The Blind Leading The Blind

I felt the air get colder as I stepped outside. It was raining a little, spitting on my face, but the rain smelled of springtime and growing things. I smiled to myself and walked down the library steps, ignoring the chatter of students around me. I heard my name suddenly and stopped.
“Frank?”
I didn't move, leaning on my cane as the footsteps came closer. “Hello Mikey.”
He chuckled and took my arm, helping me down the remaining steps. “Hey. How are you today?”
“I'm good,” I chuckled, letting my cane swing in front of me out of habit. “Are we still on for tonight?”
“Hell fucking yes. Pizza and shitty horror films.”
“Nice.”
I didn't watch tv much, not unless I was with my friend. He was the only one kind enough to explain it to me.
“Just a warning, my half brother will be there. He's in university and he can be kinda grumpy sometimes, so just watch out.”
“Watch. Haha,” I grinned. Mikey laughed softly and I heard the bus wheels squeak. “Yep. Wasn't meant to be a joke, sorry.”
“My bus is here.”
“Yeah, I have eyes.”
“Whatever,” I snapped, shoving his shoulder as I climbed the bus steps.
“I'll see you later!” Mikey called just before the doors closed behind me and I made my way to an empty seat. I untangled my earbuds and jammed them into my ears, turning up the volume as I folded my cane up and tucked it away. It wasn't far to home, and I knew how many stops I was away.

I walked to Mikey's a few hours later, having finished all my homework. I'd taken that walk a few times before, and the GPS on my phone was really good if I cranked up the volume through my earbuds. I knocked on the door and Mikey's mom swung it open. “Hey, Frank!”
“Hi, Mrs. Way,” I smiled, folding my cane up and slipping it into the pocket of my backpack.
“If Mikey had told me you were coming, I could have picked you up!”
I shook my head, smiling. I could smell pizza and cinnamon rolls from the kitchen and it was driving me nuts. “It's okay, Mrs. Way. I'm good at finding my way.”
“Well, Mikey's in the living room, so if you want you can head straight in. He’ll get you a plate.”
I nodded, taking my shoes off carefully and heading through the house confidently. I sat down next to my friend, who punched my shoulder lightly. “Hey, Frankie! You hungry?”
“Very,” I said softly, and he sighed, squeezing my shoulder.
“I'll make sure you get some packed for you, okay?”
“Thanks,” I murmured, feeling the cushions shift as he got up.
I soon had a plate in my hands, my head resting on Mikey's shoulder as he talked me through another terrible movie. I leaned forward after I'd finished, setting the plate down on the table. “I need to pee, I'll be back in a second.”
Mikey nodded, rubbing my back briefly. “Do you remember where the bathroom is?”
I nodded, grabbing my cane quickly. “Yeah, I've got this. Thanks.”
I headed off down the hall, using the cane to avoid any nasty surprises. I had just about reached the bathroom door when I heard a different door slam and someone collided with me, sending me to the ground. I yelped softly, landing with my weight on my wrist awkwardly.
“Jesus, get out the fucking-” the voice cut off and I heard footsteps in the background. “Shit. You're Frank, right? Mikey's blind friend?”
“Gerard, what the fuck?”
I felt the vibrations as Mikey knelt down behind me, carefully helping me up. “Is anything hurt?” He asked me quietly. I tested my wrist and hissed. “Fuck.”
“Shit, I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking, I..”
Mikey sighed softly. “It's fine, Gerard. Just...give us a minute, okay?”
I heard retreating footsteps and Mikey carefully dragged me to my feet. “Is everything else okay?”
I nodded a little shakily and he gently steered me through a doorway. “Here. The toilet’s right behind you, I'll just head out and shut the door. I'll wait for you down the hallway, okay?”
“Okay.”
I sorted myself out and washed my hands before leaving the bathroom quietly. “Where's my cane?” I asked Mikey, still a little shaky.
“Gerard broke it.” Mikey's voice was dull and sad, usually an indication that he was about to cry.
“I have spares.”
“Okay.”
I stepped forward, managing to get his shoulder on the second try. “It's okay, Mikes. I just sprained my wrist, it's nothing.”
I heard footsteps again and shifted uncomfortably.
“Hey, Frank,” came Gerard's voice, a little tentative. “I uh..” He took my hand carefully, wrapping an ice pack around my wrist. “You should alternate that with a hot one every few minutes. Mikey will find you the hot one...are you alright? Did you hit your head?”
I took a deep breath. “I'm okay. It's not the first time.”
Mikey giggled nervously. “I've knocked him over twice.”
“What a terrible friend,” Gerard came back quickly, a smile in his voice. “You should ditch him, Frank.”
I chuckled and shrugged. “Then who else would buy me food?”
There was an uncomfortable pause and Gerard shifted. “If you need anything, let me know. I'm training to be a nurse..”
“Yeah, training,” Mikey teased, but gently.
“Pssh. I still know more than google,” Gerard laughed, squeezing my shoulder. “I'm sorry again, yeah? Have a fun evening.”
He brushed past me and Mikey gently led me in the other direction, sitting me down and starting the movie again. I laid my head on his shoulder, barely listening to everything Mikey was telling me. After a while, I sat up.
“What does Gerard look like?”
Mikey hummed softly as he thought. “He's a little taller than me because he's older, but he's more...stocky? I guess? I dunno, he's not weirdly skinny like me anyways. He's got this bright red hair that comes down to his jaw, a little further. It's undercut, a pretty cool style. He's got hazel eyes like mine and he's got a more round face. I suppose he's fairly handsome.”
“But not as much as you,” I chuckled. Mikey grinned, I felt it.
“No, of course not. He's also not as handsome as you.”
That shut me up, it always did. Mikey and I understood one another. He was straight and I was gay. There wasn't a whole lot of discussion about it, except the first time Mikey had complimented me. He'd explained that he thought I needed it, that I seemed unhappy with myself and he wanted me to be more confident. He'd also said that he wasn't ‘a pussy’ and his masculinity wasn't ‘that fragile.’ We'd laughed, but I'd thanked him afterwards, properly.
“D’you want a cinnamon roll?” Mikey asked softly, interrupting my thoughts. I nodded slightly.
“Just a small one, thanks.”
“Alright. I'll be right back.”
I felt my phone buzz in my pocket and pulled it out just as Mikey got up. I unlocked it and pressed play on the message, holding the phone to my ear.
“Won't be home tonight. See you tomorrow evening. Mum.”
I let the phone slip from my fingers and buried my face in my hands.
“Frank? I brought you one without raisins, I-...oh. Is everything okay?”
I lifted my head slightly and shrugged. I heard the plates being set down and Mikey sat next to me, rubbing my shoulders. I handed him my phone and he read the message quickly.
“Oh, Frank. I'm sorry. Is it..?”
“The third night this week,” I said quietly, sniffing.
“Well, fuck her,” Mikey mumbled, stroking my hair slowly. “You should stay here tonight, I worry about you on your own.”
“You sound like your mum,” I laughed, feeling the hot tears running down my cheeks.
“I know, I know,” Mikey chuckled, drying my eyes with the sleeves of his shirt. “But you're always welcome here.”

Mikey squeezed my hand lightly. “Get some good rest, Frank.”
I rolled over on the couch, tugging the blanket over me. “You too.”
I heard the light switch flick off and buried my face in the blanket. It smelled of Mikey's home, of freshly baked things and coziness. It smelled of family to me. I loved the ratty old couch, the rough rug, and the shelves that rattled when a car went past outside. The living room of the Way household was my home.
I was just drifting off with the scent of belonging clinging to me, when I heard the front door open and shut. I sat up nervously. “Who's there?”
“Frank?” Gerard called out in a whisper. “Keep it down.”
I heard him walk to me and leaned away slightly. “I've just been out for a couple drinks with my friends, I'm just heading to bed. What are you doing here?”
“My mum isn't coming home tonight,” I answered shortly. “So your mum said I could stay here.”
“Okay. You look exhausted, try and get some sleep. I can help you if you need it..”
I shook my head, laying back down and curling up. “I'm fine.”
Gerard sighed and I heard rustling, assuming he was taking a coat off. “Can I see your wrist?”
His voice was in front of me now. I held my hand out a little shakily, feeling him take it and hold it carefully. He gently pressed on my wrist, testing it and feeling around the bones. I whimpered a few times and he sighed. “You should take that to the doctor, Frank. I think you might need a brace on it for a few days.”
“I'll be fine,” I said quickly. Gerard rubbed my upper arm slowly. “Well, I think you should go, but I can't make you,” he murmured kindly. “Goodnight, Frank.”
I heard him stand up and walk out of the room, relaxing only when I heard his bedroom door open and close.

Notes

I hope this is okay...I also hope more people read this than my last one lol