Nine

Working at the church on Thursday was uneventful, mainly due to the fact that Gerard had to go through a shit ton of forms from parents wanting to get their child into the local catholic school for the following year, meaning I was left to sort through the hymn books on my own, with him in the next room. I didn't mind too much, and just shoved my headphones in for the duration of the task before heading home to a dinner that was served with a vegetarian option for me.

When Friday came around I found myself with plans. Which was annoying, as I had to go to the church first. I hoped to explain to Gerard that I needed to go early, and hopefully he'd understand and I could just make the time up the following week.

It wasn't anything too major, but Kellin was having a 'small' party round his house, and our whole group of friends had been invited.

"You have to come!" Oli had told me in music. Kellin had gone off in search of a better amp, and the two of us were sitting in the practice room waiting for him to return "Kellin's parties are always epic. His parents are out all weekend so he dosen't even care how big it gets. Plus his house is pretty damn big."

"I guess" I nodded, knowing it would be stupid not to go to a party when I was the new kid trying to establish my friendships. Isolating myself at that point would have been a fatal mistake. "Parties don't really tend to be my scene, but i'm sure I'd enjoy it anyway."

"Ah, but you haven't been to one of our parties yet" he tutted "we play decent music, and we don't drug the punch bowl. You only get drunk if you want to, you only have sex if you are sober enough to want to, and you actually tend to have a good time. Plus, you can always crash on the sofa is you don't want to go home and face that family." Kellin came back into the room clutching an amp with both hands as he spoke.

"Oh yeah, you're welcome to stay over Frank if you get too drunk to go back your family" He added enthusiastically as he set the amp down and plugged it in, the sound of static filling the room, which he continued to talk over "It's going to be great."

"Yeah okay" I grinned, picking my guitar back up "I'll come. But I won't be there till later on as I have to go to the church for an hour and then head home to get changed and tell them where i'm going."

"That's okay, i'll need some time to set up anyway. Gotta put a lock on my parents door. Last time me and my friend Jack spent forever trying to get the stains out of their bedsheets. It was a miracle we did it in time." He grimaced at the memory.

"Ew, too much information dude" Oli made a gagging sound.

"Tell me about it" he shuddered back, making me laugh "do you think it's socially acceptable to put bin bag covers over the beds? Or will that be a bit off putting?" we all laughed at that, imagining someone trying to get off on the bed only to be lying on top of a black plastic sheet.

"Somehow I don't think that would go down to well. Besides, I doubt anyone will even go upstairs. Most of our friends are too classy to do the dirty in your spare bedroom - leave that to the popular crowds" Oli ran his thumb over his sketchbook, which he seemed to take everywhere with him, as he spoke.

"Yeah don't worry Frank, my parties never really get that sexual. It's mostly just a bunch of teens getting tipsy to Nirvana."

"Sounds like my sort of thing" I smiled, feeling genuinely excited for the coming evening.

"Hello?" I shut the church door behind me "Gerard?"

"Frank! Hey!" He came down the stairs, a ballpoint pen stuck behind his ear, just about visible against his jet black hair, and a few forms tucked under his arm "Come on up, i'm nearly done with paperwork."

"Sure" I followed him back up the stairs and sat down on the sofa "hey, do you mind if I go a bit earlier today? I've got plans with my friends and i'd like to get there at a reasonable time. I'll make it up to you next week or something-"

"Frank, it's fine" he chuckled, obviously finding me amusing "I understand. There isn't much for you to do today anyway. If you could make us both a coffee and then maybe finish sorting those hymn books then i'd be happy to let you go."

"Great" I grinned, turning to the coffee machine. I'd noticed that Gerard tended to leave at least two empty cups lying around the machine, and I actually made the effort of putting them to one side for him before starting to make the drinks.

"If your uncle asks, do you want me to tell him you stayed on until later or does he know about your plans?" He asked so casually that I wondered if i'd heard him right. I could've sworn that lying was considered a sin?

"Are you offering to lie for me again?" I turned to face him with my eyebrow raised, remembering how he'd covered for me back at the church when we'd only just met. He'd really saved my ass back then.

"No, not lie, just not mention certain details" he gave me a small smirk that I tried not to think too hard about, because damn did it look attractive when he pulled that expression. "I'm sure God will find it in him to forgive me for a little thing like that, after all."

"I don't think I thanked you for lying, i mean, covering for me the other day" I thought back to it, knowing that he had gone beyond not mentioning certain details and instead just flat-out lied for me.

"Don't worry about it" he waved a hand dismissively "I've never been a big fan of James and Isabel, and you seem like an alright guy in need of a break." I couldn't blame him for disliking them, although it was still against his nature as a priest to lie.

"Well, I appreciated it" I handed him his coffee "I know you're not suppose to do that, especially for someone you just met, but i'm glad you did."

"I'm glad I did too" he smiled at me over his coffee mug, which he gripped with both of his pale hands. "Now, are you going to stop thanking me and get on with those books? Because otherwise you're never going to get out of here early."

"Done" I declared half an hour later, coming back up the stairs to find Gerard had already finished the paperwork, and was instead lying out on the couch, his headphones on but loud enough that I could tell he was listening to Nirvana from a good meter or two away. I chuckled and pulled one of the buds out, making him jump a little and open his eyes, although he relaxed when he realised it was only me.

"Oh, Frank, you're finished?" He propped himself up on his elbows as I nodded "I was just taking a, er, break..."

"How long have you been lying there?" I raised an eyebrow, unable to keep in the chuckle that escaped from my lips.

"Um, twenty minutes?"

"You just couldn't be bothered to come help with the books, could you?"

"Maybe...."

"Well you'll be pleased to know that it's all done now, so you're free to piss around up here for the rest of the afternoon whilst I go party." I picked my bag up off the floor and flung it over my shoulder as he sat up properly.

"You're going to a party?" He asked "How the hell are your uncle and aunt going to approve of that exactly?"

"They won't know it's a party - as far as they know i'm just going round a friends" I shrugged "And even if they did try and stop me then they won't be successful. What are they going to do, lock me up?"

"Well if you don't turn up here on Monday i'll be sure to go round there with a skeleton key" He joked "anyway, have a good weekend. See you next week."

"Yeah, see you then. Have fun working or whatever it is you're really doing up here" I let my eyes dart over to where his iPod was lying next to his knee, and then the empty packet of crisps next to it.

"I'll have you know I work perfectly hard here" he picked up a pillow and threw it at me "now get out of here before you miss your teenage booze-filled party." There was a slight edge to his voice when he mentioned the drink, making me wonder wether there was more to his past that I didn't know. I didn't have time to ask him about it then though, so I just headed down the stairs and out of the church, forgetting about it the moment my headphones went in and the sweet sound of The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus filled me ears.

When I got home I was relived to see that James wasn't home from work yet, meaning all I had to do was inform Isabel I was going round Kellin's and then get changed. I could hear Ray practicing his guitar up in his bedroom, the familiar riff of American Idiot floating from that general direction.

"Isabel?" I hollered, making my through the kitchen and into the lounge, where she was sitting on her laptop.

"Yes?" She looked up, closing the lid "What do you want?" her tone was clipped, telling me she wasn't really interested in what I had to say, just wether if would effect her or not.

"I'm going round my friend Kellin's tonight so I won't need dinner. I might stay over, i'm not really sure yet." I stated, hands shoved into my pockets as I stared her down, almost daring her to challenge me when it was just the two of us, with no James for her to hide behind. She seemed to consider it, her gaze narrowing as she glanced me up and down.

"There better not be any trouble" She eventually grumbled "Or you will face the consequences. And if you need to get home then i'd rather you call James to come pick you up rather than you walk by yourself." That was definitely a dig at me storming out a few days beforehand.

"Well, I might stay over anyway."

"I'd prefer it if you came home actually. Maybe next time you could stay, once you've proven your reliability, but for now I think it's better if you don't stay out all night" She frowned, and I bit my inner cheek to stop myself from snapping back. I knew that if I was too agressive, she could stop me from going altogether.

"Fine, but you're being over dramatic. I'm seventeen - I think I can handle myself round a friend's house."

"Don't argue with me on this or you'll just make it worse for yourself" She tutted, and at that point I had to leave before I said something I would regret, instead heading up the stairs to my room and slamming the door behind me.

I went doubly fast when I got ready, changing my t-shirt and picking up my leather jacket in record speed. I shoved my phone of charge for about fifteen minutes as I grabbed my wallet and checked my various social media sites on my laptop. I saw pete had messaged me telling me that he'd declared his love for Patrick and it had all gone great, so I sent a quick one back telling him how awesome that was before logging off. I mentioned very briefly about Gerard and church, and then about my new friends, but not to the extent that he'd be jealous.

I didn't want him to think that anyone would ever replace him as my best friend, because he was always going to be the one who had my back in the end, even if we were on sperate sides of the Atlantic ocean.

I wanted to get out of the house before James got back, so I rushed down the stairs and out of the house without even so much as a goodbye to anyone else. I didn't know where Kellin lived, but he'd texted me directions on how to get there from the school (it was only a five minute walk from there and all in all took me about fifteen minutes.)

When I arrived I saw for myself that Oli hadn't been making an understatement about Kellin having a huge house. The building was detached, with a long front lawn and from what I could see, an even bigger back garden. There was a big red front door and the whole thing was made of red brick. When I knocked on the door it was immediately opened by a drunk-looking Kitty, who pulled me inside into a while hall.

"Frank's here guys!" She yelled over the music. Someone had stuck Closer To The Edge by Thirty Seconds To Mars on and I could hear Chantal and Jimmy dramatically singing along before I could see them. "Come on" Kitty grabbed me by the arm "we're all in here."

She pulled me into the impressive kitchen, where I could see all of our usual friendship group and about twenty or so other kids sitting on the worktops, standing near the drinks table or even dancing in the dining room.

"Frank! You got here okay then!" Kellin wrapped an arm around my shoulders and shoved a beer bottle in my hand "I was worrying my directions were going to get you lost."

"Nah, they were fine" I chuckled, taking a large gulp "Although I have to say, I didn't know you had this many friends."

"Hey!" He gave me a playful elbow "bitches love me!"

"That's my line, Quinn" I heard Jimmy shout from the other side of the room. Quite how he'd heard that I didn't know, but it caused a whole bunch of us to start laughing.

"Seriously though" I turned back to Kellin "Are you close with everyone here or are a lot of them friends of friends?" I could see that most of the people there looked like they were rock fans, adorned with various piercings and bright coloured hair, even the occasional tattoo on some of the older guys and girls.

"A bit of both. Oli and Steve both invited some friends, and I think Chantal is responsible for getting most of the female population to come" He picked up a handful of crisps "I just provide the venue and then Jimmy gets in the alcohol."

"Kellin!" I turned to see Oli pushing past people, an attractive guy in tow who was a little taller than me (but only just), with a nose ring and curly hair, a beanie perched on his head "This is my friend Vic, the one I was telling you about." A look passed between Oli and Kellin that I didn't quite understand.

"Hi" Vic smiled at Kellin "it's nice to meet you, Oli won't stop going on about how well we'd get on."

"Tell me about it" Kellin laughed "He's been on at me for days about how I have to meet his friend Vic. Honestly, he's not like this with every gay friend he comes across..." I already knew Kellin was gay, but now that I knew Vic was too I could see that Oli was trying to set them up, so I turned to Oli, going along with his plan.

"Come choose a song with me?" I asked, and he nodded eagerly, letting me lead us away. I waited until we were out of earshot before i asked him about Vic "So you're trying to set Kellin up?"

"I don't normally, but I can see those guys together, and it's been a while since Kells got any action. It's about time someone gave him a hand with his non-existant love life" He shrugged, finishing off his beer "as much as i'd like to say I found you a date too, I really didn't get that far."

"It's fine, I'm really not that bothered about being the only single one' I said without letting myself deliberate of the answer, as I knew it would be stupid to wish for things that would never happen, like someone being interested in me, the delinquent.

"I don't believe you for one moment" Oli rolled his eyes as I changed the song to The Bells! The Bells!! By Lostalone just as the previous one came to an end. Kellin had just left his spotify open, and I could already see someone had made a playlist of crappy pop and old 90s disco songs labelled 'my funeral playlist' which I had to admit, made me laugh.

"Seriously, don't set me up. I don't do awkward small-talk" I raised an eyebrow when he just grinned, snapping his fingers.

"I know who you should talk to!"

"Oli no-" I reached out to put my hand over his mouth, but I was too late.

"Dewees! Over here!" He yelled to a guy who immediately sent us a friendly grin and came over to stand with us. I wanted to glare at Oli, but I had to admit the guy was pretty attractive. "Dewees, this is Frank Iero, he's new here. Frank, this is my pal Dewees." Oli turned to leave, but then turned back with a wicked smile "oh, and you're both gay and single, just to confirm."

"Sorry about him" I tried not to blush "He's on a mission to set everyone up."

"I noticed" Dewees chuckled "Don't worry, i'm kind of used to it. He's got me laid more times that my pick up lines ever will. Not that i'm a man-whore or anything, i just-"

"Don't sweat it, I get it" At least he wasn't overconfident or full of cheesy chat up lines. "So is Dewees your actual name?"

"No, my full name's James Dewees, but I find my first name way too bland and boring for my liking, so everyone goes by my surname" I grimaced at even the mention of the name James, and he noticed "You don't like it either?"

"My prick of an uncle is called James. I came out here to get away from him. So I think i'll be calling you Dewees from now on. You're way too nice to share a name with that guy."

"Well I'm sorry that your uncle is letting the name down. Have you got a drink or do you want me to grab you another one?" He quickly diverted the topic, probably telling from the expression that was on my face that I didn't want to talk about it.

"I'm good" I nodded, but followed him over to the bar anyway, figuring it couldn't hurt to make a new friend.

Fast forward a few hours and me and Dewees were sitting on the wall outside the house, empty beer bottles by our feet as we stared up at the star-dotted sky and talked about this that and everything. He was a decent guy, and although he didn't make my heart speed up quite like Gerard did, he was still attractive.

I chatted to him as a normal friend, not wanting to lead him on when I wasn't serious. Of course, his hand kept brushing against mine every now and then, but i never commented on it. I was a little tipsy, but I knew what I was doing.

"Aren't you going to answer your phone?" He remarked when it began to buzz away in my pocket for the third time in ten minutes. I pulled it out and saw that it was my uncle, and instantly regretted ever letting him write down my number.

"It's the prick I was telling you about" I sighed. We'd been having a conversation about how we'd come out to our parents, and I'd told him that I doubted James would approve so I hadn't mentioned it yet. If he asked I would tell him - I wasn't embarrassed or scared to come out to them - but I wasn't going to bring it up as I felt like I shouldn't need to declare it wherever I go. "Wait a sec, I'll see what he wants." Dewees just nodded and I pressed answer "hello?"

"Frank. Finally." He sighed "honestly I don't get the point in having a phone if-"

"-if we don't check it yada yada yada, I've heard that one a million times from my mom" I beat him to it, knowing the classic parent line off by heart "what it is you want exactly?"

"It's midnight and I need to come and pick you up now. Where are you?" He stated as if it was some curfew we had agreed on beforehand, when actually we'd done nothing of the sort.

"Do you have to? I'm having fun" the party did seen to be slowing down a little, but I knew there would still be a good few hours before everyone crashed out for the night.

"Yes. Don't make me argue with you over the phone on this. Now where do you want me to pick you up from?"

"I'm perfectly capable of walking-"

"Frank. An address please."

"Fine" I ran a hand through my hair, which the light wind kept messing up "pick me up from the school, it's like a three minute walk from here" I didn't want him to see exactly where Kellin lived in case he ever turned up uninvited.

"Okay. I'll be there in ten minutes." He hung up then, and I quickly turned to Dewees, who had been waiting patiently for me to finish my conversation whilst finishing off his beer.

"He's picking me up from the school. I'm going to go say goodbye to Kellin." I explained briefly, knowing I should let my friend know that I was leaving in case he wondered where I got to or if I was okay.

"Don't bother" Dewees chuckled "he went upstairs with Vic about half an hour ago and I haven't seen him since." My eyes widened at that. Oli's plan really had worked.

"He got lucky?" I was surprised at just how fast that had progressed. "Well in that case I won't interrupt them. Let everyone else know where I went if they ask though." As I spoke I double checked my pockets to make sure I still had my phone and wallet.

"I'll walk you there first" he stood up with me.

"You don't have to do that".

"It's fine, I want to. You're a nice guy and as the older person here I think I have a certain responsibility to walk you. Besides, I'll get to talk to you for longer." He fell into step beside me as we made our way along the road. 

"How sappy of you" I teased "All we need are some roses." 

"Shut up or i'll take back my offer" He smirked "so is it your uncle James that's coming to pick you up? The one who let's my name down?" 

"Unfortunately" I grimaced, and for a few minutes we walked in comfortable silence. It was only when we got outside the school that Dewees turned, reaching out to grab my wrist. 

"Look, I had a really good time tonight, and I really like you Frank" he started to lean in towards me, and although I knew I should probably move, It took his lips touching mine for me to place my hands ever so gently on his chest and pull away. I tried to be slow so that it didn't feel like I was shoving him away, just saying a very delicate no. 

"Sorry" I mumbled "It's just, i'm not really looking for a romantic relationship right now.." I thought i'd just been chatting to him without an sort of flirtation, but maybe what i'd seen as innocent, he had interpreted differently. 

"Oh, okay" He seemed like he was trying not to show that he was hurt, which made me feel guilty in case I led him on by accident. 

"I really am sorry Dewees. You're a great guy and i did have fun tonight, but I have so much confusing crap going on in my life right now that being romantically involved with someone would just be too much." 

"It's fine Frank, really" this time his smile did seem a little more genuine. I couldn't help but let my mind wander to Gerard, and how if it had been him them I probably would've let it continue. I really did have to get over that stupid crush, because there was no way anything would ever happen. 

"Well thanks for walking me" I smiled and gave him a brief hug "really, it's appreciated." 

"No problem, see you around Iero" He turned and headed back towards the party, leaving me to bit my lip and wonder wether I was turning him down just because I had some stupid crush. If I was smart i'd go for Dewees - he seemed like a great, attractive, funny guy who obviously liked me back. The only thing that was holding me back was the fact that I was crushing hard on someone else, and I just couldn't get Gerard out of my mind. 

My inner dilemma, however, was quickly wiped from my head when i turned around and saw James's car parked on the other side of the road, with him sitting in the front, glaring out at me with clenched fists. 

He'd seen the whole thing. 

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I think this might be the longest chapter yet :O

Anyways now you can see what the point in that little scene with poor Dewees was. Oh yeah and I couldn't resist throwing in some Kellic too... 

~ Headfirst for Helena