"I just don't know what to do, Ray." He looks into my eyes with enough agony to make me wince, the sound of a big brother helpless to help his little baby bro making my soul garrotte my hammering heart. "I've tried ignoring it, I've tried to talking to him, I've tried telling him to stick up for himself. Hell, I've even tried to get him to see the school counsellor about it before his depression gets worse than it already is. Nothing fucking works!" The last part is a sorrow-strangled yell, Gerard's fists balling at his side as though ready to take on his little brother's tormentors before they can hurt him anymore than they have. But then he lets out a long breath, tears dribbling from his eyes to go along with it. "I just don't know what to do to make it all better for him anymore." He sighs, eyes beseeching me to understand something that neither of us can afford to deny anymore. "It's killing him, Ray. And I can't be his superhero this time round."
But maybe I can.
"Look, I'll go talk to him. See what I can do." I offer, relishing the slight look of hope on my best friend's face before I have to gaze at the miserable one of my first and only crush. "I'll be right back."
Gerard nods and I'm bounding up the stairs three at a time, willing my legs to get me to where I should have been weeks ago before I can bottle out again. I have to fix it this time, for the sakes of both the Way brothers. For the sake of my breaking heart.
