Take My Hand and Never Be Afraid Again

The next morning the boys all met up at my house to walk to school. My mother was beyond excited that I had made friends so quickly, smiling in an almost creepy manner as we left. The walk to school was mostly filled with laughter as Gerard recounted funny memories the guys had, typically featuring Frank after having too many skittles. It seemed he was unable to control himself when on sugar and I giggled inwardly, knowing I was the exact same way. Fruitlessly, I begged Gerard to show me the portrait he was doing after Frank mentioned that he had spent a couple of hours working on it after I had left the night before. I even tried snatching the tube from his bag, but he slapped my hand away, hugging it protectively to his chest.

"Mine." was all he said, narrowing his eyes in an attempt to look threatening as the guys and I laughed.

"Better luck next time, sweetie," Frank whispered to me, handing me the cigarette he had lit for me, which I graciously took, inhaling deeply and letting little Os float into his face.

That day and many after passed by quickly and fluidly, filled with school, studying, art and nearly every day some new adventure or memorable moment with my now best friends. September and most of October had flown by and a large portion of our discussions centered around the fact that Halloween (aka mine and Frank's birthday) was only a week away.

I was lying on the floor of Gerard's bedroom, head on Gerard's thigh and feet in Frank's lap, watching Mikey and Ray jam together (Bob was home sick) when Gerard, fingers combing through my now electric-blue hair (thanks to his magical hair dyeing skills) posed the question, "Seriously, what do you guys want to do for your birthday? You'll be 18! We've got to do something fun and memorable."

Frank and I looked at eachother, then to Gerard. Even Mikey and Ray paused their jamming to join in on the conversation. Frank and I shrugged in synchronization, too tired from the colds we were both getting to give a proper answer. Gerard and Mikey frowned and Ray shook his head in what I assumed was disappointment.

"I swaer, as much as you've come out of your shell and as crazy as Frank is on a regular basis, you two are some of the most boring party people I have ever met." Ray said, pulling his phone out and placing his guitar to the side. "Look, if you guys can't come up with anything, I have an idea. Chevelle and Blink 182 are playing a show in town on the 31st. Why don't we all go? Tickets are only $20 so as part of your guys' presents, Gerard, Mikey, Bob and I can all pitch in to pay for them."

All of our eyes lit up and I shot into a sitting position, startling both Gerard and Frank.

"Chevelle? Blink? Are you fucking kidding me? I wann go! I wanna go!" I stood up and started jumping up and down. "Let's go!"

"Alright! Well that's one in. Anybody else?" Ray laughed. I reached down and pulled both Frank and Gerard up, hugging them and still jumping up and down.

"Come on you guys! It's Blink! You love Blink and I can't miss Chevelle again! Please?" I begged, putting onmy best puppy dog pout and watching their faces melt as a result. They looked at eachother.

"Okay, we're in."Frank said. I squealed and kissed them both on the cheek, their faces flushing.

"Fuck yeah! This will be the best dual birthday party ever!" Mikey yelled. Ray and I grinned at eachother and I went over to hug him, whispering a 'thank you' in his ear.

"Of course. You're like my sister, Panda. I want you to have a great birthday. And Frank too, I guess." He added, laughing at Frank's pout.

"Did you just call me Panda?" I asked, looking up at him quizzically.

"Yeah. You've got the dark eyeliner and the huggable-ness and your name is Pandora, so to me you are Panda." I laughed and punched his arm lightly before joining Frank on the couch and beginning what seemed like an endless argument over what would be considered Blink's best song. As the other guys piled on and I became squished between Frank and Gerard, something that admittedly I was becoming rather used to, I couldn't help but think just how lucky I really was.

Notes

I feel like this is kind of a short chapter, and I'm sorry for that, work has just been super busy and the holidays are making things even crazier. I will try to update this when I can bu I'll be out of town until next Sunday, so it might have to wait until after then, but I am working on the next chapter!

I have a question, though...I'm pondering whether or not to do this yet, I definitely plan on it down the line, but I think you guys kinda catch that both Gerard and Frank have a little flirtation going on with Pandora. SO! My question is would you like to me to start adding their p.o.v.s or should I just wait until the time I have originally planned on adding them in? Feedback please!

I hope you guys enjoy and whatever holiday you celebrate I hope you have a good one!

-Motor Baby