when the sun goes black (old- will probably revise)

9

my tummy hurt

"Frank, we need to have a talk."

His father's voice interrupted the awkward silence and clinking of cutlery. Family conversations weren't typically the Iero household's strong suit, but there was additional tension that night that Fun couldn't place. It made him nervous. Instantly, he knew this couldn't be good, and his heart sank a bit. He didn't respond.

His mother sighed. "Your teachers tell us that you've been spending a lot of time with that Gerard boy."

Of course that's what this was about. He just nodded, his eyes downcast.

"How much time, exactly?" His mother pressed. "And look at me when I'm speaking to you."

He didn't respond. He couldn't. It was a simple question, but he didn't want to answer it. His grip tightened on his fork and his throat tightened.

"Frank, your mother asked you a question." His father stated, voice dropping dangerously low. "Open your mouth and answer her."

"How much time do you usually spend with your friends?" Frank mumbled, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms.

"That's not an answer, young man." His mom berated him. "What do you do together? Has he tried convincing you to do anything you shouldn't?"

"Seriously?" He scoffed. "He's just another kid. I don't know. We do our homework and eat lunch and talk about girls. No, he hasn't tried anything."

That wasn't really true. He thought immediately of a few days ago. He'd told Party the biggest secret he had- that he wanted to get off the pills. And he'd promised to help. But he made that choice, not Party. He only supported him. Which no one else would. It felt so wrong to lie to his parents, but the truth would screw him over.

"He isn't just another kid. You know that perfectly well." His mother sighed.

His father chimed in. "We don't think you should be wasting your time with this boy, Frank." He declared. "He's a bad influence."

His eyes widened a bit. "He's my friend, dad. He's the only one in school who's nice to me. He hasn't done anything."

"Yes, he has!" His father raised his voice, knowing full well it scared him. "He's a disgrace and a rulebreaker and a deviant, and my son will not associate with people like him. I'd be ashamed if I were his father. I can't imagine what the Way parents go through with him, but I will not allow that to bleed into our household."

"You don't get to control who I associate with!" Fun yelled back, something he never did, and he could see on both of his parents' faces that they were surprised. Anger boiled in the pit of his stomach, bubbling up and out of his mouth.

"The hell I do!" They were full-on yelling at this point. "I raised you, you ungrateful little worm. And I did not raise you to be a disappointment like he is."

That hit him, hard, and his anger collapsed. His father had won. He fell silent, digging his nails into his palms and willing himself not to cry. If he did, it'd be over. They didn't cry. No one cried.

"Frank," his mother finally spoke, and it was clear she offered no reprieve. "If we hear any more about you spending time with this boy, there will be consequences. You are not to talk to him or even look him in the eyes from this moment forward. Is that clear?"

He kept his lips sealed in defiant frustration.

"Your mother asked if you understand."