Learning How To Swim (Frerard)

13. I Hate Pete Wentz

In short, setting up the fireworks with Ryan's parents was a fucking nightmare.

Ryan's parent's were highly tolerant, bless them, but Gerard was certain they were willing to launch one of the kids instead of the fireworks when they were done. Pete was the worst of all of them, joking about dropping the rockets and throwing bag snaps at the feet of everyone; where he got them, nobody knew.

But that fiasco was finished, and Gerard was thankful as hell for that, and they had been hanging out at Pete's house for the remained of the day, until the fireworks show.

The term house was hardly something that was fit to describe the place. Gerard thought it would more fit the requirements of a mansion, like a summer home for the president. It was ridiculous, how Gerard hadn't seen it that night they went out on Pete's boat, because now it was impossible not to see it.

Gerard looked at Mikey, it appeared they were having the same thought. Everyone else seemed so nonchalant about the size of the house, but really, Gerard couldn't think of when he could just casually look at a house the size of this and think it's normal.

It was getting later in the night, almost time for the fireworks show, and they were in Pete's 'room' as he called it, which was really more of another house.

Gerard presumed it was the servant's quarters -seriously, who the hell was Pete's family?- with a loft with his bed, a full kitchen, a bathroom with a shower that probably cost more than Gerard's grandmother's house, and a living room complete with a flat screen TV.

Yeah, Gerard thought, 'room' my ass.

Pete, Ryan, Brendon and Mikey were all having a mindless conversation about some videogame Gerard had never heard of, while he was sat with Frank on one of the couches holding hands. They weren't talking, just enjoying each other's company, each other's warmth (even though it was kind of hot outside).

Gerard leaned down on Frank's shoulder, and Frank kissed his head, a warm feeling going down Gerard's spine. This is what a relationship should be like. No drugs, no death threats, no pressure to do stuff. Just nice, warm things. Even in the few days they had been together, Gerard felt better about everything.

He caught a snatch of the conversation Mikey and the others were having, something Pete said.

"Pete, what was that about your dad?"

Pete turned to Gerard, his smile slipping a little before he caught himself.

"Oh, I said he was in Washington. He works there most of the time. We were supposed to have a nice summer here, but something always happens where he has to go back." Gerard was shocked by Pete's bitter tone. He didn't want to pry, but Washington and Washington D.C. were two very different places.

"Um, D.C. or state?" Gerard said, and despite the solemn look on Pete's face, a worrying fire lit up in his eyes.

"D.C. He's in the House of Representatives." Pete deadpanned. Gerard just stared in shock.

"Okay...cool." Gerard squeaked. The room was stuck in an awkward silence for a while, until Frank cleared his throat to say:

"The fireworks might be starting soon, how about we head outside towards the lake, that's the best view." There was a mumble of approval from most of the group, and they all stood up to go outside.

Frank and Gerard held up the back of the line, Ryan and Brendon were at the front, and Pete and Mikey were in the middle. Gerard watched as Pete slid his hand to Mikey's lower back, just resting it there. Gerard narrowed his eyes and took a half step faster towards them, but Frank grabbed his arm.