Frerard - We're Just Friends (Part 1 of The 'Just Friends' Series)

10

Frank had hardly slept. He had called Gerard's phone numerous times, but after initially ringing out the first couple of times, it was now just going to his answer machine. He didn't leave a message. Gerard was either hanging up on Frank, or his battery had died.

Frank lay in bed pondering where the hell Gerard could be.

Guilt washed over him again, as he thought about the way he had just left him. He was smiling at him. That fucking gorgeous smile on his face; looking at Frank with real sincerity after they had just shared such an intimate experience. Then, Jamia had called and Frank didn't even look at Gerard – just walked past him and left him confused and no doubt upset.

He rubbed his hands over his face before dressing and heading off to class, telling himself that Gerard would have crashed somewhere and be in his own class by now. He didn't know where he would have slept though; he still didn't really mention anyone from his classes and only spent time with Frank. Still, Frank didn't have time to overthink it, as he was already running late.

He charged into his lesson and slid into his desk. He tried to concentrate, but found it impossible to focus. He'd seen a couple of messages from Jamia on his phone display, but just couldn't contemplate replying. His mind was flooded with a mixture of worry, guilt and uncertainty.

He got through the day and headed home at record speed. Over the course of the day he had tried calling Gerard again, and now he was just feeling worry – didn't care about the embarrassment he would feel when he had to face his roommate. Just wanted to know he was ok.

"Gee!" he shouted as he flung the door open.

The room was just as he'd left it that morning. There was no sign whatsoever that Gerard had returned at any point.

He sat and scratched his head, trying to work out if Monday was the day Gerard's classes were on until later than his. He didn't think they were, but couldn't be sure. He sat and tapped his foot nervously just watching the door, gnawing at his short nails.

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Gerard had woken in the early hours of the morning, confused and disorientated.

He took in his surroundings, wincing in pain as he tried to sit up. He realised instantly that he was in hospital and lay back down clutching his head.

"Mr Way?" came a friendly voice from the foot of his bed.

He looked up and met the eyes of a male nurse holding a clip board in his hands.

He nodded a little and tried to sit up again.

"Stay down Mr Way" he ordered. "Can I call you Gerard?"

"Sure" Gerard replied quietly with a pained voice.

"Do you remember what happened Gerard?" the man began as he now came to the side of the bed where Gerard could see him without straining his neck.

Gerard closed his eyes as he tried to recollect what had happened. His first thought was Frank, and the way he'd left. Then he remembered the rest of the night – the drinking, the flirting (God that was embarrassing), and then being dragged outside. There wasn't much after that but lying here obviously meant that he'd taken a good beating from the guy. Jesus! Had he even put up a fight?

"Um yeah" he replied after a short while. "I, uh, was in a bar fight."

"Mhm! Sounds like a little more than that Gerard. You were beaten by four guys by all accounts."

He thought back to the previous night. He didn't remember anyone else at all, aside from the tall blond guy that called him a freak.