Gerard's POV :

I walked away from Lindsey, angry. I couldn't believe that for all the time I had been back from my coma, she could have told me the whole truth, but she hadn't. She had hidden the truth from me to keep dating me, well-aware that we had broken up.

I looked for Frank and thank God, I eventually found him. He was sitting in an isolated part of some dark hallway. I dropped my schoolbag neglectedly next to him, catching his attention. Frank looked up from the notebook he was scribbling in.

"Hey," I let out, leaning back on the same wall as Frank.

"Hey, what's up babe? What are you upset about?" Frank asked me, and the way he read me like a book took me aback.

Were my feelings printed on my face? If only they could be on everyone, human relationships wouldn't be so complicated.

"How do you know I'm upset?" I asked.

"Dude. One, you just threw your bag like it was a hot potato and almost crushed me with it. Two, you storm in without a hello, which isn't like you. Three, I swear to God, your anger is printed on your face. You should conceal it better or you'll get your ass arrested before you even get to set anyone on fire.

"Oh..." I let out, sitting down next to Frank. We both let out soft sighs - me from what had happened with Lindsey, and him from the state I was in.

"So? Wanna tell me what's bugging you?" Frank said as he shoved his notebook in his schoolbag. A detached, mocking smile appeared on his face before he looked at me. "Let me guess. Mikey's been bitching about me."

"Nothing to do with Mikey. Seriously, why can't you guys get along?"

"Nuh-uh, not gonna happen. Weasel Face and I hate each other too much. Some people are just not meant to get along. I just wish he would give me a fucking break and accept that we're together for good." Frank shook his head.

"I can't see why he doesn't like you though. I mean, you used to bully me because there was a huge misunderstanding between the two of us. But now that it's solved, I can't see why he's still mad about it."

Frank shrugged. "Who knows, Gee. Some people are grudgy as hell. He's protective of you, I can understand that. I'd do the same in his shoes, I guess," he said, wrapping an arm around my neck to bring me closer and ruffle my hair. I giggled, escaping his grip.

"Please, promise me that you'll ignore him if he provokes you again. You know I'll always be yours no matter what." I rested my head on Frank's shoulder. He sighed.

"How can I say no to these puppy eyes? I'll do my best. For you. So, tell me, what were you upset about anyway?" Frank asked.

"I broke up with Lindsey."

"Oh... Uh," Frank let out. "I honestly don't know if I should feel sorry for you two or happy for the both of us," he said truthfully.

I huffed a little. "There is nothing to be sorry about, really. Don't pity any of us. It was meant to happen. I mean, she lied about everything, Frank, and I only realized it now. She knew my coma had only lasted a week and I had completely forgotten about the rest, but she didn't tell me."

"Makes sense," Frank shrugged, taking out a cigarette and a lighter. "I mean, she was the one who explained to me what the fuck was going on, so yeah, I'd take it as a confession," he mumbled with his cigarette hanging from his mouth.

He offered me one after lighting his own. I hesitantly took the white stick between my fingers and slid it between my lips. Frank lit it and I inhaled the smoke. I quickly choked on it and coughed it out.

"Hey, take it easy," Frank chuckled. "Doesn't feel so great at first but you'll see. You'll get used to it." He smiled. I loved the way Frank's eyes were sparkling with love and admiration when he looked at me.

I hummed before trying to inhale again - a bit more successfully this time. "Yeah. She even wrote the fucking letters - Helena's letters. Fucking traitor," I let out bitterly without transition, referring to Lindsey.

"Lindsey? She did?

"Of course. Who else could it be? She knew, Frank, she knew this whole time. Lindsey is amazing at calligraphy. She could've falsified Helena's handwriting flawlessly. She wrote all the letters to make me believe that Helena was still alive. Her compassion was an insult to my dignity."

"Well, damn... I didn't know she would be capable of anything like that. Morally, I mean. I'm talking about the letters, because I'm not that surprised that she lied to you to stay with you. The whole school knows she's head over heels for you. That would explain why she wrote those letters, though."

"You think?"

"Mhm. You'd be surprised the stuff people would be willing to do for your pretty eyes," Frank asserted.

We looked at each other with the same little smile on our faces. "...You rock the black hair," Frank said quietly, breaking the silence and intense staring.

He stroked my blushing cheek gently with his balled, gloved fist and I leaned into his touch. He cupped my cheek and we kept staring amorously until the sound of a throat being scraped made us pull apart hastily.

"Come on boys, you know it's forbidden to smoke inside the school," Mr. Stump, our philosophy teacher, told us. I got rid of my cigarette and babbled an apology, making Frank mutter 'relax' to me. The both of us stood up.

"It's nice to see you two started getting along," Mr. Stump remarked. "My classes will be quieter now. What a shame," he joked as he unlocked the door and let us in the classroom.

"A shame indeed." Frank shrugged, taking a drag of his cigarette before throwing it out the window. He glanced outside, probably to check if he hadn't set someone's hair on fire. I didn't doubt that he would have enjoyed that sight, though.

Frank took a seat next to me and we witnessed the classroom filling up with teenagers as we prepared ourselves for philosophy class.

•••

"This subject is a mindfuck. How do you understand anything at all?" I asked Frank as we left the classroom. My boyfriend shrugged with an amused smile.

"I'm a superior mind," Frank chuckled, wrapping an arm around my neck. A few people gave us side glances, but Frank flipped them off oh-so-subtly. "Gotta go. See you after school, right?"

"Of course. See ya, 'superior mind'," I mocked, and pecked Frank's lips, oblivious of the pair of eyes glaring at us from afar. Frank left me, but I didn't stay alone for long.

"Hey, Gerard? I didn't see you this morning. You disappeared," he laughed softly. "Are you alright? Was Frank bugging you?"

Oh yeah, he doesn't know.

"No, not at all. Frank and I made up. He promised he'd never hurt me again. It was all a misunderstanding. Lindsey made me believe that we were still together, but I had forgotten that I was dating Frank. So he got mad."

Mikey clenched his jaw. "Yeah, because Frank's got anger issues, Gerard. Those are empty promises. If he hurt you once, he can do it again anytime. Please listen to me."

"Mikey, I swear Frank is not abusive or anything. He loves me. And I love him. I appreciate your concern and I know that you two don't get along, but it's okay, please trust me on this."

"Don't follow Frank on his dark paths. He's no good for you. Gerard, trust me, I know what I'm talking about. I don't want to see you get hurt again."

"Mikey, do you know what the difference between my past and my future is?" I asked and Mikey tilted his head. "It's before Frank, and after Frank."

"That's not true. Frank is your past, not your future. Nostalgia is leading you to dangerous decisions. Frank is not the one you think he is. You have no idea of what he's capable of. You don't know what he will do to you."

"Oh, because you know?" I scoffed and Mikey pinched his lips, wanting to say something. But he didn't. "So, what are you saying, that I should stop seeing him?" I narrowed my eyes, defensive.

Mikey sighed. "It would be best for everyone. I trust you, but I don't trust Frank. Two weeks ago, he was bullying you. I don't believe he can change."

I balled my fists and pointed at him. "Friendly advice, Mikes. Don't make people choose between your side and Frank's. You might end up alone in yours," I threatened and walked away.

"Gerard," Mikey called and caught up with me. "I..." he began before he suddenly hugged me, hiding in my arms. My frown vanished from my face, and I hugged him back.

"I know Grandma's death was hard on you, but please, please don't do anything stupid," he sniffled in my chest. "Don't harm yourself."

"Hey..." I said softly, patting his back. "Calm down, Mikey. I'll be fine." I pulled back from the hug. "Don't worry about me, alright? I know what I'm doing. All good, huh?"

Mikey nodded, wiping his teary eyes. "I'm sorry. I-I don't know what took over me." He let out a little awkward giggle, probably wishing that I would forget that Michael James Way once dared let his emotions show.

"It's okay," I muttered. I planted a chaste kiss on his forehead. Mikey was my baby brother, after all. My guardian angel.

•••

I closed the front door as silently as I could as I came home after an evening spent with Frank.

It had been magical. We hung out in the streets, Monster cans in hand, talking and laughing. Nothing special, really - but it was precisely because we didn't need anything extraordinary to have a great time that I was feeling so comfortable around him and loved spending time with him.

I tiptoed in the dark living room, until the lights turned on, catching me like a deer in the headlights.

"Gerard Arthur Way. Where have you been?" my mother asked severely. I sighed, rubbing my eyes.

"Nowhere. I strolled a little after class," I said dismissively, heading for the staircase.

" 'Strolled a little'? It's near midnight and your mother and I have been worried sick ! Now where were you?" my father insisted. I huffed and walked past them.

"Where you with that... Frank, again?" my father spoke up, uttering Frank's name as though it was the filthiest.

I turned around, frowning. "How-"

"-I want you to stop seeing that boy. He's no good for you."

I rolled my eyes, outraged by his demands. "What? Why?! What's wrong with you people? Why do you all hate Frank so much?"

"Gerard, honey... The accident happened because of him. He convinced you to leave us. You two were completely drunk. You're not supposed to be drinking so young ! And that's only the tip of the iceberg," Mom argued.

"Well, maybe I was about to leave for a reason. I don't know, uh... maybe because you two are control freaks who freak out whenever I don't come home for dinner," I replied insolently.

"Don't talk to your mother like that !" Dad raised his voice. "You changed, Gerard. That's not how we raised you. I don't recognize my own son."

"Oh please. I've always been this way, dad. I'm just tired of pretending." I glared at him.

"Respect your parents, and don't give me that attitude, young man," Dad raised his voice, pointing his finger at me menacingly.

"Oh, fuck you, old man !" I said right before Dad slapped me hard in the face. I brought my hand to my cheek and before I could react, I received another slap. Dad grabbed my collar and pinned me on the nearest wall. I glared at him even though I was kind of fearing for my life at the moment.

"Donald, stop. Stop it, you two ! Not again !" Mom tugged on Dad's arm.

"I'm not letting him hang out with that punk pansy," Dad growled.

"He won't. He won't." Mom looked at me, almost begging me silently not to talk back. My heart started beating faster in fear. I looked down and Dad let go of me. I looked at the both a little shocked, and reckoned it was best if I just left without a word.

"You're grounded," I heard as I went upstairs. I resisted the urge to slam my bedroom door. I fell on my bed in a thud. I was seeing red, and my defiance made me grab my phone and send a text to Frank.

Me to Frankie<3 :
"Hey are u awake"

I only had to wait a minute before Frank replied.

4 replies from Frankie<3 :
"Ofc its like 11pm lmao"
"Whats up :)"
"Besides the ceiling"
"Sorry oof whats going on?"

Frank's goofiness made me smile and distracted me from the anger bubbling in my stomach.

Me to Frankie<3 :
"Can you come over?"
"Please"

"Can't leave without me huh ;)"
"Live* smh"

"My parents are being real dicks I rly wanna see you pls I miss u :("

"Oh"
"Np I'll be here as soon as I can lemon pie <3"

"Lemon pie? Really?"

"Shh"

"Ok"
"Thank you Frankie <3 ily <3"

"<3"
"B ready bby"

"That's a lot of b's."

"Shhh"

"You're mean"

"Oh, but you like it when I'm mean :p"

"Shh"

"YoUrE mEaN"
"Sorry I love you pls don't be mad at me"

"I love you too now get ur ass here"

"My ass will be there soon beautiful"
"At your service ;))"

I giggled and set my phone down as Frank stopped texting. I got dressed warmly and waited for him. I received at text from Frank.

1 message from Frankie<3

"Your Iero has arrived, your Majesty"

I smirked and prepared myself to sneak out with Frank.

______