."

Donna opened her oldest son's door to see him curled up with his boyfriend.

"Um...Gee, sweetheart wake up, you have a visitor."

Frankie looked up at Donna as Gee shifted in his lap, his face snuggled in Frankie's shirt.

"He's really tired. Who is it?"

"It's Patrick's dad."

Frankie frowned slightly in confusion.

"Ok um.. Can you send him in?.. Maybe I can talk to him and not have to wake Gee up."

Donna looked slightly concerned, but did as Frankie asked.

"Hello boys."

Patrick's dad walked in. He looked tired. There were bags under his eyes and the usual up beat demeanor he carried was absent.

"Hi Mr. S.. Gee's asleep, he's not well. Can I help you with something?"

"Hey Frank. Um...yeah, have either of you seen Patrick? He has not been home the whole vacation."

"Um.."

Frankie unconsciously touched his still bruised jaw.

"I saw him on Friday."

He didn't elaborate.

"I see..."

Mr. Stump rubbed the back of his neck.

"Frank, you have both been friends with Patrick for a long time...has he ever...drank around either of you?"

"Drank?"

Frank's eyebrows rose dramatically.

"No sir. Not in front of me anyway. I can't speak for Gee."

Gee stirred slightly at his name, but remained asleep.

"I have a feeling his answer would be no too. *sigh* Alright, well thank you Frank."

He gave a small wave and left.

Frankie sighed. That could explain their friend's uncharacteristic aggression the other day; if he was drinking.
He didn't know what to do, but he knew it was probably gonna get worse before it got better.

(Time Passes)

Patrick woke up with a hangover. He looked at his watch. Shit, he had school today. Not only that, but it was a week till Gee's birthday.. not that he gave a shit anymore. He stumbled out of the bedroom that he was sharing with Bert and grabbed his clothes off the floor. He got dressed as fast as his headache would let him and then kicked the bed.

"Bert, Bert, we got school."

Bert grumbled and swatted at him. Patrick shrugged and went in search of coffee to fortify him for the trip.

(time passes)

Gee was honestly dreading returning to school. Well, not school itself, but rather the walk there.
He'd remembered at about 4am that he was going to have to walk to Frankie's house with Mikey in tow, AND NO PATRICK!!
He hadn't slept a wink after he'd woken up to that realisation.

"Shit!.. I'm fucked!"

He muttered as he pulled on his converse and tucked in the laces.

"Language Gee!"

Donna said as she passed his room.

"Sorry mum."

How did she do that every time?.. It was like her super power or something.
Gee spent a minute or two considering if having the ability to know when anyone swears would make a good superhero or not. He decided- not!
He was really just putting off the inevitable now, so sighed and grabbed his ripped.. Courtesy of Mikey.. bag, and headed downstairs to the kitchen, where his dad and Mikey were eating breakfast.

"Any coffee left?"

He asked hopefully.

"Saved you some sweetie."

Donna held out a mug for Gee.

"Here Gee, here's the sugar."

Mikey picked up the sugar bowl and dropped a spoonful into the mug his mum was holding. Don looked up from his paper.

"Michael, you made a mistake. That's not sugar, it's salt."

"Ooopps oh dear. Sorry big brother."

Gee took a big, calming breath, then let it out slowly.

"I'm leaving in one minute. You ready?"

He asked, keeping his voice as steady as he could.

"Of course. Let me just finish my coffee."

Mikey took a big gulp and then handed his mother the mug.

"Ready Gee."

Gee glanced bitterly at the mug as Donna rinsed it in the sink, then turned to go.

"Bye mum. Bye sir."

Patrick had his head down as he walked. He stayed hidden in his hoodie. He looked up briefly to put out his cigarette.

"Gee."

Patrick shook it off. That was his old life.

Gee stepped out of the front door, narrowly avoiding Mikey's outstretched foot.
He saw Patrick walk by on the other side of the street, his mouth went suddenly dry. He tried not to let the other boy's apparent distain get to him, but it was hard. They'd been close friends, and now Patrick wouldn't even spare him a glance.
Gee shoved his hands in his pockets, his head hung low as he and Mikey! started their walk to school.

Patrick arrived at school and quickly went to the back. he had no intention of going to his locker. Instead surprisingly he went to the gym and used the shower to get rid of the stench of alcohol and pot. Once that was done he got dressed in clothes he stashed in his locker. This had become part of his routine. He then headed to his first period class, where he didn't see Gee or Frankie.

Frankie had decided that he would try to talk to Patrick again.. he'd just have to be quicker to duck this time.
After first, Gee and Frankie separated with a small kiss, and headed to their second period classes.
Frankie was just passing through the small courtyard near the History classes, when he spotted Patrick, walking quickly through at the other side.

"Hey Pat? We need to talk!"

He said seriously as he approached unseen.

"What do you want Iero?"

Frank sighed, running a hand through his hair, then huffing in annoyance as he's pretty sure he just fucked up his do. He stuffed his hands into his pockets.

"Your dad came to talk to us!"

He raised a disapproving eyebrow.

"Alcohol Pat?!.. Really?!"

"It's none of your fucking business. Just go back to your art fag boyfriend and leave me the fuck alone."

Patrick started to walk away.

Frank saw red.

"What did you fuckin' call him?"

He demanded angrily, grabbing Patrick's shoulder and spinning him back around harshly.

"Are you fucking deaf or something. I said LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE!"

Patrick pushed Frank hard away from himself.

"Fuck Pat!"

Frank stumbled back.

"I know you're hurt, but there's no need to be an asshole."

"You don't know shit."

And with that, Patrick turned and stalked off. As he rounded the corner of the gym he saw Bert.

"Hey Trick."

"Sup."

"Wanna get fucked up?"

"Fuck yeah."

Bert slung an arm around Patrick's shoulder and then headed to the old equipment shed.

(Time Passes)

Lunchtime finally rolled around, and Gee was just glad to get out of Señora Katt's Spanish class. He wasn't really that hungry, well, he was kinda, but he told himself that he wasn't.
Frankie's class before lunch was right across the other side of the school, so they'd agreed to meet in the cafeteria.

Gee took his usual shortcut, across the top of the football field, but stopped in his tracks when he heard Patrick's voice.
He looked around, trying to figure out where it was coming from, and quickly realised that the other boy, his former friend, was in the old shed to the right of the changing rooms.

Gee took a breath, stealing himself for a possible confrontation, then walked over, quietly opening the door to the decrepit building, and poking his head inside, peering into the dimly lit space.

"Patrick?.. Is that you?"

Patrick was laughing so hard right now.

"Shit Bert, how did you manage to get out of that?"

"I fucking told them that I was late to get to my grandmother's to give her her medication. The fucker believed me and let me go. Best part is my grandmother died when I was seven!"

Patrick doubled over as Bert took another hit.

"Here man, hold this, I gotta take a leak."

Patrick took the spliff and took a toke as he watched Bert slip out the side through the loose board of the shed. He took a swig of the vodka that Bert had brought with him and sighed.

Gee stepped into the musty, and distinct smelling building. There were boxes piled high throughout the room, but he was sure of what he'd heard.
Creeping further in, Gee made his way through the maze of boxes and equipment, until he turned a corner, and spotted who he was looking for.

"Patrick?"

"Hey, why did you..."

It wasn't Bert returning, It was Gee.

"Sup GeeWee."

Patrick cracked up when he miss said Gee's name.

Gee looked down. That was a name that Mikey had called him a time or two.. And Patrick knew that.
Feeling suddenly unsure, and wishing he'd just gone to meet up with Frankie, Gee backed up a step, but didn't leave.

"I.. I'm.."

He swallowed heavily, throat feeling tight.

"I miss you P..Patrick."

He mumbled, quietly.

"Well then next time aim better!"

Patrick laughed again just as Bert returned.

"Hey man, sorry, I only got enough smoke for the two of us, but I got plenty of hooch to go around."

Bert held up the bottle and swirled the clear liquid at the boy.

"Hey...you look familiar. Do I know you?"

Being a senior twice, Bert didn't know many freshman.

"N..no."

Gee shook his head, backing up another step, his back hitting a tower of boxes, that luckily remained standing.

"I.. I gotta g..go."

"Okay then. Hey maybe next time."

Patrick shook his head, happy and lazy. He was so buzzed.

"Yeah, Bert will bring enough for all of us!"

Bert nodded.

"See ya later uh..."

"GeeWaaaaaay."

"Yeah, what he said."

They both cracked up and took a drink as they waved bye.

Gee turned and stumbled out of the shed and into the sunshine.
He couldn't get his head around the change in Patrick. He'd always been so sensible. The idea of drinking was never even on his radar!
Face pale and hands shaking, Gee headed for the cafeteria.

(Time Passes)

Patrick was feeling really good. He still had the good buzz from the vodka, and Bert slipped him a few joints. He was now chilling at the park in a cozy spot enjoying the sun when someone got in its way.

"Hey man, quit harshing my vibe."

"Awww, sorry, I wasn't sure you had one."

Patrick looked up.

"Hey it's the little Waaaaaay."

He laughed as he took a hit.

"Well you look like you are all cozy here."

Patrick just nodded and smiled dopely. Mikey sat down next to him.

"Patrick, you know, we never talk. I hardly know anything about you."

Patrick looked at Mikey glassily.

"I guess that's cause you hated me."

"Now Patrick, i don't hate you. I even gave you a special nickname."

Patrick giggled.

"Stumped is pretty funny."

"You know what else is funny?"

"What?"

"My brother. I bet you know all sorts of funny things about him."

"Sure do!"

"Well then, how about we sit and talk about him for a bit."

Patrick smiled dopely.

"Sure!"

(time passes)

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR GEEEE....HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOOOUUUUUU!"

Mikey was shocked that Gee had so many friends. he counted at least ten people that he knew used to hate him. High school must change you.

Gee was having a great birthday.
His friends were all around him, Mikey hadn't said or done anything nasty today.. He even made Gee coffee this morning.. and his dad had to go into work because someone fucked up something Gee didn't even bother to understand.

"Thank you guys."

Gee grinned, accepting hugs from nearly everyone, and an especially long one from Frankie, that included a kiss on the cheek.

"Time for presents I think!"

Frankie announced, gleefully.

Mikey looked at the pile. He made sure that his was on the very bottom. He could not wait.

"YEY!"

Gee cheered as they all found somewhere to settle on the carpet around him.
He started to open his gifts, thanking each person in turn.
There were art supplies and books on art and on music. There were the obligatory clothes from his parents, though just a couple of plain shirts, but hidden among the folds of black fabric, was an envelope with a cheque for $200 in it.
There were also quite a few gag gifts and several CDs, but Gee's favourite present.. Including the money.. was from Frankie.

"I hope you like it."

Frankie murmured next to him as Gee opened the little box. Inside was a silver charm.. Kind of a tradition they seemed to have developed now.. It was of a pair of cats, one black and one white, sat side by side with their tails entwined.

Gee's jaw dropped, then he turned and kissed Frankie full on the lips in front of everyone.
After they parted, to a chorus of "Awes"..

"I take it you like it?"

Frankie giggled, his cheeks bright red.
Gee looked down shyly, but nodded softly.

"I love it Frankie!"

After a couple more gags, and a voucher for the hairdressers at the mall, there was just one present left.
Gee picked it up and saw it was from Mikey. He was honestly surprised. He looked at his brother, trying to gauge if this was some kind of joke.

"Go on Gee, open it! I hope you like it!"

A little unsurely, Gee unwrapped the purple and red striped paper and peered at the fabric inside. With nervously trembling fingertips, he lifted up the garment, and the colour drained from his face.

"I know you already have a black one like that, but I have always said you should add color to your life. Especially with your pale complexion."

Gee looked from the little pink mini skirt, to Mikey's smug grin to the skirt, then around his friends faces until his eyes finally landed on Frankie..
Then he dropped the skirt, scrambled to his feet, and sprinted from the house, tears streaming down his pale cheeks as Frankie shouted his name.

"GEEEE.."

Gee didn't look back.

Notes

Hi there chipmunks.. How's you?

Pink mini skirt? Gee in a pink mini skirt? Who else is imagining that right now?

Til next time..

Please comment, and peace out babies!<3