Headfirst for You

Ch 7 Stage 4 Fear of Trying

Gerard woke to the sound of people talking and a dog barking.

"What the fuck?" He rubbed his face and shuffled out of bed towards his door. All he could hear was muffled noises and laughter, so he half-assed a shower got ready. He looked over at the small pile of clothes on the floor and realized he needed to return Frank's shirt. At least he now had an excuse to see him.

Gerard walked down the hall and down the stairs to find a family in the living room. "Ma?"

Donna noticed Gerard and hurried over. "Aunt Karie is over with the kids. Behave."

"But mom, I've gotta go return Frank his shirt and he told me I left something over there. And I have to work on something..."

Donna sighed and nodded. "Go. Go ahead..."

"Thanks." Gerard looked at her with reassuring eyes that he wasn't doing anything horrible. And with that he left and walked the small distance that it was to Frank's house.

Linda opened the door and smiled. "Hey Gerard, what's up?"

"Frank said I left something."

Linda moved so Gerard could come in. "Frank! Gerard's here!" She turned to Gerard and said "Don't take too long." She winked and made her way to her sewing room.

Gerard stood by the door and waited until he heard the faint thump of footsteps coming down the hall.

"Good afternoon." Frank came up next to him and hugged his side.

"I had your shirt." Gerard handed it to him.

Frank laughed "Yeah, you left yours too." He stood back and posed the stupidest pose Gerard ever saw. "It's kinda comfy, I might keep it."

Gerard felt his face rise in heat, "Did you sleep in it?"

Frank inched closer and rubbed his nose against Gerard's ear, "Mmhm. And the whole time I was thinking of you. I just couldn't contain myself the whole night so I might have-"

"-Come on Frank." Gerard rolled his eyes. "I love that shirt." He playfully slapped the punk's arm.

"But it suits me more. Frank, Frankenstein. You should get like Dracula or something since you're so fucking pale." He defended.

"Well, when's your birthday?" Gerard asked while Frank finally gave in and took it off, changing into the one that he just returned.

"Halloween."

"Well, you might just get one. If you behave well."

Frank stepped closer, "What do you mean, behave?" He whispered into Gerard's ear.

"Good bye Frankie." Gerard pushed his chest lightly and playfully as he left to endure his annoying family.

Frank stood in the doorway watching the pale kid walk down the sidewalk into his house, feeling his chest melt like the skin of a vampire in the sun.

Gerard walked back inside the house, making sure Donald saw him and then disappeared into his room, left to paint and wear his Frankenstein shirt that smelled so much like Frank, it killed him.

"Gerard?"

Gerard turned around to find Donald in his doorway and holding a box.

"Can I come in?"

Gerard nodded and moved his paints so the man wouldn't get dirty.

"Why aren't you downstairs?"

"You know I don't like Aunt Karie's kids. They're animals."

Donald laughed, "I'll agree with you on that." He leaned against Gerard's bed to relax and get a look at Gerard's painting. "Karie can be a little uptight too."