Let's get started.

So I don't own any of the characters, just the plot, blah de blah de blah...

This is kinda weird, I know, and I can write better than this, but I wanted it to feel like you were actually reading real letters from Gerard, so the awkward writing style kinda brings across his personality... If that makes sense...

Also, this is only going to have 3, maybe 4 chapters to it, and i'm probably not going to update it that often... Only when I get writers block on Just Let Me Save You... Just to warn yas!

Dear Frankie,

Sorry it's been a while since I've wrote to you- I've been so busy lately, I just simply couldn't find the time- but now, I promise I'm going to get back into the habit of writing to you every week. Without fail.

So how's life been treating you? How's school been and shit? It's been kinda crappy for me again. I mean, I finally thought people were starting to get bored of teasing me and shit, but suddenly they've found interest I me again. So I've started skipping classes again. It's no big deal really- I mean, there's not much in school for me. So I've being going down to the comic store on the high street instead of classes. It's nice down there. You'd like it. Really cozy and homely and welcoming. And they said they wouldn't tell anyone I was hiding out in there, just as long as I gave them a hand behind the desk and stacking shelves and stuff, which I don't mind, 'cause sometimes they let me pick out some comics for free. There was this really awesome one I got the other day. It's called 'Doom Patrol'. I like it lots, mainly because the characters in it remind me of myself. They're weird and never really fitted in- just like me. Oh, and it's by Grant Morrison. He's my favourite writer. I think you'd like his work. Who's your favourite comic book writer?

Momma's been moaning at me to go out and see some of my friends again. She doesn't realize, you're the only friend I've got. She says I should invite some of the guys from school over. She doesn't realize that all of the guys at school hate me. All they ever do is laugh at me and mock me and beat me up. They think I'm weird. But I'm not weird. I'm just not the same as them. Just because I'm quiet and I don't like girls and I prefer to draw and read instead of playing sports or doing drugs. It makes them think they can throw food at me and shove me in lockers and it'll be okay 'cause I'm just the weird kid and I don't feel anything. But they're wrong. I feel everything. And they always call me a faggot, whatever that's supposed to mean. I don't know why they think so fondly of that name. Maybe it's just 'cause they're unimaginative, like monkeys. I often imagine them swinging through the canopy of the jungle and picking bugs from each other's hairy backs. It makes me laugh.

But even though I told her you were the only person that understood me, she still made me go out for lunch with Mikey and his new friend. I've told you about Mikey, my brother, right? I like Mikey. Apart from you, he's the only other person that I'm friends with, but he doesn't count, 'cause he's my brother.

His friend was quite cool though. His name is Raymond, but everyone calls him Ray. He goes to my school, but I'd never really seen him before, so I don't think he'd ever teased me or anything. Which is good, I guess. That means he must be alright, doesn't it? He's in the year below me, which means he's a year older than Mikey. That makes me feel weird, 'cause Mikey's just a little baby and he's not supposed to be friends with anyone but me, never mind being friends with older people. Who knows what they'll do to him? What if they make him drink and do drugs? What if they pressurize him into getting into fights? What if they hurt him if he doesn't? What it they kill him?

I'm getting carried away.

Anyway...

So we all met up at the diner down the road. We arrived first, so we ordered coffee and stuff. We had to wait like fifteen minutes for Ray to get there "'cause the man is notoriously late for everything", which I didn't mind too much, because it gave me time to prepare myself. I guess you could say I get kinda scared about meeting new people or just any people in general. I always get really nervous and twitchy and I muck up everything I go to say and I don't make any sense. That's why I like writing to you so much. i feel safe when i write letters to you.

When Ray finally did arrive he didn't do what normal people do to introduce themselves- you know, shake my hand or something- instead he embraced me in this big bear hug thing. It made me feel really awkward, 'cause I'm not too fond of getting close to people. Well, except you. I really like getting close to you.

Ray was pretty tall and he had this huge afro thing going on, which I gotta admit, was pretty fuckin' awesome. He let me touch it and it was all soft and fluffy, like a kitten. He was wearing blue jeans with a big rip in them and when he sat down he would always tap his feet to the beat of the music that was playing and his knee would stick out the hole and bob up and down. He was also wearing a black t-shirt and a pair of converse. I was wearing my Iron Maiden shirt, and he told me he liked it and it made me blush a little. I'm not sure why, but it did.

Ray was happy. I know that sounds weird, but it's true. He was constantly laughing and I don't think the grin fell from his face once that whole day. He was making loads of jokes the whole time, alot of which I didn't get 'cause they were 'private jokes' between Ray and Mikey, which made me feel a bit left out, but I didn't mind too much. I'm not a big fan of being the centre of attention. It makes me feel all... what's the word... claustrophobic.

And he said he'd love to hear me sing. Apparently he was going to start a band with Mikey, 'cause he plays guitar and Mikey plays bass, so he wanted to hear me sing, 'cause they needed a front man. I told him I'd sing for him the next time I saw him, but I explained I was already in a band. With you. Mikey rolled his eyes when I said that, which made me annoyed and I wanted to hit him so badly. But I didn't. I don't like being violent... well, not in public anyway!

I should probably be going now. Gotta get some sleep or I'll be cranky in the morning. I'll post this to you tomorrow on my way to the bus stop. I'll write to you again next week, and if you want to write back to me I'd love it, but if you don't that's cool too. You don't have to be shy though. It's just me. It's just 'cause I really miss talking to you. That night underneath the cherry blossom tree in the park feels like so long ago...

Love you lots. Speak to you soon.

Xo g