Rain || Frerard

Chapter five

Frank stayed with me all day. We didn't go out because it was too bright and sunny, and decided to stay in and watch movies.

It was cliche and basic, but I like cliche and basic. So it was fine.

We talked. I learnt more about his friends and why he didn't live with his parents. But, he always seemed like he was holding back. Like he wanted to say more, but he couldn't. He was stopping himself.

I didn't push him. I don't want him to hate me for pushing him. I am not a therapist- it isn't my place to learn about his deep, dark secrets (whatever they could be).

"So," I'd started, sitting back on my spot on the sofa with a fresh bowl of microwave popcorn, "who was the dickhead who punched you? There are so many names- I'm shit at names."

He smiled a bit, "he's called Jimmy and he's a slut anyway. His girlfriend won't last long, but he's super protective of her."

I nodded a bit, "sounds like an ass."

"He's an ass." He agreed, "a total ass. His girlfriend hates his guts, too. But she can't break up with him. He'll make her life hell."

"Sucks." I mumbled, eating a disgusting amount of popcorn.

Frank glanced over at me and snorted, "you're gross."

I grinned at him, trying to say, "I know."

"Anyway," he continued, sighing a bit, "she kissed me, I guess to try and get Jimmy to break up with her. But- obviously- it backfired."

I couldn't speak because of the popcorn and just nodded.

"And the rest is history."

"Yeah.." I said quietly, finishing the fistful of popcorn in my mouth. "I'm sorry, though. You didn't deserve it."

"It's fine." He shrugged, "it doesn't hurt that much anymore. Can we talk about you now? I've been going on about my shitty ass life and it must be boring as fuck for you."

I smiled a bit, "I like hearing about your shitty ass life."

"Yeah, whatever. You're being polite." He'd said, rolling his eyes, taking a handful of popcorn, "your turn to talk."

---
He left at dusk because he said he had homework he hadn't done that was due first thing the next day.

And I had to work on this damn comic.

He left with a smile and I sloped back to the sofa, feeling all empty without him- which was pathetic. But I missed him irrationally, and just curled up with the remaining snacks and cold takeout pizza, then procrastinated until the next morning.

---
I woke up to my phone ringing and basically fell off the sofa to get to it.

"Gerard, where the fuck are you?"

Ray.

"What?" I mumbled sleepily, nursing the newly formed bruise on my arm from where I hit the floor.

"We have a meeting. The meeting. About out comic."

"You do all the meetings."

"Yeah, but this one is important."

I sighed, "Ray, you know what happened last time I was in a meeting."

"Then don't bring a lighter to this one." He snapped, "Gerard, I need you here in 10 minutes."

"But-"

He hung up before I could finish.

Then, it was a mad dash to a clean t-shirt, my laptop charger and to work.

I got there in 12 minutes.

---

I basically collapsed in the chair next to Ray, just 2 minutes late to the meeting that was apparently so important.

Then I looked at what it was about.

Funding.

I completely forgot about the fucking funding.

For some reason, I'd always assumed all the advertising and printing would just get done. I didn't think about the money behind it.

"And so, you are gonna need to get sponsors." The CEO announced. "Then, you will offer to advertise for them in your book, or- if you're confident you will do well- you could promise to pay them back."

I glanced over to Ray. He looked more worried than I think I've ever seen him. "You okay?" I whispered, poking his arm gently.

He nodded numbly, although I could tell he really wasn't.

The CEO gave me a 'look' for talking- like I was still in school or some shit- then continued. "You have a month to arrange this. Depending on if you are printing in colour or not, you will need to raise $1000- $20,000."

I bit my lip. Ray and I were publishing in colour, so it'd cost a lot more. He glanced over at me and sighed a bit.

"We're fucked." He whispered to me, "who the fuck would give us $20,000?"

"We might not need that much.." I whispered back, "if we're lucky."

"But we probably will."

I sighed and faceplanted the desk.

All eyes turned to me.

The CEO said sternly, "Mr Way, would you like to step outside?"

This wasn't really a question. So I did as I was asked, grabbing my shit and walking out, trying to appear calm and collected.

Ray texted me the moment I was out, "you idiot."

I grinned, then went to my desk and continued to work on the comic that now seemed to be less and less of a possibility.

I made it rain. It made me feel calmer.

I missed Frank. If he were here, everything would be better.

I just wanted to spend every moment of every day with him. He made me happy and when he was there, nothing else mattered. Because I was with him. And all was right with the world.

There's a theory that says that everyone is connected by an invisible thread to their soulmate. And this thread can stretch around the world if it has to, but they will always be connected. Which is why, when you are with the person at the other end of your thread, everything feels right.

I feel like that with Frank.

But he probably doesn't feel the same. I'm just Gerard- I'll give him pizza and talk to him about anything. I'm not romantically skilled in any way, shape or form.

And I fear I'll stay that way.