3/13

I sat, leaning back in the seat, my hands folded in front of me. The movie played on in front of me, not getting much of my attention, just enough to know that it sucked. I really preferred the classic horror movies, and I had a few of them at home, but I’d rather be here, in a different world. The movie theater. I closed my eyes and evaluated my current situation.

1) I was jobless
2) My life was spiraling into hell (even more now than before)
3) I was disappointing my parents on the daily
4) I would soon lose my apartment

I laughed a humorless laugh, a bitter taste in my mouth. This probably earned some looks from the few people around me, but I didn’t care. In fact, I had decided not to care much anymore. That was step one of the plan. What was the plan? Let my life continue to go down the drain, I guess, but this time, I was going to have fun with it. I smiled, eyes still closed. I was going to be at the wheel of the Downfall of Gerard Way, and it was going to be one hell of a ride.

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Back at home, I started to prepare some dinner. In which case, “prepare” meant microwave and “dinner” was popcorn. As the numbers counted down, I leaned back against the counter and thought about the next step.

Step 2) After letting it be known to the world you don’t care, and that they should really marvel at the extreme velocities in which you don’t give a fuck, piss the hell out of your parents.

I laughed. I liked this step. However, I couldn’t think of a way to make them so mad they would threaten to disown me, even at this age. I mean, they were already pretty fucking not happy with me. What else could I do? That’s when it hit me like a huge speeding truck. Of course! What do you do to piss off your parents who want you to work in an office, make tons of money, and who hate loud music? You start a fucking rock band is what you fucking do.

I practically jumped in glee at the thought. Taking my finished popcorn out of the microwave, I sat down on my couch, a smile plastered on my face. It wouldn’t be too hard, right? It wasn’t like New Jersey was devoid of rockers. I didn’t know anybody who played guitar or drums or anything, though, because of my lack of friends. I’d have to play with strangers. Maybe I could put up some flyers around town? Thinking of playing, I couldn’t play any instruments, either. I’d have to sing. That was okay, I could sort of sing, although I’d never really explored it since I was way younger. Since my grandma had died. I thought about her for a minute. She had meant a lot to me. What would she think of all this? Would she be disappointed…?

No. She wouldn’t. She’d want me to be happy, and accept what I was doing. I smiled a little, glad of that weight off my shoulders, and focused back onto the band. We would practice in the shed in the empty lot behind the apartment complex. It wouldn’t be the best place, but there was nowhere else. Plus, I doubted we’d even practice that much. This wasn’t a serous thing, it’s not like I saw myself performing around the world for huge shows. Just a part of the Downfall.

Getting up to throw away the bag, I sat down in front of my computer (a gift from my parents on my 18th birthday, with the words “You can’t start your own business without a computer!”) and started working on some flyers. The band obviously didn’t have a name yet, we’d think of one later. The flyer was pretty simple; it said how I was starting a band and was looking for members, what players were needed (drummers, bassists and guitarists), my address and when the tryouts were. They weren’t really going to be tryouts, actually, I was just going to say yes to the first person to try out for each instrument. Now, for the date. How long would it take for the flyers to get noticed? If I put them up today, would a week be enough? Probably. So, I set the date as 3/18, also adding next to my address to go to the shed, and the flyers were ready.

I printed out several copies, not too many because ink was expensive as shit, and set them on the table, ready to be pinned up around. Going into my room, I picked out some black lumps of clothing hoping they weren’t too messed up to wear. I’d have to take a visit to the laundry room one of these days. I hated that place. It was always damp smelling, with mold everywhere, and had depressing lighting. I made my way out of the apartment, down the stairs, and into the fresh air. Maybe it was a bit too late in the night to be putting up flyers, especially in this part of town, but I wanted to get it done while it was still on my mind.

I made my way around the streets, putting flyers on lamp posts, trees, and utility posts. I made sure they were spread out, so they could be seen by people all over. I didn’t go too far, though, because I didn’t have a car and was walking. I didn’t go out that much, just to the movies and work, so it was nice to explore, you know, the area where I live.

Finishing up the last of the flyers, I made my way back home. During the walk, I started to plan how my parents were going to find out, and, most importantly, how they’d react. My mom or dad were bound to call me soon, asking if I’d done anything yet with my shit pile of a life. Probably in those exact words, too. I’d tell them no, that I’d lost my job, wasn’t going to school, and guess what? I’d started a band!

Arriving home, I changed and went to bed, imagining the events that were going to unfold in the next couple of weeks with a smile on my face. The Downfall, as I liked to call this period of my life now, might’ve been the best thing to happen to me in a while. It felt nice to do something because I wanted to, and have purpose, even if that purpose was for things to go to shit.

Notes

Sorry for the sort of short chapter! This is like my first fanfiction ever, and I'm sooo not used to this. It probably, like, sucks. The reason this chapter was short because I couldn't wait to start writing the next!