4 years later.

Frank's POV

I stared down at the phone, a horrible feeling spreading from my throat to every other inch of my body, making me feel like crying, throwing up and throwing my phone away all in one go. It wasn't a pleasant feeling. I had no idea what to do. I had no money (at least not enough for a motel room), no home, no friends as far as I could tell and absolutely no hope.

I took one look behind me then started walking forward, unsure of where I was going. When I rounded the corner I had to sit down on the sidewalk and take in deep breaths. And then a bus pulled up next to me. I coughed through the dust and thought 'fuck it' before stepping up.

I scraped out whatever money was in the bottom of my bag and gave it to the driver,"How far can that get me?"
The creepy looking driver stared at the money for a second before saying,"Sit down."
I mumbled a thanks and went to sit at the back. One or two people were looking at me but I managed to ignore them. I had no idea if the media had said something about me getting out today. It seemed it had because one girl who looked about 19, left her friends and sat down next to me.

"Are you the guy that shot all those people underground?"She asked and blew a bubble with her gum.
"Yes,"I said in a deadly tone.
"Oh my god. You are totally cuter in person. Did you just get out?"She giggled.
"Yes,"I repeated.
"Ahh I thought so! The news was talking about how you got out today."

I slowly turned to look at her. I had a smart remark on my tongue but I needed her help,"Where is this bus going?"
"Its just about to finish the route through Idaho and then we're cutting through the corners of Oregon and Nevada to California. Where are you going?"
A surge of relief flooded through me,"California."
"Really?! Me and my friends are going there as well. We've got another friend picking us up at the bus stop. Where in California?"She gasped brightly. I couldnt help but flinch at how loud and annoying she was being.

"Uh San Diego I guess,"I sighed. I needed to see what had happened to Mum's house. It could still possibly be mine. I was the oldest and I doubt Nana Kat would be living there. She would have taken Lily and Claire to Washington with her.
"Well, me and my friends are going to LA. You want a lift?"She raised her eyebrows and painfully reminded me of the way Gerard used to do that.
I thought about it for about a second before nodding,"I guess so. Got no other way of getting there,"I sighed.

"Awesome! Come sit with us!"She giggled and jumped up, grabbing my arm and tugging me out of my seat. Reluctantly, I followed her down the aisle and fell into the empty seat. Her two other friends were eyeing me up. Seriously, did they not even pay attention to why I shot everyone?
"I told you it was him. He's going to San Diego and is gonna get a lift with us!"The girl clapped her hands,"I'm Deandra by the way."
"I'm Marcie,"One of the other girls said, twirling her curly brown hair in her fingers.
"Victoria,"The one sitting next to me muttered. She seemed the least interested in me. Thank christ I was sitting next to her.

"So why did you kill all those people?"Marcie leaned across the table between us and batted her eyelashes at me.
"I uh-"I cleared my throat and looked away,"Their leader caused a whole lot of trouble for me and my boyfriend and friends and then he killed my Mum."
"Is your boyfriend in San Diego? Are you going to meet him there?"Deandra asked, leaning across the table as well.
"No. He dumped me before I went to prison,"I groaned, feeling a wave of feelings wash over me.
"Oh my god what a dick! That is so unfair,"Marcie gasped.

I fought back the tears and tried not to think about Gerard. If he wasn't answering then he must not love me anymore,"Can we not talk about it please?"
Deandra gave Marcie a look before looking at me again, a big smile on her face,"We can help you forget about- what was his name?"
"Gerard... Gerard Way,"I sighed. Victoria sat up next to me suddenly.
"Do- are you talking about The Gerard Way?"She looked at me.
"Uh- are there any other Gerard Way's?"I shrugged my shoulders, confused about why her eyes were widening. She looked like she was about to start hypervenilating.

"Oh Vicky, its not the same one. The one you're in love with is straight,"Deandra gave Victoria a look as if to say 'shut the fuck up' to her,"Well we can help you forget all about Gerard."
"No no hold on what Gerard are you thinking of?"I asked Victoria.
"He's the lead singer of my favourite band, My Chemical Romance. They started up about a year ago. I was at their first official show in Jersey,"She gushed.
"I-"I couldnt breathe,"His brother wouldnt happen to be in the band playing bass would he?"
"Yeah! Oh my god! You dated him! Ah you lucky bastard!"She turned in her seat, ignoring the frustrated looks from Deandra and Marcie.

"They started the band?"I asked softly.
"Yeah. I was in New Jersey with family and my boyfriend took me to their first show in this weird coffee place. It was pretty awesome."
"How many members?"
"Five. Gerard, Mikey, Ray, Bob and whats his name. I can never remember cause he's not an official member. Just temporary,"She smiled at me.
"Well thats something,"I sighed.

"Do you wanna hear some of their songs?!"Vicky pulled one of her headphones out and gave it to me,"This one is called Demolition Lovers."
I put it in my ear and clenched my fists as I heard his scratchy voice. A rush of memories started threatening to break through. I yanked the earphone out of my ear and handed it back to her,"Yeah I uh I've heard that one before."
"Really? When? The album was only released a few weeks ago. Havent you been in prison?"She looked at me, confused to buggery.

"Yes. But about 6 years ago or something I uh- I was in the band for a bit and I heard that song,"I mumbled,"Look can we please just not talk about him or their stupid band for now? Deandra is right, I need to forget about them all. If they wont answer the fucking phone then fine. I'll make do without them,"I grumbled. I needed coffee.
"You have their numbers?"Victoria asked slowly.
"Vicky! Cant you see its upsetting him to talk about them? Leave him be,"Marcie scolded. I mumbled a thanks before sinking into my seat more.

"So what are you doing when you get to San Diego?"Deandra asked me.
"I uh I need to go to my old home. My mum bought it a while ago but I'm not sure what happened to it after she died. I'm hoping I'll be able to live there. Not sure how I'll be able to pay bills or anything though. No one's going to hire me,"I sighed. How on earth was I going to do anything? Everybody thought I was a cold merciless killer.

Marcie looked from Deandra to Victoria to me,"This is a sign. We were talking about not going back to Idaho. Because our best friend lives in LA and she wants us to move close to home. If there are enough bedrooms, we could rent them from you?"
"That could work... But what about your home? Havent you got things there?"I asked. As annoying as these girls were, they were nice enough to give me a ride and now they were offering to help me pay bills so I could actually have a home. I could at least give them a chance.

"Nah all of us live with our parents. We've got all the clothes we need with us,"Marcie smiled at us,"Besides, what better excuse to buy more right?"
"We can easily get jobs and shit. We get a lot of money from our parents anyway so we can help you get back on your feet!"Victoria said excitedly, infecting me with it and bringing my hopes up slightly.
"Do you know what you want to do?"Marcie asked me seriously.

"I want to own a coffee shop but I want it to be different. All the time people dont hire someone because they have a few tattoos or bright colours in their hair and it fucks me off. I want to be someone who hires them. And the place can have a corner for live music. And a tv for when no one is playing but it only plays the rock channels,"I gushed excitedly.

The only things that had gotten me through prison was thinking about Gerard and owning my own coffee shop. If Gerard was officially out of my life, then the coffee shop was all I had to worry about it. I could feel the pressure leaving me already.

"Thats awesome! I bet we could get the money to buy a place from our parents!"Marcie clapped her hands before pulling out her phone.
"Wait- no what are you doing?"I panicked as they all pulled their phones out, ignoring my protets.

"Hey Mummy, I need some money. We're all going thirds in a shop space for our friend. He wants to start a business but he needs some money,"Marcie said. Deandra and Victoria were doing the same. What the fuck.
"Thank you Mum!"Deandra smiled then hung up,"I've got ten thousand."
"Fifteen,"Victoria said as she slipped her phone into her bag.
"I've got fifteen as well!"Marcie grinned.
"How the fuck?"I stared at them all, dumbfounded.

"All of our parents are big in business. All of us met at some fancy party and were instant friends. Everyone always thinks we're spoilt brats but we're not. We were the only three girls at that party that actually do chores around the house if we want something. That's why our parents are so happy to give us stuff. They love us,"Marcie smiled.
"Wow. Thats so awesome. But you guys really didnt have to do that."
"Nonsense! You'll give us a job and a home right?"
"Of course!"I grinned. Things were looking up already.