Guilty Conscience

Just Two Common People

We were both becoming a little more comfortable with one another. Of course, I was still anxious, but not as much as the first time I went over to his house.

"Frank, can I ask you something?" I looked in his direction and hummed.

"Of course."

"Why don't you have many friends? I mean, you're attractive and-"

"You think I'm attractive?" I cut him off, I couldn't believe someone like him thought I was attractive.

He cleared his throat and focused his attention on the road.

"I guess."

"Hmm." I wasn't questioning him, although I don't know how he found me of all people attractive, I was more of making a sound that was to make him less uncomfortable. Although, I do admit I like the fact that he thinks I'm attractive. It's a nice change instead of people calling me ugly or worthless. I still am, but at least one person doesn't think so.

"To answer your question, I don't have friends because I'm a loner. Gerard, people don't know I'm the person who you saw in court. I purposely changed my appearance so people wouldn't recognize me, much like you didn't in the beginning."

"Oh...Why don't you want friends?"

"I have many reasons for not wanting to be around people. Reasons that even you may not find out. I don't trust anyone. That didn't get me anywhere but pain, both physical and mental."

"Do you trust me?" He bit his lip as he asked the question, which gives me the hint that he wants me to say yes. I want to, but it hasn't been long. I just don't trust him.

I sighed. "No, I don't."

He stopped biting his lip, and his head dropped a bit. I didn't mean to hurt him by saying I didn't trust him. But I won't lie to him either.

"I'm sorry...It'll take some time, ok?"

"Mhm."

I decided I wanted some music after a couple minutes, so I asked Gerard if I could plug my phone in.

"Do you mind if I play some music?"

"Not at all. Go ahead."

I smiled to myself and went ahead and plugged the phone in, and went into Spotify.

I clicked on my liked songs playlist and let Spotify choose the song. It started to play "Message Man" by Twenty One Pilots.

We continued on the way to his house while listening to various genres of music. It ranged from rock to emo to punk to some heavy/death metal.

I had started to like Gerard. Like really like him. And it made everything so much harder. He was gay, from what I could tell, but that's not enough. He's popular, I'm the loner and weirdo. He's got the looks, I look like I emerged from Death Valley. It would bring him down to my level, where people assume things and blame you for everything. Where they beat you up for being gay and accuse you of killing people because of how you dress. To be fair, I did kill someone, but that was for protection.

"One second, my father wants to talk to me. Go on up to my room, ok?"

Gerard's POV

"Dad, he's a good person."

"Gerard, I've talked to you about talking with lowlifes. He's from the wrong side of town. He doesn't belong here. I bet he's killed people before. And all the eyeliner and dark makeup, he looks..." My father trailed off.

Sometimes, I really wanted to slap him. He always judges people. The first time Frank was over, Dad didn't say much. But now, he knows exactly what part of town Frank is from. And my father is a prestigious person. He's nice, but he always assumes how people should be treated based on what part of town they come from.