Lex's POV
It was Friday, finally, I didn't sleep at all the night before not that it mattered much I never sleep that well. Insomnia is a bitch but I'm also starting to develop night terrors. I got up from my bed at 4 in the morning and walked into my bathroom starting the shower and climbing in. I washed my hair and body climbing out and wrapping a towel around myself and my hair.
I walked out of the bathroom and towards my closet pulling out my clothes for the day. I giggled at my shirt remembering what Mikey had said about me and my hair the first day at lunch. Then I plugged in my straightener and started to try and flatten my hair but it wasn't really working out so I gave up, and just teased it up then hair spraying it so it would stay throughout the day. I pulled on my jacket unplugging the straightener and turning out my light, then pulled on my backpack and slipped my shoes on taking the stairs two at a time downstairs. I started a pot of coffee and turned on the tv in our kitchen watching cartoons while waiting for my coffee. The house was silent as it wasn't even 6 yet, I was planning on walking to school today as it was a chilly almost September morning here. The coffee pot started to beep signaling it's job was done I poured a cup and fixed it the way I like it drowning it quickly and pouring another, I drank nearly the entire pot before placing my mug in the sink and leaving the house. I shut the door behind me and put both of my headphones into my ears starting Take off your Pants and Jacket by Blink 182. I locked the house door behind me and started my walk towards school.
*
It was 6:15 when I got to my school, which didn't start until 7:55 so I went and sat on the benches in front of the school and pulled out my sketchbook starting to sketch a vampire sitting on top of a hill of bodies, it was quite morbid and disturbing but that's what I like to draw. I don't have a problem with dead bodies, blood, and gruesome scenes.
When we lived in Ohio I saw the body of a man in our backyard, I was about 9 or 10, but my mother put me in therapy thinking it had screwed me up but it didn't bother me.
I lost count of the minutes I had been sitting there, but I soon felt someone's presence next to me and I looked up to see Frank staring at my drawing with a look of curiosity.
"You know curiosity killed the cat." I said making him jump.
"I didn't think you noticed me, what are you even doing here? Your siblings and bus aren't even here."
I shrugged, "I walked."
"Did you sleep last night?"
I shrugged, "don't worry about it Frankie. I'm a big girl I can take care of myself."
He rolled his eyes at me but didn't say anything else. I looked down at my watch which read 7:35, and the parking lot was starting to fill up with kids who actually enjoyed being in this hellhole. I shoved my sketchbook back into my bag, "come on let's get inside." I grabbed Frank's hand and dragged him inside, I let go and walked to my locker putting my headphones back in, I opened it up throwing my textbooks for after lunch in it.
"Hey Lex." I turned to look at Gerard who was leaning against the locker beside mine.
I gave him a weak smile not really in the mood to talk.
"Are you alright?"
I nodded, shutting my locker putting my headphones back in, waving, and leaving him standing there looking a bit shocked.
"Lex wait!" Gerard ran down the hallway towards me and grabbed my arm getting me to stop, he spun me around and I just looked at the ground.
"Let me go please." I said in such an emotionless voice it scared me, Gerard let go out of shock. I started walking down the hallway again not pausing when my friends called my name. I went to my homeroom and sat in the back of the classroom, when it ended I didn't feel like staying in this place any longer so I left, I just opened the backdoor of the school and left.
I walked to my house, knowing no one would be home. I pulled my keys out of my pocket and slid the house key into the lock I heard the satisfying click and I turned the knob of the door walking into the house, shutting and locking the door behind me. My phone started to vibrate against my skin, I just let it go, I wasn't in the mood to talk right now.
I climbed the stars to my room and collapsed on my bed after shutting my bedroom door, I kicked off my shoes and curled into a ball holding my knees to my chest. I didn't want to cry and it didn't start either so I just laid there staring at my wall until my phone started to go off again, I sighed pulling it out of my jacket pocket and looked at the screen. Gerard had texted and called me more than once.
Voicemail and Missed Call from: Gerard; the screen read. I shrugged and decided to listen to it.
"Hey Lex it's Gerard, well you probably know that already." I giggled at his awkwardness. "But where the fuck are you? I'm worried, you don't seem okay and Frank told me about what you were drawing just please just text or call me please. If your feeling up to it we're still having that sleepover tonight, no pressure. Just please call or text me please. Alright bye." I was touched by the way Gerard cared about me.
I looked over my texts all from Gerard.
From: Gerard
Lex, call me

Lex I'm worried where the fuck are you?

Alright that's it I'm calling you

So you didn't fucking answer call me back please

Alexis Fucking Jacobs call me or I'm coming over there.

I rolled my eyes and picked up my phone texting him back.
To: Gerard
Geez don't get your undies in a twist Mr. Way, I'm alright I just needed to get out of there. Seriously don't worry about me I needed some time alone.

I sent it laying back and staring at my ceiling, Luna came and cuddled against my side. I was absentmindedly petting her until I ended up falling asleep.
*
Someone was shaking my shoulder and Luna was hissing at whoever it is.
"Lex wait up, Lex please wake up. Please don't be dead."
"I'm not fucking dead David." I mumbled sitting up and staring at him.
He tried to hold back a smile which I assumed was about me. "Your eyeliner is a bit wonky."
I shrugged wiping under my eyes and coming back with black fingertips.
"What time is it?"
"1:45. Seniors get out early."
I nodded, I had no idea what time I was supposed to go over to Gerard's so I just climbed out of bed and went into my bathroom. I looked at my hair and decided I wanted a change. My roots were already growing in so I pulled out my hair bleach and began the process of turning it to a silvery blonde.
*
I was blowdrying my hair when my sister walked in my room.
"Woah I like the new color, it's cool."
I smiled, my sister is the only one that's ever liked my ever changing hair colors, she changed the color for me the very first time. It came out terrible granted but I was still thankful towards her for supporting me in every aspect of life. She wants to take me with her when she moves out but I'm still deciding.
"Here let me help." She took the blowdryer out of my hands and did it for me. "There done." Her glance kept shifting towards my arms which were jacket less and exposed, but my wrists/forearm is covered in bracelets, doodles, quotes, and song lyrics; I guess from afar it would look like tattoos but I like it.
When I wasn't looking my sister grabbed my arm pulling it up to her face and pushing my bracelets back exposing the deep gashes on my arm. "Oh baby." She pulled me into a hug and I broke down, "sh it's okay, I'm not letting anyone or yourself hurt you anymore. I'm your big sister I'm supposed to protect you." She pulled back, "from now on you and me we stick together alright?"
I nodded, smiling I finally felt as if I was apart of this family. But both of my siblings are leaving at the end of the year, my sister to New York and my brother all the way to San Francisco.
"Don't leave me, please Lacey."
"I'm not leaving I promise, I'll always be right here." She pointed towards my heart. "Hey and the big apple isn't that far from here, when I leave you'll have your own car and you can come see me." She pulled me back into a hug and wouldn't let go.
"Um Lace I sort of need to get ready to go to Gerard's." I said.
"Oh right yeah, wait your going to Gerard's?"
I nodded, "Is that a problem?"
"It depends, who's going to be there?"
"Mikey, Frank, Ray, and Bob. Now please go so I can get ready."
"Are you sleeping over there?"
"What's with the twenty questions Lace? You aren't my mother."
"I know I'm not but I'm still your older sister, so answer the question."
"Yes I'm spending the night."
"Dave and me are walking you there."
"But-"
"No but's little miss, get ready and we'll take you."
"Whatever." I grumbled washing off my face so I could fix my eyeliner.
I did the top lid with my liquid eyeliner and flicking it out at the ends in a winged effect, then I coated my waterline in black pencil eyeliner and stopped when I was comfortable with how it looked. The blackness of the eyeliner brought out the green around my pupils making my eyes look really cool. I messed around with my hair a little bit more and then just gave up seeing as it wasn't going to move anymore.
I grabbed a bag from under my bed and shoved my batman pajamas into it, I took my iPod off my bedside table along with it's charger, my phone charger, and of course my phone. Then I slipped on my shoes and went downstairs, I fed Luna because if I didn't no one would.
"Alright I'm ready let's go." I said behind Lace and Dave.
They both got up and followed me outside and towards Gerard's, I turned towards them, "alright I'll see you tomorrow, or Sunday or whenever I decide to go back to that house." I said in an emotionless voice.
"Nope we're walking you to the door, and your coming home tomorrow just so you know." Lace said and I rolled my eyes.
I turned on my heels and went to the door knocking, Gerard opened and looked a little shocked to see me, "Hi." I said smiling, he grinned and pulled me into a bone crushing hug.
"Jesus I was fucking worried about you."
"Well here I am alive and well."
Lace cleared her throat behind us, "I just wanted to say if it's just the two of you here tonight I request that you don't touch my little sister in any inappropriate way or I'll chop off your balls got it Gerard?"
"And then I'll beat the crap out of you." David said with a hint of thrill.
Gerard looked really scared, you could see the fear in his eyes, "G-got it Lacey and David."
"Fuck off guys we're just friends."
"Night you two." Lace grabbed David by the collar and retreated back to our house.
I again rolled my eyes at them, "Ignore them Gerard they're just being overprotective."
"Someone should be of you, your parents don't seem very protective." Frank said from behind Gerard.
"Oh hi Frankie, let's not talk about those two. Do you mind if I come in or should I just sleep on the door step?"
Gerard's face turned red, "Oh um yeah sorry come on in." He said pulling the door open wider to let me in the house.
I set down my bag and pulled off my shoes leaving them next to the rest and following Gerard and Frank into the basement, which seemed to be Gerard's bedroom. They sat down on the couch and I again sat on the floor.
"Why do you always sit down there Lex?"
I shrugged, "No one moves over for me at home or if I sit down they tell me to move."
Frank shook his head looking mad, I shook it off, I wasn't in the mood to talk about my parents and the fact they haven't said a word to my face in a year and a half, yes they yell from other rooms but they don't talk to me when I'm in the room. I got off the floor and sat next to Gerard putting my head on his shoulder, he put his arm around me and pulled me close. It's weird but being near him calmed me down as did his voice. I've thought about calling him when I can't sleep just to hear his voice.
"Are you alright?" He whispered in my ear.
I shrugged, "what time is everyone leaving tomorrow?"
"Eleven, why?"
"Can I stay a little longer?"
"You can stay as long as you'd like."
I smiled, he really is my best friend, "You changed your hair." Mikey said.
I nodded, "what do you think?"
"I like it, it suits you. Want to play?" He asks handing me his xbox controller.
"Sure thanks Mikes." I took it from his hand and crossed my legs under me. Frankie started the game and I immediately started shooting, killing zombies left and right; and I saved Frankie, Ray, and Bob's asses more than once.
The game ended with me having the most kills, "holy shit. How many times have you played this game?" Frank asks with his mouth hanging open.
"Oh you know just a few times." I said with a smile.
"I forgot this is one of the games in your room." The guys all looked at Gerard weird. "What?"
They shook their heads deciding not to ask. "Boys and Lex the food is here!" Mrs. Way called from upstairs.
The boys all got up and ran upstairs, "You coming?" Gerard asked.
"You go I'll come up later." He nodded and headed upstairs. I put my head in my hands when I heard the door close, I didn't know how long I sat there but I felt the couch sink next to me, I looked over at Mrs. Way who was sitting next to me. I didn't realize I was crying until she wiped tears from under my eyes.
"Come here." She scooted over and brought me close holding me close to her. I started to cry; she was treating me as if I was really her daughter and not just her sons best friend. She made me feel so much better, she made me feel like I matter, like I actually mean something. "You okay honey?"
I nodded, "sorry that's embarrassing." I chuckled.
"Don't be baby, come on just you and me will go out maybe get some ice cream. Do you like comic books?"
I nodded, the word just brought a smile to my face. "Gerard and Mikey used to have me take them to this one store. It doesn't close until later tonight. I'll take you my treat, you look like you want to get some stuff off your chest. Come on."
I smiled and got up off the couch following her upstairs. "I'm taking Lex out boys, we'll be back later."
I put on my shoes and followed Mrs. Way out to her car which she started and backed out of the driveway. "Mrs. Way you don't have to do this."
"Call me Donna or Mother Way; either is fine with me. And yes I do, I went over to your house to introduce myself earlier and your parents acted as if you don't exist. Something you'd like to share?"
"I don't exist in that house, only to my brother and sister." I whispered.
"What happened to you?"
"It's been like this since I was in fourth grade, my brother and sister have always been better than me. They just started to ignore me as if I wasn't there. I started to feel like I wasn't really here."
We sat in silence for the rest of the car ride and she stopped in front of the store and unbuckled; I did the same thing and followed her into the comic store. She grabbed my hand in hers smiling at me, "You are such a strong little girl, think about it this way you are now my honorary daughter anything you need you call me. Your mom and dad don't deserve to be a part of your life."
We went into the comic store and she let me get whatever I wanted and not to worry about the price. When I picked out one comic she made me choose three more, then four more until I had ten in my hands. I felt guilty but she wouldn't let me put them back, she paid for them no matter how much I argued with her she just ignored my protests. We got back in the car and she drove us to an ice cream parlor.
"You sit here I'll go get the ice cream, what type do you like?"
"Um strawberry please."
"I'll be right back." I nodded, twiddling my thumbs together until Mrs. Way came back and sat across from me. "What's on your mind?"
"Can I tell you a secret?"
"Of course honey!"
"You can't tell Gerard or Mikey or Frankie or Ray or Bob or my parents just please Donna."
"I won't tell."
I blew out air pulling my jacket off and pulling off my bracelets showing my cuts.
"Oh baby, let me see." She grabbed my arm and looked at my cuts, "Does Gerard know?"
I shook my head, "I haven't told him but I think that he's guessed."
"I want you to know that I'm here, no matter what. You might not be my daughter but your pretty close to it now."
I smiled and got up from my seat rushing over to her and pulling her into a giant hug. "Thank you."
"Come on let's head back the boys are probably wondering about you."
I nodded grabbing my ice cream and throwing it away, then following Donna to the car and getting in.
*
Donna parked the car, "Thank you so much."
"Your welcome honey, whatever you need ever seriously just come right on over."
I nodded, getting out of the car and rushing downstairs. "Hey guys."
"Where did you go?" Mikey asked.
"No where. I'm going to put on my pajamas, where shall I do that Gee?"
"What did you just call me?" Gerard asked from his bed.
"Gee, is that alright?"
"I like it. And the bathroom."
I nodded grabbing my stuff I threw it on in the bathroom, I emerged, but the room was black the only light coming from the movie playing on the tv. Tiptoeing I went towards Gerard's bed.
I poked his shoulder until he woke up, "What Lex?"
"Can I sleep with you?"
His face softened and he scooted over allowing me to climb in next to him, I snuggled into his side. He makes me feel safe, like my own personal super hero.
"Night Gee."
"Night Lex sleep tight."
I snuggled into him even tighter and fell asleep with my head in the crook of his neck. I'd never felt more accepted and wanted then I did with my group of friends.