Vampires Will Never Hurt You

"Hey Jaime, how are you feeling?" Tina asked from the passenger seat of Gerard's car once I slid into the backseat.
"I've been better," I smiled half-heartedly. "How are you guys?"
"I'm good," Tina smiled.
"I'm okay, I guess," Gerard replied, turning the key in the ignition.

It was a short and silent drive to where Frank was staying. I rested my head against the window and closed my eyes. All I could hear were the cars wheels along the highway drilling through my skull and the faint radio host in the background. When we pulled into the long and winding driveway, Gerard parked the car and the three of us got out and walked across the lawn, myself leading the way.

"Happy birthday, Frank," I said as I kneeled down in front of the black marble tombstone. "Tina and Gee are here too."

I traced the first line on the tombstone with my right index finger. The engraved letters spelt out Franklin Anthony Iero. I then ran my finger along the engraved numbers below his name; '1990-2013.' Twenty-two years old. I looked down at my knees and closed my eyes, hoping my tears couldn't escape through my closed eyelids. I rested my hands on my knees and took a deep breath.

"I promised myself I wouldn't cry," I said, pushing my bangs out of my face and looking back up at the tombstone through teary eyes. Visiting him never got easier.

I turned to my right as I saw Gerard step forward and kneel down on the grass next to me. He rested his left knee on the grass and kept his right knee raised. Placing his hands on his raised knee, he rested his chin on his hands and looked at the tombstone, letting out a low chuckle.

"Hey man," he smiled, as if he were actually talking to Frank. "I'm actually passing science this year. I took your advice about studying," he chuckled. "Still failing math, though."
"Happy twenty-second, Frank," Tina said. I turned around and smiled at her.

Standing behind me with her arms crossed over her chest, she wiped away a falling tear and took a step forward. She continued looking down at the tombstone, tears still rolling down her face. She took a long, silent pause and sighed before finishing.

"I wish you were here to celebrate with us."
"Don't worry dude. I'll make sure everyone will have a good time," Gerard added.
"It'll be hard for everyone, but it's what you'd want," I smiled.

Gerard stood up and reached his hand out for me to grab. He pulled me up and put his arm around my shoulder.

"Ray will be by later tonight when he's done work," Gerard said, flicking his black hair out of his eyes. "I love you, man," he finished with a smile, and he turned around, heading towards the car.
"Bye Frank, I miss you," Tina said, and she followed Gerard to the car with her hands in her pockets.

I watched the two of them get into the car to wait for me and I turned back to the tombstone. I wiped away another tear. The sun had been behind the clouds during our entire visit, but the temperature was still autumn-warm. Suddenly there was a slight breeze on the back of my neck and for the second time today, I got a chill run down and prickle my spine, and I felt another presence. I wasn't alone. But being in a cemetery, I didn't think much of it and ignored it.

"Well Frankie, happy birthday and I love you so much," I smiled and made my way to the car.

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