Let Me Teach You A Thing Or Two

My alarm clock goes off and I’m ready to throw my fucking phone across the room. Why is it necessary to wake up at 6:30 am? Like no one is awake and ready to learn at 8:00. Fucking mad I tell you.

I moan and reach over to my night stand, grab my phone. I squint to see the button to shut it off. I successfully shut it off and roll on my stomach, I groan into my pillow. I have a love hate relationship with school right now. The only reason I go is because of my friends and Mr. Iero.

“Whoa!” I shout rolling off my bed. What? I look up at the ceiling tangled in blankets and sheets. I can’t like my teacher, why? BECAUSE HE’S MY TEACHER. I groan again putting my hands on my face and rub my face. Laying there all I can think about is drawing a picture of super hero just covered in tattoos. I shoot up from my spot to over to my desk. I barely get on my feet and I fall face first.

“Fuck,” I mumble into my carpet. Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle, yeah. I finally get out of the sheets and search for my sketch book. Ah, yes found it. I begin to sketch my day dream. I look up at my clock it reads 6:45 am. I place my pencil down and run into the bathroom to take a quick shower.

Rustling the towel in my hair I begin to sing Mr. Iero’s song. It’s stuck in my head, it’s just so good. I wonder what he is going to make us do today. I knock on the wall to see if Mikey is up and getting ready. I get a reply then turn on my music while searching for my clothes. Let’s see, what should I wear today? My closet always seems to amaze me. I search through the hangers for something to wear. I find a black leather jacket which I throw on my bed. Next I pull out a red shirt, eh it sounds kinda bland but I don’t have that much of a style. I search through my jean drawer to find my black skinny jeans. I toss those on my bed, grab socks, and my black boots.

Someone knocks on my door making me jump, “Dude, hurry up Ray will be here soon.” Shit, I better move faster. Once dressed I look in the mirror, I play with my hair a bit before wiping my head to the side to make a weird swoop thing. I grab my bag, shut off my CD player, then run down stairs. I stop in front of the doorway and I hear a beeping of a horn. Wow, perfect timing but no breakfast. Bummer. OH SHIT I FORGOT MY SKETCH BOOK.

“Mikey! Grab me a muffin and also take my bag I have to run up stairs to get something!” I yell half way up the staircase. I almost break my door trying to open it so fast. I grab the book then run down the stairs and out the door towards the car. The door is locked and I laugh out of breath. Ray unlocks it and laughs.

“Whoa there,” Ray jokes.

“Here is your muffin and your bag is back here,” Mikey says.

“Ah, thanks bro,” I was able to reply after catching my breath.
“So why did you run back up stairs?”

“I was grabbing my sketch book for Art.”

“Oh.”

We arrive at school I grab my bag, stuff my book in my bag and my muffin in my mouth. Ray walks next to me and he gives me the weirdest look.

“What?” I ask with my mouth full.

“Gross dude,” he mumbles and shakes his head as a smile grows on his face. I laugh and finish the rest of it then throw the wrapper out. I see Jada walking towards us.

“Hey there,” I greet her.

“Hey Gee,” she replies. I lean down and hug her then head towards my locker. Mikey and Bob follow close behind.

“Do you like her?” Bob asks out of the blue right when I open my locker. I turn to look at him and put my hand on my hip shaking my head biting my bottom lip.

“No, Bob. What makes you ask?” I ask back.

He shrugs, “I don’t know, just curious.”

“You’re always curious,” Mikey mumbles. Bob must’ve heard that because next thing I see is Bob wacks Mikey. I laugh and put my stuff in my locker.

“You’re asking the wrong person,” I state.

“Huh?” Bob asks confused.

“You’re asking the wrong person that question,” I say again this time I’m facing him.

“Then who should I ask?” Bob asks.

“Are you really this clueless,” Mikey says sarcastically.

“Uh…” He says, I shake my head again for the umpteenth time. I nonchalantly point my finger at Ray who is still talking to Jada.

“OH!” Bob exclaims, Ray looks over at us and I facepalm then slam my locker.
I dont want to be here anymore so I’m just gonna disappear for a bit. With my sketchbook in hand I intend to sneak outside for a smoke and to draw a bit. I search around then open the side door and go around the building so no one can see me. I lean against the wall and slowly slide down it. A week of school already flew by and still nothing exciting has happened yet. I still have a while yet, right? While my head is still in the clouds my hands search through my jacket pockets for a cigarette and a lighter. I place the cig in my mouth then casually blow out a puff of smoke and lean my head back. My sketchbook sits besides me and I look over at it. Should I continue my drawing? After a while of staring at it I decide to pick it up and begin to continue drawing it. I pull out my pencil stash from my pocket and place them in the grass next to me. I reach over to grab a pencil but instead I feel a shoe. I look up to see Mr. Iero, my mouth falls open.

"I know I'm fantastic to look at but you can close your mouth, we don't want bugs flying in there do we?" Mr. Iero says sarcastically.

"Sorry, sir," I apologize. I get up and gather my things with my cigarette in my mouth.

"Say, those things are nasty. You shouldn't be smoking those at your age."

"Why does it matter what I do or not?"

"Well right now you should be in class but aren't so either you give me that and I don't write you up or we could do this the hard way," He replies sternly, but c'mon thats what she said.

"Fine," I mumble as I hand the cigarette.

"By the way that's a really good drawing, actually good isn't a good word to use more like amazing."

"Really?"

"Yeah Gerard you are super talented."

“I uh… thanks, Mr. Iero.”

“No problem now get going I’ll see you in class later,” Mr. Iero assures.

“Alright, later,” I say as I walk past him.

I sit through two periods of sheer boredom except for third period which is art. I ended up finishing my drawing and I’m very pleased with it. I head over to my locker and see Jada standing there.

“Heeeyyyyy guurl,” I kid around.

“Uh… dont do that again,” she laughs.

“Whats up?” I ask as I reach for my history and science notebook.

“Nothing, yknow school. The once place where no teen wants to be,” she replies honestly. I just laugh because I know its true.

“Well lets get in class before the bell rings yeah?” Ray suggests as he walks by us. I slam my locker and walk into class then head straight to my seat.

The bell rings and Mr. Iero begins,” Good morning class! Right, today is going to be different. I want all of you to pair up. You guys are going to preform. Yes I realize that maybe none of you have worked with each other or friends for that matter but you are going to pair up and decide on a song. I brought in my guitars and a bass so that way for those you know how can play. Right, so get to it.”

I look at Mikey and Ray, we all look at each other with a smile. Oh wait, Jada doesnt know this song. FUCK!

“Hey Jada, so I want you to listen to this song until we get up. Try and memorize the notes and see if you can figure out how to play it on the guitar or piano,” I tell her. She nods her head and takes my ipod and earbuds.

“So who wants to go first?” Mr. Iero asks.

“We do!” Some kid across the room exclaims.

“Alright Patrick, up you guys go.”

Him and three other dudes went up, they seem pretty legit.

“Do you guys all know each other?” Mr. Iero asks before they start.

“Uh, not really,” Patrick replies.

He’s on guitar, the dude with the fro is also on guitar, one guy is on drum, and a kid with eyeliner is on bass. I think they might be Bon Jovi fans because they begin to play Livin’ on a Prayer. Patrick begins to sing. I look over at the guys and they all smile, they are good. I look at Jada and she’s writing down notes to the song. We are going to knock that smug grin off of his face. The excitement is getting the best of me right now. Only a few minutes are left of class and we’re the last ones to go.
“Alright, last but not least. Gerard and your group,” Mr. Iero announces.

I look over at Jada, “You got this?”

“Yeah, I think so,” she replies honest.

“If you mess up its okay,” I add in.

We walk up and I take my place up front, Ray to my left with the guitar, Mikey so my right with the bass, and next to Mikey is Jada with the piano. I look at them for reassurance, they nod their heads. I begin to sing the song, 19 by Pencey Prep.

I wear myself too thin,
Can't help myself this time.
I'm on the outside looking in,
Can't see myself this time.

Don't wanna go, don't wanna go, don't wanna drive back home.
There's nothing there for me.
It's 1am, it's 2am, it's 4 in the morning.

Did I think she'd be here?
Did I fool myself again?
I think I did.
I think I fooled myself again.
Again, again, again.
I fooled myself again.

If I spend just one,
Just one more night,
Just one more night,
Being mediocre then,
Just one more night,
Just one more night,
Well, I'll scream atop my lungs,
Just one more night,
Just one more night,
Being mediocre then,
Just one more night,
Just one more night,
Well, I'll scream atop my lungs, but it falls on deaf ears.

I wear myself too thin,
Can't help myself this time.
I'm on the outside looking in,
Can't see myself this time.

Don't wanna go, don't wanna go, don't wanna drive back home.
There's nothing there for me.
It's 1am, it's 2am, it's 4 in the morning.

Did I think she'd be here?
Did I fool myself again?
I think I did.
I think I fooled myself again.
Again, again, again.
I fooled myself again.

If I spend just one,
Just one more night,
Just one more night,
Being mediocre then,
Just one more night,
Just one more night,
Well, I'll scream atop my lungs,
Just one more night,
Just one more night,
Being mediocre then,
Just one more night,
Just one more night,
Well, I'll scream atop my lungs.
I scream out loud,
but no one hears a sound.
I take my life with lack of sleep.
I believe the things I feel,
The things I see are fooling only...
scream out loud,
but no one hears a sound.
I take my life with lack of sleep.
I believe the things I feel,
The things I see are fooling only...
scream out loud,
but no one hears a sound.
I take my life with lack of sleep.
I believe the things I feel,
The things I see are fooling only...
scream out loud,
but no one hears a sound.
I take my life with lack of sleep.
I believe the things I feel,
The things I see are fooling only...
scream out loud,
but no one hears a sound.
I take my life with lack of sleep.
I believe the things I feel,
The things I see are fooling only...
scream out loud,
but no one hears a sound.
I take my life with lack of sleep.
I believe the things I feel,
The things I see are fooling only me.

I look over at Mr. Iero when I finish singing, he’s staring at me wide eyed. I smile then look at the guys, they all smile because we fucking nailed that shit. Everyone else in the class is speechless. Ah yeah, I don’t know if that’s good or bad but I’ll take it.

“THAT WAS TOTALLY WICKED!” Patrick shouts as he grabs the sides of his hat,” LIKE HOLY SHIT, BRAVO.” He begins to clap and so does everyone else except Mr. Iero. He just sits there, ha got you sir.

Mr. Iero was about to say something when the bell rings. We all leave, me being the last one, he closes the door before I step out.

“Excuse you,” I says sarcastically.

“How?” was all the came out.

“Um.. I don’t understand.’
“Where did you find that song, how did.. what?”

“Starbucks.”

“Come again?”

“I have to Monday cause y’know this is school and all,” I drag out as I walk over and sit on his desk.

“Oh cut the crap,” He says sharply.

I raise my hands in surrender, “Sorry, sir.”

“How did you find out about this song?” He asks again. Mr. Iero walks towards me and crosses his arms when he stops in front of me.

“Remember when we saw each other at starbucks? Well you see, I went to throw out my trash when I saw you there. So I threw it out and you look so concentrated on what ever you were working on so I slightly peeked over your shoulder to see what it was,” I explain,” And all I saw was Pencey Prep and there was a picture with guys in it with you in it.”

“That’s my personal life, you shouldn’t have looked. It’s none of your business.”

I looked down feeling really guilty, “I’m sorry, sir.”

He sighs and rubs his face with one of his hands,” It’s alright, just… don’t tell anyone else besides your friends because I’m pretty sure they already know.”

“Yes, Mr. Iero,” I reply.

I looked up at him, wow I never noticed what he was wearing. He’s wearing a dark blue button down shirt, black skinny jeans, converse, and a black tie. Also his sleeves are rolled up. Whoa! Check out all those tattoos, I wanna touch each one, just trace them. I begin to get lost in my mind when I realize Mr. Iero is talking to me.

“I’m sorry. What did you say?”

“Checking me out are we?” He asks as he leans closer to me. OKAY WHAT’S GOING ON!?

“Uh… noooo,” I try to sound normal.

“You’re funny when you lie,” He says. UM… IM PRETTY SURE YOU AREN’T SUPPOSE TO SAY THAT LIKE THAT.

“Oh, um, thanks,” was all that I was able to say. I felt my pants get a little tighter. I’m so confused, what the fuck is this man doing to me?

“Well, I don’t want to keep your friends waiting, go to your next class. Here is a pass,” He says as he writes me a pass. I jump down from the desk and take the pass.

“Thank you, Mr. Iero,” I thank as I leave the classroom. I look back and I swear he was staring at my ass.

Notes

Okay so quick note, if you see this that means, depending on whose point of view its from, they are thinking it not saying it. From this chapter on, I will being doing that. ANYWAY HEY! So I've been out of school for maybe 2 weeks now? I already lost track of time. Oops. I would have posted this sooner but it was a drag at first writing this BUT I FINISHED IT YAY. I will be leaving in four days and wont have my laptop so um yeah another long wait, but I know what I might write so thats okay. Thanks guys for waiting so patiently for an update. ALSO OVER FINALS I WATCHED SHERLOCK OMG BEST SHOW EVER 10 OUT OF 10. And I saw Fall Out Boy in NYC when they were on the TODAY Show, that was rad af. But um yeah, till my next up date farewell!

-Lyz (song atm: what time is it? HSM2 only because its summer)