The Boy Next Door...

**Natalie POV**

The first thing i heard after Ray's statement was the bursting excitment that came from Mikey "YES! OH DEAR SWEET BABY JESUS YYYEEEESSSS!!!!" I chuckled at him and looked around the table at the other guys, Frank had his heart melting smile on, Gerard looked astonished and spoke up next "Wow so do we know him?" Ray shook his head "No I jam with him and my cousin when I stay with my Aunt and Uncle on the weekend sometime he's a really cool dude real laid back I think you all would like him." Mikey butted in "I don't even care I'm just fucking excited we are getting this ball going!" Frank was next to chime in "So when do we get to meet this guy?" Ray cocked his head to the side and thought about it like he had forgotten then I guess it clicked "Ahhh Wednesday he said he can drive up here with his equipment so we can Jam, see if we all click, and can really work together." I spoke up next to show my support "Well I have faith it'll work out just dont forget the little people when you become famous alright" and I gave them all my best smile and a playful wink. Everyone gave a simultaneous "psssshhhh yeah right" I just chuckled and looked at everyones excited faces even Gerard couldn't hold back a smile.

As I stood up everyone stopped talking amongst themselves and stared at me I looked at them sideways and said "What?" Frank was the first one to say something "Where are you going?" I smiled and spoke back "You do know it's still lunch right?" everyone had an O face i guess they had forgotten in all of the excitement I laughed subconsciously and shook my head "Goofballs" as I turned around and headed for line for food I heard foot steps behind me and a "Hey wait up." I didn't have to turn around to know that it was Frank on my trail his velvet soft voice gave it away he finally caught up and asked "So whats good to eat around here?" I thought about it for a minute and spoke "Well it just depends what they have for the day I mostly just eat off the salad bar, but they occasionally have a good pasta, and on Fridays they have pizza and not the old cafeteria kind either Kim our lunch lady owns the Pizza Hut in town and brings in a shit ton its a bit more expensive that day but its pretty great." Frank just nods his head while he listens to me being animated.

Its finely our turn and we finely come up to Mrs. Kim "Anything good today Kim?" she knows I'm a vegatarian and shes always been straight up honest with me she shrugs her shoulders "No not really Natalie." we smile at each other "Well two Salad bars then" I hand her cash for me and Frank and before he can object she waves us through "You didn't have to pay for me I have my own money" I just look at him innocently "I know I'm just adding up more points to the roster of you "oweing" me." I wink at him and see his devilish smile, but inbetween making my beautiful creation I see Frank stealing glances at me. I pile my plate high with one of the greatest salads I think ive ever made or atleast prettiest ive ever made and I laugh at myself for this foolish thought, and not even a minute later I hear Frank laugh as well and I just chalk it up to him thinking I am the craziest person alive for being the most maticulouse person while I make this salad. So when I'm finally happy with my creation and I see that Frank is done as well we waste no time getting back to the table to eat.

**Frank POV**

Me, Gerard, Mikey, and Ray are all talking about what we should bring to the Way house on Wednesday and about maybe hanging out after school today to collab on some lyrics and possible instrumental structures when Natalie stands "Oh shit I forgot she was even here" I mentally slap myself, but I think we all forgot because we all went quiet when she stood so hoping she wasnt annoyed and leaving because she was upset I spoke up first "Where are you going?" she smiled and gave us this duhh face "You do know it's still lunch right?" my stomach growled as if it were perfectly timed by her words, but she just shook her head and proclaimed "Goofballs" and turned and walked off I quickly told the guys I would be back I was getting lunch too and I took after her "Hey wait up! So whats good to eat around here?" she paused a moment and explained "Well it just depends what they have for the day I mostly just eat off the salad bar, but they occasionally have a good pasta, and on Fridays they have pizza and not the old cafeteria kind either Kim our lunch lady owns the Pizza Hut in town and brings in a shit ton its a bit more expensive that day but its pretty great." I nod at her to let her know I'm listening and I smile in my head because I could listen to her talk about anything forever she's so passioniate about everything she says no matter what its about and its quite endearing.

Its finely our turn and Natalie speaks up "Anything good today Kim?" the lunch lady looks at her and kind of shrugs "No not really Natalie." they smile at each other and Natalie tells her "Well two Salad bars then" I start to fish for my wallet when Natalie hands her cash for the both of us and before I could say anything the lunch lady points us through. I had to think about when did Natalie even pull her wallet out? was I that oblivious when I was staring at her face when she was talking to me about the food here? I came up behind her "You didn't have to pay for me I have my own money" She gives me this all knowing I'm plotting something face and says "I know I'm just adding up more points to the roster of you "oweing" me." just her saying this alone made my stomach do flips, but her wink topped it all off I just smiled my most mischievious smile and followed her to the salad bar. While shes making her salad and artistically placing the food I on the other hand am going at a glacer pace just so I can see her many faces as she puts this rather large and magnificent looking salad together. As I finish off my own salad I hear her laugh and immediately think what I wouldnt do to hear that for the rest of my life and as I think that I laugh at my own self for the mindless thought. When we are both satisfied we head back to the table.

**Natalie POV**

I left the seat open next to Gerard for Frank so he could rejoin the conversation that was still consumming the group even though we had left. As soon as I sat down Mikey reaches across the table to steal one of my carrots and in mid reach I take my fork and stab at his hand it connects, and he immediately pulls back his hand with a loud "HEY WHAT WAS THAT FOR?" I just give him a death glare and Gerard speaks up "Dude this happens everyday why do you still keep trying?" Mikey looks at him incredulously and shrugs his shoulders "I thought today would be the day considering all things going right recently" he says with a laugh. I just stare at him some more with my head cocked to the side with the look of "I will cut you if you try that shit again" face before I start eating. I hear Frank and Ray chuckling and Ray saying to Frank "Yeah we dont poke the bear while she eats shes always grumpy about her food. We actually took a poll and blame it on her not eating meat." he says with a laugh. I at this point am in mid chew when I speak up "I am not grumpy I just like my salads and Frank here is a vegeterian too." everyone looks at him and Frank just gives his sideways smile without saying anything, but continues to eat. Mikey chimes in before the topic is laid to rest "Good now we can make him get your nasty stinky takeout." I dont even respond to him, but simply stick my tongue out at him like a child would.

As lunch progresses the boys are as animated as ever talking about band stuff, getting to know Frank, and it just makes my heart so happy and I dont even mind Im being semi ignored. Frank will sometimes look over at me when I haven't contributed to the conversation in awhile and we just smile at each other. He even went as far to make sure I dont feel disregaurded by having a constant hand on my knee and squeezing it from time to time, but as lunch was slowly coming to a end and the boys have all finally ate and they are all talked out I get my stuff ready to head to the office early "Hey Ray take care of Frank will ya?" he gives me a sly smile and rubs his hands together "Sure but only for 1 Million Dollars!" I evil laugh at him and I use my most ridiculous sounding bad guy voice "How about 1 BILLION Dollars" then I change back to my normal voice "aaaannnnddd a case of Red Bull for the fridge?" he jumped to his feet in haste and said with his most proper voice "I think you have yourself a deal my good Sir." I laugh at him and shake his hand to keep up the antics and I ignore the fact he just called me Sir.

I walk around the table to give Mikey and Gerard a hug, but after giving Mikey his Gerard pulls me into his lap and just cuddles into my side arms wrapped around me tight. Bewildered I ask him "Are you okay?" he looks up at me through his incredibly long and thick eyelashes and says in his best little boy voice "Yeah you were sitting so far away from me today I just needed a good cuddle." he lays his head back on my shoulder and I bend my forearm to pet the side of his face and smile at the affection. When he finally decides to let me go I give him a quick peck on his cheek "Remember just like days fade, and nights grow I'll always love you Gerard." he smiles his Diva one of a kind smiles at me and I feel satisfied leaving him knowing he feels no anxiety or depression at that moment, and it makes me happy to know I did that for him. I stand from Gerard's lap and walk back over to Frank who is sitting with a hard to place look, but I choose to ignore it because I feel super elated.

I stand still staring at Frank and his amazing hazel eyes for a moment or two thinking about if I could change his mood as well. "Maybe having him walk with me to the office and spending a little bit of alone time would help" I thought to myself and when I decide that's what I want to do I turn to address Ray "Hey Ray do you mind picking up Frank from the front office before you head to home room I'm gonna introduce him to some people up front and show him some other classrooms." he looked at me "I dont know that might cost you" he says teasingly I ponder a moment "How about a case of Monster for the fridge too?" and without hesitation he says "Deal!" Mikey high fives him and says "Damn boy you're on fire today!" he laughs "I know I should barter my services more often!" I roll my eyes at them both, wave to Gerard, and then grab Frank to pull him to his feet so we could go.

On the way to the office I purposely pace myself so I can talk to Frank without any interuption from the office staff. I take the time to ask him about his day so far and how he felt about it, he shrugged his shoulders and said "I can't complain it's been pretty rad." I smile at his simple answer and he smiled back at me then spoke up again "So are you going to Gerard's after school with the rest of us?" I shake my head "No my mom is off for the next 3 days and we always do a movie night on her first day off so Mondays are pretty much reserved for her so she doesnt feel like she's neglecting me." I laugh and he looks a bit disappointed I squeeze his arm and reassure him "Atleast you'll get good quality time to get to know the guys a bit more." he shrugged his shoulders "Yeah I guess you are right." and gives me a half smile.

**Frank POV**

When we get back to the table I notice she left the seat by Gerard open for me and I feel a bit of pride about this and smile as I sit down. When I do I notice Gerard is a bit stupified about this and I'm a bit delighted to see his reaction and in the midst of my joy in my head I see in the corner of my eye Mikey reaching for something on Natalie's plate but in mid reach she stabs him with her fork, and he immediately pulls back his hand with a loud "HEY WHAT WAS THAT FOR?" Natalie just gives him this terrifing look, but finally Gerard speaks up "Dude this happens everyday why do you still keep trying?" Mikey looks at him like this is new news to him and he shrugs his shoulders "I thought today would be the day considering all things going right recently" and he laughs. She gives him a sideways stare and I just can't contain my laughter at this point and apparently neither can Ray so he leans in and says "Yeah we dont poke the bear while she eats shes always grumpy about her food. We actually took a poll and blame it on her not eating meat." he says with a laugh and I to am laughing a bit when Natalie speaks up with a slurred speech from the food in her mouth "I am not grumpy I just like my salads and Frank here is a vegeterian too." everyone immediately looks at me, but I dare say not another word, but give a half smile and continue eating. Mikey decides to chime in on my noted silence "Good now we can make him get your nasty stinky takeout." I actually wouldn't mind that a bit I think before scarfing down a few more bites.

As lunch carries on and we talk about the logistics of the band the guys get a bit more comfortable with me and start asking me questions about myself from time to time this makes me a bit anxious so I place my hand on Natalies leg for my comfort and hers to let her know I'm thinking about her as well. When I feel like we haven't included her in the conversation enough I'll give her knee a good squeeze or I'll look at her smile a bit and continue talking with the guys. I have noticed Gerard will eyeball me a bit when he thinks I'm not paying attention, but just now mine and Gerard's eyes connect and he gives me a shit eating grin and I cant help but think is he fucking with me? I choose to ignore it and finish off my food. It's about 15 minutes to the bell to ring and I see Natalie gathering her stuff to leave and as she stands she calls out to Ray "Hey Ray take care of Frank will ya?" I find it endearing she's looking out for me, but it's completely unneccesary, but stay silent and wait for Rays rebuddle "Sure but only for 1 Million Dollars!" these two are nuts i laugh mentally and hear Natalies most amusing evil villian laugh and accent "How about 1 BILLION Dollars" these two are definitely entertaining, but she continues on but in her normal voice this time "aaaannnnddd a case of Red Bull for the fridge?" he jumped to his feet in a flash and said with a british accent "I think you have yourself a deal my good Sir." they shake hands and smile at each other, and I can't help but be fully amused.

I watch her move around to the other side of the table and walk into Mikey's open arms you can definitely tell they have a brother sister complex for each other. There hug is a little brief, but as soon as Mikey lets her go Gerard grabs her and pulls her into his lap and this just infuriates me why does he have to be so handsy with her, but she does give a perplexed look at him and questions his sudden affection "Are you okay?" he looks at her and gives her the most innocent voice I've heard from him yet "Yeah you were sitting so far away from me today I just needed a good cuddle." he lays his head back on Natalie and she smiles as she takes it in and gives a small gesture of affection back, but what really floored me is he looks at me, cocks his eyebrow at me, and gives me this look of "Ha look what I can do." after a moment or two when he finally lets her go she kisses his cheek and says "Remember just like days fade, and nights grow I'll always love you Gerard." he smiles at her and as she walks around him to make her way back to me he gives me another look of "Ha I win." this throws me off and I really dont know how to feel is he messing with me or is he really into Natalie and shes oblivious?

Natalie is standing infront of me searching my face, but I cant give her any look because I feel void of emotion at the moment because I don't know how I should feel, but I can tell she's decided something because she gives herself a slight nod then proceeds to ask Ray a favor "Hey Ray do you mind picking up Frank from the front office before you head to home room I'm gonna introduce him to some people up front and show him some other classrooms." can she tell I'm upset by something and wants to ask me about it? could I really tell her that Gerard is trying to "Mark his territory?" I'm thinking this at high speed while her and Ray's conversation continues "I dont know that might cost you" even in my own train of thought I can tell he's messing with her "How about a case of Monster for the fridge too?" dear god this girl is going to go broke making deals for me I must make a mental note to atleast buy one of the two promises she's made so far, but Ray answers her in the speed of light "Deal!" Mikey high fives him and says "Damn boy you're on fire today!" he laughs "I know I should barter my services more often!" I can tell this is amusing to her, but she just rolls her eyes to them, gives that smug bastard a wave, and then pulls me up to my feet and away.

Once in the long hallway to the office she loops her arm around my bicep and I can tell she's being slow on purpose so I welcome the slow pace and keep time with her. She is the first one to break the silence and just simply asked me how I felt about the day so far I give it one finale thought if i should tell her about Gerard and his snarky attitude or not, but ultimately decide against it so I just shrug my shoulders and give a simple answer "I can't complain it's been pretty rad." she smiles at my reply and I cant help but smile back at her beautiful face it makes my heart beat a little bit to fast sometimes to keep the conversation going I asked her "So are you going to Gerard's after school with the rest of us?" she shakes her head and gives the sweetest answer "No my mom is off for the next 3 days and we always do a movie night on her first day off so Mondays are pretty much reserved for her so she doesnt feel like she's neglecting me." she laughs after telling me and I guess I let my disheartened emotions show on my face cause she squeezes my arm and says "Atleast you'll get good quality time to get to know the guys a bit more." I shrug my shoulders some more not knowing how to feel about the Gerard situation at hand and he might act without Natalie around, but to ease her mind so she doesnt worry I tell her "Yeah I guess you are right." and I give her a half smile.

**Natalie POV**

The bell is about to ring and I've already properly introduced Frank to the office staff, showed him my desk, and showed him what I do "So you are basically the office slave?" he says with a laugh "Yup thats basically it." and I laugh with him. I see Ray's ever so fluffy afro at the door waiting, and decide to walk him to the door to hand him off and as we walk up Ray announces "So where is my 1 billion dollars?" I look at him and say in my best western voice "Oh dear gracious me I was robbed can you ever forgive me?" he looked me up and down and played along "Well missy I guess I can forgive your debt this one time I still expect the other half of our deal." I pretend to fan myself and continue "Oh thank you sir thank you! your great kindness will always be remembered, but our other deal can be fufilled as long as you keep up your half of the bargan." he laughed at me for being over dramatic, but grabbed my hand kissed it and said "I wouldnt dream of giving you anything less then promised" we both laughed together this time, but ended our antics there.

Ray turned his attention to Frank who just stood there amused at us "Ready to go?" he looked at me and I engulfed him in a hug and then whispered in his ear "Dont fucking break my IPod or Ill break your neck." I could tell this gave him chills because I could see the hair on his neck stand. We pulled from the hug and I gave him a playful smile and a wink to let him know I was just playing with him. He gave me a devilish grin placed his hand on my cheek, caressed it a bit, and said "I wouldnt dream of it princess" the simple combination of his soft gesture and nickname for me had made butterflies spring to life in my stomach and I felt lighter then air. As he lets go I subconsiouly wish for this to be a longer moment, but alas we had to say goodbye so he went out the door and out of sight.

**Frank POV**

Homeroom was basically a time out for teachers. We didnt do aything but work on our homework from previous classes, but I can somewhat appreciate this as well because I hate taking shit home. Me and Ray paired up to get our Science out of the way we were doing okay, but I could tell he didn't understand some of it either he spoke up after a minute of us being stooped but whispered to not disturb anyone "You know who is great at this shit?" I answer him quick "Natalie." he looks at me with curious eyes so I explain "She told me she would help me if I needed it." he smiled "Yeah she helps us all with our homework she's a saint like that." he chuckled and I shared a small laugh with him I asked him out of curiosity "So how did Natalie come to be apart of the group?" he looked at me and said "Well Natalie."

*KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK*

He stopped talking and almost everyone looked at the door Mrs. Bowman calls loudly across the room "Come in." and to my astonishment Natalie walks in with a handful of papers. Ray looks at me quick and says with wide eyes "I think its like Beetlejuice. We said her name too many times." I couldn't contain my laugh and it was rather loud so it caught her attention. She looked at the both of us and smiled but continued on to the teacher. Her and Mrs. Bowman spoke for a few moments, exchanged papers, and she started to make her leave, but on the way back out Ray held up his science book and started waving it around like a mad man to get her attention. Natalie just giggled, held up her hand like a phone, waved at the both of us, and then walked out just as fast as she came in. I couldn't help but think how stunning she looked and that thought alone with seeing her out of the blue gave me a great mental pick me up so with this new found energy I turned to Ray pulled out my English book and asked "So know anything about English?" he smiled and said "I might know a thing or two." and for the rest of the period me and Ray finished up the first half of our classes homework.

Notes

I've been on hiatus for 2 freaking years! But hey life happens you know! sorry for such a short Chapter I'll have more to come promise! so Rate, Comment, Subscribe, and tell me if you like my story!!!