Hidden From Reality

31

Frank

I stared down at Gerard as he snored quietly. This was the first time in months that he hadn't been woken up by nightmares. Now sunlight streamed through the window, marking the end of the successful night. I nudged him awake and he looked up, smiling gently. He got up ,slowly, and began to get ready for school. My dad had finally given him clearance to return to school, and I don't think I had ever seen Gerard more excited for something. He took a change of clothes into the bathroom and I heard the shower start. He walked out a few minutes later dressed in some band shirt and jeans. He smiled at me and we walked out to the kitchen. Another week had passed since Gerard had been taken by his mom, but he somehow seemed to be doing okay. He was talking to Mikey as he pulled on his shoes, smiling about something. He kissed me as he went back to our room, then waited for me at the front door. When we finally began the walk to school, Gerard held my hand, still smiling.

"What do you keep smiling about?"

"You'll see."

"Are you gonna surprise me or something?"

"If I told you, then it wouldn't be a surprise." We entered the school grounds and hung out for a bit before the bell rang. I spotted Mikey and Pete talking from across the courtyard as we began to make our way to first hour. We sat in our seats and Mr.Quinn started attendance. When the day finally dragged to a close, I got to find out what Gerard's surprise was. He led me somewhere, a blindfold masking my vision.

"Okay, you ready?" I nodded, eager to see what Gerard had gotten me. He removed the blindfold and I saw that we were in the park. A blanket had been set up with food, ranging from salads to what I recognized as Italian.

"You..."

"I know it's probably not what you were expecting, but, y'know, I had never really gotten to thank you for the hoodie, and for saving me from my mom not once but twice..."

"It's...Beautiful." Gerard smiled at me and sat on the blanket, gesturing to the spot next to him. I sat as he began to get out all the food, setting it up for easy access. When he finally gave the okay to eat, we both started piling our paper plates full of food. A little too quickly, the sun began to set. Gerard started setting up little battery powered lights that were shaped liked candles and began to spread them out.

"Wow, you really thought of everything, huh?"

"I like to be prepared. I also brought pillows and extra blankets, more pillows and, like-" I leaned over and kissed Gerard, interrupting him. I pulled away and laughed when I saw that he was blushing.

"A-and, um, uh...Blankets."

"Hey, it's okay. I think this is the best gift ever. So don't worry that pretty little head of yours." He nodded and set down his plate, then turned his head up to the sky. I looked up too, noticing all sorts of patterns. I put my plate down next to Gerard's and he began to clean up. Soon enough, we were both lying down, curled up under the blankets Gerard had brought. He cuddled into my shoulder and surprisingly I felt him snoring into my neck. I looked over at him and smiled. He sneezed in his sleep and rubbed his face further into my neck. I looked back up at the sky, then again at the boy sleeping next to me. I finally gave up on trying to stay awake, drifting off to sleep, cuddling up next to Gerard.