The Babysitter - Frank Iero X O.C.

10: Friend

I stopped running at some point in the corridor of the hotel and collapsed onto the floor against the wall, crying. Well, bawling.
My head in my hands, shoulders shaking.
I felt an arm cover me and I looked up to see Gerard pulling me into a hug.
"I'm sorry," I whispered, "That was stupid, that was so stupid."
"Very stupid, on both of us," he laughed.
"You must think I'm insane," I wiped my eye, chuckling, "It's just... I really thought... I mean I was so sure that-"
"Me too, Andy," Gerard smiled, "The way he spoke about you I just... I've never seen him so awe-struck about another person."
I rested my head against Gerard's shoulder, "And now this. Naturally. Impeccable timing, to be honest. Right when I was about to tell him..."
I trailed off and sighed, then continued, "Y'know, I had a bad feeling as soon as she started talking to us. I mean, maybe this is what I get for thinking I could just fall in love with my English professor and everything would just work out. I almost started believing that it had."
Gerard sighed, "I really believed he loved you. I still think he does."
"Somehow I doubt that," I laughed a little, "All things considered, he was practically screwing this girl on the dance floor. Not to mention his kids were probably somewhere near."
I groaned, suddenly remembering I had to share a bed with Frank tonight.
"What, what's up?" Gerard asked, hearing the uncomfortable noise I just made.
"Frank and I have to share a bed tonight," I laughed, "Isn't that perfect?"
"Do you wanna crash on the couch in my room?" he asked.
I thought about it, but declined the offer.
"Thanks, Gerard, but I don't want him to suspect that I actually care," I said quietly, "It's fine, I'll get over it. I'll just pretend for a little while."
"That sounds healthy," Gerard said sarcastically.
"Hey, I didn't do theatre in high school for nothing," I chuckled.
We sat there against the wall for a few minutes in silence. I suppose we were still trying to wrap our heads around everything that had happened in the last ten minutes.
"I suppose we should go back down," I murmured after a while.
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
We stood up and walked back down to the party.
Gerard let me to the dance floor and we danced together for a little while.
Frank spotted us and ran over.
"Andy, about that-"
"It's fine Frank," I managed to plaster a smile onto my face, "I'm... happy for you."
He looked at Gerard, then back at me.
"Oh, ok," Frank sort of half-smiled, "You guys having fun?"
"We are having a splendid time," Gerard said, not looking at him.
Frank nodded awkwardly, then walked away.
I let out a breath I hadn't realised I'd been holding.
"Fuck, this is torture," I whispered, smiling.
"I know, kid, I know," Gerard whispered back, putting his arm around me and squeezing me against him.
It was torture. Every time I looked in the direction of Frank, Rebecca was all over him in some way. Dancing with him, laughing too hard, kissing his jaw.
Eventually, Kristin got up to the stage to throw the bouquet.
I decided to go over just to try and have some fun.
There was a little crowd of people in front of her, wanting to catch it. I joined it at the side and put my hands in the air.
I realised after a moment that Rebecca was standing to my right.
'Ignore,' I thought, 'Just relax.'
There was no way in hell she was getting that stupid bundle of flowers.
I felt my competitive nerves buzz inside me.
Kristin counted down 3...2...1 and threw the bouquet into the air.
It flew for a second, then fell almost perfectly into my hands.
I laughed out loud at my triumph.
Kristin grinned at me from the stage and gave me a little thumbs up.
Frank was smiling at me, applauding. Rebecca was glaring at me. I slipped away back to Gerard as quickly as I could.
Finally, the night was over. I apprehensively followed Frank and the kids back upstairs.
The kids went straight to bed and Frank closed the shutters between the kids area of the room and ours.
I silently went into the bathroom and changed, trying to ignore the sickening feeling of dread and jealously that was settling in my stomach.
Frank was already lying in the bed when I came back out.
"Hey," he smiled, "Well done with the bouquet."
"Yeah, thanks," I chuckled nervously.
I slowly got into the bed and lay there beside him. Normally, I'd be absolutely freaking out. Right now, I was just suppressing anger.
"Andy... tonight was weird," Frank mumbled.
You could say that again.
"Yeah, it was," I responded.
"Are we good?" Frank asked after a couple of minutes of silence.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"I just... I don't know," he whispered, "I don't know how to say it."
"We're totally fine, Frank, don't worry," I whispered back, definitely unsure of the words I was saying.
"Thanks, Andy," he said, "You're a good... friend."
Friend. That word repeated itself in my head a few times.
"You're... you're a good f-friend too," I managed to say.
It took me a long time to fall asleep. I was lying there, wide awake for a while.
Frank fell asleep before me. He snored every so softly.
I turned my head towards him. He was facing me, eyes closed, fast asleep.
And, although I hated to admit it, he looked beautiful in his sleep.
'Ugh, Frank,' I thought, 'Why'd you have to go and pull that bullshit.'
A little while later, I nodded off, thoughts still racing through my head.