Chapter Three.
"Mikey what if he was there? Thanks to you I might have missed out." Gerard complained, putting the last cardboard box into the car.
"Yeah but he might not have even gone. It's not as if you'll never see him again. I don't see what you find so intriguing to be honest, he's just another guy." Mikey replied.
"Another guy? Mikey, you know how hard it's been for us to make friends all through our fucking lives and now you're practically letting one pass us, one that could help us start a band."
"God Gerard you're such a drama queen."
"A drama queen? Mikey you just don't... yanno lets just forget It." said Gerard, walking back towards the house.
"Gerard, wait!" Mikey shouted after him.
"What?" Gerard replied, not turning around.
"I called Ray earlier and asked him to bring his friends round so we could meet some new people and Frank's one of them."
Before Gerard turned to face his brother he smiled, happy that he was going to see Frank again.
It was about half five when Gerard started getting nervous, he barely knew Ray and Frank and apparently they were bringing someone else too. Gerard was anxious about people in general and new ones were worse, he wasn't sure who to trust and he always made things more awkward than they should be.
Mikey had gone out to get some beers and he still wasn't back. Gerard twisted his hands together in apprehension.
What if they come and Mikey isn't home? I'll have to entertain them on my own. I can't do that, that's not me. Mikey's the friendly type. Oh god. Before Gerard's internal monologue could continue and scare him further, the door opened and he froze in horror.
Fortunately it was Mikey, however he was being followed. By Ray, a blonde haired guy then finally Frank.
"Help yourselves to beer, Ray will show you the kitchen." Mikey laughed and sat down next to his brother, giving him and sympathetic smile.
A few beers and some good conversations later, Gerard had got used to the strangers and actually started to enjoy their company. He'd even managed to ask the blonde guy's name; it was Bob. Frank in particular was more fascinating than when they met in the music store the other day, he was funny and always had something to talk about. He was also getting fairly drunk which was fun to watch.
Soon however, they were making plans to go home. Frank was going back to Ray's as he was almost too drunk to walk properly and kept dosing off and Bob's friend was coming for him.
"I guess we'll see you guys later?" said Ray, while putting his arm round Frank and hauling him to his feet.
"Yeah definitely." smiled Mikey, giving him a hand. Frank groaned groggily, eyes still shut. He didn't want to walk but he knew that Ray would leave him outside if he didn't. He stumbled out of the door clinging to Ray's shoulders; Mikey shut it behind them laughing.
Soon after Ray and Frank's unorganised exit, Bob left, thanking the Way brothers as he walked down the drive. When he had gone, Mikey and Gerard sunk into the sofa and sighed happily.
"That wasn't too bad now was it, Gee?" smiled Mikey.
"No, I suppose not. Bob's cool." Gerard replied, resting his hand on the back of his head.
"So you won't mind seeing them again tomorrow, to help us plan a late house-warming party?"
"Uh, no that could be fun." Gerard gave his brother a half hearted smile and looked away.
"Gerard, if you don't want a party then just tell me." said Mikey, putting a comforting hand on his brothers' shoulder.
"Ah, Mikes. I do," Gerard replied truthfully, "I'm not sure about people from the neighbourhood being here. I'll be fine after alcohol obviously but I can't drink all my life before meeting people."
"Well grow some balls and just enjoy the party." laughed Mikey, grabbing a beer and standing up.
Gerard smiled weakly and followed his brother up stairs, he turned left into his bedroom; saying goodnight to Mikey as he shut the door.
A few hours later, Gerard woke up with an alcohol induced headache and thoughts of the night replaying in his mind, Frank somehow drifted into these thoughts too, how can someone be that amazing after only meeting them twice? Wait, don't be stupid Gerard, just because he's into the same things as you. You don't even like him in that way. He is kinda cute I suppose. Just see how you feel about him next time you meet.
Trying to get back to sleep wasn't easy after the 'Frank' thoughts. They clouded his brain and pushed any other thoughts, the rational and normal ones, to the back of his skull, causing a different type of headache; all he cold think about was how cute Frank had been and how he couldn't wait to have a proper conversation with him when he wasn't drunk. Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.
