Pinky Promise (Frerard) ✔️

Six

TW: Mentions of eating disorders

I skipped gym with Bert that day. I hated gym.

Bert brought me behind the school to where he smoked. I had told him that I hadn't minded him smoking, but wouldn't do it myself.

He shrugged. "My funeral."

"Are straight guys really as gay as they say?" I asked, sitting on the gravel.

"Well, Jeph and I slow danced at prom for the heck of it. So, yeah, I guess. Katie has the whole thing on video and you can hear Lindsey crying about her OTP in the background."

I smiled. "Does she actually ship you guys?"

"Only ironically. We have a no homo type of relationship, but Katie has my heart. I love her."

"Aw. Cute."

"What about you?" He looked at me. "Anyone catch your eye?"

I shook my head. "I don't think so. Like, I was in the GSA as a freshman so I know who all the gay people in my grade are, but none of them are my type."

"What's your type?"

"Um...kinda like you, I guess. I love tattoos. On other people. Punk, I guess."

"Hot. Are you a bottom?"

"Oh yeah. I haven't-" I stopped myself before I could expose my virginity.

"Are you a virgin?" He blew smoke out of his mouth.

"Um..." I looked down. "Yeah..."

"Hey, no need to feel ashamed! I get it. There's not many punks in our school. Or straight girl tops. Lindsey. But she's bi."

I shrugged. "Maybe I should meet her."

He smiled. "Maybe you should. She'll probably be back tomorrow. I don't think I've ever seen a sickness knock her out for more than a day or two. Especially not in the middle of the week. She's been pestering me about getting notes from guitar."

"She's in that class?" I asked. "Lindsey Ballato?"

"Yeah. Are you in that class?"

I nodded. "She, um. She tried to talk to me. And then my brother told me she just wanted a gay friend."

"What? No. She's got plenty of those. You probably looked lonely. She likes talking to lonely people. And you're her type, too."

I blushed, looking off into the woods behind the school. Maybe someone would actually want to date me.

Maybe I wouldn't feel alone.

xXx

Before I knew it, it was February. Stores had out Valentine's Day decorations seemingly overnight, and it snowed.

I stepped outside to drive to school, watching my breath come out in little puffs. Mikey followed behind me. As much as I hated it, I was giving him a ride.

We weren't speaking to each other. I intended to keep it that way.

I unlocked my car, which had been heating up. My car was the one good thing I owned. Neither Mikey nor I could get a job, and Mom's paycheck barely covered groceries. Technically, it was a family car, but Mom walked to work and Mikey couldn't drive, so I stole it. Dad had bought it before he left.

That was the only trace of him.

I blasted the Misfits as soon as we got in the car. I didn't want to hear whatever shit Mikey tried to talk to me about.