Almost fantasy (Gerard Way)

Sweater Weather

It's been a week since Frank and Ray made our little threesome a fivesome.

In passing halls and glances do I see Gerard. That boy occupies most of my mind, now. Like my brain found something and latched onto it. In art he avoids eye contact, but he'll sit next to me every time. In the halls we make eye contact, exchanging somewhat sour glances, like we're trying to one up each other.

I don't know what it is about him. Maybe it's his complete avoidance of me. Maybe it's the fact that he seems to despise me despite the fact that I was nothing but nice to him. The fucker.

Mikey and Arlo are good friends now, surprisingly, but that means I have to deal with Gerard a lot more.

The leaves in the trees were all red now, and as I park my bike, I watch as a few fall down gently in front of the school. For a second, my mind drifts. Away from The autumn. Away from Gerard and Nicole and Julian and Frank and Ray.

—————————

Around this time, last fall.

Hikaru and I push our bikes into the stands, chatting loudly as we do. Around us, a few of the ripe red leaves fall onto the ground.

Hikaru stands up from locking her bike. Her short black hair falls effortlessly at her shoulders, her brown eyes light up as she smiles. She wore a long dusty pink skirt, another Lacey white skirt layered on top. She wore my green knitted jumper, I had lent it to her weeks ago and she seemed to love it so much I didn't think to ask for it back. Lord knows I had enough of her clothes in my closet.

Her neck and wrists were adorned with chunky necklaces and bangles that rung when she moved, a fashion trait I picked up from her.

"He does not! You're lying, Star." She giggles, nudging me a little as we walk.

"Kara, he's crazy for you. Why do you think he hangs out with us idiots? The poor man looks exhausted from all of Nicole and my bullshit." I say, linking my arm with hers as we walk through the school doors.

"Star, please. Julian and I are friends. I mean yeah, he's cute...but..." I see a blush form on her face as her smile becomes uncontrollable. My eyes widen, and I shake her shoulder gently.

"Kara! You like him! I can see it!" I giggle, as we approach our lockers.

It was weird, we'd known each other since we were kids, and we always got assigned lockers that were next to us.

Kara throws her head back against her locker. "...but...there's also...Lewis." She sighs, oh Kara. The turmoil of a teenage girl.

———————

Present day.

I slam my locker door shut, my eyes fixated on the one next to me. Around me, people shout and yell, running in the hallways, giggling. It's like white noise for the teenage psyche.

"Star" Julian smiles at me. My heart skips a beat at that name. I don't hear it as much anymore.  I look up at him. His neatly kept moustache always made me smile. It's little quirks like that, of people, that you have to hold on to.

I often forget that Julian is a lot older than us, almost 18. I mean, no one else in our year was growing mean facial hair like that.

His beanie covered head stares at me. I'm zoning out, rambling, aren't I? Fuck. Sorry.

"Huh? What's up, Jules?" I smile, leaning against my locker. Julian is a pretty perceptive guy. He squints his eyes at me. "I just...been wondering... how are you going? Are you, are you good? Happy? Muy bien?"