Faker

Chapter 2

Oh fuckity fucking fuck. How the bloody hell is Frank supposed to tell Gerard that Brendon is dating Ryan? Well, fake dating, but he can't tell Gee that it's fake or else the whole purpose of Brendon and Ryan fake dating will be useless. Who even started fake dating anyway?! Frank should've never started fake dating Gerard so that Brendon and Ryan wouldn't ever have started fake dating because Frank fake dating Gerard caused Ryan to be jealous, so now him and Brendon are fake dating just to make Gerard jealous and this whole thing is a mess. Everything is too complicated; or maybe Frank is overthinking things. This high school has too much fake dating. Frank decides to go straight to Gerard's house instead of going to his house.

Frank knocks on the door a total of three times, then knocks again when there's still no answer. Frank sighs, turning to walk home when a gust of warm air and the smell of cookies envelopes him. Frank turns around to see Gerard in all his entirety. Gerard's usually black hair is covered in a white powder like substance and he's wearing a crooked grin, along with an apron that states "Kiss The Chef." On his face and arms are traces of food coloring and frosting and Frank decides that Gerard looks like the human version of the word "gay" itself. Frank has to internalize an "aww" because in this moment Gerard looks fucking adorable, but let's be real, when does he not?

"Hi, Frank! Can I be of your service?" Gerard says with a terrible British accent, giving an awkward wave and a slight bow.

Frank just looks at Gerard with a slight smile, and after what seems like a year realizes he's staring and clears his throat.

"Uh... Did you say something?" Frank says with a blush creeping up on his face. Gerard laughs and tells him to come inside.

Frank then remembers what he's going to tell Gerard and decides that Gerard is too happy right now, so Frank saves it for later. "Making cookies? What's the occasion?" Frank inquires, gazing at one of the cookies hungrily.

Gerard waves a dismissive hand, "Oh, can't a boy just make cookies for his fake boyfriend?" He giggles. Frank's pretty sure he just died because Gerard's giggle was the most heavenly thing he heard.

Frank snatches a cookie swiftly, taking a bite. "Aw, don't know what's sweeter. The cookie, or you," Frank deadpans, sarcastically winking at Gerard. He smiles at Frank, not replying to him. Frank notices that his face is tinged with red, and he clears his throat. "Actually, I... Need to say s—"

"Gee! You making cookies?" calls a voice from upstairs suddenly. Frank isn't sure whether to be disappointed or relieved. A tall, thin boy comes down the stairs, glasses sliding down his nose slightly. It's Gerard's brother, Mikey, he realizes. He looks at Frank oddly. "That's not Ryan," he snorts, grabbing a cookie himself.

"I'm aware," Gerard sighs. "Frank is my delighted replacement."

"Explain," Mikey demands, mouth full of food, making Gerard cringe.

"Keep that mouth closed while you chew, and sure I will," Gerard retorts. Mikey obliges, and Gerard continues. "Ryan broke up with me because I kind of cheated on him in my drunken manner. Frank's here because of payback. As in, he's fake dating me for envious purposes."

"Damn." Mikey laughs and swallows down his food. "I don't think Ryan'll care much. He's got a new boy toy, showing him off all day at school. Haven't you noticed?"

Gerard's eyes widen, and he shakes his head slowly, looking at Frank. Frank's heart is pounding, and he clenches his fists, keeping his arms down in an attempt to not punch the kid.

"Can I take the tray up to my room?" Mikey questions. Gerard stiffly nods, and he grabs the cookies, rushing up to his room. They hear the door slam shut.

"Holy fucking shit," Gerard breathes.

Frank stays silent, his mouth forming a straight line. Why the fuck didn't I tell him earlier? Oh god, he's gonna kill me. Fuck—I'm the worst fake boyfriend ever, Frank thinks to himself. He rubs his eyes and lets out a sigh, covering his face. Frank risks a glance at Gerard through his hands, seeing the older boy staring ahead without any emotion; and honestly that scared Frank. Gerard looks as if any sudden movements would cause him to fall apart.

"H-Hey, Gee? You okay, dude?" Frank asks, taking a hesitant step towards Gerard. Frank places a hand on Gerard's shoulder and cringes when Gerard suddenly spins around and grabs Frank's shirt.

"F-Frank! He doesn't care about me anymore! He's moved on and gotten another boyfriend. You're fake, I don't have any fucking feelings for you!" He sobs, hugging Frank tighter.

Wow, that fucking stings, Frank thinks to himself, flinching a bit. "It'll be okay. I'm sure it's fake and that Ryan still loves you," the younger says to the crying boy, trying to drop hints that Ryan's relationship is as fake as theirs. "Look Gerard, I need to tell you something." Frank says, crouching so he's only a bit shorter than the crying mess in front of him. Gerard looks up, sporting quite possibly the saddest sad puppy face Frank has ever seen. "Gee—don't be mad at me okay? But... uh.. Ryan's fake dating Brendon so you'll get jealous."

"Aren't you friends with Brendon? Can you do something about it?" Gerard pleads. Frank sighs.

"I tried. Didn't work out. Ryan's got him in a weird situation," Frank explains. "Brendon's only fake dating him so he doesn't spill some secrets. I'm sure there's a way to break them up, though."

Gerard raises an eyebrow, seemingly calming down. "What do you mean? Secrets?" Gerard questions. Frank bites his lip, looking at Gerard's hopeful expression. He waits patiently for Frank to reply, but he doesn't know what to do. It's between the odd thing that's formed into a crush, or his best friend.

"H-he... He's got a thing for Dallon Weekes," Frank mutters. "And his parents are Mormon. Really religious."

Gerard has a wicked smile plastered on his face, and Frank is sweating slightly. What the fuck has he just done?

"We'll find this kid's sweet spot, then."

=-=-=

The next morning, Gerard and Frank come into class holding hands. Students murmur and squeal over them as they get into their seats. Frank can't pay attention properly to anything. Not to Gerard, not to the gossip. All he can think of is what's going to happen.

Frank sees Brendon enter, and he nudges Gerard with his elbow, pointing at Brendon. They get up from their seats, approaching the boy quickly. They block his path. Brendon rolls his eyes. "I'm gonna take a wild guess and say you've heard," he says.

Frank knits his eyebrows together. "Is that a fucking hickey? Christ, you sure you're fake dating?"

Brendon shrugs. "It's just makeup. Ryan said it'd add some shock factor, or whatever." He lets out a long sigh. "What do you guys want? If this is about Ry—"

"It is," Gerard cuts in. "You need to break up with him."

"I'm not doing that," Brendon scoffs.

"Sure you are. Either Ryan spills your secret or I do," Gerard replies. Brendon freezes. "Here comes Dallon!" Gerard exclaims, making Brendon flinch.

Dallon smiles at them. Frank nervously runs a hand through his hair, eyes shifting between the three boys. "Hey, you guys," Dallon greets.

"We were just talking about you, actually," Gerard informs him, a sweet smile decorating his face. Dallon raises his eyebrows, and Brendon stares down at his feet.

Frank has two options: spill the secret himself, ruining Brendon, or stop Gerard, ruining his hopes of ever hanging out with him again. This is his one chance.

Frank isn't sure he likes having all of the pressure.