Compass

Thirteen

~Frank's POV~
I left Ray by the end of the stairs, we parted ways down the opposite sides of the long hall, I watched as he disappeared up the stairwell, accompanied by a crowd of teenagers.

With a sigh, I turned back forward, taking a short trip back downstairs, the stairwell was hustling with students in all moods, and different sizes, I felt like a ketchup packet, being squeezed and crushed as I fought for my way out of the crowd at the bottom of the stairwell. Once I got to the first floor again, I began my tedious trip across the school, I disappeared into my thoughts as I walked, getting pre-occupied almost as if I was listening to music, with subconscious glances every now and then.
That's until, I saw something coming down the main stairs which were situated in the centre of the building, at first glance it may have been a sliver of hair, or a hallucination, but, nothing so random can catch my eye, so with my intuition, I glanced back at them, to notice a familiar face making it's way down the stairs.
So that's where he was.
Usually I'd run up to him, catch up with my mate, but in the moment I felt disgust, I felt a bubbling hatred, a sense of dread.
It felt so wrong, and so unnatural.
I watched his pale face stare at the stairs in an emotionless fashion, I watched him get a step away from the floor before I started walking again, there was not many students to blend in with so I booked it down to my class.
I made up my mind, I didn't wait for him, I felt bad, but something just told me he wouldn't care.

~Gerard's POV~
I made my way down the stairs, occasionally brushing arms with another student.
I could feel a certain pair of eyes on me, whether he was aware of it or not, I saw Frank's blue coat, just a glimpse of it from the little corner of my vision.
I was aware he was there.
I heard what him and Ray said about me, in fact, I'm surprised they didn't realise I was staring at them from beside the top of the stairs, it was so obvious.
They didn't even look at me.
I have a suspicion that they knew I was there, but, if they had known, why would they choose to talk about me?
Are they that sad?
Wow.
How could they think I'm taking something?
That was a dark part of my life. How could they?
Bringing it up when I'm not around? That's low.
I was quick to switch to rage, and I was aware of it, I snapped out of the stupid thought as I got off the last step, looking up to see no signs of Frank.
God dammit.
I let the shit get away.

I felt a weird type of weight in my throat, a type of pressure which felt as if it may snap my windpipe, one I've not felt in ages.

Am I.. crying?

I took a breath as my eyes burnt up, the stupid feeling harassed me, I pushed it down, feeling it burden my lungs, and the more I pushed the worse it got, by the time I'd arrived at my class I didn't even realise the bell rang out.
I looked at my teacher as I stood in the doorway. "Just in time" she said, but I ignored her voice and, almost robotically, made my way to my usual seat. I felt in a trance, annoyed at the fact I'd lost my train of thought so fast.
I avoided Frank, I avoided the stupid blonde that asked us if if we're dating almost every single day, I avoided a silent class of stares, instead, I looked at the board.
And for once, I heard mumbling instead of clear instructions.
My grades slipped my mind, my goal left, I just felt, raw anger.

~Frank's POV~
I nervously watched Gerard, my leg bouncing rapidly as I impatiently sat in my seat.
I watched everything, the way he kept inhumanly still for a good ten minutes, before putting his head down on the desk.
Which, even though it went unnoticed by the teacher, I knew it was unusual.
Gerard always tried so hard, he always had so much concentration in him.
My mind snapped to one thing, his dad.
Was he not sleeping at night?
Depressed?
Is he depressed?
But even with any small attempt, I could try to find out, but I'd never really know.
I stared at his back for a while, drifting in and out of my thoughts,
Come on Frank, don't be so stupid, focus!
But I couldn't. I couldn't focus because I was way too tired myself. Shit timing. Because for once in my life I felt like I was taking something seriously.
This was my best mate.
How did this happen??

I frowned to myself, not even attempting the work, before I knew it, the bell rang out, and everyone was packing away, the teacher's annoying voice speaking over all the hustle.
I was first to sling my bag around my shoulder, waiting impatiently to be dismissed, rushing out of the door into the busy hallway once let go, shoved slightly by students.
I groaned as I frantically looked around, catching sight of Gerard's black hair, I followed behind quickly, I had no intention of tapping him or anything, at least in the moment.
I watched him walk over to the water fountain, filling up his bottle, he stood there for a few minutes, students passing him, going to their next classes, I watched him finish, looking up as he screwed the cap back on, locking eyes with me, which sent a cold shiver all throughout my body, my nerves heightened, and everything just felt off, I felt that Ray was taking it too lightly.
We locked eyes for a few awkward seconds as he screwed his lid on, before he silently looked away, leaving the water fountain.
I followed behind him quickly, heading to the same staircase he was going to, which was handy because it lead to my next class.

I almost caught up behind him, but two girls moved to my side of the stairs, just in front of me, causing a barrier between me and Gerard.
I groaned, making my way down, trying to move closer to Gerard, but in a failed attempt I lost my footing, flying down the stairs with a yelp, knocking over the two blonde girls in front if me, and Gerard.
We all tumbled down the remaining four steps, piling up at the bottom.
I felt my heart drop in the embarrassment, as I apologised frantically to the girls, who seemed amused, laughing it off kindly.
The sensation of eyes burnt into the back of my skull as students walked past, most laughing.
But I wasn't.
I watched the girls walk off as I got up myself, looking down, avoiding any gazes.
I looked slowly at Gee, who was brushing himself off in a fit.
He looked over at me, seeming annoyed, which made me feel even dumber, and sorta bad.
I found myself frowning, getting closer to him, as students walked past, giggling slightly, assuming at me.
He took a glance at me, quickly turning away, "hey. Wait no" I quickly sped after him, finally catching up, putting my hand onto him shoulder, causing him to spin around, close for comfort and yell.
"WHAT!"
My eyes widened as I flinched, jerking my hand away from him, shock overcame me as I stared at his slightly violent posture, his face fixed on me, it was blank before, but showed up red and agitated now, eyes widened a little as he glared daggers into me, putting me on the spot.
I felt eyes on me, people around us moving away.
I fell silent.
Too stunned to speak.
I watched him for what only seemed like a second, my mind suddenly blank.
The next second a bell rang out and the hallways cleared, there was a student or two wandering late.
Gerard scoffed and looked around at the remaining people, fixing his posture, I heard him mutter under his breath "Great."
And with that, he left.