Irmarie P.O.V

There was a knock on the door around six in the afternoon.

I was alone today. Star and Coco went back to their collages and my brothers were off working. Gerard went out with Mikey for some brotherly time. I was glad for that.

I was watching some Soul Eater on Netflix. I paused it and went to go get the door.

I opened the door, and there stood Ray.

"Motherfucker you don't visit me anymore!" I said and gave him a crushing hug.

"I'm sorry." Ray laughed.

"I hate you for that." I muttered.

"Yeah, right." Ray said.

"How's it been!? I haven't seen you in a while." I asked Ray as he stepped into the house.

"Great. I got an A in cooking ED." Ray said.

"You're not fucking joking!?" I said.

Ray is a horrible cook, so the fact that he has an A as a grade really is a dream.

"Nope. I have the half quarter report card here." Ray said as he unfolded the piece of paper and showed it to me.

I took the paper from his hands and saw it with my own two eyes.

Toro, Ray.

Cooking ED, Silvia, Joan.

Average grade: A

"RAY THIS IS GREAT!!!!" I hugged him again.

"I know! Mom says she's proud of me!" Ray said.

"No shit!" I said.

"How's school for you?" Ray asked.

"Okay. On Monday we had a food fight." I said.

"Really? Was it messy?"

"We had spaghetti for lunch. So, yes it was." I smiled.

"Oh man, what was the punishment?" Ray asked.

"I don't know. We all escaped before Mr. Dan came." I said.

"Oh man, you guys got lucky." Ray said.

"But those who were caught were put in detention for a whole week and cleaned the cafeteria after school." I said.

"So, Vinny send me a text message to take you out for dinner. Are you hungry?" Ray asked.

"They know me so well." I muttered. "Yeah."

"Okay, come on, we'll first eat then we'll go to the mall." Ray said.

I quickly went to go grab a hoodie and turned off the T.V. before I walked out and locked the door.

Ray turned on his car.

"Where do you want to eat?" Ray asked.

"Can we go to Panera? I kind of want their broccoli soup right now." I said.

Viva La Vida by Coldplay played on the stereo. Ray was about it change it.

"Wait! I love this song!" I said and turned up the volume.

It's one heck of a good song. The first verse of the song was done and it was heading to the chorus.

"I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing,
Roman Calvary choirs a-singing,
Be my mirror, my sword, my shield,
My Missionaries in a foreign field.

For some reason I can't explain,
Once you go, there was never, never an honest word,
And that's when I ruled the world."

I looked at Ray. "Come on, Ray Ray. With me. I know you know this song!" I laughed.

"Fine," Ray muttered.

"It was the wicked and wild wind,
Blew down the doors to let me in,
Shattered windows and the sound of drums,
People couldn't believe what I'd become.

Revolutionaries wait, for my head on a silver plate,
Just a puppet on a lonely string,
Oh who would ever want to be king?

I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing,
Roman Calvary choirs a-singing,
Be my mirror, my sword, my shield,
My Missionaries in a foreign field.

For some reason I can't explain,
I know Saint Peter won't call my name, never an honest word,
But that was when I ruled the world."

Ray started doing the backing vocals of the 'whoa's.'

" I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing,
Roman Calvary choirs a-singing,
Be my mirror, my sword, my shield,
My Missionaries in a foreign field.

For some reason I can't explain,
I know Saint Peter won't call my name, never an honest word,
But that was when I ruled the world."

Ray and I started doing the faint 'Mhmm's' of the song. When the song finish, Ray and I started laughing.

"That was fun! You're a good singer, Irmarie." Ray said.

"Dude, your voice was like God was singing this song!" I said.

"I try." Ray smiled.

Ray changed the station and inserted a mix CD he had. The first song to play was AC/DC's Highway to Hell. By the fifth song in the CD, we were parked outside of Panera.

The only good part of going to Panera during the weekdays was that there was barley anyone there. I usually felt like I was being judge when I went there, but that was just me.

We ordered our food.

"Hey Ray, how's Christa doing?" I asked.

"She's fine. Hey, when is Linda due?" Ray asked.

"Frank said sometime in September." I said.

"They must really be happy." Ray said.

"I know, Frank is happy to have a little brother or sister. How's your sister by the way?" I asked.

"Jessica or Jasmine?" Ray asked.

"Jessica you moron, Jasmine isn't even pregnant." I said.

"Doctors say that Jessica is due around late May, maybe early June." Ray said.

"Lot of babies are going to be in this family." I said.

"Yeah, first Jessica, then Linda, then Amy. I wonder who's next." Ray said.

I shrugged.

"Gerard's birthday is tomorrow. I need to get him something." I said.

"Oh, loverboy's birthday, eh,." Ray smirked.

"I swear to God if you're thinking of wrong things I will break your guitar." I said.

"No I am not!" Ray said.

"Good. I was going to ask you to help me pick our his present but I guess I won't now." I said.

"Please. I want to help!" Ray said.

"Will you pay for the gift?" I asked.

"Yes!" Ray said.

"Okay."

We walked all over the mall, trying to find the right gift for Gerard. I would call Mikey but I fear that Gerard will be right next to him.

"Call Mikey. Or text him!" Ray said when we sat down at a bench.

"Fine."

I took out my phone and message Mikey.

'Mikes, what should I get Gee for his birthday?'

In less then ten seconds my phone buzzed.

'I got him the second book for Naruto. Hey he likes that one band you had showed him, Tonight Alive. Get their CD for him.'

"Ray. I got it!" I said as I stood up.

"Whatcha going to get?" Ray asked.

"A whole bunch of CD's." I smiled.

We both ran to F.Y.E., which was on the second floor. We ran into the store and went straight to the CD's there.
Ray eyes were caught by an old CD. I'm pretty sure it was Black Sabbath.
"Thanks for the help." I muttered as I went to the T section of the CD's. I found and took the last CD they had from Tonight Alive.
I then quickly ran to the N's and got Nirvana's Nevermind. I then proceeded to grab Pararmore's Riot!, Brand New Eyes, and their self-title album, (as much as I want it myself I am getting it for Gerard,) and then Green Day's American Idiot. I tried to remember what else I showed him...
I ran to find The White Stripes' Elephant. That should do, seven CD's are pretty good presents if you ask me.
"Ray I am done finding Gerard's present." I called for Ray.
Ray was looking at an AC/DC CD. "I'm sorry, what?"
"Funny. Come on. I got his present." I said while holding up the CD's.
"Presents, Irmarie." Ray said.
"It's all together okay." I said.
"Are you going to get a CD?" Ray asked.
"Really. You're willing to let me buy a CD after I am making you buy seven of them." I said in surprise.
"Yeah. Just put my name on it too." Ray smirked.
"I'm fine with that." I shrugged and went to get the new Paramore self-title CD for myself because that is the only album from them I don't have. I know I am sort of late on buying that... but that's how I roll.
Both Ray and I walk to the counter. I was carrying eight CD's while Ray had about five CD's in hand. I wonder how much money he has...
The guy at the counter looked at us like we were crazy. I'll tell you, we're crazy about music.
"Will that be all?" The guy asked.
"Yeah." Ray said for me since I am shy to speak up.
The guy checked out our stuff. He saw that there was two Paramore self-title albums. "I think you have this already." The guy said.
"No. The other one is for a friend." Ray said for me.
The guy nodded and looked at me for a millisecond. I felt like an awkward turtle there. Gosh why am I this shy and awkward. Never going to get by in life with this anxiety and social awkwardness and shit. Life sucks sometimes.

Ray paid for the CD's, (not telling you how much he paid. Lets say it was over a hundred...,) and we left the mall.
Before we even left our parking spot, I opened up my copy of the self-title album. Ray turned on the car and I inserted in the CD.
"You know the song Let the Flames Begin." I said to Ray.
"Yeah, that's like my favorite off the Riot! record." Ray said.
"Well, part two is in here." I said as I changed it to the seventh track.
"Really? What's it called?" Ray asked.
"You'll get a real laugh at this." I smiled.
"What is it?" Ray asked.
"Part II." I smiled.
"Really." Ray chuckled.
The soft drumming and guitar playing started to sound through the stereo. Ray turned up the volume.
"I like it." He said.
I got out the booklet and flipped it to the page for the lyrics. I didn't want to read the first verse of the song since I really didn't know this song.
What a shame, what a shame we all remain,
Such fragile broken things,
A beauty half betrayed,
Butterflies with punctured wings.
Still there are darkened places,
Deep in my heart,
Where once was blazing light, now,
There's a tiny spark.
Oh glory,
Come and find me,
Oh glory,
Come and find me.
I knew the chorus of the song, so I sang with my heart out.
"Dancing all alone,
To the sound of an enemy's song,
I'll be lost until... you find me,
Fighting on my own,
In a war that has already been won,
I'll be lost until,
You come and find me,
Oh glory."
Again. I didn't know the verses of the song. Ray seemed to be rocking out the chorus of the song because he'd be head banging like this was some metal song, but then again, Ray head-bags to any good song.
"Ray! Eyes on the road!" I called. The last thing I needed was a car crash because Ray can't keep his headbanging under control.
What a mess, what a mystery we've made of love and other simple things,
Learning to forgive, even when it wasn't a mistake,
I questioned every human,
Who won't look in my eyes,
Scars left on my heart, formed patterns in my mind.
"Oh glory,
You'll find me.
Dancing all alone,
To the sound of an enemy's song,
I'll be lost until you find me,
Fighting on my own,
In a war that's already been won,
I'll be lost until you fine me here oh glory,
You come and find me here."
The guitar come in and play a soothing melody, well it is to me anyways. Slowly and gently the drums and bass come in. I swear this breakdown is giving me the chills. The good kind, the one where you know it's a really good song because you get those chills.
"Like the moon we borrow our light,
I am nothing but a shadow in the night,
But if you'll let me. I will catch fire,
So let your glory and mercy shine."
The song ended and went to the next one. Ray and I sat there in silence and let the song fill in.
"Oh." Ray began.
"My." I said.
"God." We both said.
"That song was..." Ray began.
"Amazing." I finished his sentence.
"That song will make a good song for Catching Fire." Ray said.
"It actually is." I said.
"You make a good concert buddy. We should go together." Ray said.
"Fine. On one condition." I said.
"And that is?"
"I have to bring Gerard with me." I said.
"Okay. Just make sure loverboy doesn't go in mosh pits." Ray smiled.
"Deal."

Notes

Sorry I haven't uploaded quickly but school is a piece of shit... anyways....

Listen to Part II it is such an amazing song you have no idea how annoyed my mother is now by me because of the song. Hahahaha. >:D