Strangers In A Dangerous World (Frikey)

Chapter Six: Maybe There Is Hope

I woke up in a dark room that I didn't recognize. I was lying on a bed that I had never seen before. I sat up quickly only to have my head spin and my bruises ache. I remembered all of what had happened, but I didn't remember coming here. I groaned and coughed loudly before clamping my mouth shut and just listening. I had no idea where I was and who could've taken me. I could remember falling in the park. There had been a guy on the swing. I coughed again and doubled over in pain before I heard any noise. I could hear someone coming towards me. They had floorboards that groaned with every step. I shut my eyes instantly and peaked through my eyelids. The door to the room opened hesitantly and a vaguely familiar face stuck his head through. Then, I remembered the park. I remembered riding the swing set with Mikey. I slowly opened my eyes and peered up at him. He let out a relieved sigh before he faintly smiled and left the door open. He made his way over to me slowly and I couldn't figure out why. My head was working like a sloth and I just wanted to sleep for another twenty years.

"Hey, your name is Frank, right?" Mikey sat down on the edge of the bed and clasped his hands on his lap. He looked down at them while I tried to sit up.

"Yeah, and you're Mikey." It wasn't a question, but Mikey nodded anyways. He was smiling from the corner of his mouth. We kind of sat there while my head throbbed, "What am I doing here?"

Mikey pulled one leg up onto the bed and tucked it under his butt while he left the other one touching the floor, "I was in the park kind of like yesterday. I needed to think and I had remembered what you said about coming back. I was just sitting there thinking things through when you entered the gate and fell. It was quite scary. You were out of it and I brought you back to my house." Mikey paused before taking a deep breath, "You fell pretty hard and hit your head. I was cleaning the blood off of your forehead when I saw the bandages and a bruise on your jaw. I don't know what happened, but it looks pretty severe."

I looked down at the bed and felt safe. I had never felt safe before except in Ray's house. I really liked it here already even if his room was a little messy. I reached up and touched my forehead. I could feel a new Band-Aid in its place and I wanted to cry. No one has ever taken care on me. I looked at Mikey and fought back tears, "Thank you for this."

He looked up and put on a half smile, "It's the least I could do. I would've changed your shirt because of the dirt and it was wet, but I didn't think you'd be comfortable. I have extra clothes in my closet and in the box over there. I'll leave and let you pick out some clothes and then meet me in the kitchen. I'll make you something if you want."

I nodded kindly while Mikey got up from the bed and shut the door behind him. I got off the bed shakily and found reached his closet quite easily. He had a lot of clothes and band t-shirts. I grabbed a Black Flag one and slipped it over my head. It was a little long, but it would do the trick. I spotted my duffel bag in the corner and then decided it was too late to change shirts again. I grabbed out a pair of pajama pants from my bag and then left the room to find the kitchen. I stumbled a little bit and realized how small his apartment really was. I only had to walk fifteen steps to reach his kitchen. Mikey was sitting awkwardly on the counter and when he saw me he just smiled. He hopped down from the counter and pulled out a glass from one of the cupboards and filled it with ice water. He slid it across the table and motioned for me to sit down. I slowly made my way to the small round table with only two chairs. I dranl the water and it felt good washing correctly down my throat. I hadn't really drunk anything since the coffee -toilet water didn't count either- or eaten anything since Ray's house last night. I heard my stomach growl and Mikey just brightened up, "What would you like to eat? I've got cereal, cereal, and ramen noodles."

I choked on my drink while Mikey looked at me with worry. I waved him off and grabbed protectively over my chest and stomach. I swallowed before I was finally able to laugh, "Cereal, I guess. I'm a vegetarian and most Ramen Noodles have some kind of meat product in them." Mikey nodded and listened to the information I had to give. He grabbed a bowl out from the sink before opening another cabinet and pulling down six different boxes of cereal.

"Lucky Charms, Cheerios, Frostes Flakes, Captain Crunch, Fruit Loops, or Fruity Pebbles?" I perked up as Mikey started grabbing me a spoon and getting the milk out.

"You are amazing!" I was bouncing like a child in my seat, but I didn't care, "Lucky Charms, oh my gosh! I haven't had those in forever!"

Mikey turned around and his eyes were wide. He was watching me carefully and trying hard not to laugh. He filled the bowl to the top and then brought it over to the table. He gave me the milk and I poured a lot in. Mikey grabbed himself a bowl down and filled it with Frosted Flakes. He saw down across from me and we just ate. We stayed silent until I finished my bowl.

"So, uh, do you need to take a shower or need a place to crash?" Mikey talked through a bite of his food and I couldn't help but feel happy in a strange way. For once in my life someone was taking care of me and it felt different but in a good way. I justed looked around the kitchen and realized how bare it was. His apartment was small and he didn't have a lot of furniture and I couldn't help but wonder if this was what made him unhappy.

"A shower would be nice, but I don't want to take advantage of how nice you've been. I'll be going in a little bit actually." I spoke softly and it physically hurt me to say this. I wanted to stay. I felt even worse when his face dropped in disappointment. I only wished I knew why my leaving was making him feel bad.

"Frank, I know that you are homeless and probably ran away." I stopped and stared at him in question. I technically hadn't done either, "I saw the duffel bag. I didn't lool inside but it was pretty full. I don't want to send you back into tje streets Jersey is dangerous at night."

Mikey stood up and put both of our empty bowls into the sink. He walked back over to me and lightly touched my face to check out my bruise. His fingers brushed lightly over my skin and goose bumps rose on my arms. I could feel a blush come over my face. I looked up and Mikey was somewhat blushing, "Can I ask you what happened or is that too intruding and rude?"

He didn't let go of my face, but he leaned in and I could feel his breath fanning my face. He traced over the bruise before he pulled back and his face turned a bright red. I realized that I hadn't answered him and I was blushing like crazy. I cleared my throat and answered his question, "I'll tell you some other time."

Mikey nodded and smiled lightly, "Okay, so do you want my bed or my bed?" He started washing the dishes while I rolled my eyes and laughed again. I was still blushing and the goose bumps were still there. I could still feel his fingers cradling my face. My breathing became shallow as I thought of it and had to push it out of my mind when he turned around. I mentally slapped myself and kept telling my mind to hold itself together. I couldn't be thinking like this. This guy was an adult and most likely straight. He would get into serious trouble if he even wanted a relationship with me. I knew that just by being here I was getting him into trouble. He could be charged with kidnapping or not returning me to my mom. I shuddered at the consequences while he watched me carefully, "How old are you, Frank?"

I looked down at the ground, "I'm sixteen, seventeen in a week. How old are you?" I didn't look up from the ground, but I could hear Mikey muttering under his breath. I looked up and he was running a hand through his hair nervously and he looked upet.

"I'm nineteen. I just turned last month. So, you're two years younger. Could I get into trouble for letting you stay here?" I could tell that Mikey was talking to himself more than me, so I cleares my throat. He looked up and worry was still on his face.

"Hey, you don't have to let me stay. I've got friends that I could go to. It's perfectly fine. I don't want to get you into trouble." It hurt my heart to say these things, but I meant it. I got up from the table and walked back into Mikey's room. I picked my duffel bag up and jumped when he was standing in the doorway.

"This is why I'm freaking out." He took a deep breath, "I don't want you to leave. I don't feel right letting you leave. I feel like something bad is going to happen if I just let you you walk out of here. It's your choice, though. Don't worry about me. I've got what I need." Mikey was now pacing in the room and he was looking everywhere except at me. I could tell that he wasn't a person who talked to very many people. He was awkward and had trouble expressing himself and oddly I wanted to stay. I had never really wanted to leave. He made me want to smile and I wanted to make him smile. I dropped my duffel bag and he stopped pacing and looked at me. I smiled shyly while he just looked. His eyes brightened and my heart stopped when he gave me his best smile. I had to remind myself to breathe. This could be a problem.

--------------

Song Of The Moment: This Is How I Disappear- My Chemical Romance

(It's been on repeat for an hour) <3