**Gerard's POV**
It had been almost a week, and it was so much quieter without Frank here. Nobody else in this house knew where Frank was really going, except for me of course. It was difficult hearing "Frankie" so often, but I can't imagine how hard it would be for Frank himself. I missed that boy so much.
//
The fallen leaves crunched under my feet as I treaded towards the school, or maybe the crunching sound came from the glass-like ice shards that lay scattered across the landscape of this small Jersey town.
Perhaps it was just my imagination, but I began to hear an Iero boy's footsteps fall closer towards me.
"Gerard!"
"Josh?"
I spun around to see Frank's brother walking towards me.
"How's Frank? Is he okay?" I whispered, finding myself all too worried for Frank.
Josh let out a reassuring smile.
"Frank is fine. He landed in Long Island a day ago. He'll be heading to meet his roommate now."
I smiled, "Thank the stars."
Josh proceeded to run ahead of me, towards the school.
Another day without Frank was another day of hell.
//
I slammed my locker shut and found Ronnie standing next to me, smirking.
"Hey faggot."
I rolled my eyes, ignoring him completely as I turned away and walked toward class.
The halls were full of people, he wouldn't dare make some sort of scene, would he?
"I'm talking to you!" He shouted, following me closely.
I shoved my hands in my pocket and walked faster, trying to ignore him.
I heard his footsteps speed up from a walk to a run.
I bolted through the halls, anxiety flooding my thoughts。
"Way get back here!"
He pinned me aggressively against a locker, students backing away cautiously, but their eyes staying on Ronnie and I.
"How's your little tranny... Frankie, is it?"
(Remember day Frank and I were confronted by Ronnie at hot topic? Well that night, Ronnie took it upon himself to alert the whole fucking school that Frank was transgender.)
I struggled against him, but he was stronger than I remembered.
"Shut up!" I aimed for where his balls should be and kicked him as hard as I could.
I dropped to the ground, searching the facial expressions of my fellow peers. Shock. Fear. Pity. Confusion.
I rose to my feet and my jaw was greeted with Ronnie's clenched fist.
I stumbled back in shock.
"Tell her I miss her dearly, would ya?" A smirk began to grow wildly on his face.
"Shut the fuck up, Ronnie." I spat, finding my footing.
Ronnie threw another punch at me, this one stronger than the last.
And he threw another... and another... and another...
Until it stopped.
"Get off him!" Shouted a familiar voice; Ray.
I blindly stumbled back and held where I had been hit. I grinded my teeth together and breathed heavily.
I opened my eyes and saw Ray, Tyler, Josh and some other kids pulling Ronnie away from me.
He slipped out of their grip and pushed them away, proceeding to make eye contact with me.
"Watch your fucking back." He growled, walking away slowly.
All the students continued with their ordinary lives as if nothing had just happened.
I ran as best I could in this pain, towards the bathrooms.
"Gerard-"
I ignored the concerned call of Josh, and kept running.
Throwing myself against the bathroom wall, and sliding down to the floor seemed like the best thing to do, so I did.
I held my knees to my chest and cried violently. My entire body shaking and screaming, my head thrashing against my arms.
Was I crying from the physical pain, or the mental? Not even I knew for sure.
"Gerard?"
I looked up and squinted through my tears to see Josh and Ray.
Ray ran to my side, holding me tightly, causing me to cry louder.
Josh kneeled down in front of me, biting his lip to stop himself from tearing up.
"Wh... what did I... what did I do?" I whispered, my voice shaky and cracking.
Ray held me closer, his hair brushing gently against my bruising cheek.
"Gerard I'm so sorry. You don't deserve this at all..." he whimpered.
I looked up at Josh,
"Don't tell Frank."
"Gerard... Frank n-"
"Please."
Josh put his hand on my arm and nodded relunctantly, "If that fucking asshole touches you again, you better tell me."
I nodded my head slowly, "This isn't the first time-"
"What!?"
I held my breath.
Shit...
"Nothing." I sighed, resting my head on my arms again.
Ray and Josh forced my head up and looked boldy into my teary eyes.
Josh began to speak,
"Has he... done this before?"
I nodded, "Every school day for the past 2 weeks... It's getting worse..."
I burst out crying, feeling so pathetic and vulnerable.
"Gerard I'm sorry!" Sobbed Ray, holding my head to his chest.
"I'm scared,"
I slowly pulled away from Ray and leant my head back against the wall.
"what if he goes after Frank when he gets back?"
Josh and Ray held me in their arms.
"We aren't going to let that happen." Cried Ray.
Josh nodded, "Not a fucking chance."
I cried louder.
I missed Frank so much.
