And Then I Met My Teacher

I woke up the next morning and saw Gerard laying next to me, facing the other side of the room. His breathing was slow and steady, which lead me to believe he was still sleeping. I glanced at the clock on the nightstand; 6:27 AM. The alarm was set to go off in three minutes. Last night had been weird. After he had thrown his little tantrum about James and told me that he wanted me to be his, he had spent the rest of the night being really cold and distant. He went to bed without even touching me, almost as if he had regretted telling me to stay.

The alarm alarm went off, pulling me out of my thoughts and he stretched slowly before opening his eyes.
''Morning.'' He grumbled.
''Goodmorning.'' I answered, smiling at him.
''I am going in the shower.'' He said, rolling out of bed.
''Can I join you?'' I faltered, biting my lip.
''Why? You'll have plenty of time to shower on your own.'' He snapped.
''Alright...'' I mumbled, a little disappointed by the way he had flipped me off.
''You can go eat if you want. There's food in the fridge.'' He said before shutting the bathroom door behind him. I decided to get out of bed and get myself something to eat, as he had suggested. I was very confused by his unpredictable mood swings, but I decided to not pay too much attention to his attitude. I made my way to the kitchen and found some yogourt in the fridge. That would do.

I was almost done eating when he shuffled into the room.
''What are you eating?'' He asked. I showed him the yogurt and he nodded.
''What are we doing in class today?'' I quiered.
''We’re doing an overview of my favorite painter.'' He beamed. He looked like he was in a much better mood than half an hour ago. Maybe he simply wasn't a morning person. I grunted in response to his answer.
''What?'' He asked.
''I don't like school.'' I groaned
'That’s really nice of you to say considering that I'm teaching half your classes. Thanks so much, Frank.'' He said bitterly.
''That's not what I meant.'' I mumbled apologetically.
''Whatever, get dressed, we have to go.''
''What about my shower?''
''You can take one tonight.'' He answered coldly. I sighed, disappointed to see that his mood hadn’t changed. I started walking towards Mikey's bedroom to go get some clothes, but he stopped me.
''What are you doing?'' He asked.
“I was just going to get dressed.''
''With Mikey's clothes?''
''Well, yeah? That's what you said yesterday...'' I stammered, confused.
''I chose the clothes.'' He snapped.
''Why are you being such a pain in the ass today?'' I whined. He didn't answer.

He came back a few minutes later with a folded Sex Pistols t-shirt and a pair of black skinny jeans. I had to admit that his brother had good taste in clothes.
''Thanks.'' I snapped, snatching the clothes from his hands
''So moody, jeez.''
''Whatever.'' I said as I walked to the bathroom to go get changed. I didn't have my eyeliner with me so I started to look for one. I opened the drawer and found a makeup case. Everything was there; lipstick, eyeliner, foundation, blush, various shades of eyeshadow and various brushes. I thought it was strange because Mikey had told me that he and Gerard were living alone, but I just grabbed the eyeliner and assumed there was a reasonable explanation this. I applied the black liner along my lash line, got dressed and went downstairs. Gerard was already ready to go, waiting for me.
''Mmm, so hot baby.'' He commented. I was starting to be really fed up with his mood swings, but since I had nowhere to go, I decided to just suck it up and ignore him.
''Ready to go?'' He asked.
''Yeah.''
''Someone's grumpy this morning.'' He pointed it out. How dared he even say that? I clenched my fists and inhaled deeply; a poor attempt at calming myself down. I couldn’t afford to lose my cool with him, but he was getting increasingly annoying, and not snapping at him was requiring tremendous efforts.
''Whatever.'' I let out dryly.
''Alright. Let's go.'' He said enthusiastically.

The car ride went by quietly. It would have been a lot more awkward if it weren’t for the radio filling the uncomfortable silence. Gerard parked the car a few blocks away from the main parking lot (to avoid being seen with me), and I got out of the car without thanking him for the ride. I didn’t say goodbye, nor did I turn around for a final wave. To be completely honest, I was kind of relieved to be leaving him and his mood swings behind.

When I got to the classroom, a few students were already seated, waiting for the lesson to begin. James had gotten there before me and was sitting quietly at our usual table. His face lit up when he saw me walk in and he waved at me, gesturing me to come sit with him. I knew Gerard wouldn't approve of that, which only made me want to do it even more. I grabbed the chair next to him and sat down as ‘Mr. Way’ walked into the classroom. The minute he saw me sitting next to James, he clenched his teeth. I could see his face becoming sullen and gloomy and I flashed him a complacent smirk.
''Hey, how are you?'' James asked.
''Good you?'' I smiled, turning away from Gerard to focus my attention on James.
''Good. Still sick?''
''No, I feel a lot better. Thanks for asking.''
''No problem. You look great today.'' He complimented me.
''Oh, huh, thanks.'' I said, blushing. I bit my lips nervously, which I knew would push Gerard over the edge.
''Alright everyone, class is about to begin, get your coursepacks out please.'' Gerard said. Shit. The coursepack. He had told me to come see him before class to get one, but I had gotten so wrapped up in our little game that I had completely forgotten to see to it. James glanced at me and noticed my empty desk. He placed his book in front of me and raised his hand.
''Yes, James?'' Gerard asked.
''I forgot my coursepack, can I follow with Frank for today?'' He asked. That was clever. Gerard raised an eyebrow, knowing full well that the coursepack in front of me wasn’t mine. I thought for a second that he might refuse, but he didn't.
''Frank has his coursepack today? That's surprising.'' He noted, eyeing me as though his bullshit meter was ticking in the red zone. ''Yes, James, you can follow with Frank for today. Make sure to bring your stuff next class.'' He added. This had to be some sort of joke. James grinned at me, clearly proud of his little scheme.
''I knew this would work. He likes me.'' He whispered. If only he knew. I smiled back and nodded.

Today's class was about Caravaggio. According to Gerard, he was a “famous Italian painter of the baroque era who was well-known for the intensity and unsettling realism of his large-scale religious works”. I remembered he had told me we’d be studying his favorite painter today and I now understood why. His work was violent and scandalous, but also highly emotional and absolutely groundbreaking for his time. Even if art wasn't my cup of tea, I had to admit his paintings were quite impressive. For the first time in while, I found myself actually paying attention to the lesson, drinking every piece of information that was pouring from Gerard’s lips. I was sitting on the edge of my seat, waiting to see what painting the next slide would display, when a blonde girl, sitting a few tables away from James and I, raised her hand.
''Yes, Summer?'' He asked.
''I just wanted to say that I really like your hair today, Mr. Way.'' She said in her disgusting nasal high-pitched voice, completely disrupting the class. I swear to god I wanted to cut her ugly bleach blond hair and make her swallow it. Not that I was jealous or anything, I was just... Well, maybe I was a little jealous.
''Thank you.'' He answered warmly, smiling at her. I stared at him in disbelief. He was just going to let her flirt with him like that? In front of the whole class? How unprofessional. I was praying that his gaze would meet mine. I wanted him to look at me, to see my disgruntled face and to realize how inappropriate that was. He did eventually look at me, but his reaction was nothing like the one I expected. A smirk. He gave me a damn smirk. I wanted to kill him. I wanted to kill both of them.
''Are girls always like that with him?'' I whispered to James. He nodded.
''Yeah, they're pretty flirty when it comes to Mr. Way. Sometimes I wonder if actually knows the effect he has on teenage girls.'' He chuckled.
''It must be pretty annoying for him.'' I added, fishing for some more information.
''Nah, I think he likes it. From what Mikey told us, he seems to be the type of guys who hooks up with strangers every other night.'' I froze to the sound of his words.
''Oh. I didn't think he was like that.'' I mumbled.
''Yeah, well, he's pretty hot. He probably has a lot of sex'' He laughed.
''James, would you like to share that thought with the rest of the class? The two of you seem to be having a good time, I’m sure everyone would like to laugh as well.'' Gerard snapped. James looked at me completely clueless, at loss for words.
''It wasn't important.'' He mumbled.
''Maybe you would like to enlighten us, Frank?'' He said.
''That won't be necessary.'' I retorted
''Go ahead, we're listening.'' He insisted, ignoring my answer.
''If I must.” I gave in. “We were just saying that it’s kind of weird that you allow your students to flirt with you. It doesn’t seem very professional. Especially during class.'' I remarked.
''That was like totally not what I was doing by the way. Like you need to chill.'' Summer hissed from the other side of the classroom. The sound of her stupid nasal voice made me want to stab my ears with my pencil.
''Alright, Frank. I’m sorry if I upset you. If you will let me, I will definitely take the time to address this with you after class.'' He concluded in fake courtesy.
''I am looking forward to it.'' I lied arrogantly. The whole class had gone silent, just watching us politely fighting. James stared at me in awe.
''Why did you do that?'' He whispered.
''I’m not sure.'' I admitted.
''Are you going to be alright?'' He asked.
''Sure.'' I guessed, not convinced by my answer. All of a sudden, he grabbed my hand and squeezed it.
''I got your back.'' He said. I smiled politely, slowly moving my hand away from his. He didn't seem to notice that his touch had made me uncomfortable, because he didn't stop smiling.

The class ended and I remained seated, waiting for the class to file out. Once everyone had left, Gerard walked towards me and sat on my desk. He didn't speak.
''You wanted to see me?'' I asked.
''Yeah, what the fuck was that?'' He questioned angrily.
''You got what you deserved.'' I spluttered.
''Excuse me?''
''You were flirting with that fucking blond bitch right in front of me!'' I accused.
''Well, luckily for you, your cute little boyfriend was there to hold your hand.'' He snapped.
''He's not my boyfriend.''
''Then maybe you should let him know.''
''Why should I? It’s not like I have anyone else.'' I snapped. As soon as I saw the hurt in his eyes, I wished I could have taken in it back.
''Get out.'' He ordered getting off my desk and walking towards his.
''Gerard, I-''
''Get the fuck out of my classroom.'' He said, pacing back and forth in the front of the classroom.
''Baby, please, I didn't mean to-''
''Now!'' He yelled.
''No!'' I yelled back. He stopped pacing and looked at me, shocked by the tone I had used. ''No, I won't get out! Stop pushing me away everytime something's pissing you off! You need to grow the fuck up, Gerard! You can’t keep running away from your problems! I'm seventeen! I shouldn't have to tell you this!'' I snapped.
''I don't want to talk to you.'' He answered.
''Are you fucking serious?'' I asked, astounded.
''I couldn't be more serious.''
''Well, that's too bad ‘cause I'm not moving.''
''Alright. If you want to waste your lunch break just standing here, go right ahead.'' He answered.
''Fine.'' I said in a casual tone. He sat on the chair behind his desk and started drawing, ignored me for a good 10 minutes before he sighed and threw his pencil the his desk.
''Why are you doing this?!'' He asked impatiently.
''Doing what?''
''Not leaving!''
''Because I am sick of you! I'm sick of the way you just yell at me when you're mad instead of telling me what's wrong! How do you expect us to work if you just keep pushing me away? You need to start telling me what’s wrong so I can try to fix it instead of pretending everything’s fine and getting all worked up'' I said with a sigh of irritation.
''You held James' hand.'' He answered after a moment of reflexion.
''Is that it?'' I asked.
''And you didn't even come see me before the class started! I told you to come see me to get the coursepack but you went to see him right awa-'' He started to yell again.
''Don't yell. Say it calmly.'' I reminded him gently. He took a deep breath and continued calmly.
''You went to see him right away.''
''Is that it?'' I asked.
''Well, that's enough, isn’t it?!''
''Gerard. Calmly.''
''Yes, that's it.'' He conceded, sounding slightly brittle.
''Alright, I will try to let James know that I am not interested. Would that make you happy?'' I asked. He nodded.
''Now you tell me why you’re mad.'' He said, reaching out to hold my hand.
''Okay, well, I didn't like to see you flirting with Summer.''
''But, I can't do anything against that!'' He huffed, letting go of my hand.
''Calmly, Gerard.''
''Yeah, okay, but it's true. She just complimented my hair, she didn't do anything wrong. I can't give her detention for that.'' He said.
''Do you want to have sex with her?'' I asked bluntly, unable to get James’ comment on how he liked to hook up with strangers out of my head.
''I'm gay!'' He rasped.
''Alright, I just wanted to know.''
''Do you want to sleep with James?''
''No.''
''Be honest, Frank.''
''I am being honest. I'm not interested in James.''
''Are you interested in anyone?'' He asked.
''Yes.''
''Oh.'' He whimpered, looking down.
''And he's standing right in front of me.'' I said, lifting his chin with my index, forcing him to look into my eyes.
''I love you.'' He whispered.
''I love you too. I don't want to fight with you anymore.''
''Me neither.''

Notes

Hey guys! I'm super excited to be done with editing and to start writing some new chapters for you! In the meanwhile, let me hear all your beautiful thoughts on this chapter! Or any chapter for that matter!

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-T.