*Eliza's Point of View*

It's been two weeks now that I've been chilling at the Way household after school. We would have been done sooner, but Mikey and I had some...creative differences. (Really, he just didn't like putting up with my antics, which caused the process to take a hell of a lot longer than it should.) Besides that, things were going well. We scored an A on the project, for our creativity and execution. That, or Mr. Simons just felt bad that Mikey had to stuck with Frog Girl.

Mikey and I did move past the reluctanct acquaintances stage, and now consider ourselves "buds". We actually speak on a regular basis, though I still don't think he has quite forgiven me for the frog incident yet. I would be pretty traumatized too.

Out of the Way brothers, I would say I had become closer to Gerard. There was just something about him that I clicked with better than Mikey. He understood, or put up with, my eclectic sense of humor. Gerard connected with me at an artistic level, which is rare. He knew how my mind worked, and I knew his. We Complimented the other, making up for flaws, strengthening high points, creating a good mesh for friendship.

Today was the day that I would make my move. Today, I would sit with the Ways at lunch.

I shuffled through the cafeteria, clutching my Star Wars lunch box, desperately trying not to be overwhelmed by the roar of voices. If I was correct, Gerard and Mikey ate outside, by the shed near the choir room. Only a short walk.

When I was in seeing distance of the boys, I saw Gerard quickly scrambles to hide something. What the hell? Brushing it off, I continued forward. "Can I eat with you guys today?" I asked, plopping down between them before they could answer. There was a scent in the air that irritated my nose.

"What makes you think I want a freshman like you to eat with me?" Gerard prodded, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, I am a step up from your brother," I admitted, taking a bag of pretzels from my lunch box.

"Hey!"

"What makes you say that?"

"One word: boobs."

"You make a fair point," Gerard laughed, leaning back against the shed. Mikey just sulked, upset he couldn't think of a comeback.

"So, what were you doing before I got here?" I asked through a mouthful of pretzels, careful not to pop a bracket off.

"I was smoking a cigarette. I thought you were a teacher, so I tried to hide it," Gerard said nonchalantly. So that's what that smell was.

"You smoke?" That came out a bit more surprised than I wanted... I tried to hide my slip by stuffing another handful of pretzels into my mouth.

"Yeah, do you?" Gerard asked, pulling a pack out of his jacket pocket along with a white Bic lighter. He slid one between his lips, and another out to offer to me.

"N-no," I stuttered. Oh god, here comes the peer pressure my parents always warned me about. But, yet, I wasn't frightened. It was oddly comforting knowing who it would come from.

"Do you want to?" he smiled, taking a drag off of his cigarette. The other one was still slid halfway out of the package, wanting to be taken.

"Why the hell not?" I gave in. Gerard's smirk told me he knew I would all along. I placed the stick between my lips and lit it. Unsure of my self, I took a huge inhale, instantly coughing and hacking as the smoke traveled down my windpipe.

I felt a hand rubbing small circles on my back as I looked over to see Gerard chuckling slightly. "Yup, you're definitely a newbie. You want me to tell you how to do it, or are you going to be stubborn about it?"

"Go ahead," I managed to choke out between coughs, relishing the feeling of fresh air in my lungs.

"Okay, you don't need to take such large inhales. Just take small drags, let the smoke sit in your mouth for a second, continue the inhale, and then exhale." I watched closely as he demonstrated, somewhat amazed at how easy Gerard made it seem.
Following his advice, I took another drag of my cigarette, which was now substantially more enjoyable than before. Now, it was relaxing. I looked over, almost hoping to see some approval on Gerard's face. He had his head tilted back, blowing smoke rings into the air.

"Show off," I smiled, releasing a long stream of smoke. Gerard just stood up and put his cigarette out. He offered me a hand up. I accepted, but was taken aback when he pulled me up a little harder than expected, right into his chest.

"Sorry," he said, audible enough for Mikey to hear. I wasn't ready for what he said next, though. He leaned in, close to my ear. I felt his breath swirl warmly as he whispered, "You know, you're pretty sexy when you smoke." Gerard released me, ginning like a goof.

"Shut up," I laughed, playfully punching his arm before I grabbed my almost-forgotten lunchbox. He rubbed his shoulder as if it actually hurt, contorting his face into a comical pained expression. I just rolled my eyes at him as we walked back toward the school, leaving a very confused and tormented Mikey in our wake.

"You know, you still haven't shown me your sketchbook yet, Gerard," I chastised as we walked back through the doors.

"Are you sure? I'm pretty positive I have," he said unconvincingly.

"Damn it, Gee! You promised!" I fussed, pouting for a good extra measure. I looked over to see the reaction I had gotten from Gerard. He was just beaming.

"What?"
"You called me 'Gee'," he smiled.

"Oh, s-sorry. It just slipped out," I mumbled.

"No, it's fine...as long as I can call you 'Lizzie'."

"Only if you show me you're sketchbook," I retorted.

"Fine. Are you still coming after school today?"

"Obviously."

Notes

Yes, I know this chapter was substantially shorter than the first. It's more of a filler. I just needed something to fill the gap for the next chapter. I can't wait to post, my fingers are itching to write. Thinking about it makes my heart go all aflutter! Thanks for reading, my darlings!

-SS