Carving Pumpkins (Frank Iero)

Him

Okay there's a Frerard moment in this part just warning you

but homophobia is gay so

Him

I didn't know what to do. It'd been nearly three weeks since I'd seen Harlow kissing Andrew, and every night since, I'd come home to a drunken father demanding that I take Penney and move out because we're "ruining his life."

I was numb. I didn't care anymore. Back to how it used to be before Harlow; Penney was my only priority.

I grabbed the small girl's hand and dragged her quickly out the front door, trying to avoid her another beating. Our father hadn't touched Penney since the first time he'd hit her, which I'd vowed to be the last, but he'd definitely come close.

"YOU DAMN BASTARDS!" he yelled as I slammed the door behind us and started on the way to school.

After a few minutes of stomping down the sidewalk, blowing off steam, I heard Penney's small voice from behind me. "Frankie,"

I looked back down at her little red face; it was evident that she was trying not to cry. "Frankie, I'm scared."

I crouched down and looked at the little girl in front of me. "Hey, it'll be okay. I promise."

I smiled for the first time in three weeks.

Penney wiped her tears with her hoodie sleeve and sniffed. "Don't you dare lie to me, Frankie." Penney squeaked.

I stiffened and fought the urge to cry. Penney was right. I was lying; I knew nothing would get better.

I pulled her into a tight hug and she buried her face in my neck. "You smell like strawberries, Frankie." Penney giggled, her tears wetting the scorpion tattoo on the side of my neck.

I cringed, remembering what Harlow had said just a few days before our fallout.

Harlow wrapped her arms around my neck, her breath hot on my shoulder.

"Frank," She panted, her green eyes meeting mine. "I just..." She stopped, smiling against my collarbone. "I really, really like you."

I grinned, my stomach doing flips. "I really, really like you too." I said, kissing her gently.

Harlow buried her face in my neck and kissed around my scorpion tattoo. She licked up my jawbone and I shuddered.

"You smell like strawberries." She giggled.

I stood up abruptly and took Penney's hand again, a little more urgently than before. I pulled her behind me.

"Come on," I said frantically. "Let's get to school."

I knew that I needed to be strong for Penney, but I couldn't do that now, not with Harlow on my mind.

I stood in front of my locker and looked blankly at my books, willing my eyes to stay where they were instead of looking up a few inches to meet those green eyes that I loved and missed so much. Everyone else was already in class, but I didn't want to have to face her.

"Frank."

I stared at my chemistry notebook and willed her to go away. It hurt too much to look at her.

"Frank, please, let me explain."

"Explain what?!" I snapped, rage suddenly overtaking me. "What is there to explain? The process of you shoving your tongue down that asshole's throat?!"

I looked up at Harlow, her eyes wide and filled with tears. Just as quickly as the rage had overtaken me, it was gone, replaced with a wave of guilt. I didn't mean to say that, my temper had just gotten the best of me...