Chapter Text
Gerard woke up at two in the afternoon the next day, with a pounding headache and no memory of after he started drawing. Did he finish the drawing? Did Mikey know how terribly intoxicated he had gotten? Where was Mikey? Was he okay?
As he got out of bed, Gerard realized he was naked. Why did he not have clothes on? Not even wanting to know why, he shrugged on jeans and a olive green shirt, figuring he should at least look like he tried, and put a leather jacket on over that.
Gerard was pleasantly surprised when he saw his reflection, he didn't look as terrible as he felt, minus the tired bags under his eyes. Makeup fixed that.
Gerard walked out into the kitchen, not registering at first that it was too bright outside for the time he normally wakes up. His phone was on the counter. "Oh, fuck me." He said once he saw the time. He concluded he could miss one day, it wasn't like he skipped a lot.
"Good morning, sunshine." Mikey piped up from the couch, sarcastically commenting on Gerard's demeanor. Gerard flipped Mikey off then began to make himself a cup of "coffee." But I think we all know what was added to that coffee. Gerard figures that if he drank only a little bit at a time, he would be okay. Deep down, he knew that he was not okay.
Frank woke up feeling great, but slightly disgusted at the dried liquid on his chest and belly, but that didn't damped his mood. He felt a little guilty because Gerard's brother seemed miserable yesterday. Frank completely understood what Mikey felt, but he also knew that eventually Mikey would surround himself with people who supported him, and that's the best feeling in the world.
There was a permanent smile stuck on his face when he left his apartment, which ended in him catching a few snowflakes in his mouth, because he's just childish like that. SpongeBob was for people of all ages, not just kids.
Hannah and Frank were sharing a shift that day, so Frank had someone to talk and play around with. Except, Frank wound up spilling cream on her apron, but he says she bumped into him. Of course she did.
What Frank did not expect was Gerard to walk in a few hours into his shift. Frank noticed that Gerard was the kind of person that could quiet a room when he walked in, just because everyone was curious. The combination of his red hair, pale skin, and black clothes made him seem like an angel, like the devil's angels.
"Gee!" Frank squealed, hopping over the counter and into Gerard's arms. Gerard was cold, but somehow gave Frank warm butterflies in his stomach. They had seen each other only yesterday, but acted as if it had been years.
"Hey baby." Gerard's voice was low and sultry, and Frank wondered if Gerard was trying to turn him on in the middle of work. He wasn't, actually. Gerard just had a killer headache still, and was rather tired.
"Shouldn't you be at school?" Frank asked, still holding onto Gee's waist and gazing up at him.
"Mm, well Frankie, I'm just a badass who skips school to see his boyfriend." Frank giggled, standing on his toes to kiss Gee. "Well, aren't you sweet in a badass sorta way?" They felt like the center of the universe, until Frank's phone rang. Way to ruin the moment, Steve Jobs.
"Hello?" Frank asked, forgetting to look at the caller I.D.
"It's Ray, Frank. You need to come to the record store. Now."
"What? Why?" Frank was frenzied, Ray's tone was making him panic, but Ray had already hung up.
Frank put his phone away, his heart beating fast. "Gee, I'm sorry, I have to go." He kissed Gerard on the cheek before hurrying away.
Hannah gladly took the rest of the shift, which Frank promised he would make up to her eventually. She said as long as he didn't spill cream on her again the deed was paid off.
The air had become significantly colder, Frank's breath puffed away in little white clouds. The grass was covered in light snow, as was the roads. The ride to the record store was not nearly fast enough for how Frank's mind was racing.
Ray and Grandpa were standing near the entrance, waiting for Frank. Grandpa had tears in his eyes, and there seemed to be dusty trails down his cheeks. Oh god. He put a hand on Frank's shoulder, steadying himself. "Helena died."