Rejects

Chapter Eleven - Hate Circle

Frank was not walking. Frank was not graceful. Frank was not peaceful. Frank was stomping, Frank was fuming, Frank was fucking pissed and ready for some serious shit.

I cowered away, knowing why Frank was angry and what was about to come. Mikey, clueless, began to smile and wave until he saw the way Frank was not walking, but stomping over to us.

I hid behind Mikey, who asked, "Hey, Frank, what's wrong?"

"Well wouldn't you like to know?" Frank replied snidely. Mikey furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

"Frank..." I started quietly, but he held up his hand and said, "No, Gee, don't. I got this."

"You," He pointed an accusing finger at Mikey, "Are the problem."

"Me? What did I do?"

"Oh please, don't act stupid. Why the hell did you get mad at Gee for kissing me? He can kiss whoever he damn well pleases!" I flinched at the anger in his voice.

Mikey's face suddenly went dead as he realized what was upsetting Frank.  I tried to cower away even more, wanting to be anywhere else, but Mikey finally pulled me in front of himself.

"You told him?"

Trying not to cry, I was only able to give a small nod.  Frank swatted Mikey's hands off my shoulders and said, "Of course he told me, I'm part of the reason you got pissed off!"  To this Mikey retorted, "What Gee neglected to mention was that I didn't get mad at him, or you, for kissing.  I got mad because he left for hours with no explanation as to why." 

"Does he really need an explanation?  He can take care of himself!"

"He's never been a part of the outside world before."

"Well he is now."

"I know, but he still needs to learn."

"So what, I'm not allowed to help teach him?"

"That's not the point."

"Then what is the point?!"

"The point is that-"

"STOP!" I shouted suddenly, causing them to both go silent and look at me in surprise.  I just wanted them to stop yelling at each other, people were starting to give us strange looks as they passed by.  "Stop yelling at each other," I breathed, "Frank, I'm sorry I forgot to tell you, but Mikey and I made up.  On the way to school today, we sorted things out."

Frank looked up at Mikey, who stared back at him.  "Still," Frank started, "He shouldn't have gotten upset in the first place."

"I was only worried!  I'm allowed to be worried about where my brother is." Mikey shot back defensively.  Sensing that they were about to start yelling again, I put my hands up and tried to separate them.  "Please, stop," I murmured. 

By now most of the kids had gone inside, and it was pretty much just the three of us, and a few stragglers by the door.  Mikey looked around, then between Frank and I and said, "You two need to sort your shit out, and then come talk to me.  I was being perfectly reasonable, you two need to sort your shit out."  Then he walked away. 

"No, Mikey-" I began to speak, but Frank stopped me.  "Just let him leave, Gee.  He'll come around."  I turned to face Frank with tear stained eyes. 

"I'm sorry." I muttered. 

"For what?"

"For this.  Mikey's mad at both of us, and you're mad at Mikey, because of me, so I guess I'm mad at myself.  I'm sorry I made you both get mad."