Death Is Strange

TWENTY

Jack White sat crosslegged on the floor of Gerard's room, his dark eyes solemnly flitting from Frank to Gerard.

Gerard found himself squirming a little under his gaze, but didn't look away. Something about him bothered Gerard, and he wasn't sure what it was. Maybe it was their similar haircuts, or the fact that they had the same facial structure, which almost made them look more like brothers than Gerard and Mikey.

Gerard realized that James was taking advantage of Jack looking around, and was seemingly checking him out. Gerard coughed. James looked at him, and Gerard made a slicing motion across his throat. Straight, he mouthed. James reddened slightly, but then he smirked. "So what do you guys think of that crazy-ass blue haired bitch in Photography?"

"She fucked me with her eyes once," Frank said. "But she also has a certain vibe that just... makes it kind of hard to hate on her."

"Pansy draws really well," Gerard said. "Other than that, I don't give a rat's ass. Girls aren't my thing."

His phone rang, and he grabbed it. Jeph's name was on the screen, and Gerard flinched at the background picture that showed up for his contact. Bert had thought it would be funny to have a naked picture of Jeph on Gerard's phone, but it was awkward now that Frank was looking over his shoulder at it. Gerard rolled his eyes, quickly answering. "Yeah, it's Gerard," he said.

"I need to see you. Alone. Now."

Gerard sighed. "Okay. Where are you?"

"I'm in the parking lot. I'm gonna drive you over to my apartment."

Gerard rubbed the back of his neck, looking over at Frank, whose eyes lit up with curiosity. "I'll be there in two minutes," Gerard decided, and ended the call.

"Is everything okay?" Ray asked when Gerard tucked his phone and wallet into his pocket and rummaged through the bottom drawer of his dresser, finding Bert's heavier sweatshirt and pulling it on over his t-shirt. Bert's black fingerless gloves were tucked in the corner of the drawer and he pulled those on, too.

"Yeah, Ray," Gerard finally said, absentmindedly. "Jeph needs to see me." Gerard glanced over at Frank, afraid that he'd be jealous, but he just looked concerned, and he got up, coming over and cupping Gerard's face in his hands, kissing him firmly. Maybe even a little possessively, Gerard thought when Frank pulled back. "Bye," Gerard said quietly. "I'll be back soon."

Jack waved, and James winked.

Gerard took a deep breath when he stepped outside. The sky was pale, light flickering somewhere behind the dark clouds that were slowly overtaking the horizon. The world was still and quiet. Apparently nobody wanted to venture out in the freak cold front. Gerard exhaled, his breath appearing in little puffs in the cold air.

Jeph was waiting with the window of his beat-up car rolled down, his elbow propped on the open window, a cigarette dangling from his fingertips. "Hello love," he said. He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "How shitty was this last week?"

Gerard slid into the passenger seat and yanked the door closed. "A kid jumped off the roof and Danny Worsnop got suspended. And still no leads on where the fuck Bert is."

Jeph sighed, tossing the butt of the cigarette out the window as he started the car and pulled out of the parking lot. "Damn." Neither spoke for several minutes, but it was a comfortable silence that Gerard was well acquainted with.

"You're wearing Bert's clothes." Jeph didn't ask questions, just stated the obvious.

"I miss him so fucking much. And I have some regrets." Gerard reached over and grabbed the pack of cigarettes hanging out of the pocket of Jeph's jacket. "Lighter?"