The Boy Next Door...

**Natalie POV**

*Beep Beep Beep Beep*

I awoke to the sound of my alarm and the smell of Frank I then remembered I still had on his jacket from last night. I sighed as I turned off the alarm and snuggled into his jacket some more but knew all to well if I didn’t get up now I was going to look like a hot mess. I still laid there for awhile but finally got up to my feet and made my way to the bathroom where I turned on my flat iron. While that heated up I put my headband on to pull the hair out of my face so I could put my makeup on. I decided simple today foundation, eye liner, mascara, and a little lip gloss. I applied everything to my liking and then straightened out my hair after I was satisfied I went to my room to get dressed when I walked into the bedroom I see that my phone is blinking notifying me that I had a text.

Frank: Hey we still walking?
Me: Yes sir I’m just now about to get dressed meet you outside in 10!

I smiled and got dressed in a hurry I grabbed my hat, slipped on my jacket, grabbed my other stuff, Frank’s jacket, and walked down the stairs. I stopped by the kitchen to grab an apple and kiss my mom on the cheek. She looked at me and said “I love you have a good day at school sweetie.” I called to her while walking out the door “I love you too.” When I walk out I meet Frank’s eyes sitting on my porch swing he’s smiling and giving me a once over. I blush a bit but I don’t think he notices. I speak up before it becomes awkward “You ready?” he stands up and says “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

We take off to school and a little bit down the road I look over at Frank and say “Oh hey here’s your jacket.” He smiled a bit and said “Thanks you could have kept it I wouldn’t have minded.” I just chuckled and he takes it from me and slings it over his shoulder and we continue to walk. “So I’m excited for you to meet Ray.” He gives a grin “I’m actually pretty excited about that myself I’ve always wanted to be in a band.” I look at him to reassure him I’m listening and he continues “I come from a family who is very musically talented and I remember always wanting to be just like them it’s actually what has pushed me to pursue music.” I look at him and smile “It must have been great to grow up with such inspiring people.” He had a little bit of a complicated look but gave a faint smile as if he was remembering something I didn’t push the subject but just kept quite and then finally we were arriving at the gates to the school.

As we walked through the parking lot and up the stairs to the main building I started feeling anxious for him. When we walked into the office I introduced him to the Office Personnel Kathy and Brenda. Kathy was quite cheery this morning and said “Hi Natalie I see you have a new student with you this morning” I looked at her with a smile and said with a kind voice “Yes ma’am he’s just here for his class schedule.” She went through some paperwork and found it for him and handed it over. Before we walked out we thanked her and I told her I would see her this afternoon Frank gave me an odd look but we continued to walk out to the hall.

Frank’s Schedule My Schedule
1st English1st Science
2nd Computer 2nd Computer
3rd Science 3rd History
4th Art 4th Art
Lunch Lunch
5th Home Room 5th Office Aid
6th Math 6th Math
7th History 7th English
8th P.E 8th P.E.

I looked over his schedule and I smiled a bit “Well we do have half of our classes together and the other half you should have with Gerard and Ray so you’ll get to meet him earlier then expected.” He looked at me happy “Which classes do we have together?” I replied looking it over again to make sure and said “Well we have Accounting, Art, Math, and P.E. together.” He replied with a happy “That’s awesome, but what did you mean you would see them this afternoon?” I laughed a bit “I’m an office aid during Home Room.” He looked liked something had clicked and said “Oh okay I got It.”

We both chuckled and I told him “Come on I’ll show you your locker it’s actually not to far from mine.” As we walked the halls Frank caught the eyes of a couple of girls who not only looked without shame but whispered to each other and not as quite as I would have liked them to be all I heard was “OOOO he’s hot I wonder who he is.” “I can’t believe he’s walking with her does he not know who she is.” I just brushed it off as if I didn’t hear them but Frank looked at me with a sad face but I only smiled at him and kept walking. Some other things were said but I ignored it all.

We finally made it to his locker “Here we are locker 97 mine is just back that way its number 77.” He smiled at me and said “Thank you.” as Frank fiddled with his things and his lock I looked down the hall and saw Gerard so I ran up to him and pulled him to where Frank was Gerard moaned at me “Not so fast your going to make me spill my coffee.” I looked at his hand and gave him the sad puppy dog look he huffed at me and said “Okay just a little bit I’ve barely had any.” I was so happy I hugged him and took a long sip after a moment of letting the warm liquid settle I gave it back to him and then showed him Frank’s schedule.

Gerard looked it over and saw that they a couple of classes together but most importantly English and History and Ray had Science and Home Room. I was relieved that he had someone in each class he knew or will get to know. It was getting close to the bell so I told Frank that I would see him second period and that Gerard would take over from here he just smiled, hugged me, and they both waved me off.

**Frank POV**

As I waved Natalie off Gerard turned to me and said “English will be this way follow me.” I quietly followed Gerard and then finally spoke up “So is there anything I need to know about this teacher?” he thought for a moment and then spoke “Not really he’s actually pretty cool just make sure you pay attention or at least look like your paying attention. Make sure he acknowledges you a couple of times either by your own questions or you answer his questions if not he will call on you a lot. He’s not a complete asshole like some of the teachers he actually cares you know?” we arrive and I feel satisfied by his answer I see Gerard sit down and I put my stuff in the seat next to him.

Gerard urged me to introduce myself before the bell and give him my information as I walked up to the teacher he looked up from his paperwork and said “You must be my new student I’m Mr. Asher and you are?” I gave him a kind smile “I am Frank Iero.” He smiled at me too “Well Frank I hope you adjust well if you have any questions just ask. Also here are your books for my class.” I gave a slight nod “Thank you and I will Sir.” After I got my books I sat down and then soon after the bell rang. When the class started Mr. Asher made me stand and he introduced me to the class “This is Frank Iero he just transferred here everyone make sure you make him feel comfortable in his transition into our school.”

I noticed that a couple of the girls were staring at me and whispering this didn’t bother me but I did look their way and grin acknowledging that I knew it was about me. I chuckled a bit sat down and the lesson started and so did my counting until I saw Natalie again.

**Natalie POV**

*The bell for the next class is ringing!*

*RRRRRRIIIIIINNNNNGGGGG*

I get up from my seat, stretch, and think to myself “Gahh why does Science have to be so boring! This is one of the easiest classes I have and I just can’t get into this!” I shook my head of those thoughts and remembered that I needed to catch Ray in the hallway before he took off to far. So I hurried up and grabbed my stuff and bolted for the door and once out the door I started looking for the bushy afro I have come to love. I looked and looked and finally “Ahh I got you now!” I said under my breath as I dashed through the crowd of my peers. When I finally caught up to him I jumped on his back and said “Hi Ho Silver Away!!!” he seemed unfazed and started pretend trotting “Where to mi’lady.” I laughed at our silliness and said “Toward the English classroom my trusty steed.” And off we went.

Once to the classroom door he let me down and I hugged him properly I looked around a bit and saw Frank I grabbed Ray’s hand and pulled him to meet Frank once we approached him and Gerard I excitedly said “Frank this is Ray and Ray this is Frank, the one Mikey told you about!” they shook hands and spoke a bit before it was time for all of us to split but before we all went our ways I told Ray to stop by the Computer lab to get Frank he agreed to and we all fist bumped before we left. Frank just looked at us amazed and chuckled.

After I put my books in my locker we took off to the computer lab and again there were whispers and stares at Frank but I ignored it. Frank spoke up to me and said “So how much longer till lunch.” He said this with a laugh I just chuckled at him but didn’t reply. We finally made it to the computer lab and when we walked in I introduced him to Mrs. Fisher and I told her I would get him up to speed she just smiled and thanked me he got his book from her and we sat down. After we sat down I explained to him that this class wasn’t very hard just follow along to what she says and I also told him that she doesn’t mind that we listen to music while we work as long as we get everything done that we should.

As we both begin to work on our assignments I pull out my ipod and turn it on to some Smashing Pumpkins. I offer an ear bud to Frank and he kindly accepts and then whispers to me “I love this band!” I just smile at him and do my work. Through some of the class I could hear some of the girls talk about Frank. I don’t know if he heard it or not but by the sounds of it I think he’s going to attract some female attention and I don’t know how I feel about that. I know I kind of like him, but who am I to keep him to myself and not let him adventure and see if he likes anyone. Thinking about it makes me a bit frustrated but I continue with my work and drown out the whispers.

The class is going great and from time to time I would help Frank with some of the stuff he didn’t understand, but mainly throughout the whole class it went smooth. When the bell was about to ring I started to pack up, and Frank looked at me, smiled, then spoke “So what class do you have next?” I couldn’t help but smile back “I have History with old man Crawford.” He laughed at my statement and said “Well what do I need to know about my next class?” I thought for a moment “You have science with Mr. Howard next right?” he nodded at me “Well he’s a sucker for a good duck story that man has an odd obsession with them.” Frank laughs at me “Are you kidding me?” I shake my head at him “Nope all true he likes to hunt them so he knows a lot about the species.” Frank just looks amused it’s very cute.

*RRRRRRIIIIIIINNNNNNGGGGG*

*Frank POV*

When the bell rang she grabbed her stuff and both of our assignments when she went to turn them in I was approached by two girls. “Hi I’m Skylar and this is my friend Kayla we just wanted to introduce ourselves and your name is Frank right?” I gave the girls a kind smile “Yes it is and thank you.” The two girls smiled at me “Well Frank if you want some uhh” she paused but then continued “better company please don’t hesitate to find us.” I picked up that they were talking about Natalie and this peeved me off “Well ladies my company is just perfect.” I said this with a matter of fact tone and saw Natalie walking back toward where I was so I took this opportunity to walk to her put my arm around her shoulder and I looked at the two stunned girls and said before we walked off “But I appreciate your offer.”

When we reached the hallway Natalie said “So what was that about?” I blew it off as if it were nothing “Oh nothing just something silly I’ll tell you later about It.” she just laughed and said “Okay.” We walked to the water fountain where I got a drink, but when I looked up I saw Ray through the crowd coming to us. He walked up and put his arm on Natalie’s head using it as if it were a arm rest then spoke to me “So Frank you ready to go?” I laughed and before I could answer Natalie started swatting at Ray “Hey I’m not a leaning post here.” Ray just ruffled her hair and laughed at her it was like seeing a brother and sister fight but funnier. I told Ray that I was ready and that I would see Natalie next hour she just waved me off and we took off.

Once to the Science room I walked up to Mr. Howard introduced myself and could tell right off the bat that this man was bonkers for ducks by his desk decorations I almost couldn’t contain my laughter. After I got my books I sat in the stool next to Ray at one of long experiment desks. This class was a little more laid back then the first two I actually got to talk to Ray more then I thought I would be able to and one of the first conversations we had were.

“So Frank I hear you play guitar pretty good.” Ray said to me in between note taking. “Yeah I played your guitar at Gerard and Mikey’s house yesterday for them and might I say your guitar is sick.” He laughed a bit “Yeah I tend to leave it over there and jam with Mikey on occasions.” He paused then continued “You have no idea how long I’ve been trying to get them to start a band with me it kind of surprised me when Mikey called me all excited saying Gerard finally said yes especially to someone he didn’t know or I didn’t know.” I laughed some “I’m starting to question how he said yes to me too.” Ray looked at me with a funny and serious look and said “Well whatever you did keep it up.” We both chuckled and continued with our work and in no time Science was over.

*RRRRIIIIINNNNGGGG*

*Natalie POV*

When the bell rang I was more then ready to leave Mr. Crawford’s dungeon of doom he was my least favorite teacher and sometimes I just feel like I could punch him in the face for his arrogant personality. As soon as the bell rang I bolted for the door in a hurry like the room was on fire not listening to anything he had to say on my way out. I hurried to the boy’s room where I was going to meet Frank and take him to art. When I walked up it seemed like Ray and Frank were a bit closer because they fist bumped before he walked off leaving us there alone. Ray did turn around and wink at me before walking out of sight.

As we walked to Art we stopped by our lockers and dropped off our books and made our slow adventure to the Art Studio in the back of the school. “So how did you like science?” I asked “It’s alright there is some stuff I don’t quite understand yet but I’ll figure it out.” I gave him a serious look “If you need help after school Frank I can help you no problem I’m actually good at Science.” He smiled at me “Sure I would like that.” After that short chat we pushed through the back doors of the school to head to Art and when we did there was Gerard walking up the steps from the Gym I stopped and waited for him and when he approached us I gave him a hug.

“Hello darling how was that hellish hour for you?” he just rolled his eyes at me and said “I don’t even want to talk about it.” I grunted “Coach Sharp on his soap box today?” he laughed “More then you know!” we all laughed and walked on to class when we made it there I put my stuff down at my table and made Frank follow me to meet Mr. Gilley when we walked up to his desk I spoke for Frank “Hey Mr. Gilley how was your weekend?” he warmly smiled at me and replied “It was pretty good just stayed home with the Mrs.” I smiled back at him “Be sure to tell her I said hello.” He laughed “I sure will.” I acted as if I forgot why I came up here.

“Oh yeah by the way this is Frank he’s your new student.” Mr. Gilley looked at Frank and stretched out his hand to him Frank was polite and shook his hand “It’s always nice to have a new face in here please sit anywhere you like I have no assigned seating.” Frank smiled at him and said “Thank you sir.” He also added before we took our seats “If you need anything I’m sure Natalie or Gerard there can help you they know where everything is.” I smiled at that comment and Frank seemed satisfied. As we took our seats Mr. Gilley announced today would be a free day and we could sketch, paint, or do anything art related as we pleased. Everyone was very excited and pleased.

I got up and went to the back and got a sketch book for Frank he thanked me and we all three just doodled for awhile until Gerard broke the silence “So how excited do you think Ray is going to be at lunch?” before I could answer Frank spoke up “Oh he’s stoked I got to talk to him this morning about it he said he has some big news for everyone at lunch he wouldn’t tell me what it was though.” I heard Gerard sound puzzled and I interjected “I wonder what it is?” Frank looked at me seriously and said “I really have no clue.” I just shrugged my shoulders and continued sketching after a while I pulled out my ipod again and offered the other end to Frank and like last time he accepted.

For the rest of the class we three talked about the small stuff about who we were, what we liked, and even ideas about the band it was a great hour I almost forgot we were still at school, but when it came time for the bell I started packing everything up like usual but this time I told Frank to hold onto my ipod “Oh no I can’t do that.” I held up my hand and said “Its fine just give it back to me during Math I can’t use it during my office aid duties.” He smiled at me hugged me I smiled back and said “Well lets get going I’m pretty sure Ray is running to the lunch room for a meeting.”

As we finished packing our stuff the bell rang out and we three headed for the lunch room. As soon as we entered I hear a loud voice call our names from across the room it was Mikey and you could tell he was bouncing with anticipation. When we got to the table we all sat down and waited for Ray to speak when he finally did he cleared his throat and made a simple proclamation “We have a drummer.”

Notes

for the past 2 months i have been absent a lot of stuff has happened. i have had my time to put my feelings into check about our family friend that passed, my computer broke and that alone took almost a month to fix, and then the holidays had come and we were traveling hours to go see our families in the next state over. so now that i am back here is a extra long chapter to say I'm sorry. so tell me what you think Comment, Rate, and Subscribe. <3