Gerard's Point of View

My heart was pounding hard within my chest as I organized the papers on top of my desk, a wide grin set on my lips. It was another year, which meant that I was once again getting the chance to teach kids my passion for art. I could say with great confidence that this was the best job I have ever had. Sure, some of the kids were rude, but that’s how they are. They come into this class thinking that it’s going to be an easy A, and that might happen for those of them that try hard enough, but for the others it wouldn’t be so “cookies and rainbows”. I mean it wasn’t like I taught the kids how to finger-paint, and only that, I taught them about all of the greatest artists to have ever lived and some of their techniques.

Unfortunately I only got the privilege to teach one class, and it was the last period of the day, but I’ll take what I can get. Of course this job doesn’t cover all of the expenses I need to pay of like the rent on my apartment, but I do have a part time job on the weekends working as the cashier for a comic book store, my other greatest love. I often draw and paint different super heroes and super villains that I create when I feel the need to do so. It’s a great past time of mine.

I’ve been here since noon, so it would be a couple of hours before my class showed up. Since I had nothing better to do, I decided to take my sketchbook out of my black messenger bag, and started working on my most recent super hero: Captain Dildo. He was one of those heroes where he didn’t have any powers, but he still helped out the people in need… mainly women and gay men. He helped them by filling up their “voids”. By the time 2:35 rolled around I was about half way through shading in Captain Dildo, and some of my class had already started filing into the classroom. My eyes widened slightly as I looked at my drawing, fear welling up inside of me at the thought of any of them seeing it, so I closed my sketchbook quickly, and shoved it back into my bag.

“Good afternoon class, my name is Mr. Way, for those of you that don’t already know, and as of today I’m going to be your art teacher for the next three trimesters considering this is the only class that lasts all year long,” I announced as I stood up from my desk, surveying all of the teenagers sitting before me. Some of them had their eyes focused on me while others had their eyes focused on the ceiling and or desk… bright kids those ones. I sighed as a few of them waved at me, and smiled when a choice few said hello. “Since it is only the first day of class, I’m not going to have you do anything, you can just sit and talk, or you can draw if you’d like, that is of course after I take roll.” I took the clipboard with a list of at least 25 kids’ names on it from on top of my desk, and a red pen as I leaned back against the desk lazily.

“Bryar?”

“Here,” a boy with strawberry blond hair said as he raised his hand, a bored look set firmly on his face.

I got through most of the names before I stumbled upon one that was a little confusing at first. “Umm, whoever’s last name this is, you might have to help me out,” I spoke, blushing slightly while I scratched the back of my neck nervously with my pen.

“Does it start with an ‘I’?” a boy with silky, dark brunette hair covering his right eye, a silver loop pierced through the left side of his bottom lip, and the right side of his nose asked with raised eyebrows. I nodded my head and he replied with, “It’s Iero, not always so easy for teachers or anyone else to pronounce.” He was extremely stunning, and although he was my student until next May, I still felt the small flutter of butterflies in my stomach from looking at him.

“Is it Italian?” I inquired, furrowing my eyebrows at him, and he only nodded his head in response. “Oh, I see, what’s your first name?”

“Frank.”

It was a good name for him, it suited him perfectly, and it appealed to my liking. After that little conversation I started up roll call again, feeling my heart drop when I saw a girl sitting next to Frank lean her head on his shoulder. I desperately hoped to myself that they were merely friends, nothing more nothing less, but the way that she smiled when Frank started talking to her told me differently. That disappointed me, but it wasn't like Frank and I could be together, he was my student, so that sort of relationship was illegal, not to mention it would most likely cost me my job. All of these thoughts I had of Frank that were invading my mind were conflicting, confounding, and most of all confusing.

"I need to use the restroom for a moment, do you guys think you can behave yourselves until I get back?" I asked, glancing around the room at all of my students nervously. For the most part, they all nodded their heads, so I briskly walked out of the classroom, my hands balled into fists as my fingernails dug into the skin of my pals to form pale white crescents there. 'What in the fuck is wrong with me?' I asked myself while walking into the boy’s bathroom, and heading towards the nearest sink. I needed to get a hold of myself and quick, after all it was only the first day of school, so if I didn't I would be so fucked. I surely wouldn't be able to control my advances on Frank, whether it is sexual or otherwise it didn't matter.

I turned the faucet, and cupped my hands underneath the cold running water, splashing some on my face in the hopes of snapping myself out of whatever this 'thing' was. After I had turned the faucet off, wrung out my hands with some paper towel, and walked out of the bathroom, heading back in the direction of my classroom, my body shaking slightly. By the time I arrived back there, I thought I was completely fine, but once I walked back in and saw Frank sitting in the back row of desks with Jamia Nestor, I'd learned her name after roll call, giving her a charming smile I knew I wasn't. I could really go for a cigarette right about now.

Notes

Awe, poor Gee. He needs to figure it out though. Hope you guys liked this chapter, more to come soon. <3

xoxx ~Frankie Boy.