Gerard

I pushed all of my books into my locker and sighed heavily. I hadn't seen Frank yet and I was worried that Lily had killed him, or worse – he might have changed his mind and chose her over me. I shut my locker door glumly and nearly squealed when Franks face appeared from behind it, smiling a most fetching smile.

"Hey," he said softly.

"Hey… So, how did it go? With Lily, I mean," I asked, ignoring my racing heart beat sweaty hands and shaky voice.

"It wasn't pretty. I ended up getting slapped, but I can tell you all that later. That bitch can hit pretty fucking hard though! On the plus side, I can now proudly call you my boyfriend!" I barely let him finish his sentence before throwing my arms around his neck, nearly knocking him to the floor. I pulled back a little and stared into his eyes before leaning back in and brushing my lips against his. Frank opened his mouth a little and I deepened the kiss, getting so lost in the moment that I didn't notice Lily approaching until I was abruptly broken away from Frank. I slammed against the locker – the action grew less and less effective each time it occurred.

"How DARE you!" she screeched, dealing me a blow to my face.

"Don't you dare hit Gerard, Lily," Frank snarled, placing his hand on my arm protectively. All the people in the corridor were now staring at us.

"Lily, shhh – people are staring," I whispered turning into Frank's shoulder and attempting feebly to hide from the crowds in the corridor.

"Shut up you stupid, gay fuck. I don't give a shit!" Lily was gesticulating violently. Frank stared yelling back at Lily, but I couldn't hear it over the ringing in my ears; I began to sway from side to side.

"Frank," I groaned uneasily, trying to warn him about what was going to happen, but it was too late – I threw up all over Lily… all over her new dress.

.

Frank began laughing hysterically beside me whilst Lily stood as still as a statue for about 10 seconds, the entire corridor staring and trying not to break into laughter. Suddenly, she ran off with cheeks as red as my hair. She was followed by a few others who I identified as the friends that actually liked her.

"You ok, Gee?" Frank asked, smirking and putting his arm around my shoulder, rubbing the top of my arm soothingly. Silvery tears began to form in my eyes.

"I want to go home," I whined, gripping the front of his t-shirt and tipping my head back to avoid the tears from escaping my eyes.

"Ok, sugar; I'll take you to the nurse."

"Thanks, Frankie," I mumbled, pressing into his side and ignoring the eyes that were still on us. "You're my hero." Frank made a soft giggling noise and led me through the emptying corridors.


Frank

I dragged my Gee along to the nurse, refusing to leave his side until his mother came. She smiled and chatted to me when she arrived in between cooing over Gerard and talking to the nurse, who suggested he should go home. I had often felt jealous of Gee in many ways, his artistic talent and his beautiful voice to begin with, but being jealous of his relationship with his Mum was probably the worst; she was so loving and kind and I would have given anything for that... no… I had Gee now, and he was all I needed. I waved good bye, promising the nurse I would return to class – lies! I ran straight past chemistry, out through the broken gate and headed towards the park – to the tree.

.

I saw a familiar, figure beside the tree, so thin, pale and delicate - it was Liz. She was holding a big, black umbrella above her head to shield her from the rain, but the soft tears silently rolling down her cheeks mirrored the rain drops that landed beside me, dampening the day. I slid down beside her, on to the flat, wet grass and snuggled up under the safety of her umbrella. Her skin was almost luminous against the dull grey of the day, except for the deep, red lacerations on her wrists; I shuddered and tried not to get too upset.

"What's wrong?" I asked softly, concern in my voice as I looked at her sparkling eyes.

"Nothing I should be crying about," she answered looking away from me and wiping at her eyes, self-loathing prominent in her voice.


Liz

"What do you mean?" Frank asked looking puzzled. "You're a brave girl, honey. I know that you wouldn't cry over something silly. So tell me, what's on your mind?"

"Thanks, but I'm not, otherwise I wouldn't be crying over something as insignificant as this," I whined like a child. I sighed deeply. "It's just that I'm starting to like this girl, only she's probably not even aware of my existence… and I have no chance anyway considering she's straight." I dropped my head in to my hands, frustrated by my own stupidity.

"Are you sure she is, sweetie?" Frank inquired, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

"Pretty, sure – they always are straight. It fucking sucks," I answered glumly. "I think she's in the year below us too, so that's even worse." Frank just hugged me tighter and tapped me on the nose, playfully.

"I can't imagine any girl not being fatally attracted to you," Frank giggled. "So… What does she look, like then?"

.

I smiled as we dived in to quite possibly the most girly conversation that I had engaged in with a guy. I described the way her sleek, jet black hair fell like curtains upon her shoulders, shielding her deep blue - almost violet – eyes from the world. I explained how sometimes I caught a glimpse of her looking up through her fringe and people, her soft lips up turning up into a magnificent smile that was brighter and more dazzling than the sun. We talked about the mysterious girl for ages, my heart warming as Frank began making up multiple scenarios in which I would always save her from a fate worse than death, causing her to fall madly in love with me. The time flew and I barely noticed it pass me by as I giggled with Frank under our tree. Frank just kind of knew how to make me feel better.

.

"SHIT," Frank cried out suddenly. Startled by his outburst, I dropped the umbrella, causing us to be momentarily covered in tiny droplets of water. I looked at the illuminated screen of the phone that he had just pulled out of his jeans pocket - the time was 3:20. Crap - school had finished 15 minutes ago, not that it affected me. 'Oh well,' I thought. It wasn't like my mum would have cared, the fucking bitch – she probably wouldn't even be home. "I'm really sorry, Liz," he continued, standing up and brushing himself down. "But I have to go. Gee was ill earlier and now I have to go see if he's okay. Are you going to be okay getting home?"

"Sure," I said, a genuine smile playing across my lips, which I saw mirrored upon Frank's face. "Is Gerard okay?" I asked.

"I think so – he threw up all over Lily! It was fucking hilarious!" I laughed loudly along with Frank. "I think that's the first time I've heard you laugh, Liz." I blushed and looked away. I said a quick good bye to Frank and watched as he rushed off, cursing under his breath. I stood up slowly and picked up my dripping wet bag, my smile fading as I trudged through the mud towards my unwelcoming home. Hopefully everybody would be out as I had to dress the wounds I had inflicted on my wrists.

"It's not like they'd care," a voice in my head said cruelly.

"Oh do shut up," I mumbled under my breath, twisting the umbrella above my head and humming to myself, all the time thinking of the mysterious girl in the corridor.