Since When Did You Become a Romantic?

Chapter 11: Hey, I Got a Stupid Idea

The cold air cracks against the windows so hard you can hear it. Late October is always nasty. There is a silence in the living room of the Way apartment. Lindsey sent Gerard off to go get some oranges or something. Now it's just her and the little Way. Sitting menacingly across from him, she has her arms crossed tightly. The quiet in the room is finally broken.

"So," Lindsey begins. "Do we want to repeat last time?"

Mikey's eyes are glued on the floor. He rubs his wrist subconsciously. "How much?"

"400," she replies brashly.

He can feel the weight in his stomach. Swallowing hard he confesses, "I- I don't have that much."

Lindsey doesn't skip a beat. "A certain Robert does. Or does he go by Tyler now?" Mikey looks up to see her clenching one of her hands into a fist. "You have a week." She slumps back in her chair. "I'm not going to beat you up like your last dealer but I will tell Gerard about you and Tyler," she has a wicked smile. "And we wouldn't want that or it's back to rehab."

Mikey can't stand looking at her any longer. He stands up and starts to walk to the door. "I'll get you the money," and just like that he's gone. Before he can leave the apartment, he meets Gerard at the door with a paper grocery bag full of oranges.

"Baby Way!" He says happily.

"Gotta go fast," he smiles a bit and moves past him.

Gerard spins around to see him walk into the cold night air. "Be home before midnight!"

"Will do," Mikey calls back while still marching forward. When he would actually be back is a mystery. Right now he needs to focus on getting money and Tyler is his best bet. He picks at the bottom of his denim jacket. He didn't really love Tyler. They were just there for each other when the other was lonely or sad. Lately, Mikey had been tossing out more empty pill bottles than dialing Tyler's number. He thought about the incident and how terrible he felt. Did he really tell his brother that he planned it? But was he lying? Sure the night was a bit of a blur and there was a lot of drugs but who's to say Mikey didn't want the incident? Maybe the drugs and booze were just the push for him? Mikey tried to push those thoughts from his head as he walks with only the lights from the street lamps. The sky is grey and cloudy, Mikey feels like it's too sad to have the moon out tonight. He pulls a loose cigarette out of his pocket and balances it in his mouth to light it. He walks slowly like a waltz almost. He closes his eyes and takes a long drag like someone who hadn't had a smoke in years. He has some repressed memories sneak ahead as he passes old hangouts and twisted trees. When he does get to Tyler's apartment he stands in front of the building unsure of what to do. He watches from across the street while th a few people come and go. The soft glow every time the door opens gives Mikey hope. a sliver of hope that maybe this time he'll feel satisfied . Maybe this time he can get the courage to tell Gerard what's going on just maybe. But when the door slams he loses it a. He makes his way over to the door without even looking to see if there are any cars. He looks down the list quickly and with hesitation he clicks the call button. A few buzzes and words later he is sitting in Tyler's living room sipping tea covered in blankets. Sure Tyler really only wanted him for sex but he can be a good person too. Tyler sat on the opposite end of the couch staring at him with a smile.

"Thanks," Mikey manages to whisper.

"You're hair looks cute tousled," he chuckles a little at his own word choice.

"Tousled? What am I a beach super model. This is grease and tears probably," Mikey smiles like he's joking.

Tyler let his socked feet brush up against Mikey's thigh. "Wanna tousle it some more?" He has a stupid look on his face.