You Had Me At Hello

11: Hold Your Head High Heavy Heart

"I don't know if this is such a good idea," I said as Mikey slipped his shoes on. "I mean, it's been almost three months. I get it. I just don't know whether or not a Halloween party is a wise decision." I felt arms wrap around my shoulders. Gerard rested his chin on my head.

"Why do you say that?" He asked, pulling me closer to him. I tilted my head back and he kissed my forehead.

"It's not that I don't trust you. I don't trust others to respect your decisions and your limits. I know that you have done so well, and I just don't want to see you slip up because some asshole has a bet placed on how many shots you can take." He chuckled for a second.

"I don't really think you know how that works. I get what you're saying though. If you don't want us to go, then we don't have to. I just thought it would be nice to get out. Plus, I just figured Mikey didn't want to go alone, in case Frankie bails on him again. I assumed that's why he asked if we wanted to go."

"Exactly," Mikey piped up. "Frankie is constantly inviting me to shit, and then he just bails on me. If he even shows up that is. I really want to go, because I'm hoping to see someone there tonight, but I don't want to go alone." I glared at him before sighing.

"I guess," I accepted reluctantly. "Just going on record to say that I think this isn't a good plan. If my opinion counts for anything..." Gerard turned me around to face him.

"Sugar, your opinion is everything to me. If you don't want to go, or if you specifically don't want me to go, just tell me. I won't do anything that you don't want me to." I looked into his eyes. I could see how much he wanted to go. I also saw how afraid he was of disappointing me.

"Please," Mikey pleaded. "Don't make me go by myself." I turned to look at him. "Look, if you must know, there's a girl that I'm hoping to see. I met her at one of the parties I went to, and I never got her name, but we really clicked. I've been trying to reconnect with her since." You dick. You had to play the missed connection card.

"By the code of the wing-person, if there is a missed connection..." I started reciting our pact. His eyes lit up and he smiled at me.

"The wing-person in question must give their all to aid the friend in need." Gerard looked at us like we were insane.

"I guess we'll go, but Mikey? You better find this girl," I warned. He nodded. I stepped out of his room and went down the hall to Gerard's. I opened his closet and began searching.

"What are you looking for exactly?" He asked as I pulled out one of his shirts. I held it up to him.

"I needed some clothes, and I don't want to have to go all the way home just to find a shirt," I explained as I pulled my shirt off. I slipped his on, and I caught him staring at me. "What's so amusing?"

"I just love that you help yourself to my clothes. I don't mean that in a bad way. I just never thought I'd be in a relationship like this," he said as he stepped towards me. I wrapped my arms around his waist, resting my head against him.

"I can hear your heart." I listened to the calming rhythm.

"You wanna know something?" I nodded. "You're the reason it's still beating. If you hadn't come into my life when you did, I highly doubt that I would be standing here today." I felt a catch in my throat. "Thank you for giving me a purpose... For giving me a will to live..." Tears threatened to spill. He leaned down and kissed the top of my head gently. About that time, Mikey came bouncing into the room.

"You ready to go?" He asked. I nodded, and Gerard grabbed my hand. We followed Mikey out the front door and were greeted by a guy I only barely recognized. "Guys, this is Frankie. Frankie, this is my brother, Gerard. This is my best friend and his girlfriend, Taylor." He gave us a two finger salute and headed back down the sidewalk to a relatively beat up, dark grey Camry. Gerard and I climbed into the backseat as Mikey jumped in the passenger seat.