I had to stay in the infirmary for a while. It was incredibly boring, but at least I didn't have to go to group. Frank would come in from time to time to check up on me. It felt like he was the doctor sometimes, making sure I was okay instead of being another patient visiting me.

He was told I could leave later today though, which I was ready for. Pete and Brendon weren't allowed to visit me because the other doctors didn't think it would help with the progress they've made. I understood, but I missed them. I'm ready to see them.

I was laying in bed with a sketch book on my lap. I was drawing the room for what seemed like the tenth time since I've been in here. I looked up when I heard a knock on the door. A smile spread over my face when I saw the short, familiar man standing in the doorway.

"Hey, Gee. How you feeling?" I shrugged and looked back down at my drawing.

"Bored. Ready to leave." He came up beside me and gently moved his hand over the back of my head. There was still a bump from hitting the wall, but it didn't really hurt anymore.

"You're healing really well."

"Thank you, Dr. Iero," I said jokingly. I felt his hand tense gently before pulling away.

"How'd you know my last name?"

"I heard one of the nurses say it." He nodded.

"Well, you'll be able to go back to your room soon. They just need to get some paperwork processed." I smiled up at him. I didn't want to show how overly excited I was. "Ready to see your friends?" I nodded quickly, unable to contain all the excitement. He chuckled at my enthusiasm.

"I know Brendon has been asking for you non-stop." My smile shrunk a fraction.

"Is he alright?"

"He's fine. Ryan's been trying to keep him distracted as much as possible, but it doesn't always work." I looked down and nodded. I'm glad Ryan was with Brendon. That boy can not be left alone. I started feeling bad for being here too long.

"Hey, cheer up. You're gonna see him today. He's making sure no one takes your spot in group, just in case you come." I smile at the thought of someone trying to sit and Brendon pulling the chair away, keeping it open for me.

"Will they be in group when I get out?"

"At the rate the nurses are going, they should be, but I was going to take you to your room when you got released.."

"I wanna go to group," I cut him off. He gave me an uneasy look.

"Gerard, I don't think that's the best idea. You should rest and slowly get back into your old routine. I already talked with Lyn-Z and she agreed not to rush you into.."

"Please," I cut him off again. He watched me as I gave him my biggest puppy dog eyes. I smiled as he sighed in defeat.

"Fine." I let out a small giggle of victory.

"Thank you," I said with a wide smile. He left to see how my paperwork was coming along. I started gathering the small amount of items Frank brought me from my room. When he came back, he had a matching smile.

"Ready to get out of here?"

"More than you know." I grabbed my things as he led me out of the room and away from the infirmary wing. I took a deep breath when we exited the hallway and stepped into the main building lobby. I wasn't fresh air, but at least it wasn't heavy with the scent of quarantine.

I started walking toward the hallway that I knew led to my area of the hospital, that led me to my friends. Frank reached his arm out and stopped me. I turned to look at him.

"We're not going that way," he said with a smile. I frowned and my excitement to see Pete and Brendon was replaced with nervousness. He nodded his head down an unfamiliar hallway. He gave me a small pull to get me to follow him.

I saw light shining in from a small window on the door at the end of the hall. Are we going outside? I looked around and saw only a few other doors. We're probably going in one of those. My confusion and sense of worry increased as we passed each door.

We made it to the final door. Frank flashed me a smile as he pushed the door open. I squinted at the sunlight now bathing my body. He moved out into the open space as I stood at the doorway. He turned back to me when he noticed I didn't follow him.

"C'mon Gee." I shook my head. This wasn't a good idea. He came back to the door, standing just outside. He held his hand out for me. "Trust me." I looked into his shining eyes.

Don't do it.

My eyes went down to his hand, stretched out and inviting.

We can't trust him.

Who said I can't trust him? I found myself placing my hand in his. I let him guide me out into what I now realized to be a garden. I looked at the colorful flowers and shallow stream lining one side of the garden.

"Beautiful, right?" I nodded with a smile now on my face.

"I don't think I've ever seen anything this beautiful."

"Really?" Frank asked with a hint of surprise in his voice. I nodded.

"I've only really just seen ugly things and darkness." My eyes widened at what I intentionally said.

"What have you seen?" I chewed my lip nervously. I didn't really mean to say that. I didn't like people questioning me about those things. When I didn't answer, Frank pulled me over to a bench I didn't notice at first. My hand was grasping his tightly. I didn't want to let go. I liked the warmth and comfort it gave me.

"You don't have to keep hiding this part of yourself. No matter how much you hate it or are afraid of it, you shouldn't let it eat you up inside." I shut my eyes tightly. My mouth went dry as I tightened my grip on his hand. A silence fell over us, heavy with anticipation.

"It's not pretty," I finally broke the silence.

"That's okay. It doesn't have to be just as long as it's real." I nodded and swallowed the lump in my throat.

No, Gerard.

I took a deep breath. "You can't tell them." I looked over at him as he nodded.

"It'll stay between us." I took a shaky breath and nodded. For the first time, someone was going to know what I did. Everything he probably heard about me, all the rumors, the stories, all of it was finally going to be confirmed.

"It speaks to me," I started off. I could hear the voice going off, it's tone sharp and full of warning. I ignored it along with all the other warnings sounding in my head and continued.

I told him what happened between Mikey and me right before I was admitted, what I felt and heard before I blacked out before going to the infirmary, how the voice taunts me, everything. The more I spoke my truth, the less I felt weighing me down. It felt nice to finally tell someone and not feel like I'm being evaluated.

Frank didn't interrupt me. He kept close and stroked his thumb over my knuckles for added confidence as I spoke. When I finished, I looked over at him giving me all his attention.

He didn't run. He didn't look scared of me. He looked like he actually cared about me. I gave a small smile and felt a flutter in my chest when he returned. I spent my whole life afraid of how someone will handle this part of me. Maybe, it's time for me let go of that fear.

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A/N:

Feels like forever since I've posted something for this story. I've decided to write shorter chapters. It doesn't take as much time and I should be able to post more often... hopefully. For now, enjoy my lovelies. Thanks for reading! <3