Skin and Bones

Gerard forced me to eat a sandwich before I went back to class. And surprisingly, I didn’t get sick. I’m still not sick.
But maybe that’s because I haven’t thought about the fact that the sandwich – its white bread, salad, tomatoes, turkey and low-fat mayo – is sloshing around in my stomach.
Yep! That’s the reason! New thought, please?

“Frank!” I close my locker and turn to see Mikey walking towards me – waving a hand as if I haven’t already seen him. I smile back.
“Hey,” he says, before he stops right in front of me.
“So, what should we do about the project?” I think I blush a little. I’m going to Gerard’s house.

“We could go to your house.” My tone of voice actually sound like a question, though if I could I would’ve made it an order. Left, right, left, left, right – off we go to the Way house!
Hey! That rhymed. Right, house.
Oh, it didn’t. Oh well.

“Sure! My brother’s waiting for me in the parking lot. He’s offered to drive us home.” His smile is huge – in Mikey-scale. It still looks half-assed in normal-scale.
Wonder how his other scale is…
Okay, ew! Best friend here!

“Cool. Let’s go!” I pat Mikey on the back as we start walking out of the hell-hole.
When we get outside the sunlight rips at my eyes. I start seeing stars, and dark dots start flying around.

I follow Mikey down the two steps and towards the parking lot. When the stars and dark dots have finally disappeared, new stars appear.

Gerard is leaning up against his car, his arms crossed over his chest as he leans his head back – enjoying the sun from behind big, black sunglasses.
My knees give in a bit, making it look like I’m about to fall. I don’t, though.
Well. I do – again.

I smile widely.

“Hey Gee!” Mikey yells. Gerard tilts his head back down and looks towards us – his eyes hidden behind black glass. Or plastic.

“Hey Mikes! Frank.” He says my name quietly. My smile fades a bit. Is he mad at me? Did I do something wrong? I ate too little, right? Or I’m too stupid! I’m too fat! I’m still too fat! I’m still just Mikey’s chubby little friend.

I swallow down the pain. Or, I try.

We all climb into the car. The brothers shut their doors in sync, while I slam mine shut about two seconds later. I feel stupid.
Mikey’s in the front seat next to Gerard. I’m in the back – behind Gerard. I lean up against the car door to get out of Gerard’s sight.
I can still see his eyes in the rear view mirror, which means he can see me.
I bow my head.