Chasing Stars

Monday came to soon as I found myself sitting in class across from Jeremy. The teacher was going on and on about some book I had never heard of. I was wishing the clock would move faster as I looked at it for the tenth time in eight minutes. We still had ten minutes left in class. Gerard had informed me this morning that Lindsey would pick me up today and we would all be meeting for dinner at Mikey's house. I looked down at my untouched notebook realizing everyone else was scribbling down notes. Did I miss something? I quickly pushed the thought away as the bell rang through the classroom.

"Ms. Way, please stay," Mrs. Peterson asked as everyone began to file out. Jeremy gave me an encouraging squeeze before he rushed into the hall. I stood taking a deep breath and walked towards her desk.

"You wanted to see me?" I asked Mrs. Peterson unsure where this conversation was going.

"You've missed a good share of classes Ms. Way," she started.

“I know. Sorry about that," I stated.

"Where you aware of the subject today?" she asked taking a seat at her desk.

"Umm Death of a Salesman," I muttered the book title.

"Yes… Are you aware you are supposed to be writing a term paper around Arther Miller’s works? I was giving a lot of information on the paper today and you where the only student not taking notes," she informed. I let out a sigh, looking towards the window in hope of escaping. "Ms. Way, I know the struggles you have endured this past year," her words hitting me like a ton of bricks. "The school has counselors if you are not receiving an outlet at home."

“I’m perfectly fine at home," I glared defensively.

“I’m sure you are but I’m also aware of your living situation and people in the music industry can sometimes look past the importance of those outlets as well as the importance of attending classes," she implied. I let out a breath trying to contain my boiling blood. I understood that Gerard and Lindsey where not my favorite but it never gave anyone outside of the situation the right to discredit them.

“I assure you, that is not the case. Don't judge a book by it's cover Mrs. Peterson," I stated through seething teeth. She began to write on a slip of paper before looking back up at me.

"This Ms. Way is a Parental Information Slip. I need you to return it tomorrow signed by your father. It's to promote communication between you and your parent and to correct your absent behavior. Is this understood?" she asked handing the slip to me.

"Or what?" I asked with another glare. She let out a sigh and stood.

"Or you have detention and a meeting with the principle. You may go," she finished. I turned on my heals and stumped out of the classroom. I walked to my locker opening it in frustration. I somehow made it through every class without anyone mentioning my absence, I didn't see why it was so important that this teacher feel the need to push it. I quickly caught a piece of paper that slipped from my locker. I turned it over to see Jeremy's hand writing. 'Had to run today but we'll talk tomorrow'. I folded the paper and slid it in my backpack. I emptied all of my books giving up on doing homework and slammed my locker.

Lindsey was waiting downstairs as expected. I saw her eyes scan the building hoping to see me exit. When she caught my figure slowly approaching her face turned into a smile. I let out another sigh as I opened the car door. I reluctantly formed a smile.

"How was school?" Lindsey ask while she waited for me to buckle my seatbelt.

“It was fine," I said with a fake smile.

"Oh come on, that's face is the same face your Dad makes when I mention pot pies," she said with a laugh.

“It was just school. Not really anything that excites me." My comment was true even if it wasn't the full reason for my mood. She began to drive the car out of the parking lot.

"Well at least it's over right?" she asked with a laugh. I nodded turning my head away and towards the window. I didn't know how I was going to bring up this slip to Gerard or to Lindsey. Either way, it was not going to end well. I’m fairly certain that it was going to end with some type of punishment. If it was my mom, I’d just forge her signature but it wasn't. Mrs. Peterson would probably look up Gerard's signature and compare anyway. We arrived at Mikey's shortly after. Everyone was already there. I walked in and Gerard instantly stood up from his spot at the table and walked over. He kissed my forehead gently.

"How was school?" he asked as he always did.

“It was fine, it was school. There isn't much else to say. Nothing eventful," I stated focusing on taking off my shoes so he couldn't tell I was hiding something. There was silence between us. I lifted my head to meet his eyes. Forcing a smile.

"You sure?" he asked. I nodded. "Ok, sorry I couldn't pick you up," he stated as we walked back towards the table the adults where all sitting at.

"Actually it was great. She doesn't embarrass me like you do," I said with a smirk as I walked towards the couch in the other room. Gerard and Lindsey both let out a chuckle. No one stopped me from sitting down. I’m sure Gerard thought I was doing homework and in a way, I was. I pulled out my phone and began to search for 'Gerard Way Autograph'. It was my best shot after all.

I had been practicing drawing his signature for awhile when I heard footsteps come across the hardwood floors. I quickly slammed the notebook shut. Looking up Mikey was in view with a smirk on his face.

"What are you doing that you shouldn't be doing?" Mikey asked raising his eyebrows.

"Writing a letter to a boy. What's it to you?" I asked raising my eyebrows in the same manner.

"A boy? No, no no no, no boys," Mikey stated quickly looking upset. "You're to young."

"For boys? I’m to young for boys? I’m fifteen. Most girls my age have already had sex," I countered.

"Oh God," he said with a terrified face. "Give me the letter," he said stepping in front of me.

"No," I said quickly.

“I should be able to read anything you write to a boy when you are 15. If not, you shouldn't be writing it," he said snatching the notebook from my hands.

"Mikey no," I yelled jumping towards the book.

"Oh stop," he said laughing and flipping to the last page.

"Give it back," I yelled at him.

"What's going on in there," Gerard called. Mikey's eyes scanned the page as his face displayed confusion and then realization. "Ry?"

"Nothing," I shouted quickly. Mikey's eyes darted to me as he raised his eyebrows.

"What's this about?" he asked looking at me. The notebook was now within my reach.

“It doesn't matter," I muttered quickly as I snatched the notebook back.

"Really? Cuz that looks like you are practicing your dad's signature." Silence sat between the two of us.

“I have it taken care of," I stated pushing the notebook back in my bag.

"What do you have taken care of?" Mikey inquired. I looked at him for a moment. He resembled Gerard a lot. "Rylynn, there are only two reasons I can think of as to why you need to sign Gerard's name and both are illegal. We don't need you back in jail." Mikey sat down on the couch next to me waiting for an answer.

"Did you find out what she wants?" Gerard asked as he entered the room. His eyes landed on me. "You ok?"

“I’m fine. Mikey and I where just chatting. What was he supposed to ask me?" I replied.

"Oh yeah, what do you want for dinner?" Mikey asked leaning back on the couch.

“I don't care," I replied honestly.

"At all? So we could make veil and you'd be fine?" Gerard asked raising his eyebrows.

"Yuk, no I don't know what that is but I don't want it," I replied frowning. Gerard let out a small laugh.

"See you do care," Gerard said with a smile.

"Ok any normal food I’m fine with," I replied. Gerard shook his head and left the room leaving silence between Mikey and I.

"So you gonna tell me what this is about?" Mikey asked. I debated the scenarios, if I tell Mikey the truth, he tells Gerard, Gerard finds out I got in trouble at school. If I tell Mikey a lie and if he believes me maybe just maybe he'll back off the subject long enough for me to deal with the situation. "The truth doesn't take this long,” his voice intruded my thoughts.

"Mikey, it's nothing illegal. I promise ok? Just let it go," I stated zipping my bag up. As I went to go stand a hand came to my arm, gesturing me to stop. I looked at Mikey. "Please don't make me lie to you."

“If it's not illegal then you can tell me the truth," Mikey said.

“I can't tell you because you will tell Gerard. He doesn't need this to worry about especially with his stupid tour coming up," I countered. Mikey's face turned to confusion.

"What tour?" Mikey asked.

"Gerard is leaving on some long ass tour and from what I understand, it's happening soon," I said suddenly becoming interested in my backpack strap. I still wasn't sure how I felt about the whole idea.

"When did he tell you this?" Mikey asked confused and seeming a little upset.

“I happened to find out the day I skipped school. He took me to his meeting after he picked me up. I don't know, we haven't talked about. You'll have to ask him for details," I answered the unspoken question. I leaned back looking annoyed. "Mikey, it's fine. I’m fine. Everything is fine. Trust me," I added hoping he would drop it.

"Ok kid," he said sounding slightly distracted. He stood up and began to walk out of the room. He stopped at the doorway. "Rylynn," he said gaining my attention. I looked up at him, hoping he would exposed what he had found. “It's gonna be okay." I wasn't sure what he meant by the statement. Before I was able to ask him, he had already left the room. I placed my head in my hands hoping and praying that Gerard wouldn't find out about any of this. This had to work. I didn't have another choice other than to tell Gerard but that would result in even more problems.

Notes

Sorry for the wait