What Will Always Be

1

Gerard had woken up to his alarm. He groaned, leaning over and slamming his hand down on his alarm clock. He was surprised it hasn't broken or even been cracked yet. He rolled on to his back and just stared at the ceiling. His life had definitely changed this year and he didn't know if he honestly liked it much. All he knew is that he was lonely.

He got out of bed and trailed into the bathroom, getting his morning routine done quick so he could run to Starbucks for coffee. He hadn't been able to get one the past week because he just couldn't get out of bed on time. But this morning was different. Something told Gerard today was going to be a different kind of day. Whether it was good or bad? He didn't know.

He came back to his room, putting on a nice pair of slacks, a button down long sleeve shirt that he rolled the sleeves up to, his tie and a vest over it. He ran his hand through his jet black hair real quick, messing it up slightly but in a good way. He put on his combat boots before grabbing he bag and coat and leaving the house.

He got into his car, which was a black little P.O.S. punch buggy that he's been driving for like nine years now. Surprisingly, it still ran. He wasn't going to question it though because he couldn't afford a new car right now.

Gerard hated the morning drive to work. He hated the other drivers, he hated how long the lights seemed, and most importantly, he hated the morning talk show radio. He couldn't stand it. These people had everything to talk about every morning and he just could not stand it.

"Good morning, welcome to Starbucks. What can I get for you?" The lady at the drive through said through the mic.

"Could I just have a venti coffee regular with cream and sugar, please?"

"Would that be all?"

"Yes."

"$4.75 at the window."

"Thank you."

He waited in the drive through line for his turn at the window. The person in front of him must've ordered for an army of people. He thought to himself that they took too long to order and they gave the person in front of him like fourteen cups. Gerard's face that he made in an attempt to understand how and why this person decided to order that many coffees in the drive through was beyond him, but they got what they needed, paid and now were out of his way so he could do the same.

The drive to the school he works at was long and boring this morning. Other than the person with fourteen coffees. When he pulled up to the school parking lot, he sat there for a minute, lighting a cigarette and taking drag after drag of it. Once it was done, he chucked it out the car window. He got out of the car, grabbing his bag and slung it over is shoulder. He walked with his head down into the school, walking to his art room. He wasn't really in the mood to be here today. His brain was on auto pilot, he wasn't paying attention to where he was going or what was in front of him, until he ran into someone.

"Oh, hey - I'm sorry. I wasn't paying atten-" When the person he ran into turned around, Gerard has froze completely and so did they. "Frank?" He questioned even though he knew the answer. He had to make sure it was really him though.

Frank and Gerard had been in a relationship for seven years and broke up a year ago on pretty bad terms. Gerard had honestly thought Frank had moved away to another city after the split. But the fact that he was standing in front of him clearly meant that he didn't.

"What are you doing here?" Gerard asked.

"I work here."

"W-Work? Here?"

"Yes, Music Room 109."

That was right down the hallway from Art Room 101 where Gerard was.

"Frank I -"

"I gotta go." He said, walking passed Gerard.

Gerard watched him walk away. How did he not know Frank was working with him? Gerard raced to his classroom, logged into his computer and skimmed though his emails, looking for anything saying they were getting a new music teacher. Sure enough, Gerard passed the email a week ago.

"Of course.." He whispered to himself.

Gerard thought back on their relationship. How close they were, how much they loved each other, how he had wanted to marry Frank, but after a couple months worth of bad arguments and self destruction, they called it quits. The thoughts hit Gerard like a freight train to his heart, making him start to cry. He did still love Frank but he couldn't imagine Frank would even want him back. It was Gerard who ended things, Frank wanted so bad to work it out, but Gerard had thought it was just something that they couldn't get passed. It was all in the passed now.

Once the bell rang to allow the students into the building, Gerard had whipped his tears and splashed some water on is face. He did everything in his power to get everything together for his lessons for the day instead of thinking about anything else.

"What are we doing today, Mr Way?

"Well, today I thought we'd-"

"Oh my god! Mr Way, have you seen the new music teacher?! He's got the coolest tattoos." Another student had interrupted.

"Yes, I've met him." Gerard faked a smile. "Let's focus and settle down guys!" Gerard said, getting the class' attention.

He started his lesson and somehow managed to get through it without another interruption from the kids in any of the classes he had. Gerard was thankful for that.

Once the day had come to an end, Gerard had stayed back, grading some papers he was slightly behind on. He had some music playing and his classroom door open. There was a song on his playlist that him and Frank had called 'their song'. It was on for about thirty seconds before Gerard realized what song it was and changed it immediately. He heard talking and looked up to see Frank and the principle, Mr Heeler, outside his room talking.

"Mr Way has been with us for a while." Mr Heeler walked over to the door, knocking on it, getting Gerard's attention. "He can help you with anything you need, Mr Iero."

Frank and Gerard just stared at each other.

"Alright, well, I have to go pick up my daughters for soccer practice. You two get to know each other and if you need anything, let me know." He said, then left.

They didn't speak. Gerard knew he was the last person Frank wanted to help him with anything. It was minutes before they realized how long they'd been staring at each other. Frank then looked around the room then slowly nodded to himself.

"I have to get back to these papers." Gerard said.

He snapped his eyes back at him but still didn't speak. He did end up walking away at some point after Gerard looked away from the door.

Once Gerard was done grading his papers, he got ready to go. He walked through the hallway peeking around every corner hoping he wouldn't see Frank again today, although he wanted to. Gerard had made it to his car, as soon as he shut the door and threw his bag over in the passenger seat, then he saw his coffee from this morning, still full. "Ah, shit." He grumbled and rolled his eyes. He just drove home in silence. He didn't even care that he sat in traffic for thirty minutes due to a car accident. He just kept thinking of Frank. They were co workers now and Gerard was put 'in charge' of Frank if he needed anything. He thought about any way he could get Frank to speak to him for longer than forty five seconds.

Gerard pulled into his driveway, staring up at his house. This was the same house that he had shared with Frank when they were together. It held a lot of memories, good and bad. He sighed before exiting his vehicle and walking inside with his things. He threw his coffee away seeing as how he wasn't going to drink cold coffee that sat in his car all day, then went to the living room to relax. He didn't turn on the tv or anything, he just looked at the ceiling.

This had to have been a sign, right? The universe or something giving Gerard a second chance to fix his wrongdoings? Maybe not even to get back with Frank, they were close friends before they got together. Gerard could only hope for the best.