Someone Like You

Gerard stood with his hands stuffed in the pockets of his leather jacket as he breathed deeply, watching the way his breath made trails of steam every time he exhaled. He couldn't help but feel like a complete fucking idiot. It was now exactly fifty one minutes past seven. He had been standing waiting for Frank for a good half an hour, and had seen no one he recognised. Instead he had watched as many other people, who looked as though they belonged here a lot more than he himself did, walk in and out of the bar carrying a variety of instruments and attractive partners. He knew that Frank actually agreeing to go out with him, more than that, actively inviting him to one of his shows, was too good to be true, and now he was paying for it in the form of embarrassment. Frank was probably standing somewhere around here with his huge posse of attractive friends and girlfriend who was probably in a much better league than Gerard, laughing at Gerard seems as he had thought that Frank would actually go out with Gerard of all people. God, tonight was such a failure.

He was about to mope away from where he stood leaning against the wall of the dingy alley wall, before his attention was caught by someone bursting out of the back door of the bar loudly, seeming very frazzled. Gerard stood staring at the stressed figure as they spun around on the spot, clearly looking for someone, before their eyes landed on Gerard. "Holy fuck, I'm so fucking sorry," Frank gasped, as he stumbled towards where Gerard stood.
"Uh, it's okay" Gerard mumbled awkwardly, although inwardly almost collapsing in relief that Frank had turned up now.
“Ugh, tonight has just been completely crazy,” Frank tried to explain, clearly distracted even as he spoke to Gerard, “I didn’t forget, I swear! I’ve just been really fucking busy.”
“Hey, it’s okay, really,” Gerard said, “At least you turned up eventually.”
“Yeah, I guess. Look, I’ve gotta go on like, any minute so just, this way.” And then, before Gerard could say anything else, Frank had grabbed him by the arm and was pulling him back through the door that he had come through before. Gerard was instantly immersed in the hot, smoky air of the clearly crowded bar. The smog was almost suffocating and he ended up choking briefly as he tried to adjust to the dramatic change in atmosphere. Frank, completely oblivious to Gerard’s issues, continued to drag him through the small hallway crowded with people wearing hardly any clothing at all pushed up against each other along the side of the wall that was covered with a coat of cracking dim red paint and sloppily placed posters of bands. As the two boys walked, Gerard did everything he could to keep from touching the people he passed, clearly uncomfortable with the situation whilst Frank was obviously used to it.

They suddenly took a sharp turn and Frank pulled them through another door which led them into another room, this one much larger and much much hotter. The wave of hot humid air instantly washed over them, along with the smell of sweat, smoke and alcohol that overpowered Gerard’s senses whilst only comforted Frank. This was his world. He recognised it and knew exactly how to act and what to expect. For Gerard though, this world was completely new. He had never been one for having an active social life. He was more one for just getting on with his work and laying low, certain that was the best way to get through life without any problems. Tonight was a first for him, and it was nothing like what he was expecting or what he was prepared for.

Frank continued to pull Gerard over to the corner of the room, by the bar, where it was the least crowded. That wasn’t saying much though. Every inch of the room, from the main dance floor to the bar, was packed with people all pressed up against each other so close they could barely move, waiting eagerly for the show to start. They had already had the first support act, and so were well ready for the next and then, of course, the main show. The corner was the coolest area of the bar, and Gerard was able to at least shift around if he needed to. Honestly he would have preferred to be in any other situation than this, but he didn’t really have a choice. He would just have to put up with it if he wanted to hang out with Frank afterwards.

Frank let go of Gerard’s arms once they reached an empty stool that had been hidden by people before, and signalled towards the bar for the bar tender. Gerard couldn’t hear the conversation between the two, but he wasn’t really paying that much attention anyway, honestly. He was more amazed by the entire situation surrounding him. There were so many different people around him, all so different yet all getting along and screaming and shouting and laughing together. He thought it was actually quite strange, yet for everyone else here it seemed to just be the norm. “Okay,” Frank shouted over the loud noises of screaming and talking from the many other bodies packed into the bar as he turned around to Gerard again, this time holding a single beer bottle in one hand, going up on his tiptoes to get closer to Gerard’s ear so he was able to hear, “I’ll be back in about half an hour! I’ll meet you here. I’ve gotta go now, but I’ll see you later.” With that Frank pushed the bottle into Gerard’s hand and quickly dissolved back into the crowds of people with spiky coloured hair and interesting piercings.

Gerard was feeling very uncomfortable, and ended up sinking down onto the empty stool next to him awkwardly and just picked at the label on his beer bottle. He had drunk beer before, obviously, it had just not been an experience he had particularly enjoyed all that much. However, he had a feeling that if he turned around and asked the buff barman for a diet coke then he probably just end up being served with a weird look and a ‘fuck off’, so instead he took a deep breath of the polluted bar air and swallowed a large gulp of the bitter liquid. The mouthful made him choke and gasp until he ended up falling against the bar slightly and spluttering. His cheeks reddened as he looked around to make sure no one had noticed, which they hadn’t thankfully as they were all too worried about the band which was now making its way onto stage, and so he gingerly placed the bottle back on the bar and stood up to get a better view of the stage.

The band took their places on the dark stage and then the lights lit up and illuminated the figures. Gerard didn’t recognise any of the others, although he did recall one of them as being the one who picked Frank up from the coffee shop earlier that day, but even then he didn’t commit any attention to trying to remember their faces. Instead, he was focussing on the small figure taking centre stage, a white guitar slung sloppily across his body and smile pressed against the mic slightly as he breathed into it, about to talk. The bright stage lights shone onto him and made the top of his jet black hair glow slightly whilst defining his perfectly toned body and framing his beautiful tattoos.

“Heya,” Frank said into the mic, causing a wave of cheers to erupt from the crowd to which Frank clearly couldn’t help but smile at, slightly nibbling at his lip ring as he did so which made almost every female, and some of the males, especially Gerard, sigh at how fucking attractive he looked. “I’m Frank,” he continued, “And we’re Pencey Prep.” The crowd cheered again but the noise was drowned out by the sound of a guitar as they began to play their first song.

The show that proceeded was one of the best fucking experiences in the entire of Gerard’s life, and Franks too for that matter. Despite them only being a support, the crowd acted as though they were the main attraction for the evening and were going mental every time Frank said anything, a new song was started or one of the band members decided to wink at the audience. Gerard was pretty sure that Frank tried to wink in his direction too at one point, which made him grin and blush fanatically even though there was really no reason to. Despite the enthusiasm of the crowd, Gerard continued to stay hidden away in the corner, reluctant to leave because of the possibilities that he wouldn’t be able to get back again or he might get hurt. He may have been having a great time, and he was definitely enjoying the amazing music, but the whole atmosphere wasn’t really for him quite honestly.

Their set seemed as though it ended far too soon, despite the fact they had even stayed on for an encore, and soon enough the boys were leaving the stage. As they left Frank threw a couple of his guitar picks out into the crowd for them to catch as they cheered and screamed their names. It was honestly the greatest experience of Frank’s life so far, and he knew that no matter what, that was what he wanted to do every night of his existence. He was made for it.

Gerard was left standing by the bar in the aftermath of Franks show on his own for a while as he waited for him to get back, surrounded by people as they desperately tried to rehydrate before the actual show started. Thankfully, Frank arrived soon after to save him from the crowds. However, instead of immediately dragging him out of the bar, Frank walked up next to Gerard and immediately ordered his own beer which he took a large swig of before even saying hello. When he turned back to Gerard, Gerard couldn’t help but swoon slightly at the huge grin spread across Frank’s face, and he instantly forgot about how uncomfortable he felt in his surroundings because all he could think was Frank.

“So, what did ya think?” Frank asked loudly over the top of the crowd.
“It was amazing,” Gerard replied just as loudly, “You’re fucking awesome, dude.”
“Thanks!” The conversation seemed to cut off there, leaving them standing awkwardly as they tried to think of something to say. Although that was more Gerard due to the fact that Frank was still on an adrenaline high and so couldn’t stop bouncing on the balls of his feet, desperately feeling the urge to just do something. Gerard seemed to be unable to think of anything to say, so instead the older boy picked up his still full beer and continued to peel the label off the bottle as the younger boy continued to bounce and down, finishing his own drink and soon after buying another.

As the boys stood in silence, surrounded by noise, another trio walked up to them, catching both boys attention. “S’up,” Hambone nodded to them both, before focussing his attention on Frank, “You coming out back?”
“Na, not tonight,” Frank said, shaking his head.
“Aw, c’mon. We’ve got some good stuff, y’know.”
“I’m okay, H, really. I’m not really in the mood to get high right now.” To be honest, that was a lie. Frank desperately wanted it; needed it, almost. It was what made the after show buzz so much sweeter. But right now he was desperately hoping that his ‘date’ with Gerard would improve, because even if it hadn’t gotten off to the greatest start, there was still hope. This was Gerard. He was worth it. Although, what Frank had simply brushed off as nothing, had a lot more of an effect on Gerard.
“Wait a minute,” the older boy gasped, “You do drugs!?” Hambone and Frank both exchanged a look before turning back to Gerard.
“Yeah,” Hambone scoffed, “What’s the big deal?”
“Well, it’s –,” Gerard started, before realising maybe it would be best to just fit in in this situation, “Nothing. I just didn’t expect it, I guess.”

Hambone gave Gerard another look before focussing Frank again, “C’mon dude. This,” he gave Gerard a side glance, signalling that he couldn’t say too much, “stuff is like the really good stuff.” Realisation hit Frank almost immediately then, and it left him in an even tougher position. He looked between Hambone and Gerard then, trying to decide on which had more pros. Hambone was stood casually, smirking, thinking he knew exactly what Frank was going to do, whilst Gerard was stood shuffling uncomfortably, training his eyes on the floor. The younger boy couldn’t help but think he looked incredibly cute like that, with his bangs hanging over his face and his shoulders hunched very slightly.
“Na, I really am okay,” Frank said, not looking away from Gerard, “Me and Gerard are heading out to go get something to eat now anyway. I’m fucking starving.” Both Hambone and Gerard looked up at Frank then, Hambone in shock and Gerard in happiness. Both of them had been so certain Frank would choose the drugs; it would just make sense. But he hadn’t.

Hambone soon composed himself though, honestly not really caring anyway, and sighed as he and his two friends walked away, “Whatever, dude. Later.” Frank watched as he walked away, partially wanting to run after him and apologise so that he could go and get his free fix and forget the rest of the night again like he usually would. Instead he stood with his empty beer bottle, realising he would have to be satisfied with his already over seven bottles of alcohol tonight. When he looked at the grinning God opposite him though, he decided it was worth it.

“So,” Frank said, grabbing Gerard’s hand without asking and putting his empty bottle down on the side, “Shall we go.” Gerard didn’t answer but instead placed his own full beer bottle on the counter and then followed as Frank led them towards the door that led out to the back of the bar again, both boys unable to wipe the slightly nervous but giddy grins off their faces.