G
Mikey knocked on the bathroom door and I sighed. “I’m coming, just..”
“Gerard, I have to pee,” he groaned. “Please?”
“You’re not my real brother!” I joked, rolling my eyes.
“Whatever. I’ll piss in your bed.”
I flung the door open and glared at him. “If you do that, I will shred all of your pictures of Pete.”
Mikey chuckled and pushed past me as I stepped out of the bathroom. I walked back to my bedroom, chewing the inside of my cheek as I tried to figure out what to wear. I eventually settled back on the simple black dress I’d worn before, this time with red tights. By the time I was dressed, Mikey was done in the bathroom and I brushed my teeth quickly before wandering to the kitchen. Mum looked up at me and smiled. “I like those tights. Are you ready to go?”
I nodded and jerked a thumb down the hall. “Mikey’s just coming, I think.”
“Have you talked to your teachers about those notes you lost?”
I sighed and opened the fridge, pouring myself a glass of orange juice. “Not yet. I met this senior guy who seems really nice, though, he might tutor me if I ask.”
Mum leaned back in her chair, watching me. “Is this the kid that got suspended?”
I stared at the cup for a few seconds, then put the bottle back in the fridge. “Yeah. But he really does seem nice.”
“If you say so. I trust your judgement, Gerard.”
“Good,” I smiled, sipping my juice as Mikey hurried into the kitchen, glaring at me. “You used all the hot water.”
I shrugged. “So get up earlier.”
He flipped me off and I smiled, grabbing my bag as Mum got up. “Let’s go, you two, I haven’t got all day.”

I got out of the car, waving to Mum before following Mikey up the steps and into the building. He found Pete almost immediately, but I wandered off, towards the end of the school the buses stopped at. I plugged my headphones in and watched for a while, smiling to myself when I saw Frank get off one of the buses. He walked into the school with his head down, not really looking at anyone, and as he was about to walk past me, I caught his arm gently.
“Hey.” He glared at me for a second, then relaxed and smiled ever so slightly. “Hi.”
I took my headphones off and tucked them in my bag. “Where are you headed?”
“E wing, you?”
“Similar.”
Frank nodded and started walking, so I followed him quietly. “How are you this morning?”
He hesitated and glanced at me. “I can tell you want to ask me something, so just ask.”
I frowned slightly. “Is it that obvious?”
“Yep,” he chuckled, running a hand through his hair and looking up at me. “Pretty much.”
“Okay, well...I don’t really have many friends, and uh..I lost a lot of my notes the other day, and I’m already getting really bad grades, so I kind of wondered if you could-”
“Tutor you? I have four C’s, one D and one B, does it really seem like a good idea?” Frank snorted, shaking his head slightly.
“Please, Frank? I don’t really have anyone else to ask,” I lied softly. He shot me a look out of the corner of his eye. He knew I was lying.
“If you really want me to. But for the record, I don’t think it’s a good idea. Meet me in the library after school, okay?”
I nodded and he slipped into a classroom, leaving me standing in the hallway.

Frank was waiting for me, looking utterly bored and flicking a tiny, scrunched-up ball of paper around on the table. I sat down next to him, smiling slightly as he nodded to me.
“What do you need help with?”
I rummaged around in my bag, tugging out a folder. “I have biology and geometry.” Frank stared at me. “I remember nothing.”
I sighed and bit my lip lightly. “Please just try? I asked the kids from the tutor club thing and they just laughed at me.”
He rolled his eyes and sighed. “I’ll have a look when I get home and see if I have any of my old notes, okay? But no promises, I might have thrown them all away when I moved in with Chris.”I blinked and watched his face.
“Who’s Chris?”
“My legal guardian,” Frank snapped and I figured dropping the subject immediately was the best bet.
“Okay, if you could find some, that would be great.” He nodded, seeming to relax again. “Look on sites like Quizlet, too, you can find flashcards and study guides and things for free, especially for generic subjects like this. I’m sure you’ll be fine, what are your grades?”
I felt my cheeks heat up. “I have all A’s,” I said quietly. Frank glared at me.
“So you don’t really need me at all, then?”
“No, not really.” He got up and picked up his backpack, starting to walk off.
“Frank! Please...I just wanted to hang out with you...I didn’t know what to say.”
He stopped and walked back to me, leaning his hands on the table. “Gerard, if you’re gonna ask me for anything again, I’d like you to tell the fucking truth, do you understand?”
I gulped, trying to look away from his piercing green eyes. “Y-yeah.”
“I have homework to do and I need to get home,” he sighed, straightening up. “Pass me your notebook.” I handed it over a little apprehensively and he grabbed my pencil, scribbling a number down quickly. “Here.” He dropped both back onto the table and walked away. I watched him go, then smiled to myself. It was still a small victory.

---

I called Ray, humming to myself and twisting a lock of hair around my finger. Mikey was sitting across from me in the living room, texting Pete.
“Hey,” Ray said quietly, and I could hear music playing in the background. “What’s up?”
“Are you around this afternoon?” I asked, fighting back a yawn. “I was thinking of inviting that new kid over, he seems chill.”
“He does not seem chill, Gerard, he burned someone’s hand with-”
“I know, but I’ve talked to him and I think he could do with some friends.”
“You just want to invite him over because he’s cute and he’s gay, I’m not stupid.”
Mikey looked up and grinned, and I felt my cheeks heating up again. “Shit. Alright, fine, I think he’s cute. Are you happy now?”
“Yeah. And I’m around as long as pizza is involved.”
“Okay, will you ask Pat for me? I’m thinking maybe everyone comes over around two and we order pizza at like five? Sound good?”
“Yep.”
Ray hung up and I took a deep breath before pressing on Frank’s contact. I got up, glancing at Mikey before walking to the kitchen and sitting down at the table. It rang to voicemail and I sighed, setting my phone down and rubbing my eyes. My mind was going nuts. What if he didn't want to pick up? What if I offended him? What if-
My phone buzzed and I grabbed it, accepting the call. “Hey,” Frank said quietly, his voice a little hoarse. “I just got out of the shower.”
“Oh. Sorry,” I mumbled, rubbing my eyes. “I just uh...I wanted to say that I'm having a few friends over for pizza and movies this afternoon and since you're new and haven't met people properly yet, I was wondering if you wanted to come along.”
Frank hesitated and then took a deep breath. “Well I just got back from the gym and I've got a couple hours of homework to do. What time were you thinking?”
“Well, Ray, Patrick, and Pete are coming at around two..” I hummed, trying not to get too excited and to sound nonchalant.
“I can come, but I'll probably be late,” Frank answered quietly. “Is that alright?”
“Sure. You don't have to bring anything, just show up, yeah?”
“Okay. I'll see you then, Gerard.”
“See ya,” I mumbled, then hung up and set my phone down quietly. Mikey grabbed my shoulders, making me jump.
“Fuck off!”
He chuckled and sat down next to me. “Did you get your new man to come?”
I smiled and shrugged. “He's coming, but he's not my man.”
“But you do think he's cute, right?” Mikey asked more seriously, tilting his head. I felt the blush rising. “Yeah, I do. But I've never...I've never really thought about a guy before..”
Mikey shrugged and leaned back in his chair. “That's okay. You're only fifteen, Gerard, you've got time to figure things out. Explore.”
“Says the fourteen year old,” I snorted, but smiled at him. “Okay, Mikes. How's Pete?”
“You're changing the subject, and he's fine.”
“I know. I'm gonna go take a shower before people arrive.”
“Before Frank arrives, you mean,” Mikey grinned as I got up. I flipped him off and wandered into the bathroom quietly.

Mum was hanging around when Frank arrived. She'd said something about wanting to meet him and everything, and I hadn't bothered to argue, but when the doorbell rang, I darted in front of her and opened the door quickly. Frank looked miserable, overshadowed by a much taller man. I blinked. He had countless tattoos, from his jaw down to his fingertips and three lip rings, as well as long black hair that fell to his shoulders. He cracked his knuckles and grinned at me.
“You must be Gerard. I'm Chris.”
I shook his hand as Frank brushed past me moodily. “Nice to meet you,” I mumbled, stepping back as Mum rounded the corner. She stopped for a second, then smiled slightly. “Are you Frank's dad?” She asked, almost incredulously.
Chris laughed and shook his head. “No, I'm just his guardian. Are you Mrs. Way?”
She smiled and nodded. “You can call me Donna if you like.”
“Chris,” he said, shaking her hand as well. “I should probably go, I think I've embarrassed Frank enough already.”
Mum chuckled and nodded. “Probably. Do you want us to drop him off later?”
Chris shook his head again. “No, it's fine. We're only a few streets away, he can text me and I'll come pick him up. Here..” He dug an off-white card out of his pocket and handed it to her. “My number’s on the back, in case of emergencies.”
“Thanks. I'll uh, see you later, I guess,” Mum smiled. Chris nodded and headed off down the steps as I shut the front door.
“He's scary,” I whispered, looking at Mum with wide eyes. I heard a laugh from behind me and turned, blushing as I saw Frank.
“He's not scary, he's a social worker,” he smiled, leaning back against the wall. “He cried when our hamster died last month.”
“Seriously? That guy?” He nodded, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, it was surreal.”
I blinked and bit my lip. “Sorry, I’m a terrible host, you wanna come through to the living room?”
Frank followed me quietly, seeming almost nervous as I led him into the living room. Mikey and Pete were curled up in one of the armchairs, Ray and Patrick hogging the sofa. I pointed to the remaining armchair. “Here, you can sit there, I’m happy on the floor.”
Frank shook his head quickly. “Nope.” He sat down on the floor promptly, grinning up at me. I rolled my eyes and sat down in the chair, glancing at Mikey.
“When we get together for movie nights, we usually watch horror movies, is that okay with you, Frank?” I asked, glancing down at him. He shrugged.
“I’m happy. I like horror movies.”
“Cool.” Mikey pressed play and I settled back to watch the movie, but kept an eye on Frank, worried. He eventually moved around to sit at my feet, his back against the armchair and his arms around his knees. I leaned down and touched the back of his head lightly. “Do you need a drink or anything?” I whispered. He smiled and shook his head. “I’m okay, Gerard. Really.”
I nodded and leaned back awkwardly, tugging my skirt over my knees.

When the pizza arrived, the other kids scrambled up quickly, leaving me alone with Frank. He stood up, wiping his palms on his jeans. “I like that dress,” he said uncertainly, not really looking at me. I slipped off the chair and smiled at him. “Thanks. I like your shirt. I listen to some Misfits occasionally.”
He bit his lip and looked at me shyly, all but blushing. “Blue suits you.”
“Black suits you,” I hummed, watching him nervously.
“You always wear that necklace, the key. I uh...it's nice.”
I laughed and tucked my hair behind my ears quickly. “You should go get some pizza, Frank.”
He frowned, tilting his head. “Aren't you having any?”
I felt my stomach churn and shook my head quickly. “I'm gonna make a salad.”
Frank shifted, watching me. “I'd rather have salad..”
I smiled, trying to take deep breaths shakily. “Really?”
He took a step towards me, brushing his fingertips over my arm. “I'm vegetarian,” he mumbled, shrugging as he looked down and quickly shoved his hands in his pockets.
“Oh. That's really cool, I mean-”
Ray hurried in with a plate and Frank stepped away from me immediately, then walked around me into the kitchen. I hesitated and Ray winked at me.
“Whatever,” I snapped, following Frank to the kitchen. He was already chatting with Mikey when I got there.
“Yeah, I've been with Chris for about two months. My parents died when I was three, so..”
It sounded like a recited speech. I stood there for a second, watching him. The way his lips moved as he talked, hitched up at one side slightly, and the way his hands moved, a little jarred and uncomfortable. Mikey nodded slightly.
“Well, as long as you're happy now, I guess.”
Frank paused. “I'm getting there.”
I walked over and touched his back lightly, smiling as he turned to me. “I'm gonna make that salad, do you wanna help?”
He nodded and Mikey rolled his eyes. “Fuck that. Ima go eat, alright?”
I smiled at him, watching him and Pete head out. Patrick stayed, leaning against the counter by the fridge. He seemed to be watching me with Frank, which wasn't helping my nerves.
I started to get ingredients out of the fridge, helping Frank find things like knives and chopping boards. I touched him occasionally, just lightly on his shoulder or back. When the salads were done, I washed everything off and stacked it in the dishwasher. Patrick had approached Frank and was talking to him about something I couldn't quite hear. Then he tried to touch Frank’s shoulder, which was apparently a huge mistake. Frank dodged sideways and slapped his hand away, then took a few steps back, breathing heavily.
“Frank, hey,” I said quietly, walking towards him slowly as he glared at Patrick. “It's alright, he didn't mean anything..”
I let my fingers brush over Frank's arm and he jumped, turning his gaze to me. His eyes softened and he took a deep breath. “I uh...I'm sorry, I should probably just go home, I don't know what-”
“Frank, it's alright,” I interrupted firmly. “If you have a no touching policy, that's absolutely fine. We understand. Just take a few more breaths and calm down, okay? That's it.”
I smiled at him as his shoulders slumped and he looked away, running a hand through his hair. I handed him his bowl. “Go and start eating, I'm right behind you.”
I watched him go and Patrick raised an eyebrow. “It's a good thing you have a talent for calming people down. He looked ready to...I dunno what..”
I rolled my eyes and grabbed my own bowl. “He was on the defensive, he wasn't gonna do anything.”
“He let you touch him.”
I sighed, brushing past Patrick. “Maybe he doesn't see me as a threat, Pat.”

Notes

Hey guys so I'm out tomorrow from about 6 in the morning to 7 at night, so I'm adding another chapter tonight, as I'll have to be up at 5 and I don't really fancy updating then :) I'm going to try and update this every day like I have with my others but I'm not sure how realistic that is tbh, as I'm trying to take my time with it more and make it better. Anyway, I hope you enjoy <3
Logan