Happy Thoughts (Frerard)

Chapter 21

Gerard’s POV

 

The icy air brushed my face as I sat on a bench, enjoying a hot cup of coffee and a cigarette. I turned my phone back on to find a text from Mikey saying he was running a bit late.

No worries, I thought. I needed a moment to collect myself before entering a week of despair, and there was no better place to find self harmony than the bottom of a coffee cup or the butt of a cigarette.

I tugged at my jacket and flicked a few strands of my messy hair out of my face before putting out my cigarette.

"Hey, Gerard." Mikey’s voice spoke behind me and I spun around.

"Mikey!" I looked at him, shocked at how different he was. He had grown so much since I last saw him. "It's good to see you."

"Yeah, same." His voice still had the undertone of melancholy.

Mikey gave me a weak hug before helping me with my bags and then driving us to the house.

As I entered the house my dad spoke from his recliner without even turning around. "Look who finally decided to visit."

"Uhh, hi dad." I set my jacket on my suitcase and walked to face him. His face was cold, bleak, and unshaved.

"You're gonna have to share a room with Mikey while you're here. Your Aunt Marie is going to be using the guest bedroom."

I nodded and followed Mikey to his room, where a small mattress was already made up for me.

"So Gerard, what's new with you?" Mikey collapsed on his bed.

"Uh, not much. Writing, comics, still smoking." I sat at the end of Mikey’s feet. "I met someone."

Mikey leant up at raised an eyebrow. "Someone? You mean like…"

I nodded, watching Mikey let a grin stretch across his face.

"Who? A girl? Boy?"

"His name's Frank."

I was relieved to see Mikey smile and be intrigued in a conversation.

"That's sweet. I uh, met someone too."

Now it was my turn to raise an eyebrow. "Mikey Way, do you have a girlfriend?"

Mikey’s face turned a bright red as he fumbled with the pillow next to him. "Uh… I kinda have to tell you something actually."

"Mikey!" Our dad's voice hollered from the living room. "Mikey, you have someone here for you!"

"I'll be right back, we’ll talk about it later." Mikey scurried out, returning with a tall man with crazy hair.

"Gerard, this is Ray."

"Hi, Ray. Nice to meet you." I smiled, extending my hand.

"Hello Gerard! I've heard a lot about you." He shook my hand before sitting next to Mikey on the bed.

After a half hour or so of casual talk, Mikey and Ray invited me to go to the mall with them. I decided to refuse though, and instead decided to unpack.

After I was settled in, I decided to call Frank to check in.

Ringing… Ringing… Still Ringing… And, voicemail.

"Dammit, Frank." I whispered at the automated voice, waiting for the beep.

"Hi Frank, it's me." I sighed. "It sucks here. I miss you so much. I just wanted to check up, hear your voice. Call me when you can, okay? I love you, so so much. Stay safe, okay? I'll see you soon. Bye cutie."

I hung up, just in time for my phone to die. I tossed it on the bed at looked for my phone charger, before I realized I didn't remember unpacking it. I checked my bags, every last tiny pocket, but no phone charger.

"Well, fuck." I tossed the dead phone into my bag and laid down.

How was I going to talk to Frank without my phone? I didn't know his number from memory, so using someone else's was useless.

I sighed loudly and rolled over, and decided to just take a nap.

~