Guitar Lessons (A Frank Iero Fanfic)

Chapter Five

Franks POV

I hung up and smiled. She had sounded really excited on the phone; "I'm going out!" I called up the stairs to anyone who was listening.

"Okay!" Ray shouted back. I grabbed my phone, keys and wallet from the table as I ran past it and out of the door. I hurried to the shop eager to see Ruby and whatever it was that she wanted to show me.

Jogging the last few yards, I arrived at the shop in record time; she was leaning against the wall kicking stones into the road. Both her and her outfit were just as amazing as the first time I saw her. Ruby looked up and waved I laughed at the way her smile illuminated her face, she looked down the guitar she had brought and blushed.

"You were quick," she noted.

"Uh huh," I nodded walking up so I was next to her "Ladies first?" I smirked, placing a hand on her back. She scowled but walked in nevertheless. Somehow, I managed to stifle a laugh and walked in after her.

Ruby's POV

A familiar sensation grew in my stomach: nerves. Things seemed to change so fast at the moment; just a couple of days ago, I had been nervous about what other people thought of me. But today? I was nervous because I was about to perform to one of my favourite musicians alive.

I tuned my guitar and set up one of the music stores many amps while Frank looked at the vinyl. I felt doubt begin to grow in my mind. 'Maybe I should have waited to show him. I could pretend that the amp isn't worki-' my thoughts were interrupted when I felt a hand on my shoulder. "Ready?" Frank asked. I turned on a smile and croaked out a small "Yes."

I swung my white guitar strap over my shoulder and smiled anxiously. "Do you want me to count you in?" he said sensing how tense I was: he went through this sort of thing almost daily. I nodded in reply. "Okay, 1-2-3-4," he said at the speed of the beat. On four, I began to play.

The world dissolved around me as sound filled the room. My practicing seemed to have paid off because each chord was smooth and the rhythm was perfect. At that moment, I felt as if I could fly.

Then everything went wrong.

I don't know what happened exactly. Maybe I hit the wrong chord or messed up the rhythm. Within milliseconds, my stomach twisted and I felt a wall of panic hit me.

The sound of the guitar cut off and the air filled with feedback from the amp. My knees grew weak and I fell to the floor. My heart started racing; the air seemed to disappear around me leaving me gasping for oxygen. The noise began to sound like a thousand people screaming in terror and I went rigid. I curled up into a ball and closed my eyes.

Suddenly, everything went quiet and the fear faded allowing me to feel the gentle arms around me. Slowly, I opened my eyes to see Frank looking down at me with fear and concern written all over his face. Tears of which I had no control over fell from my eyes and I wiped them away desperately. I didn't want Frank to see me this way.

I tried to stand up but Frank tightened his grip around my waist and pulled me back down, forcing me into his lap. He pulled me back against his chest, placing his chin on top of my head and running his hands up and down my arms. I relaxed into him.

He moved his chin from my head and I felt his warm breath next to my ear. "It's okay," he reassured me "you're safe," he whispered, moving his hands so they wrapped around my stomach. I breathed in the smell of coffee and cigarette smoke.

"Thank you Frank," I whispered.