Guitar Lessons (A Frank Iero Fanfic)

Chapter Nine

A/N I'm so sorry about how late this upload is, I started watching Supernatural and it's kinda taken over my life now. But anyway, here's a new chapter. xoindigopancakes

Ruby's POV

Moonlight streamed through the window as I began to wake up. This was not my room, nor was it my bed I thought as I felt breath on the back of my neck. I looked down to my waist and saw Frank's arms gripping me tightly and turned round to see him already awake. "Good morning," he said chuckling "Sleep well?"

"Yep, what time is it?" I asked as I made a mental note never to take naps: my head felt as though it was being hit repeatedly against a brick wall and I had no idea about what time, day or month it was.

"It's about eleven - thirty," he said wincing at the blinding light of his phone's lock screen. A sinking feeling filled my stomach as I realised how late it was. Mom would want me back; it didn't matter that I was a fully grown adult, she still had a curfew set for me. Apparently it was another way of showing me how much she cared and yes, in a way it was- it meant I had a lot more time to study and improve my coursework but my social life and friends had suffered from all her extra caring.

"Shit, I gotta go, now... uh, okay bye," I stuttered. Frank looked at me confused and hurt. I wanted to tell him it was nothing personal. That it was Mom and her stupid rules. I wanted to tell him I loved him and that the feeling was like a fire burning out of control. But there was no time to explain and even if it did he'd just say I was an adult and I should make my own choices which would make it even harder to leave.

So instead I took the idiotic option: I grabbed my stuff and left. I hurried down the stairs, past Mikey and Gee who were still awake and out of the door leaving open mouths and questions in my wake. As the door closed, I heard Frank running down the stairs. "Dude, what did you do?" Gerard questioned him.

Thankfully, I couldn't hear anything behind me meaning the boys had let me go.

Franks POV

"Dude, what did you do?" Gerard asked me with concern flooding his eyes.

"I... I don't know," I stuttered "We were having a great time and then she... she just walked out on me." I felt hollow and confused at her abrupt exit.

"Snap out of it!" Mikey said hitting my shoulder "You have to go after her, she'll get hurt out there... or worse." He was right. Anything could happen on the streets, especially at this time of day.

So I did exactly as he said. I went after her. Pushing all emotions to one side, I ran out of the flat towards the car. Ruby wasn't in sight which made me feel sick with worry as I fumbled with the keys and unlocked the car. Climbing in, I adjusted the seat so I could reach the steering wheel; Mikey had driven last so the seat was in a ridiculous position. Normally, I would have laughed at his long limbs. Not today. Not now.

I pulled out onto the road and heading in the vague direction of her house, hopefully that was where she was going. No matter how much I tried to convince myself that I hadn't done anything wrong, I came full circle and back to the conclusion that she had left because of something I had done. I wasn't angry at her exactly, I just felt betrayed and empty.

The dim New Jersey street lights illuminated the shape of Ruby's body as I approached a nearby corner. Relief flooded through me and I felt oxygen enter and leave my lungs properly for the first time in a quarter of an hour.

I stopped the car behind her, opened the door and got out of the car. Although I was still upset, I was happy to see her safe and unharmed as I walked up behind her. Reaching out, I went to put my hand on her shoulder but as I got close she broke out into a sprint. She must have thought I was some creep out to get her...

I began to run after Ruby. She was losing speed quickly and I'd caught up with her after a minute or so. I grabbed her shoulders and she fought back, hitting and struggling against my grip. "Ruby! Ruby, it's me!" I said desperately, turning her to face me.

Recognition settled on her face as she looked into my eyes. "What the fuck Frank?" she yelled pushing my hands from her shoulders. "You terrified me! I thought you were someone else!"

"I was worried, anything could happen to you out here! You should know that! Can't you see that I'm trying to look out for you?" I retorted. I was so angry and upset and I didn't understand her. At all.

"Well I'm sick of people looking out for me! I didn't get to see Dad before he died because it was 'for the best'. I moved halfway across America to go to this stupid college because Mom 'cared about my future' but worst of all? I had to force myself to walk out on you because of these stupid curfews that 'I'll be grateful for one day'. Do you know how hard it was walking away from you?" Ruby demanded as tears formed in her eyes. She buried her face in my chest and I held her tight.

"I'm sorry," we whispered to each other.

"I wish I'd stayed but Mom never likes me out late. She thinks it's too dangerous for me so she treats me like a kid about it. Thank you for coming to find me Frank," she said sincerely before unlocking her phone and checking the time, "I've really got to go now but we can meet up soon?"

"I'd like that," I smiled. I was still upset that she'd left without an explanation before and something about the way shed been speaking made me feel uneasy but at least I understood why she had had to go.

As she was about to walk away, I decided to take a risk. I grabbed her waist gently and looked deep into her eyes. Cautiously, I brushed my lips against hers as she wrapped her arms around my neck. I leant down with new found confidence and kissed her more certainly, holding her tightly.

I loved her. But I couldn't say, not yet.