Big Baby (Sequel to Cry Baby) (Frerard)

Gerard nearly danced around the room as he put on his uniform for work--a white button-up shirt with black slacks and a red vest, all complete with his nametag and black converse shoes. He went downstairs, packed his lunch, and made his way to the van, where one of the attendees of the group home named Adam drove him to work. Gerard was jumping for joy in his seat as Adam parked the van in front of the local theater where Gerard worked for nearly two years. He thanked Adam, got out of the van, and headed right inside to the break room, where he clocked in and put his lunch in the employee fridge. After he clocked in, Gerard went straight to the janitor’s closet and got his supply cart and wheeled it to one of the theater rooms where a movie just ended. A few coworkers greeted Gerard, welcoming him back to his job and sharing their condolences for the recent passing of his mother. When Gerard got to the showing room with a big set of credits rolling on the screen, he pulled out his mp3 player and put on his headphones as he began to sweeping the seating aisles of popcorn on the floor. “The Last of the Famous International Playboys” by Morrissey boomed from his headphones as he worked, dancing as he swept the dirty floors with grace.
“Good pick,” said Frank, his voice returning to Gerard after a long period of silence in the van.
“Y-yeah, F-frank. M-morrissey is m-my f-favorite!” Gerard smiled as he talked to the voice in his head while sweeping.
“I know. I can tell he is, Gee. The Smiths are really good too,”
“Y-yeah. Th-this Ch-charming M-man is my favorite song from them!”
“Cool. I like How Soon Is Now. What about your favorite Morrissey song?”
“I’d h-have to s-say S-suedehead,”
“That’s a good one. My favorite for me would have to be...hmm, I’d have to say Everyday is Like Sunday,”
“Th-that’s a good one, F-frankie!” Gerard said as he walked over to the next aisle to pick up discarded popcorn buckets and soda cups. As he did, a set of footsteps walked up behind Gerard, sneaking up on him.
“Boo!” the boy shouted, making Gerard yell and jump up, then turn around to find two coworkers in front of them, the both of them ones that Gerard hasn’t had a good record with. Their names were Hayley and Ryan, and they both laughed at Gerard as he nearly tripped over his shoelaces after being spooked. Gerard sighed out of embarassment, but quickly brushed it off.
“H-hey guys,” he said, trying to be friendly despite the way they treat him, constantly bullying him and making him the butt of bad jokes. “Sh-shouldn’t y-you guys b-be outta here? L-like selling s-snacks and p-printing t-tickets?”
“Oh, I dunno, Gee,” Ryan sneered sarcastically. “Who were you talking to earlier?”
“Don’t tell them, Gerard,” Frank said in a warning tone. “It’s none of their business. Tell them that,”
“It’s n-none of y-your b-business, g-guys,” Gerard repeated shakily, backing up from the bullying duo.
“Awww, really? Damn, that hurts my little feelings,” Ryan cooed mockingly. “No, really. Who were you talking to?”
“Yeah, why don’t you tell us?” Hayley asked in a condescending tone, smirking.
“It’s probably because he was talking to one of the voices he hears in his head, Hayley. Isn’t that right, Gerard?” Ryan asked, closing in on Gerard and inching closer to him, that same shit-eating smirk still on his face. Gerard backed away, tripping over one of the seats in the aisles and landing straight on his can. Both Ryan and Hayley laughed at him in unison, making Gerard lower than a dog. He looked around, unsure what to do as he began to feel helpless. He couldn’t just run away from them. He knew he would follow him no matter where he went, even in the break room. Besides, Gerard still had to clean up this showing room, or else his boss Patrick would give him an earful, and it scared Gerard just thinking about it.
“Awww, is Gerard gonna cry like he always does? Does the cry baby need his diaper changed?” Ryan cooed mockingly, with Hayley behind him laughing at his cruel teasing towards Gerard. Gerard couldn’t help but feel warm tears leak through his eyes. He didn’t know why Ryan and Hayley always picked on him. What was so different about him that warranted himself to be bullied by his co workers? Whatever the reason may be, he just wished that they left him alone.
“Gerard, listen to me,” Frank said suddenly, his voice firm. “You don’t deserve to stand for this bullshit. Stand up for yourself!”
“I c-can’t, F-frankie! I’m t-too w-weak!” Gerard cried, ignoring the fact that Ryan and Hayley were standing right in front of him. “I’m a b-big b-baby!”
“What was that, Gee? Who are you talking to?” Ryan asked.
“It’s probably one of those voices he hears in his head,” Hayley suggested.
“Who are you talking to, Gerard?” Ryan asked again, still in a belittling tone. “Come on, who’s voice are you hearing in your head this time?”
“Gerard, listen to me!” Frank demanded. “Show them you’re not their little bitch! Punch them right in the fucking faces!”
“I c-can’t d-do that! I’ll g-get in t-trouble!” Gerard exclaimed, clearly in earshot of Ryan and Hayley. “I’m n-not g-gonna h-hurt anyone!”
“What was that, Gerard? I can’t hear you! Your mouth always sounds like it’s filled with shit!” Ryan sneered, to which he and Hayley both cackled. Gerard, meanwhile, was already starting to tremble with rage. He was sick of this always happening to him. Everyday it was like this for him, being tormented by others that he knew were different than him. His rage deep down was bottled up, ready to erupt. He’s just about had it with Ryan and Hayley.
“I’m telling you, Gerard. If you let it all out, you’ll feel so much better. Stand your ground, Gee. Let them know that you’ve had enough!” Frank exclaimed, making Gerard tremble even more. Maybe what Frank is suggesting doesn’t sound so bad after all…
“Hey Gerard, I heard about what happened to your mom,” Ryan said, lowering his tone as he continued to glare at Gerard mockingly. “It’s a blessing for her that she’s dead, because that means she doesn’t have to deal with your retarded ass!”
That’s it, Gerard thought. Ryan crossed the line. Him mentioning his deceased mother in such an ill manner really brought his blood to a boil. Gerard clenched his teeth and balled his fists, standing straight up on his feet and breathing heavily. Ryan knew by this that he was really fucked now. Gerard took one of his balled up fists and pummeled Ryan’s face, sending him to the floor, his face throbbing and full of a mixture of dismay, shock, and humiliation. Hayley nearly screamed, running away from Gerard and up the aisles of the theater. Still red with anger, Gerard went charging after her, chasing her up and down the rows of seats.
“Get her, Gerard! Show that bitch that you’re not fucking around!” Frank yelled in Gerard’s head as he ran like hell, chasing Hayley in circles. Gerard, who was just about in full rage mode, screamed and cussed at Hayley, calling her every name in the book as he chased her. Just at that moment, a slightly overweight young man with glasses came into the room, appalled by what he’s been presented with. It was Patrick, Gerard’s boss. At the sight of him, Gerard stopped dead in his tracks, letting Hayley run to Patrick like the coward she is. Ryan stood up, holding down his throbbing cheek as he winced in pain. Gerard felt a pang in his chest, radiating throughout his body. He knew he was in deep trouble.
“What in God’s name is going on here?” Patrick asked in a demanding and dismayed manner. He didn’t feel the need to ask in the first place. He saw everything. He knew Gerard fucked up...big time.
“I-I...I…,” Gerard stuttered, unable to explain the situation at hand. All the blood had drained from his face, and he felt the hairs on the back of his neck rise. There was just no way he could justify what he done.
“Gerard, come see me in my office...now,” Patrick demanded before walking out of the room, leaving Gerard alone with a sense of dread and guilt. He briefly looked over at Ryan and Hayley, who returned his stare with wicked smirks, knowing what’s yet to come for the poor young man. Gerard stormed out of the theater room, unable to hold back the tears that soaked up his eyes as he walked to Patrick’s office. He knew that what he did could very well cost him his job.

Notes