At last, it was finally the first day of the Christmas break, and I couldn’t be more relieved. With all that happened with Mr Way the other day with my parents, it was nice not have to see him for a while.

My parents on the other hand had been acting really strange. They’ve been avoiding any type of conversation with me, and are constantly talking in whispers in the corner of the kitchen. It was driving me insane! I just couldn’t understand what was going on.

It was strange just having Mr Way treat me like crap for no reason, but now I’m starting to worry that my mom and dad are somehow involved with it all. But how? Why?

To top it all off, an unexpected conference has come up at dad’s work, so he and my mom have gone away for a few days. I didn’t believe it for a second when they told me. I mean, my dad is a physiotherapist... Did they even have conferences? If they did, my dad has never been to one.

With my parents away, I haven’t been able to ask them anything about what happened at school. I thought I’d give them a couple of days to get over it before asking questions. Instead this morning, I decided to call my old babysitter, Harry, for some advice.

“Hey Sam! I haven’t spoken to you in ages, what’s up?” He sounded so happy to hear from me, I had to smile to myself.

“Hey Harry. How are you? I know it’s been a while, I’ve just been busy with school and stuff.” We talked for a good half hour before I managed to bring up the weirdness with my Art teacher and my parents.

Harry sighed, “So how are James and Hilary? Man, it’s been even longer since I talked to them!” He laughed.

I paused for a moment, wondering how to say it, “Erm... Actually, Harry... They’ve been really weird lately, and I’m not sure why. They’ve been avoiding me and always stop talking to each other whenever I enter a room... Do you know if they were ever like that when I was younger?” Harry must have some sort of insight as to how my parents are. Not only was he my babysitter for six years, but we also remained friends, so he was here a lot of time.

Now Harry had paused. Oh god, what was it?

Eventually, he started talking again, “I’m not really sure, Sam. I mean, there was one time when you were really little that they kinda closed themselves off to a lot of people. I mean, there were times when they almost didn’t let me round to take care of you... But, thinking back on it, it was right after your Uncle Tim died, so I guess it wasn’t so strange.”

It wasn’t the answer I was looking for, but if Harry didn’t know anything, then I was at a loss. I would just have to ask them straight out when they get home, “Okay then, thanks Harry. I’ll just ask them when they’re back from their... trip.”

I could tell Harry was confused, but he didn’t push it, “Alright... Listen, I have to rush to work now, but there’s something I wanna talk to you about later. It’s about me and Olivia, but we’ll talk more when I’m home... I’ll call you around five-thirty?” I told him that was fine before we hung up.

It was so nice talking to Harry. I need to make more of an effort to keep in contact with him. I know he’s been busy with his new relationship with Olivia, which is why I should make the extra effort.

I kept myself busy most of the day by cleaning the house, and trying to do some of the homework which had been set, but I decided to just take a break at around four to watch some crappy comedy on the TV... Well I was, until there was a knock at the door.

I answered it, and was shocked to see Mikey Way, his friend Frank and... Yes, Mr Way... at my front door. I hadn’t seen Mikey or Frank since I visited them last weekend. What on earth were they doing here?

“Hey Sam. Thought we’d come see you, since you so kindly came to see us the other day... Don’t mind my brother – we dragged him here.” Mikey and Frank pushed their way past me and into the kitchen. Mr Way on the other hand stood outside with a look that reminded of a little boy whose mom told him he wasn’t allowed any candy. Mr Way wore sunglasses, so I couldn’t see if he was glaring at me or not.

He was also smoking a cigarette – something I didn’t know about him. I waited for a moment, but when he made no effort to move, I closed the door. Well, actually I almost slammed the door, but that point is irrelevant.

I made my way into the kitchen, “What are you guys doing here?”

“You seemed like a cool chick,” was Frank’s answer. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. Frank rolled his eyes and said, “If we didn’t think you were cool, we wouldn’t be here.” He spoke in an obvious tone.

I shook my head with a small smile, “Right, whatever, make yourselves at home.” I waved my hand, letting them get on with whatever it was they were here for.

I went back to the front door, reluctantly. I was amazed to see Mr Way was still there, but jumped when I saw he was closer than I thought. He had removed his sunglasses and was staring at me with a look I couldn’t quite explain. He opened his mouth and said, “Why thank you Samantha for opening the door... I wouldn’t have been able to do that myself.” His sarcasm made my blood boil a bit. He, like his brother, pushed past me and into the kitchen.

The next hour or so wasn’t very eventful. I listened to some stories of how Frank and Mikey were in high school. Some of the stories were... strange, but rather entertaining.

“There was also this time when I stuck a fork in a toaster and –“ Mikey was cut off by Frank.

“Sam! Do not listen to this story, it is fake! It never happened.” He pointed that Mikey, “You only told that story to get girls to like you because they would think you were slightly dumb and sweet or something.” Frank laughed, his face going red, tears brimming.

Mikey laughed too, admitting it was all a lie and that he would never stick a fork in a toaster. My ears pricked up when I heard Mr Way talk, and he was laughing as well! “The toaster thing, and how you used to pretend you had asthma, man you had girls all over you in senior year because of that!”

As much as I hated Mr Way, it was actually nice to see him having a good time. It was almost as if he forgot I was even in the room. I saw a different side to him, a side I bet a lot of people have never seen. I still couldn’t understand why he was the way he was.

My train of thought was interrupted by my cell ringing in my pocket, “Excuse me.” I walked away into the living room. Caller ID said it was Harry calling. Of course! He said he was gonna call again, “Hi Harry –“

“Sam! It’s Olivia.” Her voice was hoarse and shaky, like she had been crying, “Something’s happened to Harry... Erm... He’s been i-in an accident... I’m o-on my way to the h-hospital now... I think it’s serious Sam.” She whispered the last part.

The mouth dropped. Accident? What kind of accident? I brought a hand up to my mouth, feeling like I was going to throw up. I couldn’t find the words to speak to poor Olivia, which I think she could sense, “Sam, I know it’s a huge shock... B-but I thought you should know... Erm... Bye.” She hung up, but not before I heard her break down in tears.

I put my phone back in my pocket. I was in shock. Harry, my oldest friend, has been in some sort of accident. Olivia said it was serious, but how serious? She never even said what hospital he was going to!

I could feel my heart racing, my hands shaking. What should I do?

I didn’t even realise at first when Mikey placed his hand on my shoulder, “Sam, are you okay?” He spoke softly.

I shook my head, “A... erm, a friend of mine... He’s... He’s been in an accident...” Was all I managed to say before tears started to run down my cheeks.

Mikey made a move to comfort me, but I backed away, “No... Please, all of you need to g-go... I need to be alone.” I ran from them, upstairs and into my bedroom. I sat down on the edge of my bed and let the tears fall.

It was around twenty minutes later that I realized that I still wasn’t alone in the house. Just let me be. I heard footsteps coming closer to my door. There was a slight pause before my door opened. And Mr Way was standing behind it.

I wiped my tears, “What do you want? Leave me alone.” My voice was hoarse from the crying.

Mr Way didn’t say anything. But he didn’t listen to me, either. Instead he marched over to my bed and sat down next to me. He stared at me without a word a long while. I stared back, nervous. What did he want?

I wiped away a few more tears, “What?” I snapped.

What happened stunned me; Mr Way grabbed my hair and slammed his lips onto mine in a desperate, yet passionate kiss. He held onto my hair so tightly – it hurt.

What was happening? I didn’t want this. I pushed him back, my lips leaving his, but he still placed kisses on my cheek, “Mr Way, stop, what are you –“

“Gerard.” He mumbled. I was speechless for a moment. He wanted me to call him by his first name? This just seemed so unreal.

I sighed, still trying to push him back, “Fine, Gerard, please just – “

He cut me off again, “Shut. Up,” he growled against my lips. He forced my mouth open with his tongue, and suddenly, I completely lost myself. I stopped pushing him back and found myself running my fingers through his hair. I didn’t know what was going on, why he was doing it, and why I was letting him, but at that moment, I really didn’t care. All thoughts of hatred for this man had gone, all thoughts of Harry had gone. At one point I remember thinking that this was so unlike me.

Gerard’s hands held onto my hips, and he laid me back on my bed. Before I knew it, my clothes were lost, as were his. I couldn’t believe I was doing this, but I didn’t want to stop it.

I could feel Gerard hard against my thigh, and I felt a tingling sensation in my tummy, and between my thighs. I wasn’t inexperienced with sex, but it felt like it was my first time.

Gerard buried his face in my neck. I held onto him as he slid into me. I gasped – it was more than I had experienced in the past, and it hurt ever so slightly, but when our rhythm became steady together, it was wonderful.

He gripped my thighs tightly and held him around his waist as he continued to thrust inside me, a warm feeling building up. Gerard started moving faster as he ran his tongue over my breasts. I closed my eyes, taking in every second, quiet moans of pleasure passing my lips.

My feeling in my tummy started getting stronger. My mouth opened wide as I let go around him, crying out. It wasn’t much longer until Gerard grabbed my hips tightly and released inside me. He collapsed beside me in my small single bed. I felt him wrap his arm around me, pulling me closer so my head a lying on his chest.

No other words were spoken between us, and I couldn’t stop myself from closing my eyes, falling to sleep with ease.