Gerard’s POV

Today is my first day of my last year in high school. I’m a senior. After three years of wishing to be the one that’s leaving this hellhole, it is finally my chance. I’m nervous, though. My last year means that it’s my last year before I actually count in the real world. After graduation, I will finally have the resources to make something of myself, and I’m afraid that I won’t be able to. I know it sounds like the plot for a Lifetime movie, but it’s my biggest fear.

Welcome to Belleville High School, home of the rams. It’s a typical high school, with typical cliques, and typical drama. So obviously, I try to stay away from those things. I don’t do clubs or activities or friends for that matter. In my opinion, the fewer friends you have, the less drama you have to endure. I learned that back in freshman year.

Frank Iero. He was my best friend up until the last days of ninth grade. We used to spend every waking moment together, and now I only see him in the cafeteria. I haven’t spoke to him since then, except one time in the tenth grade when he asked me for a pencil in geometry. I’d be lying if I said I don’t miss him, but I honestly don’t think we could be friends again because of the situation that we were in before.

My schedule is just the way I like it, simple. Since I finished all of my credits needed to graduate, I only need an English and math class to pass. The rest of my schedule is fairly free. I have two study halls (have you ever heard of that?), gym, art, library, and band. I’m not in band, but I was put in there due to my double block of study halls and lack of classes to fill in my schedule.
“Mr. umm…. Way. It’s nice to see you again.” Our principal, Mr. Gloomberg greets me when I enter the school building. He’s a stout bald man who always talks about his youth. I guess that’s all you can do when you are displeased with your current life. “I suspect that you are excited for your senior year. You know, senior year was my favorite year when I was in high school.” And there it is, the reminiscing that we all love so much.

“Yes, sir I am.” I say smiling and walking away. I know it wrong to lie to your elders, but I can’t help it. Ever since freshman year, I have been lying about how I feel to everyone, even my family.

My parents are divorced, my brother and I live with my mother while my father lives on his own in an apartment across Jersey. Even though their separation wasn’t because of fighting or adultery, I can’t help but feel that it is the reason for all of my brother’s problems. My brother Mikey is the baby of the family, and before my dad left, he was the happiest. Mikey used to be close to use all, but now he’s the most distant person I know. I worry myself to death over his well being. I wish I could be for him right now, today being his first day of junior high, but I just can’t. I hope he’s doing well.

My first class is college algebra, what a great way to start off the morning. Like almost every human life form in this country, I hate math. It’s not that I’m bad at it, because I’m totally not; it’s just that it’s too complicated to appreciate. My math teacher, Ms. Lowrey thinks that I love it just because I’m the only one passing. She’s always talking to me like she’s talking to another teacher who’s just as big of a math enthusiast as she is.

As the bell rings, I make it my duty to be the first in the classroom so I can have the seat that I want, the back seat. I swerve and swivel through the halls, passing students who are catching up with each other and teachers who are sad to have to start another year of teaching careless brats. As I reach the door, I find that I am the first to enter, but I realize that it was all for nothing. The desks in the class were arranged in pairs, and there was no single desk in the back. Upon my arrival Mrs. Lowrey perks up from her desk and walks over to me.

“Oh, hello, Gerard! How’s my favorite mathematician? Are you as excited as I am for the new school year? I hope so! This year in my class will be so much fun! If you would, go stand in the front of the classroom as soon as everyone gets here!” I shift my back pack so it would become more comfortable, and I walk to the front next to the chalkboard. One by one, students slosh in, blabbing of their vacations and long summer nights they experienced with their boyfriends and girlfriends. As usual, I am the only one who is not bragging about the cruise I took to Mexico or the new car I got.

As the class fills up, the more I realize that I will probably be the only one without a partner. It doesn’t bother me; in fact, I prefer to be alone. When I count the roaming bodies around the room, my guess was proved correct. There are 19 students, and everyone has already chosen the person they want to sit next to, leaving me with and empty desk to sit next to. When the tardy bell rings, Mrs. Lowrey calls the class to attention, making the room fall silent.

“Everyone find a partner and find a desk next to each other! Quickly, children, we don’t have all day.” Mrs. Lowrey says, and as she finishes her sentence, the class goes mad. Girls are holding hands and running to desks, and guys are talking unnecessarily loud about who they are going to partner with. As I take my seat in the back, everyone settles into desks with their best friends. I, like I suspected, am alone. Mrs. Lowrey begins taking attendance and getting to know students, and I put my head down and wait for my name, which will be close to last as always.

About a third of the way through, she calls a name of a person who isn’t here. Frank Iero. Mrs. Lowrey calls his name about three times and moves on, but I somehow can’t move on. I am not looking forward to having that kid in this class, for god’s sake, it’s first hour! I don’t want him setting my day up for disaster five times a week. I try to shrug it off, but I can’t get flashbacks of the incident we had last time we were actually friends. With every word I remember of the fight, other chill inches its way up my spine.

After attendance there is a sudden silence in the class. A student has just answered and is standing in the doorway. He is a short fellow, with shaggy, dark brown hair. He is dressed in a Misfits t-shirt and he is obviously mortified of the moment his is currently in. The whole class is staring at this student, and he is as vulnerable as a fawn in a den of lions.

“Mr. Iero, it’s nice of you to join us.” Mrs. Lowrey says sarcastically staring at the student, “You missed your chance to pick you partner, so you get to be partners with the only student who doesn’t have one, Gerard. Go take your seat, class is about to begin.”

The boy makes his way through the classroom and takes the seat next to me, putting his books on the desk and throwing his backpack somewhere close. He looks at me awkwardly, his hair falling in front of his hazel eyes.

“It’s nice to see you again, Gee.”

Notes

One of many to re-upload tonight. Wish me luck.