If I Only Had the Heart
13.
Frank stayed home from school the next three days. When Friday rolled around his mom wasn’t having it anymore, she didn’t care if Frank was ‘sick’ or whatever it is he told her he had already missed too many days. He was walking to school alone because facing his cousin was not on his list of things of do. No, not after he had worked so hard avoiding him the past three days. Zacky, Gerard, Mikey and Hayley had been incredibly depressed ever since Frank disappeared at lunch Monday afternoon. Well… Maybe not Hayley but she was good at faking it. The others were confused as to what was going on but none of them decided it’d be a good idea to tell them.
Zacky had gathered on his own what was going on between his cousin and the Way brothers. He was suspicious the whole time and often doubted himself until he and Hayley had walked in on Gerard and Mikey about to tear each other down. Of course Hayley was highly amused and surprisingly Zacky was just relieved that he had finally figured out what was going on. Now he can plan to make Gerard his already knowing who he has to take down on his way.
Gerard spent almost all of his time with Zacky now. It was crazy how in a span of less than a week he had become almost attached at the hip with this boy. They spent every moment they could together and he loved every second of it. But what was so strange about their relationship was that they hadn’t done anything remotely sexual, much less kiss and Gerard felt as if he was going to explode every time they were together. So one could imagine the desperation he felt every time Frank’s mom would call and beckon Zacky home. Of course it wouldn’t last too long because thats when Mikey dove in for the kill.
Mikey spent most of his free time at school in the music room with Vicky. He broke down Wednesday at lunch and told her all about the love triangle between Gerard, Frank and him that was slowly turning into a pentagon with Hayley and Zacky squeezing their way in. It was obvious Vicky was appalled at the news but she comforted her friend nonetheless. There was this kid, that Mikey had his eye on for the last couple of days. He, like Mikey and Vicky, lived in that little closet their school passed off as a music room. Mikey couldn’t help but feel a type of attraction to the guy… it wasn’t physical but more of a mental thing. He wanted to see what went on inside the head of this sketchy looking eleventh grader and Vicky on the other hand just wanted Mikey to get his mind off Gerard so they both decided on Thursday that he’d make is move and try and talk to him.
So this particular Friday morning wasn’t one of Frank’s favorites. He didn’t even dress for the occasion like he normally would. Friday’s for Frank were the days he went all out seeing as those were the only days he got to wear his own clothes but he put no thought into his outfit this morning. He was perched against a tree in the front of his school loathing everything around him. Especially that black Subaru that just pulled up a few feet away from him. Before anyone could see him he got up and positioned himself so he’d be hidden. Not even a minute later Gerard and Zacky walked right by him, arm in arm with Mikey in tow right behind them. Frank sighed inwardly glad he went unnoticed.
The bell had rang and Frank almost didn’t make it into his first period class. He was dreading coming to school knowing it was odd day and that he’d have to be with his friends all day but his mother wasn’t having any of his bullshit excuses today. He took his seat in Biology next to Ryan who looked almost shocked to see him there. “Hey” Frank’s voice was so low you almost couldn’t hear it.
“Hey Frankie! Wow, it feels like it’s been months since I’ve last seen you, where have you been?” Ryan smiled at his friend.
“Yeah, I was…sick” Frank sniffled for the effect.
Ryan nodded knowingly. He wasn’t a stupid kid, he was there Monday when Frank blew up and he always noticed how strange Frank was starting to act but decided not to push further on the subject. “Well I hope you feel better dude, everyone missed you.”
Frank snorted, “I seriously doubt that, but thanks anyway-”
“George and Franklin would either of you be able to teach the class what Mendel’s Law of Segregation is?” their teacher, Ms. Shea called them out. Both shook their heads ‘no’. “Well then I suggest you two stop talking and listen then.”
Nutrition came fast and Frank found himself wandering around the empty hallways alone. As much as he didn’t want to be bothered he couldn’t help but wonder why no one had come looking for him yet. Surely Ryan would have told everyone by now… right? Ryan was off somewhere with Brendon, Ray and Bob whom he became fast friends with but had forgotten all about Frank’s arrival back at school.
Frank had decided he’d go have a chat with Vicky in the music room. He opened the door to find her in concentrating hard on the song she was playing on the piano. Sitting next to her was a blonde kid with long greasy hair and a scraggly looking beard. He stared down at the keys watching Vicky’s finger move nimbly with a faint smile on his lips. She looked up at the blonde guy expectantly and he broke out in a full on grin. He looked straight ahead and nodded once before opening his mouth the shutting it almost half a second afterward.
“I can’t do this.” he said standing up. “I don’t know what gave you two the impression that I can sing…because I can’t.” He stared straight ahead at something…or someone seemingly not there before shaking his head ‘no’.
Frank stepped all the way inside now, not realizing he had been on the doorway this whole time, allowing the door to shut and all eyes to turn to him. It turns out the blonde guy was talking to none other than Mikey Way whose eyes had almost fallen out of his head at the sight of Frank. Had not his glasses been in the way maybe that would’ve actually happened. Frank turned to Vicky trying to put on the most convincing smile he could and waved, “Hey”
“Hi there Frank.” she waved back. “Oh Frankie, this is Robert. Robert, Frankie” she pointed to the blonde guy and they both just stared at each other, sizing one another up.
“Frank.” Mikey called moving from his position atop the piano. “Oh my God Frank!” he lunged at him now. In all actuality Mikey was the one who had been the most devastated from Frank’s outburst. He was almost one hundred percent sure that Frank went and committed suicide or something along those lines and he couldn’t cope with that.
“Hey Mikey?” he called out but almost went unheard because his voice was muffled by Mikey’s shoulder. He had Frank in one of the tightest embraces, afraid that if he let him go it’d all be just a dream and Frank - his Frankie, would actually be dare he say dead.
“I missed you so much.” Both Frank and Mikey practically blubbered at the same time. Victoria cleared her throat causing them both to abruptly pull away. Though it was a sight to see she felt as if they were in the wrong place at the wrong time to be letting this get any further. Not to mention Robert was staring at them with a bemused expression on his face.
“So Frank how have you been?” Victoria stood and glided over giving him a big hug.
Frank shrugged, “I’ve been better.” he glanced at Mikey who was now staring at Robert. Victoria followed Franks eyes and then Mikey’s before turning around and speaking again.
“Oh yes! Robert, this-”
“I swear if you call me Robert one more time I might have to actually kill you.” he growled crossing his arms and leaning on the wall behind him.
“Right.. I mean Bert, I was going to say you should hang with us today at lunch, right guys?”
Frank silently shrugged and Mikey nodded numbly.
“Alright then! It’s a date, meet me here when the lunch bell rings.” she grinned widely not even giving Bert a chance to respond.
Bert thought about for a second and nodded also “Sure whatever-” the bell rang cutting him off. They all shuffled out of the music room into the already buzzing hallway and made their way to class.
Third period almost flew by with the blink of an eye. Frank, Brendon and Mikey had PE but never actually did anything because the teacher never paid any attention. Ryan was sleeping in math. Vicky was bored in English while Ray, Hayley and Gerard were in Chemistry about to blow up the school. Bert ditched and Bob and Zacky were learning nothing in Spanish class. Needless to say they were all desperate for that bell to ring.
As soon as it did the gang was all starting to huddle up in the quad where they all had just recently grown accustomed to hanging out together. Mikey drug Frank - who had cheered up substantially - to the music room to meet up with Vicky and Bert so they could head off with everyone else while Brendon went to find Ryan.
“-and then I was like dude that’s a mango not a papaya!” Vicky chatted away to Bert when the two entered the room.
“Oh look who’s here!” Bert exclaimed pointing at the couple, looking almost relieved. “Lets go.” he pulled Vicky and Mikey (who held onto Frank) out the door. Once in the hallway he turned to Vicky and let them go, “Where to boss?”
She led the way out into the quad to their little huddle of friends. Clearing her throat and slinging an arm around Bert’s shoulder, Vicky spoke loudly. “May I have EVERYONES attention?!” she demanded attention. Everyone fell silent and gave her their attention. “This is-”
Two gasps were heard, “Bert…” Gerard mumbled. Oh great.
Zacky had gathered on his own what was going on between his cousin and the Way brothers. He was suspicious the whole time and often doubted himself until he and Hayley had walked in on Gerard and Mikey about to tear each other down. Of course Hayley was highly amused and surprisingly Zacky was just relieved that he had finally figured out what was going on. Now he can plan to make Gerard his already knowing who he has to take down on his way.
Gerard spent almost all of his time with Zacky now. It was crazy how in a span of less than a week he had become almost attached at the hip with this boy. They spent every moment they could together and he loved every second of it. But what was so strange about their relationship was that they hadn’t done anything remotely sexual, much less kiss and Gerard felt as if he was going to explode every time they were together. So one could imagine the desperation he felt every time Frank’s mom would call and beckon Zacky home. Of course it wouldn’t last too long because thats when Mikey dove in for the kill.
Mikey spent most of his free time at school in the music room with Vicky. He broke down Wednesday at lunch and told her all about the love triangle between Gerard, Frank and him that was slowly turning into a pentagon with Hayley and Zacky squeezing their way in. It was obvious Vicky was appalled at the news but she comforted her friend nonetheless. There was this kid, that Mikey had his eye on for the last couple of days. He, like Mikey and Vicky, lived in that little closet their school passed off as a music room. Mikey couldn’t help but feel a type of attraction to the guy… it wasn’t physical but more of a mental thing. He wanted to see what went on inside the head of this sketchy looking eleventh grader and Vicky on the other hand just wanted Mikey to get his mind off Gerard so they both decided on Thursday that he’d make is move and try and talk to him.
So this particular Friday morning wasn’t one of Frank’s favorites. He didn’t even dress for the occasion like he normally would. Friday’s for Frank were the days he went all out seeing as those were the only days he got to wear his own clothes but he put no thought into his outfit this morning. He was perched against a tree in the front of his school loathing everything around him. Especially that black Subaru that just pulled up a few feet away from him. Before anyone could see him he got up and positioned himself so he’d be hidden. Not even a minute later Gerard and Zacky walked right by him, arm in arm with Mikey in tow right behind them. Frank sighed inwardly glad he went unnoticed.
The bell had rang and Frank almost didn’t make it into his first period class. He was dreading coming to school knowing it was odd day and that he’d have to be with his friends all day but his mother wasn’t having any of his bullshit excuses today. He took his seat in Biology next to Ryan who looked almost shocked to see him there. “Hey” Frank’s voice was so low you almost couldn’t hear it.
“Hey Frankie! Wow, it feels like it’s been months since I’ve last seen you, where have you been?” Ryan smiled at his friend.
“Yeah, I was…sick” Frank sniffled for the effect.
Ryan nodded knowingly. He wasn’t a stupid kid, he was there Monday when Frank blew up and he always noticed how strange Frank was starting to act but decided not to push further on the subject. “Well I hope you feel better dude, everyone missed you.”
Frank snorted, “I seriously doubt that, but thanks anyway-”
“George and Franklin would either of you be able to teach the class what Mendel’s Law of Segregation is?” their teacher, Ms. Shea called them out. Both shook their heads ‘no’. “Well then I suggest you two stop talking and listen then.”
Nutrition came fast and Frank found himself wandering around the empty hallways alone. As much as he didn’t want to be bothered he couldn’t help but wonder why no one had come looking for him yet. Surely Ryan would have told everyone by now… right? Ryan was off somewhere with Brendon, Ray and Bob whom he became fast friends with but had forgotten all about Frank’s arrival back at school.
Frank had decided he’d go have a chat with Vicky in the music room. He opened the door to find her in concentrating hard on the song she was playing on the piano. Sitting next to her was a blonde kid with long greasy hair and a scraggly looking beard. He stared down at the keys watching Vicky’s finger move nimbly with a faint smile on his lips. She looked up at the blonde guy expectantly and he broke out in a full on grin. He looked straight ahead and nodded once before opening his mouth the shutting it almost half a second afterward.
“I can’t do this.” he said standing up. “I don’t know what gave you two the impression that I can sing…because I can’t.” He stared straight ahead at something…or someone seemingly not there before shaking his head ‘no’.
Frank stepped all the way inside now, not realizing he had been on the doorway this whole time, allowing the door to shut and all eyes to turn to him. It turns out the blonde guy was talking to none other than Mikey Way whose eyes had almost fallen out of his head at the sight of Frank. Had not his glasses been in the way maybe that would’ve actually happened. Frank turned to Vicky trying to put on the most convincing smile he could and waved, “Hey”
“Hi there Frank.” she waved back. “Oh Frankie, this is Robert. Robert, Frankie” she pointed to the blonde guy and they both just stared at each other, sizing one another up.
“Frank.” Mikey called moving from his position atop the piano. “Oh my God Frank!” he lunged at him now. In all actuality Mikey was the one who had been the most devastated from Frank’s outburst. He was almost one hundred percent sure that Frank went and committed suicide or something along those lines and he couldn’t cope with that.
“Hey Mikey?” he called out but almost went unheard because his voice was muffled by Mikey’s shoulder. He had Frank in one of the tightest embraces, afraid that if he let him go it’d all be just a dream and Frank - his Frankie, would actually be dare he say dead.
“I missed you so much.” Both Frank and Mikey practically blubbered at the same time. Victoria cleared her throat causing them both to abruptly pull away. Though it was a sight to see she felt as if they were in the wrong place at the wrong time to be letting this get any further. Not to mention Robert was staring at them with a bemused expression on his face.
“So Frank how have you been?” Victoria stood and glided over giving him a big hug.
Frank shrugged, “I’ve been better.” he glanced at Mikey who was now staring at Robert. Victoria followed Franks eyes and then Mikey’s before turning around and speaking again.
“Oh yes! Robert, this-”
“I swear if you call me Robert one more time I might have to actually kill you.” he growled crossing his arms and leaning on the wall behind him.
“Right.. I mean Bert, I was going to say you should hang with us today at lunch, right guys?”
Frank silently shrugged and Mikey nodded numbly.
“Alright then! It’s a date, meet me here when the lunch bell rings.” she grinned widely not even giving Bert a chance to respond.
Bert thought about for a second and nodded also “Sure whatever-” the bell rang cutting him off. They all shuffled out of the music room into the already buzzing hallway and made their way to class.
Third period almost flew by with the blink of an eye. Frank, Brendon and Mikey had PE but never actually did anything because the teacher never paid any attention. Ryan was sleeping in math. Vicky was bored in English while Ray, Hayley and Gerard were in Chemistry about to blow up the school. Bert ditched and Bob and Zacky were learning nothing in Spanish class. Needless to say they were all desperate for that bell to ring.
As soon as it did the gang was all starting to huddle up in the quad where they all had just recently grown accustomed to hanging out together. Mikey drug Frank - who had cheered up substantially - to the music room to meet up with Vicky and Bert so they could head off with everyone else while Brendon went to find Ryan.
“-and then I was like dude that’s a mango not a papaya!” Vicky chatted away to Bert when the two entered the room.
“Oh look who’s here!” Bert exclaimed pointing at the couple, looking almost relieved. “Lets go.” he pulled Vicky and Mikey (who held onto Frank) out the door. Once in the hallway he turned to Vicky and let them go, “Where to boss?”
She led the way out into the quad to their little huddle of friends. Clearing her throat and slinging an arm around Bert’s shoulder, Vicky spoke loudly. “May I have EVERYONES attention?!” she demanded attention. Everyone fell silent and gave her their attention. “This is-”
Two gasps were heard, “Bert…” Gerard mumbled. Oh great.
