---

Even though Alexia was awake, she didn't want to open her eyes. She tried so hard to get back to sleep but to no avail

"Lex, You awake?" Gerard whispered, with that, she cracked her eyes open but stayed silent. Everything from the past week just breaking her down. Gerard was still in the same position as last night, sitting up against the headboard and cradling her in his arms "Morning" He smiled slightly, running genital fingers over her bruised cheek, She nodded in response causing him to frown "Hey..." He tilted her face towards him, she furrowed her eyebrows and shook her head "Not talking?" she shook her head again looking down, he sighed slightly "okay... Whenever you're ready" she looked up at him with wide questioning eyes, "I'm not going to force you to talk, Lex. Not if you feel uncomfortable doing so" he smiled slightly, She nodded, avoiding eye contact again.

"I talked to my mom last night, while you were sleeping" Gerard stated, she nodded looking up at him "She's thinking of pulling us out of school" she nodded slowly "She's gonna see how the rest of the week goes before she makes her decision. Which shouldn't be too bad, considering that's only two days, today and tomorrow" sighing she nodded at his words. "So, Go get dressed and we'll head to school, yeah?" she nodded but then froze "Lex, what?" she reached for her phone

'Mikey....'

She typed out "He's suspended remember? He won't touch you. Ever. Again, I won't let him, and if he does, I'll kick his ass so bad." his eyes grew darker...

She gave a single nod before hopping up off his lap and walking over to her closet. turning to look at him and then her eyes shifted to the door "Oh, OH Right... Sorry, heh..." He left awkwardly.

She quickly got dressed in yoga pants and a baggy sweater. Not worrying about makeup she threw her hair up into a bun and stepped out of her room. Only to freeze in her steps.

Mikey was standing right in front of her, Looking like he had gotten no sleep last night.

Which he hadn't. he was up most of it crying. Until his mom got home and started yelling at him after finding out about what he had done. He felt terrible and wished he could just let Alexia know.

"Ale-" She shook her head cutting him off, tears already falling down her face, Just then Gerard came out of his room and wasted no time in pulling Alexia away from Mikey.

Mikey let out a defeated broken "I'm sorry" Before watching his brother and Alexia walk out the door.

Sighing pathetically he flopped down on the couch and turned on the T.V...
"MICHEAL!" Donna yelled "I told you no television. You're suspended and on top of that hit your sister. Start with your chores "MOM I SAID I WAS SORRY!" He cried out "I FUCKED UP, I KNOW I FUCKED UP, BIG TIME, THE BIGGEST FUCK UP OF THE FUCKING CENTURY JESUS CHRIST WHAT ELSE DO I HAVE TO SAY BESIDES FUCKING SORRY" HE screamed out "You DO NOT RAIS YOUR VOICE AT ME MICHAEL JAMES WAY" His mother shot back "YOU WILL GO DO YOUR CHORES AS ASKED AND WRIGHT OUT AN APOLOGY LETTER TO EVERYONE" Donna spat before walking briskly out of the house.

---

"Are you going to be okay on you're own, in class?" Gerard asked, standing at Alexia's locker 'I should be... I'll text you if I need you and you'll come right?' She wrote out, showing Gerard "Of course. Wait inside the room at the end of every period and I'll pick you up and walk you to class" He smiled, she returned it.

"Alexia! Hey!" Camila smiled when she saw her, Alexia gave a small wave accompanied by a smile. She sat down next to Camila "Where were you yesterday? What happened to your cheek, Josh didnt hit you, did he?" Camila wondered, Alexia, shook her head and took out her phone quickly typing

'I didn't feel good yesterday, and last night Mikey got mad and hit me.' Camila frowned "And... Can I ask why you're not um... Speaking?" Alexia frowned at the question

'I just, don't feel like speaking much anymore... The things I say aren't that important...' Camila sighed "Of course they are, Lexi... Don't let the world ruin you, sweetie." She offered a sad smile.

"Camila, Lex, Hey!" Peet cheered, "Hey!" Camila smiled, Alexia just waved. "Gerard already filled me in, Lex. Don't worry. We'll keep an eye on you" Peet smiled before taking a seat. "Yea, Plus Colson too, I know he won't let anyone fuck with you. He hates it when people get degraded and stuff like that." She smiled gratefully at them, but the smile soon faded when Josh walked through, "Mr. Ramsay... Late again" "Like usual" Josh sassed back. The teacher just sighed "Take a seat..." Josh smirked and walked to his chair, catching Alexia's eyes as he did so, Smile faltering slightly when he saw her cheek.

____

The bell ringing brought her out of her daze and she slowly stood up, Wating just inside the door for Gerard. "Alexia... What, What happened ... To uh, To your cheek?" Josh asked quietly, looking concerned, Alexia just shook her head and looked down "No, don't hand me that, Lex who." Tears started to gather in the redhead's eyes as she took out her phone and started typing, Josh's breath hitched at this action. "Not talking again eh?" Josh sighed knowingly, having gone through this once before with her. She shook her head and showed him the text that wrote out

'I ruined Mikey's work last night... He got mad, Was my fault... I deserved it' Josh's face hardened at the words on her screen "Don't you dare fucking say that. That was HIS dumb ass mistake, You do NOT deserve to EVER be hit" Josh spat angerly just as Gerard walked in, Giving Josh a hard glair before pulling Alexia away.

"Did he hurt you? Are you okay?" He questioned worriedly 'Im fine, he didn't hurt me' She wrote out before showing him "Good, How are you feeling. D'you wanna go home?" She shook her head quickly before continuing on to her second class.

Geography... That was period two. She finally looked at her time-table and saw she had

English
Geography
Gym
: Break:
Art.

Cool, she thought to herself... Maybe she can finally lose weight.

"Lemme see your classes real quick" Gerard commanded "I need to know what classes I need to go to for you" He smiled. But Alexia frowned 'you don't have to go out of your way to protect me, I don't wanna inconvenience you...' Gerard frowned at her words "Sweetie. You're not an inconvenience. I'm doing this cause I want to not cause I feel like I have to" He smiled warmly and this time she returned it.

"Oh cool!" He smiled, She looked up at him questioningly "The next three classes you have, Frank, In Geo, Me and Frank in Gym, and Me in Art!" He smiled, Alexia smiled back and held a thumbs up.

After that Alexia slowly walked in but ran right back out to Gerard "Lex? What is it?"

'Did you tell Frank that I'm not talking...?'

Gerard leaned in to read what she wrote down, "Yes, Don't worry. He understands" Gerard smiled at the small scared girl.

Finally making her way into class she sighed.

"Lexie!" Frank waved ALexia over. Quickly and quietly she walked to the back of the classroom and sat down stiffly next to Frank "Are you okay? Lex?" Frank whispered, Alexia, nodded briefly looking at him before looking away, Forgetting how bad he makes her blush. But she could never let him know that... God no. He'd never speak to her again... SHe couldn't have that, She'd rather Frank in her life, while she, helplessly in love. then not have him at all.

"You know... You're really cute when you blush" Frank smirked and she blushed harder "Just like that" He whispered. Alexia shook her head slightly at his words

'not cute' she wrote out and showed him "I disagree" Frank whispered, Suddenly something was thrown in there direction "Freaks!" A voice yelled. Alexia was confused "Ronnie, dude, be careful. The girl is the sister of Gerard and Mikey Way..." Another voice warned, "Think I give a fuck?" Another voice spat, and soon someone was in front of Alexia "Back up" Frank growled "Mhhh, No" The tattoed man smirked "So" He turned his attention back to the small redhead "Alexia, is it?" she nodded meekly "Names Ronnie" She nodded again, still not looking at him "Look at me damn it" He nearly shouted... Where was the teacher.

Shakily she looked up, he had dark eyes and a sickening smile, It reminded her so much of her... Father. Or well... Who she thought was her father.

"Ronnie, Dude, Just lay off her" Frank said getting a little worried, seeing the effect he was having on her.

"No, I think I'm going to stay" He chuckled darkly causing nausea to crawl up Alexias throat, SHe quickly looked down, attempting to type through her tears but to no avail, as a last attempt to get Gerard there she hit the call button, right before her phone was taken from her hands.

She looked up with pleading eyes "What? Cant talk?" He sniggered and she shook her head hoping that would get him to stop, But he didn't and her anxiety was getting worse "Give her her fucking phone back, Ronnie" Frank demanded "Fuck no, It's too funny watching her freak out over something so small" She felt her breath catch in her throat and Frank noticed, Standing up he swiftly snatched Alexias phone back and took her out of the room just as Gerard was walking up, Looking pissed. Alexia could have passed out there at the anger he was possessing but she knew the anger wasn't towards her.

"Lex" He sighed. Pulling her into him "Breathe, Alexia... Just breathe." Gerard hummed. Holding her in protective arms "Home now" Gerard said, Alexia looked up and shook her head "That wasn't a question. It was a fact." Alexia still continued to shake her head "Lexie, You're in tears in the middle of the school hallway. I think you should listen to Gee and just go" Frank offered. Shakily she sighed then silently agreed. "Do you guys need a ride?" Frank questioned "Yeah, Frankie that would be nice. Thank you" Gerard smiled.

---

Stepping foot into the house Alexia didn't expect to hear yelling and cursing

"HOW DO YOU FUCKING LIKE IT KID?!" Don's voice shouted. Making Alexia freeze in her steps, along with Gerard and Frank. "Donald, Stop!" Donna cried "HES GOING TO LEARN HIS DAMN LESSON!" He argued back and then a loud, brisk slap was heard throughout the house causing Alexia to go weak in the knees "DONALD" Donna screeched and Alexia all but collapsed.

"M-Mom? Da-Dad?" Gerard called out in a shaken voice, not expecting his father to ever resort to violence "Great. There home. Wonderful." Donna sighed "Frankie, Take her to my room. lock the door and don't answer till you hear the knock" Gerard whispered.

In the paranoid state of mind that she was in she didn't know what to expect, so she tried fighting off Franks firm grip while shaking her head vigorously and reaching for Gerard who had already descended into the next room, out of sight.

"Lexa" (That will be Frank's nickname for her) "Lexa look at me, I promise on my life, I would never do anything to harm you. No matter what your brain is telling you I'm about to do. I'm not, and NEVER would" Frank said slowly and carefully. In a serious tone, but not intimidating.

Meekly she nodded allowing him to take her the rest of the way. Hearing the door lock behind them she tensed up again "Lexa, Remember what I said" Frank whispered, pulling her into a soft, warm hug. She still shook in his embrace though "Lexa, Just breathe... Shhh. You're okay, Safe." Frank whispered She wove her fingers into the fabric of his shirt. Screaming when she heard a loud bang from the kitchen "Shh, Shh, Lexa it's okay. I got you. Everythings alright" Frank hugged her close

"GET THE FUCK OUT, OF MY HOUSE, DONALD" Donna yelled, "FUCK YOU, DONNA, RAISE THE KIDS TO BE ABUSIVE SEE IF I GIVE A FUCK!" Don yelled back "FUCK YOU BOTH, IM NOT A FUCKING ABUSER!" Mikey yelled before slamming the front door closed "Leave. Donald." Donna demanded "Fine." He spat before following Mikey's actions.

Soon there was a knocking at the door in short burst of four. Frank walked to the door with a still shaking Alexia in his arms. She was finding it hard to breathe.

"I ca... I cant calm her d...down" Frank panicked. Gerard nodded and signaled for Frank to leave, Handing Alexia over before he did so.

She visibly relaxed when the door closed, then started panicking again "Breathe Lex. Just breathe. Im here, It's me, I'm not letting anyone hurt you" SHe just shook her head and let out choked sobs, feeling like such a burden on everyone.

Her thoughts were eating her alive and she pushed Gerard away and scooted herself towards the back corner of his room. Still violently shaking

"Alexia?" Gerard questioned, worried "S-S-S-So-So-So-S-S-S" "Sh Sh Sh" Gerard hushed stepping closer to the scared girl He was close enough now, She knew no one would hear her, She rushed it out, almost too quick and quiet for anyone to hear, but Gerard listened intently "im.sorry.im.such.aburden.and.im.so.emotional." Gerard's face fell "God no, Lexie. You're not, Nowhere near a burden, Stop that" Gerard pleaded. He hated seeing her this upset.

She shook her head vigorously but fell back into Gerard's vacant arms anyway.

She cried until her tears ran dry and before either of them knew it she fell asleep in his arms.

"Is it okay to come back in now?"

"Yeah"

"How is she?" Frank asked peaking his head through the door

"Sleeping," Gerard said, placing her down on his bed "She talk to you at all?"

"Only briefly" Gerard answered looking down at her "She look like she's getting thinner to you?" He continued, studying her "A little... I guess" Frank agreed "It's probably from all the stress, Once things settle down and she gets comfortable everything will be good" Frank reassured.

They talked silently for a few more hours Until Mikey came home. He went straight to his room though.

Frank decided to stay the night until either of there parentls got home.

Notes

I ended this chapter awkwardly... Im sorry!