Photograph of You (Frerard/Rikey)

Confrontation (3)

-Gerards POV-

Frank was all I could think about through out science class, it was hard to pay attention. Do I know him well? No. Did we just meet like an hour ago? Yeah. Do I maybe have a little crush on him? Yeah, but I can't tell him that. He'll freak out and won't want to be my friend, people don't seem to accept LGBTQ+ people much these days.
My hand and mind worked as one to subconsciously sketch in the margins of the notes the teacher gave to us. The bell was a release, I'd never packed up my things faster.
My feet carried me down the halls to the music room, on my way I heard whispering and Frank and Mikeys names a few times. They both where there already in the music room when I arrived, Mikey had a black eye and I could tell Frank had been crying.
I ran over to them, hugging them both at the same time. "Mikey, what happened?"
"Some bully kid tried to come after Frank, like hell if I'd let that happen though." He had an upset expression, anger set in his hazel eyes. I brushed his hair away from his eye so I could see it better, it looks painful and will take a while to heal.
"Frank, are you alright?" My attention was fully directed to him now, he sat with his knees up to his chest. "Y-yeah, I'm alright thanks to Mikey." Mikey shook his head, a silent comment. I pulled Frank into a hug, I don't care what other people think.
"Screw them, Frank. Someone tries to go after you again, let me know and I'll set them in their place." There was pure venom behind my voice, it had been a while since I was last like this.
A few years back, when Mikey and I where still in middle school, Mikey was bullied terribly. There wasn't really anything I could do if he wasn't nearby when the incidents happened, one day I was lucky to be there when one did happen.
I completely lost it, to this day I have no idea what came over me. All I remember was seeing Mikey like that, and teachers tying to hold me back a few minutes later.
Of course I got suspended for it, but it was worth it. No one came after him again because of his "scary twin brother." This took place before I started dying my hair and wearing a light bit of makeup though, if those kids could see me now they'd be more terrified of me than they were before.
The same feeling of pure rage and protectiveness came over me when I saw Mikey, I felt the same way for Frank.
"Gerard, people are staring." Franks voice was quiet and full of anxiety. I let him go reluctantly.
"Sorry, I just want to make sure your alright, both of you." My eyes met with Mikeys, we both relived that moment from two years ago. He understood how I felt immediately, weather it be a twin connection or just a good sense.
Class started a little while after, Mikey played his bass as usual, Frank apparently played as well. He strummed the cords of an acoustic, a note book sitting next to him.
Every now and then, he wrote something down in it, then played through the same notes again. His focus was heavy set on what he was doing, happiness radiating off of him when he played. After a while, Mikey joined me in listening to Frank.
"Uh, what's with the staring...?" Frank looked up at us, a slight smile on his face as well as a light blush. My heart did a backflip in my chest, I could feel a little heat in my cheeks as well.
"Nothing, your just really good. How long have you been playing for?" His smile returned properly, seemingly satisfied with the topic at hand.
"Three or four years now, I won my guitar off of a radio game, names her Pansy. She's my favorite but I do have other guitars now." He smiled at me, it was contagious as me and Mikey where both smiling dorky smiles back at him.
"Yeah, I've been playing for two and a halfish years now. Gerard and I write a bit of music sometimes, though it's a bit weird with just us. Maybe we could get together this weekend sometime and hang out?" Mikeys offer was set out on the table, it wasn't surprising when Franks eyes lit up and a happy expression came across his face.
"Yeah, that sounds good. Here, let me give you my number." He took out his phone as a guy with an Afro look walked over to us. More specifically, Mikey. I'd seen them hang out a few times over the years, but I never really cared to learn much about him.
"Hey Ray, this is Frank, he's new here." Mikey introduced them, Ray offered a handshake to Frank, who accepted.
"Yeah, I heard some great guitar playing over here and couldn't pass up the opportunity to see what was up. Frank, your really good, how long you been playing?" Ray sat down with us, in between Mikey and I. Frank sat next to me in this almost circle.
"Three or four years, Mikey told me he plays bass. Do you play?" Ray nodded.
"I've been playing since I could hold a pick, been a long time coming."
"Yeah, the guy is a guitar god I swear. Ray, you should play for Frank and Gee sometime."
"Wait I've got an idea, how about we all get together at my place, Ray and Mikey you can bring your guitars with you and we can all just hang out and play or do whatever. What do you think?" There was a bright look in Franks eyes, his outgoing ness surprised me. He's the complete opposite of how he was before class had started. But, I guess that's just the power of music.
"Yeah, I'm down. We could play some video games or string while we're at it." Ray agreed to the idea, he looked over at Mikey, then me.
"I've got nothing going on, you can count me in. Mikey your coming weather you like it or not."
"I was going to agree anyway, a get together with friends over a weekend is always a good thing to do. Plus, why not?"
We spent the rest of the class planning the get together and exchanging numbers. It was going to be held at Rays house, as Frank was just moving in and Ray lived in between our houses.
The rest of the day was a blur, I was looking forward to the get together on Saturday.

Song of the chapter: This Is How I Disappear