Towards the end of the movie, Frank reaches over and holds one of my fingers in his own. I made no move to stop him, because, after all, this would be the last night I would be able to touch him. I smiled at his childish nature. I wanted to move so we could fully hold hands, but I know he wouldn’t like that at all. As the movie ends, I realize that this was the first time in six years that I hadn’t sang to the movie. Maybe I wasn’t in the mood to sing because I wasn’t happy with this situation. How was I supposed to be when Frankie wasn’t going to be attending the school anymore? He wasn’t going to be my student. I wasn’t going to be able to see him in the halls throughout the day or slowly eating his lunch in the cafeteria. This was really it. He was going to switch to a different school and graduate with strangers with no family there to congratulate him after he crosses the stage. I quickly moved my hand to my face to wipe away the tear beginning to fall. It was heartbreaking to imagine Frankie walking away alone after graduation to an empty house, but I couldn’t do anything about it.

I stood up after the movie ended and Frank walked me to the door. I stood in front of his door, looking at him. We stayed staring at each other for what seemed like years, but was truly only a few seconds. He smiled at me, and it was only then that I saw the tears in his eyes.

He cares.

He slowly shut the door, a tear escaping just before I couldn’t see him any longer. I raised my hand on to knock on the door, but found that I couldn’t. Instead, I rest my hand again it, flat. I heard a small sob from the other side, and my heart broke as my own tears escaped from my eyes. I slowly turned away and descended the stairs, making my way back to my car. I sat there in the driver's seat with my head against the steering wheel, trying to stop the sobs from getting out. I was trying to make sense of everything when I heard a tap on my window. I jumped in surprise and let out a breath of relief at seeing it was a human and not some type of creature or...maybe ghost. I wouldn't be surprised since my phone is haunted. I rolled down the window and looked up at who I realized was a police officer.

"Yes, officer?" I asked, suddenly nervous.

"Sir, you're parked in a handicapped spot. I'm going to have to ask you to leave," he explained.

"I am? I didn't even see the symbol on the spot. Sorry about that. I was leaving anyways." He smiled and bid me a goodnight. I waved at him as I pulled out the parking lot and drove away. I silently thanked the officer in my head, because if he hadn't told me to leave, I probably wouldn't have left and instead would have gone back to Frankie. It's not that I didn't want to, but that he wouldn't. As I made my way back home, I turned on my stereo and put in my Beatles CD. The first song was Let It Be and I wanted to flip my car, so I shut it off for the rest of the drive. My phone vibrated as I got out of the car. It was a call from Ray.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Mr. Way, wanna hang out for a bit?" I almost wanted to sigh.

"You know I hate when you call me that!" I whined. He chuckled and I felt myself smile.

"So is that a no?"

"No, let's spend some time together," I said. I needed to get my mind off if Frankie, but now that I think about it... this was his ex. I almost facepalmed.

"I'll head over there right now. Be there in, like, ten," he said and bid me a bye.

"No, it's dark out. Let me pick you up."

"My, my. You're such a gentlemen. Okay, I'm at the park near the school. I'll be waiting for you," he said. We said our goodbyes and I got back in my car. I stared off into space and, before I knew it, I was at the park. I saw Ray walking over here so I got out of my car and walked around the other side to open the door for him. He chuckled as he got in, but I didn't miss the dust of light pink across his cheeks. I smirked and nearly celebrated that victory. I'd never gotten him to blush before and I definitely wasn't complaining. As I got in the car and buckled up, I reached over and held Ray's hand as I drove back to my place. His hand was big and warm and it felt nice, but then I suddenly felt guilty. Frank was all alone and here I was with his ex, holding hands. I sighed.

"Everything okay, Gerard?" He asked. I smiled and glanced at him.

"You bet. Just, um, I think I'm gonna have to order that Dorothy costume," I laughed. Ray looked at me blankly for moment, before laughing hysterically. After that, the drive home was more relaxing than I thought it was going to be. Neither of us said a word as I drove. I held his hand tightly, rubbing circles on his knuckles soothingly and smiling what I'm assuming looked like a dumb smile. I let go of his hand to turn into my driveway. I was about to get out of the car when I felt Ray grab my arm; I looked at him with a questioning look. The look he was giving was sending signals to my body, telling me to lean in and kiss him. I and averted my eyes.

"Ray, I'm sorry. You know I can't," I said. Everything was telling me to kiss this man, but my mind drifted back to Frank and I really couldn't. He sighed softly, but gave me an understanding look.

"Is it all right if I stayed the night here?" He asked. I must have looked shocked, because he chuckled at my reaction.

"I mean," I cleared my throat, "I don't really mind, but your parents?" He moved to get out of the car and I followed his move, getting out myself.

"I'll tell them I'm staying at a friends. They won't mind." I felt a bit skeptical. Back in my day, my parents would've given me a long lecture about how it was a school night if I got home from school late. Oh, God. I sound like a fucking senior citizen. I shook away my thoughts as I smiled at him and took his hand, leading him up to my home. As I unlocked the door, his grip on my hand tightened causing me to look back at him before heading in.

"I'm sorry. I'm just a little nervous," he confessed.

"Ray, I would never do anything to you that you wouldn't want," I assured him.

"No, I know. It's just that I don't trust myself with you..." he said lowly. I blushed and cleared my throat.

"Oh, I see. Well, I assure you that I wouldn't mind being physical with you, but we have to wait until you have graduated." He nods and we head inside once he says that he's fine with it. We watch movies for the rest of the night and I order take out for us because I couldn't see myself cooking for anyone other Frank. That night we decided to sleep in the same bed. We were back to back until Ray wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me close. I gasped softly at his warmth and snuggled back into him. I could see why Frank loved him so much.

The rest of the week went by terribly slow. Frank was even more distant than before, if that were even possible, which, I guess it really was. Thursday I was grading the last test paper for the script of the Wizard of Oz and sighed happily. They actually did it! Yes! I mean, I was really proud of them, but, like, it was also a good thing for me. I chuckled at my own eagerness as I ran into my closet and dragged out the box that contained my full Dorothy attire. I went to bed that night, sighing happily.

The next morning, I put everything I would need in a bag and rushed to school earlier than usual. The sun was barely coming up as I entered the school, and I found myself a lot giddier than I should have been. Frank was still here and I was happy that he would be able to see it. I was setting up my class plan as I felt my phone vibrating; thinking it was Ray, I quickly pulled it out. It was a call from Frank. My heart nearly stopped as I hesitantly answered the call.

“Hello?” I answered. I glanced at the time. It was barely going to be 6:30.

“All of you mean so much to me. I know things have been rocky for a couple of months and a lot of you may feel bitter towards me, but I want you all to know that today is my last day as your company commander and at this school. Throughout this past year, you all made me feel like I had a family. All of you may know that my parents are business people, but you may not know that I spent nearly all of my life alone. I joined JROTC, at first, for the easy grade. Eventually, though, I realized that this may truly be my calling; as a result, I’ve recently enlisted and will be taken to basic training in a few months. You have all helped me in not feeling alone, and I want to thank you. You were my real family and I will never forget what I was taught throughout this entire course. So, in return, I would like all of you to remember the reason you truly joined this program. Keep that reason close to your heart and never forget the feeling you get when you walk through those front door,” he explained. I held my breath. The way he talked to was as if they never called him names that hurt his feeling or made him feel alone.

“I got permission from 1st Sergeant. This is so I could dismiss you one last time. Alpha Company, on your feet!” He yelled. His voice had so much authority. I heard a quick shuffle of movements.

“Alpha Company,” his voice seemed to slightly crack, “dis-miss!... And farewell.” I heard receding footstep and then a door slamming.

“Frank, wait!” That was Jealousy’s voice.

“What is it?” He asked. I stood up from my desk and paced the room.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were moving? That’s insulting. You never talk to me. We never spend any time together. I’m sorry, but I can’t do this anymore. I’m breaking up with you,” she said.

“I understand. Goodbye.” He was probably jumping for joy on the inside.

“You’re not even going to fight for me?”

“There’s only one person I would fight for, and it isn’t you.” Then I heard footsteps again and another door closing. It was silent for a while before I heard him softly say,

“Goodbye, Gerard.” And then the call ended. I put my phone down on my desk and just stood for a while. I looked at the time and realized that kids were going to start entering the school soon. I need to get changed into costume. I am, after all, a man of my word. I didn’t realize I was crying until I looked at my reflection in restroom mirror, but I quickly turned away because staring at myself crying just makes me cry even more. I quickly slipped on my costume, already knowing how to put it on. Don’t judge me. I quickly walked back to my classroom, ruby slipper clacking softly across the floor. I stayed in my room, heart pounding in my chest, somewhat nervous and feeling a sick. I put my head down for a while.

“Mr. Way?” I heard a voice. I quickly raised my head and saw Ray looking at me with an amused look.

“Holy fuck, you look so cute!” He exclaimed. I felt my cheeks burn, causing me to put my hands up to cover them.

“Ray,” I whined, “stop!” I said, trying to be stern, but failed horribly as a grin spread across my face. We were silent for a while before he burst out laughing.

“Yep,” I said, popping at the ‘p’,” that’s what I was waiting for.” His laughing continued even as other kids came trudging through the door. Once they saw me, their eyes lit up and they, too, began laughing. Before I knew it, what looked to be a majority of the school had showed up and started taking pictures that I proudly posed for. I took out a stuffed puppy that looked like Toto and a basket similar to Dorothy’s out of the bag I brought and posed with those, wearing the same facial expression Judy Garland had when she first stumbled across Oz. All in all, I was enjoying myself. Laughing and all, until the bell rang and I realized, for the first time, that no one was late. I walked up to the front of the class with the biggest smile on my face.

“So,” a student started, “you actually did it. Holy fuck, you actually did it!”

“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that word, Bob,” I laughed. I did a curtsey and made my voice a little higher.

“Auntie Em, Uncle Henry!” I exclaimed, causing the class to laugh. “All right, all right. Let’s start the movie. I can’t wait!” I said as I jogged over to my desk and grabbed my bag, pulling out the DVD, and stared at it lovingly.

“Ew, Mr. Way. Get a room,” Bob said in fake disgust. I stuck my tongue out at him.

“Oh, whatever, Bryar. You’re just jelly that I love this movie more than you,” I retorted.

“Did you… just say jelly?” He asked.

“Yup. You’re so jelly, I could spread you on some peanut butter,” I said as I snapped my fingers, placing my other hand on my hip. The class laughed and I took that time to put on the movie. After turning on the projector, I waited patiently.

“Okay, we agreed I only reenact the musical numbers, but if I start quoting the movie, don’t judge me,” I explained, probably way more excited than I should’ve been, but this was my favorite movie we were talking about.

“You’re wearing a full on Dorothy costume, like, dog, basket, and all. And you’re worried about us judging you now?” Bob said. Seriously, this kid was the best smartass ever. He was the only one with enough balls to actually voice his thoughts and I enjoyed that about him. Especially when his mouth slipped up and he landed himself in detention for another teacher. I was normally the teacher in charge of watching the kids in detention, so I saw him often. He shared with me his love for drumming, and since he always had his drumsticks with him, he often showed me what he was capable of. So far, his favorite song to do was Free Bird and he was damn good at it. Though if he could do the guitar that would be pretty amazing, but I’m not complaining. I pressed play and took a deep breath.

“All righty then, class, you remember the script so I want you to tell me if the actors portrayed the directors vision correctly and then we’ll get into a big discussion at the end. Sound great?” They all nodded in approval, but were too focused on the movie. I shrugged my shoulders and engrossed myself in the movie. I’m so happy. Once Auntie Em stated that Dorothy should stay out of trouble, I got up and made my way to the front of the classroom. The kids’ eyes were on me so intensely that I almost felt nervous. Almost. I took a deep breath.

‘Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Once in a lullaby
Somewhere over the rainbow
Blue birds fly
And the dreams that you dared to dream
Really do come true,’

I sang my heart out to the song that was probably meant for Frank, who would never heard it. Once I was done with the singing, I looked forward to the class staring at me, then clapping really loudly.

“That was awesome, Mr. Way! Nice voice! Looks like dress up helped your inner Dorothy come out!” yelled Bob. I rolled my eyes at him and refrained from giving him the finger. I glanced out the window and thought I saw a glimpse of Frank’s face, smiling at me. But maybe I just wanted to see him that badly.

Notes

The song belongs to its respected writer.
Hope you enjoy seeing Gerard as Dorothy in your head for a while.
You're welcome <3
Feedback would be amazing from you all! <3 <3

-OAIF :*