Teach Me to Know Better

16: Moonage Daydream

Authors Note:
I'm so so so sorry that this is super late. I've been handling some mess. I'm somewhat back to normal now. I hope y'all still enjoy this. Even though I'm sure it's been about eight months.  I started going to therapy again.  So hopefully this marks a steady incline. 
Thank you so much for your patience.  Your participation is so very much appreciated.  I love you guys. 

"God fucking dammit Ray." Frank was mumbling as he clutched his phone in his hand. Fumbling to press redial. He surveyed the campus parking lot, and the El Camino was nowhere to be seen. He paused for a moment and began to think, when was the last time he'd actually seen his friend last. Which was right after lunch.  He was a neglectful friend.  What if something happened.  The call went to voicemail and he returned the phone to his pocket.  He turned back to the door, and out came Mr. Way.  He seemed sullen, which was odd to Frank.  The both of them had been grinning like idiots just moments ago.  So Frank decided he would call out to him.
"Mr. Way!  Have you seen Ray?" 
He was met with apprehensive eyes.  Gerard licked his lips while he unlocked the car.  He fully turned to look at Frank.  It made the boy take a step back. 
"Meet me behind that gas station across the street, I'll give you a ride."  Gerard then threw his satchel into the passenger foot well and started the car.  Frank got the picture, he was even more so worried now than he had been before.  Something bad had to have happened.  
Frank waited patiently for his teacher.  Taking the time to smoke. Hoping that the nicotine would soothe his nerves before he started to panic. He was so caught up in his train of thought he never realized the car had pulled up near him until Gerard said his name.  Cigarette tucked tightly between his left pointer and middle finger.
"I'm so sorry", He flushed and fidgeted while he climbed into the car. The old car smelled distinctly of  coffee, cigarettes, and something uncharacteristically sweet and minty.   It confused Frank, it was nothing that he thought Gerard would have liked. Gerard had heard him sniffing and it caused him to chuckle. 
"Don't apologize, and that weird smell is Mikey's fault.  He spilled some weird minty shake in my car awhile back and I still can't get it out of the carpet."
"I see, sorry for avidly sniffing your car interior." Frank had no clue what to say or do.  He was anxious.  Despite his attraction to the older man, and his more recent displays of maturity and confidence, his sense of self was wavering.  Then before he could explain himself Gerard began to laugh, it was a wheezing ugly laugh.  It made Frank feel well enough to chuckle along with the older man.
"I never thought I would ever hear that, you saying it just makes it so much better."  The two laughed until Gerard straightened up and pulled the car put into the street.  As Gerard drove to the pub he decided to mention the circumstances of his having to drive Frank to the show.  
"Ray got in a fight today."
"You're fucking me right?"  The choice of words had his teacher at a loss.  He cleared his throat, and carried on. 
"Ray was approached in the bathroom earlier today by another student.  He instigated the fight and Ray reacted in self defense.  Ray did hurt the guy pretty badly.  He may or may not get simple battery. "  Frank listened, his heart rate quickening. "He did fill out a police report. He did mention to me, and only me that the guy had been harassing you...in a sexual manner.  That's what he had been approached about."  His heart dropped, and he clenched his hands on the knees of his slacks.  Not crying. Almost wanting to cry, but he was too angry.
"Yeah. So he was talking about me?"
"He apparently made a proposition.  That Ray could let him have intercourse with him, or he would continue making advances on you. Your friend chose neither, obviously.  He took the high road, and I'm proud of him."

Frank didn't know what to do, much less what to reply.  So he left it at that.  He was silent for the rest of the ride with his hands clasped in a relaxed posture.  His shoulders hunched.  To Gerard his body language screamed defeat.  Gerard hoped that the incident today wouldn't affect their night. He texted Mikey when they pulled into the parking lot.