Upon Collision

Chapter Three: Leave Of Absence

Gerard took one last quick wipe of his hands on his pants before standing up and promptly making his way to the podium, setting out his small speech and clearing his throat.

“Protocol has already been established. As previously stated, I am Gerard Way, son of the Minister of National Security, Mr. Don Way.” He paused to glance at all the people seated in the church and the many cameras and media personnel. Damn this was nerve-wrecking.

“Before I continue, I would like to make one thing clear. I have officially declined the offer to lead the investigations of the murders by Ghost. However, I do accept to lend my assistance where needed.”

Those damn officials thought they could reel him into this by publicly announcing sh*t. He already declined, but no, they just had to push it.

“I have assisted in countless cases prior, therefore experience is not an issue. This killer, known as ‘Ghost’ is in fact one of the most talented we have seen so far. Investigations are being made with little progress. This man is very skilled at what he does. There are very little to no traces as to his whereabouts, his accomplices or his identity. The witness of those who have seen or come into contact with him will be greatly appreciated.”

Even thinking about the situation now, it still baffled Gerard, but he had to stick to the script. “With what little knowledge gathered so far, I have found it appropriate to assume, that Ghost is not merely a man, but an organization. The feats he has accomplished are in no doubt assisted, in terms of a motive, we are still skeptical.”

Gerard paused again, swallowing hard at his dry throat and licking his lips, trying to salvage what little of the moisture was left in his mouth by the nerves that coursed through his body. Small murmurs erupted amongst the congregation.

“A video was streamed live, nation-wide, by Ghost himself.” He nodded to the audio/visual technician as a signal for them to play the ‘speech’.

“Skip the pleasantries. I…am Ghost. This is a message to everyone; everywhere in the hearing of my voice…Fear me! I have plans, to set this world straight on the right path of justice. Anyone who stands in my way of making this world a better place will be eliminated. The Minister of Works and Transport was murdered, not by me, but by the Minister of Finance himself. That’s why they both met their ends. This world has found itself trapped in an ever spiraling whirlwind of karma, doom and hatred. I have taken it upon myself to put my life on the line to do the job that everyone else neglects. I am offering my assistance to the police and other officials to make this world a better place. I am willing to co-operate with you. However, if you do not agree with my methods of justice, then stand aside. I will not falter and I will not fail.”
After a long pause that was filled with murmuring and hushed whispering, Gerard returned to his speech.
“I speak on behalf of my father, and other officials. The decision has been made. We will not join forces with this criminal. We agree that this world as it is, needs conforming, but we do not agree to the methods Ghost has chosen. We will fight against this uprising. We too will not falter. We too, will not fail. Thank you.”

A round of applause erupted as Gerard returned to his seat. Cameras went off in a blur and array of bright, white lights, blinding him temporarily. Ignoring the uncomfortable feeling, he sat down and kept his head straight, feigning interest in the rest of the proceedings.

……………

Gerard could literally feel the stares burning into his back, sending nervous goose-bumps up and down his back. Anywhere he passed, conversation became hushed, and students would turn and huddle together in little circles around lockers, bins, entrances to classrooms…everyone just focused their attention on Gerard, and he couldn’t have hated it more.

The silence that plastered the school halls was deafening, no one dared to cross his path, except for Wilder, Nick and Danny. Wilder walked straight up to him and stopped.
“Hey there…Way.” Now, people didn’t even bother to hide it, they blatantly stared at the exchange, all of them nervous.
Wilder continued. “I bet you’re loving all the attention huh?”

Gerard thought it best not to reply.

“Well Mr. Big-Shot, I wonder how you’ll look in that fancy tuxedo if it was covered in your own blood.” Wilder sneered cracking his knuckles, but it was obvious that he was the slightest bit nervous. Even Nick and Danny behind him were exchanging glances.

“Or yours.” Was Gerard’s simple response before stepping around the trio and heading to his locker. A familiar blonde beauty stood at the locker right next to him, busily engrossed in whatever it was she was doing. Knowing, just by the black t-shirt and combat-boots, that it was Steph, he walked right to his locker, opening his mouth to call her out, but before any sound could leave his mouth, the halls became dead-pan silent, prompting him to shut it.

Noticing the change in atmosphere, Stephanie turned around, her long blonde hair that was tied in a pony-tail, swinging freely behind her. She spotted him and smiled.
“Oh hi Gee! What’s up!” She waved him over. He smiled warmly at her reaction. At least one person was treating him normally.
“Nothing much…sort of. Just came to get my books.”

She smiled. “Well hurry up. I was just on my way over to Frank’s locker. Wanna come?” Gerard nodded.
“Sure thing. Uhh, what class do you have first period?” She shrugged.
“Bio..what about you.” Gerard pulled the slip with his time table out of his pocket and looked at it.
“Bio.”
“Great! Frank does too…well let’s go!”

Her bubbly nature seemed to brighten that of everyone else because in less than no time, school was back to normal…ish.

Frank was just closing his locker, and just like last time, Gerard was about to call him out again but Stephanie stopped him.
“Don’t…even bother. He’s like a little rabbit, he’ll just ignore you and try to walk away.” Following Steph’s lead, Gerard walked behind her, watching as she waltz up to Frank and tapped his shoulder. “Hey Pansy.”

Even though his face was partially blocked by the locker, you could tell he was smiling. “Hey…Combat Barbie!” He slammed the door shut, his broad smile instantly fading when he saw Gerard.

“Heya Frank.” Gerard greeted.
“I-ive got to go to class.” He stated simply, before turning to walk away.
“Dude, wait up.”

“Shouldn’t you be going to your class now?” Frank sounded slightly annoyed.
“Yeh. I gots Biology.” Frank sighed and kept walking.
“Then shouldn’t you be going to the Biology Lab?”

Gerard slowed down a bit. “Um, isn’t that where you’re going?” Frank stopped abruptly and spun around to face him, eyes cold and…angry?

“I’m gonna take a piss…wanna back off a bit?” He bit at him.
“Frank, you know you’re heading to the bio lab, just keep walking!” Stephanie buffed, causing Frank’s feature to look somewhat defeated before he turned and walked off.

“Sorry about him Gerard…just, don’t take it to heart. He tends to have trouble…adjusting.” Gerard nodded.
“I understand. Thanks though.” And with that they all headed off to biology.

…………….

“…yeh well if it doesn’t- Oh hey Gerard!” Stephanie piped up from the lunch table she was seated at with Frank. Frank didn’t even look up.

Gerard hung his head and tried to hide behind his long bangs.
“Hey…” He muttered and slid into the seat next to Steph. An awkward silence fell over the trio.

“Sooo..” Stephanie began, but Frank cut her off.
“I gotta go.” And with that, he got up and turned to leave, but Gerard grabbed his arm firmly. “Frank…wait.” Frank glared at him.
“Let. Go.” He spat through clenched teeth.

The whole cafeteria went silent. Gerard was contemplating force, he just wanted Frank to listen, but it would be inappropriate. He had no right doing that, so instead, he loosened his grip and watched as Frank shrugged him off and left.

Gerard looked at his hands which were in his lap, trying to ignore the burning stares of everyone in the cafeteria. Stephanie reached a hand out and put it on Gerard’s lap.
“Hey…” she gave a sympathetic smile, “If it helps any…I think its kina cool what you do. You know…helping the country and all.” He smiled at her.
“Thanks.”

She carried on. “As I said, don’t take anything to heart. Frank just has a lot of trouble adjusting and well…trusting people. But it’s funny because he’s so kind and helpful. You guys actually hit it off pretty well.” Gerard furrowed his brows slightly, then relaxed and started to eat the snack he brought. He quickly learned from Frank and Steph that the cafeteria food here…sucks!

“I suppose he is that way.” Gerard agreed. “On my first day here he helped me off my butt in the halls…” those damn kids, “And I notice he helps a lot of the little kids around here too.” Stephanie nodded. “That’s how he is. And he really doesn’t care that he gets beaten up for it.”

“What do you mean?”

Stephanie looked up at him in slight confusion, then a realization hit her. “Oh right we never did tell you.”
“Tell me what?”
“You remember sometime last week, when I first met you, that dickhead Wilder and his gang were beatin the sh*t out of Frank?” Gerard nodded, remembering the incident. “Well I was just on my way to 6th period Chemistry with Frank, and we saw Wilder and his gang picking on this poor little chubby-pie in seventh grade. Frank ran straight up to Wilder and punched him in the face and screamed at him to leave the kid alone. Before I could tell what happened, Frank already ran off with Wilder in pursuit.”

Gerard put the pieces together. “That’s when he ran into me and..well yeh.” Stephanie nodded with a sad smile.
“And he just never fights back. If it’s one thing about Frank that I know, he feels strongly about justice. And as corny as it sounds, when it comes to right or wrong, he’s pretty serious.” Gerard nodded, soaking in the information.

“You guys…you’re the same you know?” Gerard looked at her again.
“How so? I’ve only known you guys for about a week.” Steph just smiled.
“Well…I don’t know how to explain it but…call it woman’s intuition. I’ve seen you help out kids around the school, even though you just got here yourself. On your third day here you even stood up for Frank! I can tell you feel just as strongly about fairness as Frank does. You guys…You’ll either be best friends or worst enemies. . . But let’s just stick with best friends.”

Before Gerard could get another word in, the bell rang signaling the end of lunch break.
“See you later Gee!” Stephanie waved over her shoulder and left. Gerard sighed and pulled out his time table.
Physics…room 4.3

……………

*phone call*

“Hey dad.” Gerard greeted his father.
“Oh hi son. How’s school going? You rarely call.” As friendly as the words seemed, they had an edgy tone to them.

“Oh yeah, uhh, it just finished. I’m staying back a bit so I’d be home later than usual.”
“Oookay? And why tell me?” Gerard put his hand to his head. “I won’t be home at all. I’ve got extra work to do since somebody decided they aren’t going to carry out an assigned job-“

“Oh come on dad! Really? Now? You wanna have this conversation right now?”
“You’re right Gerard. I’mbusy man so don’t waste my time. Goodbye.”

The phone line went dead. So much for a loving father. Gerard spun on his heels and walked back into the now deserted halls of the school. It wasn’t that late, yet it wasn’t too early. Gerard walked in silence; the only sound heard was the squeak of his sneakers against the mopped floors. He sighed a put his hands in his pockets and casually strolled, taking random corners.

In his head he was hearing Astro Zombies by Misfits playing so he began to hum the tune and slowly working his way into words.

“..directive. exterminate the whole human race and your face drops in a pile of flesh….”

He walked a little bit then slowed down, thinking he was hearing another voice singing along with him. He paused and listened.
Nothing but the faint tune of the song playing in his mind. He shrugged and kept walking.

“Prime directive. Exterminate whatever stands left. All I wanna say. And all I gotta do… who’d I do this for hey me or you.”

He walked a little further…hearing the voice again. This time though, he realized that he wasn’t just hearing it in his head. He was literally hearing it, just really soft…almost as in it was in one of the-

BAM! He flew open one of the classroom doors to see Frank poised in the corner, one foot on a chair and headbanging like crazy whilst playing an ‘air guitar’.
“Oh, all I want, to knoooow!!! All I wan-“

The music cut off immediately when Frank noticed him.

He came down from his ‘high’ and stared at Gerard awkwardly. A few moments passed of them just awkwardly staring at each other, before Gerard cleared his throat and walked to the CD player where Frank had paused the song. Frank watched as he held up the old device and stared at it before his eyes opened wide.

“Wow! Cassette, I haven’t seen one of these things in forever!” Frank glared at Gerard but Gerard ignored that and picked up a nearby piece of wood.
He pressed play and a huge grin plastered itself on his face.

“..-t. With just a touch of my burning hand-“ Gerard held the stick to his lips and started to sing and head bang. “I’m gonna live my life to destroy your world.”

A slow smile dragged it’s way across Frank’s face as he watched Gerard dance across the class room and gyrate his waist. “Prime directive, exterminated the-“
He pointed to Frank who joined in with a loud, “WHOLE F*CKIN PLACE!”

Frank picked back up his ‘air guitar’ and stood by Gerard, both of them sharing the ‘microphone’ and singing.
“Well all I wanna say, and all I gotta do. Who’d I do this for hey me or you!” They sang along pointing at each other when they sang ‘you’.

Gerard climbed onto the table doing this whole ‘sass dance’ and shaking his butt while Frank head banged and ‘played’ wildly across the classroom, through the chairs.

“And all I wanna say, and all I gotta dooo! Who’d I do this for Hey me or you!” Gerard tried to jump, but instead his foot landed in the air right next to the table and he slid straight off and fell on his butt with one foot still hooked to the table top.Frank stopped playing and watched and Gerard got up and tried to pass it off as nothing.

“Ahaahaaaa!!!!” Frank grabbed to a nearby desk, clutching his stomach as he laughed over the music while Gerard rubbed his butt in the most awkward way ever. “C’mon Way! Big finale!” Frank screamed.

Frank climbed onto a desk and Gerard shook his head. “Nope…not me and those things again.” Frank giggled and hurried him. Quickly Gerard climbed onto the desk and they both jumped off with a scream for the last strum of the guitar.

They dropped to the floor laughing and gasping for air from their previous ‘performance’. “Aww man that was rad.” Frank breathed, still giggling every now and then. Gerard nodded smiling.
“Yeh. Man. Who’d have thought you like Misfits.”

Frank looked at him like if he was insane. “Pshh..anybody man. Who’d have thought YOU even KNEW about Misfits.” Gerard giggled.
“Who doesn’t.”
“True.”

They got up off the floor, Frank having to help Gerard up because his a*s hurt too much. Gerard was pulling his t-shirt down as it rode up when he fell, and Frank was now twisting his hoodie into the correct position while giggling.
“That was fun Gee.” Gerard smiled at him.
“Yeh but my ass hurt way too mu-“ Gerard cut himself off when he looked up and saw Stephanie in her cheer-leading uniform, staring at both of them in horror…sort of.

Her mouth was wide open, but she closed it, only to open it again as if trying to say something. Honestly though, she looked like a goldfish.
”Wha-“ was all she managed. Frank and Gerard seemed to catch on at the same time, glancing at each other.

They were both sweaty and out of breath, Frank was twisting his hoddie back in place, Gerard was pulling his t-shirt down while his hand clutched his butt and saying that it hurt. Stephanie then giggled.

“Geez, I mean like..wow! When I heard screaming from down the hall, I wasn’t expecting- damn!” Gerard and Frank looked in panic.
“No! that’s no-…” Gerard tried to explain.
“You got this wrong Steph.” Frank said. She just laughed.
“See you tomorrow my dears!” She waved over her shoulder and left.

Only one word passed through Gerard and Frank, “Damn!”

Notes

My apologies for not posting last week. I was out of the country for the weekend.(and for some reason every time i go to type 'for' i type 'fro' ....) Oh well...don't be afraid to tell me what you think :
xXSleepingBulletsXx