Staring Down a Loaded Gun

I walked into class and sat in my usual seat, waiting for Mr. Sawyer and Gerard to arrive. Frowning at the seat beside me, I realized it had been more than a week since I had seen him.
I wanted to ask the group where he was, but I couldn't make myself do that. If it had been any of the other boys, I wouldn't have trouble asking. But with Gerard... I don't know why, but I just couldn't.
"Alright guys, let's see that homework I gave you." Mr. Sawyer grinned as he walked into the classroom with a very nice suit, and neatly combed hair.
"Sir, are you going on a date?" a random guy asked.
"No, why?" confusion clear on his face.
"You look hot! That's why." a shameless girl exclaimed.
He raised an eyebrow and smirked "I'm not going on a date, I have a meeting today. And... I'm always hot."
Everyone laughed including me.
"Now take out your homework. Don't think I don't know your tricks!" He then laughed.
There was a series of groans and 'damn its' around the class.
Looks like they haven't done the homework...
I let out a sigh and got my things. Seems like Gerard wasn't going to be in today as well.
Maybe he was sick....
***
"Hey!" I greeted the squad in the corridor outside my classroom.
"Hi!" Ray grinned widely. He was wearing a pair of ripped jeans and a brown top. His hair looked extra wild today.
"Hello." Sniper smiled warmly at me. She was dressed in a black summer dress and cute red ballet flats. I may be gay, but I always appreciate how beautiful she is. Even though I'm a guy I felt self conscious standing next to her in skinny jeans and a zipped up hoodie. I hated my body, so I always kept it hidden no matter what the weather.
Mikey was wearing black skinny jeans and an Anthrax t-shirt. That seemed to be his favorite, apart from his Dawn of the Dead shirt. He was wearing different glasses today, these were black and white. In place of his normal black ones. I wanted to know what he thought about his brother missing all this school. But I have to realize that it was normal for Gerard to be missing sometimes even Bob.
In the last few days I had gotten very close to the group.... except for Gerard. From the schools reaction and impression on the older Way, I didn't think his friends would be so accepting, caring, and nice.
I think that they were just misunderstood. The students weren't seeing past their choice of clothing and who they were associated with. Something I had to go through my whole life. The only person in the group that talked to other was Sniper. I could as well, but you know, I'm not that social. I didn't expect to get any friends during my senior year, let alone the first day.
"Where's Bob?" I asked Sniper when I noticed he wasn't amongst the group. And he wasn't hitting on me.
Confusion and worry flooded me as she shared a look with Ray.
"Oh... umm.... he umm had stuff to do. So... he didn't come today." she answered rocking back and forth on her feet.
I made my mouth into an 'O' shape and nodded slowly at her, as if I understood what she was saying.
"Alright bitches. I'm starving let's go eat!" Mikey grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the front door, so we could go to our eating/ hangout spot.
Not many people sat outside, it was rare to see someone. They all sat in the stuffy cafeteria that looked like something straight outta Mean Girls.
Seriously, it was so stereotypical. You could tell who belonged to which group , from the food they're carrying to the clothes they wear.
Sad really.
***
"Bye Frankie!" I heard Mikey scream out as I got on my bike. I turned around to see Mikey waving hysterically, Ray doing a robotic hand wave, and Sniper waving her hand like a normal human being.
I grinned at them and yelled "Bye!"
I turned back around and pedaled off to go pick up my little brother from school. This ratty, old bike was transportation now. Not bad because we lived nearby but still... ew, exercise.
Pedaling as fast I could, I wanted to get there fast as not to make Cobys teacher wait.
Turning into his school, I parked my bike behind a big bush that was able to cover it. It's not like anyone's gonna steal a crappy bike like mine but just in case as a precaution, I wanted to be safe.
I found my way to his classroom and quietly slipped through the door.
I smiled when I found the tiny bugger on the floor, playing Lego. I looked around the room, occupied by miniature tables and chairs, toys spewed in one corner and all artwork hung up on the walls. My eyes came to a stop on a little girl with messy hair hanging around here face, and wearing a worn out dull yellow dress. She was sitting at a table in the corner of the room drawing with an orange crayon. Subconsciously, I smiled when I got an image of Gerard drawing. Just like him, she seemed to ignore everyone and everything around her.
Why hasn't she gone home yet...
"Frank!" hearing a voice, I looked away from the little girl and turned to the teacher.
Mrs. Jutts was an old lady, nearing the age of retirement. She was very sweet and caring from what I've seen and heard from Coby. She takes care of all the kids like they were her grandchildren.
If only I had a teacher like that when I was in kindy . "How are you dare? Gotten anymore tattoos?" She asked as she stood up from her seat and walked over to me.
I smiled at her "I'm okay Mrs. Jutts and no, I haven't as of late. How are you?"
"Oh, I'm doing great for my age. Though, I don't think the body pains are going to leave anytime soon.
I laughed at her comment like I was supposed to.
"Your brother's been behaving very well today. Tell your mother that." I smiled and glanced over at him. He looked so engrossed in making a car out of Lego, that I doubted that he even noticed my presence.
"Cobalt, dear!" Mrs. Jutts called to him "Get your bag honey. Your brother's here to take you home.''
He looked up with a pout but did what he was told. I raised an eyebrow feeling amazed once again. I couldn't get over the fact that Mrs. Jutts could make him do anything she wanted, and he would do without arguing. Yet, if Mom, Dad, or myself told him to so something he wouldn't without putting up a fight.
"Let's go." I felt my hand being roughly tugged by Coby.
I scowled down at him then replaced it with a kind smile when I looked at Mrs. Jutts.
"Would you like us to wait till-" gesturing to the little girl "-she leaves?"
"Oh no dear." she waved my idea off. "You go. It may take some time."
"We can wait-"
"No, no. We'll be fine. Go home and relax. I'm sure your mother would be looking out for you."
Not really. Mom's a nurse and Dad's a therapist. They both finished usually finished worked at six. But today was one of those days where they would later than usual.
"Okay, then." slowly heading towards the door. "Have a great day Mrs. Jutts!"
"You too, dear. and Cobalt honey, stay out of trouble!'' she pointed a finger at him and warned.
He smiled innocently at her "Okay, Mrs. Jutts!"
Letting out a girly and looking up at her, my eyes end up on the little girl who is now staring at me.
I looked at her somewhat sad amber eyes with a frown , then gave her a smile. Quickly glancing over at her small, fragile looking body, I pulled Coby out the door.
As we headed to my bike, I couldn't help but think back to the girl. Her glassy amber eyes kept flashing in my mind.
Pushing away the image, I glanced down at Coby "So Coby-boy, do you know who that little girl in the back was?"
"Yup." he answered jumping over a big rock, his Bob the Builder bag made noises as he did so "Her name is Whinnie. She's new to my class."
Oh.
"Her older cousin picks her up from school or sometimes her Auntie." He continued to speak as came to a stop in front of the bush where I left my bike. Bending down I attempt to pull my bike out...
"Crap!" it wouldn't budge.
"Look!" Coby slapped my shoulder "That's her older cousin!"
"Wait a minute Coby." i told him distractedly.
Standing up and pushing the hair out of my eye and behind my ear, only for it to fall down again.
"I think he's been a bad boy. He has a bandage wrapped around his hand and head! Frankie Look!"
Ignoring him I continued to concentrate on getting my bike out. Finally it came out with a jerk and I fell on my ass. I yelped as I fell back, the bike almost landing on top of me. Quickly standing up and looking at the wheel to see a thick broken stick in it.
"Oh, man."
"Frankie, he's looking at you!" Coby gave my shoulder a push as I crouched down to pull the stick out the wheel. "Quickly! Look! Look!"
Getting the stick out and stood up, then looked behind me with an annoyed expression, only to find there was no one there.
Was he shitting me?
"Whatever Cobalt. Let's go home." He looked up with a put but followed me with some whining.
"You should have seen him Frankie. He was here, I swear I'm not lying."
I ruffled his hair while I held the bike with the other the hand and smiled "Next time."
He pout but nodded his head "Okay."
Urgh... my back kills.
***
"Mom?" I spoke up as we ate our dinner in front of the TV.
"What is it?" she scooped up a fork full of peas.
I looked over at Dad who looked like he was engrossed in stuffing his stomach with food, then hesitantly asked her "I want to get a job...?"
"That's good dear. Do you have a place in mind?"
"yes" I swallowed thickly, chewing on my lip ring then fiddling with my hand "It's that ice cream store near where Coby takes his swimming classes."
Her fork stopped in mid-air "Honey that's too far away."
"Not really." I objected "The train station is like 10 minutes away fro here and then it's a 10 minute walk to the store."
"No." Dad spoke "I don't want you going to the train station at night time. It's not necessary. We are not in need for money."
Rolling my eyes "Dad, I wouldn't be hanging out at the train station at night time. The store's only open at daytime."
"Are you sure?" Mom questioned with a raised eyebrow "I've seen it open at 5 o'clock."
"Yeah..." thinking of a lie"But I would be asking for a morning schedule."
There was a thick silence around the room except for the noise of the television. By choice of Coby we were watching Home Alone.
"I guess that would be alright." Mom broke the silence as she looked at Dad for confirmation.
I looked at him as well with hopeful, puppy dog eyes. "Please, Dad. Nothing's going to happen I swear. Besides, there are other people that catch the train. Not just me."
He let out a deep sigh and spoke after a few seconds "Okay-"
"YES!" I fist pumped the air.
"But if I see you slacking in your education, no more work. Most importantly if you get harassed or bullied, you tell me immediately." he warned "You got that?"
"Yes, I did." I grinned happily.
"Well, then." Mom smiled at me "You better apply for the job right away!"
I nodded my head at her secretly trying to hide my smirk. The thing was, I had already applied and got the job.

Notes