The Light Behind His Eyes

I couldn't sleep that night. At all. My eyes were wide awake, staring up at the ceiling. My bookstore was burned down, meaning I had to get up early to go to school. Frank was mad at me, which I couldn't blame him for. And everyone else, well, they saw a side of me that they didn't even know existed. Everything was going downhill, everything was turning into something I couldn't imagine. This wasn't at all what i was planning.
The next day, I kept myself isolated from everyone. Alex and Jack tried to cheer me up, but I would shut them down by walking away. I felt bad, but at that moment, I just felt like I needed to be alone. During lunch, I walked towards the side of the school building to light a smoke. I placed my back against the large bricks and inhaled the cigarette. It was somewhat relaxing. For a brief moment, my mind was off all the drama.
"Do you have another cigarette?"
I turned to face Lindsey. Her red lipstick formed a smile.
I shook my head, "No, sorry." I lost eye contact with her. Maybe that would get her to go away.
Still, she stood beside me, "You made a big scene last night. I saw the smoke and was thinking that maybe it was the pizza place...it was worse."
I turned back to her, "Is that supposed to make me feel better?"
"No, but I showed you my sympathy." She replied.
I sighed, "Well, I don't need it."
She was quiet, but not because she didn't have anything to say, but because she was staring at me. She finally said, "Mindless Self Indulgence is playing tonight at the Tent."
"Mindless Self Indulgence?"
She snatched my smoke and inhaled, "The band I'm in. You should come. We play at 9. Don't be late." She flicked the ash of the cigarette before handing it back to me, "See you then." She walked off back towards the front of the building.
I smiled to myself. Attitude is a turn on for me to be honest.
I dropped my smoke onto the ground before stepping on it. I took in a deep breath. I was ready to face the day. No matter what. I was going to do what I could just to make this day end-
"HEY YOU FUCKING DIPSHIT."
Stephan.
Giving him no chance to catch me, I ran towards the other direction. I can hear his steps getting closer every step I took. My heart was already pounding against my chest, my legs were going as fast as they could, but again, I was no match for a football player. I felt a hand tug at my jacket, causing my body to slam against the ground. I groaned as I tried to stand, but Stephan slammed his foot against my chest, pinning me down.
This is it, Gee. I thought, You'll die knowing that Frankie hates you. I shut my eyes tightly, getting ready for intense pain that was heading my way. I can hear Stephan say, "You think you and your gay boyfriend was going to get away with embarrassing me like that? In front of all the cheerleaders, too? Oh, no. I don't think so."
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." Another voice said.
A teacher, maybe?
I opened my eyes to see a prepped up teen. He had a un zipped jacket over a vest and tie. Great. My hero. He had a camera which was pointing to Stephan's direction. He said, "Hi. My name is Patrick Stump. You know, the guy in charge of the school newspaper?" He grinned, "My, my, what an excellent story I caught here. I can already see the bolded title, "Football player, Stephan Sway Beats Up Loner Teen, Gerard Way A Second Time and Loses Scholarship", extra credit for me." He grinned.
Stephan tightened his jaw but immediately loosed it, "Beat up Gerard? No, no," His big hands picked me up off the ground, "See? No marks on the little guy." Stephan patted off the dirt off my back before slapping it, "No harm done." He stares at me before leaving the scene.
Patrick smiled as he set down his camera to the side, "Gerard Arthur Way. You know, I've been meaning to do a story on you." Patrick placed his camera into his shoulder bag before pulling out a pen and notepad, "I saved your ass, so you owe me a story."
I stared at him, but then smiled. "Loner teen, huh?" I grinned.
Patrick shrugged, "It came up in my head."
I nodded, "Well, it saved me."
Patrick grinned, "You know, Frank's in the cafeteria and I saw your new pal Stephan heading that way."
"Why does that make you smile?"
Patrick chuckled, "I have to get the story of Frank kicking his ass again."
I smiled a bit. I asked, "What did you say your name was?"
Patrick pulled out his camera, "Patrick. Patrick Stump. I'm in charge of the school newspaper."
His name was Patrick.

Notes