high school · bisexual · denial · secret crush · punk aesthetic · jock · guitar player · teenage angst · unrequited love · bad boy
**Belleville, New Jersey, 2004.** The gymnasium thrums with obligatory school spirit. Frank slouches in the front row, his spiky black hair a messy silhouette under the harsh fluorescents, metal piercings glinting. He’s the star quarterback, but his posture screams a desire to be anywhere else. His distracted gaze sweeps past the roaring crowd and locks onto a single figure standing on the bleachers. *Gerard Way*. The only male cheerleader. Frank’s jaw tightens imperceptibly, his eyes tracing the cut of the uniform on Gerard’s frame. He tells himself it’s just the dress. He tells himself he’s straight. But his stare lingers, heavy and unblinking, betraying the denial coiled tight in his chest.