Gerard and Frank Discover the Secrets of the Universe

"Didn't your brother read that book?"

Ray points to the billboard outside of room 32, the theatre classroom. The theatre teacher, Mrs. Angel, normally posts cast lists, rehearsal times, and new shows. The fall show this year is Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe.

"Yeah, you're right." I say, the memories of thirteen year old Mikey racing into my mind. "He said that I reminded him of Ari. I'm okay at acting. Should I try out?" Ray nods, leaning against the billboard.

"Auditions are after school. So our plans tonight are off?" He asks. I nod, making a note to cancel our reservation at the bowling alley. While I'm busy staring off, Ray nudges my shoulder and nods to a short, and I mean SHORT, kid gazing at the sign-up sheet.

His black hair is brushed over his forehead, and his eyes are wide as they scan the sheet. I stare into his eyes, thinking how perfect this mother-fucker is. I think I spot a tattoo peeking out of his neckline, and he has a few freckles, strategically sprinkled over his cheeks.

I watch as his eyes shift to mine, and I wink at him, smiling. He takes a step backwards, his eyes shifting around the room. If I could kiss his cheeks right now I would.

"Hi, sugar," I grin at him, "You lookin' for something'?" He just stares straight ahead, his eyes pooling into mine. Our gaze breaks when a bell echoes through the building, and he jumps.

"Shit," I hear him mumble, glancing around the empty halls. My hands reach down to pull my phone out of my back pocket, and text Mikey. Wanna skip class? You can bring Pete, if you want. Just a few seconds later, he replies; Sure. I've already learned what Ms. Anderson is teaching us.

I look up from my phone and see the boy, shifting is weight from foot to foot, his hands clasped together and his eyes on the floor. Ray looks at me, and I nod, putting my phone back into my jeans. "So, sugar. Why don't you tell me your name and we can skip class."

His eyes find mine, wide and unaware. "Frank. Frank Iero." I smile, and the three of us turn our heads to two pairs of footsteps echoing down the hallway. Mikey and his friend... Pete? are running down the hall. "Who's he?" Mikey asks as soon as he stops to my right.

"Frank Iero, apparently." I smirk, attempting to intimidate him. "What the hell, Gee?" Mikey asks me, leaning into my ear. "Just go along with it. I'm trying to... assert my dominance." I mutter, smirking to myself.

"Come on, let's go to The Lounge." I tell Ray, gesturing for Frank to follow us. He does as told, trailing a few feet behind the group. We walk to the Senior hall, taking a left at the lockers and stopping at a closet that's locked to most. "Frankie, take a look at this."

He walks to my side, and I pull a key-like rod out of my pocket. He watches as I shove the rod into the lock, jimmying it around before hearing satisfied click. I pull it out, shoving it back into my pocket and turning the knob to reveal an old teacher's lounge, old soda cans scattered on the floor.

"Sick," He says, and silently asks if he can go in. I nod, and follow him into the lounge, falling onto the dusty couch. "How'd you find this place?" I shrug, saying I came across it when my backpack got caught on the doorknob. Ray, Mikey, and Pete walk in and go to the fridge where we store soda, and the occasional beer.

"Sprite or Pepsi? We're out of Coke." Ray asks, tossing a Pepsi to me and Sprites to Mikey and Pete. Franks mouth falls open, "I'll have a Pepsi." He catches the can that Ray throws to him and cracks it open. He's about to take a sip when I grab his wrist, nodding to the others who are just sitting down.

"Dink it." We all clash our glasses together, a few drops spilling out. "And sink it." I take a sip, and look over at Frank. That beautiful bastard and his beautiful lips drinking from that can. He's so fucking beautiful and-

"Can I help you?" He jokes, smiling at me. I shake my head and look away from him, blushing like an idiot. He giggles, and I can't help but smile to myself. Pete keeps looking between us, a blank look on our face. "Can you stop that gay shit, it's making me sick!" Pete says, glaring at us.

I toss an old soda can lying on the couch at him. "Says the guy who can't look away from his 'best friend'!" I stand up, this fight already escalating further than most. I've never really liked Pete. Mikey stands up, ready to defend Pete. "Are you callin' me a liar?" He yells, walking towards me. I'm just about to do the same, when a small hand grips mine.

I look back to see Frank, his free hand reaching up to my shoulder. "Gerard, don't. It'll only make it worse." And somehow, that calmed me down. I'm just turning around when a hard something slams into my jaw. My hand reaches up to my cheek, coming back down red.

Next thing I know, I'm on top of him, beating the ever-living shit out of him. He tries to fight back, but I shove his hands away before he can push me off. Voices around me are shouting, and hands are tying to pull me off of him. What makes me stop is when Pete starts punching me back.

Ray, or Frank, or someone manages to pull me off of him, and when they do I taste blood on my lips. "Go eye-fuck my brother somewhere else!" I yell at Pete, letting myself be thrown onto the couch. Ray takes a stand in the middle of the room, pointing at me and Pete "Remember the rule in here; nothing that happens in the Lounge leaves the Lounge!"

We all solemnly nod, and Ray gets a few frozen pea bags from the freezer (this isn't the first time we've fought). He tosses one to Frank, and one to Mikey, while he sits down in front of me and Frank. He's always been the peacemaker in the group.

"Ray the Peacemaker," I joke, smirking at him. "Shut up, fat-head. I gotta go over a few things with this 'Frank' kid." We both nod, and I gasp in pain when my head starts throbbing. "Ice that." He nods at Frank, who carefully lays the frozen peas on my bruised scalp. "Shit..." I whisper to myself, leaning back on the couch and closing my eyes.

"Here's the thing," Ray says to Frank, "Only six people know about this place. Gee found it, then invited me and Mikey, and Mikey invited Pete, and Gee invited you. It's a special place." He takes a deep breath, and I think he's shifting in his seat. "This school is motherfucking old, so not even the teachers know about it. So you tell no one. Not your parents, not your girlfriend, not your best friend. Got it?"

"Got it." Frank says, and I feel his hand reaching up to my cheek to wipe away some blood. "Move. I can't reach the other side of your face." I open my eyes and sit criss-cross,. across from him. He mirrors my movements, and he sets the peas to the side.

"Y'know, I was thinking of trying out for Dante." He tells me, his fingers messing with my split lip. "Wanna go together after school? I don't have a ride home today." Wait, is he asking if he can come over? Of fucking course! "Yeah, sure. I'm not sure if we have any classes together. What's your schedule?"

He lists off Mr. Brazil, Dr. Springer, Mrs. Sperfslage, and Miss Jackson. "I have Sperf. Sit next to me in seventh hour, alright?" He nods eagerly, and tilts his head. "You've got a black eye. I could cover it up with some concealer, if you want. Just so your folks don't see." My eyes brighten. He is the most perfect boy I've ever met.

"Could you? They don't want me getting in fights." He nods. "Follow me, I left my makeup in my locker." He stands up and tosses the peas to Ray, leading me out of the lounge. I follow him to the lockers, and he stops in front of 768. He inputs the combination, and tugs on the handle. When it doesn't open, he thrusts his knee into the locker, and it flies open, the door rattling.

I get a brief glance inside of his locker, before he slams it shut and points behind him. "Bathroom." We walk to the bathroom, and he looks in the mirror, pouting. "Look who's ruining my life." He points in the mirror, and I chuckle to myself. "Don't say that." I reason.

"Come on." He laughs, "Have you seen my face? It's grosser than that heart we dissected last week." I cringe, having nearly deleted that day from my mind. "Honey, you're the prettiest guy here. And I can prove it." Am I hitting on him? Yes, yes I am.

"Yeah, right." He fumbles with the makeup brush, eyes glued to the ground. "Mm hmm." I smile, walking up to him and placing my hands on the sink. "Just everything about you. Your eyes, I swear when I first saw them I couldn't stop looking at them. And then I saw your nose ring, then your tattoo, then your lips..."

He giggles, uncapping the bottle. "Look at me and lean over. Either I'm too short or you're too tall." I do as he says, and he brushes a bit of concealer under my eye, then using the brush to spread it around. A minute later, he finishes and tells me to look in the mirror.

"Thanks, Frank." I tell him, leaning on the sink. "Alright. Let's get back to the Lounge."

Notes

new story yay
school is out so ill be updating more frequently (probably)
please rate and comment!