NO FUN CLUB

21

'You're up already?' Ray said when he found Gerard in the dining room.

'Yup.' He noticed the table was covered in sketches and wrinkled pieces of paper everywhere, while his roommate was busy with his markers.

'What are you doing?'

'What does it seem like I'm doing? Fucking drawing.'

Ray had to do a double take, because it had been a while since he saw his friend draw. 'Wow! Did having a boyfriend help your creativity?'

'What are you talking about? We're actually taking a break, so no –'

'What? What happened? You were perfect for each other!' Ray almost yelled in frustration, and then sat next to him.

'Nothing. He just needs some time.' Gerard wasn't ready to talk about it yet.

'So he broke up with you?'

That hurt. 'Yeah. But it's a long story.'

Ray didn't say a word, knowing his friend would just let it out without him asking because that was who he was.

'Ugh – so, he's been going through a lot,' Gerard started, just like Ray expected. 'Remember when he stayed here? His grandfather had just died, and he started drinking. And we started to see each other more. He said he wasn't ready for a relationship, but he still asked me out.' He kept talking, moving his hands around to explain everything, and Ray listened.

'He kissed someone else, and you forgave him just because he has issues?! Why would you do that?!'

'Ray, you don't understand! He didn't want to, and he knows it was wrong!'

'That is not the point! If he did it once, he can do it again!'

'But that's not –' He realized he was starting to yell and get angry, and that wasn't the point. He should be happy that things were working out with Frank and that he was getting better. 'That's what he's doing,' Gerard said, calmer now. 'He's trying to get better. He's sober now, and he's got a new job –'

'Wait – you don't work together anymore?'

Gerard shook his head.

'And you haven't seen him?'

'In like two weeks.'

'But you're like friends now?'

'Yeah. We call each other every day, and he sends me funny pictures. And he's helping me with the comic book.'

'So that's why,' Ray laughs, mocking his friends. 'You're such an idiot. But I'm glad you're working on your book again.' And then, he left Gerard to go take a shower.

Gerard still had no idea how he managed to find a friend like Ray, but he was grateful for it every day.

***

'So – this guy and his company is supposed to represent the corporation,' Gerard said over the phone. It was almost two in the morning, and Gerard had just left the bar, exhausted and pissed off with whoever puked in the restroom. And all he wanted was to go to bed, and he knew that Frank should be sleeping too, but he always waited until Gerard called and they'd talk until Frank would fall asleep.

'And the others are the heroes?' Frank asked, already slurring his words.

'More like – a group of teenage rebels who are against capitalism and everything they stand for, and they just want to have some fun.'

'That sounds interesting. But you need to give them a purpose why they're rebelling, even if it's pure teenage angst.'

'Why are you so smart?'