Frerard-Complicated

Chapter 4: A decision

Frank:

Frank lay in his bed. He heard a shout from downstairs, then what sounded like a plate being smashed. Great, this was going to be a long one. It had been a few weeks since the last fight, the night before he had started work. Since the last one the whole house had been filled with an icy silence. It wasn't just hostility, it was a crushing sense of disappointment. There came the sound of another crash from downstairs. Frank sat up. Fuck this. He wasn't going to sit and listen to this anymore. He quickly changed into whatever clothes he could find on the floor. Then he ran down the stairs and straight through the front door, trying to ignore his mother's tear stained face and his father's shouts. He ran right past them but it was as if they were so wrapped up in themselves they couldn't even see him. Out on the sidewalk he started to shiver. Jersey was freezing in winter, and he was only wearing a T-shirt. He couldn't stay out here, that much was obvious. But he couldn't face going back in there either. So where? He could go to Jamia's, beg her to let him crash on her couch. But for some reason, the idea of doing that felt wrong. He had no other friends, his constant rages having driven them all away. He could only think of one other person. Gerard. But he had only known him for a few weeks, and he wasn't even sure that Gerard even knew that he had written down his address from the store address book. But the air outside was cold, and besides it wasn't exactly safe to be out on the streets alone at night anyway. So he set off, walking briskly and trying not to think exactly what it meant that he would rather go to Gerard in the middle of the night than Jamia.

Gerard

Gerard lay on his bed, feeling utterly miserable. Since he had run into the back room weeks ago, where he had spent two hours repeating "he has a GIRLFRIEND" to himself, he had tried to distance himself from Frank. But it was impossible. Something about Frank drew Gerard to him like a moth to a flame. And now he was lying there, drawing his millionth picture of Frank's face and wishing that things could be different. Suddenly, he heard the doorbell ring. Probably one of Mikey's friends. He at least seemed to be popular, which was a massive improvement on Gerard's high school years. Mikey had graduated a year ago, but hadn't bothered applying to any universities or getting a job. Being the baby of the family, he didn't seem to feel the same sense of responsibility as Gerard. He could easily picture him living at home forever. He heard the door open and Mikey's voice greeting whoever it was at the door. Then he heard the voice of the person and nearly fell off the bed. He jumped up and ran to the hall. Frank stood uncertainly in the doorway, shivering so hard he looked as if he was vibrating. Gerard pushed his brother aside and grabbed Frank's arm. He pulled him through the door and towards his room. Mikey stood in the hall, staring after the pair with a knowing expression. "Mum said don't bring any more boys home, Gee!" he called after them, laughing. Gerard didn't answer, just pushed Frank into his room and slammed the door behind them.

He looked at Frank. His hair had no gel in, and was all ruffled and dishevelled. His eyes were red and puffy, and his cheeks were stained with tears. He was wearing a seriously manky shirt covered in holes and his lips were shaking.He looked so young and scared. On impulse, Gerard pulled him into a hug. Frank melted against him, relaxing and burying his head into Gerard's chest. They stood like that for what felt like an hour. Then they moved apart. "Frank, what happened? Did you break up with Jamia?" he asked (trying not to sound too hopeful). Frank shook his head. "Just...the usual. I couldn't stand to listen to it anymore. Could I stay here tonight please? I know we don't really know each other but...well I didn't really have anywhere else to go." Gerard considered saying no for a second. I mean, this was just going to be too weird. But one look at Frank's face and he knew he could never turn him away. "Sure you can Frank. You can come here whenever you want."