The New Kid

"I think we should add a new member to our gang," Perry said, taking a drag of her cigarette. It was lunch time, and Perry and her friends had gathered around their usual spot behind the school.
"Really? Who?," Zach asked, drinking his Diet Coke.
"Him." Perry nodded towards a lonely Frank who was kicking stones by the drain. Zach sighed and shrugged as George said, "He looks too good." Perry smiled at them and said, "Saying the person who had straight A's before joining our gang." Then, she walked towards the boy, stomach clenching and heart racing. Weird, Perry thought, I don't usually feel this way.
"Hi," she said when she had reached the drain. The boy jumped up and saw Perry behind him, friends wolf whistling behind her.
"I don't have any money. Please don't beat me up," Frank frowned, mumbling through his sandwich.
"What?" Perry asked, crouching down so she could hear him clearer. A chorus of cheers came from the others, so Perry stuffed her fingers in her ears and brought them out when the noise had died down.
"I was thinking, maybe you could sit with us," Perry gestured towards her friends.
"Me?," he asked, and she started having second thoughts. "Seriously?"
"Yeah, for reals! Why would I want to lie to you?," she smiled, helping the boy up. "Well anyways, I'm Perry Tenant," she stuck out her hand.
"Frank Iero. You don't remember?," he asked, shaking her hand.
"I don't pay attention to anything here," Perry shrugged casually as she walked over to the gang.
"This is our rat pack. That's Zach, Tess-" "Really, Rat Pack?," Bobbie asked her amusingly. "As much as I know, we never had a name for our gang."
"Shut up, Bobbie. As I was saying, Tessa, George and Bobbie. Note to self that Zach is stupid and repeated this grade," she laughed and sat down beside Bobbie, pulling Frank along.
"And you're Iero, Frank Iero," George smiled. He stared momentarily at the scared boy who seemed as if Perry was his guardian angel.
"Don't worry, I won't let them go all touchy wouchy on you. Ciggie?," she asked, taking a box of Malboros out of her backpack. Frank shook his head and watched as Perry lit up hers and started taking a drag. "On second thought, maybe just one," he smiled. A few cigarettes each and twenty minutes later, they all stood up.
"Skate park?," Zach asked, passing gum around. Perry took one for Frank and chewed hers. His suggestion was met with cheers of agreement. Zach nodded at Frank. "And you, Iero?"
Frank shrugged and said, "I'd go. Got nothing to lose."
"That's the spirit! Welcome to the Rat Pack, buddy!," Zach laughed. Bobbie groaned as she followed the others to the front of the school.
"C'mon now," Perry said. Frank smiled and got up. "Its nothing really. We'll just run out the front gate," Perry stretched her hand. And as Frank took it, she swore she felt butterflies fluttering in her stomach and little did she know, Frank felt the same way too.

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