Brendon grabbed Frank's arm and pulled him from the car. He dragged the shorter man up the walkway of what was, in the simplest way, a mansion. Frank looked in awe at the size of the place while Brendon chatted excitedly about how Ryan was already here, and how he hoped Ryan would wear the new shirt he had bought him, and that he wanted Ryan to notice the new cologne he was wearing, and that he hoped Ryan wouldn't get sick because Brendon wanted to stay for the whole party, just for once. Frank half listened as Brendon opened the door to Gabe's house and marched in. They dodged people, and after working their way through the packed dance floor, they found Ryan with a few other people at a small table. Frank instantly recognized Pete, his boss, who was sitting with a blond man.
"Hey, Frank!" Pete yelled over the heavy bass. "This is Patrick, he's my boyyyy-frieeennnd!" He slurred. Frank realized that Pete was totally shit faced and relaxed a bit. Brendon yelled in his ear, having torn himself away from Ryan for a moment.
"Pete doesn't care what we do in our spare time – do whatever you want here!" He giggled excitedly, and rushed back to sit in Ryan's lap. Frank turned slightly, and looked around the room. He made his way over to the bar and grabbed a beer – not the crappy watery kind he was used to, but real beer. He sat down in relatively empty corner and cradled his drink. When he was finished, he went up to the bar again and got himself another. He made brief eye contact with Brendon, who waved for him to join them, but Frank waved back and made his way outside. The front lawn was littered with random drink cups, but there was no one around. He sat down on the cement garden ledge and lit a cigarette. Once he had stubbed it out, he looked back at the house, with its too loud music and drunk occupants. He reached back in his pocket and pulled out another cigarette. He threw the pack down on the ledge beside him and leaned back on his hands. He heard the front door open and close, but didn't think much of it until he heard someone sit beside him.
"Got an extra smoke?" The voice asked. Frank opened his eyes to see a dark figure beside him. He reached in his pocket and pulled the pack out, handing one to the man. When he turned to grab the cigarette, a light from the porch hit his face. Frank let a little sigh out. The man had messy black hair, and the most gorgeous hazel eyes he had ever seen. Frank felt a blush spread over his face, and noticed the other man was slightly pink as well.
The stranger lit his cigarette, and looked up at the house.
"Crazy party, huh?" He said softly.
"Yeah." Frank answered. The other man shifted a bit.
"Not really my thing, parties. My brother wanted to come...he needed a ride, so...here I am." He smiled at Frank, and Frank blushed even more.
Fuck, he thought. What am I, a 12 year old girl with a crush?
"So, um, what's your name?" Frank asked, and the man looked shy for a moment.
"Gerard."
"Frank." The men shook hands, and Gerard noticed the tattoos on Frank's arm.
"Those look great." Gerard said, making Frank blush again.
"Thanks, man. You have any?" Gerard shifted and looked down.
"Nah, I'm, um...I'm afraid of needles." He looked up at Frank, then immediately back down at his lap. "Pretty lame, huh?" Frank shook his head.
"I'm terrified of spiders. It makes no sense, but I am." Gerard smiled slightly, and looked back at Frank.
"So, Frank, if you hate spiders, then what do you like?"
The two learned that both liked most of the same bands, and while they began debating which Misfits album was the best, they heard the door to the house slam. A blond man – Frank noticed it was Pete's boyfriend, what was his name again...
"PATRICK!" They heard the door slam again, and Pete came rushing out. "PAT! Come back, c'mon, it was just a joke!"
"No, Pete, it wasn't. I'm done with you. You go out, get drunk, and embarrass people. That, I can tolerate. But leaving me for some new guy? You don't even know him."
"Patrick, I'm sorry, pleeaaase! You know I love you!" Pete slurred and stumbled across the lawn.
"Do I? Y'know what Pete, maybe your new boyfriend will be able to hold your hand and help you get over this. I don't care anymore." Patrick climbed into a car and sped off, and Pete dropped to his knees on the lawn. Frank looked at Gerard, who was turned towards the door. Frank looked back and saw a thin man with glasses and brown hair...that looked quite similar to Gerard.
"Frank, I, uh...I gotta go." Gerard said, and he got up. The thin man was walking towards a silver car parked around the side of the house, and Gerard looked hesitantly after him. "Maybe, um, we'll meet up again sometime." He ran his hand through his hair nervously, waiting for Frank to reply.
"Yeah, maybe. See you later, Gerard." Frank watched him leave, and then looked back towards where Pete was still kneeling on the lawn. He made his way over, helped a crying Pete up, and the two walked to Pete's car. Pete was able to direct Frank to his house, and Frank helped him inside. He was about to leave when he noticed that he couldn't. Pete wasn't able to take care of himself. Frank sighed, found some old blankets in one of Pete's closets, and after helping Pete into bed, he crashed on the couch in Pete's room. Before he fell asleep, he thought of Gerard, and realized that he'd probably never see him again.
He tossed and turned all night.