pretty when you cry//frerard

chapter 6

Gerard spit the last bit of tooth paste in the sink before rinsing out his mouth, He stared at his reflection in the mirror. How could you not even recognize yourself after a month in a new place?

But the boy staring back at Gerard had sunken cheeks, the large bruise he got from the party last week was faded, but definitely visible. He had long hair that brushed his shoulders, and his eyes. His eyes were bright and full of excitement.

This, this reflection is not the Gerard he knew, and it was scaring him. He sighed, pushing the door of the bathroom open, surprised to see his mom in the door way, her hand up as if she was about to knock.

"Mom!" He gasped, throwing his arms around the woman. The smell of her perfume making him feel like a little kid again.

"Gerard... What did you do?" She asked, her thumb grazing over the bruise on his face.

"I got in a fight... It's okay though, I'm fine." He told her. She smiled slightly, looking up at him.

"My god you've grown.. look at you." She shook her head, a look of amazement on her face.

"Mom.." Gerard whispered. "Where were you?" His voice cracked.

"Oh you know, I had things to do.. with work and stuff." She said, brushing it off quickly. "Nevermind that, I'm back now!' she exclaimed, embracing him once more.

"Now where is Mikey? I-" "Donna?" A gruff voice sounded from down the hall. Gerard rolled his eyes. Of course David had to ruin the moment.

"Oh! David!" She said with a suspicious, airy laugh. "I was just stopping in!" She told him, catching Gerard's attention. "Wait, mom. What do you mean you're just stopping in? Aren't you staying?" He asked her. "In town, yes. Here? No. I got an apartment down the street!" She told him, a smile still playing on her lips.

"But this is your house." He pointed out. She waved a hand, looking back over at David.

"I've been gone for a while, David's been paying the bills for it anyways, figured I'd let him stay here, and you and Mikey can come live with me." She told him. Gerard had to scoff at that.

"Pay the bills? You actually thought this piece of shit payed the bills?" He laughed out loud. "I paid the bills mom, me. I did. I paid the bills so me and you and Mikey could stay here, not this douche bag." He told her. His mom stared at him in horror.

"Where do you get off using that sort of language in front of your mother?" She snapped, going from happy to angry instantly. "Where do you get off leaving us!" Gerard shouted suddenly, his eyes flickering over to where David stood silently. "Where do you get off leaving us with him! He doesn't love us mom! Neither do you!" He was seeing red. Gerard turned and rushed to his room, slamming the door shut. The loud bang woke up a tired Mikey who was sleeping peacefully in Gerard's bed.

"Gee?" Mikey asked, letting out a yawn. "Mom's home." He said. He couldn't get out another word before Mikey was running down the hall.

Gerard watched as his younger brother jumped into his mother's arms. As their mother ran her fingers soothingly through Mikey's hair. He needs a haircut. He noted. Suddenly he scoffed at himself. What was he doing? He's not the parent, his mom was. He didn't have to worry about Mikey's hair or clothes or if he had food on the table. His mom did. Quickly, but quietly he shut the door, sitting on the edge of his bed.

It was nearing 11PM now, and he could still hear his brothers excited chatter as he told their mother everything she missed while being gone from their lives.

He wanted to cry, he wanted to scream. But he was hungover and he was tired, so all he did was throw the covers back and lay down.

Frank tied the skeleton bandana up to cover his face and grabbed a can, he carefully sprayed the last details of his "art" onto the wall. Most people would call this vandalism, but not Frank, Iris and kellin, they saw it as fine art on the highest degree. Frank smiled in satisfaction, staring at the masterpiece.

It was perfect.

"Iero." Kellin whispered, his voice cut through the night. Frank turned, watching as kellin held his hand up. Frank skillfully tossed him a can of spray paint from his large bag- colored neon orange- before grabbing another one to hand to Iris. They had already emptied a few cans, but they had plenty more.

Suddenly, there was a a noise behind them, and Frank whipped around quickly, watching in horror as a light flicked on. He heard yelling and not even a second later, a siren sounded and all three of their heads shot up.
With a single silent agreement, the three teenagers scrambled to their feet and took off running.

"Where do we go!" Kellin asked, sprinting next to frank.

"This way!" Iris responded, pushing ahead so she could lead them some where, her hood had fallen down and her neon green hair bounced on her shoulders.

Frank's lungs burned. He was definitely slower than the other two. Kellin turned his head, stifling a groan he noticed his friend slowing down. Kellins hand gripped the back of Frank's backpack, pulling him along.

The two boys looked at each other, but followed their friend to where she was leading them.

She took a sharp turn, going up to an apartment door. She dropped to her knees and pulled a shiny pin out of her hair.

"Iris!" The boys hissed, standing in the shadows of a nearby dumpster.

She jammed the pin into the key hole, and wiggled it. Suddenly, the door opened, and Iris smirked at them before  straightening up and walking in.

When Gerard awoke, it was to the sound of rustling downstairs. Mikey wasn't in his bed. Go figure, he probably snuggled up with their mom and got scared and is now rummaging around down there.

Gerard swung his legs out of bed making his way down stairs as the noises got louder.

He became worried, and grabbed the first thing that could be used as a weapon - which was one of his torn up converse that we're sitting on the stairs, and began slowly making his way towards the kitchen

He held the shoe up like a knife, and quickly flipped on the light, jumping slightly as he saw them.

Iris, Kellin and Frank stood in the kitchen. Their cheeks were red and their hair was wind blown. All three of them were dressed in all black (like usual) and were breathing heavily.

"Iris?" He questioned. But that's all he could say before they all started talking at once.

Gerard shook his head, trying to understand what they were saying but they were all so frantic. "What the fuck guys?" He asked over them, trying to silence their loud bickering.

"You have to like call or something before you come over and like at." He paused to check his phone, "three in the morning? Really? How'd you even get in here?" He asked.

Iris held up what looked like a small pin and shrugged.

"You broke into my house?"

"We were running from the cops!" Iris said excitedly.

And right on cue, there was a knock on the front door.