Frank inhaled deeply as he knocked on the door of Jamia's home, his feet already beginning to ache slightly in the fancy shoes he rarely wore. Although the last thing Frank wanted to do at the moment was go to the prom, he had promised his friend that he would be her date, and he didn't want to go back on his word. If he didn't go, he'd most likely stay at home moping, so he might as well spend his time with someone who might be able to keep his mind off of all the horrific things that had occurred lately.

He hadn't heard from Gerard in days. Pete was still in the hospital, and honestly...Frank wasn't sure how much worse things could get. All he could hope was that everything was going to go up from here. This was his attempt at pretending things were normal and that the tragedies surrounding him weren't insurmountable. At the very least, he would do his best to make sure that Jamia had a good night out, she deserved that.

"Well, don't you clean up nicely?" Jamia greeted him as she opened the door, a wide smile stretching her painted lips upwards.

"You're one to talk, seriously - wow," Frank retorted, and he meant it too. He might not be attracted to women, but Jamia looked stunning in her ruffled purple dress accentuated by strappy black heels and glittering earrings. "Jams, you look amazing."

"Aw, thank you. So do you! Thanks for agreeing to match. Even if it's not a real date, I think we look pretty damn cute."

"Of course. As you're gay best friend, I'm always down to match with you," Frank joked the best he could, smoothing down his purple tie that complemented the shade of her dress exactly. "So...you ready to go, or does your mom want to take some pictures first?" He gestured to the woman hovering near the staircase that he could glimpse over his friend's shoulder who was a mirror image of Jamia in twenty years.

"Ugh...yeah I guess she does. I told her we are only going as friends, but you know how parents are."

"Uh...yeah," Frank mumbled, trying to ignore the fact that he'd literally had to beg his mother to eat tonight before he left, and she hadn't once asked why he was wearing a suit or where he was going, even when he told her he was borrowing the car. At least Jamia seemed to have a caring mother. She was kind to Frank when he introduced himself, and she didn't keep them too long. After they posed for a few pictures, they were on their way.

The two of them had decided not to go out to eat beforehand like most of their classmates planned on doing. Frank was glad for this mutual agreement since he had spent the last of his money on groceries yesterday, not that he had let Jamia know that. Jamia hadn't wanted to go out either, wanting to go straight to the dance and not risk spilling anything on her new dress.

Frank opened her door when they arrived at the hotel that the dance was taking place at, doing his best to act the part of a gentleman, making Jamia laugh in the process. They linked their arms together as they walked into the building, following the trail of other students that had just arrived as well. When they entered the main foyer, Frank's breath was taking away. It was gorgeous inside; the decorating committee had really outdone themselves. The theme was glitz and gold, and the room truly looked like they had walked into a palace decked out in gold wallpaper and crystal hangings, offset by white flowers gracing the tables that held the punch and snack provided for them.

"Wow," Jamia echoed Frank's thoughts, "I didn't know it was going to be this fancy."

"Me either," Frank murmured. "I'm in a suit and I feel underdressed."

"Look, they're taking photos over there. Do you want to go take some before we get all sweaty dancing," Jamia suggested.

"Yeah that sounds good," Frank agreed, letting Jamia lead them in the direction of the photographer the school had hired.

Frank smiled as the flash blinded him, his arm wrapped loosely around Jamia's waist as they both posed for the picture that cost too much for him to ever be able to afford. For a brief moment, Frank's stomach sunk as he realized that he would most likely never be able to share a moment like this with Gerard. This may be his last high school dance, but he could never go to any sort of school function with Gerard in case someone remembered that he had once been his student. They would always have to be careful, even after Frank graduated. The thought threatened to destroy his good mood, but he did his best to push it away, focusing on his friend and the present instead of worrying about the future.

"You okay?" Jamia asked when they walked toward the main dance floor. Frank nodded instinctively, but it was apparent that Jamia had noticed his sudden downturn.

"Yeah...just - missing my boyfriend honestly," he admitted before he could stop himself. "Not that I'm not happy to be here with you, because I am...it's just been tough with us lately. Sorry if I'm being a buzzkill."

"Well lets go get a drink and talk about it," Jamia soothed him, "don't worry, I brought the flask just like I said." She opened her purse, showing off the silver item secured within.

"Wow you're amazing. Why can't I be into women, I swear to god I'd marry you if I was."

"Aw, you're such a charmer," Jamia laughed as Frank poured them two glasses of punch. They both glanced around, making sure no teachers were in view before Jamia opened the flask and poured a healthy dose of liquor into both of their cups. "But stop trying to distract me. I want to hear about your boy problems and I can tell you're trying to change the subject."

"Beautiful and smart, you're a catch," Frank grinned, dodging the nudge Jamia aimed his way. "But okay fine...nothing is wrong between us exactly, it's just life I guess that's driving us apart. That sounds stupid, but it's true."

"Details Frankie, come on now," Jamia urged him on, the use of his once hated nickname not bothering him at all anymore, not as long as it came from someone who cared for him.

"I - it's not all my story to tell, but he's having a lot of...family issues, and I feel a bit forgotten if I'm being honest." Frank sighed, doing his best to summarize his situation without exposing Gerard or Mikey in the process. "I know that sounds selfish or needy, but I fucking miss him so much, and I'm worried things are changing and we might not be the person each other needs if that makes sense," Frank shrugged, trying to bury his emotions with a long sip of his drink.

"Oh honey," Jamia groaned, "believe me, I know exactly how you feel. Not to make this all about me, but that's how I felt with me ex, obviously before I found out he was cheating on me. We still saw each other and things weren't bad, but it was just different, and then everything ended up falling apart. Not that I think that's what will happen with you, just...I understand, and I'm sorry you're going through this too."

"Thanks, Jams," Frank sniffled. "You don't know how much it means to me that I can talk to you about this kind of stuff. I'm not out to family yet, and you see how people treat me here, so you're really a lifesaver."

"It's my pleasure," Jamia beamed. "And I know it's not easy, but just for tonight, let's forget about your boyfriend and all the other shit going on in the world and just dance and drink, sound good?"

"Sounds amazing," Frank agreed. He took Jamia's hand after finishing his drink quickly, letting her lead him onto the dance floor without any protests.

For the next few minutes, Frank lost himself in the motion and the fun of letting music pump through his veins and his mind go blank as a slight buzz filled his bloodstream. Jamia was a great dance partner, and it was almost like Frank was back at the stage of his life where he spent every night in clubs, dancing away his problems and finding solace in the arms of a stranger, but tonight, he had a close friend with him, and that was ten times better.

Of course, all good things always come to an end, and Frank's reverie was snapped when someone shoved him from behind. Frank spun around to see what had happened, only to be met by a group of guys that were notorious for being assholes, for lack of a better word. Frank had run into them before, but the past few weeks they had left him alone, giving him hope that he had escaped their bullying for good, but apparently not.

"Hey faggot, stop trying to pretend that you're straight," the one who had shoved him spat out. Frank though his name was Kevin, but he never bothered to keep them all straight. "We all know a girl that pretty would never go on a date with you, unless she's got a dick hidden under that dress."

Before Frank could come back with a smart ass remark, Jamia had stepped in between the two of them. Frank didn't have time to comprehend what was happening until it was too late, and Jamia had thrown a punch straight into Kevin's nose. Blood sprayed everywhere, shocking the rest of the bullies, not to mention Frank.

"Fuck off dickhead, and just to be clear, I've got a pussy that you'll never get your hands on," Jamia growled, flashing her underwear for the entire school to see, which were very scanty and left nothing to the imagination before grabbing Frank's hand and stalking away.

Teachers were sprinting toward the bleeding boy, but Jamia managed to evade them all, leading Frank outside without being stopped. Frank was in shock and awe. No one had ever stood up for him before, especially not like that. He couldn't believe that Jamia had just taken down one of his bullies with a single punch. It was something he had dreamed of numerous times, but never had the courage to do on his own.

"Wow...not only are you the prettiest girl at the party, but you've also got a solid right hook," Frank remarked when he finally found his voice again.

"Hell yes I do, and that asshole deserved it. I can't believe people still care about anyone's sexuality in this day and age. He needed a reality check...so I gave it to him. Hopefully now he'll leave you alone, but just in case he tries to press assault charges, do you want to get out of here? We can go finish this flask somewhere more private."

"Yeah, wow...I think I'm officially in love with you," Frank joked. "But seriously Jams, thank you. No one has ever done that for me before...and it means a lot to me."

"Of course babe, I've got your back. We're best friends now, do or die. No matter what happens in the future. You always have me."

"Right back at you," Frank grinned as they both jumped into his car. "Want to head to the Sonic down the street? Spike a slushie and get some food while we're at it?"

"Now this is my kind of date," Jamia laughed. "But I'm paying. Gotta take care of my gay best friend. And before you argue, my mom gave me money for tonight, so don't even try to pull that manly bullshit on me."

"I wouldn't dream of it."

A wide grin spread across Frank's face as the two of them left the hotel parking lot, his insides bubbling with a sense of joy he rarely felt lately. Jamia was right, no matter what happened, he was so happy to have her in his life. Friends were a rare thing for him, and besides Pete, he didn't have anyone who would defend him like Jamia had just done. She was quickly becoming just as important to him as Pete was. He treasured her, and he would do everything he could to stay in touch with her even after they graduated and parted ways.

And much to his surprise, she had managed to distract him from his issues with Gerard and Pete and all the other issues going on in his life. For the rest of the evening, they laughed and drank like they didn't have a care in the world, which was exactly what Frank needed.

Hiiiii

So I am back after another unexplained absence.

I really don't have any excuse this time either, work just got in the way and the holidays are always crazy for me so I basically didn't write anything for months but finally the new chapter is here.

How are you all? I hope 2021 is treating you better than 2020.

I have already started the next chapter so hopefully I won't take so long to update again but no promises as always.

I love you all so very much xxx

Chapter dedicated to UnderTheWishingTree

Just a few more months and we'll be fine

- starr