I'll be Home for Christmas (A Frerard Story)

Chapter Four: Mom, Stop It (Part 2)

                Now that I was on the couch, that took away my privacy. I was basically in the middle of everything. Mom and Mikey were in the kitchen doing god knows what and Frank was sitting on the chair next to me, staring in somehow a non-creepy way.

"Do you wanna put on the TV or anything?"

"Eh, sure. Why not? I mean, it's gonna be old Christmas movies on every channel but that's better than just sitting around listening to my family talk about me behind my back."

He picked up the remote from the coffee table and flipped through the channels until he stopped on whatever one was playing Gremlins. At least it wasn't a stop motion thing made for six year olds.

I leaned back into the couch. I was kinda uncomfortable because I would usually just lye down on it without any blanket and just sit there, but now my mom made sure that I had a pillow and blanket too.

"Hey, son?!" She called from the kitchen.

"Yeah?!"

"I'm making cookies if you want any later."

As if reading my mind, Frank said "Oh, I don't think he wants any. He should probably get something more substantial in his system before that."

"I know, I just figured cos his blood sugar's not that high and it's Christmas, after all."

She poked her head around the wall and looked endearingly at Frank and I.

"Aw, look at you being all sensible caring for Gerard..."

As if things couldn't get more awkward, the doorbell rang. Frank opened it to find Ray.

"Hey, where is he?"

"Um, he's just on the couch. We're kind of chilling right now." Frank said, closing the door behind him when he darted into the house and found me.

"Oh my god! Frank texted me about what happened earlier, you okay?!" Ray yelled almost directly in my ear.

"Uh, I was until you barged into my house like these other three people did."

"Hey..." Frank whined like a toddler.

"Okay, Frank was actually invited in but not you or my family."

"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to barge in or anything, I was just really worried about you."

"It's fine, man."

"I mean, you're clearly okay now so there's not really any need for me to be here."

My mom excitedly waltzed into the living room.

"Ray? Oh, it's so nice to see you! How are you these days?"

"Ha, I'm doing good!" Ray smiled and acted like I hadn't just fallen down the stairs and passed out then was carried into my room by someone smaller in height, weight, and age than me.

"Wait, I thought you said you were busy with your family?" Frank said with a quizical brow.

"Oh, I am. I was doing some last minute Christmas shopping when you sent me the text and I was in the area so I just figured, ya know."

There was an awkward moment in silence when everyone just stared at me, who was laying on the couch, looking up at the ceiling, and wrapped in a blanket. I felt like a little kid again.

"Well I um..." Ray checked the time on his phone. "I have to get going. Hope you get better, Gerard! Bye!"

And like that, he was gone.

"Well anyway..." My mom said, rubbing her hands together. "Since you have all the ingredients I needed, I just went ahead and started making the dough. Would you boys like some?" She pointed behind her.

"Mom, the last time I did that Mikey and I were like 8 and 5."

"I know, I just figured. I guess licking the dough out of the bowel isn't something adult singers do."

"Um, I'll have some cookie dough." Frank said, awkwardly raising his hand.

"Great! Gerard, ya sure you don't want any?"

"No, I'm good."

"Well okay then..."

Frank got up and walked to the kitchen.

"Have fun getting salmonella!" I yelled.

I just layed there watching the movie for a few minutes while my mom was probably sharing an embarrassing childhood memory of me with Frank. Maybe if I stayed there for just the right amount of time, I would melt into the couch and all my worries would just go away...

***********

(Three hours later)

"Ugh, it's so ugly..." I said, moaning about the homemade sweater my mom put on me, matching Mikey's but in an opposite color.

"I also have a scarf to match it."

She put a red and green stripped scarf around my neck. It was suprisingly not that tasteless. Frank put my Santa hat back on my head and adjusted it a little before backing off. Great, now he was in on it too. I had three people embarrassing me all at once and I had a Christmas party to attend in a few hours. Just dandy.

"Well alright..." My mom said, grabbing her purse. "We'll be heading out now. You two can do what you want but Frank, make sure Gerard is eating enough and make sure he's home by dinner tomorrow. Alright?"

Frank and I nodded in unison.

"Okay then, I'll be heading out now."

She walked over to me and kissed me on the forehead.

"Ugh, mom..."

"I love you sweetie. Take care of yourself and don't stay up too late tonight."

"K, bye. You can leave now."

I hurried her out the door.

"Alright, alright! I'm leavin'!"

Mikey sighed and walked out with her, before he left, he turned around.

"Gerard?"

"Yeah?"

"You better show up tomorrow. No pressure or anything, but ditching your family on Christmas is kinda like the worst thing a guy could do."

"Um, okay?"

"I mean it."

With that, I waved goodbye to them, slammed door, and let out a big sigh.

"Well at least that's over with." Frank said.

"Yeah."

"So, we got four hours 'till the party. What do you wanna do?"