They Don't Believe In Us (frerard)

28- Christmas Eve Part 1

Gerard's POV

"And the boy lives." Are the first words I hear when I step into my home.

"Are you talking about me...?" I question. I hear the chuckle of my mother from the kitchen, where she was getting herself lunch.

"Yes, you."

"Why? I mean, of course I'm alive... and confused."

"Ah, don't fret over it, sweetie. You're just with your boyfriend a lot, is all. So, you know, if you're not home, how do I know if you manage to live without my heavenly presence I know you love?" I roll my eyes with a laugh.

"Oh my God, Mom." I sneak a couple chips from her plate when she turns her back to me.

"I hear you crunching on my chips back there, boy." I cackle at that remark before going up behind where she was at the cupboard looking for God knows what and hug her from behind, resting my head on her shoulder.

"I love you." I randomly state.

"Don't melt my heart, kid." She replies, love obviously lacing her words. I smile then kiss her cheek. I miss my mom. I can tell how stressed she's been with everything that's happened since Dad. I can see it in her now tired eyes and how she sometimes zones out when the three of us eat dinner. I need to get a job. I want to help out. I'm almost 18, I should have a job. Why don't I? My thoughts are broken off from Mom, though.

"Applied to any more colleges recently?" Before the school year started, my mom sat me down and said to me that we were going to apply me to at least three colleges, which we ended up doing. Since then, I've maybe applied to another two. None of them feel right, though. I'm searching, but nothing enraptures me. When I haven't been with Frank, doing homework, or drawing or things of the sort, that's what I did. Searched for colleges. It's a process I really don't like and it's scary.

"Not since November, Mom."

"Well, remember the latest deadline is February. You already got acceptance letters to some." I sigh out loud. "Honey, I know it's difficult. And boy do I know that you feel you haven't found the place for you. But I know you will." She removes herself from arms after lifting one of my hands and kissing it. "Grandma's coming Wednesday and staying until Saturday, by the way."

The mere mention of my grandmother has me smiling from ear to ear.

"She can stay for four days instead of three now?!" I exclaim. Donna laughs at my excitement over just another day with the beloved figure in my life.

"Yep. Her caretaker whose family lives in this area recently changed her stay so Grandma was allowed as well."

"That's amazing!"

"Yes it is. Now go wrap your presents. I know you haven't done it yet." I groan in frustration because she's right. I totally forgot about it.

"UGH I completely forgot." Sighing, I leave the kitchen with my mom's smug look watching me as I head upstairs to my room, where all the presents I had gotten were under my bed: some new comics and the shirt I got at Hot Topic for Mikey, a gift card to a local tattoo parlor for Frank that he's mentioned a few times along with some other things (I want to get him some roses, but I'll wait to get them on Christmas Eve just before he arrives. I want them to be as fresh as possible and it'd be difficult to sneak out and get them when he's sleeping.) For my mom, she can be pretty difficult to shop for. She's been through so much shit for the past, nearly, half year. My mom deserves something perfect. I still wasn't able to find anything for her. At that thought, I decided to head to the mall. Even though it would most likely be beyond crowded with last minute shoppers.