Changes (Gerard Way Fan-Fiction)

To be honest, I didn't think that anybody would made a too big deal out of a lip ring. It's just a little piece of jewels just like a ring, a wristband or a necklace. Just a small little thing to make yourself look cooler or whatever effect you want it to have.
But that Friday the only effect it had, was people giving me weird looks. Not entirely negative or judgmental looks. Some were surprised, some even sympathetic and some even shocked.
Mr. Iero offered me a smile when I entered his classroom guided by a thumbs up. He was wearing his lip ring as well and I felt less self-conscious almost immediately. As if on purpose, he looked even more edgy that day then he normally did. He wore a Black Flag t-shirt, some tight black jeans and chucks. His hair just as black as his outfit. If he looks like that and gets away with it, I could as well.
We only had single lessons on Fridays and Mr. Iero liked to use these lessons to show us some music. Whether it being out of movies or bands, solo artists, orchestras or a jazz quartet. Occasionally we were allowed to present something from the music we enjoyed listening to. Though, I never presented something, the majority of the class wouldn't like it anyway but Mr. Iero couldn't care less about it. Long story short, I ended up presenting a song by the Smashing Pumpkins, Mr. Iero was fan-girling around while the class was complaining. Just as I expected...minus the part were Mr. Iero gave an awesome air-guitar solo, but oh well.
The timing couldn't be worse because right in that moment the headmaster accompanied by two security guard-kind of guys came rushing trough the door, into the classroom. Mr. Iero killed the music immediately but he knew he was in trouble. "Mr. Iero, one minute please." the headmaster said with a straight face. Mr. Iero gulped deeply and made his way outside like a little kid that is going to be punished because it stole a cookie again. "I'll be right back." he was about to say something else but was cut off by the headmaster: "No you won't. Mr. Way is filling in for you for the rest of the lesson.". With that said my head snapped up. Just then, Mr. Way was entering the room, giving Mr. Iero a pat on the shoulder and a sympathetic look. "Good luck, man." he whispered but one could still hear it.
Only then I noticed that he looked different from his usual appearance. Instead of one of those tight black pants, he wore a lose jeans and a blue t-shirt. His bangs not longer in his face but combed back with some hairspray, I guess. He looked, well...normal.
The door was already closed and Mr. Iero was nowhere to be seen. "It's only ten more minutes so just chill for the rest of the lesson. Just not too loud please." he said and sat down behind his desk. I couldn't help but wonder what happened yesterday when he went to the headmasters office. Maybe I should ask him when the lesson's over. Or maybe-. My thoughts were cut off by someone nudging my arm. Ray. "What the hell is going on?" he whispered. "I've never seen him like that." he added nodding his heat towards the teachers desk. I just shrugged. I had no idea either and I was dying to know. "You come over to Mikeys' when school's over?" Ray suddenly asked, much to loud for my liking. I was going to answer but was cut off again by someone: "What did you say?" it was Mr. Way who said that. When I looked at him, he looked nervous, almost panicked. Ray started laughing but was able to answer after some seconds: "Oh, I just made sure that she comes over to Mikeys' later. She doesn't know by the way." he said. Okay, I had enough at that point but I didn't want to make a scene in front of the whole class. So, I just rolled my eyes and tried to ignore it. 'She doesn't know by the way.' What the fuck do I not know?! I was going to beat Ray to death after this was over, anyway. "Mikeys'? You kidding?" was the only thing Mr. Way said which made Ray laugh even harder. "Gerards' then." he said, still laughing. Mr. Ways' eyes grew wide but when he saw my clueless expression he glared back at Ray. "That's better." he mumbled under his breath. The rest of the lesson went on in silence, the only sound being heard was the bell ringing when it was over.
"Finally, I gotta go." Ray say and rushed out of the room without giving me an opportunity to answer, let alone holding him back to confront him with what just happened.
Knowing that it was no use to chase after him I waited until the other students made their way out, as well. "Why do you always happen to be the last one leaving my class?" Mr. Way said, his bag already thrown over his shoulder. Now, that I had a better look on him, I have to admit that the new hairstyle suited him just fine. Being able to see his face wasn't a bad thing at a-.

Hell, shut it.

"Just wanted to ask what came out of the conversation between you and the headmaster...if I may ask." I said, making no attempt to get up from my chair. He buried his face into his palm, rubbing his temper. "Nothing at all, really." he mumbled which made me lift one eyebrow. Okay, he doesn't want to tell me then. Or is not allowed to. Who knows. "Oh. Okay then." I said and got up, ready to leave, making it obvious that I didn't believe him but why should he care.
"No really." he added which made me turn around. He was looking at me, he almost looked like he was in pain. I was about to ask if he was alright but he cut me off: "I asked him who came up with this shit. He only said 'the government'." I took in what he was saying, thinking about it. "That's not really helpful." I mumbled, lifting one eyebrow. "That's what I was saying!" he answered stressed out.
"Well, thanks for the information. I gotta go, I-" and he was cutting me off again: "You know this Mikey kid?" he suddenly asked. I was taken aback but answered anyway. "Yeah. He's a friend of mine." He looked like he was deep in thoughts for a moment but came back to reality soon after. "And you're going to visit him today?" what is it with those guys, really?! "Okay, what is it with these guys? I don't know why you're asking me this but yes I am. So, why is Mikey always smirking like an idiot every time he asks me about my art lessons and why is he asking me about my art lessons, anyway?!" I was almost yelling at that point, serious but not serious enough to disrespect him. In the end of the day, he was still my teacher. I was expecting an answer but all I got was a stupid smirk similar to the one Mikey was giving me the past few weeks. That's when I lost my cool: "And why the fuck are you giving me the exact same idiotic smirk right now?!" I yelled, slowly but surely freaking out. I always hated not knowing things. And people who were rubbing in my face that they know something I don't are the worst kind of people. "I have no idea, sugar." he answered overly amused, still smirking. "Did you just call me...?" I asked or didn't ask because I didn't want to say it out loud. He opened it mouth in order to say something overly smart back but I was faster: "You look like shit in that outfit." I simply said, crossing my arms in front of my chest. He closed his mouth again, staring at me with a blank expression. "That escalated fast. We're even now." he said, lifting his entire weight on his left leg and placing his left arm on his hip. I tried to fight the laughter but looking at him is this position made it harder by the second. "It's good to see that I amuse you but-" "I gotta go." I said, made my way out of the room and waved nonchalantly. Not the awkward wave I usually do, the cool one. The one you do when you just won a bitchfight or something and then just leave. This kind of wave. Yeah.

Break. Finally. I didn't think that I'd be able to stand those glares much longer. Besides, the little incident with Mr. Iero that morning frightend me slightly, so getting from one room to another save was kind of hard because I was trying so hard to avoid any teachers that were not eigher Mr. Way or Mr. Iero. They didn't give a damn about my apperance but that didn't count for anyone else. Why I didn't just put out the ring? Well, dignity I guess.
When I arrived at our usual table everybody was smiling at me which I appreciated to a great extend. "Hey guys." I said and waved, my tray almost falling over. "I heard Mr. Way filled in for Mr. Iero this morning an-" Mikey started. "Don't start." but was cut off by me because I really did not want to deal with this 'I know something you don't' shit. "Will your brother pick us up after school?" I asked to change the topic. If only I had known that I didn't change the topic at all. "No, he can't. He has to stay longer." Mikey simply said, his earlier smirk replaced by his usual pokerface, much to my gladness. "Stay?" I asked. "Yeah...at work...I mean." he added kind of rushed but I let it go with an arched eyebrow, nevertheless.
It was quiet for some moments because everybody was trying so had not to puke from the food they served that day. I didn't even know what it was. Just some grey colored mash that smelled like...I don't even know. It reminded me of dogfood somehow... . Anyway, meanwhile I couldn't help but notice that Bob was starring at me every now and then but when I looked at him, he'd look away. Wow, very inconspicuous. "Bob, what is it?" I sighed. "Nothing." he just mumbled and kept pretending to eat his so called food. I rolled my eyes and glared at him "Come on, tell me."
He took his fork down and sighed deeply. "You should really put this lip ring out. Don't want you to get kicked out." I chuckled amused, what's the worst that could happen. "Why? The worst they can do is telling me to put it out." Bobs' face stayed serious, almost upset: "Dude, you know what the headmaster told Mr. Iero? The two security guys shoved him out of the schoolbuilding rather rudly and told him that he's suspended until he 'learns how to follow the rules'." Well, that was quiet the surprise. I never imagined that they would make such a big deal out of it but obviously they do. Does that mean that Mr. Way fills in for Mr. Iero every Friday...?

Shut up, that's not important.

"I'm sure he already quit. He's much too stubborn to go along with somthing as stupid as this." Ray threw which Bob and Mikey agreed to by nodding and chuckling slightly.

That's when I noticed something. Something I never realized before. And that was how weirdly silent it was in the cantina. Even though it was packed and pretty much every seat available was taken by someone, it was threateningly calm. Only then did I notice that even I and the guys were just whispering seconds ago, not yelling like they usually were doing. Turning around to examine the situation I realized that indeed almost everyone was just starring at the food in front of them. No joking around, no food fights, nothing. Just some muffled whispers here and there.
That's when I noticed that the headmaster with his two new friends was standing in the doorway, arms folded in front of his chest. But he didn't look pleased at all. No, his face shew sorrow and anger. Other then the two guys behind him whos' arms were also folded in front of their chests but other then the headmaster they were wearing a proud smile.
That was when I realized that the headmaster was inocent but who were those guys, being able to force him to put the entiry school under pressure, the teachers included?

The silence was broken by footsteps coming towards the cantina. Mr. Way passed the headmaster and the two big guys, bumping with his shoulder into one of them, by accident of course. Every eye that was present in the room was on him which he noticed. "Uh, I'm sorry." he appologized nonchantly and smacked the giant man on the shoulder in a mocking friendly way. The man, who had to be something above 6'4, just growled at him but didn't move one inch.

Mr. Way just shruged and kept going while eyeing the crowd of silenced teenagers in front of him. "You know..." he began yelling, so that everybody in the room was able to hear him. All eyes were on him, the headmasters included. "...maybe you're not allowed to dress as you want, but you're sure as hell allowed to talk." and with that he passed the cantina and left to go outside for having a smoke, I guess but not before shouting me a quick glance and a brief nod as if saying "go along with it.".

And that's what I did. I was the first one that started laughing. Bob and Ray were hesitant at first but Mikey came along just seconds later. The others around us started to share insequre looks with each other but soon started to talk, quiet but they talked.
The oppressive atmosphere that lingered in the air minutes ago was soon gone and I couldn't help but notice that our headmaster was smiling slightly, other then the two man behind him. So, I was right. Someone else burdened our school with those rules, but who?
Soon, the bell rang: "I gotta go. See you later." I said while happily throwing my rest of food away.
"Yeah, see you afetr school!" they yelled, purposely extra loud.

Notes